Niger Delta

Bayelsa Laments Impact Of ‘Strange’ Gas Flare

Published

13 years ago

May 15, 2013

Residents around Shell’s new gas field in Opollo Epie, have bemoaned the negative effects of ground-level gas flares into the atmosphere.

Ms Sabina Yibowei, who resides along the Tombia-Amasoma road in Yenagoa, said that the flares had affected the weather and raised the temperature in the area.

According to her, buildings surrounding the gas facility usually witness vibrations and high noise levels during the flaring exercise.

“Shell has been putting us in a tight corner because the vibrations and noise caused by the flares will not allow us to sleep at night and the people are living in fear. “They have never thought it wise to explain what is going on in the place to the people living in the area, she said.

“Take a look at the vegetation near the place and you will see that the toxic fumes have consumed the vegetation and that is the air we breathe in daily,” Yibowei said.

Another resident of Tombia-Amassoma Road,Mrs Joyce Onyeukwu said: “Since Shell commenced these gas flare exercises, life has become unbearable. “I am considering relocating from this area, but I still have some rent arrears.

“My children cannot sleep well and their performance at school has dropped due to this development.”

Meanwhile, a source close to the gas field said that Shell was drilling a new gas well and was conducting the flare to burn off impurities before feeding the gas into its gas gathering facilities.

Reacting, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) said the ongoing ground-level gas flares at its gas field in Bayelsa were within tolerable limits.

A press statement by the SPDC’s spokesman, Mr Precious Okolobo, said the company was testing the potential of five gas wells for implementation of the Gbaran-Ubie project in Bayelsa.

The statement said that the exercise, which began two weeks ago, involved brief simulated production to determine the potential of the wells and flaring of released gas in isolated locations.

It said that the project would eventually reduce routine gas flaring.

“On completion of the tests, the wells will be hooked up to the Gbaran-Ubie central processing facility which will process the gas for domestic and export markets. “One of the recipients of the gas is the Bayelsa State gas turbine at Imiringi. “In line with industry regulations, SPDC has secured permit from the Department of Petroleum Resources and engaged communities before commencing the well tests,” the statement said.

The statement quoted Mr Calistus Iwu, the Gbaran-Ubie Phase 2 project, as saying that the testing of the gas wells was in line with standard international practice.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.