Rivers
British Envoy Applauds HYPREP’s Projects In Ogoniland
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Richard Montgomery, has scored the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) high on the ongoing projects and various programmes being carried out by the agency in Ogoniland in Rivers State.
He said there is positive optimism that the clean-up project in the area is progressing, as it is a model that would be emulated and replicated in addressing environmental concerns in other parts of the Niger Delta.
Montgomery, who gave the indication while speaking with newsmen during a visit to HYPREP’s Project Coordination Office in Port Harcourt last Thursday, after being briefed by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, on the activities and achievements so far made, said the visit was to avail him the opportunity to follow up on the clean-up project.
“This is a really impressive project, a complex one. Professor Zabbey has given me an impressive briefing and I am so impressed with what you are doing. I think what is being done here is a model that we can all learn from and has significance beyond Ogoniland and the rest of the Niger Delta, but potentially in other parts of the world”, he said.
The British High Commissioner also noted that he had come to listen, learn, and understand the way the programme is being implemented and the commitment made to Ogoni people, but also from other institutions in the Federal Government and the oil companies.
According to him, his understanding is that there is a system of monitoring in place, and that is something which is the sovereign of the Nigerian government and also its relationship with communities.
“We will be following and looking to understand how the project is progressing in the coming months, in the coming years.
“Again, I want to pay tribute to Prof Zabbey’s team. They are doing a hard and good work. It is a complicated work. I come away with a good deal of positive optimism that real progress is being made and more is possible”, he said.
While commending the British High Commissioner for the visit, HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Prof. Zabbey, noted that HYPREP is contributing to peace building and security in Ogoniland following the myriad of projects ongoing in Ogoniland, stressing that the recruitment of 500 environment vanguards to provide civil security and intelligence gathering is a deliberate measure to adopt a non-kinetic approach to protect project facilities and engendering community participation.
He further listed the ongoing projects to include the provision of potable water in Ogoniland; 39 land remediation and 34 shoreline remediation; nine mangrove restoration; 5,000 livelihoods training; the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration; construction of a 100-bed Specialist Hospital; construction of the Buan cottage hospital; and the Ogoni power project.
Zabbey stressed that HYPREP is partnering with the Rivers State Government to ensure the sustainability of its projects including the potable water schemes and the 100-bed specialist hospital, adding that the Project is playing a major role in climate change mitigation and adaptation through its mangrove planting programme, one of the largest undertaken in the world and would cover over 3,000 hectares.
To encourage mangrove conservation, the Project Coordinator hinted that communities would be linked to carbon credit, positing that a fish stock assessment has been done to provide a baseline to assess post mangrove restoration and ecosystem goods and services.
Zabbey reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to the Ogoni clean-up programme, a response to Deliverable 3 of the 18-point Deliverables of the Federal Ministry of Environment which is the accelerated implementation of the Ogoni clean-up by increasing government’s commitment and support to improve capacity building; enhance monitoring and evaluation; create public awareness as well as explore various conflict resolution mechanisms and international collaboration in Ogoniland.
He clarified that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the technical partner on the project would be around for another six months following the extension of their engagement which elapsed in 2023, stressing that the United Nations Office for Project Services(UNOPS) would be providing support for the Project, especially in procurement but hinted that HYPREP is proposing a hybrid technical support that would also have UNEP still providing technical support given its institutional knowledge.
The British High Commissioner’s visit underscores the interest the Ogoni clean-up project is eliciting and attracting both within and outside Nigeria.
While acknowledging this fact, Zabbey assured the diplomatic community that HYPREP is in safe hands and committed to delivering sustainable clean-up and restoration of Ogoniland.
Donatus Ebi
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.
National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, under the dynamic leadership of Amb. Ambrose Sopuruchukwu Okpor, has called on the result-oriented National President, Amb. Sokubo Saraigbe Sokubo, to re-contest.
This call stems from the overwhelming confidence reposed in him by Nigerian youths, based on his outstanding track record, charismatic leadership, and unwavering commitment to youth development.
This was contained in a statement made available to news men, yesterday.
Amb. Akpor explained that under the leadership of Amb. Sokubo the NYCN has experienced unprecedented progress in youth empowerment, advocacy, and national unity.
“I want to say that Amb. Sokubo’s ability to maintain harmony, sustainable peace, and foster an inclusive atmosphere within the youth leadership structure is a testament to his visionary and tactical approach to leadership.
“The Rivers State Chapter, with other progressive and stakeholders, believes he is best positioned to continue piloting the affairs of the Council towards greater heights”,he said.
The youth council chairman in the State further appeal to Sokubo to answer this noble call to serve once again, for the sake of continuity, growth, and the collective aspirations of Nigerian youths across the country.