News
Egi, Total E&P On Collision Course
The French Oil giant, Total Exploration and Production and Egi, its host community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State may be heading for collision, thereby ending the many years of their relationship.
This is coming on the heels of several allegations bordering on neglect, deceit, non-compliance with agreements cordially reached by the parties to foster good relations, levelled against the oil firm.
Frustrated by the company’s refusal to honour a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed since 2012, an apex organisation of Egi community, Egi People’s Assembly (EPA), through its leadership, had written a letter to the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to call the company to order, and advise them to respect agreements with host communities.
The letter was channelled to the governor through the Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Shadrach Chukwu, for action.
The Tide reports that since the submission of the letter, nothing tangible has happened as several meetings scheduled by the commissioner for the community and the company to address lingering issues have suffered many postponements at the instance of Total.
Although the parties finally met on July 26, with the commissioner presiding, after the Egi community had stated their case, the company again took an adjournment to return August 16, one of the Egi delegates, Dr Ifeanyi Obulor, exclusively told The Tide.
The community was, however, irked by the company’s action on the agreed date.
It was reported that last Tuesday morning, while Egi delegates numbering more than 50, were waiting in the commissioner’s office, one of Total’s administrative staff brought in a letter dated the same day, and addressed to the commissioner, requesting for a postponement of the meeting.
The letter, signed by one Joseph Ajilore, reads in part: “We write to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 11, 2016, with reference MENR/CR/16/281, inviting the Management of Total E & P Nigeria Limited to a follow-up meeting with the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday, 16th August, 2016.
“May we kindly inform the Hon. Commissioner that due to the arrival of a new Deputy Managing Director for the Total P & E, Port Harcourt District, we are unable to attend this meeting at the agreed time”.
The Tide learnt that the reading of the letter generated anger and tension in the commissioner’s office as most delegates immediately expressed reservations on the non-challant attitude of the Total management.
Reacting to the development, the new President-General of Egi nation, Apostle Magnus Elemele, said: “Commissioner, you can see the behaviour of this company. How can they send a letter this morning when my people are already here, having abandoned their different businesses to attend this meeting?
“Total E & P is the only oil company in the Niger Delta that had been operating for years without disruption of their operations by our people, but see how they are repaying our good gestures.”
Several other delegates also expressed anger that if a meeting convened by the state government could be treated with levity, the community may just be treated with a wave of hands.
The commissioner, who frowned at the attitude of the company, said: “the action is a slight not only on me but also on the governor on whose behalf, I am acting”, remarking that inasmuch as government would like to protect oil firms operating in the state from undue harassment, it will not tolerate acts that are capable of undermining any community.
He pleaded with the Egi community to exercise patience, and allow government to handle the matter, suggesting that another date for the meeting should be taken.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi