News

Wike Blames FG For Delay In N120bn Bonny-Bodo Road Completion

Published

4 years ago

September 13, 2021

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has blamed the delay in completion of the N120billion Bonny-Bodo Road on failure of the Federal Government to pay N60billion counterpart funding for the project.
He asserted that every fund expended so far on the Bonny-Bodo Road project had been provided by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (NLNG).
Wike stated this at the send-off ceremony of former NLNG managing director, Tony Attah, which held at the company’s corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, last Saturday night.
The governor, who was accompanied by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, maintained that since the N60billion counterpart fund for the 38-kilometre Bonny-Bodo Road would be paid from the federation account, it would be wrong for the Federal Government to continue to claim glory for the funding of the project with the NLNG.
“The Bonny-Bodo Road is not funded between the Federal Government and NLNG. I don’t agree. With due respect, it is funded between NLNG, all the states of the federation, and the Federal Government.”
The Rivers State governor noted that if the Federal Government was committed to the even development of all parts of the country, it ought to have provided the N60billion counterpart funding for the speedy completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road.
“If this nation is a country that all of us belong to and all of us mean well for ourselves, that is one project that ought to have been completed by now, because of the economic interest that will benefit all of us.”
He eulogised Attah for the convivial relationship the NLNG, under his watch, maintained with the government and people of Rivers State.
The governor said that Attah would be remembered for overseeing the commencement and completion of NLNG corporate headquarters’ building in Port Harcourt, and for ensuring that all fabrication works for the company’s $10billion Train 7 were done in Rivers State.
According to him, 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) from the NLNG Train 7 project, would be used to transform the state.
Based on the convivial relationship Attah nurtured and sustained with the state government, the governor said it was also possible for all those working for the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to cultivate better relationship with state governments in the Niger Delta.
The governor remarked that by ensuring the speedy completion of the NLNG headquarters in Port Harcourt, Attah had proved that the claim of insecurity in the Niger Delta by IOCs was indefensible.
“IOCs will say there is insecurity in Port Harcourt, insecurity in Warri, insecurity in Bayelsa but there is no insecurity in taking the oil and gas.”
The governor declared that posterity would forever be kind to Attah for all his good deeds as the managing director of NLNG.
According to him, any government that was committed to the development of the country must engage technocrats like Attah.
“NLNG will never forget you (Attah). The Amanyanabo of Bonny will never forget you. Rivers State will not forget you. You have done very well. And I want to tell you by the powers conferred on me in the next award of the state; you are going to get the second highest honour as far as Rivers State is concerned.
“I want to thank you for what you have done for Rivers State. I want to thank you for what you have done for the people of the Niger Delta.”
The governor enjoined the new NLNG Managing Director, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, to emulate his predecessor, and sustain the existing cordial relationship with the state government.
He implored Mshelbila and the board of the NLNG to collaborate with the Rivers State Government to develop a vast reclaimed expanse of land opposite the NLNG corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt.
“Everybody should come back here. This is where it is happening. Philip, opposite you, we have sand-filled the area, provided infrastructure. Come and partner with us. Chairman (NLNG board, Edmund Daukoru, the Amanyanabo of Nembe), you are from Niger Delta, tell your people to come and get a place here. They should not be living in Lagos and flying in and putting the cost on your head. Let them come here. The safest place is here. Rivers State is very safe.”
The governor used the occasion to reaffirm Rivers State Government’s ownership of 45 per cent stake in OML 11, which was formerly operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

News

Ward 13 Councilor Receives Certificate of Return …Vows To Provide Quality Service

Published

4 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

As Rivers State Councilors join their Chairmen to receive certificate of return ,the ward 13 Ulakwo in Etche local government ,Nnadi Godfirst had vowed to provide quality ,effective service to his people

Nnadi stated this Yesterday after receiving his certificate of return at the office of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC in Port Harcourt

Nnadi said service to his people will be at the centre stage of his stay in office

The ward 13 Councilor pledged to initiate bye laws that will have direct effect to his constituency

He hinted this could be achieved through team work ,collaboration with his colleague at the Legislative Chambers

Nnadi reiterated his determination to work in synergy with his colleagues to give the Chairman necessary Legislative backing to deliver impactful governance to Etche people

He admitted the calibre of elected councilors are capable to make a positive difference compared to the past Legislators

Nnadi stated the need to give the Chairman necessary Legislative support to change the narrative in the next three years in office

He declared the need for the youths to work hard as everyone had his time of remembrance

He insisted the need for one to he consistent in every human pursued ,stressing the importance sticking to what one belief

Hon Nnadi revealed further that it gladdens his heart that his good will has really paid following enormous support his people gave during and after the election ,insisting he will never take it for granted

While urging them to be patient as proactive measures will be taking to address their basic needs

News

Ogoni Postgraduate Forum Hails HYPREP Over Scholarship Scheme …Says Its Expansion Reflects Empathy

Published

4 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Ogoni Postgraduate Forum, has applauded the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) for its 2025 scholarship scheme for Ogoni postgraduate students, saying the expansion of the grant coverage from the initial 300 to 500 scholars reflects empathy, foresight and unwavering commitment to the educational and intellectual advancement of Ogoniland.

The Convener of the forum, Mr Bariatonlo Ken Nnaane, who gave the indication in a media statement, said for expanding the livelihood programme of the Project to include scholarship support for Ogoni postgraduate students, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey deserves not mere recognition but the profound commendation of a grateful people.

