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Peace Test: Shell Shuns 320 Host Communities
For failing to pass an institutional peace test packaged to encourage mutual peace, sustainable development and prosperity in the Niger Delta, 320 host communities of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) have been denied access to the pecks of development and corporate recognition as partners in business and development.
The 320 communities are spread from Peremabiri in Diebu Creek of Bayelsa through Egbema in Imo, Imo River 1-3 and Isimiri in Abia to Bonny Island in Rivers, covering 10 cluster development areas.
Consequently, the violence-prone, economic sabotage-infested and disunited host communities in the four states have been charged to avoid those negative vices in order to leap-frog into the fast track of peace, development and prosperity, which the region desperately needs to jump-start the meaningful development of oil-rich communities and transform the lives of the impoverished Niger Deltans.
In a colourful ceremony to celebrate unfettered peace and exceptional service delivery in the 30 communities in the four states, the company, last Friday in Port Harcourt, bestowed 81 outstanding awards on 30 communities and 51 surveillance contractors and workers in 10 clusters within Shell Land 1 and 2 Areas of its Eastern Operations.
Presenting the awards, the company’s Asset Manager, Chidube Nnene-Anochie, the most peaceful communities were selected using a five-matrix criteria anchored on average ease of securing and sustaining freedom to operate, zero facility shut down, zero disruptions and oil deferment, lowest number of pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering, and a weighted factor that provides level playing field for communities in both GMoU and non-GMoU intervention areas.
Nnene-Anochie, who said the award was also to motivate host community surveillance contractors, pipeline surveillance contractors and workers, added that the winners were selected based on their contributions to zero third party leaks, actual number of staff employed and scope of attacks, promptness and accuracy of workers’ payment, frequency of patrol, and frequency of grass cutting as a proactive response to cases of attacks.
The asset manager noted that the strategy was a significant demonstration of the willingness of the joint venture partners to recognise and reward peaceful communities, surveillance contractors and workers for their exceptional service delivery in spite of a very challenging operating environment in 2011, and hoped that the gesture would motivate others to stand out for recognition in 2012 while strengthening existing relationships with communities and stakeholders.
The Tide gathered that the first category of awards involving Land 1 East surveillance contractors providing cover to flowlines and facilities in six clusters traversing Obigbo North, Agbada/Apara, Umuechem/Obelle, Imo-1/Imo-3/Elelenwo, Imo-2/Isimiri and Afam fields, went to eighteen recipients, with six first and second prize winners as well as six outstanding workers.
It was further learnt that the Land 2 East flowlines and facilities surveillance contractors in five clusters of Egbema, Rumuekpe, Adibawa/Ubie, Nun River/Diebu Creek and Gbaran Kolo Creek also got fifteen awards including five first and five second prize winners, and five outstanding workers.
Responding on behalf of the award recipients, Chief Priscilla Vikue from Ogoni, Apostle Nwafor Okike from Egbema, and Tochukwu Ogbuli, lauded Shell for recognising their modest contributions to the sustenance of peace, development and a congenial business environment for the future prosperity of the region, and challenged other communities that did not scale the stringent hurdle to brace up and ensure unmitigated peace, convivial atmosphere for business and development as a prelude to greater reward.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”