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Tag: Niger Delta

  • Ogoni clean-up: Stakeholders advocate holistic approach to process

    Some stakeholders have called for holistic approach that will hasten the clean-up of Ogoni land and the Niger Delta.

    They made the call in a communique issued on Wednesday in Abuja at the end of a “High Level Advocacy Workshop on the Clean-up of the Niger Delta.”

    They also urged government and its organs to promote professionalism and ensure that companies with the requisite capacity, expertise and willingness to work were contracted for the clean-up “to avoid a situation in which jobs were sold out to third parties.

    “The Minister of State for Environment should consider and push for the removal of Hydro Carbon Pollution and Remediation Programme (HYPREP) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) just as it was when Hajiya Amina Mohammed was Minister of Environment.

    “ HYPREP should manage the expectations of community members through continuous sensitisation and stakeholders’ engagement to clearly articulate their roles and responsibilities in the clean-up process.

    “ Civil Socity Organisations (CSOs) should also provide support in this direction by mediating between HYPREP and communities,” the communique quoted the stakeholders as saying.

    According to them, HYPREP needs to be more strategic with its sensitisation and stakeholders’ engagement approach in communities.

    They also agreed that HYPREP ought to establish the Central Representative Advisory Council (CRAC) to ensure proper sensitisation of communities and a feedback mechanism to get information from the public.

    “Government ought to ensure timely release of fund by making approval threshold fluid so that HYPREP would speed up the implementation of its programmes and activities.

    “HYPREP should promote peaceful coexistence between it and the community by reverting to Governing Council impacted and unimpacted community engagement ratio 60: 40 rather than the 70:30.

    “Global best practice beyond the EGASPIN threshold should be adopted for the Ogoni clean-up exercise.

     

  • FG begins refund of N1.3trn owed NDDC

    The Federal Government has begun the refund of over N1.3 trillion owed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) since inception.

    Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, Acting Managing Director of the commission, made this known in a statement by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ibitoye Abosede, on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

    Brambaifa spoke during his inaugural meeting of the new management of the commission, noting that President Muhammadu Buhari had love for the Niger Delta region.

    He said that “The new management team is response to the growing unhappiness in the region over government’s commitment to developing the region and improving the living conditions of the people.

    “The Federal Government has indeed begun refunding over N1.3 trillion owed the commission since inception.

    “The Niger Delta had suffered enough and President Buhari recognised this and has taken prompt action to redress the situation and reassure the people on government’s commitment to their welfare’’.

    Brambaifa, whose appointment was announced by Buhari on Friday, said the present administration had ensured the commission’s statutory financial obligations were paid in full.

    “President Buhari also ensured that all other statutory contributors to the funding of NDDC met their obligations.

    “Also, the president also worked to restore peace and security in the region by tackling all grievances of the people.

    “The appointment of the management team is another step in the effort to offer hope to the Niger Delta people and restore their confidence and faith,” he said.

    The NDDC boss said that management would respect and implement the commission’s mandate of ensuring sustainable development of the region.

    He noted that more efforts would be made to ensure a socially stable; economically prosperous; politically peaceful and ecologically regenerative Niger Delta.

    According to him, the task of developing the Niger Delta is too important to be toyed with as well as too compelling to waste time on.

    “Therefore, we urge all stakeholders in the Niger Delta to join hands with members of the new executive management to ensure a smooth transition and contribute to immediate delivery of Mr President’s mandate.

    “We also urge members of staff of NDDC to embrace teamwork. I will change NDDC and take it to the next level,” he assured.

