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Of Insecurity And Economic Dev In Etche

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Etche Local Government
Area of Rivers State is regarded as the food basket of the state.
This elevated status accorded the area is mainly due to its rich agricultural potentials-large expanse of fertile land suitable  for the cultivation of various crops, energetic farmers, big markets, attracting traders from all parts of the state and neighbouring states, atmosphere of peace and love from the people known to be one of the most hospitable in the oil-rice Rivers State.
In a bid to enhance these enviable potentials, various administrations in the state sited agric projects in Etche land. The School-to-Land project, Risonpalm plantations, Delta Rubber Company and not excluding the avowed interest of the present administration led by Governor Rotimi Amaechi in developing farms across many clans in the area in partnership with an Israeli agro-allied company, are few examples.
Unfortunately however, insecurity in the area is dangerously upturning these socio-economic fortunes of the people as armed youths allegedly empowered by politicians  are robbing and attacking innocent farmers, traders and investors.
Only recently, armed youths struck at Eketa market located at Igbodo, the traditional headquarters of Etche land. They scared away innocent traders and disposed some of their money, valuables and injured so many.
An Aba-based trader who is a regular articles seller in the market was disposed of his N480,000.00 with his wares also stolen.
An eye witness told The Tide correspondent that a lot of people lost their money and goods when the gun-totting youths struck.
“I have been patronizing the market for more than 25 years and I have never seen a thing like that, a trader who identified himself as Egeonu Mathew narrated adding  that his colleague did not only lose all his sales for the day but had a broken head while running to save his life.
“So many people were also seriously injured by the heartless armed youths who took over the market for over 45 minutes,” he stated.
At Mba Market, over eighteen (18) armed youths also besieged the market in the similar manner as that of Eketa. The Tide gathered that poor traders were scared off when the robbers struck.
“It had never happened before. They came on motorcycles and shot severally into the air and as people ran for safety, they stole most of their goods and those they caught, were disposed of all the money on them,” said a trader who was  her self a victim of the dangerous drama.
The fish-seller who identified herself as Charity Nwankwoala said, “the robbers stole some motorcycles belonging to traders and many people were wounded while many lost their money to the gang of young robbers.
Apart from operating in markets, the robbers who many see as political thugs also ambush traders on their way to the local markets. Many a times the traders have been robbed of the money with which to buy their stocks.
One of the victims, Mary Akpan told The Tide that they were robbed on a Monday morning, on their way to Obite market.
“The robbers numbering about twelve (12)  intercepted our vehicles at Egwi/Nihi junction and robbed all of us in the vehicle. We were confused whether to proceed to the market or get back to Port Harcourt because we had no money to buy things. It was when we phoned some of our customers who promised to sell to us on credit (deferred payment) that we decided to proceed”, Akpan narrated.
“This is not my first experience. The operations of the robbers had forced some of our colleagues to stop coming to Etche markets for the fear of either losing their lives or valuebles to the heartless robbers”, she continued alleging that there was attempt to rape some of the ladies in one of such raids.
Investigations carried out by The Tide showed that vigilante groups providing security to some communities in Etche land have devised means of checking operations of the robbers.
The vigilante groups now escort vehicles carrying the traders to their various communities to ward off the incursions of the armed robbers.
A youngman who is one of the vigilante members confirmed the development. “We arrive early at Egwi Etche and wait for the traders and accompany them to our market every market days, said the man.
On regular basis, traders travelling to Aba in Abia State from Etche are robbed either on their way going or returning.
A transporter who plies Ulakwo/Odogwa/ Owasa road narrated his ordeals to The Tide. The driver who gave his name as Chimuanya Amakalam said, “on more than three occasions, I had been robbed with my passengers who are mainly provision store dealers. Each time the robbers subjected us to serious beating and disposed us of every thing on us.”
The driver said, “the road which is one of the easiest routes to Aba has become a traveler’s nightmare. Good number of the drivers who ply the route have since changed route, he said.
Another respondent, Chief Ebere Njoku, said he has decided to close his provision store business because, “it is either you are robbed on your way to the market or the robbers come to your store mainly in the day time to remove your money and take whatever things they wish to, from your store. So, when I discovered that I was no longer in any reasonable business, I closed down and relocated to Oyigbo where I am at present”.
The Okehi/Eberi Road which had separated the people of Etche local government from Omuma local Government was celebrated when some years ago, the government constructed the road and built a link bridge joining the two local government areas. However, the road later turned to be a death trap to those plying it because robbers operate on the route daily.
The situation became so worrisome that Etche ethnic Practising Journalists Association met with the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Chief Emeka Nwogu and complained of the ugly experiences of people plying the route. The council boss who confirmed the situation disclosed that he was discussing with his counterparts in Etche Local Government Area on the possibility of establishing a police post at the bridge for better security on the road. So far, the police post is yet to be established.
The fear of deadly armed youths who daily kill and maim innocent indigenes of the area has become everybody’s concern. Farmers, fishermen, traders and innocent travelers have one ugly story or the other to tell about Etche land today. Some women had been reported raped at various parts of Etche by these robbers.
The police and other security agents in the area, are working hard and doing their best to provide better security but the situation remains dangerous for socio-economic life of the people.
Investigation revealed that a good number of Etche sons and daughters avoided going home during the past Christmas and New Year celebrations because of the insecurity in the area.
Even Okada ridders in the area operate with fear because the robbers daily snatch their motorbikes from them including their money.
Certainly, the situation would affect negatively the availability of adequate food supply more as the fear in the land would also affect farming operations which has just started, unless some serious security steps are taken to check the excesses of the armed youths.
Unconfirmed report indicates that some of the robbers come in from the neighbouring local government areas and even states to operate freely  in Etche land.
There is need for the chiefs and Traditional rulers in Etche to step up collaboration with security agents in the areas to contain the problem, since majority of these youths themselves are from Etche communities.
The churches, women groups and opinion leaders in Etche also have serous roles to play in any serious effort to return the area to its past state as one of the most peaceful local government areas and the food basket of Rivers State.

