The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • There are assurances for safety at Warri Port, says Customs

    The Customs Area Controller, Edo/Delta Command, Mr. Olaniyi Alajogun, sheds light on the activities of the Nigerian Customs Service in his area of operation, highlighting some specific improvements in the areas of revenue generation, strategies employed in ensuring target mandate is met, security issues, prospects for the Warri/Delta ports and other issues. He spoke with BOLAJI OGUNDELE.

    What is your revenue target for this year? 

    Our monthly revenue target, as a command, is N1.5 billion and this will give you about N18 billion a year.

    From January till date, how close are you to your target? 

    From the figures we have now, we must have done beyond 50 per cent of our target for the year. In April, we got about N1.7 billion. In May, we realised N2.3 billion and on June 23, we also netted in N2.3 billion.

    People plan their businesses for the entire year from the first three months of the year; waiting for what the government policies will look like and all that. However, we still got a little bit close to the N1.5 billion mark. The little losses we experienced in the first few months of the year had been covered in April, May and June.

    Revenue for January-June last year is N6, 867,808,602.87 while the corresponding period for this year is N10, 086,545,252. We had an increment of N3, 218,736,649.2

    What accounted for the improvement in April, May and June is the deployment of professionalism in our operations. We try as much as possible to ensure that all the revenue that is accruable to government comes to it. There is due diligence in everything we do, even as we ensure that we get maximum results.

    How do ensure that you meet your target? 

    We meet our targets by ensuring that all loopholes are plugged to guarantee that all the revenue accruable to government are realised. We hope to see a situation where cargo inputs will increase because from the feelers we are getting, more people are interested in using this seaport considering the issues they are having with Lagos port. Though that has not started yet, we are hopeful that before the year runs out, there will be an improvement in cargo inputs.

    Have you met your expectations in the efforts made so far to make the seaport workable? 

    Not really, but on the part of government, I think they have it at the back of their mind that this port must work. For example, on the issues of dredging, the contract has already been awarded and work is ongoing. So, until that is done, we cannot say there is any improvement. But we are happy that the work is ongoing. Definitely when that is done, more sea vessels will be coming.

    Vessels have not started using this port, but the issue of proliferation of arms is becoming worrisome. What are security agencies doing about the issue? 

    We are not unaware that criminals who engage in these criminal activities would want to use this port to carry out their activities considering the fact that Lagos ports have become uncomfortable for them.

    For the reason, we try as much as possible to make sure that there is 100 per cent inspection of the little cargoes that are coming here. So, anyone thinking of using this port to carry out his criminal activities is just taking an undue risk because we make sure that we carry out 100 per cent examination; nothing is left unchecked.

    One of the phenomenal problems experienced in the port was that of insecurity. What is the Customs Service doing to assure people that the personnel could be trusted? 

    For now the port is relatively peaceful and there have always been assurances by the Customs and even the Federal and state governments concerning their commitment to the security of lives and properties. The state government has taken it upon itself to talk to the educators of youths and community that anytime the port comes alive, the issue of harassment of importers will not be tolerated.

    By and large, I think they are coming to terms with the fact that it is for their own interest that the port should function. So, the issue is insecurity is relatively tackled. On the part of security agencies, I think we all know the kind of government that we have now. The Federal Government has zero-tolerance for corruption and nobody wants to get into trouble. I think everybody wants to do the job the way it is supposed to be done and get the economy moving.

    We no longer experience the Lagos kind of traffic in the port. Are you optimistic that, sooner than later, this port will be able to generate as much as Lagos port?

    Why not? The indices for generating high revenue are nothing but high cargo movement. If the port becomes functional and with its location close to the Southeast where we have a lot of businesses, there are hopes that we will have high revenue in the near future. This is because I do not see any reason why a businessman in the Southeast will still want to go to Lagos to do his business when the Warri Port is working. It does not make sense to me.

  • Free health care programme for Akwa Ibom communities

    Attritions among oil prospecting companies and their host communities are commonplace in Akwa Ibom State. But an indigenous oil company, Oriental Energy Resources, has decided to bring succour to those indigenous to Mbo Local Government Area.

    A total of 4, 634 patients benefited from free medical programme during which various ailments were treated, including 33 who underwent eye surgery and over 100 patients who received eyeglasses, expectant mothers were given antenatal kits. School children and their teachers also received hygiene sets.

