TheNewsGuru

Tag: Niger Delta

  • Niger Delta most peaceful region for development, says Dokubo

    Prof. Charles Dokubo, Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, says the hitherto volatile Niger Delta region has become the most peaceful part of the country ready for economic development.

    Dokubo expressed the view in Abuja on Thursday after meeting with the leaders of the region, adding that the prevailing peace in the region was an indication of the successes so far recorded.

    In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Bassey Ganagana, the coordinator reiterated his determination to speedily retool the programme by making it more robust to impact former agitators in the region.

    He said the ultimate goal of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was to achieve sustainable development in the region.

    “I am exceedingly grateful to God Almighty for making this day possible. I have really been looking forward to this family meeting.

    “It is not a secret that the programme has since 2010 aided the attainment of relative peace, safety and security in the Niger Delta.

    “Today, the region, once noted for its volatility, may be regarded as the most peaceful part of Nigeria.’’

    Dokubo said that the Amnesty Programme had achieved its core mandate to a reasonable extent.

    “The programme has aided the processes of building and sustaining peace and safety in the Niger Delta and the entire Gulf of Guinea.

    “I am not saying that we have attained perfection or Eldorado of sorts; I am only saying that the situation would have been far worse in the region and of course for the economy of our dear country.’’

    He noted that “prior to the proclamation of unconditional amnesty for former agitators in the Niger Delta in 2009, disruptions in the exploration, processing and export of crude oil almost brought our economy to a standstill.

    “Unfortunately, Nigeria’s economy which largely depends on earnings from oil exports, haemorrhaged very badly during this sad era of militancy.

    “The situation got so bad that on a particular day in 2008, Nigeria was only able to produce 700,000 barrels of crude oil.”

    Dokubo noted that Nigeria was able to meet its current OPEC quota of 2.2 million barrels per day owing to the success of the programme.

    “We must all thank, most profusely, the ex-agitators in the Niger Delta, who have continued to keep the peace in accordance with the pact they entered with the Federal Government after accepting the offer of amnesty.

    “Kudos must also go to you our traditional, religious, opinion, intellectual and community leaders as well as the leaderships of ethnic nationalities and youth groups in the Niger Delta.

    “So, topmost among the reasons why I have called this meeting is to, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria, thank you all.

    “I want to thank you most sincerely for the critical roles you have all continued to play either as individuals or group to help sustain and even deepen peace in the Niger Delta.

    “I chose to regard the Niger Delta as work-in-progress and I am happy to inform the leaders of the region assembled here that the ultimate goal of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is to achieve sustainable development in all facets of the region.

    “The good news is that, speaking about peace, safety and security, I dare say that the Niger Delta is perhaps the most conducive region for development in Nigeria today.”

    Dokubo said that the office had mapped out its priority, which included the completion and activation of all vocational training centres under construction across the states in the Niger Delta.

    He said the step would fast track the training of beneficiaries awaiting skills acquisition and empowerment through the provision of start-up packs as well as mentoring for trained and qualified ex-agitators to become entrepreneurs.

    Dokubo said another priority area was the sanitisation of the education department to enable it to make more impact and be cost effective.

    He said efforts were being made to “restore the certainty and sanctity of the database of the programme.’’

    The coordinator strong steps would be taken to forestall future breaches and to hold regular meetings with critical stakeholders with a view to creating platforms for gainful employment for trained ex-agitators.

    However, the leaders of the Niger Delta Have appealed to the Federal Government to release funds allocated to the programme promptly and when due.

    They also said that training programmes should be reviewed to properly engage the beneficiaries to be employable and called for inclusion of more beneficiaries in the programme through presidential proclamation.

    They called for regular stakeholder meetings to reflect the peace currently prevailing and to enhance economic development.

    The meeting was attended by traditional rulers, former state governors, community leaders and other critical stakeholders.

     

  • JTF to partner volunteer groups, community leaders to fight crime in Bayelsa

    JTF to partner volunteer groups, community leaders to fight crime in Bayelsa

    Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Apoche Suleiman, says the force will partner volunteers and community leaders in Bayelsa to rid Niger Delta of criminals.

