Niger Delta

Bayelsa To Unveil Plastic Waste Bank …Environmental Management, Protection, Forestry Bills Underway

Published

3 years ago

June 12, 2023

The Bayelsa State Government has said it was committed to mitigating plastic caused environmental pollution and others so as to secure and protect the state’s environment.
Governor of the State, Senator Douye Diri, made this commitment recently during the state’s version of the 2023 World Environment Day (WED) celebration held in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Represented by the Head of Service of the state, Dame Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, Governor Diri frowned at the spate of Environmental pollution plaguing the state.
The state helmsman commended the state Ministry of Environment on its various activities and policies in protecting the state’s environment, noting that the ‘Prosperity Administration’ under his stewardship would not leave any stone unturned in mitigating plastic caused environmental pollution in the state.
Governor Diri also gave approval for the setting up of a ‘Plastic Bank’ towards ensuring that plastic waste were properly recycled and re-used rather than being improperly discarded upon use, causing environmental pollution.
The Bayelsa State Chief Executive directed the State Ministries of Environment, Trade and Industry, Lands and Survey, the office of the Surveyor-General of the state, as well as the office of the Chief of Staff, Government House, to collaborate on modalities for the proposed state plastic bank and report back to his office within the shortest possible time for quick implementation.
“It’s my joy to join the good people of Bayelsa State and the rest of the global community in the celebration of the World Environment Day.
“The global theme for this year’s celebration, “Sollutions to Plastic Pollution”, speaks to the pre-eminence and urgent need to address the menace of pollution that afflicts our world.
“Let me take this moment to restate the commitment and support of the Government of Prosperity to every initiative that will contribute to the sustainability, ambience and prosperity of the Bayelsa environment.
“Transforming waste to wealth is a paradigm that I fully identify with. In furtherance of this policy direction, I here direct the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment to forward a clear document on plastic waste management.
“I hereby additionally direct the Ministries of Lands and Survey, Trade and Investment, and the office of the Surveyor-General of the state and the Acting Chief of Staff to support and collaborate with the Ministry of Environment to develop a proper framework to kickstart the plastic bank project without delay”, Governor Diri said.
Speaking earlier while presenting his address, the state Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Iselema Gbaranbiri, lauded the Governor for the opportunity given him to serve as the state Commissioner for Environment, noting that his position as Environment Commissioner has afforded him the privilege of having first hand information about the prevailing environmental challenges facing the state.
The Commissioner said following Governor Diri’s commitment in ensuring the safety and protection of the State’s Environment, the Ministry of Environment in conjunction with sister agencies in the state were set to forward two bills: the Bayelsa State Environmental Management and Protection bill; and the Bayelsa State Forestry bill, to the State House of Assembly for consideration.
”We’re set to forward the first ever Bayelsa State Environmental Management and Protection bill that would provide a detailed all round environmental regulatory regime which would touch every aspect of the state’s environment and also set to forward the state Forestry bill to the State House of Assembly for consideration.
“When passed, the Forestry bill promises to be a veritable tool for sustainable forest resources use.It would allow the state to adopt global best practices on forestry, and it would position the state for investment in climate financing”, Gbaranbiri said.
Highpoints of the 2023 World Environment Day celebration in the state were presentations of craft created by various secondary school students in the state and others, using plastics, as well as good will messages from notable Environmental Management experts.
In similar vein, the Dean Faculty of Sciences, Niger Delta University, Professor Azibola Inegite who was guest Lecturer on a lecture held as part of the activities commemorating the 2023 World Environment Day celebration in the state has cautioned against indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste and its negative consequences to the environment and life in general.
He warned that the Environmental and health risks associated with plastics waste outweighs its mere usage by citizens.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

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

Published

5 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

5 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

5 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.