     

  • Ogoni: Buhari, APC deliberately neglecting Niger Delta – Wike

    Ogoni: Buhari, APC deliberately neglecting Niger Delta – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has decried the deliberate neglect of the Niger Delta, despite the fact the region is suffering untold environmental hardship for keeping the country afloat.
    Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Environment, Mr Suleiman Hassan Zarma at the Government House Port Harcourt on Friday, Governor Wike said that environmental degradation caused by oil exploration is worse than insurgency.
    He said: “While we support the fighting against insurgency, nothing is worse than environmental pollution. We suffer because we are allowing Nigeria to survive. We are suffering for Nigeria to survive. It is through our oil that Nigeria is surviving.
    “We are dying because we are keeping the country alive. Nobody gives wants to give us the attention required. These people who are suffering because of the nation’s survival, why not give them priority to survive? “
    He urged the Federal Government to withdraw funds from the Excess Crude Account to address the environmental challenges in Ogoni-land. The governor said it should be done in same manner that funds were withdrawn to tackle insurgency.
    “They took $1billion from the Excess Crude Accounts to fight insurgency. I say they should take $500million from the Excess Crude Accounts for the Ogoni Clean up Exercise “.
    He assured the Federal Ministry of Environment of the support of the Rivers State Government to achieve the goals of remediation of the Ogoni Environment.
    “If you had told me earlier that you were coming, I would have provided a helicopter for you to fly over Ogoni land. You will weep at the level of environmental damage “, the governor said.
    The governor regretted that the Ogoni Clean up Exercise has been politicised, pointing out that the Ministry of Environment is handing over sites to contractors three years after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo flagged off the exercise. He said the two activities took place as elections approached.
    “Three years ago, the President represented by the Vice President flagged off the clean up during the rerun elections. One month to the general elections, the Minister of Environment has come to hand over the sites.
    “If I tell you I believe sincerely that you people want to clean up Ogoni land, I am telling you lies. Surprise me and prove me wrong “, he said.
    He called on the Minister of Environment to investigate cases of deduction of funds from contracts awarded for the clean up Exercise.
    The governor urged the Federal Ministry of Environment to ensure the benefiting communities are patronized during the clean up and all approved steps taken by HYPREP.
    In his remarks, the Minister of Environment, Mr Suleiman Hassan Zarma assured that the Ministry working with Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) will ensure that the clean up of Ogoni land is carried out.
    He said that the Ministry will take deliberate steps to address the concerns raised by the Rivers State Governor.
    He said: “We are here to set the tone to enable the foundation laying of a robust inter-governmental collaboration which you have been doing especially in the environmental sector “.
    He informed the Rivers State Governor that he was in the state to commence the hand over of sites for the commencement of the clean up Exercise.
  • Amnesty programme: Niger Delta non-violence agitators threaten protest

    Amnesty programme: Niger Delta non-violence agitators threaten protest

    Collations of all Niger Delta Non-Violence Agitators, have threatened to embark on peaceful demonstration over the non-implementation of the core objective of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

    The group made this known in a petition signed by the beneficiaries, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The petition was addressed to the Presidency, National Assembly and other stakeholders.

    They listed some of the core objectives of the programme to include award of scholarship to those interested in furthering their study as well as to organize and implement skills acquisition.

    It also includes providing empowerment opportunities in multinationals in the Niger Delta region.

    According to them, they have resolved to embark on a peaceful demonstration over their demand if the government continued to ignore their request.

    They also said that they have some delegates that had not undergone training under the scheme and were roaming the streets in the region.

    They, therefore, appealed to relevant organizations to intervene in order to forestall the planned demonstration.

    According to them, the non-implementation has seriously impacted on the ex-agitators and all the students of World Maritime University that are due for training on sea time since 2014.

    They said that they had made frantic efforts through correspondents and peaceful demonstration to the amnesty office in order for them to be certified as international seafarers which would enhance their employment in their chosen skills.

     

  • Shell spent N41.1bn on projects in Niger Delta in 13 years, says Spokesman

    The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on Wednesday said it had disbursed N41.1 billion to fund 37 cluster development projects in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Abia states in 13 years.

    Mr Igo Weli, the SPDC General Manager, External Relations disclosed this at the “Kou General Memoradum of Understanding (GMoU) Cluster Development Board Livelihood Programme Graduation Ceremony” held in Warri.

    Represented by Mr Evans Krukrubo, SPDC, Manager, External Relations, Weli said the amount spanned between 2006 till date.

    He said 158 beneficiaries of the training programme in Kou cluster, in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa, would be presented with starter packs to enable them to kick-start their businesses.

