Rivers
Bonny Protest Neglect, Seeks CSR MoU Implementation
A protest by Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State have given ultimatum to international oil firms and the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNGL) operating in the island on the need to transform the island in line with the memorandum of understanding (MOU) provided by the Train 7 agreement.
The Chairman of Bonny Kingdom Development Committee (BKDC), Amaopusenibo Amairigha Hart, accused the oil and gas multinationals of neglecting their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations, marginalizing Bonny people, and violating agreements.
Hart warned that the Kingdom would no longer tolerate what he called the flagrant disregard for its developmental needs.
“Bonny Kingdom is known for its peaceful and hospitable nature, but this should not be mistaken for weakness. While individuals, nations, and organizations hail Bonny Island as a blessed geographic location, the land and people have very little to smile about.
“This stems from the abject neglect, total exclusion, rights and privileges denial, and obnoxious disregard for the people of Bonny Kingdom in the scheme of things with regards to how the companies operating in Bonny Island do their businesses”, he said.
Indigenes of the island had planned to begin an indefinite shutdown on January 13, 2025, to demand the implementation of stalled development projects and agreements.
However, the BKDC announced the suspension of the protest following interventions by NLNG and security agencies, who requested an opportunity for dialogue.
“While the plans to commence the protest were at their peak, government agencies and NLNG reached out to us for a chance to discuss and resolve the issues amicably. The Kingdom considered the requests and had decided to suspend the planned peaceful protest”, he explained.
Despite this temporary suspension, the BKDC stressed that it remains steadfast in its demands.
“This is a strong note of warning: things cannot remain as they are. A people grounded may be buried but cannot die twice”, Hart stated.
The BKDC Chairman decreied the failure to implement the CSR projects under the NLNG Train-7 project, including road expansions, construction of a mini-stadium, a waste-to-wealth facility, and other infrastructure.
He alleged that despite adequate funding from Train 7 investors, NLNG has withheld the project funds and failed to deliver.
“For emphasis, NLNG and SCD-JV signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to execute the following projects in the Kingdom under the Train 7 Project: Expansion of the road from Shell Gate to Coal Beach with a spur from Amaomu Junction to the King Perekule Palace; construction of a 5,000-capacity mini-stadium and sports academy; construction of a vehicular terminal; and construction of a 2.5km road from Workers’ Camp to Simidia Junction. But none of these projects has seen the light of day up till now.
“Interestingly, the people of the Kingdom are well aware that investors in the Train 7 Project provided adequate funds for the implementation of CSR projects in the Kingdom, but unfortunately, NLNG has ensnared these funds in its custody and continued to exercise sole authority over them without any input from the Kingdom”, Hart alleged.
He further lamented the poor living conditions in Bonny despite its immense contributions to Nigeria’s economy.
He continued that “As at today, Bonny Island lacks clean, potable, and drinkable water. It lacks basic social amenities. There are no internal roads except the few constructed by the Bonny Local Government.
“The Bodo-Bonny Road remains under construction since 1975 and is yet to be completed. Roads in the Kingdom remain one-lane narrow roads despite the intense traffic utilization occasioned by the activities of these companies”.
Noting that the kingdom is grappling with severe environmental degradation, Hart said, “The shores around Bonny Island continue to be washed away by the sea waves, a situation aggravated by the strong waves caused by the heavy traffic of large seagoing vessels owned and operated by the multinationals.
“The air pollution is at an all-time high with attendant environmental and health hazards which residents of the Island are being subjected to. Acid rain is a normal occurrence, which continues to undermine the sustainability of buildings in the Island”.
The BKDC further urged the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, and IOCs to take immediate action to address the Kingdom’s grievances, warning that failure to do so could result in renewed action from the people.
“This is a cry for help by the people of Bonny Kingdom and a strong note of warning that things will no longer remain as they are. It is time for the Federal and State Government as well as the companies operating in the Kingdom to rise to the occasion and act right, urgently and in the interest of Bonny people”, Hart stated further.
The committee emphasized that while the Kingdom values dialogue and collaboration, it expects concrete results and a change in attitude from the companies operating within its borders.
In his response, the management of NLNG, through the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Ms. Sophia Horsfall, assured stakeholders that plans for Train 7 CSR projects remain on course.
Kevin Nengia
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A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ibibia Worika, has called for stronger implementation of legal and policy frameworks to address the conflicts and environmental challenges facing the Niger Delta region.
Worika, who is the Director of the University’s Centre for Advanced Law Research, Faculty of Law, made the call during a stakeholders’ workshop held in Port Harcourt, with the theme, “Building Peace in the Fire.”
Worika, a Professor of Comparative Petroleum and International Environmental Law and Policy at the University of Port Harcourt, said the workshop was aimed at promoting dialogue to enhance the utilisation of legal and policy provisions.
He explained that such provisions were designed to combat extractive industry-related conflicts in the Niger Delta region.
In his paper titled “Addressing the Challenges of Hydrocarbon Mining and Related Conflicts: Towards Promoting Rights-Based Actions for Combating Climate Change in Rivers State”, he noted that pollution and environmental degradation in the region were widespread and well documented.
According to him, deliberations at the workshop focused on Nigeria and international legal frameworks that support oil extraction, while safeguarding environmental responsibilities and human rights.
Worika explained that although Nigeria’s Constitution did not expressly provide for enforceable environmental rights, the domesticated African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights contained provisions on environmental rights that courts could enforce when necessary.
