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Reps Summon IGP, NSA, Minister Over Insecurity
Vice President Namadi Sambo (right), with Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, at the meeting on Kaduna Power Plant, Ge Rock Substation Fuel Storage, Railway-all Stakeholders, at the presidential villa in Abuja, recently. Photo: NAN
The House of Representatives yesterday summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and the National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki to brief it on the security situation in the country.
The House also summoned the Minister of Defence, retired Lt-Gen Aliyu Gusau.
It urged security agencies to fish out the suspected Fulani herdsmen that attacked some communities in Zamfara and Nasarawa states.
According to the house, there is the need to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book to serve as deterrent to others.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Rep. Ibrahim Gusau (PDP-Zamfara), which was unanimously adopted without debate.
According to Gusau the gunmen, in hundreds, operated freely for about four hours shooting children, traders and community leaders.
He noted that similar incidents had happened in Benue and Nasarawa where several people were killed by Fulani herdsmen.
Gusau said that the residents of many of the affected villages were living in persistent fear of being attacked while many had fled their homes.
He said that the Fulani herdsmen had become organised and daring that no small unit of security personnel could repel their attack.
“These groups of attackers are becoming more coordinated and if not checked, they can turn into yet another organised terror group.’’
About 230 people were killed in two villages in Zamfara on April 3 and 5.
Meanwhile, the House has mandated its Committees on Works and Army to investigate the circumstances behind the delay in constructing military barracks in Doma, Nasarawa State.
The resolution emanated from a motion moved by Rep. Mohammed Onawo (PDP- Nasarawa) which was adopted.
According to Onawo, N100 million has been appropriated in the 2014 Budget for the construction of Doma military barracks.
He expressed surprise why the contract for the project had not been awarded.
The legislator noted that the essence of the project was to boost security in the area and other neighbouring towns of Guma, Gwer West and Agatu in Benue.
Onawo stated that the essence of the project may be defeated if urgent measure was not taken to hasten its execution.
“The appropriated funds may be wasted if action is not taken by the parliament to ensure the timely implementation of the project”, he said.
Meanwhile, a bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Authority (NEMSA), yesterday passed through its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The proposed bill seeks to carry out the functions of enforcement of technical standards and regulations, as well as technical inspection in the Nigerian electrical supply industry.
It also seeks to enforce technical standards in testing and certification of electrical installations, electricity meters, and instruments.
This is to ensure the efficient production and delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable power supply in the country.
The bill, if passed, would also guarantee safety of lives and property in the Nigerian electricity industry.
Leading debate on its general principle, Rep. Patrick Ikhariale (PDP-Edo), said that the bill, if passed, would tackle the issue of electricity supply in the country.
He said that the essence of the proposed legislation was to bring about an authority that would be “highly” involved in the technical role of the agency.
The lawmaker said that the bill would also strengthen standards in the area of professional services which no other agency could do.
Ikhariale said that the establishment of the agency would also provide employment opportunity for Nigerians.
“This bill, my colleagues, is very germane and has the interest of the people at heart,” he said.
He argued that the bill would also ensure that students of electrical engineering have a place in the Nigeria economy and contribute to national development.
Ikhariale urged the house to support the bill so that a body would be solely responsible for the enforcement of technical standards and regulation in the Nigerian electricity supply industry.
In their various contributions to the debate, Rep. Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta), Rep.Aminu Shagari (APC-Sokoto) and Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje (PDP-Abia) agreed that the bill is very important to Nigerians.
They said that the issue of safe electricity could not be over-emphasised.
The bill, thereafter, scaled the second reading and the Deputy Speaker, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, referred it to the Committee on Power for more legislative input.
Similarly, the house passed for second reading, a bill for an Act to regulate the Profession of Forestry in Nigeria.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ifeoluwa Arowodoge (APC-Ekiti), seeks to regulate the activities of foresters in the country.
The bill was then referred to the Committee on Environment and Agriculture for more legislative action.
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