    “The communities benefiting from this scheme are: Agge, Agge Palm Bush, Azambiri, Ogbeintu, Orobiri and Amazor in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

    “The beneficiaries have been trained and presented with materials which include: 50 units of Deepsea fishing boats and accessories.

    “50 pieces of 40HP Yamaha engines for 50 beneficiaries.

    “72 persons trained in the Kou cluster-wide Women Skill Acwuisition and Empowerment Programme will be presented with starter packs.

    “36 beneficiaries in the cluster-wide Youth Empowerment Programme will be given Motorcycles,” he said.

    Weli said SPDC was committed to increasing its social investment to host communities in Nigeria.

    He urged the people to create the enabling environment to allow the company run its operations without disturbance.

    Mr Ogboriyai Ogbari, Head, Petroleum Department, Ministry of Mineral Resources, Bayelsa, who represented the state government commended SPDC for the gesture.

    Mr Patrick Igbosaibigha, the Board Chairman, Kou Cluster, thanked the SPDC for the gesture and assured the company of their cooperation.

    “We encourage you not to relent in this great task of developing our communities which has improved the lives of our rural dwellers through skill acquisition training,” he said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mr Alfred Ayefa thanked the SPDC and the Bayelsa Government for the gesture.

     

  • Ijaw youths agitate over $13.5bn Zabazaba Deepwater Project

    Ijaw youths under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), worldwide have expressed concerned over delays in the signing of the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the $13.5 billion Zabazaba Deepwater Project.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports spokesman of the Council, Daniel Dasimaka, in a statement, expressed displeasure of the IYC on Thursday in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.

    “We do not want the Zabazaba Deepeater Project to go the way of the Brass LNG which never saw the light of the day. We want jobs for our youths. We want the local economy of the Niger Delta region as well as the national economy in general to grow.

    “We want development in the Niger Delta region. We want peace. Hence, we condemn the unnecessary delay in the signing of the FID for the Zabazaba oilfield,” said IYC National President, Barrister Oweilaemi Pereotubo.

    Oweilaemi said the IYC is deeply worried that the 2020 first production date of the Zabazaba oilfield may be compromised if the FID remains unsigned.

    “The $13.5 billion Zabazaba oilfield is located in the Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 245 offshore Nigeria in the Niger Delta of the Gulf of Guinea.

    “Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) are jointly developing the project. Nigeria Agip Exploration is the operator of the project.

    “It will be a major boost to the country’s economy and the local content initiative being promoted and prioritised by the present government. In particular, the deepwater project will support small and medium enterprises in Nigeria following the decision by the developers for in-country fabrication and integration of the topsides of the Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

    “The Zabazaba deepwater field is estimated to hold 560 million barrels of oil equivalent (MBOE), which will increase the country’s daily crude oil production.

    “When it becomes fully operational, the project is expected to generate at least $8 billion for Nigeria.

    “The impact on the Nigerian economy would be unprecedented, and the multiplier effect on the local economies of the catchment areas in the Niger Delta will be huge.

    “Agip and Shell acquired OPL 245, which was named the Zabazaba field, in 2012 for $1.3 billion. The acquisition has been the subject of serial corruption investigations and prosecutions in Italy and Nigeria.

    “Only last Monday, one Nigerian NGO and three International NGOs presented a joint report in which they said Nigeria lost an estimated $6 billion to the controversial OPL 245 deal.

    “Human and Environmental Development Agency (HEDA), Global Witness, Re: Common and the Corner House commissioned Resources for Development Consulting to do the report on their behalf. Agip and Shell have consistently maintained their innocence,” the IYC statement read.

     

  • 2019 elections: NDDC partners NGO on peace building in Niger Delta

    2019 elections: NDDC partners NGO on peace building in Niger Delta

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has advised youths in the region not to allow themselves to be used as instrument of violence in the forthcoming general elections.

    Mrs Ufonime Bassey, the Principle Manager, Directorate of Youths, Sports, Culture and Women Affairs of NDDC, gave the advice on Tuesday in Warri.

    Bassey spoke on the sidelines of a workshop tagged: “Peace Building and Sensitisation Workshop” organised by the Shola Mese Foundation.

