Niger Delta
PIA: Bayelsa Ready For Littoral Communities’ Mapping Exercise
The Bayelsa State Government has indicated readiness to work with the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to have its littoral communities lying within 500 metres from the Atlantic Ocean coastline captured in the ongoing mapping exercise.
The State’s Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated this at a meeting with critical stakeholders, including local government officials and the leadership of Host Communities Development Trust in the state at Government House in Yenagoa.
A statement issued by the media aide to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, quoted him underscoring the importance of the mapping exercise, stressing that it would enable communities that are yet to be recognized as oil and gas bearing communities along the Atlantic coastline.
According to the statement, the ongoing mapping exercise is pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) aimed at enabling affected communities to form development trusts.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who expressed concern that Bayelsa was the only oil-producing state where littoral communities were yet to be captured by the National Boundary Commission, urged community leaders to take the exercise seriously.
Emphasizing the urgency required to carry out the delineation exercise, the Deputy Governor noted that failure to capture the Bayelsa littoral communities would deny them the immediate and long-term benefits as stipulated in the PIA.
To this end, he directed the Office of the state Surveyor General to liaise with local government chairmen, and other critical stakeholders to identify communities that are located within 500 metres from the coastline before the arrival of the NBC officials.
He appealed to local government authorities and traditional rulers of the various communities to create an enabling environment for the NBC to successfully carry out the exercise which is expected to commence soon.
“The delineation of littoral communities in oil producing states in respect of Chapter 3 of the Petroleum Industry Act is yet to be conducted in our state.
“The exercise is being carried out by the National Boundary Commission to capture communities that lie within 500 metres from the coastline as provided by the PIA.
“Our communities must be captured for them to benefit from the exercise. Therefore, our local government chairmen and traditional rulers have a role to play to create an enabling environment for the work to be done.
“Coastline communities in five other oil producing states have been successfully captured in the exercise. So, we should know we are running against time and act accordingly in order not to be left out in the programme”, he said.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), Barrister Ebikese Okoko, and the Chairman of KEFFES Rural Development Foundation (KRDF), Chief Christopher Tuduo, explained that they were prepared to collaborate with government and the NBC to ensure the success of the exercise.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary to State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei; the Chairman, Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo; the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei; local government caretaker chairmen, and Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Justice, Local Government, and Mineral Resources.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

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.