Featured

Monarch Lauds Exclusion Of Compensation In Ogoni Clean-Up

Published

8 years ago

July 21, 2017

The Chairman, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, Mene Godwin Gininwa, has commended the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for excluding payment of compensation in its report on Ogoni clean-up, saying it could have ignited a crisis with people killing themselves in the area.
The Gbenemene Tai stated this when he played host to the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP), led by the Head, Project Coordination, Dr. Marvin Dekil, during a visit to some communities in Eleme, Tai, Gokana and Khana local government areas to acquaint them of the activities of the body in the clean-up process.
Gininwa said: “One thing I enjoy is that there is no compensation. If there were, we would have killed ourselves. They tied it around projects; give our youth jobs because they will not come for any compensation.”
He urged HYPREP to ensure that it engaged youth, women and men of Ogoni to make up for the non-payment of compensation for destruction in the respective communities to avoid crisis in the execution of its projects.
According to him, “they should put in place machinery to fast track the work. Any bottleneck that is causing the delay should be untied. The Federal Government should make sure that Ogoni people benefit from the project. We will also support HYPREP to ensure that the project succeeds. HYREP should not disappoint Ogoni. I appeal that the Centre of Excellence is built in Tai local government area.”
The visit by the team to communities to sensitise the elders, chiefs, youth groups and women ahead the commencement of remediation of impacted sites has not been without drama, as the different communities lobbied for the siting of the Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre (ICSMC) and Centre of Excellence, the two important infrastructures for the clean-up process in their particular areas.
Speaking at the different sensitization venues in Bodo, K-Dere, B-Dere, Ogale, Ebubu, Korokoro and Ueken during the sanitization, Dekil told Ogoni communities that the ICSMC and Centre of Excellence would be built at Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni.
Dekil said the decision was to avoid conflict and war in Ogoni, stating that several communities had written to the Federal Ministry of Environment requesting that the ICSMC be built in their areas.
He stated: “The Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre is in Bori to avoid conflict. The past Minister of Environment received different applications on the location of the centre, so she decided to site it in Bori.”
It is the decision of the government.”
Dekil noted that HYPREP would conduct health impact assessment in Ogoni, promising that pipe borne water would also be given priority attention as recommended in the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report.
“We want to find out whether the sickness in Ogoni came as a result of the different oil spillages that the people have been exposed to.
“Provision of water is top-most in our agenda now. Another aspect concerns health impact assessment, the health impact study will be done by the best hands in the medical field. We will bring international, national bodies and others to do this,” Dekil said.
He said: “We are here to let you know that we are about to start. We are on the scientific stage. You will soon begin to see big equipment in preparation. The soil testing is important because soil will be treated there.”
In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Ogale in Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Godwin Bebe Okpabe, had told Dekil: “We have given the Federal Ministry of Environment land for the ICSMC, they did not use it. They told us that HYPREP will correct this, but you have not done it. The community is not pleased that the land we brought out for the ICSMC was abandoned.
“Engage our people in this project, you know what the oil giants do to us you know how they divide and rule us. They will come in and set fire so that the community will not benefit in their projects. You are our son; let’s not exhibit the attitude that will make us lose out from the benefits of the cleanup,” he said.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of K-Dere Town Governing Council, Elder Chief Emmanuel Nsah, cautioned: “We do not want disappointment in this project. If we see any disappointment, we will react. When it comes to oil exploration, K-Dere will be remembered, in pollution, we are number one, but when it comes to appointments, we will not be remembered.
“In this community, we experience annual flooding and no electricity yet, we have 54 oil wells. We are not seeking to be number one in the scheme of things, but we need recognition. We want employment to be considered in this community from the apex to the least. If there is any compensation, we should be considered first or second,” he added.
Similarly, Ebubu community demanded training of its youth, men and women for active participation in the clean-up exercise.
The community ruler and Secretary, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Chief Godwin Chiwi, said: “We are sensitive and emotional to issues of Shell because we have been deeply affected. We are happy about your coming because the implementation is underway.”
He asserted: “If you are coming for testing, for the sake of security, always meet the community rulers. We will not take anything from you, but to save you from hoodlums. We are four communities closely knitted. When you are coming with goodies, do not branch anywhere else, come to us directly.
“When you want to recruit for training, get in touch with our traditional rulers. Make us have a sense of belonging. When you do your water project, we have old facility that has refused to work, check if it is useful. Please, you people should come to our aid, our people are already dying. Some, we do not even know what is causing it,” he stated.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Featured

Fubara Pledges Cleaner Gateway To PH City …Visits New Dumpsite At Igwuruta

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has unveiled plans to permanently relocate the dumpsite along the busy Port Harcourt Airport–Obiri-Ikwerre Road, describing the current location as both a public health threat and a damaging first impression for visitors arriving in Port Harcourt, the State capital.

The Governor made this known on Tuesday during an inspection of a proposed replacement site, which is a disused burrow pit near Bambo Estate, off Eneka Road in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area.

The location is being assessed as a potential permanent dumpsite for the State.

Governor Fubara, who was conducted by the Board Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Dr Samuel Nwanosike, and its Managing Director, Dr Ibimina Wokoma, expressed concern about the environmental and health challenges posed by the existing site, which sits along a major entry point into the State.

