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Ebocha Explosion: Host Communities Bemoan Devastation …As Agip Loses 1.5m Barrels Of Crude
L-R: President General, Bakana Community Development Association, Mr Iloye Braide, Prof. Victor Omuaru and Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, during the association’s courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday
Host communities of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), the Italian oil prospecting giant are now groaning in pains, tears and fear apparently due to the explosion of three massive reservoirs containing several hundreds of thousands of crude oil.
The indigenes of the area are particularly crying foul following non-delivery of relief materials to them, four days after the blasts which devastated the environment, destroying flora and fauna.
The communities, whose environment was impacted include: Mgbede, Okwuzi, Aggah, Abacheke, Abaezi and Etekwuru, spreading across two states, Rivers and Imo, where acquatic life, farms, livestock and human beings are at risk due to emissions occasioned by the tragedy.
The Tide investigations revealed that the oil production from the Ebocha facility, which stood at 22,000 bpd before the blast, had been stalled, and workers were seen milling some distance from the facility, waiting for orders from above on the next line of action.
While security had been beefed up in the area to forestall violence and protect lives and property, indigenes have been forced to relocate to neighbouring communities, for safety.
Our reporter gathered that the blasts occurred on Sunday and the fire raged till last Tuesday, from three giant tanks, leaving locals to scamper for safety of their lives.
The paramount ruler of the host communities, Mgbede town, Eze Chadinah Ogor told The Tide that the devastation was horrible and that people were thrown out of their beds and comfort homes following the loud noise, smoke and huge flame that enveloped the area.
Ogor noted that since oil prospecting by Agip began in 1968, indigenes have never witnessed such thunderous explosion.
He blamed the disaster on poor maintenance culture of Agip as, according to him, most of their facilities and equipment were obsolete and non-effective.
The monarch called for the re-appraisal of Agip’s operational policy, and also harped on the need for immediate relief materials to cushion the effects of the blasts, as well as remediation of the impacted environment.
Similarly, the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local government Area, Mr. Augustine Ahiamadu, who visited the site of the explosions, said the council has contacted the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Agip to initially assess the impact of the disaster on the people and the environment.
Ahiamadu noted that the council has declared the area as a disaster zone while efforts were in top gear to send relief materials to the people so impacted.
He also called for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the environment.
In his reaction, a landlord to the Ebocha oil centre, Engr. Nelson Ekperi, lamented the plight of the landlords and other host communities, adding that the tragedy was unimaginable.
The Tide learnt that there was some gaseous emissions at the oil centre, few days to the blasts.
Sources said workers who were working on the facility were masked to avoid inhaling gas.
When contacted, Mr. Ifeanyi Ewule of NAOC’s public affairs department declined comments.
He, however, referred The Tide to his boss, Mr. Etim, who ignored all calls and text messages sent to him on the issue.
But workers at the oil centre, who pleaded anonymity, could not ascertain whether the blasts were caused by equipment failure or sabotage.
However, they contended that Agip may have lost over 1.5 million barrels of crude oil to the tragedy, and equipment worth billions of Naira razed by the inferno.
The Tide learnt that a team comprising the host communities’ representatives, stakeholders, NAOC’s management and other relevant agencies may likely go for the first Joint Inspection Visit (JIV) in the next couple of days.
Goodluck Ukwe
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.