    Suleiman made the pledge when the Chairman, Bayelsa Volunteers, Mr Lucky Asanakpo and the local government coordinators of the group paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Yenagoa.

    He said the military alone could not undertake the onerous task of fighting crime without the positive input of agencies like the volunteers and community leaders.

    According to him, most of the crimes are community based, perpetrated by persons who live among the people.

    The commander assured of JTF willingness to collaborate with the volunteers to curb crime in the state.

    In his remarks, Asanakpo said the visit was to inform the commander and his field officers of the existence of the volunteers.

    He said it was also to seek strategic ways of partnership to safeguard government installations, lives and property in Bayelsa.

    The volunteer chairman said since he assumed office two months ago, he had tried to fine tune and redefine activities of the agency in line with the present political environment in the state.

    He assured the JTF commander that his team would not disappoint having been trained to uphold integrity, good moral standards, commitment and loyalty to the present administration.

    Asanakpo said the volunteers would not be involved in any act capable of bringing shame and disrepute to JTF in particular and the state government at large.

    He observed that it was only in an atmosphere of peace, devoid of crime that investors and tourists could be encouraged to invest in the state.

    The Bayelsa State Volunteers is a security outfit established by the state government in 2003 and backed by law.

     

  • Presidency lists gains of new Niger Delta vision

    Presidency lists gains of new Niger Delta vision

    The presidency on Monday listed some of the successes of the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s new vision for the Niger Delta.

    TheNewsGuru reports the presidency listed the successes to include take-off of the Maritime University in Delta State on March 12, 2018, with 338 students across 3 faculties – transport, engineering and environmental management.

    The presidency also listed two private modular refineries, it said have obtained licenses and have since commenced construction work.

    “One of them is in Kwale, Delta State, and has reached about 70% completion, while the other is in Rivers State,” the presidency stated.

    Another success the presidency listed is the legal and regulatory framework for gas commercialization, which the presidency said have been put in place, as well as an upward review of penalty for gas flaring.

    The presidency also said there has been increased in budgetary allocations to key agencies like the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

    On the success in Ogoni Cleanup, the presidency said prequalification of contractors who bidded has been completed in line with public procurement laws.

    “Actual remediation and cleaning exercise will start as soon as procurement process concluded,” the presidency stated.

    The presidency also said, “Escrow Agreement to kickstart drawdown of 1st tranche of $170m signed”.

    “The New Vision for the Niger Delta is designed to promote development in the region through a forthright partnership between the Federal and State Governments, private sector, and local communities,” the presidency said.

     

  • Niger Delta: Vandalism worries SPDC

    The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has urged youths in the oil producing Niger Delta region to embrace peace and end vandalisation of oil installations in the area.

    Mr Igo Weli, General Manager, External Relations, SPDC, made the appeal on Thursday in Port Harcourt, during the “Youths Summit for Land East Hub Host Communities’’ programme organised by company.

    Weli, who was represented by Mr Evans Krukubo, SPDC’s Manager of Community Interface, said that the company was worried by activities of vandals on its facilities.

    The general manager said the resultant impacts of such activities on the environment and livelihood of the people was enormous.

    He said that the SPDC was committed to providing employment, education and enterprise development to youths Abia, Imo and Rivers, the states under its youth empowerment drive.

    He said: “this concern is part of reasons we invited speakers to educate and share and their experiences with the aim of having the youths becoming agents of change.

    “We are also seeking supports and ideas from the youths with the aim to proffer solutions to the challenges we encounter in our operations.

    “We are not focusing on the entire youths in the Niger Delta, but only targeting and connecting with those in our land assets in the East.

    “We are taking this engagement with the youths, segment-by-segment, on areas where we operate facilities within Abia, Imo and Rivers states.”

    He said that 70 youth leaders drawn from the three states were participating in the programme and expected to take the message to their various communities.

    Also, Sam Ezugworie, SPDC’s Asset Manager, Land East Hub, said that the company had adopted “Enhanced Surveillance Strategy’’ to tackle vandalism of its facilities.