    The Chairman, Effiat Council of Chiefs praised the firm for “saving the lives of the people. In fact, this is not the first time they are doing this”.

    A 73-year-old Sylvanus Bassey whose sight was restored during the free eye surgery beamed with smiles as he said the initiative has positively affected the lives of residents of the communities who never dreamt of accessing such free and quality medical facility. He praised the firm for the gesture.

    While pouring encomiums on the company, a beneficiary from Enwang, Emmanuel Enukit, enjoined others to take a cue from the oil firm, appealing to the firm to consider carrying out the programme twice in a year considering the fact that health is wealth.

    A member of the Community Relations Committee (CRC), Mfon Henry was excited over the programme. He was particular abaout the eye surgery programme which he said has gone a long way towards restoring the sights of the people who couldn’t afford the cost of surgery in government or privately-own hospitals.

    However, Henry would want the firm to increase the budgetary allocation of the yearly programme so that more patients will benefit from it. He commended the firm for having a good working relationship with the host communities and the relevant stakeholders.

    “It is commendable and I thank God for the organisation. They have tried so much so that I am equally a beneficiary of the programme. Where would I have gotten the money to carry out the surgical operation which has been done free here? ‘’

    Deputy Manager, Community Relations, Anslem Okere, said: “The free medical exercise is part of our corporate social responsibilities to ensure a healthy populace in our host communities. We take host communities as major stakeholders in our operations.  We have done the free medical outreach on several occasions and the turnout has always been very tremendous.

    “More importantly, this year, we added the free eye surgery because the people demanded we incorporate it in the programme. We had to ensure that their demand was met and they have so much appreciated the gesture.

    “Apart from the free medical outreach, we have also embarked on other social investments including scholarships, skill acquisition centre at Enwang, 100 Oriental units at Enwang and teachers’ quarters at Effiat, among others.”

    Similarly, Community Relations Officer, Greg Okpo, who is indigenous to the area, said the exercise has brought joy to his people.

    “My people are happy because of the free surgery. This kind of surgery costs a lot of money in some hospitals and that is why they are so elated because many of them are indigent and cannot afford the cost.

    “So far, the company has shown a cordial relationship with the people and they are appealing for more of this kind of goodwill,” he said.

    The Chairman of Mbo Local Government Area, Asukwo Eyo, who declared the programme open, praised the oil firm for the exercise, which he said would go a long way in meeting the health needs of the people and complement government’s efforts at providing comprehensive health care delivery for the citizens.

    The council chief said: “Health is wealth as the saying goes. Therefore, this exercise is, indeed, a welcome development. We are happy with the organisation for this gesture. The people of Mbo are happy for having access to this comprehensive health care delivery from the firm and we urge it to continue in that stead because government alone cannot meet the needs of the citizens. I urge other firms to take a cue from this company.”

    The Managing Director, Faith Optical and Medical Services Limited, Dr. David Ehimhen, said need assessment led to the inclusion of eye surgery in this year’s outreach, describing the week-long free health care exercise as very successful. He thanked members of Mbo and Effiat CRC as well as other community leaders for their co-operation.

    It was gathered that the firm has carried out many social investments in the oil-rich area which include 100 units of housing estate, skill acquisition centre, teachers’ quarter and yearly scholarship scheme for indigent students in tertiary institutions, among others.

    “Nobody expected the accomplishments of the company within short a time in the area. Other companies have been exploring here for 20 years, yet there is nothing to show for their presence here. But Oriental is a different kettle of fish. It has set a new standard for local content and we are grateful”, said a community leader, Chief Eyo Robin, a beneficiary of pterygium surgery.

    Residents of the oil-producing communities want other marginal and major oil companies operating in the area to take a cue from Oriental.

    The consensus is that the company has become a benchmark for oil firms in the area.

    The challenge for the other companies is to raise the bar. They stated that the firm is a good case study from which stakeholders can pick valuable lessons. And one of the vital lessons is for the industry operators to ensure their impacts are felt positively by the host communities.

  • Sport: Unifying factor Nigeria sorely needs

    A philanthropist and businessman in Cross River State, Mr. Ben Akak has said that sports, especially football, should serve a unifying factor among the various ethnic groups in the country.

