News
Ebocha Blasts: RSG Orders Clean – Up Of Egbema Communities …Gives NAOC 3-Month Deadline
The Rivers State Government has directed the management of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), the Italian oil giant, to effect immediate clean-up of Egbema communities impacted by the Ebocha oil centre explosions that occurred last July.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya, who gave the order during a parley between the Ministry’s officials, Egbema communities and representatives of Agip, said that Agip can not claim that the triple explosions spanning across two days did not negatively impact or pollute the environment, adding that all prospecting oil and gas companies operating in the state must be environment friendly and responsive to their host communities.
The commissioner explained that the issue of compensation will not be addressed for now pending the clean-up exercise, and gave the oil firm three-month timeline to clean-up and remediate the environment and communities affected.
Konya appealed to the impacted host communities to co-operate with the firm during the clean-up process.
She promised that the ministry will meet with all the parties and stakeholders in three months’ time to review the progress and agree on nest line of action.
Earlier, the chairman of Egbema Technical Committee, Josan Osai, who described the relationship between Agip and Egbema communities as a metaphor of mother and child, had lamented how Egbema (as a mother) nurtured Agip (the child) to adulthood only for the child to abandon the mother after stabilizing.
Osai recalled that the triple explosions from the Ebocha oil cnetre that rocked the area left the entire environment devastated, affecting flora and fauna while buildings, livestocks, rivers, streams, fish ponds, pools among others were severely impacted.
He blamed the explosions on equipment/facility failure as, according to him, Agip had 24-hour security/surveillance around the area of explosions, which was fenced and tagged a “no-go area” from non-Agip personnel.
Osai disclosed that host communities had severely dialogued with Agip, which involved the state House of Assembly, Rivers State Police Command and National Assembly but regretted that such parleys were deadlocked when Agip sidelined Egbema and signed the Joint Inspection visit report without the consent of the landlords.
Also speaking, the leader of Agip team, Dr Kingsley Opuene Aston, who doubles as the Manager, Environment Department, said that the company’s position was that the explosions were as a result of sabotage, adding that the company cannot be held liable for the incident.
Aston further said that some remedial measures had been effected within the site of the blasts while relief materials had been sent to host communities to cushion the effect of the disaster.
He, however, stated that the resolution of the meeting will be transmitted to Agip’s management for further action and directive.
It would be recalled that series of meetings and dialogue had been held between host communities, Agip, state House of Assembly, National Assembly and police authorities as well as Rivers State Ministry of Environment since the triple explosion that happened last July.
Goodluck Ukwe
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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