“As Brian Tracy once remarked, “The value of a promise is the cost to you of keeping your word.” On the 4th of November, 2024, Prof Zabbey declared that the postgraduate grant would become an annual intervention. The just concluded sensitisation and the opening of the application portal stand as incontrovertible evidence of that commitment, a testament to integrity in leadership,” he said.

According to him, “In this regard, Prof Zabbey aligns with the great John F. Kennedy, who declared that he would rather be accused of breaking precedents than breaking promises.

Nnaane noted that the enlistment of the scholarship grant in HYPREP’s livelihood programme to accommodate researchers of Ogoni ethnic extraction, an oil-rich yet historically marginalised ethnic nationality, reinforces the policy consistency and clarity that define Zabbey’s administration, stressing that this act is more than symbolic, as it is an affirmation of confidence in the intellectual capacity of the Ogoni people and a strategic investment in their future.

He said Zabbey’s stewardship has delivered transformative outcomes like the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration; the Ogoni Specialist Hospital; Buan Cottage Hospital; potable water scheme across numerous Ogoni communities; among others, saying the shoreline remediation is so effective that marine biodiversity, periwinkles, oysters and fish have returned to the creeks of K-Dere and Bomu communities.

“These are not mere achievements, they are milestones etched in the annals of Ogoni history”, he intoned.

The forum, therefore, called on Ogoni leaders both at home and in the diaspora to close ranks and rally their support behind HYPREP to safeguard this shared heritage borne out of the collective struggles and sanctified by the ultimate sacrifice of the Ogoni martyrs.

It appealed to HYPREP to continue to deepen research collaborations, particularly in the Environmental Sciences and prioritise the forum members in training and employment opportunities.

According to the forum, “it is regrettable that many of our kinsmen today possess advanced academic qualifications, yet remain underutilised in the national workforce.”

The convener also called on HYPREP to maintain the tempo applied in the maiden edition of the postgraduate scholarship support grant screening/verification exercise, by keeping the door closed against any sort of interference and influence that would hamper the conduct of a seamless process and deprive eligible would-be beneficiaries.

He said the forum members would in turn provide the necessary feedback mechanism for the screening process, to report its transparency and integrity, as well as clear any iota of doubt about its integrity.

The forum said while it is confident that the Ogoni students are not neophytes on the academic corridors, it urged the scholars to avail themselves of the present opportunity, and wished them success in the computer-based test, verification and screening exercise.

Nnaane equally solicited for more scholarship support and research collaborations from other agencies, national and international bodies and public-spirited individuals for Ogoni scholars.

By: Donatus Ebi

News

Ndume condemns killing of soldiers, immigration officers, 58 civilians in Borno

Published

4 days ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

Senator Mohamme Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) has condemned fresh Boko Haram attacks in the Darajamal Community of Bama local government area and Monguno local government area of Borno State.

In Darajamal village, five soldiers with 58 civilians were killed while an unspecified number of people, mostly women and girls, were abducted, even as ground troops of North East Joint Task Force ‘Operation Hadin Kai ‘ with support from Air Component responded swiftly and killed over 30 of the attackers while fleeing into the bush last Friday night.

The attack in Monguno last Thursday also claimed the lives of two Immigration Officers.

Darajamal, a newly reconstructed and resettled community situated along Bama-Banki road in Borno Central is over 100 km, while
Monguno is approximately a 136 km drive from Maiduguri, the state capital, and is located in the heart of the Northern Borno Senatorial District.

In a press statement signed by Ndume, a copy of which was made available to our Correspondent on Sunday, expressed shock over the unabated renewed attacks and killings in some parts of the state.

He sympathized with the Government and the people of Borno, especially the families of the victims, including those of the soldiers and Immigration officers, and prayed to Allah (God) to grant all souls of the deceased Aljannatul Firdaus.

The Senator also called on the federal government to prioritise the security, safety and welfare of all Nigerians in this trying moment.

He, however, commended the troops of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ and other security agencies for their sacrifices in making Borno safe and peaceful, but lamented that, in the past few months, several communities in Borno South, North and Central Senatorial Districts have been under siege by Boko Haram attacks. A situation he described as worrisome.

Ndume advocated for Armed Community Defence to continue in complementing efforts of the military, stressing that men of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and vigilantes have been doing their best, but they have limitations, as they only carry den guns, sticks, which makes it very difficult to confront the terrorists.

The Southern Borno Senator, who was one time Chairman Senate Committee on Amry also reiterated his call on the federal government and the Nigerian Military to deploy drowns, Attack Helicopters to be stationed in the Theatre Command, Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, Motivation (TEAAM), which is the only way to end the over decade Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, North East and other parts of the country.

” In the past few months, several communities in Borno South, North and Central Senatorial Districts remained under siege by Boko Haram/ISWAP. The situation is worrisome.

“Let me therefore use this opportunity to advocate for the setting up of Armed Community Defence to complement the efforts of the military. This is because men of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and vigilantes have been doing their best, but they have limitations, as they only carry den guns, sticks, which they find very difficult to confront the terrorists.

“More so, I want to reiterate my calls on the federal government and the Nigerian Military to deploy Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, Motivation (TEAAM), which is the only way to end the over decade Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, North East and other parts of the country”. Senator Ndume stated.

He also called on the people of the state to continue to cooperate with the military and other security agencies, particularly in information sharing on the modus operandi of terrorists.