Niger Delta

Diri Restates Stance On Revocation Of Oil Field

Published

5 years ago

July 16, 2021

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Wednesday, made emphatic clarifications on the state’s position about its Atala oil marginal field (OML 46), which licence was revoked by the federal government through the Department of Petroleum Resources in April 2020.
Diri, who was commenting on the issue publicly for the first time amid the controversy it had generated in recent times, expressed shock over the revocation.
He said the marginal oil field remained a prized asset of the state to which it is sentimentally attached and called on the federal government to reconsider its decision on the matter.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as calling on all concerned parties, including the DPR, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, to consider returning the oil field to the state.
He noted that the people and government of Bayelsa were emotionally and sentimentally attached to it, saying “it is the only oil asset owned by the state.
“There has been this issue of the Bayelsa State-owned Atala Oil Field. We kept a studied silence over the matter because we needed to have all the information that led to the revocation of the licence on our state-owned asset.
“Bayelsans are emotionally and sentimentally attached to that asset as it is the only oil asset we own even though it is a marginal oil field. It was a surprise and rude shock to us that the licence was revoked.
“Part of what I have done in the last one week of my absence was to state the position of the Bayelsa State Government, which I did very clearly to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So our position on Atala Oil Field is that it is a prized asset of Bayelsa State and that revocation should be cancelled. Unequivocally, we have said so and we believe that those in authority would see reason why we are sentimentally and emotionally attached to the Atala Oil Field.
“Bayelsa State government might not have the financial capacity or the technical know-how. But the government is ready to partner financial and technical experts to ensure that the field goes into full production,” he said.
The Tide reports that governor Diri restated Bayelsa’s position on the revocation of the Atala marginal oil field Wednesday, during the weekly state executive council meeting.
“Therefore, let me use the opportunity to inform Exco that your government has actually taken a position on the Atala Oil Field and that it should remain a property of the Bayelsa State government. I call on all who are concerned on the Atala Oil Field, namely DPR, the Petroleum Ministry, NNPC and indeed our own son, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, to do all within their powers to ensure that the Atala Oil Field is returned to Bayelsa State”, he added.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Royal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Amanyanabo of Koniju town, in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Winston Odiye Alamina Oputibeya XII, has expressed satisfaction over the activities of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community.

He further said that bringing Arsenal fans together for a common purpose, which is love, unity, and peace, is commendable and pledges to support the community in his own little way.

HRM Oputibeya said this when some members of the community, led by Ugochukwu Oputa, paid him a courtesy visit in his house in Port Harcourt yesterday.

According to him, he started supporting and following Arsenal Football Club some decades back, saying that anybody who loves good football must love Arsenal because players in Arsenal play good football.

“I was longing to meet leaders of the community to also be part of it because I like their organizational structure and I love Arsenal.

“The activities of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for me are satisfactory; that is why I am associating with it.

“I would like members to conduct themselves in a civil manner because football fans all over are the progress of their club and love,” he said.

Earlier, the coordinator of the Port Harcourt community, Ugochukwu Oputa, thanked the royal father for accepting the community, assuring that the group will do her best to get recognition and connection with Arsenal FC in London.

Oputa narrated the activities lined up by the community on Saturday, saying that everything had been put in place for the street procession.

In his vote of thanks, a member of the Arsenal Community, Com. Tonye Orabere also thanked the Amanyanbo for his magnanimity and pledged to assist the community. He prays God to continue to bless him.

Tonye Orabere

Niger Delta

BPP Backs NDDC’s Digital Procurement Reforms

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for initiating reforms aimed at digitising its procurement processes to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at the NDDC Procurement Policy Reform and Digitisation Stakeholders’ Sensitisation and Training Summit in Port Harcourt, the Director-General of the BPP, Adebowale Adedokun, described the initiative as a significant step towards modernising public sector operations.

Adedokun said the transition to paperless governance had become imperative as government institutions seek to reduce delays, eliminate waste and improve service delivery.

According to him, public procurement remains central to the execution of government policies and must embrace modern technology to boost productivity and strengthen public confidence.

“Procurement lies at the heart of public service delivery. It determines how resources are allocated, how projects are executed, and ultimately, how development reaches our people”, he said.

The BPP boss stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in ensuring a seamless transition to digital operations, noting that the reforms align with the broader agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a more responsive and citizen-focused public sector.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, said the sensitisation workshop formed part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and adopt innovative solutions in line with global best practices in governance and service delivery.

He stated that the Commission was implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration in the Niger Delta region, while commending the BPP for supporting the Commission and facilitating the speedy completion of projects.

Ogbuku noted that the workshop came at a critical period when public institutions across the country were embracing reforms aimed at improving governance systems, eliminating inefficiencies and rebuilding public trust.

He said empowering stakeholders, contractors and service providers with the required knowledge would accelerate development and create sustainable value across the Niger Delta.

“We are not only reforming, but we are also transforming the Niger Delta region”, he stated.

Ogbuku explained that the Commission’s reforms would move procurement processes from manual, paper-based operations to a fully digital platform designed to improve accessibility, reduce delays and minimise opportunities for corruption.

According to him, digitisation of procurement processes goes beyond technological advancement and represents a critical governance reform aimed at promoting transparency, improving service delivery and ensuring responsible management of public resources.

Earlier, the NDDC Director of Procurement, Chuks Osuji, said the policy reform and digitisation initiative would improve workflow, eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen accountability in the Commission’s procurement system.

He added that all contractors engaging with the Commission would henceforth operate through the online procurement platform, which would also provide an effective feedback mechanism for stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of contractors and consultants, Maraizu Uche lauded the initiative and pledged their cooperation towards ensuring a seamless transition to the digital platform.

He, however, appealed to the Commission to review its payment system to address delays in settling executed contracts.

The workshop, themed “Promoting Best Procurement Practices and Digital System for the NDDC”, was held across the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

Niger Delta

Navy Inaugurates 8 Housing Units In Calabar

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated eight units of two-bedroom flats at the Ikot Ansa Senior Staff Quarters as part of efforts to boost personnel welfare and operational efficiency.

Speaking at the event in Calabar on Monday, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said similar housing projects would be inaugurated in Port Harcourt and Uyo.

Represented by Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Abbas said the navy would always give priority attention to personnel welfare.

He stated that the housing units would not only translate to decent homes for officers, but boost their morale for greater efficiency.

“I have repeatedly tied welfare projects to better operational readiness against maritime crimes.

“We are very deliberate about closing the accommodation gaps for officers and ratings”, he said.

The CNS charged recipients of the housing units to ensure good maintenance culture while in occupation.

Abbass reiterated the commitment of the navy to initiate new housing projects while taking steps to complete all pending ones.

“The newly inaugurated units of flats are part of the projects that we inherited from our predecessors”, he said.