    Akak, who visited the management and players of the Rovers Football Club of Calabar in their camp in Calabar, said though the government was doing its best to maintain the team, prominent citizens of the state also had a duty to support the club financially and morally.

    He regretted that Calabar Rovers, which was a household name in the past had gone down because of lack of support.

    Akak, who donated N500, 000 to the club to assist in its participation of the FA Cup competition, promised that he would do everything within his powers and resources to support the club to reclaim its glory.

    He promised to donate one million naira to the club if it wins the cup.

    He solicited the support of prominent citizens of the state for the club to improve their performance.

    He stressed the need to encourage sporting activities at the grassroots level in order to identify talented youths to participate in national and international sports competitions.

    Receiving the money on behalf of the club, its General Manager, Mr. Ejim Ebam, commended Mr. Akak for the gesture.

    He said the money would assist the players to participate in the ongoing FA cup competition.

    The coach of the club, Mr. Bob Osim said although the club was faced with various challenges, it would do everything possible to win the FA Cup.

    He thanked Mr. Akak for the donation and called on other public-spirited individuals to assist as the players were passing through a trying period.

  • Constituents roll out the drums for ex-lawmaker

    It was a day to say ‘Thank you’ to the immediate past Deputy Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Pally Iraise by residents of Owan Federal Constituency for providing quality and effective representation. Hon. Iraise had earlier served as Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Chairman of Owan East Local Government Area and Secretary to the Edo State Government.

    Last week, the people rolled out the drums to celebrate Iraise by organising a reception in his honour. Chairman of the “Committee of Friends” Hon. Ambrose Imoode said Iraise focused on people-friendly legislation and policies.

    The reception also provided an avenue to remind their incumbent representative in the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere to perform above the standard set by Iraise as they would not accept any excuses.

    Imoode listed some projects executed and attracted by Iraise to include electrification of over 50 communities, construction of the Otuo-Ikhin-Afuze Road, N500 million earth dam projects to provide water for over 50 communities.

    Others are five health facilities with Doctors’ residence and solar-powered borehole at Ihievbe and Ikpeyan-Okpujid, borehole projects at Ozalla, Uhunmora-Ora, Okpujie, Ukhuse, Eruere, Ugbubezi, Sobe, Otuo, Ake, Ikhin, Igue-Sale, Ikao, Ihievbe, Ogben, Afuze and Errah communities and ICT centres at Michael Imodu College of Physical Education (now a campus of Tayo Akpata University) and Edeki Grammar School.

    He said several projects attracted by Iraise were geared at economic and social empowerment  of the people.

    He said: “Owan had hitherto been faced with leadership problems and this has always affected our development.”

    Other speakers, however, lamented the continued closure of Otuo General Hospital despite N200 million intervention projects by Hon. Iraise. The Otuo General Hospital was built and completed during the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The intervention of Iraise saw the installation of solar-powered energy, a new ambulance, construction of Radiology building housing X-ray machines; supply and installation of incubators, incinerator; hospital beds, mattresses, trolleys and refrigerators, among others.

    The residents said the hospital was supposed to make the people have access to quality health care but they had to resort to traditional healers to treat their ailments if they could not go to either Afuze in Owan East Local Government Area, Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area or Auchi in Estako West Local Government Area for medical care.

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu urged Iraise not to consider retiring from politics as the country still needs his services.

    He said politicians such as Iraise are difficult to find.

    On his part, Iraise said he was a restless legislator moving to key ministries because he knew his people would not understand if he counted to them the many motions and bills he sponsored.

    He said he picked the projects based on their benefits to the people and to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people, adding that he has no fears that the projects would be abandoned since funds were released to the tune of 70 per cent.

    His words: “The Otuo General Hospital is yet to be functional. It is equipped to a standard that is above the normal standard you find in other hospitals. It is a state government facility. The question of why the government has decided not to be attracted to do what they must do in order to inaugurate the hospital is what I don’t have any idea about. I feel bad. I feel sad that people in this community and its environs are dying needlessly. Even if the hospital is just a department alone, we are talking about 150,000 people. We have good health facility but it is not functional. There is total neglect of a good health facility.

    “I was able to attract these projects because my thought processes were re-modelled. I had to focus on how I would attract Federal projects when people asked me during campaigns what projects I would attract to them.

    “I used my constituency projects as seed projects to bait Federal Government to start key projects which the government later took over.”

  • Dickson’s aide donates books to library in Bayelsa

    An author and poet, Michael Afenfia, has donated books to a private library, Prof. Azaiki Public Library in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    Afenfia, a former state Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), handed the bags of assorted novels, including one he authored over to the library management.

    Presenting the books at the library, Afenfia said the gesture was aimed at promoting reading culture, which he said was on the decline among students in all levels of education in the country.

    The speech writer to Governor Seriake Dickson noted that the donation was to also complement the huge investments made by the Dickson-led Restoration Government in education.

    He also commended Prof. Steve Azaiki, owner of the library, for his contributions to education in Bayelsa State.

    He said: “This presentation is actually borne out of the decision of my wife and I to contribute to education development in Bayelsa State. We all know that, over the years, there has been a decline in reading culture and the standard of education across the country.

    “We felt that a move such as this can help to begin to bring that back in conjunction with whatever thing that the Bayelsa State government is doing to ensure that education is a front burner issue in this state.”

    Responding, Prof. Azaiki, represented by the Manager, Azaiki Foundation, Mr. Goodwin Fefegha thanked Mr. Afenfia for donating to the library.

    He said the donor had contributed immensely to the advancement of education in the country, even as he urged others to emulate him.

  • Stakeholders praise new NDDC’s management

    Although established in 2,000 to fast-track sustainable economic growth in the Niger Delta region, not much was done by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in this regard. The commission, however, has begun to meet some of its targets since the new administration appointed new NDDC management team, writes PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU.

    Before now, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was seen as an appointment to “settle the boys”, perceived loyal godsons assumed to have invested personal funds, commitment in the actualisation of the political goals of their leaders.

    Rather than meet the targets for which it was established, successive administrations have been accused of diverting funds meant for developmental projects of the region to sponsor political agenda of their godfathers, thus fueling unrest, insecurity and militancy in the Niger Delta.

    The prosecution of past leaders of the NDDC for alleged embezzlement and corruption by anti-graft agencies did not come as a surprise to observers, given the gross underdevelopment, pollution and degradation of the Niger Delta, the region which produces the crude oil Nigeria depends on for survival.

    But fortune seemed to have smiled on the people of Niger Delta with the assumption of office of the Acting NDDC Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa who took over from Nsima Ekere earlier in the year.

    Setting the ball rolling, Brambaifa and his management team sought the partnership of the Joint Taskforce (JTF) Operation Delta Safe. This move, according to Brambaifa, was based on the fact that the NDDC had security, infrastructural development and youth empowerment as key priorities.

    At a meeting with the JTF Commander, Rear Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade, Brambaifa revealed that the NDDC would undertake the construction of access roads in Yenagoa and build modern police headquarter in Bayelsa State.

    The pro-people activities of the Brambaifa-led NDDC has endeared the commission to the hearts of most Niger Deltans so much so that a group known as Inter-ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Buhari (INCRAB) had condemned a petition against the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, even as it said it was “baseless, mischievous and politically-engineered attacks on the Executive Management team of the NDDC.

    The group said: “The allegations of financial impropriety and other unnecessary attacks against the management of NDDC were calculated attempts bereft of facts and common sense, targeted at putting the executive management team of the commission in bad light before the President and entire Nigerians.”

    INCRAB noted that the motive of the petitioners was to seize the economic and political structures of the NDDC and use same to advance some selfish and desperate pursuit for political power.

    “It is worrisome that these unwholesome attacks are staged against the management team of the NDDC despite its sterling performance and widespread interventions across all critical sectors of the economy, including infrastructure, human capital development, agriculture, education, health, environment, empowerment and social welfare.

    “We state with all sense of responsibility and modesty that the massive achievements recorded by the five-month-old Braimbraifa-led management team do not only exist in the papers as may be the tradition with some government agencies but are tangible with known geographical locations within the Niger Delta and real beneficiaries across the region.

    “We understand that the originators, fabricators and sponsors of these attacks and campaigns of calumny are highly placed politicians domiciled outside the Niger Delta region who pride themselves with their far-reaching clout and influence across the six geo-political zones of the nation.

    “In view of the shenanigans and dubious intent of the orchestrators of the allegations and campaigns of calumny against the executive management team of the commission that has touched so many lives and performed creditably within a very short period, we urge the people of the Niger Delta to brace up against any form of external intrusion through a few willing tools in the region to sweep off a team that has brought back the NDDC to the people and given them a proud sense of belonging through its numerous programmes and prompt interventions.

