Business

Ogoni Clean-UP: Minister Solicits Youths, Communities’ Support As HYPREP Promises To Train 5,000

Published

2 years ago

December 1, 2021

The Minister of State for Environment, Chief (Mrs) Sharon Ikpeazor, has appealed to youths and communities in Ogoniland in Rivers State to always support the Federal Government and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to speed up and effectively and seamlessly implement the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland, as it concerns the clean-up project and provision of livelihoods to the people. This is even as HYPREP has promised to train additional 5,000 youths in the area.
Ikpeazor, who made the appeal during a one-day stakeholder engagement programme at the council secretariat of Khana Local Government Area in Bori on Monday, said the support of both the youths and communities in the area was needed to make the project work as well as enable the government and HYPREP work faster in improving the wellbeing of the people in the shortest possible time.
She disclosed that advertisement placements would soon be made for the construction of the Centre of Excellence in Ogoniland as contained in the UNEP Report, assuring that due process would be followed in the advertisement of projects and engagement of contractors for the execution of all HYPREP projects.
Ikpeazor further hinted that an environmental surveillance team, made up of Ogoni youths would also be put in place to provide security at remediation sites in Ogonniland, adding that the Federal Government was committed to training of Ogoni youths.
According to her, the government would ensure that other contaminated sites in Ogoniland not captured in the UNEP Report are included in the clean-up project so that the project would be truly owned by the people.
The minister further noted that the employment of casual workers by HYPREP to drive the clean-up project would be open and transparent, clarifying that HYPREP is not an agency but a project office which has no legal framework.
On his part, the Acting Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Philip Shekwolo said 5,000 Ogoni youths would be selected for the forthcoming livelihood training programme, assuring that the project office was determined to provide potable drinking water to contaminated Ogoni Comminties, as 12 additional lots were on the verge of joining six contractors already selected by the office to ensure that the ongoing water project gets to impacted communities.
Shekwolo further promised that the Centre of Excellence project would come on stream in 2022, and thanked Ogoni indigenous doctors for anchoring the project office’s outreach medical programme recently carried out in the four Ogoni local government areas of the state.
Also speaking, the President of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Giniwa stressed the need for the establishment of the University of Environment in Ogoniland, adding that education of the people of the area was key to development, and appealed that the clean-up project should be made faster.
Former Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya urged HYPREP to ensure that Ogoni people benefit from the clean-up project by carrying along the women and the youths of the area.
Former President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Barrister Ledum Mitee harped on the need for HYPREP to provide to the Ogoni people things that are sustainable instead of giving them what he described as mere handouts.
The Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Barry Mpigi commended the present leadership of HYPREP, stressing that the ongoing clean-up project was a national project which must be treated as such in all ramifications, adding that there was need to drive the project in such a way that it goes beyond the Muhammedu Buhari administration.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr Barinee Thomas, who spoke on behalf of other local government chairmen in Ogoniland, tacitly passed a vote of confidence on the present HYPREP leadership, and commended it for its humane disposition and serenity of purpose.
He, however , charged HYPREP to engage in deliberate actions to improve the wellbeing of Ogoni people as well as involve young Ogoni contractors in the execution of projects, saying “ All we want is result.”
The event was well attended by Ogoni sons and daughters including the state Commissioner for Agriculture and member, HYPREP Board of Trustees, Dr Fred Kpakol; Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Dr Peter Medee; President of KAGOTE, Hon Emma Deeyah; former Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani; former Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Barineme Fakae; among others.
The Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Restoration Agency (NOSDRA), Mr Idris Musa; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Hassan Musa were in the entourage of the Minister.
Ikpeazor visited the ongoing water project in Eleme and some remediated sites in the area.

By: Donatus Ebi

Business

Redeployed Customs Officers Assume Office At New Posts

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2023

The Tide

Redeployed Zonal coordinators and controllers affected by the recent swapping exercise in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have since taken over their new posts.
Assistant Comptroller General and Comptrollers affected by the change of batons have gone into action in the respective Zones and Area Commands respectively.
As at Press time, ACG Bello Jibo, the new Coordinator, Zone A, has begun to hold forth at the Harvey Road Zonal Headquarters in Yaba, Lagos.
Comptroller Dera Nnadi, Jaiyeoba, and Shuaibu have resumed their duties as Customs Area Controllers of Tincan Island Port, Apapa and Idiroko Commands respectively.
Comptroller Timi Bomodi has also begun overseeing customs activities at Seme-Krake Border Command.
In an exclusive chat with The Tide, Chairman, Seme Chapter of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Clearing Agent (ANLCA), Chief Oyekachukwu Ojinma (aka Sule) described the outgoing Controller of the Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, as a very hard-working and dedicated man, while welcoming the new Customs Area Controller to the border post.
The ANLCA Chairman expressed his wish for a successful tenure of office for Compt. Timi Bomodi.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Business

‘Electricity Act Will Transform Power Sector’

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2023

The Tide

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that the recently signed Nigerian Electricity Act, 2023, will play a fundamental role in transforming the power sector.
According to him, it will unlock the potential of the energy mix and promote the integration of renewable energy technologies into the grid system.
Speaking at the ongoing Nigeria Energy Conference and exhibition in Lagos, Adelabu said the Act aims to create an environment that supports sustainable growth and investment in the power industry by focusing on accelerated private investment and the promotion of renewable energy sources.
“As a game-changer that reformed the NESI, the Electricity Act will, undoubtedly, engender increased access to electricity and regulatory oversight, clean energy transition, improved service delivery, and infrastructural developments.
“In particular, the act will stimulate economic growth by creating a conducive environment for investment and competition. It will generate job opportunities, encourage entrepreneurship, and attract foreign direct investments”, he said.
The Minister called on operators in the power sector to intensify their efforts towards improving communication with the general public, emphasising that the Nigerian masses have a lot of roles to play in safeguarding power infrastructure.
He said issues such as vandalism, passing of meters, and damage to TCN and DisCo infrastructure must be addressed holistically to make significant gains in the power sector.
Adelabu emphasised that the power sector is a cornerstone for economic growth in the country and that the gains made over the years in the power sector can only be consolidated by unlocking equity investments and funds for power development.
He said: “Of course, a lot of investment is required in the power sector. In three weeks, I’ve seen humongous investments that have come into this sector.
“But what are the steps that are required for those investment opportunities to reap the benefit of those investments, additional investments in the form of equity and capex need to come into this industry.
“The power sector is not an industry for short-term players to invest in less than two to three years and expect to make maximum benefits.
“The industry requires medium to long-term investments. Investors must understand that the moment we can break even, we will start making profits in the power sector.
Adelabu also urged operators in the NESI value chain to improve their service delivery, adding that Nigeria’s energy expansion plan of 60,000 Megawatts by 2060 is an achievable target.
He, therefore, called on gas companies, GenCos, TCN, and DIScO to showcase their success stories in generating and transmitting power to the last mile that pays for all the segments of operators in the value chain.

Business

‘Nigeria Loses $1.5bn Annually To Malnutrition’

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2023

The Tide

Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, has said Nigeria loses $1.5 billion of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually due to micronutrient deficiencies.
Bagudu therefore called for coordinated efforts to ensure a swift response with expected positive outcomes.
A statement released by the Ministry said the Minister disclosed this, last Tuesday, while speaking at the 53rd Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria in Abuja.
In the statement, Bagudu noted that the government was determined to tackle malnutrition through the inclusion of nutrition in the National Development Plan, and the Nigeria Agenda 2050.
“It is also a commitment to achieving optimal nutrition status for all Nigerians with particular attention to the vulnerable group as highlighted in the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition”, he said.
Bagudu, who urged experts in nutrition in the country to research and develop innovations that will boost nutrition, explained that doing this “would contribute towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring Universal Health Coverage, and bringing about significant positive changes in the nutrition sector in Nigeria”.
He told members of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria “to prioritise innovation and research in the field of nutrition towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals, Universal Health Coverage and transformation of the landscape of nutrition in Nigeria.
“Nigeria currently requires nutrition professionals who have extensive knowledge, good communication skills to address nutrition education, emotional intelligence as well and a good understanding of self-motivation and drive to address nutrition dynamics”.
The Minister urged the NSN to embrace technology, leverage digital solutions, and invest in research and development to find sustainable and scalable solutions to Nigeria’s nutrition challenges.
He assured members of the NSN that his ministry would strengthen coordination and provide the required leadership for the nutrition sector.
The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, in his goodwill message, said the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) had identified areas of key commitments for the realisation of a healthier citizen and country, including increasing budgetary spending on nutrition and strengthening the nutrition profile.