Rivers

RSG Tasks Multinationals On GMoU

Published

14 years ago

August 24, 2011

The Rivers State Government has charged companies operating in the state to live up to expectation and ensure that all terms in their Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with host communities were implemented.

The Commissioner for Local Government/Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon. Charles Okaye, gave the charge last Friday at the GMoU fair organized by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Port Harcourt.

He, however, blamed some of the communal crisis in the state on the inability of some oil companies to implement the contents of the MoU between them and host communities.

The Commissioner also said that the ministry would now prevail on oil companies to ensure that host communities get fair treatment from the companies.

Hon. Okaye observed that if the contents of MoUs were implemented, it would go a long way to reduce some of communal crisis that led to insecurity in the state.

According to him, the Amaechi led administration was committed in the area of protecting lives and property of its citizens, and promised to deal ruthlessly to anyone who indulges in bridging the peaceful disposition of the state.

On the efforts of the ministry to check oil companies as it relates implementation of MoUs, Hon. Okaye said, the ministry has concluded plans to build a strong communication channel that would enhance feedback mechanism between the host communities and the oil companies in the state.

He, therefore, called on the host communities not to take laws into their hands when dealing with oil companies, but should learn how to involve the government and relevant agencies for proper attention.

Commenting on the quality of job delivered so far by SPDC in the host communities in the state the commissioner said that they were in line with the GMoU, but said that SPDC should improve on its services.

He has also advised the company to consider human development project as important, saying that the projects may be useless if there is not adequate manpower to handle them.

He called on other oil companies operating in the state to emulate SPDC example and ensure that they have a working GMoU with their respective host communities.

Emmanuella Azubuike

Niger Delta

Tai Agric Sector Gets Emergency Attention …As Chairman Distributes Farm Inputs, Inaugurates Technical Team

Published

5 days ago

February 14, 2025

The Tide

The Chairman of Tai Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Matthew Nenu Bari Dike has declared a state of emergency in the agriculture sector of Tai local government.
Speaking while distributing farm implements and other agricultural support packages to the farmers at the council’s headquarters in Saakpenwa, yesterday, Dike challenged farmers to show their farms before requesting for financial assistance.
The council boss stated that as a government, they were committed to putting smiles on the faces of the people and assured that his administration would ensure that every person in the local government is happy.
“As a government we want to assure you that, we will stop at nothing to ensure you all are empowered and living happily”.
According to him, “the gesture is aimed at enhancing food production and security through agriculture, and enjoined all lovers of agriculture in the local government area to identify with the quest to redefine development through agriculture in the local government.
He encouraged everyone to cultivate the passion and return to agriculture, to guarantee self-reliance, maximum food production and security in the area.
His administration, he said, would purchase more yam seedlings in order to get greater production to encourage exportation beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“A boost in yam production will also empower farmers in the Local Government Area”, the elated chairman said.
In a related development, the Chairman has inaugurated a five, member Agricultural Technical Committee for the Local Government Area.
The committee is made up of Pst. Anderson Wariboko, Barr. Paul Newman,, Smith Nyor-Ue, Gladys Jumbo and Dr Keke Rammyson
Also speaking, the Director of Agriculture, Tai Local Government Area, Mr Anderson Wariboko revealed that the event was part of activities to mark the chairman’s 100 days in office.
Wariboko who led the chairman, and other leaders of the council on the distribution of the farm inputs to the farmers, was full of praises for the chairman, Hon. Dike whom he said has the interest of the people at heart.

Kiadum Edookor

Rivers

Moremonee Appointment Rivers Man As Brand Rep

Published

5 days ago

February 14, 2025

The Tide

One of Nigeria’s leading financial service provider, Moremonee M&M MFB, has appointed a Rivers State man and renowned content creator, Mr. Eche Ndubuisi, as one its brand representatives in the state.

Ndubuisi said he was appointed based on his track records and achievements in marketing strategies, which has made him a celebrity in the content creation through the new media industry.

Speaking to journalists shortly after his endorsement by the company, Mr Ndubuisi said he was committed to marketing the company by bringing his wealth of experience to sell the bank to the world.

He thanked the company for the opportunity and assured that he will justified the confidence reposed on him

MoreMonee Bank was established in 2008, securing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licence in July.

According to an official of the bank, who spoke anonymously, the Bank migrated as a Limited liability in October 2023, marking the start of a new era for the financial service provider.

He said with a bold vision to become Africa’s generational bank, MoreMonee aims to tackle poverty across the continent by offering accessible financial services that empower business owners and foster job creation.

The company, he continued, is committed to driving growth through innovative products, seamless transactions, and strategic technological integration.

Rivers

Group Faults Shell In Ogale, Bille Environmental Pollution

Published

5 days ago

February 14, 2025

The Tide

Fridays for Future Nigeria (FFFN), an environmental protection group, has faulted the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for the environmental pollution in Ogale and Bille communities in Rivers State.

This is contained in a statement by the National Coordinator and Country Representative, FFFN, Mr. Kingsley Odogwu.

Odogwu, who in strong terms condemned Shell’s disregard for human and environmental rights in the region, said, ”The people of the Niger Delta, including Ogale and Bille communities, have an inherent right to a clean and healthy environment, a right that Shell has systematically violated”, he said.

The Ogale and Bille communities in oil rich Nigeria’s Niger Delta are experiencing ongoing and significant environmental pollution, primarily from oil spills.

Residents have claimed severe contamination of their water supply, farmlands, and waterways, preventing them from fishing and farming due to the chronic oil pollution.

This issue is currently the subject of ongoing legal action against Shell in the UK courts by members of these communities.

The FFFN National Coordinator urged the Nigerian government and the international community to support the Ogale and Bille communities in their quest for justice and to hold Shell accountable for its environmental destruction.

He lamented the decades of environmental degradation due to oil spills, gas flaring, and other harmful practices by Shell and other oil companies in the region.

According to him, the ecosystem of the affected communities has been severely damaged, and the health and livelihoods of its inhabitants compromised.

”The affected communities demand that Shell fulfill its legal obligations by cleaning up the pollution to international standards and providing adequate compensation.

”The FFFN stands in solidarity with the Ogale and Bille communities in their pursuit of justice against Shell Petroleum for its egregious environmental destruction in the Niger Delta”, he said.

He called on all citizens of the country to support the move for the actualisation of justice for all the communities and other victims of ecosystem pollution in Nigeria.