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Niger Delta

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

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8 years ago

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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

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Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

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6 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.
Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.
Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.
Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.
“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.
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Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

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6 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.
Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.
The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.
Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of  responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.
“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments  made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.
“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.
Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.
He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
 “I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.
“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.
“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.
By; Ariwera  Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status 

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6 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.
While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.
“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.
“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.
He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.
Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.
“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,  Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”
The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.
He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.
“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.
“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.
Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.
He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.
The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.
He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.
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