    He spoke through Boniface Nongo, an official of the company, and said that the strategy in collaboration with the host communities had reduced attacks on its pipelines.

    “We are working directly with the community contractors under three cluster development boards in Ukwa West (Abia), Agbada (Imo) and Ikwerre (Rivers) to survey our facilities.

    “This strategy has enabled us to generate employment for about 900 people who work day and night to protect our wells and flow lines.

    “The strategy has allowed us to safeguard over 60,000 barrels of oil per day production for the past eight months and with near zero incidences recorded since it was implemented.

    “We believe that bad things can never happen in a house except there is an insider. So, we have given them responsibility to look over our assets,” he said.

    He added that the company would on July 1 introduce the strategy to other clusters in its land east hub and the central hub assets in the Niger Delta.

     

  • Tompolo, a true patriot of the Niger Delta – Muoboghare

    A former Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Primary School Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare has described ex-militant commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo as a true patriot of the Niger Delta region.

    Prof. Muoboghare made the remarks at a Colloquium/Book Presentation in honour of Professor Godini Gabriel Darah at the Petroleum Training Institution (PTI), Conference Centre, Effurun.

    He said Tompolo is a true patriot of the region for the major role he played in founding both the (MEND) and also his fighters that drew the Federal Government’s attention in establishment of the Maritime University at Okenrenkoko.

    The former Basic and Primary School Education Commissioner lampooned persons criticizing Tompolo for selling his buildings and other facilities at the International Diving School he built at Kurutie, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government, Delta State, to the FG at an alleged sum of N13 billion, which the Federal Government acquired for the Maritime University, Okerenkoko to have a rethink saying that FG cannot even build those facilities at that cost as a result of the difficult terrain.

    The book titled Scholarship and Commitment: Essays in Honour of G. G. Darah was edited by the trio of Sunny Awhefeada, Enajite Ojaruega and Peter Omoko, and published by Lagos-based publishing outfit, Malthouse.

    The event was chaired by the former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and the Special Guests of Honour, the Governors of Delta and Bayelsa States, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa and Hon Seriake Dickson were represented by their Chiefs of Staff. The 101-year-old Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM, Ovie Richard Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro 1 and HRM, Matthew Ediri Egbi JP. Owawha 11, the Okobaro of Ughievwen kingdom were in attendance. Other dignitaries included the former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama, Dr (Mrs) Cecilia Ibru, Rev Fr Christopher Ekabo, Hon Evelyn Oboro, Hon Efe Afe, Chief Francis Arhiyor, the academia and others.

     

  • Prof. Darah: 13% derivation means 87% deprivation

    The struggle for resource control and discourse on derivation principle took centre stage as Niger Delta political heavyweights gathered in honour of Professor Godini Gabriel Darah at the Petroleum Training Institution (PTI) Conference Centre, Effurun, Delta state.

    TheNewsGuru reports Prof. Darah at the Colloquium/Book Presentation said the 13% derivation accruing to oil producing states means that the states are being deprived 100% resource control.

    “13% derivation means 87% deprivation,” he said, with former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, who chaired the occasion declaring that the region will no longer make demands for 30% derivation from federal government (FG), but demand for 100% derivation.

    “We shall no longer demand 30% derivation from the FG but 100%,” the former Delta State Governor stated, while also stressing that the Niger Delta region has suffered enough neglect.

    In his remarks, a former Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Primary School Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare extolled ex-militant commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo for his contribution to the Niger Delta struggle.

    He said Tompolo is a true patriot of the region for the major role he played in founding both the (MEND) and also his fighters that drew the Federal Government’s attention in establishment of the Maritime University at Okenrenkoko.

    The former Basic and Primary School Education Commissioner lampooned persons criticizing Tompolo for selling his buildings and other facilities at the International Diving School he built at Kurutie, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government, Delta State, to the FG at an alleged sum of N13 billion, which the Federal Government acquired for the Maritime University, Okerenkoko to have a rethink saying that FG cannot even build those facilities at that cost as a result of the difficult terrain.

     

  • Resource control: We shall demand 100% derivation from FG – James Ibori

    Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori has changed the tone for resource control by declaring the Niger Delta region will no longer make demands for 30% derivation from the federal government (FG), but that the region will soon begin demanding 100% derivation.

    TheNewsGuru reports Ibori made the declaration at the Colloquium/Book Presentation in honour of Professor Godini Gabriel Darah which held on Wednesday at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Effurun.

    Prof. G. G. Darah at the Colloquium/Book Presentation
    Prof. G. G. Darah at the Colloquium/Book Presentation

    “We shall no longer demand 30% derivation from the FG but 100%,” the former Delta State Governor stated in his remarks at the Colloquium/Book Presentation, while also stressing that the Niger Delta region has suffered enough neglect.

    At the event, Ibori described Prof. Darah , who recently retired from Delta State University, Abraka, on the attainment of the retirement age of 70, as an astute academic, and said the Ogberianrien contributed immensely to the success of his administration as Governor of Delta State from 1999 to 2007.

    Chief Ibori and other dignitaries at the event
    Chief Ibori and other dignitaries at the event

    He urged the Ogberianrien (Prof. Darah) not to rest on his oars, but channel his wealth of experience to address the numerous challenges facing the Niger Delta region. Ibori identified a major problem of the region to be unemployment and said it is the reason the illicit business of oil bunkering was flourishing.

    “Prof. Darah, I challenge you that the job is not done yet. The other time I was in Oloibiri in Rivers, people cannot breathe well because of the activities of both legal and illegal oil activities.

    “We have generic solutions to the problem and one of it is unemployment. So we need to go into the region and find a way to deal with the problems. It is a serious problem, we need to talk to our people to find a way to deal with it, if not, we pray that we will have a population that grows and not deplete,” he said.

    Cross-section of guests seated at the Colloquium/Book Presentation
    Cross-section of guests seated at the Colloquium/Book Presentation

    TheNewsGuru reports the Colloquium/Book Presentation was chaired by the former Delta State Governor, while the incumbent governors of Delta and Bayelsa States, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Rt. Hon. Seriake Dickson, were ably represented as special guests of honour.

    Chief Ibori, Prof. Darah and guests seated at the event
    Chief Ibori, Prof. Darah and guests seated at the event

    The book titled Scholarship and Commitment: Essays in Honour of G. G. Darah was edited by the trio of Sunny Awhefeada, Enajite Ojaruega and Peter Omoko, and published by Lagos-based publishing outfit, Malthouse.

    Poet and political essayist, Mr. Odia Ofeimun reviewed the book, while Professor Sunny Akpotor, Dr. William Ehwarieme and Yinka Odumakin served as colloquium discussants.

    Udje performers entertaining guests at the event
    Udje performers entertaining guests at the event
    Udje performers throwing dance steps
    Udje performers throwing dance steps

    Other dignitaries present at the event included former deputy governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, Mrs Cecilia Ibru, the academia and traditional rulers, among others.

     

  • Boro’s 50th memorial: Ijaw youths demand new States

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has celebrated the 50th memorial of one of their own, late Major Isaac Boro with a demand for additional two states to be created in the Niger Delta.

    They said that the creation would give the Ijaw people space to achieve their aspirations in the federation.

    The IYC President, Eric Omare, made the call at Kaiama, the home town of Boro in Kolokuma/Opukuma Local Government Area of Baylesa.

    Omare spoke during the golden anniversary celebration of the demise of the freedom fight icon.

    According to the IYC leader, 50 years after Boro died while fighting for the freedom of his people, the political fortune of the Ijaw people has not changed drastically.

    He noted that Ijaws were still balkanised and shared out into six different states as minorities and subjected to all sorts of political suppression and oppression.

    Omare bemoaned the situation where Nigeria now has thirty six states whereas the Ijaw people who are the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria have just one state.

    He said the situation had persisted even when the Ijaws were the first to ask for state creation through their late leader, Harold Dappa-Biriye at the London constitutional conference.

