The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger delta

  • Gov Emmanuel applauds FG over location of oil & gas facilities in A’Ibom

    Gov Emmanuel applauds FG over location of oil & gas facilities in A’Ibom

    Agency Reporter

    Governor Udom Emmanuel, has expressed the gratitude of the government and people of Akwa Ibom state to federal government for the planned location of NNPC oil and gas logistics centre in the state.

    The governor, who made his feelings known during the gala organized by the Akwa Ibom Government recently in honour of a delegation of Stakeholders in the oil and gas industry led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, proposed that the groundbreaking be done in September to mark the state’s 33 years’ anniversary.

    He further used the occasion to push for the relocation of multinational oil giants, ExxonMobil to Akwa Ibom state, while assuring that the state is safe and peaceful for them.

    The Governor said, “I want the Honourable Minister to make just a statement and ExxonMobil will be here. They are not safer where they are than in Akwa Ibom. Akwa Ibom is peaceful.’’

    “We are ready to support the relocation. ExxonMobil is a very difficult corporate citizen but the Minister can give them a directive to come here. They process over 15 billion barrel from our shores and that alone should propel them. They don’t have such excellent production anywhere else in the world.”

    He also expressed his readiness to provide support ranging from land and electricity for an NNPC depot in the state.

    Read Also: Making mining Nigeria’s next oil

    It was gathered that the federal government has approved the establishment of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), oil and gas logistic centre in Akwa Ibom.

    Earlier, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, announced the approval for a partnership deal for the establishment of a petroleum depot by the NNPC in the state.He said the federal government will partner with the state government to build a base which will be the first in Akwa Ibom and urged the governor to set up a team to work with the NNPC in drawing up modalities for the collaboration.

    Sylva said, ‘’I have the full support of NNPC to announce to you that we are very interested to partner you to build a base here. It will be the first here. It has also approved the immediate establishment of an oil and gas logistics facility in the state.’’

    He also noted that the visit was a response to Gov. Udom Emmanuel’s efforts in maintaining peace and security in the state.

    Going further, the Minister said, ‘’Few concerns were raised on the choice of Akwa Ibom for our retreat, but politics was not part of the consideration. As we go back, work will start in earnest. Mr President has already helped by signing a free trade zone status for that area.

    We went all the way to Ibaka, a very interesting and painstaking journey. Some people in my team were excited because it was a rare experience using the boats.”

  • Ijaw communities lament five decades of neglect, marginalisation

    Ijaw communities lament five decades of neglect, marginalisation

    By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

    The Ikebiri Kingdom, comprising three communities, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have lamented alleged neglect and marginalisation of their people by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

    The representative of the Kingdom, Mr Femene Ebiegberi Alpheaus, who made the communities’ plight known in a statement at the weekend, claimed though Agip had operated for over 50 years in the kingdom, there were no benefits to cushion the effects of the hazards of the oil exploration.

    They, therefore, demanded that pipeline and well head surveillance contracts be given to indigenes in the kingdom as well as scholarships for undergraduates and skills acquisition for indigenes of the kingdom.

    The kingdom equally demanded that monthly payment be given to chiefs, elders, youths, women forum and the executive of community development committees.

    The people regretted that despite exploring oil for over five decades in the communities, the oil multinational allegedly did not deem it fit to provide potable drinking water for them.

    READ ALSO: Bayelsa tribunal verdict evokes judicial anarchy

    They further said there was non-provision of health facilities by the company, noting that other communities with less number of oil wells had health facilities provided for them.

    They also revealed that the people were not benefitting from the employment and scholarship schemes of the oil company.

    The oil-producing communities said the company had yet to enter into any form of dialogue with them since 2014, adding that the non-negotiation of a new Memorandum of Understanding was against best international business practices.

    The kingdom said: “Agip has operated in our domain for 51 years with nothing to show for it. Efforts to initiate a new MOU after the first one between 2014 and 2020 has suffered a dangerous neglect. No potable water, no clinics, no employments, and no scholarships for our people. There is a deliberate delay since 2014.

    “There are 11 oil wells located in our kingdom. We demand crude flowstation in our kingdom based on our increase in production rate compared to our co-host communities.

