Niger Delta

NAOC Accused Of Fuelling Crisis In Obie Community

Published

11 years ago

March 6, 2015

An imminent crisis’
looms in Obie Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State following alleged high handedness and divide and rule strategy employed by one of the multinational oil and gas giants, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in its operations in the area.
The Tide in investigations reveal that the impending crisis is as a result of internal leadership tussle in the community allegedly fuelled by NAOC.
While majority members of the Obie Council of Chiefs in support of the elected Community Development Committee (CDC) executive led by Mr Gift Dappa, NAOC is said to be working with the Paramount Ruler of the community, Chief John Ochonma, who allegedly sidelines majority of the memebrs of the council while carrying his cohorts along.
In a statement signed by the Vice Chairman of the Obie Council of Chiefs and Elders, Chief Levy Ekuku the General Secretary, Chief Christian Eluozoh, and the PRO, Chief John Obur accused NAOC of “instigating crisis in the community by recognising a parallel CDC led by one Mr. Smith Elemosah, who reportedly recommends contractors and negotiates with NAOC on behalf of the community”.
The statement also accused NAOC of turning down every written appeal and overtures by the community to address the issues, and vowed to resist any leadership imposition and illegal mandate in the community.
The statement also claimed that the community had resolved to adopt a new constitution before the conduct of a new CDC election, noting that Gift Dappa remains the elected CDC Chairman until a new election is conducted.
The statement also faulted the acquisition of land for Obie Youth Centre project at Egbema, an entirely different community from Obie.
It emphasised that the decision, which was taken by the paramount ruler without the consent of the community, was capable of breaching the peace of the community.
According to the statement, NAOC’s support for Elemosah as Obie CDC chairman was tantamount to abetting criminality as the said Elemosah was currently undergoing investigation by the police for impersonating as a legal practitioner.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Rivers State Command, Ahmad Muhammad had earlier confirmed the arrest of Elemosah for impersonating as a lawyer.
When The Tide Correspondent visited Obie community, the Paramount Ruler, Chief John Ochonma, refused to comment on the issue,
Reacting to the issue, the Public Affairs Divisional Manager of Agip, Mr. Dan Jumbo, denied the company’s complicity in the community crisis, adding that the company follows laid down rules and procedures in its interaction with communities in the Niger Delta.

T aneh Beemene

Presiding Bishop of Kingdom Life Gospel Church, Port Harcourt, Bishop Victor Uzosike (4th left), his wife (3rd left) cutting his 48th birthday cake in Port Harcourt recently. With them are Port Harcourt ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Prof Beke Sese (2nd right) and other dignitaries.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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.