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HYPREP Set To Restore Ogoni Mangroves

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The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment and readiness to restore the mangroves of Ogoniland devastated by oil pollution.
HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, gave this indication while briefing newsmen shortly after the tour of some facilities in Ogoniland by members of HYPREP’s Board of Trustees(BOT) of the Ogoni Trust Fund last Thursday.
Zabbey said HYPREP has already awarded 34 shoreline clean up projects that will clean oil contaminated shorelines of Ogoniland, stressing that it has also awarded nine projects that would pilot the mangrove planting in Bomu community.
According to him, the essence of the mangrove pilot projects is to rejuvenate the Ogoni ecosystem as quickly as possible, because it is using the shoreline clean up assessment technique to drive its shoreline clean up project.
He said the technique entails the coming together of stakeholders, including regulators, civil society groups and HYPREP to assess the level of contamination of the shorelines.
“When we see that natural attenuation, natural cleaning of the environment has taken place, as a result of tidal flow, because water comes and goes out every six hours in this area we are talking about, that also leads to decontaminating the environment. When we see that rejuvenated mangroves have started to grow, mangroves that are referred as volunteers, it tells us that the level of contamination has reduced to a level that mangroves can cope”, he said.
In Ogoniland, he noted, mangroves are key resource because they provide a lot of ecosystem for goods and services to the people.
“It is in the mangroves that you have commercial fishes.It is in the mangroves that women can go to pick periwinkles.It is in the mangroves that they harvest oysters.It is the mangrove that protects the people’s shorelines.And the mangrove is very key for climate change mitigation and adaptation because the mangroves emit more carbon, five times more than the rain forest”, he said.
The Project Coordinator, therefore, indicated that restoring the mangroves in Ogoniland is a significant step that HYPREP is taking to restore the environment, as it is going to restore mangroves in 3,000 hectares of former mangrove areas.
Zabbey further hinted that HYPREP is starting the initiative with 600 hectares in Bomu community.
He noted that apart from this, there are 39 active remediation sites in Ogoniland, which he said have been structured and categorised as simple sites, medium-risk sites and complex sites.
According to him, several simple remediation sites have been completed while HYPREP is currently dealing with the medium-risk sites before moving to the complex sites where there is high level of water contamination.
The Project Coordinator also hinted that HYPREP has gone beyond the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) Report on the Ogoni clean-up by embarking on massive capital projects like the power project and the specialist hospital, among others.
He said about $360million has so far been released by the Board of Trustees(BOT) for the running of HYPREP’s activities and execution of various projects, contending that it is pretty difficult for the body to score itself on what it has so far done, as it is only the stakeholders that have the prerogative to do so effectively.
Zabbey said a lot of sensitisation of the people is required to check the tendency of sabotage and re-pollution after the environment must have been cleaned.
He said apart from the six water projects embarked upon by HYPREP in the first phase, another 14 water projects have been awarded to reticulate water in 52 Ogoni communities, and enjoined the people to continue to support and own the projects.
He noted that the mandate of HYPREP is mainly to restore the Ogoni environment, both land and wetlands that have been contaminated by oil pollution as well as restore the people’s livelihoods of fishing and farming which have been degraded.
On his part, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees(BOT), Ogoni Trust Fund, Dr Mike Nwielaghi expressed satisfaction with HYPREP’s activities in Ogoniland, saying, members of the BOT could see the value of the monies so far released to the body, and scored it 70 per cent for the work done so far.
Nwielaghi said more aggressive and intensive publicity is needed for the world to be abreast of what HYPREP is actually doing in Ogoniland so that Nigerians would know that the clean-up exercise is not a farce.
He said the four-day tour of HYPREP’s facilities is part of the BOT’s oversight functions.

By: Donatus Ebi

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Rivers

Crisis Looms In Emohua Over Land Grabbing Allegation On Awuse

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There are palpable indications that if urgent steps are not taken promptly, major crisis may errupt in parts of Emohua Community in Emohua Local Government Area of the Rivers State.
This is sequel to land grabbing allegations against its King, the Nne Nwe Eli Emohua, HM, King Sergeant Chidi Awuse, by members of the Mgboh Royal family.
The people penultimate week, in a peaceful protest, called on the Rivers State Government and other relevant authorities to urgently come to their rescue.
Speaking during the protest walk to Government House in Port Harcourt, one of the protesters, Chief Nwosu Okachukwu, alleged that the land grabbers, working under the directives of King Sergeant Awuse, have commenced fencing of the disputed land despite a court order barring them for proceeding with work until the court hears the substance of their case.
“We are protesting because this land belongs to Mgbo family. We’ve written several times to the Commissioner of Police and others, no any action. The matter is also in the court.
“Sergeant Awuse and the group, they are the ones. We want government to intervene over this, come to our aid and hear what we are shouting, what we’re crying, because we want peace, we’re the peace-loving family”, he said.
Another member of the Mgboh Royal Family, Ogbondah Samuel, while appealing for swift government intervention, said the land in question is where their farms were and where they also rear animals.
Speaking in pidgin English, Samuel said Awuse is not a member of the Royal Family and that he just came and took over what belongs to them because nobody gave it to him.
He continued that if the land was officially given to Awuse, he would have also gotten the C of O, and with the Seal of the Royal Family.
“Let government come and help us. Give us what belongs to us because we don’t have strength. As you are seeing us, we’re facing hunger”, he said.
The protesters carrying placards with various inscription appealed for urgent government intervention to salvage the situation and prevent violence that may arise between Mgboh Royal Family members and agents of the land grabbers.
Some of the inscriptions read: “Our Land is not for sale”, “lies cannot prevent our truth”, “Awuse, you are not from Mgboh Royal Family and will not be”, “Awuse, you cannot purchase Royalty with money”, and “live the way God has created you”.
In his reaction, His Majesty, Ohna Chidi Sergeant Awuse, Nye Nweli Emohua XIII, Oloh IV, and Paramount Ruler of Emohua Kingdom, described the protesters as merchants of crimes and vices, who have through financial inducement taken advantage of a less fortunate circumstance of some individuals to stage a defamation protest against the personality of Ohna .
The monarch, who reacted through a statement issued by his press team, wondered the reason for a protest in a matter which the protesters had already taken to court and is still pending .
The statement further alleged that those behind the protest are the same group of people that peddled the death rumour of Awuse sometime last year while he was on medical trip abroad .
The statement further alleged that the sponsors of the protesters are fully aware of the absence of the King, who is again away on a medical trip in London, and for which they consider a good opportunity to manipulate lies against facts.
While exonerating the Emohua King of the protesters’ allegation of any other wrong doings, the statement appealed to the unsuspecting members of the public, the Emohua people, and the Rivers State Government to be wary of the protesters and to advise Royal Father’s accusers to purge themselves of evil capable of triggering break down of peace and order in the Kingdom, which it said has witnessed peace and stability since the Ohna Sergeant Awuse mounted the saddle of leadership.

