Nation

Group demands appointment of Ekpeye people into NDDC …Berates oil multinational on security

Published

3 years ago

December 29, 2023

A group known as Ekpeye Oil and Gas (EOG) Pipelines Host Families Association has held it’s Annual Celebration and Sensitization Programme for the year, 2023 with a call for federal government to include ekpeye sons and daughters in to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

The event which was held on Tuesday at the National Secretariat of the Association along Omoku Road in Ahaoda East local government area of Rivers State attracted the cream of personality from the Ekpeye kingdom

Speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the Organization- Comrade Dogini Chidi, noted that Ekpeye is one of the biggest contributors to the wealth of the Nation ,stressing that it host about Six Oil Multinationals with about Eight to Nine Licensed Oil Mining Fields.

He name some of the oil field being hosted in the area as OML 21, OML 22, OML 27, OML 28, OML 54, OML 58, OML 60, and OML 61. adding that Ekpeye Ethnic Nation also a host other major Crude Export Lines that holds the wealth of the Nation.

He wonder why the Ekpeyes are never considered for appointments or benefits noting that other groups are benefiting from juicy appointments than the Ekpeyes” the divide and rule tactics adopted by oil Multinationals was responsible for the unending crisis in the land, and has put the people down, and on a disadvantaged position.”

“As a way forward to having a better industrial relationship between Ekpeye people and the Oil Multinationals operating in the area, the Multinationals should give Ekpeye people the opportunity of being employed into various positions and be awarded contracts to, as rightly provided by the Local Content Act, to ameliorate their sufferings.”

The EOG National Chairman berated oil Multinationals on the for the underdevelopment of their Host Communities and lack of social infrastructures and other entitlements, especially, as contained in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that has since been signed into law.

“The Multinationals being referred to here, includes the following: Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Total Energies, Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Aradei Holdings Plc (Former Niger Delta Petroleum Resources), Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG), Power gas Nigeria Limited and Chevron. ”

” Federal Government to consider an Ekpeye Son or Daughter for appointment into the NDDC Board, in view of the quantum of contribution Ekpeye Ethnic Nation has made to the National Earnings.
what is good for the Goose is also good for the Gander, and that it will be a disservice to the people if the Federal Government would continue to treat the Ekpeye people like a subservient group and second class citizens.”

Speaking further when asked about the issue of security concerns often raised by the Oil Multinationals, Comrade Dogini said, that was the purpose and essence of the sensitization; to continue to concientize the youths on the need to stay away from artesinal refining, illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalization, and other related vices.

The EOG Boss condemn the unwilling attitude of Oil Multinationals to supporting the Association in carrying out it’s Quarterly Sensitization Programmes. Expressing his chagrin dismay, the EOG Boss said, “I doubt the sincerity of the Companies to curb or end insecurity and Pipeline sabotage in our area. There are several evidences of our communication towards reducing insecurity, pipeline sabotage and oil theft in the land without meaningful response.
I strongly believe there are benefits that accrue to the IOCs by hoisting insecurity in their Host Communities in a bid to extract their Oil without meaningful development and benefit to the people; that must stop”.

He called on the Federal Government and other Regulatory Authorities to impress it upon the Multinational Oil Companies to support programmes aimed at ending insecurity, pipeline sabotage and oil theft in their Host Communities.

The EOG Boss used the opportunity to call on Oil surveillance Contractors to be Community friendly, noting that the “carrot and stick” approach remains a major challenges in the Host Communities.

used as cash cow and settlements for friends and cronies.

Other speakers who spoke at the event include Hon. Ibezhim Green Ogbuleka, Alhaji Abdulrazaak Philip Echeya, Dr. Captain Ogbuewe and Rt. Hon. (Engr) Mc Sunday Ugwu were of the opinion that non violent approach was the way to go in seeking for a better deal for the Ekpeye People.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Nation

HYPREP Marks 15 Years Of UNEP Report, Highlights Major Cleanup Milestones

Published

1 week ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has commemorated the 15th anniversary of the release of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, reaffirming its commitment to restoring the environment and improving the livelihoods of affected communities.

