News
RVHA Tasks Oil Firms On CSR …As Saro-Wiwa Poly Bill Scales 2nd Reading
The Rivers State House of Assembly, yesterday, charged oil firms to improve on their Corporate Social Responsibility activities as a way of reducing communal tension and unemployment.
The charge of the House follows the presentation of the Committee Report on the protest by communities hosting operations of the Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited (NDPR) by the Chief Whip, Hon. Evans Bipi.
Four communities in Ahoada-East, Emohua and Abua/Odual local government areas had petitioned the House over the continued application of an expired Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) since 2004, by NDPR.
After the committee report was debated on the floor, it was resolved, among the 19 recommendations that NDPR should enter into a fresh MoU with the communities under the supervision of the state Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, after taking voice votes that approved the committee report, among other resolutions, emphasized that the needs of the communities be reflected in the new MoU.
Ibani remarked, ‘these are issues that the National Assembly should look into. These issues touch on the existence of Niger Delta people, so, the law should be able to protect the ordinary citizens”.
Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, Edison Ehie of Ahoada East, Christian Ahiakwo representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency 1, and Michael Chinda of Obio/Akpor Constituency 11, were among members who threw their support behind what they described as a “comprehensive report”.
While Ehie sought that all prayers from the report are adopted, Amawehule harped on the need for recommendations 2 and 4, among others, to be studied in-depth to give balance to the parties involved.
Ahiakwo insisted that in the new MoU, a community-based trustee be included to work independently from the main company board of management.
The Chairman of the Public Complaints Committee that compiled the report, Bipi told newsmen shortly after that the committee was satisfied with the outcome the report.
“I am very happy that we have been able to resolve the matter, at least, all parties are satisfied”.
Earlier, the House committed to committee stage the bill seeking to repeal the Kenule Benson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Law of 2017 after the bill scaled second reading.
Ibani, shortly before the bill was sent to the committee stage, stated that the school will benefit a lot.
He said, “The bill seeks to achieve higher quality technical education for our people”.
The speaker, who relied on the House order, charged that the bill be given adequate attention by the committee such that when the report is brought on the floor, it will get quick approval.
Earlier, Amaewhule, had sought for amendments on some aspects of the bill to reflect the current trend in the technical education sector.
For Amaewhule, the bill is to reconcile the original law with the realities on ground, so that the polytechnic can deliver on its mandate and compete with other polytechnics in line with the regulations of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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