Niger Delta
NDDC Plans Ferry Services, Jetties In N’Delta Communities
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it will construct jetties and provide safe ferry services in communities not connected by roads in the region.
The Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, made the disclosure at the inauguration of Abitto Luxury and Maritime Safety Boat in Calabar last Saturday.
Ogbuku, who described the Abitto ferry services as a game-changer in transportation business, said NDDC would partner the group to connect communities in the region.
He noted that the partnership would provide safe means of transportation in the communities and stimulate their local economy.
“We have so many communities in the region that are not connected by roads, so we can collaborate with Abitto to extend these services to them.
“For the Niger Delta to develop, we will not wait for foreigners, we shall use what we have to stimulate our local economy”, he said.
In his speech, the Chairman of Abitto Global Services, Mr Richard Akinaka, said the idea was to provide transportation services and reduce the travel time between Calabar and Uyo.
“This is very important, especially against the background of the bad state of Calabar-Itu Road.
“We emerged as a result of the need to provide comfortable means of transportation and to create employment opportunities.
“I am proud to announce that about 90 per cent of the entire infrastructure, including the boats were built by us here in Calabar”, he stated.
Speaking at the occasion, the Senator representing Cross River South at the National Assembly, Asuquo Ekpenyong, said the ferry services would reduce the travel time between Calabar and Uyo to about 30 minutes.
“With this, you are creating jobs and promoting commerce. This is clearly a good omen”, he said.
Ekpenyong said it had become expedient to return to natural means of transportation, owing to the depreciation on the roads.
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The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said the resumption of operations at the 210,000 barrels per day Port Harcourt refinery and the 150,000bpd Warri refinery is a step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency and fostering economic sustainability.
In a statement signed by the Acting Director of Communication and Stakeholders Management, Obiageli Onuorah, on Sunday, the agency said these accomplishments represent significant strides toward addressing Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on imported petroleum products.
It said the milestone will reduce the staggering costs associated with fuel importation and create a ripple effect across key sectors of the economy.
NEITI also congratulated the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on the successful completion of the first phase of the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation project and the gradual resumption of operations at the Warri refinery.
Although not operating at full capacity, this achievement marked a significant milestone, as it revived vital infrastructure that had long been neglected and underutilised.
Acknowledging the milestone, NEITI said it will positively impact Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves and reduce the staggering costs associated with fuel importation.
“NEITI acknowledges that the revitalisation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries has the potential to enhance energy security, create jobs, stimulate local industries, and free up critical funds that can be redirected towards national priorities like health, education, and infrastructure”, the statement read in part.
It added that through its Industry Reports for the Oil and Gas 2023, it was disclosed that between 2006-2023 (in 18 years), a total of N15.87tn has been expended as under-recovery through price differentials (subsidy), with 2022 recording the highest sum of N4.714tn.
“2022 also recorded the highest importation of PMS put at 23.54bn litres, while 2017 recorded the lowest import volumes of 16.88bn litres.
“Between 2022 and 2023, importation volumes declined by 3.25bn litres (14 per cent) from 23.54bn litres in 2022 to 20.28bn litres in 2023. This is attributed to the announcement of the removal of fuel subsidy.
“With the current efforts to put the refineries back to work, NEITI is delighted that the huge payments expended on subsidy will henceforth be available to support national development, ongoing rebuilding of the national infrastructure and poverty reduction”, it stated.
The Acting Director also urged the NNPCL to expedite action on the second phase of the Port Harcourt Refinery and the ongoing rehabilitation of the Kaduna refinery.
“This should be followed closely with the restoration of phase 1 of the Port Harcourt refinery to optimal capacity in the ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
“We commend the leadership of the NNPCL team for their resilience, dedication, and unwavering determination in executing this complex and challenging task.
“As stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy sector, NEITI said that it remains committed to supporting NNPCL’s efforts to ensure the long-term success of these projects and to share the achievements with national and global partners, including the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative community.
“NEITI stands ready to collaborate with NNPCL to sustain and expand these gains in the national interest and Nigeria’s energy security”, the statement concluded.
The Government of Bayelsa State has urged residents of the state and the general public to cooperate and support its policies aimed at promoting efficiency and effectiveness in the transport sector.
Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the call recently when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Bayelsa Ultramodern Transport Terminal at Igbogene, a suburb of Yenagoa, the state capital.
Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, appealed to the motoring public and commuters to be patient with the present administration as it takes steps to address some of the problems confronting the sector.
He explained that the recent policy mandating transporters and commuters to use only government approved motor parks was made in the best interest of the state.
According to him, the shutting down of illegal parks and their subsequent relocation to the state-of-the-art transport terminal at Igbogene for intercity transport has brought decency and serenity to the hitherto chaotic Tombia Junction and other areas in the state capital.
The Deputy Governor noted that while government intends to build more befitting parks to make commuting easier, he said the Ekeki Motor park would continue to cater for the needs of those travelling within the state.
He thanked the immediate past Governor and now Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, for conceiving the project and bringing it to near completion before leaving office.
The Bayelsa’s number two Man also commended the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for completing the project and putting it to use, describing the recent relocation order as part of the state government’s efforts to implement its urban renewal policy.
The Deputy Governor, who sympathized with the people for some of the inconveniences thrown up by the new policy, assured that government was doing everything possible to address all reasonable challenges associated with the use of the new transport terminal.
“You know there’s no state that has this kind of facility in our country for now. This is an airport terminal for some states and even for some countries. It was a well-thought-out plan by the immediate past Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson.
“We want to thank him for coming up with this project, which we inherited as part of the assets though there was some liability of completion.
“We also thank His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri for not only completing the project but also putting it to use by ordering the movement of all transporters involved in intercity transport to this place because that is the standard in every international city.
“What we have come here to do is to evaluate the implementation of no side parks in Bayelsa State. And as you know, for now, we have two parks in Yenagoa: the Ekeki Park and this park.
“Those who ought not to come here to load, for example, what is the business of somebody going to Ogbia, or Nembe, coming as far as Igbogene to takeoff? What will somebody going to Amassoma, or anywhere in Southern Ijaw come to do here instead of Ekeki park?
“So, it is better they are somewhere there, so that it is only those who are actually going out of the state that will come here. That is part of the thinking we are doing, and in any case, we have a few issues as to the inadequacy of the space and the issue of the utilization of the spaces available. And we are addressing them.
“All that Bayelsans and commuters need to do is that they have to be patient. As a government, we are trying to moderate the issue of trekking to junction before boarding vehicles to the city centre. Those issues are being managed. So they should be patient”, he said.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied on the inspection by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Preye Broderick, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, their Bayelsa Central Special Duties counterpart, Mr. Mandy Sylvanus Akpalo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Johnson Dagana, and other top government officials.
Edo State has recorded 56 Lassa Fever cases and eight deaths between December 30, 2024 and January 2025, says the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole confirmed the incident in Benin while formally declaring the situation of Lassa Fever in the state.
“The 2025 epidemic year began on December 30, 2024. Since then, 336 suspected cases have been reported, with 56 confirmed and eight resulting in death”, he said.
He said outbreak posed significant public health risks due to its rapid transmission potentials and severe outcomes if not effectively managed.
Oshiomhole revealed that 14 patients are currently receiving specialised care at the Lassa Fever Treatment Center in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH).
He also noted that “In 2024, the state recorded 3,270 suspected cases, 292 confirmed cases, and 41 deaths, showing a decline from 2023 which recorded 65 deaths from 372 confirmed cases”.
According to him, the state has activated its Public Health Emergencies Response Management Team, collaborating with healthcare facilities, community leaders, and stakeholders to contain the outbreak.
Part of the response measures include “enhanced surveillance, expanded treatment centers, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), public awareness campaigns, and partnerships with health organisations”.
He urged residents to report anyone with symptoms like fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, or bleeding to the nearest health facility for early detection.
The commissioner also tasked the response team to reduce the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) and assured of government support to enhance Lassa fever management efforts.
He further said the molecular laboratory at UBTH had been optimised for Lassa fever testing, increasing the state’s capacity with two testing centers at UBTH and ISTH.
The Tide’s source reports that Dr. Ekaete Tobi of ISTH has been appointed as the state Lassa fever Incident Manager to coordinate outbreak control activities.
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