News
UNEP Report: Ogonis Blast FG, Block East-West Road
Vehicular movement along the Eleme axis of the East/West Road was yesterday disrupted, resulting in heavy traffic grid lock, following a mass protest by the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) over the non implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report by the Federal Government.
Placard carrying youths and women from the four local Government Areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme thronged the road causing heavy blockade and chanting solidarity songs to press home their demands.
Some of the placards carried inscription such as; “Jonathan scrap HYPREP, create Ogoni Environmental Authority” “Our Environment is our life,” Restore UN decision now” among others.
The teeming protesters accused the Federal Government of blackmail and conspiracy against the Ogonis, pointing out that the Ogonis will not compromise the stipulated terms of the UNEP report.
The protest conducted simultaneously across the World by Ogonis was part of activities to mark the 2013 edition of the World Human Rights Day.
MOSOP President, Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara who led the protest along the Ogoni axis of the East/West road, said the refusal by the Federal Government to implement the UNEP report, two years after its release amounted to genocide against the Ogoni people.
The MOSOP President decried the continuous despoliation of the Ogoni natural environment, which he said had denied the people of their natural right to meaningful existence.
Describing the environment as man’s first right, the MOSOP President called for the immediate and full implementation of the UNEP report, stating that the Federal Government’s antics on the sensitive issue, amounted to politisation of the report.
Pyagbara also lamented the absence of Federal Government projects in Ogoni, adding that Ogonis had over the years suffered untold deprivation by the Federal Government.
He emphasised that the refusal of the Federal Government to implement the UNEP report, was an indication that the Federal Government was not ready to respond to the imperatives of justice in Ogoni.
Speaking with The Tide in a telephone interview, the Executive Director of the Ogonis in Diaspora Organisation, (ODO) based in the United States, Chief Ambrose Kii, flayed the Federal Government over the non-implementation of the UNEP report.
Chief Kii, said the Ogonis as a resilient group decided to embark on the peaceful protest in line with MOSOP directives, and pointed out that the protest, was to draw attention to the insensitivity of the Federal Government.
Kii also called for the creation of Bori State, based on economic viability and the principles of justice, noting that Ogonis had contributed in no mean measure to the development of the Nigerian state.
Maenwhile, oil workers under the platform of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN and its affiliate body, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of Nigeria, (NUPENG), yesterday protested against the planned sale of the Port Harcourt Refinery by the Federal Government.
PENGASSAN, called on the Federal Government to begin the turn around maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
The State Chairman of PENGASSAN, Comrade Fidelis Ighodaye who led a peaceful rally along the refinery area in Eleme Local Government Area against the planned sale of the refinery to private investors also said that due to the routine maintenance of the refinery by the ad-hoc staff, the facility presently can work up to 60 per cent capacity.
Ighodayo therefore appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the supply of crude to the refinery to enable it begin refining of crude products for local consumption.
The Tide learnt that the, Rivers State chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, P-MAN also staged a protest over their alleged exclusion from the forth-coming non-payment of their allowances in the Rivers State Carnival, popularly called CARNIRIV by the Director-General of the State Tourism Development Agency, Mr. Sam Dede.
Taneh Beemene
Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo (left), receiving special merit award and fellowship conferment from the President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr Mustafa Shehu, at the opening of the 2013 International Engineering Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi