Niger Delta

Bayelsa Prepares For Legal Battle, Assembles Experts Over Spill

Published

4 years ago

December 31, 2021

The Bayelsa State government is gearing up for a legal battle against Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company, and other relevant agencies over the outcome of the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV), of the Oil Mining Lease (OML)29 Santa Barbara south field Well 01 blowout in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The JIV report signed by Akindele Olubunmi, Ohaji Nwabueze and Ismail Baba- Ahmed for the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Adetoyinbo Adeyemi, Ingo E.A of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Bilong Agustina Amaka, Andrew Oni and Ebi Bomo- Eric for Aiteo had claimed that the blowout was caused by third party interference.
The regulators in separate interviews after the JIV had insisted that the wellhead leak was impossible without third party interference.
According to investigations aside its rejection of the JIV report which its representatives refused to sign, the Bayelsa State government is putting machinery in motion to commence a legal battle to defend its people and its environment.
Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice of Bayelsa State, Mr Biriyani Damnit, who also heads the Technical Committee, set up by the state government has been saddled with the responsibility and he is consulting with experts within and outside Nigeria including international non-governmental organisations to build a formidable case to defend the people of Bayelsa State.
Governor Douye Diri is said to be miffed at the attitude displayed by AITEO , NOSDRA and NUPRC in the attempt to short-change Bayelsans and has given its nod for the technical team to do all what it can within legitimate and legal confines to get justice for the state.
Sources said the state government has ‘convincing evidence’ to show that NOSDRA and NUPRC are biased over the JIV report they released.
Meanwhile a cross-section of Niger Deltans have accused NOSDRA and NUPRC of playing a script of Aiteo to produce a biased report not based on scientific evidence.
The first class King of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo said if NOSDRA and NUPRC insist the leak was sabotage then they should be able to produce the saboteur.
Dakolo, a chemical engineer and author of the book, Riddle of The Oil Thief, who was part of a team that was refused passage to assess the wellhead after it was plugged, questioned how a saboteur could be able to gain access to the facility to sabotage it with the naval houseboat within 200 metres radius of the facility.
Foremost environmentalist, Revd Nnimmo Bassey in his reactions dismissed the JIV as inappropriate, noting that NOSDRA and NUPRC relied on hear-say because the damaged well head was already replaced before the visit.
He called on the Bayelsa state government and the people to insist on an independent forensic investigation.
In her reaction, Niger Delta activist, Annkio Briggs said the outcome of the JIV shows that Niger Delta people do not matter to the government of Nigeria.
According to her the Ijaw people have been subjected to rankling injustice and it is time for the Ijaw people to commence the process to leave Niger for good.

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

12 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

12 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.