News
N’Delta: ‘1.89m Barrels Of Oil Spilled In 20yrs’
The United States Alumni Engagement
Innovation Team has said that 1.89 million barrels of oil spilled in the Niger
Delta between 1976 and 1996.
The group, which is working on the use of a
local plant to remediate oil spills, said the figure was part of the 2.4
million barrels spilled in the country during the period.
The group also said that more than 4,835
reported incidents of oil spills occurred in the country during the period.
The figures are contained in a communiqué
issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday after the team’s workshop.
The communique, jointly signed by the group’s
Chairperson, Prof. Stella Williams, and the Team Leader, Dr Morufat Balogun,
was presented at a sensitisation workshop entitled “Kenaf clean up: Countering
oil spills in the Niger Delta with local plants.”
It said the largest spill occurred was the
Bonga spill, which spilled 40,000 barrels of crude in 923 square kilometres in
the Atlantic Ocean in 2011.
The commuinique says that Kenaf, a local
plant, predominantly grown and called rama in the northern parts of the
country, was a safe and environmental-friendly alternative to cleaning oil
spills.
According to the report, Kenaf is an
environment-friendly way of cleaning oil spills compared to oil-dispersants
which can threaten marine and human lives because of their toxicity.
The report called on the National Oil Spill
Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to adopt the plant as part of a
sustainable community-integrated strategy for oil spill remediation.
It encouraged a pro-active engagement of oil
companies in sponsoring the adoption and utilisation of Kenaf in local
entrepreneurship and farm activities beyond oil spill remediation.
It also said the plant could be used to
produce bricks, sound proofing systems, automotive components, green building
and thermal insulations.
The communique called for the establishment
of an oil spill response group that would partner the Kenaf Team at the
community level and register the team into a limited liability company.
It suggested that the Kenaf Team be supported
to do a pilot study of the project in the Niger Delta with support from NOSDRA
and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
It called for the review of environment and
public health laws as well as the Land Use Act, saying that the existing laws
could affect the use of Kenaf in cleaning oil spill in the country.
It urged the government and the National
Assembly to ensure strict implementation of the recommendations.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
-
Politics4 days ago
Port Harcourt Ring Road Remains Our Signature Project – Fubara
-
Focus3 days ago
The Belligerent Rantings Of Tony Okocha
-
News2 days ago
SERAP Calls For Legal Framework For Human Rights
-
Politics1 day ago
Soludo’s Performance Assessment, APGA Tackles LP Chieftain
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
Savannah To Take Over Stubb Creek Field in Nigeria
-
News4 days ago
IYC Debunks Report Of Planned Attack On Military Across N’Delta
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
RISA Boss Okays Fubara’s Human Capital Development Initiative
-
Nation2 days ago
Gov Mbah Signs Bill To Establish Teaching Hospital In Enugu