    “The NDDC cannot continue to be the cash cow of greedy politicians whose insatiable appetite for power spurs them into attempting to hijack the commission at all costs for the sole purpose of promoting and financing their selfish political pursuits while undermining and demoting the development efforts of the management of the commission.”

    Association of Rivers and Bayelsa Contractors of Niger Delta (RABCON) has also condemned what it described as the needless attacks on the management of the NDDC.

    The contractors, in a statement endorsed by the trio of Chief Aaron Tamunokoriari Princewill, Engr. Zebb Tuordolor and Dr. Nyema Owhondah, said they were “worried by this campaign because we the contractors of Rivers/Bayelsa are beneficiaries of this new board while the entire Niger Delta is bubbling with relief since its inception.

    “Our payments have been flowing unhindered and we are carrying out projects awarded to us with specification and proper supervision, unlike in the past.”

    Similarly, a Niger Delta stakeholder, Iniruo Wills said:  “It is obvious that the NDDC is doing quite a number of projects across the country. Those projects are transformational. Such projects include the Ogbianeme Road they said they are jointly doing with Shell, one of their major projects capable of transforming lives because it is very strategic.

    “It connects a lot of communities around that route together and it’s a big one. However, I think they can do better, especially the duration they spend completing the projects.

    “The Nembe Road project ordinarily should not have lasted beyond five years but it has lasted for 17 years without being completed. I’m sure the expectations of the people now is that it should be expanded beyond what they are doing. Summarily, they are doing well but they can do better.”

  • Agip lifts 1,172 youths, women from poverty

    The Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has commenced a special scheme to lift about 1,172 youths and women in Bayelsa and Rivers states from poverty.

    A NAOC’s statement, said the scheme, which was launched at NAOC Green River Project (GRP) Farm, Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was designed to promote socio-economic development.

    It said the scheme would encourage the establishment of small-scale businesses for youths and women in company’s operational states and also contribute to a social change.

    It said youths and women, who were technically skilled but lack the resources needed to start up small-scale businesses, would be assisted with the necessary start-up tools to become self-reliant.

    The statement further said the second batch of the scheme launched in Rivers State on June 28 took place at NAOC’s Plant Propagation Centre (PPC) Obie in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

    It said the launch attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including traditional rulers, representatives of the state and local government as well as men, women and youths.

    According to the statement at the Rivers State launch, the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Atotesemi Eson Teetito, commended the initiative.

    Read Also: Fed Govt Sues NNPC, Agip, Shell, NPDC

    The governor was quoted as saying that when youths and women are meaningfully engaged, there will be peace and development in the communities and the state at large.

    He further stated that the establishment of small-scale businesses would generate income for the beneficiaries and the state.

    NAOC General Manger District, Mr. Alessandro Tiani, represented by the Stakeholders Management and Community Development Division Manager, Mr. Dennis Masi, was quoted to have said that the gesture was in line with the company’s continuous bid to empower the host communities in its operational states.

    In their remarks, the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni/Local Government Area, Ifeanyi Odili, represented by Dr. Lucky Nwaoburu and the representative of Oando Oil Limited, Chief Sam Onyenwe enjoined the recipients to make good use of the opportunity to develop themselves.

    The statement said youths and women were presented with complete starter-packs to enable them to set up their own businesses in shoe making, barbing, hair dressing, tilling, event planning, laundry services and furniture making, among others.

  • ‘We’re worse off…our fate would have been better without oil’

    Due to oil exploration and other human activities in the Niger Delta region, especially in Bayelsa State communities, there has been evidence of environmental dilapidation in the areas. Farming and fishing, their main occupations, were affected adversely. As a result of this, Governor Seriake Dickson set up a commission of enquiry to gauge the level of impoverishment of the people. MIKE ODIEGWU reports that the commission, in continuation of its investigations, recently held an interactive session with residents of Ogbia Local Government Area

    It has been tales of woes and anguish since the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC) resumed its investigations on the deplorable living standard of people of the Niger Delta region.

    The Chairman of the commission and Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu and his team of investigators have had a busy week listening in utter disbelief the pains and poverty caused by crude oil exploration and exploitation in the area. They heard the agonies of the people, whose environment had been destroyed by others’ insatiable quest for hydrocarbons.

    The commission, which has been documenting the excesses of oil companies in Bayelsa State, earlier announced the new phase of its investigations. It was time for its members to interact with the chairmen of local government areas, councillors, community development leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders of the areas.

    The commission, according to a statement signed by its Secretary, Dr. Kathryn Dahou, seeks to unravel circumstances surrounding spates of oil spills and other activities of International Oil Companies (IOCs) through such interactions.

    Therefore, the John Sentamu-led commission began the week by taking turns to interact with the stakeholders of each local government area. It first took its inquiries to Ogbia Local Government Area where oil was first discovered in commercial quantity.

    Representatives of various stakeholders were present at the event. They wore long faces as they relived their ordeals in the hands of oil companies. They accused the companies of environmental terrorism and said they would have been better without oil.

    The angry residents said farming and fishing were their major sources of livelihood before the discovery of oil in commercial quantity at Oloibiri Well 14 in Otuabagi community. They lamented that the discovery of oil destroyed aquatic lives and rendered the lands useless and uncultivated. Oil has become a curse to them instead of a blessing.

    Chief Standfast Harold Onyingbo painted a gloomy picture of the local government area. He said children and adults were dying of water-borne diseases as a result of the pollution of their water source. He lamented that spills from various oil facilities contaminated their rivers and only source of drinking water.

    Onyingbo said: “Yam, especially cocoyam, which is one of our major foods, has all gone into extinction because of the frequent spills on our farmlands.

    “Our children can’t be healthy. We lose many of them. Our water is polluted. Our people go fishing throughout the whole night and come back with nothing because of oil spills.

    “Our youths are jobless and now resort to militancy and other vices that are inimical to the society. Poverty has really bitten us. The night life we used to enjoy by gathering together for folktales has vanished out of fear that our own people will attack us.”

    Also speaking, High Chief Dennis Ovoh Adogu from Oloibiri community accused the oil companies of using the monies that accrue from oil in their area to develop Abuja and other places of their choice while neglecting the community where oil was first found in the country.

    Adogu noted that Federal Government’s presence was not felt at all despite the abundance of oil in the area. He said the people of Ogbia would soon rise and stage a protest against the government and all the oil companies operating in the area.

    In his brief remark, the Chairman of Otuasega Community Development, Confidence Moses, alleged that the oil companies caused more harm to them than good, adding that the girls from their communities took into prostitution while their young boys engaged in oil theft and militancy for the reason that they poor.

    He said: “We live in leaking roofs and mud houses. We even bathe in polluted river because we lack basic amenities such as bathroom. Our lands are no longer rich for farming because of oil exploration and spills.

    “Our due privileges should be given to us, no employment in the companies even as cleaners or drivers. No opportunities for scholarships from the companies.”

    In her remarks, the Woman Leader of Otuabadi Community, George Mitema Souye, said oil spill was taking place in one of the oil wells in her community. She said women were having miscarriages because of the negative impact of the spills.

    She said: “As we speak, there’s oil spill going on in the Second Well. Most women in the affected communities have miscarriages because of the impact of the spills. Even young ladies are entering menopause because of the effects of oil spill.

    “The only benefits we get from crude are the ones we use on the body of our children when they are sick because we believe that since there are no hospitals, the crude oil will help to cure measles.”

    Responding, Sentamu said they were committed to their investigations to find solutions to the challenges of oil spills. He said the complaints were old problems that had refused to go away.

    Sentamu, who was represented by the Chairman of the Expert Working Group, Dr. Kathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou (Commissioner), promised the people that the commission would incorporate their complaints in its report and follow up with serious advocacy.

     

  • Man needs N20m for surgery

    A 37-year-old man, Daniel Emori, who has been bedridden since he sustained spinal cord injury after he was knocked down by a cow that ran berserk has pleaded with the Cross River State government and the general public for financial assistance to enable him to travel to Indian for surgical treatment.

    Emori, who is from Adadama community in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State said until 16 years ago when he was knocked down by the cow in Anambra State where he was working, he was in perfect condition.

    He said N20 million is required for the surgery and other necessary logistics in India.

    Narrating his ordeal, Emori said: “I am Daniel Imo Emori from Adadama Community in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State. I am 37 years old. But I had this accident when I was 21. I am the sixth child in a family of nine. My father is late and I have an aged mother.

