The Bayelsa State Government, on Thursday, urged communities in Biseni clan in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state to discontinue the blocking of access roads to oil facilities as a response to their unmet demands from oil firms operating in the areas.

Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Peter Akpe gave the charge at a meeting with leadership of the clan, officials of Oando Plc and relevant top government functionaries in Government House, Yenagoa.

Dr Akpe, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, underscored the importance of using peaceful means of resolving conflicts, stressing that the act of staging frequent protests was inimical to the corporate image of the state.

He, therefore, advised the people of Biseni, to make a comprehensive documentation of all their grievances and demands, and submit same to appropriate government offices within a week for action.

The Deputy Governor equally directed the state Ministry of Mineral Resources to interface with Oando Plc and its host communities in Biseni, with a view to resolving the recumbent issues, including the construction of the dilapidated road linking the communities and some oil facilities owned and operated by the firm.

He expressed dissatisfaction with Oando’s handling of the issues, and urged the company to cooperate with the Ministry of Mineral Resources, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to achieve amicable resolution of the conflict in no distant time.

“As a government, we are not comfortable with such protests, because we believe there are better alternative ways to go about resolving issues. Road blocks will not solve any problem. They will rather cause more harm than good for you.

“Let’s not also burst pipelines because the oil that is spilled will destroy our farmlands, our rivers and fishes; it is we that will ultimately bear the economic, social and environmental cost. It doesn’t help us in any way.

“As paramount rulers, I want you people to deal with these issues. Government works in strata. So, report to the appropriate offices and action will be taken. Clearly, I can see that there is no proper organization and coordination on the side of the company concerning the issues”, he said.

“So between now and Friday next week, let there be a comprehensive compilation of everything that has to do with the Biseni matter and it should be submitted to my office for further engagement.

“Get yourselves well acquainted with what is right to do, get your facts and get to the Ministry of Mineral Resources and they will give us the feedback. But please don’t ever go to block any road again”, he added.

In his remarks at the meeting, the Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Council, Hon. Bulodisiye Ndiwari, said the grievances of the people were justified, which result from alleged failure on the part of the oil companies to implement mutual agreements with the communities.

Ndiwari described the roads being used by the oil companies to access their facilities in Biseni as death traps, which informed the decision of the people to block the roads in protest against Oando Plc, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company for them to reconstruct the deplorable roads.

Speaking on behalf of Oando Plc, the Lands Manager , Sir Okechukwu Onuemize, disclosed that the position of the company ab initio had remained that of rehabilitating the bad portions in the road and not a full reconstruction of the entire road as being canvassed by the communities.

On his part, the Acting Clan Head of Biseni, His Royal Highness Williams Wariebi threw his weight behind the position of the State Government and appealed to his people to desist from incessant blocking of the roads in the best interest of the Biseni clan and the entire state.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has advocated a strategic shift to Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) in Nigeria’s educational curriculum, berating the current emphasis on paper qualifications over technical  expertise and practical skills.

The governor noted that emphasis on paper qualifications over technical  expertise and practical skills was the major driver of unemployment and economic stagnation in the country.

Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, made the remark last Wednesday during the  commissioning of three major infrastructure  projects at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

He said that if Rivers State and by extension, Nigeria, must prepare her youths for the challenges of the 21st Century,  deliberate and consistent efforts must be made to realign the  curriculum with vocational and technical education focused on practical skills for self employment and job creation.

He recalled that the 6-3-3-4 Educational System which Nigeria adopted in the 1980s was  designed to prepare young Nigerians for  the future through VTE at the secondary school level.

The governor said that under the programme, students were expected to advance their educational pursuits to either  the Polytechnics or Universities depending on their capacities, talents and skills at a young age.

According to him, at the completion of the first three years of  secondary school, a student should have acquired a skill, trade or craft and   could become self employed.

He lamented that over the years, the country appears to have deviated from that noble vision and young people have  become so obsessed with acquiring certificates and degrees without skills and competencies relevant to  the present day labour market.

“The Polytechnic system was designed in such a way that if you’re gifted with your hands; if you’re a technical person, you can go there and  learn more, build your skills so that you can add value to our society. But you know that somehow, our society don’t attach much importance to those level of people. So even when you know that you can’t survive the rigours of academic works, you put your head, struggle to make sure you complete the six years, jump into one university, and  come out with one degree that is not useful. That is part of the problem we are having in our society,” he said.

