News
‘HYPREP, Committed To Sustainable Ecosystem, Peace, Dev In Ogoniland’
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey has maintained that the project, through the plethora of projects and programmes it is undertaking, is committed to the sustainable ecosystem, peace and development of Ogoniland.
Zabbey stated this when he presented a status update brief to the Ogoni community and other diaspora stakeholders in the United States of America at the November 10th Anniversary organised by MOSOP USA Chapter, as part of HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder engagement and inclusivity.
“It is our desire to see sustainable ecosystem, peace and development in Ogoniland. Since 2017, the Federal Government of Nigeria through HYPREP has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the people of Ogoniland live in a clean and economically viable environment. We believe that a clean environment is the gateway to the realisation of other goals and this platform – the 2023 commemoration – offers innovative and new workable model for stakeholder engagement and co-operation for the achievement of these set goals,’’ he said.
On livelihood, he mentioned the provision of sustainable livelihoods vis-à-vis training of 5,000 Ogoni women and youths in 20 different skill sets, training of 100 youths in mega skill areas of aviation, mechatronics, seafaring and creative arts. The first sets of 30 youths in the aviation training have been certified. Also, the project has carried out a survey of small and medium scale businesses in Ogoniland. In August 2023, HYPREP as part of its sustainable livelihood programme provided business interventions funds to 60 Ogoni small business owners.
Similarly, the commissioning of the Barako water station, one of the six water projects in the Phase 1 scheme is a demonstration of the Project’s commitment to provide potable water that meets World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standards. This is in addition to the earlier commissioned Alesa Water Station that is supplying water to the community and its environs.
He said the four other water stations in Bori, Kpean, Korokoro and Ebubu are nearing completion and ready for commissioning.
The Project Coordinator noted that another 14 water schemes that would supply water to 52 Ogoni communities are ongoing.
“It goes without saying that the construction of the fourteen water schemes will create job opportunities for the youths in these communities and thus reduce the burden of unemployment. During the construction works, plumbing and other relevant skills would be passed on to the locals who stand the chance of learning lifelong economic skills for their economic empowerment’’, he explained.
On the progress made in remediation, the Project Coordinator said, “The Ogoni clean-up project has progressed consistently from the first contracts of 21 lots in Phase 1 Batch 1 to 29 lots in Phase 1 Batch 2. We have closed out 36 lots, while 14 lots are at different stages of completion. We have also awarded contracts for tier 2 assessment for other sites that gave us concerns which we allotted into seven lots. In the Phase 2 remediation, the scope of work includes the preliminary works, site reassessment and characterisation by the contractors. The main contract has two stages: the contractors will do distinct site characterisation and remediation of both soil and groundwater. Which will culminate in the planting of mangroves being the natural flora in this area while taking into consideration their natural patterns”.
He further indicated that the planting of mangroves which is a key component of the shoreline remediation works will furnish locals with mangrove nursing skills and the economic benefits that come with it. According to him, the Ogoni people are already being trained in the nursing of mangroves. We plan to restore three thousand (3,000) hectares of oil-degraded mangrove in Ogoniland. This will involve the planting of about 10 million mangrove seedlings, which will be the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves. Much of the mangrove planting will be done following shoreline cleanup delineated into 34 lots. The pilot planting on approximately 600 ha of shores in Bomu community has been awarded to nine contractors. The areas earmarked for immediate mangrove revegetation have been identified through site characterisation using the Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT)’’.
He said all of these are running alongside the special projects, namely: the Ogoni Power Project, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) and the 100 Bed Specialist Hospital. He expressed optimism that these projects will gradually turn Ogoniland into a construction site with the resultant effect on the local economy and income of households.
Zabbey noted that these legacy projects will have far reaching benefits and address core concerns on health, sustainable livelihood, human capital development and environmental restoration.
He stated that the Project has maintained effective supervision, monitoring and evaluation to ensure value for money.
The Project Coordinator, however, expressed worries on the challenges bedevilling the smooth implementation of the projects and called for more stakeholders’ collaboration in addressing the issues.
He disclosed that HYPREP is institutionalising the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in resolving community issues and will continue to engage communities through sensitisation programmes, town hall meetings and interactive sessions.
He equally noted that HYPREP’s mission statement is simple: that all Ogoni people regardless of their status, creed or location should be a part of the clean-up process and benefit accordingly.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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