The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger-Delta

  • FG, NLNG sign contract on Bonny-Bodo road

    FG, NLNG sign contract on Bonny-Bodo road

    The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has signed a tripartite agreement of N120 billion with Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas ( NLNG ) and Julius Berger Plc. for the construction of Bonny-Bodo road.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, at the tripartite agreement and contract signing on Wednesday in Abuja said the project would revive and strengthen the nation’s economy.

    The 34 kilometres road when completed would boost socio-economic development in the country and improve the lives of Nigerians in the Niger Delta region living on Bonny Island, Ogoni, Okrika, Eleme and Andoni.

    Fashola emphasised that the project was in compliance with the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which had infrastructural provision as one of its pillars.

    “The project portrays the commitment of the government to clean and build up as well as reposition the Niger Delta region recognising the private sector partnership in the country.

    “NLNG as a corporate organisation has decided to fund half of the project by taking 50 per cent cost of delivering the project while the Federal Government takes 50 per cent.

    He, however, said the project showed government’s strong credibility and desire to push forward its commitment towards the nation’s economic revival.

    According to the minister, the road on completion will connect communities in the Rivers bringing about development in the country.

    Earlier, the Managing Director of NLNG, Mr Tony Attah noted that NLNG agreed to provide 50 per cent counterpart funding, amounting to N60 billion to boost socio economic development in the region.

    “This is part of our effort to contribute to the advancement of the Niger Delta.

    “It will lead to the accomplishment of the dream of connecting Bonny Island to the rest of Rivers state by road and not only by sea.

    “Our greater joy is that the road will ease the plight of people of Bonny Island, the community that has hosted NLNG Plant and operations for so long.

    “Over the years our empathy with the host community especially with the respect to transportation challenges on Bonny Sea compelled us to open up our company business vessels to accommodate community members.

    On the company’s financial contributions to Nigeria, he said “it generated 90 billion dollars in revenue as at 2015, paid 5.7 billion dollars in taxes and committed more than 200 million dollars to corporate social responsibility projects.

    “The company also pays N6 billion annually to the Rivers State Government and N140 million annually to the Bonny Local Government Council,’’ he said.

    Attah further noted that through its corporate social responsibility, it recently spent 12 million dollars on building, refurbishing and equipping engineering laboratories of six universities selected from six geopolitical zones.

    The Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., Wolfgang Goesh, thanked the Federal Government for its trust and confidence reposed on the company.

    Goesh assured that the company would deliver a qualitative and timely project.

  • Osinbajo in Akure for Niger Delta meeting

    Osinbajo in Akure for Niger Delta meeting

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday arrive Akure Airport at 10:54 am for the 2nd National Council on Niger Delta meeting.

    There was tight security at the airport and venue of the meeting provided by the police, Army, Civil Defence Corps and road marshals among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osinbajo would deliver the keynote address at the event and later meet with communities of riverside areas of Ondo State.

    Osinbajo, accompanied by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, was received on arrival by Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    Also on the vice presidents entourage were the Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, Prof Claudius Daramola, and Sen. Victor Udoma, Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission.

    Others at the airport to receive the vice president were the Speaker, Ondo state House of Assembly, Mr Bamidele Oleyeloogun, Secretary to the State Government, Ifedayo Abegunde and other top government officials.

  • Osinbajo, others for Niger Delta conference today

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will today lead other Federal Government’s delegation to Ondo State for the Niger Delta Summit.

    The conference, with the theme: Fast-tracking the Development and Peace in the Niger Delta Region, is being hosted by Ondo State government in conjunction with the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry.

    Also expected at the summit, which will hold at the International Events Centre, Akure, the state capital, are: the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, with representatives of the nine oil-producing states and other relevant stakeholders.

    Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is expected to lead the state’s delegates as the host.

    Crucial policy decisions are to be taken on uninterrupted productivity and other relevant operations in the nation’s Oil sector.

  • ‘5m benefitted from amnesty programme since 2009’

    ‘5m benefitted from amnesty programme since 2009’

    Retired  Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme,  says more than  five million people in the Niger Delta  region have benefited from the initiative   since 2009.

    Boroh, who is also the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, disclosed this in Akure  shortly after receiving an award as Niger Delta Peace Ambassador from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ondo State Council.

    He said that the  amnesty programme was initiated  in 2009 due to the conflict in the Niger delta region.

    Boroh said that it  was difficult to be specific on the amount that Federal Government had  so far spent  in restoring  peace in the area.

    “For all I know,  the programme has impacted  on well over five  million people in the entire region  and also aided efforts to achieve peace in the Niger Delta,’’ he said.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for sustaining the amnesty programme, saying this demonstrated  his concern  for the people of Niger Delta region.

    The presidential aide also commended the response and efforts of the Federal Government in restoring  peace across  the country.

