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Protest Against HYPREP, Unwarranted – Project Coordinator

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1 year ago

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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

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Expert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities 

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5 days ago

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May 12, 2025

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An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.
He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.
According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.
Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.
“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.
“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.
Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.
According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.
“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.
“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.
“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.
She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.
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Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare 

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5 days ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.
He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.
Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.
According to him,  he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.
“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.
“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to  an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.
“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.
The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.)  for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict  compliance to the charge of the  Sole Administrator.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.
According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.
“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is  for people  at the grassroots to also enjoy  dividends of  governance”, he said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
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Navy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers

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5 days ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.
A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.
He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.
According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.
“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.
“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
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