 

Chris Oluoh

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NCDMB, Dangote Refinery Unveil JTC On Deepening Local Content

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The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Company have inaugurated a Joint Technical Committee (JrefineryTC) aimed at advancing local content implementation during the operational phase of the 650,000 barrels per day  plant.
A statement from the Directorate of Corporate Communications of the Board noted that the inauguration ceremony took place at the Dangote Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
The statement also said the inauguration marks a pivotal moment in fostering strategic collaboration between the both institutions, and was a significant move to reinforce local content development in the oil and gas sector.
Presided over by the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, and the Group Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Group, Chief Edwin Devakumar, the event featured the formal sign-off of the Committee’s Terms of Reference (ToR), a guided tour of the refinery, other critical facilities, and the official commencement of the JTC’s responsibilities.
According to the Board, the visit also featured the presentation of the certificate of the Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the Year Award won by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Company at the inaugural ‘Champions of Nigerian Content Awards’ held recently in May.
The NCDMB’s boss made the presentation to the President of the Dangote Group, Alhalji Aliko Dangote, who expressed delight at the recognition, noting that he would display the certificate proudly at his office.
Ogbe congratulated the Dangote Group on the successful development and commissioning of the largest single train refinery in the world, as well as petrochemical and fertiliser plants, describing the projects as a historic milestone not for Nigeria alone, but for the entire continent.
He emphasized that the Dangote Refinery stands as a testament to the success of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010 and the transformative potential of Nigerian-led industrial projects.
“At an optimal daily production capacity of 650,000 barrels, this refinery will significantly enhance Nigeria’s energy security and contribute to the supply of refined petroleum products across West Africa.
“Nigerians, have to own the plant, we have to make sure that the plant works well. We have to secure it, we have to maintain it. The NCDMB would continue to collaborate with Dangote Petroleum Refinery”, Engr  Ogbe said.
Highlighting the need to ensure more value retention in the sector, as mandated by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD) 2010, the Board’s helmsman demanded compliance with Sections 32 and 33 of the NOGICD Act, with particular reference to local manpower utilization and requirements for NCDMB’s approval prior to the engagement of expatriates.
“The NOGICD Act stipulates that no expatriate can be employed in any organization in the oil and gas industry without the prior approval of the NCDMB. We will work with you, We’ve to protect jobs for Nigerians. It’s critical to job creation, skills development, and national capacity building in line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, he said.
He commended the firm for training and employing Nigerian engineers, saying the collaboration will ensure that qualified Nigerians were given opportunities across all operational roles, while also urging the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals to support the Board’s initiative which aims at developing oil and gas industrial parks across the country to foster local content and manufacturing in the sector.
He noted that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS) seeks to create an enabling environment for Small and Medium Enterprises in the sector.
“NOGaPS was conceived by the Board to develop facilities close to oil fields where manufacturing of oil and gas components, as well as research and development, can be carried out.
“We would like Dangote to support one of our major activities, which is the oil and gas industrial parks scheme. The parks are aimed at creating an enabling environment for SMEs in the industry to do fabrications and create more jobs for Nigerians”, the NCDMB’S boss stated.
In his welcome address, the Dangote Group Vice President, Devakumar, highlighted that the refinery project and NCDMB have been working together, promoting local content development during the construction stages of the project.
“We can’t say we have achieved everything, because there is opportunity to do more. We’re grateful to the NCDMB for all their support and advice.  As entrepreneurs, we’re trying to optimise costs. It’s a Nigerian company, it’s also an entrepreneur-driven company. As a Nigerian company, the focus will be on Nigerian content. As an entrepreneur-driven company, it will be cost-focused”, he noted.
Devakumar underscored the long-standing commitment of the Dangote Group to national development and capacity building, saying that the Group’s vision is to grow Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
High points of the visit, according to the Corporate Communications Directorate of the NCDMB, was the inauguration of the Committee members.
The statement from the NCDMB further added that the committee is to ensure the implementation of local content in the refinery’s operations, while its core objectives include promoting the use of Nigerian skilled manpower, services, and locally sourced materials in compliance with Section 3 of the NOGICD Act.
The Tide learnt that the committee will also support Dangote Refinery in aligning its operational procedures with the Act’s requirements.
In his acceptance remarks, Director of Corporate Services at NCDMB and Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu, expressed gratitude to the leadership of both organizations, reiterating the Committee’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of local content enforcement and fostering measurable outcomes that will benefit the nation’s economy.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Food Security: NDDC Pays Counterpart Fund  For LIFE-ND Project