    “I, as a Niger Deltan, I’m very concerned  about what is happening in the region.

    “It is because of  the performance of the programme that our crude oil output has increased  to 2.3 million  barrels  per day as we speak.

    “This was achieved  by the efforts  of the government through the presidential amnesty programme,’’ he said.

    Boroh pleaded with the Niger Delta people to hasten their desired development of the area  and embrace peace.

    He also reiterated the government’s  warning  on  anyone promoting   hate speeches capable of disrupting the peace of the country.

    “Basically,  peace resolution is  a collective effort and responsibility of all Nigerians,  particularly in our region, Niger Delta.

    “It is all our responsibility to achieve this, let us not be tired, don’t allow negative forces to weigh you down and be positive even in your pronouncement,’’ he said.

  • Niger Delta: Wike, Okowa, Ibori call for united front

    Niger Delta: Wike, Okowa, Ibori call for united front

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State yesterday visited former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, at his Oghara country home, in what is said to be part of the efforts to reposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the  2019 elections.

    On hand to receive Wike was his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa.

    Wike, who doubles as co-chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, asked Niger Delta leaders to unite for the rapid development of the geo-political zone.

    “Niger Delta must continue to be united. Whatever it takes, unity is still very key. When we are divided, outsiders will come and exploit our resources to the disadvantage of our communities,” Wike’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, was quoted him as saying.

    He added:”We have to fight to protect the interest of the Niger Delta.  We draw strength from people like former Governor James Ibori, a man who has variegated experiences.”

    Governor Wike said that Rivers and Delta States are already co-operating in the spirit of Niger Delta Development.

    “We must work as brothers. We must work as a team. We must not allow our united front to be divided”, he said.

    Ibori commended the two governors for their cooperation on developmental issues.

    He urged both governors to work towards building a stronger united force for all the Niger Delta states.

    He said: “We need to be united to be able to serve our people better. We have to cooperate for the good of our people.”

    He commended the developmental efforts of the Rivers State Governor and urged him to do more.

    Also speaking, Okowa said that the Niger Delta needs to work together for the geo-political zone to be a stronger political voice in the country.

    The meeting later went into a closed door session.

    The Nation gathered that it was all about strengthening the PDP in the South-South for the polls.

    An Oghara based source told The Nation that the Rivers State governor arrived the town in a chopper yesterday afternoon and moved to the home of the former governor in a convoy of cars.

    Ibori has kept a low profile since his return from jail in London earlier this year.

     

  • Ondo hosts Niger Delta summit

    The second National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) meeting, hosted by the Ondo State government, begins today in Akure, the state capital.

    The one-week summit will be declared open tomorrow by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the International Event Centre (The Dome) on Igbatoro Road in Akure.

    The conference, with the theme: Fast-Tracking the Development and Peace in Niger Delta Region, is being organised by the state government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

    Participants are from the nine Niger Delta states and other major stakeholders in the Oil sector.

    Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi, said all is set for the conference’s logistics, security and other necessities.

    The NCND meeting is a major platform for the Federal Government to announce crucial policy decisions on uninterrupted productivity and other relevant operations in the nation’s Oil sector, the nation’s economic mainstay.

    Osnbajo’s visit will enable him round off his tour of Niger Delta states and give the Federal Government adequate information on how to ensure peace in the region.

  • Tompolo speaks from hiding, says: ‘JTF will pay for my father’s death’

    Tompolo speaks from hiding, says: ‘JTF will pay for my father’s death’

    Niger Delta activist and founder of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) has vowed to make soldiers pay for the death of his father, Chief Thomas Osen Ekpemupolo one year ago.

    Speaking on the first year anniversary of the death of the late Thomas, Tompolo said descendants of the late patriarch would not rest until the masterminds of his death are found and held accountable.

    Tompolo, who is on the run over alleged N13billion fraud, though said that the search for justice would be prosecuted through legal means.

    He said, “As we mourn and remember our late patriarch, we will seek justice to apprehend and hold accountable the very soldiers responsible for his murder so that he can finally rest in peace and we his descendants can be fulfilled.

    “I will also not be deterred by persecution and state act of terror against my person and communities in Ijaw land in the quest for the emancipation of our land and people,” he vowed.

    It would be recalled that father of the former militant leader died from injuries he sustained when soldiers invaded Gbaramatu clan in Warri Southwest local government area of Delta State in September 2016.

    The octogenarian, who was allegedly brutalised by rampaging soldiers, later died in a private hospital in Warri, after his limbs were amputated in a desperate bid to save his life.

    While using the incident as reference, Tompolo who is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged looting of NIMASA fund, lamented his ‘persecution’.

    He said “I have been marked as state enemy number one by the President Muhammadu Buhari regime because of my natural and open association with my kinsman and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.”