    “This is oppressive and totally unacceptable to the Ijaw people, especially considering the fact that majority of the resources being used to fund the thirty six states of the federation and the federal and local governments of the country come from the Ijaw territory,’’ Omare said.

    Omare said the key demand of the Ijaws on the way forward was the call for the restructuring of the country which include the creation of two homogenous Ijaw states.

    He said the proposed states, Toru-Ibe State for the Ijaw people of Ondo, Edo and Delta states on the western flank and Oil Rivers State for the Ijaw people of Akwa Ibom and Rivers.

    “The states will empower Ijaws to freely express their political aspirations,’’ he noted.

    Omare said the Ijaw areas covered by the proposed Toru-Ibe and Oil Rivers States are geographically contiguous and linguistically homogenous.

    He said the only way that restructuring could make sense to the people was for these two states to be created which were key parts of late Boro’s struggle.

    “It is sad that those 50 years after the demise of the late Adaka Boro, his dream of political autonomy for the Ijaw people has yet to be realised.

    “It will be recalled that the agitations of the late Adaka Boro led to the creation of the old Rivers State in 1976,’’ Omare said.

     

  • PANDEF urges new executive committee to foster unity, progress in Rivers

    Chief Tonye Graham-Douglas, the Rivers Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has urged the newly 17-man executive committee members to foster unity and progress in the region and the state.

    The executive committee of PANDEF, a socio-cultural movement founded to actualise the emancipation of the Niger Delta people, was inaugurated on Tuesday to pilot the affairs of the group in Rivers.

    Graham-Douglas, also a trustee of PANDEF, while inaugurating the executive in Port Harcourt had said that PANDEF’s major concern remained the systematic neglect of the area by past governments, policies and laws.

    “I, therefore, inaugurate you as Executive Committee and charge you to put in motion a machinery that would seek out ways and constitutional means of readdressing the wrong done to us.

    “This includes advancing new ways of tackling the problems and menace we now face.

    “Conscious of the universal and absolute self-sustenance/reliance but always being unique part of the larger coordinating body at the center,’’ he said.

    Graham-Douglas, who was a four-time federal minister, thanked members of the executive and PANDEF stakeholders for sparing time to witness the inauguration.

    He urged the committee members to cooperate and achieve PANDEF’s goal.

    Also, Chief Sampson Agbaru, Chairman of the Rivers Chapter of PANDEF, promised to advance the cause of the state and Niger Delta.

    Agbaru, a former Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Rivers Government, said the executive would stay focused on PANDEF’s aim of addressing the challenges and under-development of the Niger Delta.

     

  • Maritime University portends good omen for Niger Delta – Okowa

    Maritime University portends good omen for Niger Delta – Okowa

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has described the commencement of academic activities at the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, as good omen that will consolidate the existing peace and sustainable development of the Niger Delta.

    The Governor stated this on Tuesday when the Governing Council of the University led by former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva who is the Chairman of the Council, paid him a courtesy call in Asaba.

    “I am glad that academic activities have commenced, we thank God for the successful start off of the Maritime University which will consolidate on the peace in the Niger Delta and attract sustainable development to the area.

    “We are aware that the terrain is very difficult for the execution of projects and this is what the Governing Council will experience in defending its budget, the cost of executing projects in that area triples what it takes to execute similar projects in the upland,” he said.

    He continued, “as a state government, we will continue to assist the much we can within the limit of resources to develop the university.

    “The Maritime University is the first of its kind in Nigeria, we hope you (the Governing Council) develop it to internationally acceptable standards,” he stated while congratulating Chief Sylva and members of the Governing Council for their appointments.

    Sylva had told the Governor that the Governing Council was inaugurated on March 22, 2018 and commended Governor Okowa’s administration for its contributions to the development of the University, disclosing that more than 300 students are currently studying in the institution.

    “We have visited Okerenkoko, Kuritie and other riverine communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom and we have seen the great works you have done as well as the cash grant you gave to the University,” Silva told Okowa.