Rivers

Illegal Bunkering: Nwanosike Names Perpetrators, Homes For Prosecution, Demolition

Published

4 years ago

February 9, 2022

The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Engr Samuel Nwanosike, has said that for the battle against oil bunkering activities to be won, it must be fought from the source.
Nwanosike made this known, last Monday, when members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Environment paid him a visit in his office, Isiokpo, in order to have a first-hand information on his method of combating the menace.
According to him, “Like I tell people, for us to win this battle, we must hit the snake at the head because if you cut off the tail, the snake will get very wild. And so, we have a plan to say look, all the illegal refineries must go down before you talk about stopping the truckers, because if there is no production, there will be no trucking.
“What we are doing, having done our homework, is that all those areas where we have illegal oil refineries, we clean them out”.
Nwanosike noted that the next stage of the fight was the demolition of the homes of the oil bunkerers.
He said, “And we have taken note of all the perpetrators and their homes. We have marked their homes. This is another phase we are coming into because the laws back us that every proceed gotten from this illegal oil activity, properties identified from these proceeds, will be seized by the council and demolished after clearance from the state government”.
The Ikwerre Council boss added that judicial records of all the proceeds from illegal oil refining have been taken, including those declared wanted by the state government who ran away from their homes for proper action.
“Because we believe that if they don’t have any source of livelihood, after some times when they come back, they may be tempted to come back to such activities again. So, we don’t want to have that experience anymore”, he vowed.
Nwanosike noted that he swung into action as soon as he received a directive from the state government over illegal oil refining by providing a legislative backing to every steps to be taken and constituting a taskforce made up of 17 members, including security agents and civilians, saddled with the responsibility of enforcing the state governor’s directive across the communities of the LGA.
He explained that members of the taskforce do their jobs professionally, adding that most of those caught in the act have been prosecuted while others were awaiting trial.
Nwanosike commended the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, the leadership of Rivers State House of Assembly, and security operatives for the efforts put in the fight against illegal oil bunkering activities.
He, however, called on the general public and personnel of the Nigerian Navy to join in the battle to end illegal oil bunkering activities for the good of everyone.
The Chairman of Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Hon Dumle Maol, stated that the committee members were in Ikwerre LGA to get first-hand information from the council chairman over his fight against soot and oil bunkering.
He said, “Chairman, like the Clerk said, the House directed that we should visit the 23 local governments in Rivers State on the issue of this soot, a menace that is a big challenge to the state.
“And we are here today to hear from you, first-hand, what you have done as a local government in compliance with the directive of our government.
“We also want to use this opportunity to tell Ikwerre people that in Rivers State House of Assembly, we are solidly behind the decisions of the government led by our governor”.
Maol also used the opportunity to formally invite the chairman of Ikwerre LGA and entire people of the LGA to the public hearing on amendment of the Rivers State Environmental Protection Law, sponsored by the state governor, today, so as to make inputs before passage and assent.
He implored Nwanosike to charge members of his taskforce not to burn recovered products or pour them into the river in order not to further pollute the environment.
On his part, the member representing Ikwerre Constituency at the Rivers State House of Assembly and also a member of the committee, Hon Anslem Oguguo, said that his council chairman was doing excellently well in the fight against soot and oil bunkering activities, saying that he was working in synergy with Nwanosike in taking the LGA to a desired level.
After members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Environment were taken to the Ogbodo illegal oil refining site to see things for themselves, Maol applauded Nwanosike for the practical steps taken so far in tackling oil bunkering activities.
He assured that the Rivers State House of Assembly was behind his actions and would summon the company that owns the pipelines being tampered with to explain why nothing has been done to stop the oil bunkerers.
Other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Environment who were in Ikwerre LGA, include Hon Christian Ahiakwo, Hon Prince Ngbor, Hon Sam Ogeh, Hon Anthony Soberekom, Hon Lulu Opuende, Hon Nathaniel Owagii, and Clerk of Rivers State House of Assembly, and Barrister Amonia Amaso.

By: Nelson Chukwudi

Rivers

Don, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta

Published

3 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ibibia Worika, has called for stronger implementation of legal and policy frameworks to address the conflicts and environmental challenges facing the Niger Delta region.

Worika, who is the Director of the University’s Centre for Advanced Law Research, Faculty of Law, made the call during a stakeholders’ workshop held in Port Harcourt, with the theme, “Building Peace in the Fire.”

Worika, a Professor of Comparative Petroleum and International Environmental Law and Policy at the University of Port Harcourt, said the workshop was aimed at promoting dialogue to enhance the utilisation of legal and policy provisions.

He explained that such provisions were designed to combat extractive industry-related conflicts in the Niger Delta region.

In his paper titled “Addressing the Challenges of Hydrocarbon Mining and Related Conflicts: Towards Promoting Rights-Based Actions for Combating Climate Change in Rivers State”, he noted that pollution and environmental degradation in the region were widespread and well documented.

According to him, deliberations at the workshop focused on Nigeria and international legal frameworks that support oil extraction, while safeguarding environmental responsibilities and human rights.

Worika explained that although Nigeria’s Constitution did not expressly provide for enforceable environmental rights, the domesticated African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights contained provisions on environmental rights that courts could enforce when necessary.

