Niger Delta
Dickson Advocates Stakeholders Meeting On Environment
Bayelsa State Governor,
Hon. Seriake Dickson has urged the Federal Ministry of Environment to convene a stakeholders meeting involving the government, community leaders, youths, security agencies, oil companies and the legislature to holistically address the lapses inherent in the country’s institutions, regarding the operations of multi-national oil companies in the Niger Delta.
He said some of the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta were exploiting the situation by creating double standards concerning issues of remediation of the environment and payment of compensation for oil spillage arising from their exploration activities.
Governor Dickson made the suggestion when a delegation led by the Minister of Environment, Hon. Amina Mohammed and the Minister of State in that ministry; Ibrahim Jibril paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
His words: “You really can’t know the Niger Delta until you have visited Bayelsa. This is the epicenter of the Niger Delta with all of its blessings, prospects and challenges. I am delighted that the federal government through this visit is indicating seriousness.
“It is a huge problem, but these issues for those of us who are living with them daily; these issues go beyond promises, conferences, talk shops and beautiful press statements, and so it is our hope and belief that, this move is real and that this signals a genuine commitment to addressing these monumental problems that have accumulated for decades.
“All stakeholders have a role to play to address the weaknesses that are inherent in the institutions in this country, which some of the oil majors are exploiting and as it were to create two standards; one standard that is Nigerian and one that is Niger Delta where they can pollute everyday and damage everything and suffer no consequences at all and another international standard, where if there is a spill in the Gulf of Mexico BP will pay billions of dollars and pounds.”
According to Governor Dickson, the oil companies do not hesitate to pay billions of dollars and pounds as compensation for oil spillage overseas, while they suffer no consequences for the same damage in the Niger Delta.
On the level of environmental degradation and effects on the people over the years, the Governor noted that, Bayelsa was most impacted with one oil firm alone, stressing that one oil firm alone was responsible for about a thousand pollution incidents annually.
Commending the Federal Government for its initiative to clean up Ogoni land in Rivers State and other parts of the Niger Delta, the Governor pointed out that, the problem of protecting the environment, which he described as a collective heritage of mankind, was not only for the Niger Delta and the country, but a global challenge in view of the threat posed by global warming.
Governor Dickson assured the Minister for Environment of the state government’s effective collaboration in ensuring a successful clean up exercise in Bayelsa and promised to avail her of a copy of the study being undertaken by the state government on the damages caused by oil pollution.
Earlier in her remarks, the Minister for Environment, Hon. Amina Mohammed, had said the purpose of her visit to Bayelsa was in fulfillment of the campaign promise made by President Muhammadu Buhari on the clean up of the Niger Delta.
Hon. Amina said, she had visited Rivers State, noting that, in the next couple of weeks her ministry would launch the clean up of Ogoni land and the rest of the Niger Delta region.
The Minister of Environment, who said her ministry was keen on ensuring that a policy to make oil companies to be accountable to pollution activities was firmly entrenched, promised that measures would be adopted towards ensuring that the environment remained clean.
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.