Rights Activists have advocated the need for the Federal Government to implement the original legal framework that established the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), for effective service delivery.

It was at a one-day regional strategy meeting, on the ongoing Ogoni clean up.

The meeting was convened by a civil society organisation known as Peoples Advancement Centre (PAC). It was meant to brainstorm on how they can assist the Federal Government interventionist agency to succeed in its mandate of cleaning up Ogoni polluted environment first, and later the Niger Delta and beyond.Speakers at the meeting identied lack of autonomy of the agency and inadequate manpower as major challenges affecting its operations.

According to them, the law which established HYPREP provided for its independence, but regretted that the current arrangement where it is under Ministry of Environment as major reason for its abysmal performance.

They called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to restore its autonomy to enable it operate freely to be able to deliver on its mandate.

The Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action(ERA/FoEarth) Nigeria, Chima Williams in his view admitted that HYPREP had done some work in regards to its mandate but reiterated that it is below what is expected of them seven years after.

He insisted that until the identified bottlenecks were removed, the possibility of the agency to function well remain bleak.

“We have always called for the removal of leadership bottlenecks in the HYPREP’s operations for optimal service delivery…,

He recalled that ERA originally agitated for a specific platform just to clean up Ogoni, but the Federal Government in his wisdom floated HYPREP as a template for the cleanup of the entire Niger Delta and other parts of Nigeria in the future.

“Part of what enabling laws for HYPREP provided for the independence of the Agency as an entity, howbeit, that independence has been eroded, as we have seen by the position of a Minister of Environment who oversees HYPREP operations.

What was stated earlier on was that HYPREP should have its leadership sourced outside so that people with knowledge, technical know-how, those who can raise funds, look at the structures and work with people on the ground to ensure that what HYPREP had come to be is achieved.

“But as we have seen, with the ministers being the chairmen of HYPREP Board, they have shown inconsistency in leadership, with every succeeding minister coming up with his own leadership style on HYPREP, and before they will begin to implement the policy they introduced, they are removed, and the next person coming will put aside the policy of his predecessor and that continues to tell on HYPREP’s performance rate.”

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The Convener of the meeting, Celestine Akpobari, wondered why HYPREP had not conducted study on the environment of other states in the Niger Delta.

Akpobari said: “We have gathered here today to brainstorm to see what to get out of a bad situation. Our environment has been written off. What do we do?

“How come that until now, HYPREP is even yet to consider where to conduct study in another state? By now, that should be on the table.”

Also, a member of African Network and Economic Justice, Benin City, Innocent Edemaria said that for HYPREP to be as effective in its assigned responsibilities, the identified gaps must be addressed, adding that CSOs are willing to engage in robust advocacy mechanisms to ensure results.

The Chairman, Nigeria Electoral Reform, Ezenwa Nwangwu said: “There is no way a minister of environment will be in Abuja and preside over how Ogoni will be cleaned up, that needs to be urgently addressed because it is affecting the speed of work in Ogoniland,” he insisted

HYPREP’s Project Coordinator Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey said that the agency has recruited 500 youths for the security surveillance of clean-up sites and other facilities in Ogoniland.

•Over colleague’s abduction

Doctors in Cross River State yesterday embarked on an indefinite strike in solidarity with one of their members abducted last Thursday from her home in Calabar.

This is contained in a communique by Dr. Felix Archibong, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA), Cross River branch, after an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) yesterday in Calabar.

On July 13, Dr. Ekanem Ephraim, a medical practitioner with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), was kidnapped from her residence by armed men who pretended to be patients at about 7:30 p.m.

The doctors who noted that despite their efforts in ensuring the release of their colleague, Ephraim has remained in captivity.

The association resolved to do the following:

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“To embark on a total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services effective immediately in solidarity with our member still in the hands of her abductors.

“This withdrawal of medical service will involve all hospitals in the state both federal, state, private and Mission.

“The state government should activate all necessary instruments at its disposal to ensure the timely and unconditional release of our member in the hands of her abductors.”

They added that NMA in Cross River was not oblivious of the hardship its withdrawal of  ervices would have on the citizens but appealed to the relevant security agencies to ensure a timely release of its abducted member.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that this was not the first time the association would embark on a strike on account of the abduction of its member in Cross River.