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NAFDAC Destroys N4.7bn Worth Expired, Substandard Products In Rivers

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The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sai it destroyed fake, expired, substandard drugs worth N4.7 billion in Rivers State.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, made the remark during the destruction exercise at the Rivers State dump site in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Adeyeye, represented by Mr. Chukwuma Oligbu, the NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, explained that the products were all seized from the six states of the South-South region.
The states are Rivers, Bayelsa. Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
She stated that the investigation, enforcement and destruction exercise was an unwavering resolve and commitment of the agency to protect the lives of the people.
According to her, the destruction of these harmful products was not just a routine exercise.
“It is a firm statement of our unwavering resolve and commitment to protect the lives of the people from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines, unwholesome food, medical devices and other hazardous regulated products.
“These products, if allowed to circulate, could cause untold harm including treatment failures, drug resistance, prolonged illnesses, and even loss of lives”, she said.
Adeyeye explained that the products destroyed were made up of substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics counterfeits.
She mentioned others as expired NAFDAC regulated products seized by the agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.
According to the DG, some damaged and expired products were voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) and Trade Unions.
She stated that the feat was achieved through intelligence gathering in July, 2024, adding that the estimated street value of the destroyed products was N4.7 billion.
Adeyeye further said the agency discovered several warehouses in Port Harcourt where some alcoholic beverages were being re-validated and re-introduced into circulation.
“After a properly coordinated surveillance, the warehouses were raided and products confiscated.
‘’Also, through this operation, a warehouse of unregistered cosmetics product was raided and products worth several millions of naira were confiscated.
“Seized unregistered imported vegetable oil without Vitamin A fortification and assorted unregistered cosmetics product from Delta state were also among the products destroyed”, she explained.
She acknowledged that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Edo State handed over two 40ft containers of various Pharmacological classes of unregistered and substandard drugs which was part of the items destroyed.
The DG commended the sister agencies who assisted NAFDAC in the feat for their unflinching support in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines and harmful products.
The agencies included Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Security (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
She also recognised the assistance of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and the media, assuring the agency’s commitment to protect the public from the harm of such products.
Adeyeye called on all stakeholders including health professionals, law enforcement agencies, industry players and the general public to support the fight by reporting suspicious activities and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
The dignitaries present at the occasion were the Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service Eastern Marine Command,
Others include, the Deputy Commander, NSCDC; the Rivers Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists; the Sole Administrator, RIWAMA; the State Fire Service, and the Coordinators of NAFDAC, South-South Zone.

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Don Proposes Group Matrix In Organisational Efficiency

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A Professor in the Business Education Department at Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Prof. Joy Amesi, has proposed Group Matrix model system to help assess staff and students towards achieving proficiency.
She said it can also be applied in a work place setting to determine individual performances and hence will propel staff to work more effectively.
According to her, the benefits and importance of Group Matrix cannot be over-emphasised as it is capable of enabling staff to improve their efficiency, and strategically improve on their work.
Group Matrix, she added, “is not just for products, but also for organisational efficiency”.
Amesi stated this recently while delivering her inaugural lecture during the institution’s 108th inaugural lecture on the topic, “Group Matrix Imperatives: Epistemological And Pedagogical Perspectives Of A Business Education”, held at the senate building of the University.
She further explained that the Group Matrix can be used for both academic and non-academic, business organisations, and students in academic institutions.
“Group Matrix can be used to assess staff in an organisation. It’s not only for products and also not only for marketing, but can be used to assessing staff and students, knowing their performances and to enable them work better than the way they should have worked previously.
“This year academic institution should have applied Matrix in their assessment of staff and students for better equipment”, She stated.
Prof Amesi recommended, among other things, that institutions and organisations should select the most appropriate matrix and model to be utilised in the assessment of staff and learners.
In his speech the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, said the inaugural lecture is special for them because it provides an opportunity for them to tell the world that as a university they are working, adding that the University is carrying out teaching, research and community services which is the three primary objectives of every university.
“Education is central to all that we do as a people, as a state and as a nation. Without education, we cannot make progress”, Prof. Okogbule said.
He commended the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, for coming for the inaugural lecture, adding that when Prof Amesi was promoted to the rank of Professor, Justice Amadi hosted her, and he was privileged to be part of the event.
“My lord, I thank you very much for recognising the ability, quality in this young lady.
“There is no doubt you see that today in Prof Amesi, that Rivers State University did not make a mistake to promote her to the rank of Professor in the business education faculty in the university”, he said.

By: Kiadum Edookor

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