    The manager advised youths to embrace peace and shun violence now that the general elections was around the corner.

    “We do not want our youths to engage in violence, especially now that elections are around the corner, that is why we feel we should speak and advise them to embrace peace.

    “Youths should not allow themselves to be used by anybody for any reason anywhere.

    “For sometimes now, we have been preaching to them to shun violence, thuggery and embrace peace so that they can live a meaningful life,” she said.

    In his remarks, Mr Shola Mese, the Convener and Founder of the foundation, said that the programme was targeted at youths between the aged bracket of 12 and 30 years.

    According to Mese, youths are always at the forefronts of any restiveness, hence the need to preach to them to shun violence and embrace peace at all times.

    “The purpose of this programme is to enlighten our youths to avoid violent activities and embrace peace in its entirety.

    “We have successfully engaged over 600 students/trainees on various vocations in our vocational skill centre to take them out of restiveness and reduce crimes in the society,” he said.

    One of the resource persons, Mrs Eugene Marcus, Founder, Fresh View Empowerment Initiative, said that we could still live together peacefully, irrespective of our social, political and religious beliefs, if we can set aside pride.

    Marcus assured youths that they could be successful in life without indulging in negative activities.

    Also, Miss Vivian Ozemiron, a physically challenged, while commending the organisers, said that the programme had renewed her hope to becoming successful in life despite her disposition.

    “I have learnt that my limitation cannot limit me to becoming who God want me to become in life.

    “I can be a millionaire, even while I am sitting on a Wheelchair,” she said.

     

  • Oil theft, sea piracy has reduced in Niger Delta, says FOC

    Oil theft, sea piracy has reduced in Niger Delta, says FOC

    Rear Adm. David Adeniran, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Calabar, on Friday said that oil theft and sea piracy have reduced drastically in the Niger Delta region.

    He was speaking on the sideline of the fourth quarter exercise of the Nigerian Navy tagged ‘Exercise Ani-Oforifori’, meaning ‘chase thief’ in Kalabari language.

    The FOC attributed the reduction to the constant patrol of the region by naval personnel at sea.

    According to him, the constant patrol of naval personnel also boosted the confidence and operations of oil platforms at sea.

    He said the patrol also helps the Navy to interrogate and question other vessels operating in the maritime domain.

    “The more we are at sea, the better for the economy and the oil platforms including those operating legally at sea.

    “It is, however, bad news for criminals operating at sea to know that we are on patrol,” he said.

    Commenting on the exercise, the FOC said the ‘man-over-board’ was conducted to enhance the skills of personnel in saving the lives of anyone who may fall into the sea by accident.

    “The man-over-board exercise we just did is one of the exercises of the navy. We have to practice it regularly to rescue anyone who may fall into the sea.

    “We have accidents all over the places. We have vehicle accident, aircraft accident and likewise sea accident.

    “Sea accident can be through collision of ships, navigational hazards such as granding and others,” he said.

    On the gunnery exercise, the Commanding Officer of Nigerian Navy Ship Okpabana, Capt. Nnamdi Ekwom, said the navy was fully committed to the protection of the country’s national resources.

    Ekwom said that the gunnery exercise was one of the series of activities lined up for the exercise Ani-Oforifori.

    “Our participation in this exercise is in furtherance of the total spectrum maritime strategy of the Nigerian Navy in the chokepoint control area.

    “We are exercising our men and equipment and also closing up on all gaps that might exist in the maritime space,” he said.

    Other exercises such as semaphore, life raft, flash light for night communication signals and others were also conducted at sea during the exercise.

     

  • Joint Task Force destroys over 300 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

    Joint Task Force destroys over 300 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

    Rear Adm. Apochi Suleiman, the Commander, Joint Task Force codenamed: “Operation Delta Safe” (OPDS) says no fewer than 300 illegal refineries have been destroyed in the ongoing operation.

    Suleiman made this known to newsmen on Wednesday at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Warri Naval base.

    He said that a suspected militant and member of a “kill and bury” gang identified as Gift Apollo, who allegedly killed a soldier in August was also apprehended during the operations.