“The kind of environmental hazards that we are facing there along the Airport–Obiri- Ikwerre Road; the smell on that road being the entrance into the State, we felt it’s not proper,” he said. “So, we are making alternative arrangements so we can have a permanent refuse dumpsite that meets acceptable standards.

“He added that the government would move swiftly to formalise ownership of the land and complete construction work on the access road to make the new site functional.“We have not concluded the issue of the burrow pit, but the access road, I think the government is doing something about it.

So, I will make sure that everything that needs to be done to ensure government owns this burrow pit is done,” he stated.

Governor Fubara also commended the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) for what he described as a more assertive and improved approach to managing refuse across the State.In addition to the dumpsite inspection, the Governor also visited the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters located in Elimgbu Town, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, to assess the extent of ongoing construction work on the facility.

Featured

Fubara Tasks New SSG On Honour, Service, Protection Of Rivers Interest

Published

3 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Benibo Anabraba, to uphold the dignity of his office, protect the interest of the State, and discharge his duties with honour, respect, and responsibility.

Governor Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of the new SSG, held on Monday at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.

Describing Anabraba’s appointment as an act of divine favour, the Governor said positions of leadership are not attained by our own human effort but by God’s grace in our lives.

“Let me first congratulate you. I’m using the word ‘congratulations’ because a few of us, not by our power but by the special favour of God, find ourselves in exalted positions. It’s not because we are the best, but only by His grace.”

Governor Fubara noted that the Office of the Secretary to the State Government is one of great honour, occupied by only a few since the creation of Rivers State, and urged the new appointee to serve with humility and dedication.

He, however, expressed confidence in Anabraba’s capacity to deliver, citing his past record as a principal officer of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“This position is a rare privilege. Guard that office with honour. Discharge your duties with respect. Protect the interest of Rivers State. When you leave office, let it be with honour, and that only comes through responsible service.

“I know you’re a dedicated person. This opportunity is not for show or display of power. It’s a call to duty,” he cautioned.

The Governor emphasised that the current administration is focused on restoring confidence of the people because peace has been achieved in the State.

He enjoined the new SSG to align with the vision of the administration and contribute meaningfully to the collective progress of Rivers people.

“We are emerging from a very difficult period and must reassure our people that we mean well for them, especially now that peace has returned to Rivers State. By the grace of God, do your work well. Help us succeed in this assignment that God has given to us,” the Governor added.

Featured

Nigeria’s First Lady Flags Off Renewed Hope Health Initiative In Rivers …Targets Measles, Rubella, HPV Vaccination For Children, Women

Published

3 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

The Tide

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reiterated her commitment to expanding vaccine coverage nationwide, declaring that the ongoing Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign in Rivers State will surpass all previous records in scope and success.

Speaking through the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, Senator Tinubu made this statement during the flag-off ceremony of the Measles, Rubella, and HPV Vaccine Sensitisation Campaign, organised under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.

The campaign, implemented by the RHI in collaboration with the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, C-WINS, and international partners including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and Vaccine Alliance, aims to protect millions of children and women from preventable diseases.

“We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the measles vaccine coverage achieved through this campaign exceeds that of the past,” Senator Tinubu affirmed. “Through technical and financial support, this partnership will ensure that by February, 2026, well-trained staff are deployed across communities to vaccinate all eligible children.”

Rivers State is among the Fourth Stream of Phase One states participating in Africa’s largest-ever health initiative, targeting over 106 million Nigerian children for vaccination against Measles, Rubella, Polio, and HPV. The local rollout is expected to commence in February, 2026, reaching children aged 9 months to 14 years across all 23 local government areas.

Senator Tinubu highlighted the risks of the targeted diseases, describing Measles and Rubella as “highly contagious and potentially deadly,” noting that Rubella can cause severe complications for unborn babies, if contracted by pregnant women.

“The best way to prevent both diseases remains vaccination,” she emphasised.

Narrowing down to efforts by the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the State Task Force on Primary Healthcare, led by Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, she noted how instrumental it has been in ensuring comprehensive outreach through an inter-sectoral approach involving education, women affairs, information ministries, traditional and religious leaders, and the security sector.

Senator Tinubu urged parents and caregivers to cooperate fully with health workers.

“The Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe, effective, and free in all our health centres. Please, ensure your children are vaccinated at the right time to protect them from these deadly infections.

“Let us all play our part in spreading awareness. Together, we can safeguard the health and future of our children,” she said, before formally declaring the sensitisation programme open.

In her goodwill message, Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, commended the Renewed Hope Initiative for its sustained impact in Rivers State, noting that the Measles, Rubella, and HPV Sensitisation Programme marks “a significant step in promoting public health awareness, particularly among women and children.”

She highlighted the particular benefit to the girl-child through HPV vaccination, calling it “an investment in their future health and empowerment.”

The Rivers State Coordinator of WHO, Prof. Giwa Abdulganiyu, praised the collaboration between RHI and the State Government, describing the campaign as “a worthy step in the right direction,” and reaffirmed WHO’s continued partnership in achieving health for all.

Earlier, the RHI Rivers State Coordinator, Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, welcomed guests, and reaffirmed the initiative’s goal of reducing the incidence of Measles and Rubella in the state.

“These diseases have the potential to cause emergencies and great distress in families. Today’s flag-off represents our collective determination to raise awareness and prevent such tragedies,” she added.