Niger Delta
Bayelsa Poll: HostCom Inaugurates New Exco …Set To Endorse ‘Choice’ Guber Candidate
The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas in Nigeria (HostCom) on Wednesday in Yenagoa, the state capital, inaugurated its new executives to pilot its affairs in the state.
The Tide, which monitored the event, reports that a clergy, Pst. Samson Dabbey Graham was sworn-in as the newly re-elected chairman, while Elder Christopher Cole was inaugurated as Secretary General.
Other executive members inaugurated include, Mepirima Amos, Vice Chairman, Elder Ebi George,Fin.Sec, Mrs Patricia Nicholas, Treasurer, Chief Violet Ogun, Woman leader and Emiemokumor Michael, legal Adviser.
In his inaugural address, the newly sworn-in Chairman thanked members of the organization for re-electing him to lead them for another tenure, promising to work even more assiduously towards attaining greater heights for the state chapter of HOSTCOM in Nigeria.
“I want to sincerely thank you for this honour bestowed on me the second time and to be part of this historic occasion. I accept this position as the NH newly re-elected chairman of HostCom, Bayelsa State chapter on behalf of the Host communities and millions of our people who have struggled for fair deal and peaceful coexistence with the multinationals oil companies operating in our communities.
“I accept it with great deal of thanks to our cream of Elders who in spite of their tight schedules still found it worthy to be part of us at all times to help direct our activities with strength and vigour.
“However, it’s disheartening and pitiable that in spite of our peaceful and responsible approach to issues related to host Communities, we’d never been taken seriously.
“Indeed, it’s in record that Government and its agencies had consistently and deliberately ignored our place as provided in section 162(2) of the 1999(as amended).
“This section of the Nigerian constitution states it clearly that ‘derivation’ is a compensation to the producers of any natural resources for the expropriation and sequestration of their rights.
“Through this provision in the Nigerian constitution, states like Edo, Delta, Imo and Ondo have made provisions for for host Communities producing Oil and Gas in their states, but in Bayelsa State successive governments have outrightly denied us any form of recognition.
“We’ve, therefore, consulted widely and have unanimously decided to vote for only candidate that would negotiate with us for the establishment of the Bayelsa State Oil and Gas producing Communities Development Commission (BASOPADEC).
“We’ll also not hesitate to take legal action to claim our rights in the 13%(percent) derivation fund as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution”, Pst. Graham stated.
Earlier in an overview of the activities of the organization titled, “HOSTCOM: The Journey So Far”, Guest Speaker, Professor Dau Zibokere, noted that Hostcom was a national organization duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with complete and appropriate constitution, well-designed set of logo, mission and vision statements, as well as an Article of Faith (AoF) with a four-tier organogram.
He stated that the body was strictly a peace-oriented advocacy pressure group, overseeing all the oil and gas producing states, Local Government Areas and communities in the nation, noting also that Hostcom was now fully instituted in about 11 states.
Professor Zibokere continued that as oil and gas is discovered in more states, the organization would also incorporate them as member states.
The acedemic, who also stated that the organization has been in the state for more than 20 years in its quest to bring relief to the plights of the deprived oil and gas producing communities, said a major high-point on the Article of Faith (AoF) of HostCom was to cement a peaceful working relationship between the Oil and Gas producing communities and the oil companies operating in them, as well as the states and Federal Governments, including other relevant stakeholders and institutions, respectively.
“In Bayelsa State, for instance, HostCom had registered over 1,200 oil and gas bearing (impacted, inclusive) communities across the eight LGAs with an existing ten member Exco in each of the LGAs, communities and other highly spirited individuals who registered on their own as members of HostCom in the state.
“Today HostCom is standing tall in advocating for equity, fairness and Justice for the development of the host communities, and this has led to HostCom putting forward the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), now Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which we’re hopeful host Communities would benefit from in due course”, he said.
Also speaking, the Amayanabo of Nembe and Grand Patron of HostCom, HRM King Edmund Daukoru, Mingi X11, represented by Alabo Christopher Erewari-Igoniowei, commended the organization for its resilience and steadfastness in bringing soccour to the deprived host Communities producing Oil and gas in the state.
The monarch restated his resolve to a continued partnership with the organization and all relevant stakeholders in ensuring that the organization remains the pride of the oil and gas producing communities in the discharge of its mandate, and used the opportunity to advocate for peaceful coexistence amongst host communities in the state.
He also called on Governments at all levels to put the plights of host Communities into consideration, while handling the finances accruing to their coffers through oil and gas exploration activities.
In the same vein, Mrs Alayingi Sylva, wife of the immediate past Minister of state, Petroleum Resources, and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November, 2023 Bayelsa State gubernatorial polls, Chief Timipre Sylva and the state APC Chairman, Barr Dennis Otiotio, have promised to partner the HostCom in its quest at ameliorating the plights of host Communities across the State if the party wins the forthcoming polls.
The Tide reports that Mrs Sylva was represented by wife of the party’s Deputy Governorship candidate, Mrs Joshua MacIver.
The party’s Chieftain, Otiotio, therefore, urged the organization to key-into the provisions of the newly enacted Petroleum Industry Act, saying the PIA has created room for the establishment of host Communities trustees and other aspects having to do directly with the host Communities by the oil and gas companies operating in their areas.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
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.