He urged multinational oil companies operating in the region to comply with established international norms, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

“These companies are largely from OECD member countries. They should internalise biodiversity safety measures and other international standards in their operations in the Niger Delta,” Worika said.

The Professor also urged the Federal Government to establish an environmental remediation trust fund for the Niger Delta, similar to the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project set up for Ogoniland.

He noted that while one billion dollars had been earmarked over 25 to 30 years for the Ogoni clean-up, other parts of the region suffering similar environmental damage required comparable intervention.

Worika further called for the effective implementation of the Host Community Development Trust provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), with minimal political interference and equitable representation of host communities.

He emphasised transparency and accountability in managing the trusts, adding that communities should be fully informed about membership criteria and project implementation processes.

On the remediation of Ogoniland oil pollution, Worika advocated for greater community engagement and inclusiveness in project planning and implementation.

“I would like to see greater community engagement, especially in cases where agencies decide how and where to intervene without adequate consultation with those affected. That is certainly not a good approach”, Worika said.

He stressed that communities most impacted by environmental degradation should be included at the planning and design stages and integrated into the project implementation process.

According to him, while technical aspects may require specialised expertise, local residents can handle less technical tasks such as sand removal and soil excavation, thereby enhancing ownership and empowerment.

Similarly, the President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Mr. Olu-Andah Wai-Ogosu, attributed rising youth restiveness and communal conflicts in Ogoni communities to poor mentorship and leadership failures.

“Our youths today are so much in a hurry. They don’t take time to understand issues before taking sides. They are easily swayed by short-term benefits and often fall prey to politicians”, he said.

He added that the crisis in traditional and political leadership had contributed to conflicts in the area.

Wai-Ogosu used the opportunity to urge parents and community leaders to instil discipline and moral values in young people to promote sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta.

The workshop was organised by the Habitat Protection and Sustainabley Development Initiative, in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Law Research, Rivers State University.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

KENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare

Published

3 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The newly appointed Rector of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori (KENPOLY), Dr. George Chile Wadike, has said he would prioritize the welfare of students by improving the learning environment.

Dr. Wadike, who disclosed this to The Tide during an interview in his office, said his administration would reduce acts of social vices in the Polytechnic and make it more learning friendly.

“We want to ensure that the school environment is more peaceful and friendly to all.

“We also want to curtail the act of social vices, especially cultism experienced in the Polytechnic”, he state.

According to him, under his watch as Rector, he would ensure zero tolerance for social vices on campus.

On the infrastructures, the Rector said his administration would improve in the existing infrastructures in the school to enhance adequate learning.

He also said his administration shall improve electricity supply on campus to enable students read their books and better their academic performance

Kenpoly, Wadike said, would compete globally with its counterparts in all fields of learning.

“I promise to sow the seed of hard work, learning and teaching amongst others in the Polytechnic as a Rector.

“We shall also improve the Polytechnic by working with its Alumni and improve students welfare. That is why we are really here”, he said.

He assured on protection for students of the school in their academic pursuit and urged them to take their academics seriously.

On cultism and other social vices, Dr. Wadike said his administration shall partner with security agencies and the host community to eradicate acts of cultism in the institution

He also appealed to the students to embrace peace and take their academics seriously, rather than indulging in acts that will be inimical to their life.

The Rector further promised to build a cordial working relationship with the host and neighbouring communities, noting that such relationships shall improve the activities of the Polytechnic.

Dr. Wadike, an Accountant, who promised to reposition the image of the Polytechnic globally, said the activities of the Polytechnic would be publicised to the international communities to earn more credibility.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Lulu-Briggs Commends Tinubu On State Police, Peace In Rivers

Published

3 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

A former Accord Party Governorship candidate in Rivers State, Chief Dumu Lulu-Briggs, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinibu for his “pragmatic support” for State Police in Nigeria.

Lulu-Briggs lauded the President on Friday during an exclusive chat with Journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in Rivers State.

According to him, State Police will help in reducing criminal activities across the country, saying that the security of life and properities is essential and it is a collective responsibility.

The former Governorship candidate called on governments at all levels to support the State Police in order to make the society crime-free.

He said the State Police would not only reduce crime, but will also boost employments across the country.

Lulu-Briggs also used the medium to applaud President Tinibu for intervening in the face-off between the Executive and Legislative arms of Government in Rivers State.

He expressed happiness that peace has returned to the state, noting that the fued between the two organs of the governments has delayed the speed of developments in the state.

The two-time governorship candidate also expressed optimism that the peace accord will give more rooms for development and also create a better atmosphere for empowerment of the youths and Women.

“Now that peace has returned in the state, there is need to queue behind the peace to be sustained for the overall interest and betterment of all in the State..

“On the political tussle in the state, I thank President Tinibu on the recent reconciliation. Now that the problem has been settled by the aggressive parties, it is the responsibility of the people to embrace peace and work towards the growth of the state and continuous sustainability of developments in the state”, he said.

On 2027 election, the Kalabari-born politician said politics is not a do-or-die affair, and advised both the public and politicians to play politics in accordance with the rules.

“To me, politics is not a do-or-die affair, whoever that wins election is still our brother or sister, the important thing is that let them do the needful, they should develop the area and the people.

“The problem we are having in Nigerian politics is that some of our politicians in positions of trust sometimes abuse the opportunities given to them”, he said.

By: Enoch Epelle