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Egi, Total E&P On Collision Course
The French Oil giant, Total Exploration and Production and Egi, its host community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State may be heading for collision, thereby ending the many years of their relationship.
This is coming on the heels of several allegations bordering on neglect, deceit, non-compliance with agreements cordially reached by the parties to foster good relations, levelled against the oil firm.
Frustrated by the company’s refusal to honour a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed since 2012, an apex organisation of Egi community, Egi People’s Assembly (EPA), through its leadership, had written a letter to the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to call the company to order, and advise them to respect agreements with host communities.
The letter was channelled to the governor through the Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Shadrach Chukwu, for action.
The Tide reports that since the submission of the letter, nothing tangible has happened as several meetings scheduled by the commissioner for the community and the company to address lingering issues have suffered many postponements at the instance of Total.
Although the parties finally met on July 26, with the commissioner presiding, after the Egi community had stated their case, the company again took an adjournment to return August 16, one of the Egi delegates, Dr Ifeanyi Obulor, exclusively told The Tide.
The community was, however, irked by the company’s action on the agreed date.
It was reported that last Tuesday morning, while Egi delegates numbering more than 50, were waiting in the commissioner’s office, one of Total’s administrative staff brought in a letter dated the same day, and addressed to the commissioner, requesting for a postponement of the meeting.
The letter, signed by one Joseph Ajilore, reads in part: “We write to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 11, 2016, with reference MENR/CR/16/281, inviting the Management of Total E & P Nigeria Limited to a follow-up meeting with the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday, 16th August, 2016.
“May we kindly inform the Hon. Commissioner that due to the arrival of a new Deputy Managing Director for the Total P & E, Port Harcourt District, we are unable to attend this meeting at the agreed time”.
The Tide learnt that the reading of the letter generated anger and tension in the commissioner’s office as most delegates immediately expressed reservations on the non-challant attitude of the Total management.
Reacting to the development, the new President-General of Egi nation, Apostle Magnus Elemele, said: “Commissioner, you can see the behaviour of this company. How can they send a letter this morning when my people are already here, having abandoned their different businesses to attend this meeting?
“Total E & P is the only oil company in the Niger Delta that had been operating for years without disruption of their operations by our people, but see how they are repaying our good gestures.”
Several other delegates also expressed anger that if a meeting convened by the state government could be treated with levity, the community may just be treated with a wave of hands.
The commissioner, who frowned at the attitude of the company, said: “the action is a slight not only on me but also on the governor on whose behalf, I am acting”, remarking that inasmuch as government would like to protect oil firms operating in the state from undue harassment, it will not tolerate acts that are capable of undermining any community.
He pleaded with the Egi community to exercise patience, and allow government to handle the matter, suggesting that another date for the meeting should be taken.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
