Rivers

WWD: HYPREP Assures Transparency In Water Projects’ Contracts Award

Published

4 years ago

March 25, 2022

As the world celebrated the World Water Day on Tuesday, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reiterated its determination to award contracts for the 14 additional water projects it is embarking on in Ogoniland to only competent companies. It said it would follow due process in a transparent manner to award the contracts.
The Central Representatives Advisory Committee (CRAC) of HYPREP, which gave this indication in a statement signed by its spokesman, Gbenemene Suanu Baridam, said the Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor had made it a matter of policy that the process to get competent companies for the contracts would be transparent and in line with due diligence, assuring all parties that have indicated interest of her commitment to upholding the highest standards in the contract award.
Baridam said the Minister had also committed herself to ensuring that competent indigenous contractors get a fair share of the contracts as a way of promoting local content and transfer of technology in the implementation of the Ogoni clean-up project.
“It is, therefore, not proper, for anyone to think that the Federal Ministry of Environment which is the supervising Ministry over HYPREP will go outside the provisions in the Procurement Act on contract award, “ he said.
The monarch noted that HYPREP, in its quest to reach more Ogoni communities with potable water is in the process of procuring the services of competent companies for the provision of potable water, adding that the bid for this second batch of 14 water contracts was opened on March 3, 2022, while the evaluation process is still ongoing.
According to him, the Procurement Unit of HYPREP is at the financial evaluation stage of the bid and about to issue the report on its findings, meaning that the process has not been concluded for the contracts to be awarded.
Baridam, therefore, assured that HYPREP would not be involved in any arbitrary award of contracts to cronies and allies, not under the watch of the Ministry, who had made it sufficiently clear that she would not lower the bar for any contractor.
He said the list of qualified contractors would be out at the right time and only competent companies would make it.
Baridam further indicated that apart from engaging competent contractors, the Minister had at a town hall meeting with Ogoni stakeholders on November 29, 2021, promised that due process would be followed in the advertisement of contracts even as she had directed that all outstanding invoices to contractors be cleared while reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to the clean-up project.
The traditional ruler said the theme for this year’s World Water Day, which is “Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible,” could not have been more apt, as it portrays in clear terms the efforts of HYPREP in bringing this treasured and essential resource to the doorsteps of the Ogoni people whose water sources have been impacted by oil pollution.
Baridam averred that provision of potable water was a key deliverable recommended in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the clean-up of Ogoniland, stressing that before today, HYPREP had on March 22, 2021, upon the approval of the Federal Executive Council awarded six contracts in batch one for the provision of potable water in the four local government areas that make up Ogoniland at the total cost of N6 billion.
He further disclosed that five of the water projects which were inaugurated in May, 2021 in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, are over 90 per cent completed while the one for Alesa Community in Eleme Local Government Area has been completed and water being supplied to it and the adjoining communities.

By: Donatus Ebi

Rivers

Rivers To Honour Veterans In 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day

Published

5 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr. Benibo Anabraba, has reiterated the commitment of the Rivers State Government to the welfare of military veterans, widows of fallen heroes, and officers currently serving in the State, saying they will be honoured this year.

Dr. Anabraba made this known during the Central Planning Committee meeting for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held in Port Harcourt.

He commended members of the Committee for their contributions to the successful Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently conducted in the State and urged them to intensify efforts to ensure a resounding success in the remaining activities lined up for the celebration.

According to him, activities commenced with Juma’at Prayers on Friday, January 9, at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township.

As part of events marking this year’s event, a special engagement was also hosted by the wife of the State Governor, Her Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, to honour, celebrate, and interact with widows and veterans.

On Saturday, January 10, a Humanitarian Outreach, Family and Community was hosted for widows and veterans by Her Excellency, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, wife of the State Governor.

Yesterday, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service was also held at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township.

The grand finale, the Wreath-Laying Ceremony, is billed to take place on Thursday, January 15, at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt.

Dr. Anabraba noted that a major highlight of the programme would be the laying of wreaths by the Governor alongside heads of security agencies in the State.

Rivers

Police Recover Remains Of Missing Man, Arrest 2 Suspects In Rivers … 12 More Suspects Over Mbodo-Aluu Attack

Published

5 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Rivers State has recovered the remains of the late Sampson Worianime, who was declared missing on November 11, and arrested two suspects linked to the case.

The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspects were arrested following investigations into the crime.

Iringe-Koko recalled that Worianime was declared missing after accompanying an unnamed community youth leader from Ogbogbo Community in the Okrika area of Rivers State to inspect and measure a parcel of land.