Secretary General of, Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors Association (NDICA), Mr. Sodin Akiagba harped on the need for a harmonious relationship between the group and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Akiagba spoke on the sidelines of a joint news conference yesterday in Port Harcourt.

He advocated for prompt payment for jobs fully executed and advised against awarding jobs that were not covered in the year’s budget.

“The essence of the group is to foster cordial relationships between NDDC and indigenous contractors.

“With so much that has happened between NDDC and indigenous contractors; we still plead for a level-playing ground where those who executed their contracts to completion are paid on time, and any job not covered in the budget should not be awarded in the first place.”

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He noted that many of the contractors being owed did the Jobs with bank loans, adding that they have gone through a lot, including losing their families, assets, and businesses over their inability to repay the loans and mounting interest rates.

“Now that NDDC is ready to establish a smooth working relationship with contractors; there is a need to make payment of contractors a priority,” he added.

Akiagba appealed to International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the Niger Delta to facilitate the payment of outstanding counterpart funds to the commission to ease their mandate of developing the region.

Ex-Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has been invited by his successor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, to inaugurate the construction of his star project, 50.15km Port Harcourt ring road.

Fubara said yesterday that the inauguration of the project would hold today and called on the people to embrace the event.

There have been mixed reactions over the decision of the governor to raise N200billion supplementary budget to begin what he described as his legacy project.

Most residents were, however, excited about the project, which they said would further decongest and beautify the state capital.

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Fubara recently signed the contract worth N195.3billion for the ring road expected to cut across six local governments.

He said the project would be completed within 36 months and mobilised the contractor with N150billion.

The governor said: “For JB, we are engaging you because you have a history in this state. Landmark developments have not been achieved in this state without you. We have cases of flyovers, wonderful medical centres, you are instrumental to them and people have acknowledged your standards.“

“Total value of the contract is N195.3billion and we are paying, mobilising you 77 per cent, which is over N150billion immediately after this event. Once will confirm 55 per cent of the initial fund release, we will begin payment of the balance.”

Flood has destroyed shops and residential buildings along Grace Bill, by Marina junction, in Eket Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

The incident, which occurred at the weekend, following a heavy rain, has shut down businesses.

The area is home to 15 commercial banks and other businesses and corporate organisations. 

Lamenting their losses, residents and shop owners said the flood was caused by an abandoned drainage project.

The project is supposed to collect volumes of water from Afaha Eket, Grace Bill, Enenekpene streets and other adjoining streets for channelling.

Evangelist Essien Nsikan of Throne of Grace Deliverance Ministry said: “We have been suffering losses due to flood in this area. That of Saturday was too much.

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“Whenever it rains, we always live in fear, as water will enter our houses and shops, destroying items and in some cases lives.”

A shop owner, Mr. Emeka Chuks, said: “What happened on Saturday is not a new thing to us. Water entered my shop and destroyed goods. 

“The flood soaked cartons of items I kept on the ground. I can’t tell you the quantity of what I have lost because I am still counting the losses.”

“The abandoned drainage project is the cause of our problem. We are imploring the government to complete the project and compensate us.”

Another resident, Mr. Wilson Bassey, said: “Yesterday (Saturday) was a hell for us. Water entered our houses and spoiled things. We were scooping water from our homes.

“The government needs to rescue us because if this type of thing continues to happen, it will be a bigger tragedy. 

“You can imagine how flood almost swept away a little boy on Saturday. But for good Samaritans, who rescued him, the boy would have been dead.”

Seventeen indigent students of tertiary institutions across Anambra State have benefited from Dr. Chioma Awuzie Foundation (DCAF) scholarship scheme.

The beneficiaries were drawn from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam and Federal Polytechnic, Oko. 

Others are Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, Federal College of Education, Umunze and Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe.

Foundation convener Dr. Chioma Awuzie said the annual scholarship scheme and charity programme was to mark her 50th birthday, adding that over 50 students had benefited since inception of the scheme.

Awuzie, who is also the director, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Federal Polytechnic, Oko said the beneficiaries were selected from a poll of nominees by heads of public tertiary institutions in the state.

She said: “The scholarship is targeted at promoting access to quality education and improving lives of the indigent students.”

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“For this year, the 17 beneficiaries will get cash support to allow them pursue their academic dreams without worrying about any financial burden for the session. 

“We also distributed food items, foot wears, raincoats and clothing materials to students and residents of the polytechnic.”

