Rivers
HYPREP Interfaces With Ogoni Youths …Begins Complex Sites’ Remediation, Soon
In a bid to give fresh impetus and momentum to its activities in Ogoniland, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has taken steps to involve and engage a wide spectrum of youths to drive the clean-up project and other interventionist measures in the four Ogoni local government areas of Rivers State.
To this end, HYPREP on Friday organised an interactive session with Ogoni youths drawn from the four local government areas of Eleme, Tai, Khana and Gokana at Autograph Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where a wide range of issues concerning Ogoniland were deliberated upon.
This is even as the interventionist body has indicated its preparedness to commence remediation work on more complex impacted sites in the area.
HYPREP Project Coordinator, Dr Ferdinand Giadom, who dropped this hint while briefing the youths on his scorecard within the past 90 days in office said the process for the remediation of the complex sites has started, adding that in a few weeks from now, work would commence.
According to him, HYPREP has already carried out a study and this is the time for work to start.
He said the project has also identified a well water in Korokoro Tai containing a high level of crude contaminant which it must remove.
He said the Bodo clean-up model would be deployed in remediating the more complex sites, which he said have clearly exposed the people to greater risks all these years.
“We have a model that is working in Bodo. The Bodo project is working. We have already mapped out shoreline areas in Ogoniland. We can just lift the Bodo model and mount it in other Ogoni communities”, he said.
While appealing to the youths and the rest of Ogoni people for patience and support, the project coordinator noted that the clean-up of the more complex sites would take some time, up to two or more years to be completed, “ because we want to do it right.”
Giadom regretted the delays being experienced in the full implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report, and took responsibility for the shortcomings, being the current helmsman of HYPREP, and acknowledged the fact that it took a long time to migrate from the clean-up of less complex sites to the more complex sites.
The project coordinator further hinted that HYPREP is going beyond the UNEP recommendations in the provision of potable water and livelihoods to the Ogoni people, contending that this is geared towards improving the general wellbeing of the people, who he noted had suffered for several years following the devastation of their environment and livelihoods, with some of the people paying with their blood.
He indicated that the degradation of the environment and the concomitant destruction of the people’s livelihoods had exposed them to hunger and extreme poverty, a situation which he said HYPREP, with the support of the Federal Government was trying to address.
The project coordinator disclosed that HYPREP is on the verge of training 100 Ogoni youths as aviators, who would work in the aviation sector, as air traffic controllers, hostesses, among others, while several others would be trained as seafarers to fit into the maritime sector.
Giadom said the plan to link Ogoni communities to the national grid was on course, contending that when fully realised, it would provide employment to the people.
He also noted that the ongoing six water projects in the area would become functional soon, stressing that HYPREP has gone the extra mile to ensure that potable water is supplied not only to impacted communities but also to other Ogoni communities.
Giadom equally assured that female Ogoni youths and entertainers would be carried along in the scheme of affairs even as HYPREP would consider awarding of foreign scholarships to deserving Ogoni sons and daughters in due course.
He said the design for the construction of a Centre of Excellence in Ogoniland was out, as the process for the commencement of work on the project was being handled, and solicited for synergy and cooperation.
On his part, the Head of Stakeholders Engagement Unit of HYPREP, Mr. Enuolare Mba-Nwigor thanked the participants for the success of the event, saying, it is the beginning of better things to come.
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
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