    “It was after my Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2,000 when I travelled to Onitsha Anambra State in search of greener pastures. I was employed as a factory machine operator in one of the companies. I worked for two years and later went to a driving school for six months.

    “After being trained as a driver for those six months, I got employed by a pharmaceutical company as a delivery van driver.

    “On October 10, 2003, I was on my normal official duty of supplying the company’s goods to various customers that I had an encounter with an uncontrolled cow. As I parked my vehicle in front of the customer’s shop to off load the goods, a strayed cow just charged towards me and knocked me down.

    “Immediately I was rushed to a nearby clinic in Onitsha from where I was referred to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu. There series of scans and tests were carried out and it was realised that I had sustained spinal cord injury.

    “As a result of the injury, I became paralysed till date. I have serious financial challenge and that was why I have not been to India for surgery as recommended by the doctors. Since then I have been bedridden.”

    Emori said he had been receiving some assistance from individuals that has been sustaining him, even as he said it wasn’t enough to get him the permanent treatment he needed.

    “I have been receiving some supports from public-spirited individuals, friends, family, loved ones and the entire public, including Elizabeth Foundation based in Wuse District of Abuja. But all my efforts to get assistance from my state government since 2007 were futile.

    “I have been writing to them for financial assistance. None of the promises made to me has been fulfilled. Even the immediate past Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly from the same community with me had personally promised me to use his position and good offices to pursue my appeal. He didn’t fulfill any of his promises.

    “It is just that the little support I have been receiving is not enough to take me to India where I will be treated. About N20 million was estimated cost of my travel to and treatment in India.

    “Due to the current economic situation in the country, I no longer get more support from people. That is why I want to seek for more support and assistance from the general public through your medium.

    “Currently, everything seems to be getting worse due to lack of medication. This is why I am appealing to fellow Nigerians, individuals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government agencies, my state government, Governor Ben Ayade and the entire public to come to my aid because I am silently dying on my sick-bed,” he begged.

    A medical report Advanced Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Centre (APRC) in India indicated that the surgery that Emori would undergo shall help in strengthening his trunk strength and abdominal muscles to enable him to walk with artificial legs.

    Among other things which the medical report said the Indian hospital will do for Daniel are the undergoing of a preliminary evaluation and conservative management/infection control, skin grafting and debridement, orthopaedics intervention and post-discharge stay and others.

    “I have not given up hope as I strongly believe that help can still come from my state government, public-spirited individuals and well-meaning Nigerians. My earnest desire and prayers is to walk with my feet again,” he said.

    For more information, Daniel could be contacted through the following phone numbers: 07050748280, 07031655209. His account details are:  Account Name: Daniel Imo Emori. Account Number: 2072008766. Name of bank: United Bank for Africa (UBA).

     

  • College graduates 310

    The Federal College of Education, Obudu in Cross River State, in affiliation with the University of Calabar, has matriculated 310 students for degree programmes for the 2018/2019 academic session.

    At the ceremony to mark the occasion, the Provost of the College, Dr. James Bassey Ejue praised the Federal Government for its commitment to education through regular payment of salaries, development of members of staff, provision of infrastructure and subsidised fees for students.

    Ejue, who said that through capital intervention, the college has received classroom and office furniture as well as upgrading of all the science and language laboratories, also revealed that the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) has donated 110 computer laptops to the school to help the institution to improve teaching and learning.

    While advising members of staff and students to justify the huge investments by putting the facilities to good use and producing quality teachers in all areas, he called on all stakeholders to work hard to take the college to enviable heights so that its graduates will be sought after by employers of labour.

    Dr. Ejue, who congratulated the 310 graduating students, however, pleaded that relevant authorities should increase the admission quota, especially for the reason that all their 13 degree programmes have gained full accreditation status by the Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC).

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, who was represented by the Dean of Faculty of Education, Prof. Simon Ibor Akpama, informed the students that the ceremony marked their formal initiation into the academic programmes of the university.

    The Vice-Chancellor advised them to be disciplined, diligent and committed to their academic works.

    He also advised them against vices such as vandalism, violence, drug abuse and drug addiction, cultism, robbery, prostitution and joining gang groups, among others, which would be inimical to their academic progress.

    He said the future of the country depended on them, even as he urged them not to disappoint those who saw them through their education.