Niger Delta

Floods: Monarchs Count Losses, Fault FG, IOCs Over Neglect

Published

3 years ago

November 13, 2022

Traditional rulers in Bayelsa State have continued to count loses the state and its citizens have incured in the cause of the floods across the state.
Speaking at a press conference held at the instance of the State Traditional rulers council in Yenagoa, as part of efforts to further empathize with Bayelsans undergoing the harrowing impacts of the floods, the State Traditional Rulers, through its Chairman, the Ibenanaowei (Traditional ruler) of Ekpetiama Kingdom, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo (Agara IV), called on the Federal Government to come to the aid of the State.
The Monarchs noted that while oil and gas explored and exploited from the state were used for the development of all parts of the nation, the Federal Government has, again, not shown enough commitment towards ameliorating the impacts of the flood in the State.
In the same vein, the royal fathers also condemned what they described as misinformed and unguarded comments credited to the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Welfare, Hajia Sadiyar Umar Farouq, on her statement that Bayelsa state was not in the 10 flood most impacted states in the nation.
“Today, we need not remind anyone that we know that oil and gas resources used to lubricate the wheels of governance in Nigeria comes from the bowels of the land mass on which we stand. I mean from the bowels of the Niger Delta region where Bayelsa State is located.
“We also need not reiterate that our kingdoms and clans, our flood ravaged kingdoms and clans constitute crude oil blocks owned by persons and business concerns which regrettably, we don’t own, and even though the ravaging floods were still overwhelming, the gas flares are still burning-hot in our kingdoms and clans.
“We, the Royal Fathers of Bayelsa State, have observed that not only did the 2022 flood unleash unprecedented havoc in the state and beyond, it has also opened the floodgates of ignorance on the subject of the misery floodwaters could unleash on a people who live on the flat arcuate lowlands adjacent the mighty Atlantic Ocean”, the monarchs said.
The Royal Fathers, who acknowledged that following the height of the floods, roads, schools, health, electricity and other public and private infrastructures in the state have been damaged, noted that the Federal Government’s complementary mitigation effort in the state have remained all-time low and conspicuously insufficient.
They, therefore, warned that if the Federal Government does not come to the aid of the state, post-flood diseases and ailments would be on the increase in the State.
While commending the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as well as the state’s Flood Mitigation Committee, State cabinet members, the duo of federal legislators from the state, and members of the State House of Assembly for being at the forefront of cushioning the impact of the floods, the monarchs also added that farm lands and animals have all been destroyed by the floods.
They noted that the state has been totally seperated from other parts of the nation due to the cutting-off of the federal government’s East-West Road and other access roads to the state, saying it would cost billions to fix damaged infrastructure in the state.
“In the recent meeting of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council (BY TRC), we took turns in expressing the extreme ordeals we had to endure together with our subjects for over a month. We didn’t mince words in condemning the complete absence of agents of statutory Federal Government agencies and ministries saddled with the responsibilities of rendering assistance at our domains at times such as these.
“Rather, we’re seeing oil workers in their coveralls safe in their shuttles, going about their greasy, oily business, all over our flood ravaged state.
“Pitiably, there’s no evidence yet about any intervention from the oil industry to the flood ravaged people of Bayelsa State. Could it be that they also wished us all dead?
“Well, being natural swimmers, though distressed and displaced like never before, most of us are still alive”, the Royal fathers noted.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

13 hours 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

16 hours 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

16 hours 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.