Niger Delta

Ebocha Blast: RVHA Secures Relief Materials For Communities

Published

11 years ago

July 15, 2015

The Rivers State House of
Assembly says the report on the Ebocha Explosion will soon be ready as communities and the company are working on one path.
The Chairman of the Committee investigating the Ebocha Explosion, Hon. Christian Ahiakwo who stated this on Tuesday confirmed that the House has been able to broker peace between the communities and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
Hon. Ahiakwo representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni constituency 1, who revealed this while speaking with The Tide in his office at the Assembly Complex, noted that cardinal relationship between the company and communities has returned to normal.
The lawmaker explained that the House has asked the company to ensure that provided relief materials to victims of the explosion immediately.
According to him, ‘The committee has started work by visiting the area, with some consultants.
“As soon as we get the report from the consultants, we shall harmonize it and present it to the House. One good thing we have succeeded in doing is to get the company to start remedial measures to distribute relief materials to victims.
It would be recalled that the Speaker last week set up committee to probe the cause of the explosion and to determine how far the company has gone about compensating the victims of the explosion.
Three reservoirs containing several hundreds of thousands of crude oil exploded at Ebocha in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area. The communities whose area were impacted include Mgbede, Okwuzi, Aggah, Abacheke, Abaech and Etekwuru.
Sources revealed that acquatic life, farm land and live stocks were at risk.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and host communities in Egbema have commenced negotiation over the way forward following initial disagreement on the possible cause of the recent explosions that occurred at the Ebocha oil centre.
Earlier, the communities had insisted that blasts which affected flora and funa were caused by equipment failure while the Ihalian oil giant alleged that it was as a result of sabotage which ignited the massive reservoirs leading to explosions.
The deadlock was, however, broken by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which promptly set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the immediate and remote causes of the explosions.
The Committee, Agip and representatives of host communities, have since visited the site of the blasts to see and assess the site and its impact on the people and the envrionemnt.

Goodluck Ukwe/Ike Wigodo

Niger Delta

Otu Recommits To Support For Navy

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration will continue to collaborate with the navy for effective protection of the waterways.

Otu stated this when the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, visited him in Calabar.

The Governor described the visit as critical to consolidating the partnership between Cross River State and the navy.

“Peace and stability remain non-negotiable prerequisites for the progress of the state.

“So, this visit reaffirms our shared resolve to keep the state safe and secured through sustained collaboration,” he said.

Otu stated that security remained the foundation for meaningful development in every society.

“No society prospers in the midst of insecurity. As a state, our development vision depends on peace, order and collective vigilance,” he said.

The Governor commended the Navy for the level of professionalism being exuded by its personnel in the discharge of their duties.

He said the Navy’s efforts had hugely boosted investor confidence and strengthened the state’s economic environment.

The Governor assured the Navy of the state government’s continued support towards enhanced operation.

Earlier, Ahmed explained that the visit followed the military tradition of familiarizing with authorities upon assumption of duties.

He stated that it was crucial to align naval operations with the strategic priorities of the state government.

The naval chief thanked the state government for its support to the force, saying, “your support has helped us immensely in achieving targets”

The Commandant further said there was need to strengthen infrastructure and communication systems in order to address evolving security challenges.

“Operationalising key naval facilities will improve our capacity to tackle maritime crimes.

“The Navy is committed to supporting the state in ensuring the safety and security of the waterways.

“We shall continue to promote peace while enabling the residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear,” he said.

Niger Delta

Community Praises Diri, Ogbuku On Projects Execution … Prioritises Security, Dev

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

The Agbura Community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has again lauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over infrastructure projects executed in the community.

Speaking with newsmen midweek in Yenagoa, its Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr. Tribunal Egba, hailed the Governor for the successful completion of the abandoned Oxbow lake-Agbura Road project and others within the Community.

He also eulogized the NDDC MD for the construction of new lodge in the community for serving Corps members as well as plans to execute other projects.

Mr. Egba added that the completion of the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road has given the community facelift, while also pleading with the government and the interventionist agency to award shore protection contract in the community to save it from the perennial floodings experienced in the fast urbanizing town.

Similarly, the community’s leadership has given assurances that it will continue to give priority to development and security of lives and property.

The CDC helmsman promised to strengthen the existing community vigilante group, while also stressing that the age-long synergy between the community and security agencies would be improved upon to get rid of crime and criminalities in the area.

“As a community, we’re so thankful to Governor Diri for constructing the abandoned Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road project. We’re also glad with the level of infrastructural development ongoing in other parts of the state, courtesy of the Diri-led administration.

“We also like to laud the MD/CEO, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the construction of a befitting Corpers lodge for Corps members serving in this community.

“Our priority as a community now is to protect these infrastructure projects. We’ll continue to work in synergy with all security agencies to make sure there’s peace and development”, the CDC leadership said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Delta Shocked Over Death Of Chief Protocol Officer

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Delta State Government has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Sunny Kotor, Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the State Government.

Kotor, a renowned Master of Ceremony at state functions, reportedly slumped and passed away last Friday.

In a statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in Warri on Saturday, his passing was described as “a profound loss; not only to his family, but to the Government and people of Delta State who benefited immensely from his professionalism, composure, and unmistakable presence at official engagements.

“He brought dignity, structure, and excellence to every function he handled, leaving behind a standard that will be difficult to forget,” the statement added.

The Commissioner noted that “every passing is indeed a sobering reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be,” extending heartfelt condolences to Kotor’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him.

The statement prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.