Niger Delta

NGO, Stakeholders Partner On Campaign Against Oil Spills, Grievance Mechanism

Published

2 years ago

July 19, 2023

A Non-governmental organisation, Stakeholders Alliance for Corporate Accountability (SACA), has just rounded off a one-day event tagged “Triggers of Human Rights and Community Gatekeepers Action Reflection Forum” in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Speaking with newsmen at the event, Executive Director of SACA, Mr Kingsley Ozegbe, said the programme was held in a bid to steer community leaders in the state to take non-violence actions against crude oil spillages due to the huge health hazards linked to their exposure and also to sensitize them on ways to channel their grievances against companies operating in their areas.
The Tide learnt that the event is a component of SACA’s project that is titled, “the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) in conflict and post-conflict contexts in the Niger Delta region”.
The Tide reports that the state’s Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Environment made presentations about the risks that are linked to crude oil spillages into the environment.
Meanwhile, the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for stoppage of further willful damages and illegal activities in the oil business in the State to safeguard the environment and people.
The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) also indicated its willingness to synergize with stakeholders to address grievances and improve relationship with host communities to end oil spills.
The Grievance Coordinator, Stakeholders Management and Community Development Division, NAOC, Mrs. Diepreye Torubiri, stated this while making a presentation on Agip’s grievance mechanism.
She sensitized the communities about the NAOC Grievance Mechanism, the Stakeholders Management System (SMS), on what it entails, the processes involved, and the channels of receiving grievances, just as she assured communities that NAOC is open to dialogue.
Torubiri added that the process cannot be completed without constituting an engagement until their complaints were addressed, urging aggrieved communities to send their complaints in writing through a credible body like SACA, CLO and NAOC offices for it to be addressed.
In their separate presentations, Director of Petroleum and Pollution, Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, Engr. Enai Reuben, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Okoya Embasi, and Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Stowe Jones, cautioned against oil spills.
The trio noted that crude oil spillage degrades the environment, saying it leads to loss of food security and several health challenges including impotence and infertility, frequent miscarriages, change in DNA, as well as various types of cancer, defective births and many more harms.
The Executive Director of SACA, Mr Kingsley Ozegbe said that SACA invited leadership of 40 communities in Bayelsa State, adding also that the NGO is working to reach and sensitize 72 communities by September 2024.
“SACA is concerned over the effect of oil spills on humans, aquatic life and the entire environment.
“SACA’s quest in carrying out continuous sensitization was hinged on its resolve to end the threat posed by Oil spills from either third party interference on oil facilities or equipment failure on the other hand”, the Executive Director said.
This was even as he said the initiative is part of the charge of Pope Francis, who is asking all humanity to care for nature, because it is a common home.
On his part, Head of legal Services and Enforcement, National Human Rights Commission, Bayelsa state office, Barr. Goselle Vinning called on all stakeholders to checkmate the threat posed by vandals in order to forestall the occurrence of oil spills.
He added that human right violations in the affected communities are being given the attention it deserves.
Tide Tide, which monitored the event, reports that participants openly engaged in frank discussions.
Participants reflected on the presentations and shared experiences of actions they are taking to safeguard their community from these menace, just as participants also asked questions and got answers.
Meanwhile, SACA during the programme informed communities that the grievances they received have been submitted to NAOC and hope to get feedback from the firm soon.
The Tide learnt that SACA is being funded by Misean Cara of the Republic of Ireland and St. Patrick Missionary Society.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

5 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

8 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

8 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.