Niger Delta

Ekaette Condemns Critics Over Slow Pace Of Activities

Published

16 years ago

November 25, 2009

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, in Abuja at the weekend, said it was regrettable that some people interpret the pace of acitivities in the ministry as slow and sluggish. But he stated that the ministry was conscious of the prescriptions of the guideline for the development of the region in every step it took.
Reacting to the comments of members of the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, which last week accused the ministry of withholding implementation of projects in the region, Ekaette said he felt insulted by the law-makers remarks.
Ekaette said the ministry chose to engage the services of professional consultants to design, pland and cost the construction of projects in the region because that was according to the provisions of the Procurement Act.
He also said the ministry decided not to start implementing some projects which the National Assembly initiated in its 2009 budget because the fund which the National Assembly voted for those projects could not accommodate the 15 per cent down payment needed to foot implementation of any projects.
He went on; “I saw on papers all sorts of funny comments about the performance of Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, according to the comments, they said the ministry has not performed but I want to assure you that the ministry is methodical about carrying out its mandate. “We have not gone out of our way to do anything out of guidelines of the Procurement Act,” he said.
“When the ministry came into being late last year, and the ministers appointed late December, we started work in earnest and the first work we did was to tour the entire Niger Delta region to find out the wishes of the people and the way they would want to relate with us. Them we started planning and working towards that end. It is a pity that some of the projects initiated in our budget by the National Assembly do not have adequate fund to carry out those projects.
“At the session with the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta, we explained to them that some of the projects they initiated in our budget would be held forthwith because they have no deign, no drawing, no costing. But that not withstanding, we went out of our way to invite consultants to design them, do the costing and get them ready for us to implement but it turned out that the fund initiated for some of those projects could not even pay 15 per cent down payment for starting of projects.”
He added; “The law is that you don’t start a project you don’t have money to make 15 per cent down payment to start. We explained to the committee that, that was why we were unable to implement those projects. The insult I got from some members of the committee was unimaginable.
I have served Nigeria for more than 40 years in various capacities and I will continue to do so, but I had never received that type of insult … I feel that the people should know about it because it is already being reported. I know what is good for this country.
“I have served this country loyally, honestly and I will continue to do so. No amount of insult will compel me to something I know that is not in the best interest of this country. I stand by my word, I stand by the truth to serve Nigeria with all sincerity.”

Niger Delta

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

Published

11 hours 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

11 hours 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

11 hours 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.