In a statement signed by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, to commemorate the anniversary, HYPREP described the anniversary as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s environmental restoration efforts, noting that the project has made remarkable progress in implementing the recommendations of the landmark UNEP report released on August 4, 2011.

The UNEP report had revealed extensive oil pollution across Ogoniland, severe environmental degradation, and serious public health risks resulting from decades of petroleum operations. It also recommended an initial $1 billion fund to commence the cleanup of the affected communities.

According to HYPREP, the Federal Government formally launched the Ogoni clean-up in 2016, while the Project Coordination Office was established in 2017 to drive the implementation of UNEP’s recommendations.
Zabbey said the current administration has continued to prioritise the project under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Providing an update on the cleanup, the Project Coordinator disclosed that 30 of the 65 contaminated sites identified by UNEP have been fully remediated, while work is ongoing at several medium- and high-risk locations. It also stated that more than 1.5 million mangrove seedlings have been planted as part of what it described as the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves, with over 1,000 hectares of shoreline already rehabilitated.

Zabbey further revealed that 49 Ogoni communities have been connected to potable water schemes through multiple water projects and booster stations aimed at providing safe drinking water across the region.

In the health sector, he said the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Kpite and the 43-bed Cottage Hospital in Buan are nearing completion, adding that several existing health facilities have been upgraded with modern medical equipment, while five ambulances have been donated to improve emergency healthcare services. The Project Coordinator also disclosed that a three-year human health biomonitoring study is being conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

On economic empowerment, Zabbey stated that the Project has created more than 8,000 direct jobs and trained thousands of Ogoni youths and women in various vocational and technical skills, including software development, cybersecurity, aviation, commercial diving, seafaring, mechatronics, and creative arts. The project also reported awarding scholarships to more than 1,000 students, providing grants to small businesses, and supporting persons living with special needs through skills acquisition programmes.

The statement further highlighted ongoing legacy projects, including the Ogoni Power Project and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, which it said is about 96 per cent complete. HYPREP also welcomed the recent designation of the Ogoni Wetland as a Ramsar Site of International Importance and pledged to continue promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of the ecosystem.

Marking the anniversary, Zabbey said the progress achieved over the past 15 years demonstrates the collective commitment of government, development partners, stakeholders, and local communities to restoring Ogoniland. He called for renewed collaboration to sustain the cleanup effort, promote environmental sustainability, and support the long-term development of the region. 3

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

2 months ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) says it has strengthened collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to enhance quality control and enforcement frameworks.

Mr Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, the Head of Communications, REAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the collaboration would also involve stakeholder engagement on testing, certification and capacity building in Nigeria.

He said the synergy would strengthen quality control and enforcement frameworks, promote policy alignment, and ensure stronger regulation across the renewable energy value chain.

“REAN reaffirms its commitment to standardisation and quality assurance; tighter collaboration with SON is critical to eliminating fake and substandard renewable energy products from the Nigerian market.

“Enforcement and gaps in existing standards have continued to allow inferior products to circulate, undermining consumer confidence and slowing sector growth.”

Lloyd-Dietake said that at high-level discussions, REAN also highlighted the need for stronger regulatory coordination to address emerging challenges in the renewable energy space.

According to him, the issues include inconsistencies in standards, affordability issues linked to certification processes; and the increasing presence of substandard solar and renewable energy equipment in the country.

“The association further raised concerns about delays in product testing and approval, calling for the establishment of more testing laboratories and certification facilities to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks in the system,’’ he said.

Lloyd-Dietake urged closer collaboration among key regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Rural Electrification Agency.

He said such team work would ensure harmonised standards and more effective enforcement against fake renewable energy products in the Nigerian market.

In response, SON acknowledged the important role REAN continued to play in supporting standardisation within Nigeria’s renewable energy industry and reaffirmed its willingness to deepen collaboration with the association.

