Niger Delta

Shell Invests N12bn On Projects In Bayelsa

Published

12 years ago

November 29, 2013

Shell Petroleum Devel
opment Company (SPDC) has declared that over N12 billion has been invested on GMoU-related projects in Bayelsa State since 2006.
The General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations of the company, Mr. Nedo Osanyande stated this last Tuesday during the official commissioning of a landing craft project built for Agbidiama community in Bayelsa State, at Kidney Island, Port Harcourt under the GMoU scheme.
Osanyande who said the project was executed by Tarakiri Custer Development Board in partnership with SPDC noted that “the sum of N1.84 billion is being invested by SPDC JV annually to deliver community development projects in the state”.
The Shell boss who restated the strong comment of SPDC to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region said the company would continue to seek ways to improve its relationship with host communities.
He commended the successes recorded by the Tarakiri Cluster Development Board and further revealed that since inauguration of the board four years ago, the oil giant has spent over N600m under the GMoU agreement.
Stating that the investment would bring more income generating projects and programmes to the community and improve the living standard of the people. Mr. Osanyande remarked that partnership that engage the combined strength of companies, government and civil societies yield better and more sustainable results and advised the people to protect and make the best use of the projects to improve their living conditions.
The Chairman of Tarakiri Cluster Development Board, Dr Jude Ebibokefie disclosed that from inception of the GMoU in Tarakiri Cluster to date, a total number of sixteen projects and programmes were contracted out.
“Five were commissioned in 2011 while four were completed and also commissioned in 2012 while today our star project is being commissioned”, he said , stressing that in addition to these ten completed projects and programmes, six were on-going.
The Trust Chairman explained that various capacity building workshops had also been organised by the mentoring NGO and assured of transparency, accountability, trust and all-inclusiveness in its dealings.
He declared that the landing craft project cost a total of N37,730 only for economic empowerment.
Speaking to The Tide, a Board member and Chairman of the Peace and Conflict Committee, High Chief Ebiame Ofonibeinghen said the landing craft was a priority project chosen by the community and disclosed that the community also nominated the company that manufactured the landing craft for the job because of its expertise in boat building.
In his vote of thanks, Hon. Fungaowei Emmanuel commended Shell for its implementation of the GMoU scheme and also lauded the board and the community for taking advantage of the programme to empower the community and improve their well-being.

Chris Oluoh

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke (3rd right), conducting the new owner of Tinapa Business and Leisure Limited and Chief Executive of AMCOM, Mr Mustafa Chike-Obi Mustapha (2nd left), round the facility shortly after a media interaction in Calabar, recently..

Niger Delta

850-bed UCTH overstretched, services 5m patients – CMD

Published

4 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has said the 850-bed hospital is overstretched, as it currently serves over five million patients.

He disclosed this on Friday during a media tour of the facility to showcase ongoing renovations and facelift in the hospital.

The CMD noted that, aside being the only tertiary healthcare facility servicing the state, UCTH also serviced neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi.

He said the hospital also received referrals from neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic.

According to him, the 850-bed hospital faced persistent space constraints because of increasing patients inflow and expanding healthcare demands.

“This hospital currently operates 62 clinical and non-clinical departments as well as between 30 and 38 wards covering medical, surgical, paediatric, orthopaedic and specialised services.

“Most wards have undergone facelift, remodelling, or complete renovation to improve patient care and working conditions for healthcare professionals”, he said.

He disclosed that the hospital was constructing a new 106-bed emergency medicine facility to address the rising demand for healthcare services.

According to him, the facility will include trauma bays, intensive care units, neonatal wards, and three fully equipped trauma theatres.

Speaking on the remodeled wards, Ikpeme explained that they followed modern nursing principles, allowing one nurse to attend to a maximum of 10 patients.

He said relatives would be restricted to designated waiting areas to reduce interference with medical procedures and improve emergency response efficiency.

The CMD noted that the hospital had strengthened specialist services in orthopaedics, neurosurgery, obstetrics, radiology, and minimally invasive surgery.

“UCTH now performs hip and knee replacements, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and complex brain tumour surgeries.

“Our surgeons also conduct keyhole procedures for appendectomy, hysterectomy and other conditions with faster patient recovery periods,” he said

In power, the CMD said the hospital relied on solar power from a seven-megawatt plant, constructed by the Federal Government at the University of Calabar, as well as public power supply, and generators to sustain its operations.

He appealed to governments, organisations, and philanthropists to support infrastructure expansion, equipment procurement, and specialised healthcare projects.

The CMD said the hospital required additional incubators, ward expansions, and a stand-alone amenity facility for private healthcare services.

He used the opportunity to dismiss allegations of ethnic discrimination, insisting that the hospital does not reject workers or patients based on tribe or origin.

According to him, the institution recently honoured an Igbo pioneer physician by naming a ward after him in recognition of decades of service.

The CMD said the hospital maintained strict disciplinary procedures to address negligence, poor attitude, and unethical conduct among staff.

The Tide’s source reports that some of the units visited include, intensive care unit, Department of Radiology, Urology Clinic, and Opthalmology Clinic.

Niger Delta

Police Burst Child Trafficking Syndicate In A’Ibom … Nab 3 Suspects

Published

4 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State says it has busted a child trafficking syndicate and arrested three suspects for conspiracy and unlawful sale of a newborn baby in the State.

The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfom John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Friday, said the three female suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1900hrs.

She said a complainant reported that his wife gave birth to a baby boy on May 7 and shockingly, shortly after delivery sold the newborn child to one of the suspects for N145, 000.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives immediately swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the successful recovery of the baby boy.

“The suspects reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, while investigation has been expanded to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to the trafficking syndicate”, John said.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led policing in the state.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Launches Operation Crack Down Scrap Dealers

Published

4 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa-Ibom State Government has launched a statewide crackdown on unregistered scrap dealers and scavengers, shutting down illegal operations and arresting operators accused of violating environmental and public safety regulations.

The enforcement operation, led by the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), followed the implementation of the state’s Waste Metal Scrap Law 2026, officials said.

AKSEPWMA Chairman, Obong Prince Ikim, said the exercise was aimed at regulating the scrap sector, protect the environment, and prevent criminal groups from operating under the guise of waste collection and metal trading.

“If you want to do scrap business, you must register,” Mr. Ikim said during the operation in Uyo, the state capital.

“Many people now hide under scrap trading to perpetrate nefarious activities”, he said.

According to him, dump site operators and scrap dealers who failed to register with the government risked closure and prosecution.

Authorities accused some operators of involvement in vandalism of public infrastructure and indiscriminate waste disposal, adding that investigations had uncovered criminal activities linked to several dump sites across the state.

“Some people vandalise government facilities in the name of scrap business and encourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse,” Mr. Ikim said.

He added that the state government and security agencies would continue efforts to enforce compliance and maintain public order.

“The Commissioner of Police has zero tolerance for criminality, and the Governor wants Akwa Ibom people to sleep with their eyes closed. We will fish out every defaulter”, he said.

Police officials involved in the operation said investigations showed that some criminal suspects used scrap yards and refuse dump sites as cover for illegal activities.

CSP Okwuzulike Vincent of the Itam Police Station said some suspects pretended to be mentally unstable while hiding ammunition and other suspicious items in makeshift shelters around dump locations.

The police officer praised the environmental agency for what he described as proactive efforts to sanitise the sector and pledged continued cooperation between law enforcement and the agency.

Officials said some first-time offenders arrested during the operation were released after profiling and signing undertakings, while repeat offenders would face prosecution.