Niger Delta
Ogoni Clean-Up: HYPREP Seeks RSG’s Support …As Doctors Operate Nine Ogonis

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has extended its healthcare outreach programme to Tai and Gokana Local Government Areas of Rivers State, with medical practitioners under the auspices of the Ogoni Doctors Forum successfully performing surgeries on nine Ogoni sons and daughters.
This is even as the interventionist agency has called on the Rivers State Government and local government councils within Ogoniland to throw their weight behind the ongoing clean-up project.
The medical outreach programme is the first step of the health impact assessment study as recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the clean-up of Ogoniland.
The programme which started on December 26, 2017 in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, anchored at Primary Healthcare Centre, Kpite in Tai Local Government Area on December 28 and at General Hospital, Terabor in Gokana Local Government Area on December 30, 2017. It has so far recorded massive turn out of Ogoni people who have benefitted from the exercise.
Speaking at the event in Terabor community last Saturday, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr. Marvin Dekil said through the commencement of the health outreach programme, the Federal Government has demonstrated a clear commitment to the Ogoni clean-up project and urged the state government to do same by throwing its weight behind the project.
Dekil said there was the urgent need for the state government to support the programme at this point because, “the Ogoni clean-up project is a collective process for us”.
He noted with pleasure that the outreach programme had so far recorded tremendous success as thousands of patients had been treated and provided with quality medication for their various health challenges, adding that HYPREP was also getting the medical history of the patients that would help it form part of a data base in ascertaining if the ailments being diagnosed have a link with the oil pollution that devastated Ogoni land.
While commending the doctors, the medical women and the beneficiaries, the project coordinator called on more Ogoni people to embrace the programme.
Also speaking, the President Elect, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Dr. Vetty Agala harped on the need for Ogoni people to whole-heartedly embrace the free health programme, as HYPREP had put everything in place for its success.
According to her, going by the motto of the association, the female medical personnel were treating their patients with the love of mothers.
Some of the beneficiaries, Amb. Prince Giadom, Mrs Keta Ganwa, among others said they were happy to participate in the programme, saying, it was a package the Ogonis had longed for and thanked HYPREP for the gesture.
At the Primary Healthcare Centre, Kpite, doctors were last Saturday seen working round the clock to attend to patients in the various wards while some of the patients were undergoing surgeries.
Addressing journalists, the Coordinator of the medical outreach, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa disclosed that since the programme started, the team of doctors had handled over 317 cases.
He said out of the 37 patients on the list for surgeries, the doctors had successfully handled nine cases.
Donatus Ebi
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

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.