News
Eleme Chairman Discovers Illegal Bunkering Site At Ebubu …Uncovers Storage Point At Onne Port
What can be described as the largest artisanal crude oil refining site popularly known as ‘Kpo-fire’ has been discovered in Ebububy the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Chief ObarilomateOllor.
With over six boiling points and counting, the illegal refining site is located in the Akpa-Charaforest inEgbalor, Ebubu clan, Eleme LGA, Rivers State about 200 kilometres away from the community, covering vast hectares of devastated land and water body.
Responsible for part of the climatic hazard and soot ravaging Rivers State and its environs, the illegal site has been described as an epicentre of illegal bunkering activities in the state.
A statement made available to The Tide, last Monday, said the Eleme LGA chairman had led the enforcement team andyouths from the community into the forest in company of security personnel to enforce the directives of Rivers State Governor, Chief NyesomWikeon the ban on illegal bunkering activities in Rivers State.
Ollor, who decried the high level of damage done on the large arable land by the criminally insane group, called on the federal and state governments to swing into action in a bid to immediately correct the errors by providing reparation for the damaged land.
The chairman, who expressed shock with what he saw at the Egbalormangrove forest and the level of sabotage done to the nation’s economy, said such a venture could not have been effectively undertaken if it wasnot an organised crime involving security agencies and the people.
He said that without such partnership it would not have been possible to move such products when refined from the distant location to their end users.
Ollor pleaded with the state and federal governments to see his plea as an SOS call because the activities of the criminals have done a great deal of damage to the land and people of Eleme, whose life expectancy has been greatly threatened by the soot particles resulting from the illegal and unbecoming act.
The Tide reports that during the visit, the chairman and his team invaded some organised ‘Kpo-fire’ storage points in the Federal Ocean Terminal Onne (NPA),Onne Wharf, as some were also discovered in an uncompleted building right beside Dangote Cement Plc at FOT Onne.
Ollor further used the opportunity to thank Wike for declaring war against illegal crude oil mining and artisanal refining in the state, an avenue he said, revealed so much illegality and criminality that was bedevilling and threatening the wellbeing of the people.
He assured the governor that he would carryout the assignment to the later, and also warned those involved in the despicable act to desist from it or risk being apprehended.
Other storage points discovered were, however, destroyed to prevent the bunkerers from resettling and continuing the unacceptable business.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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