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HYPREP Set To Begin Ogoni Power Project Construction

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4 years ago

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The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) is now ready to commence the construction of its power project in Ogoniland in Rivers State, with an appeal to the people of the area to give their maximum cooperation and support to the project.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr Ferdinand Giadom, who gave this indication during a sensitisation workshop on the power project at the council secretariat of Gokana Local Government Area in Kpor on Monday said the power project is an initiative of HYPREP, an addition to the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, both of which are not spelt out in the UNEP Report but conceptualised as a boost and extra to the deliverables of HYPREP to the people of Ogoniland.
As a boost, he noted, the power project will provide sustainability to the project’s water schemes, the livelihood training, the operationalisation of the Centre of Excellence in Environmental Restoration and the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, approved by HYPREP’s Governing Council to be included in the deliverables of the project.
Giadom disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has given approval for the take-off of the power project, a gesture which he said has demonstrated that the President is both a father and friend to the Ogoni people, stressing that the President had always given assent to development projects coming to Ogoniland.
He further hinted that the Minister of Environment, Barrister Mohammed Abdulahi had initiated discussions with the Minister of Power on the power project while a team of engineers from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and Ministry officials was dispatched to conduct reconnaissance survey of power facilities, electricity transmission and distribution routes in Ogoniland.
According to him, the processes are on for the conduct of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project, which will lead to its eventual construction.
The project coordinator also indicated that he had opened discussions with the Council Chairmen of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas.
“We had very fruitful deliberations. Ogoni is not a virgin land; it already has built up areas that are most likely to stand in the way of the transmission lines”, he said, adding that “Time is of essence to deliver the power project and others on target and what that means is that we must not use our own hands to drag ourselves backwards through unnecessary communal disputes, chieftaincy tussles, petitions and squabbles over where to site projects”.
Giadom further disclosed that the engineering drawing for the power project is ready and by that design, power will be evacuated from the 132KV line sub-station in Ebubu, Eleme to Wiiyakaara in Khana and another 132KV line to Bodo in Gokana, stressing that from these two points, HYPREP shall further distribute 33KV to the communities of Ogoni.
He said powering households, the power project would energise the HYPREP water stations and the proposed economic development hubs that would house production and manufacturing activities across the four Ogoni local government areas, stressing that the construction of the power project has been divided into two phases.
Giadom described as overwhelming response for application for high pay skill areas of Aviation, Mechatronics, Seafaring and Entertainment by the project under its livelihood training programme, and hinted that HYPREP would soon conduct an online examination to screen the most qualified 100 candidates for each of the skill areas.
According to him, the selection shall be transparent, inclusive and on merit.
He disclosed that the Minister of Environment has increased to 10,000 the HYPREP’s first livelihood training for 5,000 Ogoni youths in general skills, and that the Ogoni Specialist Hospital approved by the Governing Council of HYPREP will be sited in Tai Local Government Area, which he said does not have a General Hospital.
Speakers at the event poured encomiums on the project coordinator for the power project initiative, and urged him to do more for the Ogoni people.
A women leader in the area, Chief Priscilia Vikue, while thanking Giadom for the project urged Ogoni communities to donate land for the project.

By: Donatus Ebi

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Rivers

Don, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta

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6 days ago

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March 9, 2026

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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
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Rivers

KENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare 

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6 days ago

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March 9, 2026

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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
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Rivers

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

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6 days ago

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March 9, 2026

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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
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