Rivers
HYPREP’s Centre Of Excellence Project Attains 47% Completion
The Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration project, undertaken by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, Rivers State has attained 47 percent completion rate.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who dropped the hint during the agency’s first interactive session this year with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt last Thursday, said by developing innovative, cost-effective and sustainable technologies and solutions, that reduce the impact of pollutants on the environment, the centre would serve as a focal point for knowledge management, in the overall goal, by the ability to capture new knowledge and standardise scientific processes and deploy best practices from inside and outside of the business area.He said the Ogoni people would be proud to host the centre on completion.
He also noted that contractors for the mangrove restoration project have moved to site, and have started preliminary revegetation activities in their work area.
The Project Coordinator equally indicated that the water projects commissioned last year by the Minister of Environment in four Ogoni communities have continued to supply potable water to households in neighbouring communities.
He said the Ogoni shoreline clean-up contractors are setting up their base camp on site, adding that the set-up in Bomu Community has been completed while similar activities are ongoing in B-Dere and Kpor-Goi communities.
According to him, the International Maritime Organisation(IMO) training for community workers was expected to have been completed on Friday, March 29, 2024 while active clean-up would follow suit.
He said the construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and Buan cottage hospital is in progress, describing the health projects as beacons of hope for enhanced healthcare services in Ogoniland, stressing that the state-of-the-art health facilities would provide quality medical care to Ogoni people.
The Project Coordinator also hinted that the livelihood training for 5,000 Ogoni youths is ongoing, adding that upon completion, HYPREP would provide starter packs to enable the beneficiaries to continue as entrepreneurs.
He disclosed that the HYPREP’s Governing Council has approved additional funds for trainees’ transportation, saying the monies would accordingly be disbursed to them, contending that in addition to approvals for other training, the Governing Council has also approved the training of people living with disabilities.
Zabbey further revealed that HYPREP is expanding its engagements with various community segments, including fresh graduates, students and the underserved populations, adding that the scholarship grants to final year students, which began last year, would be paid soon.
He said a procurement and business strategy workshop for young entrepreneurs would be organised in the coming weeks, stressing that HYPREP would always acknowledge the pivotal role the Ogoni youths play in the success of the project, saying, “Your energy, innovation and passion are invaluable assets that propel us on this transformation journey”. He, therefore, urged the youths to continue engaging actively in the project and lend their voices, ideas and talents towards building a brighter future.
“We expect that you take advantage of these opportunities on the project to improve your income, academics, career, employability, and entrepreneurial potential and live more meaningfully”, he said.
In his keynote address, Dr Gbenemene Kpae of the Centre of Peace and Security Studies in the University of Port Harcourt, enjoined Ogoni youths to shun violence and always embrace peaceful means and dialogue while making demands, stressing that violence undermines development efforts and also impedes the implementation of projects.
While commending HYPREP for its open door policy, Dr Kpae canvassed and recommended that negotiations by stakeholders should be done in such a way that all the parties involved are satisfied, at the end of the day.
Commenting on the ongoing Ogoni power project, HYPREP’s Project Coordinator hinted that the project is currently on its first phase, which involves putting modalities in place for the generation of power.
According to him, buildings standing on the transmission way, are currently being pulled down, while compensations are also being paid.
He said the second phase of the project would be the distribution stage, and acknowledged that the project had faced some initial hiccups like its contract re-valuation, since it was initially done in naira, without taking cognizance of the fact that some equipment for the project would be imported.
According to Zabbey, since the re-denomination of the contract has been completed, in the coming months, over 30 imported containers would arrive Ogoniland, wherein the people of the area would begin to see the power project’s transmission towers.
“We are on course. The power project is work in progress”, he said.
At the interactive session, of significance was the fact that Ogoni youths, particularly the people living with disabilities, attested that they had never had it so good, and, therefore, passed a resounding vote of confidence on the Project Coordinator.
The leader of the people living with disabilities, as well as the four zonal coordinators of the group, who spoke, denounced a situation where some Ogonis write frivolous petitions against Prof Zabbey and his management team, saying, they would no longer condone that, as the Project Coordinator must be allowed to fully serve his tenure.
By: 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.