Niger Delta
SACA Partners FG, Bayelsa On Human Rights Validation

A Non-governmental organisation, Stakeholders Alliance for Corporate Accountability (SACA), some Ministries of the Bayelsa State Government, the National Human Rights Commission, and selected Federal Ministries and Parastatals, as well as the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) during the week, carried out a validation exercise on Human Rights Due Diligence Tool in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director of SACA, Mr Kingsley Ozegbe, expressed his appreciation to members of the SACA’s Human Rights Due Diligence Committee (HRDDC).
The Tide learnt that the HRDDC is one of the three committees SACA has earlier set up in its quest for a continued campaign and sensitization against the hazardous effects of oil spillages on human life and other oil and gas caused environmental pollution, amongst others.
Ozegbe noted that the Human Rights Due Diligence Committee was an institution-based one, just as he lauded the National Human Rights Commission, the National Oil Spills Detection snd Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), as well as others for their partnership with the NGO in its programmes.
“The purpose of our gathering here is to Validate the Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDDC) Tool. This tool was developed as a national tool to help the National Human Rights Commission conduct periodic Human Rights Impact Assessment on business enterprises in Nigeria.
“It’s specifically for community impact assessment. It would help business enterprises to identify existing and potential risks that may hinder or were already obstructing their operations, with a view to addressing them and deflating human rights risks on time. So it’s meant to reduce or remedy human rights risks around company’s operational areas.
“These efforts would improve quality of relationship amongst stakeholders and boost investment climate in Nigeria, sustainable employment, national revenue and development, as well as healthier societal growth.
“The importance of periodic Human Rights Impact Assessment on companies can’t be overstressed. If the HRDD process had been in place, it would have a averted the calamity befalling people in extractive communities, the oil and mining companies and the Nigeria Government.
“The issue of broken relationships that led to the arms struggle in the Niger Delta region and the continuous willful damage of oil facilities that excelled to oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and refineries, and the endemic pollution of the environment would’ve been nipped on bud”, SACA said.
The Executive Director, who also commended the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Asia and Nigeria, as well as the Danish Institute for Human Rights, noted that materials obtained from the trio bodies immensely aided SACA’s work in developing the Human Rights Due Diligence Tool.
SACA is funded by Misean Cara of the Republic of Ireland with the support of the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society(SPMS).
The NGO has said, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and its parent firm, ENI were the funders of its current programmes on the Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) Tool.
Presenting an address also, the Chairman of SACA’s Human Rights Due Diligence Committee, who doubles as the Bayelsa State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr Eugene Baadom stated that the committee has embarked on massive awareness creation in selected communities across the state, sensitizing them on human rights, corporate social responsibility (CSR), Due Diligence principles and on the UNGP Business and Human Rights, respectively.
“These community awareness programmes carried out by the HRDDC weren’t aimed at hurting anyone, the Communities nor Stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, but to create an avenue where communities are aware of the negative effects of oil spills to their health, agricultural production, communities and its implication to our economic growth in terms of revenue generation”, he said.
Meanwhile, participants of the programme from the Federal Government’s level have also commended SACA for its selfless services, reemphasizing that the NGO has been spare heading a just cause.
Participants at the Federal Government’s level included the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, and Solicitor-General of the Federation who was represented by a Deputy Director of the Ministry, Barr.(Mrs) Chinelo Irele, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), represented by the Deputy Director, Business and Human Rights, Barr.(Mrs) Pwadumoi Okoh.
Also in attendance were, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Steel and Mines, represented by a Principal Geologist in the Ministry, Mr Rufai Abdulmalik, the Controller, Federal Ministry of Environment in Bayelsa state, Aleibiri Amatarei, as well as the Director-General, NOSDRA, who was represented by an Assistant Director, Legal Services of the agency, Barr. (Mrs) Titilayo Zozoma Baiyelo.
SACA, however noted that the only participant from the invited officers from security formations in attendance was the Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp(NSCDC), Bayelsa State Command, represented by a Deputy Commandant, Ndubuisi Lawrence.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.