SON further confirmed that REAN would be actively involved in future standard review processes and upcoming stakeholder engagements related to renewable energy and electric mobility standards development.

Lloyd-Dietake said REAN affirmed its willingness to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

He said the MoU is aimed at deepening cooperation, promoting quality assurance, and accelerating Nigeria’s transition towards reliable and standardised renewable energy solutions.

Nation

Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

Published

2 months ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Programme, implemented by Self Help Africa, has expanded access to safe water and sanitation services for more than 320,000 people in Kano and Cross River States.

The organisation disclosed this on Tuesday at the WS4H National Results and Learning Workshop in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed achievements and lessons from the intervention.

Speaking at the event, Self Help Africa Country Director, Joy Aderele, said the programme demonstrated that sustainable WASH improvements require strong institutions, effective governance, adequate financing and collaboration.

Aderele said the UK-funded programme was designed to strengthen systems that support sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.

According to her, the intervention focused on improving governance, planning, financing, accountability and sector coordination to ensure resilient service delivery.

“More than 320,000 people now have improved or restored access to water services through programme-supported interventions,” she said.

She added that more than 5,520 household toilets were constructed in Yala and Makoda Local Government Areas, boosting sanitation, public health and efforts to end open defecation.

Aderele said the programme also strengthened public investment in WASH, with Cross River increasing its sector budget by 211 per cent in 2026 and Kano by 169.07 per cent.

She added that dedicated WASH budget lines had been established across 40 Ministries, Departments and Agencies in both states, strengthening accountability and institutional commitment.

According to her, both states reviewed and adopted updated WASH policies, while key planning documents were developed to guide future investments and service delivery.

She said Cross River also recorded a major legislative milestone through the passage of the Water Law and Open Defecation Prohibition Bill.

Aderele added that lessons from interventions in Yala LGA were already informing expansion efforts in Obubra Local Government Area.

While commending the achievements, she noted that capacity gaps, resource constraints and climate-related pressures remained challenges to sustainable WASH services.

“The sustainability of these gains will depend on continued government leadership, adequate financing, strong partnerships and investment in institutional capacity,” she said.

Also speaking, the Programme Manager of WS4H, Mr Timothy Ibeawuchi, said the intervention focused on strengthening systems needed to sustain gains and attract future investments.

According to him, the programme engages stakeholders in developing strategies that preserve achievements and support long-term service delivery.

“System strengthening work takes time because it addresses the fundamental issues responsible for sustainable and resilient service delivery,” he said.

Ibeawuchi said the programme strengthened policy development, planning, financing, monitoring and evaluation systems across the WASH sector.

He said two pilot local government areas were supported to develop WASH strategic plans outlining sector goals, targets and activities between 2026 and 2030.

According to him, the plans will guide future interventions and improve service delivery in the affected councils.

Earlier, the representative of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chidera Chukwu, reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s development efforts in spite of the programme nearing completion.

Chukwu commended the Self Help Africa-led consortium for delivering the programme with professionalism and a strong focus on systems strengthening.

He said the consortium contributed greatly to strengthening Nigeria’s WASH sector through policy reforms, improved coordination and enhanced accountability.

“Together, we have advanced key policy and legislative reforms, including open defecation-free laws and strengthened state WASH frameworks,” he said.

According to him, the reforms represent enduring system-level changes that will continue delivering benefits beyond the programme’s lifespan.

In his remarks, Mr Jamilu Habu, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, commended the programme’s achievements.

Habu, who represented the Permanent Secretary, said the intervention strengthened governance, coordination, evidence-based planning and institutional capacity in the WASH sector.

He described the workshop as an opportunity to review achievements, share lessons and identify pathways for sustaining and scaling successful interventions.

According to him, the programme’s innovations and best practices will guide future policies and investments aimed at expanding access to safe WASH services.

Habu stressed the need for continued collaboration among governments, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities.

He said stronger partnerships remained essential to achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and meeting Sustainable Development Goal 6.