The Governor explained that the idea behind the Entrepreneurship Center project at Elechi Amadi Polytechnic was to have  a place where  young people can be groomed with relevant skills that could lead them to become employers of labour,  on graduation, instead of job seekers.

Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s focus on developmental projects that will create opportunities and   solve problems of the society.

“So for us as a government, what is important to us is not just about embarking on projects but executing projects that will touch the lives of the people; projects that will solve problems and projects that will bring advancement to  our lives.

“Today, technology has taken over everything. So, if we have to prepare our youths; if we have to prepare our dear State for the challenge ahead, our educational programmes have to be very strategic,” he said.

The governor charged the school authorities, students and the entire community  to safeguard the facilities and equipment against theft and vandalism, adding that they should take ownership of the infrastructure instead of treating them as ‘government property’.

He emphasised the need for the people of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to embrace the new wave of peace in the State, stressing that political stability remains a primary condition for development.

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peter Nwagor,  who gave a brief presentation on the projects, said one aspect entailed the construction and complete furnishing of two units of one-story buildings  housing classrooms, workshops, staff quarters, and administrative wings for the School of Engineering and the Entrepreneurship Center.

Each building spans approximately 1,940 square meters, featuring eight halls, 14 staff offices, 22 toilet facilities, and fully air-conditioned spaces equipped for practical training.

He said the third project, the Governing Council Building, was started by the Nyesom Wike administration but completed and fully furnished by the Fubara-led administration.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Moses Neebee, hailed the legacy projects describing them as historic landmarks on the school’s landscape.

According to him, the Entrepreneurship Centre and other projects were major developments on  the campus in nearly two decades.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has unveiled the reconstructed  Buguma-Degema-Abonnema Road, a major transport corridor linking communities across the Asari-Toru, Degema, and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas of the State.

The project, a 19.79 kilometre road was executed by Julius Berger Nigeria  PLC,  brings to an end the nightmares of man-hour losses and insecurity associated with the route.

The long stretch of the road was in a very deplorable condition before the Fubara administration awarded the contract for its rehabilitation in September 2024.

Fubara disclosed that the completion of the project in record time was a fulfillment of a personal commitment made after witnessing the  severe degradation of the road during a previous visit to the area.

“It is a road that you must pass if you’re going to Abonnema. It is a road that because of its state, a lot of evil activities was taking place there. But to the glory of God today, I don’t think those negative acts can even be imagined or be carried out along that corridor again.

“I made a promise to myself that day that even if it is remaining one week, we must make sure that we fix this road. Today, to the glory of God, the road has been fixed.

“I am happy that today, we are all here gathered happily that this particular dream has come to reality,” he said.

The governor reiterated that his desire for the State is not just about embarking on projects but in doing those things that  will touch the lives of the  people positively.

He reaffirmed  the  commitment of his administration to complete the Trans-Kalabari Highway, another major road project linking several coastal communities in the State.

He expressed appreciation to the people for their love and cooperation especially for allowing the contractors to do their jobs without hitches.

“You have shown me so much love. Nobody can take that away. One particular project that cannot be denied is the Trans- Kalabari Road that we are doing. I want to beg you that if I cannot meet all you requests today, don’t  worry, my successor will continue from where I will stop,” he said.

Special Guest of Honour, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema Kingdom, King Desrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel, who officially  commissioned the project,  commended the state government for its rapid infrastructure development, noted that the rehabilitation of the roa has drastically improved travel time, safety and the living conditions of the people.

“In the past, for you to leave any of our communities to Port Harcourt, you must, as a matter of fact, go into a one-day fasting and prayers the previous day. Otherwise, you are not sure you will get to your destination.

“Today, I can leave my palace in Abonnema by 10:00 AM, and I will be wherever I want to be in Port Harcourt before 11:00 AM,” the royal father said.

King Bob-Manuel stated that the reconstructed  road would not only enable the local fishermen to transport their catch directly to urban markets in Port Harcourt for better profit margins, but will open the  riverine communities to new investments.