Niger Delta

NGO Wants Laws To Protect IDPs In S’South

Published

8 years ago

March 23, 2018

A non-governmental organisation under the aegis of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on governors of the South South zone to make laws that will protect persons in their states who are Internally Displaced.
Executive Director for CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa made the call at the end of a media round table discussion which ended in Calabar yesterday morning.
Musa who spoke on the topic “ internal displacement in Nigeria” said that development of phenomenon of returnee migrant in the region with particular focus in Cross River State has no doubt become a source of concern to humanitarian actors operating in the region.
CISLAC, an organization that receives support from embassy of the Netherland in Nigeria is noted for fighting for the rights and privileges of persons who are internally displace either by war or natural calamity.
CISLAC’s Executive Director said that thought the organisation is not aware of any existing law in the region that makes it possible for persons concern to be adequately catered for adding that a situation where the governors wait until crises erupt in the region before they begin to run helter-skelter looking for where to lay their hands to salvage the situation was not a welcome development.
He called for the leadership of the various state houses of assemblies in the region to come up with a law if there was none in their state to ensure that people internally displaced are taken care of before they constitute a problem to the society.
“Agreed that bags of rice, cartons of indomies, kilos of sugar, packets of toilet tissues were at regular intervals distributed to the IDPs, what happens after the receipt of these items, when the persons concerned are allowed to be on their own. Are those items sustainable? No! The items cannot sustain them and their families.
He urged the South South governors not to wait until there is outbreak of IDPs before they begin to look for “where to scratch” to solve the problem suggesting for workability of a solution before problem crops up.
“While the state still plays host to internally displaced persons(IDPs) that emanated from the ruling of the International Court of Justice(ICJ) which ceded the Bakassi region to Cameroun, other conflict and environmentally induced displacement cases have further exacerbated the need for a multi-pronged approach for protection and assistance to persons of concern in the region,” CISLAC executive director stressed.
The NGO called for the collaboration of stakeholders to generate a policy frame work that can help humanitarian actors in the region provide assistance to the IDPs.
The executive director asked, “As state governors, what have you done in terms of legislation to address all the humanitarian crises concerns to tackle humanitarian crises”?
According to him, states still lack policies that take care of humanitarian crises which arises as a result of IDPs stressing that unless that is done states will still continue to fail in its responsibilities of tackling humanitarian crises in states.
He said, “Something has to be put in black and white to tackle the IDPs’ problems before they become a security risk.” Whether they are IDPs or refugees they may make you join them when they burn down your house”
The non-governmental organisation decried state governments’ inability to do something tangibly to better the lots of the internally displaced.
In a brief interview shortly after the media chat came to an end, one of the participants, Mrs. Linda Tambe recounted her ordeal in the hands of the IDPs in one of the camps in Bakassi, saying that the IDPs almost got her beaten up if not for the security agents close to the camp who rescued her.
According to her, her friend and her had gome to one of the IDPs’s camps in Cross River State to do a little empowerment, and equip the IDPS with some skills, unknown to them that the IDP,s have now become enraged because of neglect from the society. On getting to the camps the IDPs held them hostage saying that they were tire with the ill treatment meted on them by the government and the society.
“if not for the quick inter

Niger Delta

Warri Delineation: Ekpemupolo Seeks Peaceful Impasse Resolution

Published

3 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has called for calm and a peaceful resolution of the ongoing impasse in the Warri Federal Constituency.

Ekpemupolo, a High Chief in Ijaw land, who made the call in a statement in Warri, noted that the ongoing impasse arose from the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to complete the delineation of wards in the constituency.

He appealed that the situation must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.

“I join all well-meaning Nigerians to call for a peaceful resolution. The Ijaw nation has from time immemorial been known for their peaceful ways and we cannot deviate from our history.

“The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.

“Therefore, I am calling for calm, no matter the situation. We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse”, he said.

Ekpemupolo, who is also the Chairman, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), while urging INEC to do the right thing and restore the peace in Warri and environ, called for an urgent meeting of community leaders to device a way forward.

“We call on the people of Warri (whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo) to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing”, he said.

He recalled that since on Monday, there had been mass action by peaceful women and youths from the various Ijaw communities in Delta, occupying oil and gas installations in the Escravos and Warri river areas.

He added that the peaceful action had led to calls from various quarters, particularly from well-meaning Nigerians, seeking for a peaceful resolution of the imbroglio.

Niger Delta

Progress In 21-Km Nembe-Brass Road Project Impresses Diri … As Contractor Pledges December Delivery Date

Published

3 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed fulfillment with the ongoing construction of the 21km phase one of the Nembe-Brass road projects in the state’s eastern senatorial district.

The Governor described the project as a dream come true for him and the people of Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas.