    Ekpemupolo also traced his ordeal to his support for Governor Seriake Dickson in the 2016 Bayelsa State Gubernatorial election presumed as against the anointed APC candidate of the Federal Government, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    He denied involvement in destructive operation by the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, stressing,“In an orchestrated plot the Nigerian Army was unleashed on Gbaramatu Kingdom in search of me, and the rampaging soldiers stormed my father’s home in Kurutie Town, physically brutalised him to the point of death.

    “He sustained injuries in one of his legs and due to lack of medical facilities in the area he could not be treated and could also not be timely evacuated because of the siege and blockade by the Nigerian Army.’

    Besides, Tompolo accused the Nigerian Navy of looting his waterfront properties, jetties and other valuable, stressing that items worth over N10bn were looted by men of the Nigerian armed forces.

    “In the last taken inventory of my facility, there was over 10 billon naira worth of building and other materials in the Jetty, but information reaching me now has it that the Jetty has been stripped bare by service personnel of the Joint Task Force [JTF].

    “Some of the materials presumably have been taken to Northern Nigeria. How could this happen under your watch? As rightly observed by other well-meaning Nigerians, let me echo their thoughts by asking ‘where is the much touted anti-corruption crusade?

    “The problem of environmental despoliation and degradation and issues of political, economic and social injustice and inequalities arising out of the oil and gas explorations aided by the policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria still looms larger by the day. Intimidation and threat is now employed to cow Niger Deltans in the place of engagement and positive tangibles,” he alleged.

  • Niger-Delta agitators want Buhari to resign

    Niger-Delta agitators want Buhari to resign

    A group of Nigerian Delta Agitators under the auspices of Coalition of Niger Delta agitators yesterday denied withdrawing their quit notice to northerners and south westerners living in the region to leave by October 1, 2017 or face dire consequences.

    The group also asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign on health ground and go home, saying he has failed to deliver on his campaign promises to the people, while things have gone from bad to worse during his two years reign.

    In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja after their meeting, the group said it never mandated anybody to withdraw its quit notice, neither is it prepared to work with the Edwin Clark led PANDEF. Signatories to the statement include General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers; General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors); Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters); Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters); Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice); Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson (Niger Delta Fighters Network); Major-Gen.

    nibeghe Adams (Niger Delta Freedom Mandate); Major-Gen. Abiye Tariah (Niger Delta Development Network) and Major-Gen. Joshua Ebere for Renewed Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta. Others were Major-Gen. Jeremiah Athony Movement for Actualization of Niger Delta Republic; Major Francis Okoroafor for Niger Delta Freedom Redemption Army and Colonel Nelson Okochi Walter.

    It states: “Our Quit Notice remains valid, we have not withdrawn it. Our attention has been drawn to the publication in some national Newspapers of Friday 1st September, 2017 that we, the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators mandated one Chief Mike Loyibo of Pan Niger Delta Peoples’ Congress (PNDPC) to withdraw quit notice on our behalf.

    “We want to state here clearly that we did not at any point in time appoint or mandate anyone to withdraw any quit notice on our behalf neither did the self-acclaimed leader of PNDPC ever met with us or our representative to discuss any matter relating to quit notice.

    “Our quit notice stands. We cannot work with PNDPC or PANDEF. We want to use this opportunity to inform the general public that we stand by all our previous statements. The quit notice we issued to Northerners and Yorubas remain valid.  “As a matter of fact, our Strike Team are already prepared and positioned to start attack on oil facilities across the Niger Delta from September 10, 2017 in preparation for our planned declaration of Niger Delta Republic on October 1st, 2017.”

    The statement said the Coalition has concluded arrangement to stage a mass protest across all Niger Delta states with effect from 12th September 2017, saying “we have concluded plans and have the backing of over 500 groups. “We want to warn everyone that would not be part of the protest to stay indoors, all shops, markets, businesses, schools, parks and companies should remain locks as we cannot guarantee that the protest is going to be peaceful because we shall resist any attempt by security forces to destabilize the planned protest.

    “Nothing is working in Nigeria for the past two years that President Buhari took over the affairs of government. It is our belief that the President did not come to salvage the Nigerian economy, rather he came for revenge, even so called corruption he claimed to fight is even worst under his government. His cabal is using his weakness to siphon the Nigeria treasury.

    “We condemn in its entirety the recent development in NNPC which further shows how biased President Buhari is. It is so glaring that Nigerian state is heading towards doom. The President does not have any conscience and cannot lead the country.

    “He is only interested in his Fulani and Northern brothers that was the reason we called for the replacement of the Group Managing Director of NNPC because we know this grave marginalization would happen.”

  • Minister worried over security situation in Cross River

    Minister worried over security situation in Cross River

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, has expressed worry of the security situation in Cross River State.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the Cross River State executives of the Niger Delta Youth Network for Peace and Development in Calabar, Usani reasoned that it was surprising that the capital that has only a few gateways apart from the coastal line can have such incessant attempts of kidnaps in recent times.

