Rivers
HYPREP Boss Tasks Minister On Workers’ Welfare …As FG Moves To Link Ogoni Communities To National Grid
The Project Coordinator of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Dr Ferdinand Giadom, has urged the new Minister of Environment, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi to ensure that the welfare of workers of the project is given top priority in order to motivate them.
This is even as the Federal Government has promised to link major communities in Ogoniland in Rivers State to the national grid in order to power ongoing water projects in the area.
Giadom, who made the appeal at the HYPREP office in Port Harcourt during the maiden visit of the Minister recently, said there was the need to give the welfare of HYPREP staff adequate attention because of his policy of slightly adjusting the Civil Service Rules as it concerns them, so as to fast track the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland.
According to him, he had adjusted the rules in such a way that the workers now resume work by 7am instead of the traditional 8am, while they close from work beyond 5pm.
Giadom said with this development, the workers are supposed to be paid some extra tokens as overtime allowances in order to really encourage and motivate them.
He, therefore, appealed to the Minister not to hesitate in giving his approvals whenever applications from his office are forwarded to him for this purpose.
The Project Coordinator explained that the minor adjustment of the civil service rules was to enable his office to timely execute the clean-up project, which he said had suffered undue delay in the past.
Abdullahi, while addressing the workers said the Federal Government has taken steps to link major communities in Ogoniland to the national grid in order to provide regular power supply to ongoing water projects provided by the government in the area in order to sustain them and boost economic activities.
He said in a couple of days, the Project Coordinator would put in place the necessary framework to enable the Federal Government to link the communities to the national grid.
Abdullahi noted that President Muhammadu Buhari is not happy with the slow pace of the Ogoni clean-up project, for which reason, he had approved the appointment of a new Project Coordinator for HYPREP, and also appointed him as substantive Minister of Environment to fast track the implementation of the UNEP Report.
According to him, the President wants to see a situation where the clean-up project and other ongoing water projects in Ogoniland are commissioned before leaving office on May 29, 2023.
Abdullahi stressed the need for stakeholders engagement and collaboration in the implementation of the UNEP Report, and solicited the support and commitment of the workers and all Ogoni people towards the clean-up project.
The Minister, during the visit, paid courtesy visits to the President of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers and Gbenemene Tai, King Godwin Giniwa; the Gberemene Gokana, King Festus Babari Bagia; the Gbeneme Babbe Kingdom, King Monday Noryaa; and the Oneh-eh Eleme X1, King Philip Obele.
Abdullahi also inspected some remediation sites at B-Dere Community in Gokana and others in Tai as well as water project sites in Gokana and Khana Local Government Areas.
The Minister, at a stakeholders meeting in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, assured the Ogoni people that the Federal Government would always give them a fair deal, particularly as it relates to the implementation of the UNEP Report.
He said all monies and funds approved for the clean-up project must be accounted for, and assured that both Ogoni women and youths would be adequately carried along in terms of employment and execution of contracts.
Abdullahi was accompanied on the visit by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Matters, Mr. Ajuri Ngalele; among other personalities.
Abdullahi also inspected some remediation sites at B-Dere Community in Gokana and others in Tai water project sites in Gokana and Khana Local Government Areas.
The Minister, at a stakeholders meeting in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, assured the Ogoni people that the Federal Government would always give them a fair deal, particularly as it relates to the implementation of the UNEP Report.
He said all monies and funds approved for the clean-up project must be accounted for, and assured that both Ogoni women and youths would be adequately carried along in terms of employment and execution of contracts.
Abdullahi was accompanied on the visit by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Matters, Mr. Ajuri Ngalele; among other personalities.
By: Donatus Ebi
A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.
Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.
Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.
Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.
Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.
In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more
He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.
Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.
The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.
Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.
Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.
Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso