Niger Delta
Fishermen Blame Fish Scarcity On Oil Spills
Fishermen operating in the Atlantic shoreline in Akwa Ibom have attributed the current fish scarcity in the area to the frequent oil spills from the Qua Iboe oil fields.
The coastal communities near the Qua Iboe oil export terminal operated by Mobil Producing Nigeria in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom, experienced periodic oil spills in the last six months.
The fishermen under the aegis of Artisan Fishermen Association of Nigeria (ARFAN), said the incessant spills had made the fish to migrate into the deep sea where their members could not reach.
Rev. Samuel Ayadi, the association’s chairman in Akwa Ibom, told newsmen in Eket that fishermen now required higher capacity outboard engines to operate in the deep sea.
He said, “We now go as far as Bonny in Rivers before we can get crayfish and Bonga fish”.
“And you can only get there with high capacity outboard engines of 40 horse-power and above, which most of our members cannot afford”.
“The few people who have it spend so much money in fueling the engines with very little catch, so they place high prices on the little catch to recover high cost of fuel”.
“That is why fish is scarce, when you spend money to fuel the outboard engines you have to sell it at higher prices to recover your expenses, otherwise you will operate at a loss”.
“You need about 150 litres of fuel to power a 40 horse-power outboard engine for a trip where you have to contend with the industrial trawlers and on a bad day, you come back empty.’’
He said that prices of fish had gone up from about N500 per kg to N1,200 per kg, while a stick of bonga fish containing 20 pieces which sold for N150 now sells for N500.
Also a basin of fresh crayfish, which sold for N3,000 at the waterside, now goes for between N7,000 and N8,000.
Ayadi said that fishermen often went beyond Nigeria’s territorial waters in search of fish and were frequently harassed by the Cameroonian gendarmes who seized their outboard engines, fishing gear and also extorted money.
Niger Delta
Bipi Celebrates Gen Asabuja On Birthday
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The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
Niger Delta
Joint Provincial Council, East Of The Niger Salutes Diocese Of Evo
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The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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