Rivers

Protest Against HYPREP, Unwarranted – Project Coordinator

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2023

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) says the protest staged yesterday by some Ogoni youths under the auspices of the Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) at its Project Coordination Office in Port Harcourt is unwarranted and unjustified, considering the myriads and plethora of projects and livelihood programmes undertaken by the Federal Government agency in recent times to better and improve the wellbeing of Ogoni people.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave the indication in a statement signed by the Head of Communications, Dr Enuolare Mba- Nwigoh, said there is nothing to warrant such a protest except that it is intended to cause a breach of the peace and disrupt the activities of the Project.
The Project Coordinator remarked that rather than resort to blackmail and propaganda, aggrieved persons are implored to instead explore the various means of mediation, including reaching the Central Representative Advisory Committee (CRAC) and the Zonal Representative Committee (ZRC) of HYPREP that interface between communities and the Project to resolve issues.
The statement further noted that the Project wonders what should warrant a protest against it, especially when it is carrying out several projects that have a direct positive impact on the people of Ogoniland.
Prominent among these projects, HYPREP noted are the construction of the Ogoni Power Project; Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration; 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital; a cottage hospital; and robust sustainable livelihood programmes as well as the training of 5,000 women and youths in 20 skill areas, among others; including the shoreline remediation and mangrove restoration, all of which are massively addressing unemployment and improving the Human Development Index (HDI) of the Ogoni people.
“Again, it is worrisome that despite these enormous benefits to the Ogoni people, Legborsi Yaamabaana would instead pursue primordial, self- serving, and ignoble ventures aimed at derailing the Project”, the statement said, stressing that “HYPREP continues to operate a transparent and accountable clean-up project and is disposed to providing relevant information to the public on its operations”.
Consequently, it called on the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to hold Mr Legborsi Yaamabaana and his cohorts responsible for any breach of peace and security at the Project Coordination Office of the agency in Port Harcourt and its project sites in Ogoniland.
In a related development, hundreds of Ogoni youths yesterday staged a peaceful protest to HYPREP’s office in Port Harcourt, with the President General of the Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF), Mr Legborsi Yaamabaana levelling sundry allegations against the agency’s management board.
The group also alleged in an interview with newsmen that HYPREP has not done much in the clean-up of oil impacted sites in Ogoniland.
Similarly, another set of Ogoni youths under the aegis of the Ogoni Youth Development Initiative (OYDI) yesterday also staged a peaceful protest at the agency’s office in Port Harcourt, applauding the management of HYPREP, particularly for its livelihood training of some Ogoni youths.
Speaking to newsmen, the President of OYDI, Mr Saviour Oscar urged Ogoni youths to continue to support the management of HYPREP, and called on stakeholders to call Mr Legborsi Yaamabaana to order.
It was gathered that after the clash of the two different groups during the protests, security operatives attached to HYPREP’s office shot sporadically to scare the protesters away in a bid to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

By: Donatus Ebi

Rivers

NDDC Provides Lifeline To Flood-Hit Ogu-Bolo Community

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

In response to the recent flood disaster that displaced families, destroyed farmlands, and worsened economic hardship in Ogu/Bolo Community, The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed relief materials to residents of the community.

Presenting the items on behalf of the Managing Director, the Director II, Education, Health and Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Onolejoloni, said the intervention underscores the commission’s commitment to alleviating the plight of vulnerable communities across the Niger Delta.

According to a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the gesture followed the devastating impact of flooding on livelihoods in the community.

The Managing Director noted that the commission, in collaboration with the Derek and Davia Foundation, provided financial support to facilitate the distribution of essential food items and household materials to affected residents.

He described the initiative as part of efforts to address pressing needs, adding that it also reflects government’s solidarity with citizens facing economic challenges.

“This intervention goes beyond palliatives. It is a demonstration of government’s presence, compassion and commitment to supporting families in distress, in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President,” he said.

He urged community leaders to ensure fair distribution of the items and encouraged residents to sustain peace and support development programmes.

The Paramount Ruler of Ogu-Bolo, Chief Joachim Amachiri, commended the Commission for the timely intervention, noting that it would provide much-needed relief to victims of the flood.

He reaffirmed the community’s support for NDDC initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in the region.

Also speaking, a consultant on the programme, represented by Dr. George Smile, praised the commission’s responsiveness to disaster-affected communities, disclosing that plans were underway, in partnership with development stakeholders, to extend similar support to neighbouring areas.

Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

Rivers

Don Traces Nigeria’s Highway Woes To Design Failures … Proposes Mechanistic-Empirical Design Approach

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

A lecturer at the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Emmanuel Osilemme Ekwulo, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s highway pavement systems, stating that poor design practices and weak standards, not just inadequate funding, are at the heart of the country’s persistent road failures.

Delivering the 128th inaugural lecture at the Rivers State University, titled “Removing Roadblocks: Rebuilding The Foundation For Reliable Highway Pavement Infrastructure”, Ekwulo argued that Nigeria’s roads will continue to deteriorate prematurely unless critical engineering principles are strictly applied and enforced.

According to him, recurring defects in the nation’s highways stem from a combination of faulty design processes, substandard construction materials, weak regulatory enforcement, poor drainage systems, and widespread disregard for professional ethics.

He stressed that these systemic failures have undermined the durability of road infrastructure despite significant financial investments.

“Premature pavement failures in Nigeria are not due to lack of funds alone, but largely due to poor design decisions, weak material standards, and absence of accountability,” he said.

Ekwulo proposed the adoption of the mechanistic-empirical design approach, a scientifically grounded method for predicting pavement performance, as a pathway to improving road quality.

He also advocated for the development of a localized framework, the Nigerian Empirical and Mechanistic Pavement Design System (NEMPADS), to reflect the country’s unique environmental and material conditions.

He further recommended stricter quality control measures, including independent audits, the establishment of a national database for material characterization, and compulsory traffic load analysis for all road projects.

The use of modified binders and advanced materials, he added, would enhance pavement resilience.

To ensure sustainability, the Professor called for the implementation of a National Pavement Management System to coordinate maintenance and monitoring efforts nationwide, noting that consistent upkeep is essential to prolonging road lifespan.

Ekwulo emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, urging universities to lead applied research initiatives and pilot projects that can deliver practical solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said universities must play a frontline role in addressing national development issues through research-driven interventions.

He described the lecture as timely, noting that the neglect of core engineering standards has contributed significantly to the country’s failing highways.

The event, held at the Dr. Ezenwo Wike Senate Building in the campus, also featured the formal decoration of Ekwulo as the institution’s 128th inaugural lecturer.

Reiterating his position after the lecture, Ekwulo stated that with proper design methods, quality materials, and strict adherence to global standards, Nigeria’s roads can achieve their intended lifespan of 10 to 20 years or more.

“Without a return to engineering fundamentals and accountability, investments in road infrastructure will continue to yield poor results”, he concluded.

Rivers

CP Reaffirms Commitment To Human Rights, Community Policing In Rivers

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured residents of the command’s commitment to upholding human rights and delivering people-oriented policing.

He stressed that officers under his watch would continue to operate within the confines of the law, while strengthening community relations.

Adepoju gave the assurance during a sensitisation walk organised by the State Police Command as part of activities marking the National Police Day in Port Harcourt.

He noted that the exercise was aimed at fostering trust and enhancing cooperation between the police and the public.

While expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a special day for the Nigeria Police to celebrate its achievements, he described the gesture as a morale booster that would spur officers to greater efficiency and professionalism in service delivery.

The CP also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for initiating a week-long celebration, which he said had provided an opportunity for the police to reconnect with citizens and showcase reforms within the force.

According to him, the large turnout of residents, stakeholders and members of the business community during the exercise was a clear indication of the growing confidence reposed in the police by the people of Rivers State.

He reiterated that the Command would sustain its sensitisation efforts, adding that officers had been adequately briefed to respect the rights of citizens, maintain professionalism and work closely with the media to promote transparency and accountability.

Adepoju disclosed that the week-long activities commenced with environmental sanitation across commands and divisions, alongside public enlightenment campaigns targeted at strengthening police-community relations.

He further revealed that the Command had also embarked on free medical outreach for both officers and members of the public, as part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to public welfare.

The CP added that financial support would be extended to widows of fallen police officers through the presentation of cheques, in line with directives from the police high command, to cushion the effects of their loss.

In his response, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state, Voke Emore, said the initiative was geared towards rebuilding trust between the police and the communities they serve.

Emore noted that the renewed synergy between the police and residents in Rivers State had created an enabling environment for effective policing, urging the public to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.

Also, a representative of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Chima Nnaji, said the group participated in the walk to show solidarity with their spouses.

The event drew attendance from senior police officers, members of the PCRC, and stakeholders from various sectors of the state.

King Onunwor