Niger Delta
HYPREP Interfaces With Ogoni Church Leaders
For the first time in its history, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has interfaced with Ogoni church leaders drawn from four local government areas of Rivers State, as a way of keeping them abreast of what it is currently doing in Ogoniland and carrying them along in the scheme of affairs.
The meeting, which attracted several church leaders from the Ogoni ethnic nationality was held at Casoni Hotels in Port Harcourt recently.
While the church leaders commended HYPREP for the bold initiative to interact with them for the first time, they urged the Project to involve them in its activities, as they are important stakeholders in the development trajectory of Ogoniland.
To facilitate robust interface and participation with the agency on a regular basis in what is currently going on in Ogoniland, they said mobility was key, and requested for provision of a bus to ease their movement as a group.
They essentially praised HYPREP for the several projects and programmes it is carrying out in the area, and urged it to build an Ecumenical Centre in Ogoniland, to enable the people of God from the area to congregate on a regular basis irrespective of their denominations.
The church leaders also noted that as Ministers of God, they are more in touch with the people at the grassroots, who are mostly peasants, and therefore, lend helping hands to them to cushion the effects of the harsh economic conditions in the country. This, they said underscores the need for HYPREP to carry them along in its empowerment programmes.
The church leaders, who spoke at the event included the Chairman of Ogoni Church Leaders Council and Bishop of the Diocese of Ogoni Anglican Communion, Rt Rev Solomon Gberegbara; the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) Representative for Gokana and Area Superintendent of Apostolic Church, Apostle Joseph Leemfe; and the President of Ogoni Ministers, Peace and Advocacy Forum, Venerable Joseph B.Johngbo.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey thanked the men of God for gracing the occasion, and assured them of the readiness of the Project to always carry them along. He said it was intended to seek for their guidance and support.
He explained that HYPREP decided to interface with them considering the important place they occupy in the Ogoni society, and urged them to disseminate relevant information on the activities of the Project in Ogoniland to the people through their respective platforms.
Zabbey used the forum to brief the church leaders on the core mandate of HYPREP, as enunciated in the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) Report on Ogoniland, as well as how it has kept faith with the recommendations therein to give the Ogoni people a new lease of life.
He enumerated the several projects and programmes the agency is carrying out in Ogoniland, contending that the Project is even going beyond its mandate by accommodating communities not impacted by oil pollution, especially in the provision of potable water for the people.
Similarly, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has organised a procurement and business strategy workshop for Ogoni entrepreneurs to enable them to take full advantage of the benefits accruing from the procurement sector of the economy in the country.
The workshop, which took place at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Port Harcourt recently, attracted participants from all walks of life.
Speaking at the occasion, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey said the ultimate goal of the workshop is to ensure that there is a thriving ecosystem in Ogoniland so as to address low community participation in the activities of HYPREP.
According to him, there is the need for Ogoni people to understand the procurement intricacies and nuances in the competitive market of bidding for HYPREP’s jobs and contracts, stressing that the workshop is also intended to address community quota concerns.
Zabbey, therefore, urged the beneficiaries to come together to build business partnerships and clusters, as well as relay and teach others what they had learnt.
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.