    Usani lauded the youths for the initiative to promote peace and development, assuring them he will do his best to promote and propagate them.

    “Beginning from Cross River is the right action because if you do not have peace and experience it, you cannot export it elsewhere and that is why as a Cross Riverian and as a Minister, I will be proud enough to promote and propagate your interest at any level.

    “We are comfortable with the fact that young people can come together and decide that they want to propagate all issues concerning peace within the region. And starting from Cross River, it means we are already turning towards the journey to sustaining what we are used to be known for in the past,” he said.

    Chairman of the event, Prof Eyo Etim Nyong, also lauded the youths for the initiative, saying anything that affects the Niger Delta affects the entire country.

    Nyong posited requirements for any country to sustain peace include strengthening government institutions, an efficient justice system and respect for the constitution.

    National Chairman of the Youth Network, Mr. Sylvester Okpo, said it was his desire to impact positive values and aspirations to the youths and mostly to promote peace and harmony in the Niger Delta region.

  • Niger Delta militants withdraw quit notice to northerners, Yoruba

    Niger Delta militants withdraw quit notice to northerners, Yoruba

    The coalition of Niger Delta militants, yesterday, withdrew the October 1 quit notice they issued to northerners and Yoruba living in the region.

    The Pan Niger Delta People’s Congress (PNDPC), a new group that claimed to have the mandate to negotiate for the Niger Delta with the Federal Government and other interested stakeholders, said the issuers of the quit notice gave them the mandate to withdraw it.

    The coalition had disbanded the Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) after passing a vote of no confidence in the group and constituted PNDPC as the new negotiator for the region.

    The militant groups appointed His Royal Majesty Pere Ayemi-Botu, paramount ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom as the head of the PNDPC and named Chief Mike Loyibo as the coordinator/ convener of the group.

    The coalition comprises the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers; Niger Delta Joint Revolutionary Crusaders Council; Niger Delta Supreme Egbesu Fighters; Niger Delta Red Scorpion Fighters; Niger Delta Youth Mandate for Justice; Niger Delta People’s Liberation Force; Niger Delta Fighters for Resource Control; Niger Delta for Urhobo Resource Control; and Bakassi People’s Liberation Force.

    Loyibo, whom the coalition said was appointed following his track records of integrity and honesty, confirmed that the coalition mandated the PNPDC to announce the withdrawal of the quit notice.

    He said the youths were remorseful after he and members of the new group met with them and told them the implications of the quit notice to the peace and development of the region.

    He said: “People should disregard the quit notice from our youths. I have spoken to many of them and they mandated me to withdraw it on their behalf.

    “They have called off the quit notice and discharged it. Everybody in the region in the west, east and north should go about their normal business. I can guarantee them of their safety.

    “The entire Niger Delta people are not in agreement with the quit notice issue. The boys that issued it are very remorseful. So, they have asked me, because they mandated me to speak for them and the region, to discharge the quit notice.

    ” Loyibo noted that such unpatriotic remarks like issuance of quit notices had their origin from the cold war involving the country’s founding fathers during the precolonial era.

    “This quit notice and counter quit notice found their foundations from the precolonial days. The three leaders that negotiated the independence of Nigeria did not love themselves.

    “It was the crisis that extended to our era where everybody begins to struggle for their own. I don’t believe in regional or tribal considerations. As Ijaw people, those that had been good to us did not come from our region,” he said.

    He said the youths were only suspicious that the Federal Government was trying to weaken them through promises that they might not fulfill at last.

    Loyibo said the leaders also told the youths to also hold their governors, appointees and regional interventionist agencies responsible for lack of leadership and development.

    He blamed the Arewa youths for causing tension in the polity and frowned on the way and manner the government treated them.

    He noted that nobody should be treated as a second class citizen adding that all must be held as equal stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

    The Ijaw leader, however, said the youths in the region still believed in the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and their ability to fulfill the promises they made to the region.

    He said: “We are peaceloving people. Our diversity is our strength. Mr. President has brought a lot of integrity to governance and he came in with massive goodwill. So, I believe that this is the time he should be addressing the issue.

    “The late President Yar’Adua took the bull by the horn and declared amnesty and today amnesty is working. The place is being transformed in human capacity building.

    This is not the time for us to bring violence. When the militants and the agitators and the people of the Niger Delta named us to represent the Niger Delta as the new face, it did not come to us as a surprise because some of us have long history of integrity and openness.

    “We believe that Nigeria will continue to remain as one under a peaceful situation. So, I hereby, use this medium to formally discharge that quit notice. It is of no effects and there is no element of seriousness and the people that did it are very remorseful after we met with them and scolded them.”