News

Ebocha Threatens Agip Operations

Published

13 years ago

June 7, 2013

Ebocha community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State seems likely to be the next stop for insecurity arising from a simmering oil company/host community relationship.

This time, it is due to alleged neglect by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to dialogue with their host, Ebocha community, for the purpose of producing an implementable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would redress what the community tagged “sustained neglect” of the people.

In an exclusive interview, President of Ebocha Youth Association (EYA), Comrade Ernest Onwuadi, revealed that the community’s bone of contention with NAOC is the company’s reluctance to recognise Ebocha as a distinct community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and accord it due respect, particularly in terms of treating the community as host and according them due benefits accruable from the company’s oil exploration and exploitation activities.

Consequently, all stakeholders in the community, “the traditional stool, Community Development Committee (CDC) and EYA” have resolved to give the company an additional seven days ultimatum, following the expiration of an initial 14 days ultimatum, to dialogue with the community or face stoppage of all activities in the community.

“We are calling for peace now and begging NAOC in order to avoid unpleasant consequences that may arise if the management of NAOC refuses to recognize Ebocha as an entity, and dialogue with us. We have made our position known to all stakeholders on this matter, he said.

“Ebocha is a well recognised community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. The traditional stool, CDC and EYA are certified by the Rivers State Government, but for no just reason, NAOC and its subsidiaries have not only refused to accord us recognition, but also ignored us and ensured that we do not get our due from their oil activities on our land”, he added.

Comrade Onwuadi explained that “the company has insistently refused to recognize and negotiate with us in sustainable development programmes as host community suffering from the adverse effects of their activities in the area.

“This particular matter has been reported to the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and other state government authorities which subsequently led the government to visit Ebocha community and recommended that NAOC reaches a Memorandum of Understanding or General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with the community.

“NAOC subsequently requested for information about the community for documentation in the records of the company’s host community profile, for which details of Ebocha community was forwarded to the management of NAOC since April 2009 for necessary action”, emphasised.

“But since then, the company has not only refused to call us for discussion, but has continued to deprive us of our due, while diverting our rights, entitlements and privileges”, Onwuadi pointed out.

Attempts to reach the Divisional Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Bari Nwibani through two of his telephone numbers proved abortive as he neither picked calls made to him, nor responded to text message sent to him.

Further attempts to get comments from the Community Relations Manager, Chief Franklyn Okoromah via telephone also came to naught as his line was switched off.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.