Congratulating and encouraging the recipients to take advantage of the gesture to become self-reliant in future, Awuzie solicited support from individuals, corporate bodies, local and international donors towards improving lives of youths and women.

The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo, praised the foundation for investing in the educational aspirations of youths, especially the financially vulnerable. 

Nwafulugo, represented by the Deputy Rector (Administration), Dr. Ken Ezekwe, advised others to emulate DCAF by using their resources to add value to the lives of the underprivileged.

The President, Chemical Society of Nigeria and chairman of the event, Prof. Moses Chendo, thanked Awuzie for her investment in human empowerment and development.

“Her project is laudable because she understands that the future is in the hands of youths and they need all the support to become responsible citizens,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Miss Awele Okocha, hailed the benefactor for the gesture, promising to make judicious use of the funds.

Youths’ coalition under the auspices of New Generation Leaders of Bayelsa State (NGLBS) has alleged that the Governor Douye Diri administration is jittery over the candidacy of Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

NGBLS Director General Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei said in a statement yesterday that youths were supporting the Sylva/ Joshua Maciver joint ticket to unseat Diri in the November election.

He said the remaining days ahead of the poll were just a countdown to the official handover of Diri to a new administration under the leadership of Sylva, ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. 

Kemepadei said as the state prepared for transition next February, fear and anxiety had gripped the Diri administration over its imminent defeat in November.

He said: “We are aware that the Diri administration has begun an early chase through litigations, sponsoring fifth columnists and seeking court judgments as shortcut strategies to return to the Government House. 

“These measures will amount to a futile exercise, as youths have resolved to end their suffering, hardship and the tag of ‘beggars’ used to brand them in Bayelsa.

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“As passionate ‘Bayelsans’ and new generation leaders, who owe the state a duty of patriotism, we say Senator Diri, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, has lost touch with the people of Bayelsa State. 

“The Diri administration, aware of an imminent defeat, is busy moving from court to court, shopping for kangaroo judgments as a shortcut to power.

“We advise the Diri government to begin preparation of the handover note, as the current status of Bayelsa State under his watch is bedevilled by poverty, hardship and unemployment.”

Kemapadei alleged that political appointees and commissioners under Diri’s administration had become beggars in a supposed ‘Prosperity Government’ and their ministries were moribund.

He said: “The Sylva/Maciver ticket enjoys support from ‘Bayelsans’. The new government will be sworn on February 14, 2024.

“Sylva and Maciver are known as human capacity builders in wealth creation and infrastructural development in Bayelsa State. As such, they will become victorious in the November 11 election.”

“The Diri government is bereft of ideas to push the state on the map of prosperity, hence it is using propaganda and campaign of calumny to create panic among Sylva/Maciver supporters.”

A chemist and fellow of the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), Dr. Sam Okore, has expressed concern about the rate at which chemicalised and adulterated palm oil and honey flood markets across Imo State. 

Okore, who spoke to The Nation in Owerri yesterday, said his friend and a retired Army General died recently due to chemicalised and adulterated palm oil and honey. 

He said the incident, which resulted from a strange disease, was later traced to food poison caused by adulterated and chemicalised palm oil that contained a chemical called ‘Uhie’ by the indigenes. 

“I lost my friend, a retired General in the Army, recently. He died after consuming the palm oil. He started vomiting and laboratory tests confirmed that he died of food poison. 

“Most of the palm oil we buy at the local markets are highly adulterated and heavily chemicalised. They add chemicalised white oil and add local ‘Uhie’ or red colouring, which is not pharmaceutical colouring ingredients, to increase the yield and now push it into the market for people to buy it and when they use it to add to the food, it has no taste, after which it brings discomfort, stomach pains, sore throat, kidney failure and several body problems that can result in heart failure.” 

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He advised the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) to look into “these adulterated products being distributed by marketers.” 

He also disclosed that there is a killer honey in the market that is mixed with Galmali 20. 

The chemist and former lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede said he had witnessed where the chemicalised honey was being harvested in the village where they sprayed the bees with Gamoli20, to scare them away before they started harvesting the honey from the beehives and by then the honey and beehive would have absorbed the chemical.

He advised those involved “in this illegal act to desist because one day, their relatives may become victims. So, the government should step in because when we talk of insecurity, food consumption should be considered, not only gunmen.”