Niger Delta

UNEP Recommends $1bn For Ogoni Community Clean UP

Published

10 years ago

October 16, 2015

Executive Director, Social Action, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Dr Isaac Osuoka, says United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has recommended 1.04 billion dollars for clean up of Ogoni community.
Osuoka disclosed this on Tuesday at a roundtable meeting on overview of the recommendation of UNEP Report on Ogoni community, organised by the NGO.
He said that the Federal Government also made a commitment of 10 million dollars to commence the Board of Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP).
He said that the purpose of the board was for the implementation of the UNEP report on the environmental restoration of Ogoniland.
He said that the cleanup programme which was expected to last for 30 to 35 years had not started, adding that the fund was jointly contributed by the Federal Government and oil industry.
He said that since the release of the UNEP report, the response of the government to the implementation of the report has fallen short of expectations.
Osuoka added that the UNEP recommended quick efforts to ensure that all drinking water, wells where hydrocarbons were detected are marked and people are informed of the danger, while alternative sources of drinking water are provided.
He said that the HYPREP which the Federal Government set up under the Office of Ministry of Petroleum Resources was not backed by legislation.
Osuoka added that the HYPREP was not also provided with adequate funds to totally execute it mandate.
“ In the last two months, there has been a glimmer of light, indicating that at last, the much awaited remediation of Ogoni environment may begin. The announcement of the government that it is setting aside the 10million dollars to commence the process is a welcome gesture,’’ he said.
Osuoka was represented by Mrs Vivian Bellowu-Okafor, Head, National Advocacy Centre. The Paramount Ruler of Mogho, in Ogoni Community, Chief Mene Kpea, said that the UNEP recommended quick efforts to fast-track actions for the implementation of its report on the cleanup.
Kpea said that the community was concern over the delay on the implementation process, adding “even the 10 million dollars government committed is too small, it cannot solve the whole problem facing our land.’’
Also, Mr Emmanuel Okokon-Ndem, Head of Oil and Gas Division, Environmental Assessment Department, in the Federal Ministry of Environment said that the community should give the new administration time to succeed.
According to him, the community should have trust in what the government is doing, saying: “I want to assure you that the government is doing everything possible to fulfill it promises.’’

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.