Niger Delta
Stakeholders Applaud Govt For Protecting Community Interest
Bayelsa State Government has clarified that its stance of being involved in the preparation of Global Memorandum of Understanding ((GMoUs) is to protect the interest of communities that enter into such agreements with corporate organizations operating in the state.
The State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the clarification at a meeting with Traditional Rulers from Brass Local Government Area in his office in Yenagoa.
He assured that Government would do everything within its reach to ensure the successful implementation of the agreement between the Brass Fertilizer Company and the people of Brass.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo said government’s intervention in the contract was to protect the people from being shortchanged rather than scuttle the take-off ofthe project as speculated in the New Media by mischief makers.
In a press release by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, he reminded the people that conflicts in most communities were traceable to particularly oil companies’ failure in honouring memoranda of understanding with their host communities.
Accordingly, he said henceforth all such MoUs must be signed with the involvement of the state government in order to avert situations where a company would renege on its agreements and promote peace in the communities.
“Now on the issue of companies not recognizing communities, there is a rule/law that states that if you are not a party to an agreement, you cannot acquire right and incur liability
“If there is an agreement and there is no third party that witnessed the agreement, it becomes a problem, because when they (companies) overwhelm you, there is nothing you can do.
“So, what government is trying to do is to put an eye and watch and not that it wants to take over the running of
MoUs.
“Rather, government wants to ensure that if a company is coming to operate, for example, in Twon-Brass, we must know what the company is coming to do there and content of the agreement they sign with the community.
“The government is not scuttling your MoU with companies. If government is in the know of what you have signed with them, it can then force the companies to implement what they have agreed to do”, the Deputy Governor noted.
While also highlighting the role of the traditional institution in society, Senator Ewhrudjakpo urged royal fathers, local government council chairmen and other community leaders to step up efforts at assisting security personnel by profiling visitors to various communities in the state.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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.
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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