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Niger Delta

SPDC, NNPC, Others Hail Wabote Over Local Content Policy

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3 years ago

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Major stakeholders and operators of the Nigerian oil and gas industry have lauded the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Management Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, for turning around the fortunes of indigenous people in the oil and gas sector of the nation.
They said Wabote achieved the feat through concerted efforts in implementation of local content policy of the Federal Government.
The stakeholders include the Country Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Nigeria, Mr Osagie Okunbo; Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Malam Mele Kolo Kyari; and the Chief Executive of the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr Gbenga Komolafe and, other stakeholders in the industry. Komolafe was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning, NUPRC, Dr Kelechi Ofoegbu.
The stakeholders gave the commendation at the 2023 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), which took place at the content tower, the NCDMB headquarters, in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.
In his opening address, Wabote, commended invitees and partnering agencies as well as major players in the oil and gas sector for being part of the event.
He also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for giving the oil and gas industry the needed support to champion economic and infrastructural development of the nation, by signing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law, noting that the oil and gas industry contributes about 48% to the economic and industrial development of the nation.
The NCDMB scribe described the NOGOF as a biennial event which brings investors and critical stakeholders in the oil and gas industry together to brainstorm and to proffer solutions to likely problems in the industry, and opportunities for stakeholders, including partnering agencies and individuals, to network towards the industrialisation of the nation.
He reemphasised the need for greater and more robust synergy, noting that upon the establishment of the NCDMB, the board has been playing pivotal roles in developing the economy through deliberate and legal implementation of the local content act (NOGICD Act) for greater economic expansion and opportunities.
Wabote expressed the optimism that in the near future, the Nigerian oil and gas parks (NOGAPS) in Bayelsa and other states of the Niger Delta would be completed and put to use in furtherance of the economic development and industrialisation of the nation.
“The theme of this year’s NOGOF is ‘Oil and Gas Industry: Catalyst and Fuel for the Industrialisation of Nigeria’’.
“It’s my belief that the oil and gas sector can serve as the catalyst that will enable us to achieve the desired double-digit GDP growth rate, if we’re bold and disruptive in our strategy.
“In the aspect of creating opportunities, the NOGICD Act set the minimum targets in 278 services across oil and gas value chain in schedule.
“One probable means through which double-digit GDP growth can be achieved is by harnessing the array of opportunities that exist in various categories enabled by the oil and gas industry”, the NCDMB’s Executive-Secretary said.
In his speech, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, represented by the State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Dr Ebieri Jones berated the Federal Government for not according oil producing states any significant role to play in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Diri also frowned at the Federal Government for allocating just 3% from the gains from the oil industries operating in the Niger Delta region to the host communities, while 30% percent of the NNPC annual profit was allocated for exploration in frontier states, noting that it amounts to continuous marginalisation and undermining of the Niger Delta region.
Highpoints of the event was the presentation of awards to stakeholders in the oil and gas Industry, panel discussions by panelists, comprising managers and staff members of the multinationals.
The NCDMB held the 4th edition of the NOGOF last week Wednesday to Friday.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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Niger Delta

Otu Orders Sanitation Operations Review In Calabar

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6 days ago

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March 16, 2026

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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu,  has ordered an immediate review of environmental sanitation operations in Calabar metropolis.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Linus Obogo, on Friday, the Governor said the sanitary situation of the city had become a cause for concern.
He said the review became necessary because Calabar should continue to maintain its status as the cleanest city in the country.
“The city is now littered with wastes, the cleanliness status of Calabar is almost gone, we cannot just fold our arms and watch,” he said.
The Governor continued that every resident of the city had roles to play towards restoring the sanitary status of the city.
“Every resident should live up to their responsibilities. Our reputation in sanitation was not earned overnight, we worked for it.
“It is the product of discipline, policy consistency, and civic responsibility. We cannot allow negligence to take away this reputation,” he said.
He further directed that henceforth, sanitation exercise should be supervised by the office of his Special Adviser on General Duties.
“This intervention is intended to ensure stricter coordination among contractors and government agencies that are responsible for waste management,
“Environmental sanitation is not a peripheral concern of government. It is central to public health, urban dignity, and the overall quality of life of the citizens”, he said.
Otu expressed displeasure at lapses arising from the attitude of some refuse contractors in the state.
He said breakdown of mechanical tools could not be a reasonable excuse for non-evacuation of refuse.
“Operational setbacks should never translate into visible environmental neglect. Preparedness, contingency planning and prompt response are the hallmarks of responsible service providers.” he said.
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Niger Delta

Lawyer X-rays  Consequences Of Court Injuction Suspending INC Polls … As Diri Intervenes

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6 days ago

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March 16, 2026

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A Bayelsa-based lawyer, and candidate for the position of National Assistant Secretary in the suspended National Executive Council (NEC) elections of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organization, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Barr. Abraham Marshall, has said the court order, which restrained the conduct of the March 7th, 2026 polls, was a setback to stakeholders of the INC.
He expressed his worries about the plights of delegates who travelled from various parts of Ijaw land to come for the elections in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, only to be disappointed by the court order.
While thanking other candidates for maintaining orderliness and brotherliness all through the campaign processes, Marshall said the court injunction has devasted candidates vying for various positions.
He described the cost of what has already been spent on campaigns and sundry arrangements for the elections as huge.
Marshall noted that already he was a leading candidate for the position of National Assistant Secretary as he was optimistic of victory.
“First of all I’ve great confidence in the ability of the Electoral Committee headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, HRM, Justice F.F Tabai, which was eager to conduct a seamless election.
“Some of us have campaigned through the three zones and clans of the INC. Some of us went to the Western Zone, Eastern and Central Zones to meet delegates.
“That is how it happenes atimes when there are contest, some persons who are aggrieved, rather than take laws into their hands, go to court to seek judicial redress. So, I want to commend all candidates for maintaining decorum throughout the entire process.
“I like to also call on stakeholders to quickly seek for ways through internal mechanisms of the INC to end this problem so that the elections can be conducted because as candidates we’ve incured lots of expenses leading to the process”, he stated.
Meanwhile, in a bid to proffer solutions to the issues bedeviling the smooth conduct of polls, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Friday met with stakeholders of the INC and its six Presidential candidates, as well as other major stakeholders of the Niger Delta region in Government House, Yenagoa.
In his remarks, the Governor  commended individuals and institutions, including the presidential candidates and the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), for their efforts towards actualising a peaceful and seamless transition of leadership in the Ijaw National Congress (INC).
The Tide gathered that at the meeting, the presidential candidates agreed to withdraw all subsisting litigations concerning the election.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, Diri also expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador Godknows Bolade Igali, the Chairman and members of the INC National Electoral Committee, and other stakeholders who contributed to the resolution reached at the meeting.
Drawing an analogy from the scriptures, particularly 1 Kings Chapter 3, he likened the unanimous agreement of the candidates to withdraw all pending court cases to the decision of the true mother of the disputed baby who pleaded with King Solomon not to cut the child into two.
According to the Bayelsa helmsman, the resolution reflects the enthusiasm, love and patriotic fervour in all the presidential candidates to move Ijaw nation forward.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the meeting, the candidates, including High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe, who secured the injunction from a Port Harcourt High Court stopping the INC Elections billed for last weekend, confirmed the agreement and pledged commitment towards the peaceful emergence of the next President of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organization.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Police Rescue 7 Trafficked Victims In A’Ibom

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6 days ago

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March 16, 2026

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The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has rescued seven victims and detained four suspects linked to human trafficking along Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Uyo on Saturday.
John said police operatives dismantled a human trafficking syndicate operating within the state, rescuing seven victims and arresting four suspects involved in the network.
She said acting on credible intelligence, operatives swiftly mobilised a patrol team for a coordinated stop-and-search operation along Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road on Friday.
The operation, conducted at about 8 a.m. on Friday, targeted vehicles suspected of transporting victims of human trafficking.
“During the operation, the suspected vehicle was intercepted and four victims were immediately rescued, while the suspect conveying them was arrested and taken into custody.
“Following reports that a vehicle was conveying young persons suspected to be victims of human trafficking, our operatives quickly moved to intercept it,” John said.
She said interrogation of the suspect led to the expansion of the operation to Itam and Ibaka in Oron Local Government Area.
John said three additional victims were rescued and three more suspects apprehended during the follow-up operation.
This brought the total number of rescued victims to seven and suspects arrested to four.
According to her, preliminary investigations revealed that the trafficking syndicate specialised in recruiting and transporting young persons across borders for exploitation.
“Intelligence gathered further disclosed that one of the ringleaders earlier escaped through waterways from Ibaka in Oron to Cameroon and Gabon with some victims”, she said.
John said investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged in court upon completion of the probe.
The police spokesperson reiterated the Command’s commitment to combating human trafficking and other organised crimes in the state.
She assured the public that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
John urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to the police to help protect vulnerable persons and strengthen community safety.
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