Niger Delta

Group Holds Interactive Forum On Ogoni Clean-Up

Published

6 years ago

March 4, 2019

A group under the auspices of Civil Society Coalition (CISOC) for environment sustainability in collaboration with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has declared its readiness to painstakingly monitor activities of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and to give them the necessary advice and assistance needed to facilitate the successful implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report in Ogoni cleanup exercise.
In a statement signed by the various heads of Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and made available to The Tide at the interactive forum on the way forward for the Ogoni cleanup, last Thursday, the CISOC chairman, Mr Young Kigbara, revealed that there were lots of evolving issues left unattended to by HYPREP as stipulated in the UNEP report before kick-starting the Ogoni cleanup exercise.
They stressed the issues such as the abandonment of the livelihood component, the unethically deferred idea of building the Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre or the On-site Mini Treatment Centre, failure to provide answer to where the contaminated soil or waste will be disposed, among others.
The groups berated HYPREP over its abandonment of one of the core mandates, the ‘livelihood component,’ and noted that there was great sense of urgency with the issue of livelihood as its obliterating value chain had among other things occasioned low school enrolment in Ogoni as women and men whose means of livelihood were destroyed, get poorer as well as despising the recommendation of UNEP in its Executive Summary that priority be given to the site where affected communities are at high risk and have instead handed over sites with low impact risk to contractors.
The statement further alleged that HYPREP against its claims had not created improved lasting-enabling environment to Ogoniland and Nigeria as a whole, pointing out that HYPREP activities had not been inclusive as most stakeholders in the communities feel excluded from the process, saying that could be responsible for the resort to violence by people suspected to be from Kegbara Dere Community in Gokana Local Government Area, an act which the coalition had condemned. The coalition called on HYPREP to immediately start the implementation of the livelihood component of the programme, as its key mandate and has the potency to forestall re-pollution of the environment, which is presently being carried out through illegal crude oil theft and artisanal refining of crude oil in Ogoni.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

15 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

16 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

16 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.