Niger Delta

12 Communities Get 18 GMoU Projects

Published

8 years ago

May 25, 2018

In a bid to uplift the quality of lives of the people in Rivers State, 12 communities in Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas (LGAs) under the Emohua Cluster Development Board (ECDB) have so far benefited from 18 projects worth more than N202million bankrolled by the Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture to deliver sustainable development in host communities in the state.
Speaking during the commissioning of the projects in Omudioga community, Emohua Local Government Area, last Tuesday, the SPDC General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli said the company was proud to be collaborating with communities in the cluster to transform the quality of lives of the people.
Represented by the Community Interface Coordinator, Central, Dr Chibuzo Anyim, Weli stated that so much has been expended to execute the 18 projects, and urged the people to protect and preserve the projects from being vandalised.
The general manager expressed SPDC’s joy that within the short period Emohua cluster has been active, giant strides have been achieved, adding that the 12 beneficiary communities of the projects and programmes were reaping the rewards of their support for the company’s business to thrive.
He stressed that the GMoU model introduced in 2007 has proved to be workable, fruitful and beneficial to all parties, stating that: “Today, we have 37 active GMoU clusters in our portfolio. This community-led social investment strategy is funded by the SPDC and its Joint Venture partners.
“Apart from ensuring sustainability in community development initiatives, it serves to improve interface with communities and promote socio-economic development of our host communities,” Weli added.
In an interactive session, Community Interface Coordinator (CIC), Land East Hub, Mrs Boma Alamina explained that apart from the N202,739,170.42 spent on Emohua GMoU cluster projects by SPDC, the company has also expended well over N205,447,789million on 11 projects and programmes in Ukwa West cluster under the GMoU model.
Alamina also stated that 14 projects and programmes have further been delivered in Etche 2 Cluster, valued N176,961,764million, adding that without host communities creating the enabling environment and needed support, all the projects would not have been possible.
On the Emohua cluster feats, Alamina stressed that the GMoU board receives N78.4million annually from SPDC, adding that in the last five years, the board had received N392million for development projects in the cluster communities.
She urged other host communities to redouble their efforts and take advantage of the window of opportunity offered by the GMoU model to transform their communities, adding that SPDC was willing and ready at all times to impact positively on the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region.
Alamina listed the 18 projects to include a chapel/examination halls at Community Secondary School, Omudioga (N25,763,644), and Obelle (N21034,541), provision of furniture, landscaping and installation of 200m low tension transmission lines at Community Secondary School, Omudioga (N13,536,734), renovation of dilapidated town hall in Ibaa community (N18,991,947), bursary awards to students of Rumuekpe community in tertiary institutions (N7,830,000), provision and reticulation of neighbourhood solar-powered water scheme in Elele-Alimi community (N11,930,870), and fencing of proposed Isiokpo Civic Centre (N13,392,812), among others.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, Emohua Cluster Development Board (ECDB), Hon Sam Uzuobor stated that since the GMoU was signed on February 21, 2013, the board has struggled to surmount various challenges arising from the economic downturn and recession.
Uzuobor added that amidst all the odds, the ECDB has recorded a good number of successes as they were able to achieve numerous world-class projects, excelling in the area of peace-keeping, security, freedom to operate, among others.

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

20 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

20 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

20 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.