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Group Blasts FG Over Hardship In N’Delta

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4 years ago

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The National President, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta states (BRACED) union, High Chief Monday Wehere has blasted the Federal Government over its inability to cushion socio-economic hardship faced by the Niger Delta region.
Wehere decried the situation during a get-together party organised by the union.
He said that it was disgusting to note that despite the wealth from the region, it remained in a sorry stage ranging from military to civilian rules.
“Yes! We have been unjustly exploited, marginalised, denigrated, subjected to abject poverty and denied benefits of the resources extracted from our mother land”, he said.
The BRACED union boss, expressed regret that instead of positive benefit to be accorded the people, sickness, diseases, pollution have greeted the area.
“Besides, our mother land is destroyed leaving us behind to struggle with oil pollution, diseases and sickness caused by the pollution”, he added.
According to him, the people have lost interest in the Nigeria project due to the unwillingness of its leaders to address the nagging plight of the region.
To change the narrative, he said the people must rise up and speak with one voice, as a new form of warfare.
“We have tried many means to change our ugly narratives, and those means have not yielded us the desired results. I think this time around; we need to try using one voice. I sincerely believe that using one voice, as a strategy will certainly help to rescue us from the quagmire we have found ourselves in the Nigeria’s prison”, he said.
About its target, he said his leadership would make effort to bring all inhabitants of BRACED region under one umbrella in a bid to achieving the one voice goal.
He was of the view that the enemies of the region had been using disunity to battle them over the years, but expressed hope that the union would bring glory to the land.
“The reasons for this unity is to stop our neighbours with a population of about 30 million who for a long time have devised so many means, strategies to swallow us to take over our common wealth to further enslave us but with God on our side, they would not succeed”, he assured.
He also warned against unholy romance with those he described as enemies of the region and added that such may be counterproductive.
Meanwhile, he has said that the group had designed programmes and policies aimed at emancipating, empowering and liberating the inhabitants of BRACED region from economic, political as well as mental slavery.

 

By: King Onunwor

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Rivers

Expert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities 

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.
He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.
According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.
Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.
“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.
“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.
Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.
According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.
“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.
“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.
“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.
She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.
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Rivers

Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare 

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.
He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.
Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.
According to him,  he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.
“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.
“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to  an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.
“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.
The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.)  for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict  compliance to the charge of the  Sole Administrator.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.
According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.
“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is  for people  at the grassroots to also enjoy  dividends of  governance”, he said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
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Rivers

Navy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.
A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.
He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.
According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.
“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.
“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
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