    The task force commander said that the operation tagged: “OPERATION 777” was launched by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin on Oct. 10 and accordingly activated by the OPDS.

    Suleiman said that it was to further reinvigorate the operations of the task force to disrupt activities of the criminal elements ahead of the yuletide and the 2019 general elections.

    The commander said the “OPERATION 777” had made remarkable achievement in meeting its objectives.

    “Cases of illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and associated criminalities do increase during major festivities and election years.

    “This necessitated the launching of `OPERATION 777’ by the CDS and activated by the OPDS.

    “The `OPERATION 777’ has made huge achievement as over 300 illegal refineries, 156 locally manufactured boats, 1,085 surface tanks have been destroyed.

    “Additionally, 15 barges, 10 tanker trucks, 31 vehicles, 45 speed boats, 16 outboard engines, 41 pumping machines, 15 generating sets and 76 other items have been impounded.

    “It is also worthy to mention that six different types of arms and over 100 items of munitions were recovered during the period in focus.

    “Importantly, a wanted militant and member of `kill and bury’ gang named Gift Apollo was arrested during the operations.

    “The group was responsible for the attack and death of our soldier deployed in Abua/Odua sometime in August,” he said.

    Suleiman said that the JTF also conducted anti-illegal bunkering/anti-illegal refining operations at Okaki Community in Bayelsa in which over 100 reservoirs and an estimated 210 metric tonnes of Automated Gasoline Oil were destroyed.

    He also said that the JTF rescued seven Nigerians maintenance workers of Agip Oil Company who were kidnapped by gunmen on Oct. 5 in Azuzuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

    “OPERATION 777 is simultaneously conducted with OPERATION CROCODILE SMILE 3.

    “We are collaborating and sharing actionable intelligence as both operation is meant to curb criminal activities in the Niger Delta,” he said.

    Suleiman called on the law abiding citizens in the region to go about their legitimate businesses, assuring them that the JTF would continue to protect them and the environment.

     

  • Minister expresses concern over environmental hazard in Niger Delta

    Dr Usani Uguru Usani, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has expressed concern over the negative impacts of environmental damage in the Niger Delta region.

    Usani expressed this concern at a one-day Stakeholders Validation Workshop and launching of a draft document on Niger Delta Region Climate Change Programme and Action Plan organised by the ministry.

    The Minister decried a situation where communities in the region were submerged by flood with little or no action taken to address it, in a statement issued by Mr Stephen Kilebi, the Deputy Director Press of the ministry on Friday in Abuja,

    According to him, the negative impact informed the ministry’s decision to streamline environmental policy action in the region.

    He said that such environmental problems included flooding that ravaged the riverine communities, the prevalence of cancer-related ailments, the radio-active ailments as well as the soot that was in the atmosphere, especially in Rivers.

    The minister decried a situation where communities in the Niger Delta region were being submerged by flood, while little or no action was taken to address the trend.

    He called on relevant stakeholders to urgently device means of addressing environmental disaster that demands emergency in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta region.

    He stated that all human activities were impacted as a result of climate change in the region.

    “There is need to carry out sensitisation on climate change so that people will know the effect of what they go through.

    “And also that investors and economic moguls will discontinue harping on our ignorance while they make economic fortunes,’’ he said.

    Usani said that the ministry would perfect the draft on climate change programme document in an attempt to make it a worthy document that would guide all actions aimed at addressing environmental disasters in the region.

    The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Aliyu Bisalla said that Climate Change and global warming posed serious challenges to the region.

    He noted that the pace of change was increasing, saying unless the trend was reversed, human and physical ecologies were bound to be seriously impacted.

    The Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, Bayelsa State, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, charged the people of the region to take necessary measures to guard against more negative effects of climate change.

    Corroborating Spiff view, the Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in Cross River State, Dr Etim Okon Edet, thanked the Federal Government for its development efforts in the Niger Delta region.

    He advised that the ministry should inaugurate the completed housing project in Bakassi for the beneficiaries to address their housing need.

    Edet also advised that the ministry should expedite action to ensure the completion of the skills acquisition centre in Akpabuyo in Cross River State.