    “I don’t know what we have done to them. We have oil wells. They should recognize us as host communities. There is no scholarship, no employment.”

  • Dickson joins Bayelsa West Senatorial race

    Dickson joins Bayelsa West Senatorial race

    Our Reporter

    The immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, has picked the nomination of interest form for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

    The former Governor opted to join the contest for the vacant Senatorial seat following overwhelming endorsements and calls on him by critical stakeholders to fill the vacant Senatorial seat.

    Chief Dickson said in a statement by his Media Advisor, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, on Friday, that he would make a formal declaration when he visits Bayelsa.

    The stakeholders who endorsed him cut across all the segments of the society such as women/youth groups, top political leaders, traditional rulers, students groups and others.

    The stakeholders who have sustained the pressure on the former Governor to contest the election procured the form for him to bring months of speculation involving his participation in the election to an end.

    Read Also: More support for Dickson’s senatorial bid

    There is the prevalent view in the Ijaw nation that the former Governor was the most suitable voice for the Senatorial District, Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation in the National Assembly.

    They said that Chief Dickson has the experience, the capacity, and the network to take advantage of the Senate to promote the cause of his people.

    Among those who endorsed Chief Dickson are Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, former Presidents of the Ijaw Youth Council, traditional rulers and political leaders.

    The ex-governor thanked Pa Clark, youth leaders, women groups and political leaders across party divide and the traditional rulers for the overwhelming endorsement she received from them.

    The former Governor who has been away in Abuja for about six months due to the COVID 19 pandemic is billed to visit Bayelsa and make a formal request to kick start his campaign.

     

  • No more comments on Amuchienwa, says Ohakim

    No more comments on Amuchienwa, says Ohakim

    Our Reporter

     

    FORMER governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, on Friday said, through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, that he does not want to make further comments on the current face-off between him and Ms Chinyere Lilian Amuchienwa, even as he called on his supporters and well-wishers to stand down.

    He noted that he has said enough to refute the allegations and is therefore not interested in further media exchanges on the matter.

    In a press release made available to The Nation on Friday, Ejimakor, who is the Managing Partner of Adulbert Legal Services in Abuja, said, “I refer to recent publications based on a number of unproven and libelous allegations by one Ms Chinyere Lilian Amuchienwa (née Igwegbe) against the person of His Excellency, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim (a former governor of Imo State) on whose instructions we hereby state as follows:

    “That it is understandable that media organisations are interested in obtaining Ohakim’s side of the story to the negative media publication, Ms Amuchienwa’s subsequent interview published on August 18, 2020 and other negative publications issuing therefrom.

    Read Also: Ohakim: When one good turn deserves another

    “That Ohakim hereby categorically states that he does not wish to say anything further on the matter beyond the press release issued by this counsel on August 13, 2020, the two interviews counsel subsequently granted to the media and the two press releases by Ohakim’s Political Adviser, the last of which sufficiently conveyed Ohakim’s profound lack of enthusiasm and distaste for any negative media against Ms Amuchienwa, even as this whole saga started with the initial publication of her libelous, incredulous and unproven allegations against his person.

    “That it is pertinent to note that Ohakim himself has not publicly uttered a word since this whole saga started with its inaugural publication which said it obtained the story from sources other than Ohakim. And all the public statements by Ohakim’s Political Adviser and this counsel have advisedly been centered on rebuttals of the unproven allegations publicly leveled against him by Ms Amuchienwa.”

    Ejimakor therefore said, “we are determined that our rebuttals, as enumerated above, are enough to refute those published false allegations.”

    The media have been inundated with reports of the misunderstanding between the former governor and his onetime campaign associate.

     

  • Obiano moves to replace two suspended monarchs

    Obiano moves to replace two suspended monarchs

    Nwanosike Onu, Awka

     

    FOLLOWING the suspension of 12 traditional rulers in Anambra State by the government for traveling outside the state without permission, there are moves by the government to replace two of them.

