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Monarch Lauds Exclusion Of Compensation In Ogoni Clean-Up
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
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.
