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Bayelsa Moves To Sanction Agip
The Bayelsa State Government has threatened to sanction the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) over its handling of the victims of a recent pipeline explosion at its field in Azuzuama.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Iniruo Wills, told newsmen in Yenagoa yesterday that the management of NAOC was withholding autopsy reports and the victims’ death certificates.
Wills expressed the government’s dissatisfaction with the action of the oil firm, which had frustrated burial plans by the families of the deceased.
He said that the state government would apply appropriate sanctions, if the documents were not released immediately to allow the families of the victims to bury them.
“The Managing Director of Agip has refused or has been foot-dragging to release the autopsy report, death certificate and collection card for the remains of our staff member several weeks on.
“We find this to be grossly indecent and an aggravation of the Azuzuama tragedy that we and the families are still grappling with.
“The family continues to be in suspense and had to change the burial plans because of this.
“We will treat it as a provocation and respond with appropriate government sanctions if we don’t receive the papers immediately,” Wills said.
Officials of NAOC, representatives of the host community and officials of the Bayelsa Ministry of Environment were investigating the cause of an oil spill when the explosion occurred.
The Public Affairs Manager of NAOC, Mr. Dan Jumbo declined comments when contacted for his reactions to the development.
It would be recalled that 14 people died in the July 9 explosion at Azuzuama in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Bayelsa State says it has set up Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps following the recent flood alert in the country.
The agency’s Head of Administration, Mr. Torukuru Adakien told newsmen in Yenagoa yesterday that relief materials worth millions of naira were also being purchased.
Our Correspondent recalls that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) recently alerted flood-prone states, including Bayelsa, of possible flooding between now and November 2015.
The alert was sequel to information received from Cameroonian authorities on their plan to release excess water from Lagdo Dam.
“As part of our preparedness following the recent flooding alert, Bayelsa, being one of the vulnerable states, we have cleared all the IDP camps in all the eight local government areas.
“Relief materials such as clothing, bags of rice, cartons of Indomie Instant noodle, soaps, blankets, seasonings, tomatoes and over 300 pieces of mattress have also been purchased.
“Before now, we had planned to embark on sensitisation of the general public on the needful precautions to avoid and reduce the effects of flooding.
“We have gone for a workshop on disaster risk reduction at the national level, and we are going to host such workshop in the state to ensure that we educate the people.
“I advise all communities in the state not to be nonchalant about the flood alert; we must make sure that the water channels are not blocked.
“Clear the drains as at when due; avoid building houses on canals and dispose your refuse properly,’’ he said.
Adakien urged traditional rulers, chairmen, Community Development Committees (CDC), youth leaders and the general public, to collaborate in their various communities to ensure that information gets to people on time.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.