    Two of the traditional rulers, The Nation gathered Friday, are those of Mkpunando and Eziagulu -Otu communities, both in Aguleri, Anambra East local government area of the State

    It was gathered that Governor Willie Obiano, had seen it as a slight for those monarchs from his own territory to work against his administration.

    Read Also: Obiano’s kinsmen seek monarchs’ removal

    The monarchs were suspended on August 11, 2020 for traveling to Abuja to see President Muhammadu Buhari without approval from the state government.

    When contacted the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C Don Adinuba, said it had not come to the notice of his office.

    He assured The Nation he would look into the matter.

     

  • Edo election: PSF condemns attack on Tinubu

    Edo election: PSF condemns attack on Tinubu

    Gbenga Aderanti

     

    LEADERSHIP of the Progressives Solidarity Forum (PSF) has reacted to an attack on the National Leader of the All Progressives Progress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, by a group, the Progressives Solidarity Front (PSF)

    The PSF had, in a statement released by one Charles Obanor, asked Tinubu to hands-off Edo election or get exposed.

    Director of Policy and Strategy, Progressives Solidarity Forum (PSF), Tajudeen Alabede, said the aim of Charles Obanor was to discredit the national leader of the APC.

    PSF  statement reads:  ”For the avoidance of doubt, Progressives Solidarity Forum (PSF), a global platform for progressive-minded Nigerian professionals, uses this medium to inform our stakeholders and indeed all Nigerians that we have nothing to do with the author of the statement, Charles Obanor, and his group.

    Read Also: 2023: Buhari, Tinubu not Igbo’s problem

    “As a progressive platform that is committed to the promotion of progressive governance in Nigeria, Progressives Solidarity Forum (PSF) has highest regards for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the leaders of the progressive family in Nigeria.

    “We are worried by the misleading action of Charles Obanor as the name and acronym of the group that he chose to do the hatchet job bore striking semblance to our group’s.

    “As a legal entity that was duly registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission and having built a strong reputation as a foremost progressive platform in Nigeria, we will take all legitimate steps to protect our group’s name.”

     

  • Ijaw women condemn attack on ex-minister

    Ijaw women condemn attack on ex-minister

    Kunle Akinrinade

     

    IJAW Women Connect (IWC),  has condemned what it termed negative commentaries in a section of the media on a former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke following her participation in a recent conference organised by the group.

    The group said it would not sit down and watch the ex-minister unduly vilified for adding her voice to a discourse that concerns the Ijaw nation.

    A statement signed by the President of IWC-Worldwide, Rosemary John-Oduone, described the alleged vilification of the embattled minister for her frank and audacious speech as unnecessary and uncalled for.

    “We shall never allow the press or indeed any organization to victimize any Ijaw woman especially our sister who we coaxed out of solitude to demonstrate the character and strength of the Ijaw woman at the conference.”

    Read Also: Court orders Diezani to surrender for trial

    ‘’The attention of the Ijaw-Women Connect (IWC)has been drawn to the several articles and coverage of our beloved and dear sister, Dr. Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke’s presentation at the inaugural global virtual conference of the Ijaw-Women Connect, in partnership with the  Ijaw-Nation Development Group (INDG), on Friday 7th August 2020. We hereby wish to state clearly that we will not stand by and watch as she is being mis-quoted and vilified in the eyes of the press as a result of her speech, which was frank, audacious and topical, addressing the decay of fatherhood in Ijaw land.

    “This event is by the Ijaw people; for the Ijaw people, to address Ijaw issues. It is by no means set out to be a platform for national discourse, bearing in mind that the outcome will also affect the nation positively. All guests are proud sons and daughters of Ijaw land, passionate about building a strong, vibrant, and successful community.”

     

  • ISOPADEC workers beg Uzodimma to release detained colleagues

    ISOPADEC workers beg Uzodimma to release detained colleagues

    Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

     

    WORKERS of the Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC), have appealed to the state government, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to facilitate the immediate release of their colleagues from  prison custody.

    The state police command had arrested and detained 15 officials of the commission over their alleged attack on the convoy of the state governor while protesting their three -month salary arrears in Owerri on Monday.

    The 15 persons were charged to court by the police for treason on Wednesday and remanded in custody.

