Niger Delta
Bayelsa Frowns At IOCs Over Environmental Neglect
The Bayelsa State Government has expressed dismay at the extent of damage oil exploration has caused to the environment and the attendant neglect by international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the Niger Delta.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Hon. lselema Gbaranbiri, expressed the dismay while addressing a meeting of foreign experts from Oasis Earth and other Environmental Stakeholders in Yenagoa after an on-the-spot assessment tour to spill sites around the state.
The on-the-spot assessment tour carried out by the Government and the foreign experts was with a view to curbing the menace of environmental degradation caused by oil spills in the State.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Environment Commissioner noted that the State Government was concerned about the level of damage oil spills has caused the environment and its negative impact on human health.
Gbaranbiri noted that the government was ready to collaborate with Oasis Earth to proffer lasting solutions to the challenges occasioned by oil exploration.
“Before now, Bayelsans took to farming as a means of livelihood, but the situation is different today, as all our lands and water ways have been polluted by spills, making life difficult for the citizenry”, he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Oasis Earth, an Environmental Scientist, as well as Professor in the University of Alaska, USA, Mr. Rick Steiner, disclosed that the organization was formed to tackle the problems of environmental degradation and that it had over the years worked on environmental aspect of oil and gas operations in a lot of countries and states, including the Niger Delta region.
Steiner said, he and his partner, Mr.Festus Odubo, were on a fact finding and assessment visit to the state regarding oil spills and its effect, the current state of oil industry divestment, decommissioning and abandonment of onshore infrastructure and facilities on the Niger Delta region.
He said they are also to prepare a report with observations and recommendations to be circulated to all interested organizations, including the United States Secretary General, based on their gatherings from the visit.
Others who spoke on the various challenges and recommended solutions to the oil spill problems were; Mr. Iniruo Wills, former Commissioner for Environment, Bayelsa State; Mr. Bank Japhet, former Director, Petroleum Pollution Control Department; and other key Environmental Experts and Community representatives, with all calling for the need for a proper frame work to curb oil spills and its effects in the State.
Also present at the meeting were the State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mr. Ebieri Jones; Special Adiviser to the Governor on Oil and Gas, Mr. Franklin Otele; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Waripamo Martin; Head of Department, Petroleum and Pollution, Mr Rueben, Enai; and a Private Consultant, Mr.Woyengikuro Agedah.
The Tide reports that places visited during the tour were Nembe OML 29, 2021 blowout site, and the Aghoro Community, amongst Others.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
The Delta State House of Assembly has commenced public hearing on the State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024.
The Tide’s source reports that the public hearing was organised by the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Support Services and Girl Child Entrepreneurship in Asaba.
Chairman of the committee, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, said the hearing was to provide members of the public the opportunity to offer contributions to the proposed law.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that the state has a law that adequately answers to the challenges it seems to address and satisfy the needs and aspirations of our people and society.
“We have invited you to join us to make a law that will help to effectively address and eradicate the odious practice of human trafficking in our state.
“We know that as stakeholders, the effective participation in making this law will go a long way in enhancing the quality of the law that will finally emerge from the process”, she said.
Anyafulu assured the stakeholders that the committee would look into their suggestions and consider areas that could help to strengthen the bill as well as enhance its quality.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Girl Child Development, Ms. Orode Uduaghan, called for the inclusion of the National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the implementation process.
It also reports that Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), among others, were involved in the public hearing.
They commended the State Executive for initiating the bill and called for its speedy passage.
The Federal Government has handed over 24,180 bags of 50kg maize and 5,828 bags of 25kg ‘garri’ to the Akwa Ibom State Government for distribution to vulnerable households.
The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government in Uyo, the State Capital.
Represented by Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, the Head, Operations, NEMA, Akwa Ibom State office, Umar said the donation was in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to Nigerians.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government approved the release of 42, 000 metric tonnes of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve to vulnerable households.
Umar said that the president’s promise was the government’s way of reducing the impact of the current economic hardship in the country.
“We are here to hand over the food items to the state government for distribution to the intended beneficiaries in the communities”, she said.
The NEMA D-G said that the food items should be shared in the communities through properly constituted committees at the local government levels.
She said membership of the local government committees should include the council chairman, representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency and the traditional institutions.
Umar said 20 per cent of the food items for each council area should be given to religious groups, and that three per cent of it should be given to boarding schools in the area.
Receiving the items, Dr Offiong Offor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, commended the Federal Government for the intervention.
Offor said that the gesture was a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to the wellbeing of the citizenry.
The commissioner promised that the state government would ensure that the items were given to the intended beneficiaries.
A group, Concerned Obidient Movement, has declared support for Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21 Edo State governorship election.
Leader of the group, Mr. Ikhuenbor Igbinevbo, told newsmen in Benin that the election transcends individual personalities.
“It is a critical moment that will shape the future of Edo. The PDP is creating a climate of renewed political energy that promises sustainable progress.
“Its candidate, Ighodalo, and the deputy, Osarodion Ogie, possess the vision and qualifications that align with the aspirations of Edo people,” he said.
Igbinevbo highlighted the candidates’ deep understanding of the State’s challenges and potential which, he said, positions them to lead the state into a new era of prosperity and responsible governance.
He urged Edo people, both at home and in the Diaspora, to unite in their support for the PDP and its candidates ahead of the election.
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