Niger Delta

Ogbia Communities Protest Shell Operations In Kolo Creek

Published

15 years ago

July 21, 2011

The activities of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Kolo Creek Logistic office were brought to a halt following a protest by four aggrieved communities in Ogbia local government, Bayelsa State against the Dutch giant oil firm over alleged failure to implement an agreement reached with communities 12 years ago.

The Tide gathered that the protest was the second time the communities will be carrying out such action in less than two weeks against the company. The protesters who came from Oruma,Otuasega,Imiringi and Elebele forced themselves into the fenced premises of the company and locked all the valves of the manifold located along Imiringi-Otuasega road.

During the protest, they threatened that the oil firm will not know peace until the agreement was implemented . The locked valves reportedly stopped the flow of crude oil to the various terminals. Operatives of the Joint Military Taskforce(JTF) guarding the facility were orderly, as they controlled the situation to ensure that the protest remained peaceful as the communities made their demands.

The protesters who besieged the company’s office as early as 7am paralysed the social and economic activities around the site of the company. They also demanded for the removal of the Community Liaison Officer of SPDC,Tunde Joel over alleged non-challant attitude and insensitivily to their plights. It would be recalled that the aggrieved communities staged a peaceful protest against the oil company on July 7, where they conveyed a mock coffin to the area.

The Tide was reliably informed that at the end of the protest, SPDC promised to look into their grievances,but,the promises were allegedly not fulfilled. One of the leaders of the protesters and Vice Chairman of Imiringi Community Development Committee(CDC) Pastor Ranami Afagha , said that the agreement indicated that the company would provide electricity to its host communities whenever there is such facility in its base.

“We shut down the manifold because Shell failed to honour our round table discussions since three months ago. This protest will continue as long as Shell continues to take our oil and failing to respect agreements reached with us.” In his own contribution, CDC Chairman of Oruma community, Clifford Igburu, regretted the manner in which SPDC was treating the communities ,alleging that the firm was more interested in dividing the people. Igburu lamented that rather than addressing the protesters demand Shell was going round trying to buy over some of our traditional rulers.

But this cannot work. When the company is serious, we shall know, for now Shell is not serious. Let them react positively to our demand that the agreement reached with us be implemented.”

In the same vein,Field Co-ordinator of the Environmental Rights Action(ERA) in Bayelsa State,Alagoa Morris,told our correspondent that the people of the Niger Delta were getting more aware of their rights. ”Shell should address the protesters on the spot, rather than going round to apply divide and rule tactics The communities should maintain their peaceful disposition as they go about their demand.

The JTF should equally remain disciplined and avoid violence against protesters,” the ERA official submitted. In a reaction ,Spokesman of SPDC, Port Harcourt,Precious Okolobo, said that the Kolo Creek field logistics base has been supplying electricity to Elebele, Imiringi and Otuasega communities in line with an agreement reached in 1999.

“However, these communities have since expanded and the demand for power has exceeded the installed capacity. As an alternative, SPDC facilitated the hook-up of the communities to the Bayelsa Electricity Supply Board (BESB) grid, and also supplies gas to the BESB gas turbine at Imiringi.

The communities have been enjoying stable power from the facility, but it is understood that the plant is currently undergoing major refurbishment,Okolobo explained. ”We continue to implement development projects in the area. The Kolo Creek Cluster Development Board was inaugurated in 2007 as part of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) agreed for execution of the Gbaran-Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas Project.

A total of N535mln was disbursed to the Board between 2006 – 2010 for the implementation of projects, including civic centres, accommodation quarters for teachers and youth corps members, drainage systems, internal roads, electricity hook-up and guest houses. ” The SPDC official said the company was in the process of engaging the protesting youths ,who have tampered with its installations in such a manner that poses serious threat to people and the environment.

Niger Delta

Okpebholo Assures Corps Members Of Improved Welfare

Published

19 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured corps members deployed to the state of improved welfare and a supportive service year.

Okpebholo gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members last Friday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.

The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety and entrepreneurship.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Charity Amayaenvbo, the Governor urged corps members to embrace innovation, community service and self-reliance rather than wait for white-collar jobs.

“Edo is committed to supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and incentives that turn ideas into enterprises.

“Do not wait for jobs, create value. Wherever you are posted, serve your host community with humility, dedication and compassion.

“Have a positive footprint and let your service contribute to unity, productivity and progress,” he said.

Okpebholo assured the corps members that the state government was attentive to their welfare and had started addressing key concerns raised by the NYSC leadership.

“On behalf of the state government, I assure you of our support in terms of safety, an enabling environment and a rewarding service year.

“I listened carefully to the requests highlighted by the state coordinator, and I am glad to inform you that some of them have already been captured in the 2026 budget, which has been approved and signed into law,” he said.

The Governor noted that provisions for accommodation, meal subsidies, logistics and the construction of a multipurpose hall at the camp were included in the budget.

Earlier in her address, the Edo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, described the ceremony as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to youth development and national integration.

Ben-Ushie said as of midnight on Thursday, a total of 1,235 prospective corps members, comprising 531 males and over 700 females, had been duly registered.

She congratulated the corps members on their enlistment into what she described as a “noble scheme,” urging them to embrace discipline, learning and active participation throughout the orientation course.

“The NYSC platform provides a unique avenue to meet people from diverse backgrounds, build lifelong friendships and create networks that can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.

Ben-Ushie also highlighted the contributions of the NYSC to the state’s development, noting that the scheme had consistently provided skilled manpower, promoted labour mobility and strengthened national unity.

She cited initiatives such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as key interventions benefiting communities across the state.

The NYSC coordinator commended the state government for its support, including the provision of buses for corps members, and appealed for further intervention to address lingering operational challenges at the orientation camp.

She expressed confidence that resolving the issues would enhance the effectiveness of NYSC programmes in the state and thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and growth of corps members.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

20 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

Niger Delta

Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River

Published

20 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, have protested to the Governor’s Office in Calabar over an alleged plan to appoint a non-indigene as Rector for the institution.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the students demanded respect for catchment area policy, local content, and the appointment of an indigene of the state as Rector of the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the students in Calabar, Stephen Etem said the protest sought to alert the Federal and Cross River State Governments to an alleged deviation from the established rectorial selection process.

Etem said a Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, was constituted by the Federal Government to conduct the Rector selection exercise.

“The screening, which began last year, reportedly produced a Cross River State indigene as highest scorer and recommended candidate.

“Information available to us suggests that the alleged recommended candidate’s name might be substituted at the Federal Ministry of Education.

“We urge the Federal Government to uphold the council’s recommendation because altering the process could threaten peace in the institution,” he noted.

Responding at the Government House, Mr. Goddie Akpama, the Special Adviser on Intelligence to the State Governor, Bassey Otu, appealed for calm, saying the Governor was away but would be briefed.

Akpama advised the students to submit written petitions through appropriate channels, avoid inflammatory language, and engage authorities to ensure stability and uninterrupted academic activities.