    Addressing newsmen in Owerri, the chairman of ISOPADEC Workers Union, Comrade Chinedu Awuzie,  insisted that the staff of the commission were not involved in the alleged attack on the governor’s convoy.

    While condemning the alleged attack, Awuzie said “All the workers of ISOPADEC stand with the state government to condemn the attack on governor’s convoy. We are peaceful and civilised people and would not tolerate such barbaric act. Let those behind the dastardly act be apprehended and prosecuted. But, we insist that none of the 15 staff of ISOPADEC held in prison nor any of us had any hand in the said attack. We therefore plead that the governor uses his good office to release our members from the prison”.

    Read Also: Uzodinma commissions road projects

    The workers used the opportunity to appeal to the governor to reverse the 80 per cent cut in their salaries in July.

    According the chairman, since workers of the commission don’t  receive pension after retirement, it was inhuman to slash their salaries.

    He added that besides the pay cut, government was still owing staff of the commission three –month salary, which he said had made them suffer untold hardship.

    Awuzie, who displayed bank details of their July salary, said while majority of their staff received 80 per cent pay cut, some of the staff members were yet to be paid.

  • Industrialist opens ‘constituency’office in Ughelli

    Industrialist opens ‘constituency’office in Ughelli

    Our Reporter

    An industrialist, Chief Lawrence Emareyo, shocked residents of Ughelli in Delta state, when he inaugurated what he called constituency office.

    Emareyo, who is neither a member of the State nor National Assembly, said the commissioning of a constituency office in Ughelli, was to cater for the needs of this kinsmen.

    Emareyo, who is the founder of Lawrence Emareyo Foundation, is rumoured to be aspiring for the Senate in 2023.

    Though the politician- cum- philanthropist has not officially declared his aspiration, he said the office would serve as a contact point between him and the people to enable him serve them better.

    READ ALSO: Foremost industrialist Akindele laid to rest in Ibadan

    The Nation, who spoke with select leaders of Ughelli, said Emareyo was the right man for the Senate seat, adding “he has been helping us even when he is not in government”.

    “His foundation has been reaching out to all of us and we are aware that he has been doing that in his personal capacity. This ambition is long overdue and we will definitely support him”

    Emareyo is the Chairman of Ibila Empire, IBILA Information Technology Institute, IBILA Transportation line, and logistics, IBILA Farms, IBILA Dredging Company and founder of the Lawrence Emareyo Foundation.

  • Officials, DCP clash over welfare of inmates

    Officials, DCP clash over welfare of inmates

     Bassey Anthony, Uyo

     

    OFFICIALS of the Uyo Correctional Service (Uyo Prisons) and the Deputy Controller of the Service, Babafemi Jaiyeoba, are fighting over the welfare of inmates.

    The officials accused Jaiyeoba of starving inmates, diverting food items/vocational tools and extortion, saying the DCP was secretly burying inmates who died from starvation

    But Jaiyeoba denied the allegations, saying they emanated from ‘rebellious officials whose illegal businesses were recently exposed’.

    According to him, authors of the petition were fond of smuggling hard drugs, weapons and other unlawful items into the facility.

    He said: “In a recent search of the facility, bags of Indian hemp, kitchen knives, gin and other dangerous weapons were discovered and linked to some of the officials. The perpetrators are infuriated and are rebelling.”

    Jaiyeoba explained that shortly after the discoveries, the officials began instigating the inmates against the authority, leading to the relocation of such inmates to Port Harcourt.

    Read Also: ‘Akwa Ibom APC becoming comatose’

    “To register his protest, one of the officials decided to skip work for a week and when he resumed, I subjected him to minor disciplinary actions which he rebuffed. He also openly threatened to ‘rubbish me’ and personally listed the allegations against my person,” he added.

    “We have continued to do our best to take care of inmates in our custody. We ensure they have regular medical care and we feed them well. Though we try to save as many as possible, death is inevitable. We lost six of the 1,005 within the year; most of them died in hospital.

    “I know where these allegations are coming from, I can mention their names, but because their cases are still being investigated, we have to allow them, while we continue to do the right thing.”