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Niger Delta

PIA: Bayelsa Engages Oil Firms, Dev Trusts On Transparency …Set To Issue New Operation Guidelines

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The Bayelsa State Government has charged oil companies and host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs) to be transparent and accountable in the implementation of policies and projects in oil bearing communities as spelt out in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated this recently while presiding over a meeting between representatives of Egbema-Angalabiri, Agbidiama Communities and Renaissance Africa Energy Company, formerly SPDC, at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
He expressed concern over the incessant cases of intra-community conflicts and threats to shut down the operations of oil companies.
Ewhrudjakpo identified lack of transparency in the award of contracts, mismanagement of funds and employment opportunities in most communities.
To checkmate this, he said the state government has directed that henceforth all oil companies operating in the State should disclose the full content of the Free to Operate (FTO) agreements signed with the leadership of any community or its representatives to the entire community.
According to the Deputy Governor, government has equally directed the oil firms to make available copies of the FTOs to the State Ministry of Mineral Resources within two weeks of signing such documents to enable it keep track of the firms’ engagements with their host communities.
Commenting on the Egbema-Angalabiri internal conflict, he cautioned the youths against shutting down the operations of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, describing the problem in the community as self-inflicted.
He also advised the community to open and operate a central community account with three officials, including the Amananawei, Community Development Committee Chairman and the women leader, as signatories to check embezzlement of community funds.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who warned the communities against subletting contracts, especially when they have the local capacity and competency to handle such jobs, also directed the PIA management and host communities development trust boards to render periodic accounts to their various communities.
“Every FTO signed, a copy of it should be deposited with the Ministry of Mineral Resources within two weeks. Once an FTO is signed, those who signed it must disclose the full content of the FTO to the entire community. All jobs, unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled, must be announced to the community and the community takes the decision as to who should be employed.
“All companies operating must disclose fully the prevailing contract sum for any contract that is being awarded, and no contract should be subsidized, except at the request of the community.
“PIA members must report periodically, preferably monthly, to their communities. You must give account of what is happening to your communities.
“Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) shall not award contracts without reference or recourse to the communities.
“These are some of the operational guidelines we have decided to take to the Governor for approval. Thereafter, a circular will be issued by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and all oil companies will comply.
“We are doing this to complement the PIA, and most importantly, to checkmate the recurring cases of internal conflicts in almost all the oil bearing communities across our state. We want to ensure peace by all lawful means”, he said.
Speaking earlier, a stakeholder of Egbema-Angalabiri Community, Hon Selekebina Saboh, expressed total support for the proposed operational guidelines of the state government.
While thanking government for its effort towards restoring peace in the community and industrial harmony for companies operating in the area, Hon Saboh said the issue of embezzling community funds would have been avoided if the community had supported him in kicking against the use of the personal account of successive CDC chairmen.
While giving account of his stewardship, the immediate past CDC Chairman of Egbema-Angalabiri, Mr. Timadi Sambo, who was alleged to have mismanaged about N40 million belonging to the community, described the allegation as spurious and unfounded.
The meeting was attended by the paramount rulers, CDC chairmen and women and youth leaders of Egbema-Angalabiri and Agbidiama communities, as well as representatives of Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, and top government functionaries.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

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Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

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The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
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Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

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The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
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Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

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The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
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