Niger Delta

Sylva, Bayelsa Women Embark On Project Tour

Published

17 years ago

July 6, 2009

Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva has said that he would take women groups round projects he has completed in the State since he came on board, as he urged women in the state to pray for him.

Sylva who spoke when thousands of women from all the local government areas of the State came out for a solidarity rally in his honour in Yenagoa Friday afternoon, said the purpose of the proposed project tour for the women was to enable them appreciate what he has put on ground.

“I will take some of you round the projects and see the ones that will benefit women”.

He noted that contrary to criticisms from certain quarters; if he had wanted to embezzle money he wouldn’t have cared to complete the numerous uncompleted projects that dotted the state.

“I always tell people if I wanted to chop money, I wouldn’t have completed projects left by successive administrations in the State” said Sylva who noted that if he had not taken the pains to do what he did on the projects, “Bayelsa State would have been known for uncompleted projects”.

Our correspondent reports that the Bayelsa State chief executive explained that a lot has been done to ensure the completion of most of the uncompleted projects but he would not make noise about them.

Eulogising women in general, Sylva who said any society that forgets women will collapse, added that “without women I can’t be here today, if not for women I would have died of hypertension because my wife as a woman has been comforting me at home”.

The Governor who commended the women for the solidarity, described Bayelsa women as a special breed”.

“The Government must touch women first, women must come out strongly and assert themselves” said Sylva who further advised them to talk to their fellow women not to tarnish the image of women by their actions.

“Form groups to talk to yourselves, you must talk to women not to be called bad names” advised Sylva appealing to them to fervently pray for him and for peace to reign in the state.

“What I want you to do for me is to pray for peace. Know that God hears women’s prayers more, pray for militants to drop their arms, continue to pray for peace in Bayelsa State”, he told them repeatedly at the rally that witnessed placards that read. “Sylva we have you,” “Sylva continue with your good works, we support you”.

In an address read by the leader of concerned women for Sylva; Mrs Keme Dede said “We are solidly behind and ready, and waiting to give you support during the president’s visit to our rich cultural heritage and hospitality”.

The women further explained that they are embarking on the rally to tell Bayelsans to join hands “with the governor to develop our dear state and for investors to come because our state is a peaceful state”.

They also commended the Governor for the numerous people oriented projects that have been completed and are ongoing in the State.”

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.