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Ogoni Clean-Up: Reps Flay FG’s Insincerity
The House of Representatives Committee on Environment has called on the Federal Government to, without further delay, fast-track the clean-up of Ogoniland and other impacted sites in the Niger Delta, which is being currently handled by the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP).
The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Obinna Chidoka, who made the call during an oversight visit of members of the committee to HYPREP’s demonstration site in Koro Koro Tai Community in Rivers State, recently, said there was need for the Federal Government, HYPREP’s Governing Council and the Board of Trustees to put on ground a more efficient process to ensure that the clean-up exercise was faster and more result-oriented, for the ultimate benefit of the Niger Delta people.
“What we want to see is a situation where the clean-up is faster because the more we waste time, the more it impacts on the lives of the people and this is to save them from premature death. That is also why we need HYPREP’s Governing Council which takes certain decisions and the Board of Trustees which has put the funds, to be quick and fast about the clean-up”.
“The committee members expected to see in a couple of weeks or months from now, more prosperous, pasturable and arable lands that can be used for agricultural or agro and aquatic activities in Ogoniland in particular and in the Niger Delta in general”, Chidoka said.
The Tide investigation revealed that HYPREP’s work has been apparently slowed down by bureaucratic bottlenecks, particularly in terms of accessing the funds set aside by International Oil Companies (IOCs) to effectively implement the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report in Ogoniland and other impacted sites in the Niger Delta.
Commenting on this seeming setback, Chidoka revealed that this is so because HYPREP was not established by legislation or bill but merely as an interventionist body, guided by a set of principles and rules for the sole purpose of cleaning up impacted sites in the Niger Delta.
For this reason, he said the much the National Assembly could do in the circumstance is to look at the activities of HYPREP and consider it as a bill, saying, that would entail making it to function like an agency.
He said the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) was in a better position to ensure that oil spills and the attendant pollution of the environment are addressed in the first place.
“What we are saying is that this land has been affected by exploratory activities. We have an agency that should stop it from day one not happening because if it had happened that 40 or 50 years ago, as they pollute, they not only pay but clean up immediately, we won’t be here today”, he said.
He explained further that what HYPREP was expected to do in this circumstance now is to clean up impacted sites, “round it up, and watch it over time and make sure it is okay”.
The committee chairman said the National Assembly would on its part give agencies like NOSDRA a bite by fashioning out the necessary legal framework to do their job more efficiently and stressed the need for oil companies and their collaborators who pollute the environment through their exploratory activities not only to pay fines but to be jailed as well.
Earlier, the committee members while interfacing with the management of HYPREP at its corporate office in Port Harcourt decried the slow pace of the clean-up of Ogoniland, insisting that the funding of the project by the oil companies in concert with the Federal Government must be prompt and adequate.
The members who took turns to elucidate their points stressed the need for HYPREP to come up with realistic time lines in remediating and restoring impacted sites within the shortest possible time.
In his response, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr. Marvin Dekil thanked the committee members for the oversight visit, and noted that as soon as the budget for the clean-up exercise was approved and funds released, it would hit the ground running to accomplish its core mandate.
Donatus Ebi
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.