News
Oil Coys, Communities Sign Renewed GMoU
Following the successful renegotiation of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, Keffes communities and the Bayelsa State government, the parties last Monday signed the renewed GMOU document.
In a colourful ceremony held at Sasun Hotel, Port Harcourt, both the government and community representatives applauded the GMoU describing it as a veritable tool for advancing community-driven development in the Niger Delta communities.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Energy, Hon. Maxwell Okoh commended the cordial relationship between the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture and its neighbouring Keffes communities and confirmed that it was evident that the GMoU Community Engagement concept was appreciated by the communities.
Hon. Okoh, who was represented by a director in the Ministry, Engr. Christmas James Brass, charged the community members to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in the area to enhance opportunities for sustainable development of the community.
According to him, “government appreciates situations of peace and harmonious existence in the state and it is only such situations that can facilitate speedy development.”
Thanking the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for its commitment to the development of communities around its operational areas through the GMoU model, he advised other oil companies to emulate the company, stressing, “You do not need the community to drag you to initiate development in the areas where you operate.”
Also speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, HRH Jeremiah T.C Leghemo, the Amananawei of Koluama I community thanked the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for the GMoU initiative stating that the initial skepticism concerning the GMoU has since transformed into appreciation of the governance structure it establishes in community development.
He remarked, “It was Chevron that first introduced the GMoU in the oil industry. All other companies have now started various versions of their own GMoU. But Chevron has not failed on its obligations and commitment to the GMoU agreement with the communities.” Congratulating the new executive members of Keffes Communities Regional Development Committee under the GMoU, he implored them to see their nomination by their people as opportunity to serve with honesty, transparency and accountability.
Earlier in his remarks, Engr. Femi Odumabo, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited noted that the signing of the renewed GMoU was another turning point in the company’s commitment to strengthen the GMoU as a vehicle for sustainable socio-economic development in communities around its operations.
Odumabo, who was represented by Mr. Joe Jakpa, Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Eastern Operations Area, noted that through the GMoU the Keffes Regional Development Committee has undertaken several infrastructural projects including electricity, water projects, sanitation, skills acquisition programme for the youths and others.
He stated, “The successes recorded in the implementation of the GMoU in Keffes communities and other clusters of communities bordering our operations in the Niger Delta region have shown that with proper support, through capacity building and funding, these communities could actually drive their own development process.”
News
I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
News
RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
News
Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
-
Politics2 days ago
Keyamo Inaugurates Ganduje As FAAN Board Chair
-
News2 days ago
Demonstrate Commitment In Improving Host Communities, Ibas Tells Corps Members
-
Politics2 days ago
Reps Constitution Review Committee Holds Zonal Hearing For Rivers, C’River, Akwa Ibom In Calabar
-
Opinion2 days ago
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
-
News2 days ago
I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
-
News2 days ago
2027: I Stand With Southern Presidency -Ortom
-
Rivers2 days ago
HOS Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP … As Project Sensitization Team Visit Degema, AKULGA
-
News2 days ago
Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman