News
Contract Scam: MOSOP Seeks HYPREP’s Governing Council’s Dissolution …Alleges Fresh FG’s Plot To Begin Oil Drilling In Ogoniland
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), has called for the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), following revelations of massive contract fraud in the government agency.
Factional President of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, made the call while reacting to revelations of alleged HYPREP contract scam at the weekend.
According to Nsuke, “the questionable integrity of the managers of the clean-up project was not strange to MOSOP as, at least, one of them had an unresolved issue with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over bribery and mismanagement of MOSOP funds.”
He noted that the media revelations were overwhelmingly a confirmation of MOSOP’s earlier outcry of corruption in HYPREP.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to dissolve the Governing Council of HYPREP to save the Ogoni clean-up project.
Nsuke further said that President Buhari, “must act on these scandalous revelations to rescue the image of his administration’s anti-corruption crusade.”
“HYPREP has seriously embarrassed President Buhari’s anti-corruption war and the president must prove himself to be committed to fighting corruption by not condoning the fraud in HYPREP,” he said.
Nsuke further described the revelations as “only a tip of the iceberg when compared to monetary fraud that an investigation into the activities of HYPREP will reveal.
“HYPREP is a stinking house of corruption and fraud,” he stated.
Similarly, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) says it has uncovered fresh plot by the Federal Government to illegally commence oil drilling activities in Ogoniland, Rivers State.
This is as the body said the government plans to achieve this by using the security agencies and some ‘criminal minded’ non-state actors to shield the operations of the oil firms.
The Legborsi Pyagbara-led faction of MOSOP made the allegation in a statement by its acting Publicity Secretary, Sunny Zorvah, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, even as the body further said that the planned oil drilling with military cover would commence in the coming months.
The statement reads, “The attention of the MOSOP has been drawn to concerted plan by the Nigerian Government to commence oil drilling activities in Ogoniland, using security agencies and other criminally minded non-state actors to shield operations of the oil company.
“The said oil operation, with military cover, is billed to commence in the coming months, as parties involved have been instructed on their respective roles. Each of the security agencies listed in the plan has been tasked with specific roles and responsibilities, particularly, in tackling voices of dissent in the Ogoni community.
Dennis Naku
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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