News
Bodo Agog Over N25bn Shell Compensation
APC supporters at a campaign rally in Rivers State, recently
Bodo community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State appears to be enjoying a new vista following the payment of N25 billion oil spill compensation by the Anglo-Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
Our correspondent, who visited the area, last Thursday, said the community was agog with construction of new buildings, massive renovation of old houses, and the emergence of a lot of small and medium enterprises.
Chairman of Bodo Council of Chiefs, Chief Livinus Kiebel told The Tide that “massive transformation is going on in the area. Poor women who have never had N10,000 before in their lives are now receiving at least N600,000.00 individual claims”.
Describing the compensation as a big blessing to the people, he said, “Everybody is happy and in every corner of the community, you see a lot of new houses being constructed, massive renovation works are going on in old buildings. New businesses, new vehicles, fishing gears, canoes, among others, are being acquired daily.
“This economic boom in Bodo at this period when Nigeria is passing through ‘austerity’ has also impacted on traders in the area”, said an Igbo trader who deals on building materials in the community, as according to him, daily sales are impressive.
A woman, who identified herself as Mama Lebari, said the life of her family has changed as she and her five sons put their claims together which has brought about a turn around that was never envisaged.
The chairman of the chiefs council, also said “as I speak to you, people have paid tithes and appreciation to God such that my church, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Bodo, has received about N20 million from tithe and other forces of appreciation to God.
Kiebel said the people were happy with Leigh Day & Company, the United Kingdom-based firm for assisting the community win its suit against SPDC and the ultimate payment of the compensation, unlike what it used to be in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
According to him, after a long drawn legal battle with SPDC over the major crude oil spillage in the area that resulted in high scale destruction in 2008, at least, SPDC was defeated and had no option than to pay N25 billion for the damage.
The chief, however, decried what he termed negative impact of oil politics, which frustrates development in the region.
He accused SPDC of always denying responsibility when spills occur from its aged pipes, thereby reducing the economic fortunes of the people.
“The company would always apply divide and rule system, and link the spills to third party and bunkering activities even when such spill was occasioned by its negligence”, he said.
Kiebel also accused the Federal Government of not coming to the aid of the people by wielding the big stick on the multinationals.
“There is too much oil politics frustrating people from getting justice in the Niger Delta over oil spill. No matter how gracious, Federal Government would not come out with the big stick, but would rather make noise while the victims of the spill keep suffering “, he said.
He called for immediate abrogation of the Land Use Act, saying the law is against all norms in modern world.
“Because they see oil as everything, the military people came up with the decree in the 70s”, he stated, and urged the National Assembly to emulate advanced nations of the world and repeal the Land Use Act.
Chris Oluoh & Lydia William
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