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The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, says the commission has paid its counterpart fund for the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise Project to ensure food security in the region.
The LIFE-ND project is an agriculture intervention project sponsored by the Federal Government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the NDDC to boost food security in the region.
Mr. Ogbuku disclosed this while fielding questions at the commission’s 25th anniversary world press briefing  in Asaba, Delta State.
He stated that the commission has equipped and trained farmers in the region on best practices, adding that it has also established Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce with a commitment of N30 billion, but has released N5 billion to encourage commerce and entrepreneurship in the area.
According to him, agriculture is among the next phase of the commission’s programmes aimed at addressing food security in the region.
“Our target is to use agriculture to fight criminalities in the Niger Delta region”, he said.
The NDDC boss said the commission would hold a retreat to marshal plans to enhance the cultivation of rice, oil palm, cassava, and maize for industrialisation.
He also disclosed that its fund allocation from the Federal Government has improved, adding that funding from International Oil Companies has also increased, with greater compliance.
Ogbuku revealed that although its revenue has improved, the commission had thought it wise not to borrow but to deploy the surplus to execute more projects.
According to him, the commission has gone digital in its documentation and data generation to address its human capital development projects, ensuring the even deployment of resources, which allows people to take turns being trained in their chosen profession.
He stated that the NDDC was committed to addressing environmental challenges in erosion-prone areas in Edo, Delta, and other states, contingent upon the availability of funds.
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Replace Nipa Palms With Mangroove In Ogoni, Group Urges FG, HYPREP

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A concerned group of stakeholders under the auspices of Khana Coastal Communities has made a passionate appeal to the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Hydrocarbon Remediation Restoration Project (HYPREP) to include the removal of Nipa palms which has taken over the positions of mangroves in the area as part of the ongoing Ogoni Clean Up Exercise.
The group, which decried the invasive and destructive effects of Nypa fructicans, commonly known as Nipa palms, on the ecosystem of the affected communities, made their appeal in a Press Statement issued shortly after the  inspection and survey of the creeks and coastlines of  affected communities.
The communities are Kwiri, Kereken, Kaa, Gwara, Sii, Kpean, Tehnnama, Bane, Kalaoku, and Opuoku, all in Khana Local Government Area of Ogoni, Rivers State.
Signed on behalf of the affected communities by comrades Emmanuel Goteh Bie, Raymond Nwibani, and Chief Barineka Tonwe, the statement emphasized the need for urgent intervention to clear the Nypa fructicans and replace them with mangroves which provided sustainable habitat for aquatic species in the affected communities.
The group commended the Federal Ministry of Environment and HYPREP for their commitment to the Ogoni cleanup process and urged all stakeholders involved in the process not to renege on their complementary roles.
The statement read in part: “As you have seen, the Nypa fructicans has taken over our creeks, displacing native mangroves and aquatic life. The impact on our communities has been severe, with many of our people struggling to make a living due to the depletion of fish and other aquatic resources.
“We commend the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for its efforts in restoring native mangroves in Ogoni, particularly in the Bomu Community. However, we are alarmed by the unintended consequences of removing invasive Nypa fructicans, which has led to the disappearance of fish and aquatic life, threatening the livelihoods of our coastal communities.
“We believe that the removal of Nypa fructicans and replanting of native mangroves will help revive our aquatic life and sustain the livelihoods of our people.”
The group passed a vote of confidence on the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas, and HYPREP Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, for what it described as their unwavering efforts in ensuring the success of the Ogoni cleanup exercise.
They  called on the Federal Government to release their counterpart funding to HYPREP without delay to sustain the pace of progress recorded in the clean up process.
“The cleanup exercise is commendable, and any delay in funding could stall the progress and undermine the efforts of all stakeholders. We urge the government to prioritize the Ogoni cleanup exercise and provide the necessary support to ensure its success”, they stated.
They also used the opportunity to caution against the antics of self-inflicted activists or bodies that might attempt to hijack the cleanup agenda and create unnecessary agitation, and assured the total support of the affected  communities to HYPREP’s activities to enhance the holistic success of the Ogoni clean up exercise.
Bemene Taneh
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