Niger Delta
Environmentalists Want Proper Clean-Up Of Oil Spill Sites In Communities

Environmentalists under the aegis of Environmental rights action(ERA) have berated oil majors operating in Bayelsa State for their improper remediation and clean-up of sites of oil spills in Biseni clan of Yenagoa council area of the state.
The Tide gathered that constant oil spill has reportedly rocked Tein community of Biseni Kingdom.
Reports made available to newsmen by the Environment Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) from their field reports, have it that the constant spill which had occurred in the Biseni-Asamabiri cluster, with 14 inches pipe which in turn leads to Obiobio, between March and February 2020, in a facility own by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC has caused an unimaginable hazard to the clan’s Environment.
The pipe leak, ERA’s head in the State, Comrade Alagoa Morris, said, the spill has not been cleaned up, noting that NOSDRA and the Ministry of Environment were not there when they came for the clamping, in the fishing and farming settlement.
The Tide further gathered that the people of Tein in Biseni Kingdom have also experienced several oil spills for years which ERA/FoEN has said was as a result of equipment failure.
“The operators, Agip, should ensure that they carry the regulators along.When we had that they are coming with Swampbugi again we felt we should follow up on what is happening to the Environment”, the ERA boss said.
“I Want to join my voice with the people, the families, and others saying that Agip should do the needful by coming to ensure that the Environment that was polluted by their own crude oil is properly cleaned up. Possible remediation should be carried out.
“And that is what we want. We’re demanding for a sustainable Environment for our people,and that is what we need,” he said.
Also corroborating ERA’s position, a community leader, Chief David Obuma, said over the time the clan has suffered alot from the oil companies, Shell and Agip, saying the multinationals have never done any perfect clean up job on their Environment.
“Here when we hear any spillage they will say it is sabotage, does it means that the spill cannot be cleaned?”
“They always term any oil spill as sabotage, meaning somebody must have burst the pipe, who is the person? No name, so, we are worried,
“Last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, around March, there was a spillage in 14 inches pipe beginning from the cluster to Obiobio, in Ahoada, before the people realized, the oil companies came with excavators’, without even letting the Chiefs know that such a thing has happened. They covered it up till today; we have written letters to Agip, they have not done anything,
“For us we are not just a host Community, but also landlords, because when you say host Community that means you are hosting somebody, that can run away any time”, he said.
Obuma who once served as member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly called on Nigerians to come to the aid of the people, saying they were in a precarious situation.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.