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IOCs Release $200m For Ogoni Clean-Up …As Ogoni Leaders Storm HYPREP’s Forum

Published

7 years ago

August 6, 2018

International Oil Companies (IOCs) have released the first tranche of $200million out of the $1billion earmarked for the clean-up of Ogoniland in Rivers State.
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and President General of KAGOTE, Dr. Peter Medee, who made the disclosure while addressing the second stakeholders’ forum organised by HYPREP at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, last Friday, said the money has been lodged into the account of the Ogoni Trust Fund.
According to him, the board has received fund from the IOCs led by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).
“The Shell team in the board has worked with us very hard to ensure that all other IOCs and the NNPC deliver the fund as at when necessary. So, the first tranche of the fund has been received and l can tell you that the fund is already in the account of the Ogoni Trust Fund”, he said.
Medee also debunked claims that the initial $10million released for the take-off of the clean-up of Ogoniland was missing, saying, “no part of the fund is missing”.
According to him, the $5million component of the fund, which he said was in foreign currency, was still intact.
He noted that those who are peddling the false rumour that the fund was missing were actually sending wrong signals to donor agencies and other international partners, a situation, he said could hamper the effective clean-up process, and sued for patience and restraint.
He further disclosed that to ensure the security of the funds released for the clean-up project, the HYPREP’s board had opened an account with the Standard Chartered Bank of London, where such monies are lodged as they are released by the IOCs and the NNPC, among other stakeholders.
“The board had made several efforts to ensure that we get a credible hand that will receive the fund. That was also borne out of the fear that the banks in Nigeria all have N25billion as the extent to which they are insured. And because we are expecting the fund to come in five tranches of $200million, if you take the exchange rate differential of that, it means that we shall be expecting about N75billion each year. And the board was not sure of entrusting N75billion to a bank that has N25billion capitalisation”, he said.
This, he said was what informed the choice of Standard Chartered Bank of London which he noted has a stronger capitalisation base to secure the fund, adding that there was also the need to work with a bank which donor agencies all over the world could trust since the board’s mandate includes sourcing for funds beyond the $1billion earmarked for the project.
Medee also listed the benefits of incorporating the Ogoni Trust Fund by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
According to him, “with the trust fund in place, we are very sure that change of government, that is if the present Federal Government is no longer in place and there is a new leadership that is not interested in the clean-up, that will not affect the clean-up, because the Ogoni Trust Fund can now receive the fund and declare it without any interference from the Federal Government”.
He hinted that the trust fund has three Ogonis as signatories to its account, assuring that with a technical team in place, the board would also ensure that funds released to the coordinating office for the clean-up exercise would not be mismanaged.
The Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Jibril in his welcome address equally, noted that measures have been put in place to ensure that funds released for the project are judiciously utilised.
The minister, who was representeAd by his Senior Technical Assistant, Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed said the Federal Government was committed to the clean-up project, as it would ensure that funds for the exercise are not diverted.
Also speaking, member of HYPREP’s Governing Council and President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara assured that the Ogonis would continue to support the clean-up project and equally raise an alarm when necessary.
Pyagbara stressed the need for striking a balance between the clean-up of the devastated Ogoni environment and the provision of economic means of survival for the people.
On his part, another member of the Governing Council, Prof. Ben Nanee, harped on the need for peace in Ogoni communities as well as the restoration of the livelihoods of the people devastated by oil pollution, saying, “while cleaning up the environment, we also have to find a way of feeding the Ogoni people, putting food on the table of the Ogoni people”.
The conversation segment of the programme which featured HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Dr. Marvin Dekil, and anchored by international journalist, Donu Kogbara provided a platform for the project coordinator to offer an insight into the activities of the agency since its inception, disclosing that remediation work proper in Ogoniland would commence at the end of September.
According to him, only qualified professionals would be used for the exercise. He hinted that a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) team would soon arrive the country to supervise the clean-up exercise.
Prominent Ogoni sons and daughters, including member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Barry Mpigi, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, Hon. John Bazia, Hon. Felicia Taneh, Hon. Marcus Nle-Eji, Prof. B.B. Fakae, Mr Marvin Yorbana, Chief Gani Topba, among others, graced the event.

Donatus Ebi

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

7 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

7 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

8 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor