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NGO Urges SPDC, Host Community Dialogue Over Oil Spill

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7 years ago

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The Oil and Gas Producing Areas Enlightenment and Empowerment Initiative (OGPAEEI), a Civil Society Organisation in Bayelsa State, has called for dialogue between Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and its host community, Aghoro 1.
The President of OGPAEEI, Mr Collins Jackson made the call in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Yenagoa.
Jackson said the two parties needed to embrace dialogue in order to settle their disagreement over the signing of the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report on the May 17 oil spill in the area.
Recall that the community and SPDC disagreed on the land area impacted by the oil leak along the Trans Ramos Pipeline within its oilfield in Aghoro communities of the state.
The disagreement had stalled the release of the JIV report on the incident because the community leaders who participated in the investigation to determine the cause of the spill declined signing the report.
The oil company and the community have had wide disparity over the impacted area as claimed by each of the parties.
Jackson, who explained that the objective of the organisation was to promote peace and mutual understanding between oil companies and their host communities said peace was needed to drive development.
“Dialogue is the best tool to apply while handling oil and gas-related matters between the company and the host community in order to prevent an impending doom.
“I must recall that Aghoro 1 and 2 communities brought to the notice of our NGO a sensitive issue of oil spillage that occurred as result of SPDC’s equipment failure.
“They alleged that the areas impacted by the spill had not been proper mapped since May 17, the incident occurred.
“We learnt that SPDC was called for a tripartite JIV assessment for a proper mapping and what the communities received in return from was intimidation and harassment.
“We have come out to urge them to embrace dialogue,” the President explained.
Meanwhile, Mr Lawrence Sagbagha, Deputy Chief of Aghoro 1, has alleged that SPDC’s act of negligence has caused extensive destruction to the people’s source of economic and social existence.
“We are only urging Shell to avoid the acts that can generate discord and breakdown of law and order in the community. We are not a trouble-making community
We, therefore, call on the Federal and State Governments and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in this matter and prevent a replay of the Ogoni saga in our area,” he said.
The Media Relations Manager of SPDC, Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, has confirmed the disagreement over the JIV report.
“Aghoro 1 community did not agree with a portion of the JIV report but we have not used force; SPDC does not coerce parties to sign JIV reports,” Odugbesan explained.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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