Senator Diri, who inspected the expansive construction work on Tuesday, said the road, which cuts through the mangrove forest and rivers, was a testament to his administration’s determination to connect hitherto unreachable riverine communities by road despite the difficult terrain.

Led by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, ESV Moses Teibowei, Diri first inspected the asphalted 10km portion of the road with about three bridges, before crossing the river on a barge to see the extent of work on another 10km that had been stabilised.

Diri in astatement by his spokesperson, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, was quoted as noting that it was one thing to have a vision and another to have the will to execute it.

Alabrah also quoted the Governor as saying that the project had been well funded since it commenced and assured that his administration will complete it on the date stated by the contractors.

On the second phase of the project undertaken by the federal government, the State Chief Execution appreciated President Bola Tinubu for awarding the contract and for ensuring that it is running simultaneously with the phase one being done by the state government.

“I feel accomplished. It is one thing to have the vision and another thing to have the will to do it. Being a Bayelsan, the importance of this road cannot be over-emphasised. This is what the people have been yearning for and I’m satisfied that the people are happy about the project.

“On funding, we have never disappointed the contractor and I believe they will not disappoint us. By the time the road is completed, it will reduce cases of sea piracy.

“Let me sieze this opportunity to thank President Bola Tinubu. There was another President when we proposed this road. We wrote, nobody answered us then. But this President did not only answer us, he awarded the contract for the second phase”, Diri said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Teibowei, expressed satisfaction with the level of work so far done, stressing that the most difficult aspect of the job had been done.

He said the fifth bridge being constructed will be completed in three months while assuring that the road will be finished within the stipulated time.

The Setraco Construction Company South-South Area Manager (Bayelsa and Rivers), Mr. Jose Cosme, said phase one of the road will be completed in December 2026.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NDDC Clears Compensation Hurdle, Accelerates 3.7Km Okrika-Borikiri Bridge Project

Published

3 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said construction work on the 3.75-kilometre Okrika-Borikiri Road and bridge project in Rivers State will gather momentum following the payment of compensation to affected property owners at the Borikiri axis of the project.

Speaking during an inspection of the project site in Okrika, the NDDC Assistant Director, Utilities, Infrastructure Development and Waterways (UIDW), Martins Isichei, disclosed that compensation issues that had stalled progress on the Borikiri alignment had been resolved.

According to him, the Commission has settled compensation claims for property owners affected by the project corridor and is awaiting the evacuation of residents before commencing demolition of structures within the right of way.

“The NDDC has paid compensation to property owners along the Borikiri alignment, and we are expecting the evacuation of residents there before we commence demolition of structures in the right of way”, he said.

Isichei noted that work on the Okrika section of the project had recorded significant progress despite challenges encountered on the waterways.

He explained that shortly after work resumed, a vessel collided with an existing pile, forcing engineers to redesign part of the bridge structure.

“When we resumed work on the site, a vessel collided with an existing pile. We had to re-profile the bridge and develop a new design to circumvent the damaged pile”, he said.

The NDDC official expressed optimism that the project would ease traffic congestion along the refinery road corridor and significantly reduce travel time between Okrika and Port Harcourt upon completion.

He explained that the project comprises three major bridge structures: the 180-metre Kolabi Bridge at Etche Waterfront, the 1,120-metre Abotoru Bridge, and the 490-metre Okpoka Bridge.

While acknowledging that progress on the Borikiri alignment had lagged because of compensation-related issues, Isichei said construction activities would commence there shortly.

Also speaking, the Project Consultant, Azu Chukwuma, said the scope of the project was reviewed following its revival to align with present realities and engineering requirements.

He noted that efforts were underway to accelerate construction, particularly the launching of bridge beams, despite the high cost of marine logistics associated with the project.

“Our intention is to determine how quickly we can proceed with launching the first sets of beams. The work is mainly on the river, and much of the marine logistics involved is costly. I am in touch with the appropriate officials of the NDDC to determine the best way forward”, Chukwuma stated.

He commended host communities for their cooperation, noting that the absence of major disputes had contributed to the project’s steady progress.

A representative of the construction company, Maroun Kassouf, said fabrication of bridge beams had advanced considerably and that installation would begin soon.

“The project is progressing well. Once people evacuate at the Borikiri end, we will demolish the structures there and move to that site immediately. That end would be much easier, as the river is shallower than the Okrika end”, he said.

The Vice Chairman of the Okrika Community Development Committee, Minengibi Ferdinand, lauded the NDDC for undertaking the project, describing it as a critical infrastructure that would improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

He said the road and bridge network would provide an alternative route to Okrika, ease pressure on the East-West Road and open up communities for greater socio-economic development.

“This is a laudable project that will ease traffic on the East-West Road and provide an alternate route to Okrika. We are hopeful that once it is completed, it will attract socio-economic development to our community”, Ferdinand said.