Niger Delta

CRSG To Settle Firms, Community’s Feud

Published

10 years ago

June 24, 2016

The people of Nfamosing
in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, have again been assured that the state government will soon wade into the issues of marginalisation and total neglect of the people by UNICEM now Lafarge Holcim and other companies operating in the community.
Special Assistant to the Governor on Petroleum and Local Content Implementation, Mr. Imoh Imoh Anthony gave the assurance when he embarked on fact-finding visit to the community.
Imoh said the visit was to acquaint him with first hand information on the operations of Lafarge Holcim and other companies operating in the area, especially as it concerns the employment of indigenes or Cross Riverians by the companies and as well report back to State Governor, Prof . Ben Ayade, for necessary action.
He commended the Paramount Ruler, His Royal Majesty, Nufam Clement Emayip and his people for not taking laws into their hands and assured the host community that the state government would resolve teh matter.
According to Imoh, “the state government has received several complaints about the negligence of UNICEM to this community which is catchment area. The governor is a man who has passion for the people of Cross River and he has mandated us to come here today for fact findings about what is happening between UNICEM and this community. If it is true that UNICEM is doing employment without engaging the youths of this community or Cross Riverians, we will report back to His Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade”.
“I assure you that His Excellency will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that he arranges a meeting between you and the companies operating here in your domain,” he added.
Commissioner for Solid Minerals in the state, Hon. George O’ben Echi thanked the people for their peaceful nature and also assured that government will not hesitate to wade into matter.
On his part, Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon. Efa Esua called on the community to avail them of the complete list of companies operating in the area in order to arrange a meeting with them.
Earlier in his remarks, the Paramount ruler of Akamkpa and Clan Head of Ojuk South Clan, HRM Ntufam Clement Emayip decried the insensitivity of UNICEM and other companies operating in the area towards the plight of the people.
Ntufam Clement Emayip noted that despite several attempts made by him to get UNICEM and other companies to a round table with a view to resolving vexed issues of unemployment of indigenes, provision of basic infrastructure and award of scholarships in the area, proved abortive.
He further hinted that due to the hazardous nature of the chemical substances emitting from the production of cement, economic trees and other farm crops could no longer yield good harvest while the stream being the only source of drinking water had been polluted and the people left with no good drinking water.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.