She explained that following the report to the police, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding Worianime’s disappearance.

“Upon receipt of the petition, we commenced intelligence-led policing, which led to the arrest of two suspects, including the Chief Security Officer of Aleto-Eleme Community”, she said.

According to her, the suspects, during investigations, confessed to abducting two youths from Okrika Local Government Area.

She said one of the victims, whose identity was not disclosed, escaped, while Worianime was killed.

She added that the suspects later led police operatives to the location where the victim’s remains were recovered from a shallow grave.

“The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with investigations.

“Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend other accomplices involved in the crime”, Iringe-Koko stated.

In a another development, the Police Command also announced the arrest of 12 suspects in connection with a violent attack of Unity Estate on Mbodo-Aluu Road in Port Harcourt.

Iringe-Koko said the suspects, alleged to be members of a vigilante group, alongside hired thugs, reportedly invaded the estate on January 5, armed with pump-action guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

“The assailants allegedly fired gunshots indiscriminately, causing panic and fear among residents”, she said.

She continued that the estate suffered significant damage, with several vehicles destroyed during the attack.

“One of the residents, Stephen Nmacha, sustained a shattered leg from gunshot injury and was subsequently abducted by the attackers.

“He was later rescued by police operatives and is currently receiving medical treatment at a healthcare facility”, she said.

Iringe-Koko further disclosed that several other residents sustained varying degrees of injuries while fleeing into nearby bushes to escape the violence.

She listed the items recovered from the suspects to include one automatic pump-action gun, a live cartridge, spent cartridges, charms, five motorcycles, two minibuses and a Sienna bus.

Speaking on the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olugbenga Adepoju, described the attacks as reckless and reprehensible.

He noted that vigilante groups were legally required to operate strictly under police supervision, and questioned why the group failed to coordinate with the police.

Adepoju said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects involved in the attacks, including the Akpor Commander of vigilante group, currently at large.

“We call on members of the public to provide credible information that will assist the Command in apprehending the fleeing suspects”, Adepoju urged.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Community Warns TotalEnergy, Others Over Entitlement In Bonny

Published

5 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The people of Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community of the Jumbo Chieftaincy House in Bonny have accused TotalEnergies, Amni International and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited of sidelining legitimate landowners in Bonny, Rivers State, in a manner community leaders warn could trigger unrest.

This, they said, will likely negatively affect ongoing construction projects along the Bonny 48” Offshore Loading Line.

A statement issued by the Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community of the Jumbo Chieftaincy House spokesman, Dr. Fidelis Jumbo, alleged that the companies have been dealing solely with the Brown House while neglecting the joint ownership structure legally established for the land where the project sits.

“This stretch of land belongs jointly to the Jumbo House, the Brown House, and Bonny Kingdom on a 30-30-40 basis.

“For the Brown House to present itself as the sole landlord is bereft of altruism and sincerity. TotalEnergies, Amni and Renaissance must retrace their steps to forestall avoidable crisis”, Dr. Jumbo said.

The land in contention hosts the pipeline route being constructed by TotalEnergies to convey gas from Amni International’s offshore facility to the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal (BOGT) operated by Renaissance.

Referencing a 1972 agreement signed by representatives of the Jumbo House, Brown House and Bonny Kingdom, Dr. Jumbo noted that all six original signatories had long passed, stressing that no party has the authority to unilaterally alter the established structure.

Chairman of the Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community, George Sunju-Jumbo, said peace in Bonny depends heavily on respect for due process.

“We want peace in this Kingdom. Whatever our forebears agreed on must be upheld. Why should the Brown House present themselves as the only family TotalEnergies should talk to? We cannot take it. We will not allow it”, Sunju-Jumbo said.

He stressed that the Kingdom ought to show greater interest in the project, given its implications for the two primary families and Bonny’s traditional authority.

Despite protests, checks at the project site confirmed that construction continued uninterrupted, a development some observers described as “corporate insensitivity.”

Community leaders allege they were excluded from a November 12, 2025, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review meeting in Port Harcourt.

A former senior oil and gas executive, who requested anonymity, criticized the companies’ posture.

“In this age where everything is being done to de-escalate tension in the energy sector, such corporate misdemeanour is shocking”, he said. “How do you disrespect and disenfranchise landowners of their own property? Bonny Kingdom is taking a whole lot of nonsense.”

As of press time, TotalEnergies and Amni International were yet to react on the matter.

By: Enoch Epelle