He urged multinational oil companies operating in the region to comply with established international norms, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
“These companies are largely from OECD member countries. They should internalise biodiversity safety measures and other international standards in their operations in the Niger Delta,” Worika said.
The Professor also urged the Federal Government to establish an environmental remediation trust fund for the Niger Delta, similar to the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project set up for Ogoniland.
He noted that while one billion dollars had been earmarked over 25 to 30 years for the Ogoni clean-up, other parts of the region suffering similar environmental damage required comparable intervention.
Worika further called for the effective implementation of the Host Community Development Trust provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), with minimal political interference and equitable representation of host communities.
He emphasised transparency and accountability in managing the trusts, adding that communities should be fully informed about membership criteria and project implementation processes.
On the remediation of Ogoniland oil pollution, Worika advocated for greater community engagement and inclusiveness in project planning and implementation.
“I would like to see greater community engagement, especially in cases where agencies decide how and where to intervene without adequate consultation with those affected. That is certainly not a good approach”, Worika said.
He stressed that communities most impacted by environmental degradation should be included at the planning and design stages and integrated into the project implementation process.
According to him, while technical aspects may require specialised expertise, local residents can handle less technical tasks such as sand removal and soil excavation, thereby enhancing ownership and empowerment.
Similarly, the President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Mr. Olu-Andah Wai-Ogosu, attributed rising youth restiveness and communal conflicts in Ogoni communities to poor mentorship and leadership failures.
“Our youths today are so much in a hurry. They don’t take time to understand issues before taking sides. They are easily swayed by short-term benefits and often fall prey to politicians”, he said.
He added that the crisis in traditional and political leadership had contributed to conflicts in the area.
Wai-Ogosu used the opportunity to urge parents and community leaders to instil discipline and moral values in young people to promote sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta.
The workshop was organised by the Habitat Protection and Sustainabley Development Initiative, in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Law Research, Rivers State University.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
The newly appointed Rector of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori (KENPOLY), Dr. George Chile Wadike, has said he would prioritize the welfare of students by improving the learning environment.
Dr. Wadike, who disclosed this to The Tide during an interview in his office, said his administration would reduce acts of social vices in the Polytechnic and make it more learning friendly.
“We want to ensure that the school environment is more peaceful and friendly to all.
“We also want to curtail the act of social vices, especially cultism experienced in the Polytechnic”, he state.
According to him, under his watch as Rector, he would ensure zero tolerance for social vices on campus.
On the infrastructures, the Rector said his administration would improve in the existing infrastructures in the school to enhance adequate learning.
He also said his administration shall improve electricity supply on campus to enable students read their books and better their academic performance
Kenpoly, Wadike said, would compete globally with its counterparts in all fields of learning.
“I promise to sow the seed of hard work, learning and teaching amongst others in the Polytechnic as a Rector.
“We shall also improve the Polytechnic by working with its Alumni and improve students welfare. That is why we are really here”, he said.
He assured on protection for students of the school in their academic pursuit and urged them to take their academics seriously.
On cultism and other social vices, Dr. Wadike said his administration shall partner with security agencies and the host community to eradicate acts of cultism in the institution
He also appealed to the students to embrace peace and take their academics seriously, rather than indulging in acts that will be inimical to their life.
The Rector further promised to build a cordial working relationship with the host and neighbouring communities, noting that such relationships shall improve the activities of the Polytechnic.
Dr. Wadike, an Accountant, who promised to reposition the image of the Polytechnic globally, said the activities of the Polytechnic would be publicised to the international communities to earn more credibility.
By: Chinedu Wosu
A former Accord Party Governorship candidate in Rivers State, Chief Dumu Lulu-Briggs, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinibu for his “pragmatic support” for State Police in Nigeria.
Lulu-Briggs lauded the President on Friday during an exclusive chat with Journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in Rivers State.
According to him, State Police will help in reducing criminal activities across the country, saying that the security of life and properities is essential and it is a collective responsibility.
The former Governorship candidate called on governments at all levels to support the State Police in order to make the society crime-free.
He said the State Police would not only reduce crime, but will also boost employments across the country.
Lulu-Briggs also used the medium to applaud President Tinibu for intervening in the face-off between the Executive and Legislative arms of Government in Rivers State.
He expressed happiness that peace has returned to the state, noting that the fued between the two organs of the governments has delayed the speed of developments in the state.
The two-time governorship candidate also expressed optimism that the peace accord will give more rooms for development and also create a better atmosphere for empowerment of the youths and Women.
“Now that peace has returned in the state, there is need to queue behind the peace to be sustained for the overall interest and betterment of all in the State..
“On the political tussle in the state, I thank President Tinibu on the recent reconciliation. Now that the problem has been settled by the aggressive parties, it is the responsibility of the people to embrace peace and work towards the growth of the state and continuous sustainability of developments in the state”, he said.
On 2027 election, the Kalabari-born politician said politics is not a do-or-die affair, and advised both the public and politicians to play politics in accordance with the rules.
“To me, politics is not a do-or-die affair, whoever that wins election is still our brother or sister, the important thing is that let them do the needful, they should develop the area and the people.
“The problem we are having in Nigerian politics is that some of our politicians in positions of trust sometimes abuse the opportunities given to them”, he said.
By: Enoch Epelle
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