Niger Delta
NGO, Govt, Others Brainstorm On Causes, Effects Of Oil Spill

With the rising cases of oil spills and its attendant consequences to lives of the people of the Niger Delta region and its environment, an NGO, the Stakeholders Alliance for Corporate Accountability (SACA) has said it would in no distant time facilitate the sending of petitions by children of the region to the British, Dutch and other Embassies in Nigeria for their swift reactions.
The Executive Director of SACA,Mr Kingsley Ozegbe, disclosed this yesterday at a two-day programme, tagged: ‘Child Safeguarding Policy Development Forum’ organised by the NGO in partnership with the Bayelsa state Ministries of Education, Environment and Health as well as the Catholic Education Board and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Ozegbe noted that the adverse effect of spillages in the Niger Delta region cannot be overemphasized, reiterating that children are the most affected victims of oil spills.
He identified vandalism as major cause of oil spillages, just as he said equipment failure on the part of oil majors cannot be over ruled, describing poverty as another contributing factor to vandalism and oil-caused environmental hazards.
The Tide reports that the ‘Child Safeguarding Policy Development Forum’ would be rounded off today, just as the Bayelsa State Chairperson of NAPPS, Dr Christiana MacDonald, doubling as chairman of the SACA’s project management committee (PMC), represented by the secretary of NAPPS, Mr Ugosough Richard, thanked the NGO for the partnership, saying it would yield the expected results.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Environment, Gbaranbiri Iselema, represented by the Director, Climate Change of the Ministry, Mr Wakedei Ere, promised government continues partnering the NGO, assuring that government was desirous of achieving a hazard-free environment, especially from spills.
High points of the event were seminar topics, entitled ‘Understanding Child safeguarding’, delivered by Mr Okusaga Raphael, Child Safeguarding Officer, St Patrick’s Missionary Society, West Africa and the representatives of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Dr Wilcox Izibeya, Mr Jeremiah Dangana, assistant Director Pollution, Ministry of Environment.
The duo identified child abuse and neglects as key factors which exposed children to environmental pollution caused by oil spills.
Izibeya, who also consults for the NGO, stated that medical investigations carried out by SACA during a recent study of some oil spill affected communities in the state revealed that the rate of ailments had been on the increase since the spill occurred, in comparison to their health status before the spillages.
“Studies on the health statuses of some communities affected by oil spills showed that diseases and rate of illness were on the rise since the occurrence of the spillages, compared to before the spillages”, SACA said.
“Diseases and other abnormalities associated with oil spill, apart from the discovered increase of about 38%, neonatal mortality rate are, chest infections, slurred speech, headaches, cough, watery stool, vomiting, breathlessness, miscarriages, premature labour and allergic reactions”,
“Congenital heart defect, hydrocephalus, Omphalocele, anencephaly, anaemia, cancer and chronic obstructive airways”, SACA added.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.