Rivers

Eleme Challenges OGFZ Over Employment Quota Claim

Published

13 years ago

February 20, 2013

There was a melodrama last Friday when the Good Governance Tour team visited the Oil and Gas Free Zone, Onne, as a fierce disagreement greeted the claim by the authority of the zone that the local community (Eleme) was receiving its fair quota from the 30,000 employment opportunities for the catchment area.

Immediately the Managing Director of the OGFZ, Victor Alabo concluded his presentation to the team, a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly representing Eleme Constituency, Hon. Josiah John Olu debunked the claim of fair employment quota to his people, saying rather that Eleme community had remained marginalised in the affairs of the zone, especially as it concerns employment.

Hon. Olu informed the team led by Information Minister, Labaran Maku, that not even one person from the entire host community has been employed into the management position inspite of the fact that his area has well qualified persons in every discipline.

The lawmaker called on the Federal Government to come to his people’s rescue, noting that the essence of the tour was to give opportunity to the people to express their feeling.

He further remarked that the zone was talking about developing the 4A and 4B phases without proper Environmental Impact Assessment as required by the law, stressing that such could be at the detriment of his people.

The zone, being run by Intel Services, he alleged, has spent about 30 years in the area but has never called for a town hall meeting to hear the feelings of his people on their areas of need.

“But Intel is taking us for granted in their divide and rule system”, he noted, adding that his people had continued to suffer marginalisation in many ways.

However, the MD of OGFZ, Victor Alabo, later accepted that in the Senior Cadre, Eleme people do not have fair quota but that about 80 percent of their quota of employment was being given to workers at lower grade.

The Tide gathered that a frosty relationship exists between the free zone authority with the best development and investment potential in Africa and its host communities. In September, 2012, youths of the area blocked the road leading to the base when the zone was hosting an international conference as a calculated attempt to show their grievances.

Another indigene of Eleme, who spoke to The Tide, accused the management of being tribal in their recruitment exercise.

The big “Ogas” in the companies are mainly from Hausa, Yoruba, and Ibo. So, when there are openings in their companies, they go home and bring their brothers and sisters to displace us, he complained.

Chris Oluoh

Rivers

NDLEA Loses Officer, Arrests Six Suspects In Bonny Raid

Published

19 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

An operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been killed during a raid on a notorious drug enclave at Ama Hausa, Bonny Island, Rivers State, while six suspects were arrested.

The agency said a significant cache of illicit substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, skunk and tramadol, were recovered during the operation.

The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

According to the statement, the deceased officer, Chief Narcotic Agent, Sadiq Bako Mujahid, sustained severe head injuries when suspected drug dealers mobilised armed hoodlums to attack operatives during the raid.

Babafemi explained that despite the violent resistance, the operatives successfully apprehended the six targeted suspects, including the alleged gang leader, Genesis George Benson.

Other suspects arrested in the strategic operation carried out on Friday, February 6, 2026, were identified as ThankGod Okon, Shamsudden Isah, Muhammed Musa, Adamu Muhammed, and Muhammed Yusuf.

The agency described the Ama Hausa area of Bonny Island as a well-known hub for criminal activities and drug trafficking.

The statement further noted that the operation took a tragic turn when Benson allegedly mobilised armed hoodlums in a bid to evade arrest, leading to a confrontation with NDLEA personnel.

Mujahid was immediately rushed to the General Hospital in Bonny Island for emergency medical attention but later succumbed to his injuries.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the bravery and resilience of the officers who carried out the operation.

Marwa said the operatives refused to be intimidated by criminal elements and ensured that the assailants were subdued and the illicit substances confiscated.

He extended condolences to the family of the deceased officer, his colleagues and the Rivers State Command, warning that any attack on NDLEA personnel would attract dire consequences as the agency remains committed to ridding the country of illicit drugs.

King Onunwor

Rivers

MOSIEND Seeks Potable Drinking Water In Opobo … Decries Absence Of Hospitals

Published

19 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Rivers State Government and Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Barrister James James, to provide potable drinking water for Opobo Communities.

The Group called on the State Government and Council Chairman to provide an affordable hospital in the area for pregnant mothers to deliver their babies.

The Chairman, Ibani/Opobo Clan, Comrade Favour Obani, and his counterpart in Kalama, Evangelist Anderson Africa, representing MOSIEND Eastern Zone, made this known in a radio programme, “Talk of the Town”, on Rhythm 93.7FM.

On lack of potable drinking water in Opobo, Comrade Favour Obani said Opobo people drink from river and well waters and sometimes buy satchet water from Bori Town for their daily consumption.

She expressed regret that Opobo Town had produced prominent personalities, such as the former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, Director General, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, and the present Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminilayi Fubara, yet lacks potable drinking water and modern hospitals and delivery centres.

Comrade Obani insisted that there is total absence of good governance and government presence in the entire Opobo Communities over the years, despite producing prominent politicians in the state.

On lack of hospitals and maternity in Opobo, Obani said pregnant mothers deliver their babies in untrained traditional birth attendant places which she described as harmful to modern day mothers.

She called on the Opobo Council Chairman, Barr. James James, to build modern market facilities for Opobo women to do business.

“We need empowerment and training of the youths across the communities in Opobo Kingdom”, she stated.

She also decried the absence of filling stations in Opobo, noting that motorists and villagers travel to Bori to buy fuel for their use.

On his part, Comrade Anderson Africa called on Rivers State Government to build shores protection in Opobo Town to protect their fast eroding lands.

According to him, Opobo need shores protection in Queenstown and Kalaibiama to protect the communities from extinction.

On NDDC street light installation in Opobo, Evangelist Africa said the street light is not enough to go round as the community needs more to light-up the communities.

He noted that Opobo Communities did not enjoy electricity during the Christmas celebration as most homes were on darkness.

“We need proper electricity in Opobo, we want to feel the real dividend of good governance and democracy”, he said.

Both Speakers from Opobo Clans blamed their sons and daughters who have held various political offices in the state for the backwardness and under-development witnessed in the communities.

They added that students and pupils in ancient Opobo schools do not have comfortable chairs and desks to write on.

According to them, the only presence of governance in Opobo is the road linking to the Town to Bori.

Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Ariks Air Divert Aircraft From Port Harcourt To Benin

Published

19 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

Following a loud bang heard on the left engine of an Arik Airline, Boeing 737-700, with registration number 5N-MJF, the aircraft from Lagos to Port Harcourt has been diverted to Benin Airport as a precautionary measure.

The aircraft, operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt, on Tuesday morning, was on descent into the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred.

The airline’s Corporate Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, disclosed this in a statement, saying all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.

The statement reads: “Arik Air’s Boeing 737-700 (5N MJF) aircraft operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt on February 11, 2026, diverted to Benin Airport after the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine.

“The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident happened and as a precautionary measure, the crew had to make a safe diversion to Benin.

“There were no injuries to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.

“Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination.

“We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and well-being of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air”, the statement said.

The statement assured that Arik Air is committed to continue serving the public with safety consciousness and for ultermost care for passengers.

Enoch Epelle