Niger Delta
Mobil Yet To Commence Clean-Up Of Oil Spill In Akwa Ibom
Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), an affiliate of U.S. oil firm, Exxon Mobil, is yet to commence clean-up of oil spill on the Akwa Ibom shoreline.
Our correspondent recalls that the spill was from one of the company’s offshore pipelines, which was damaged on June 20.
Our checks at the Atlantic coastline at Ibeno in Akwa Ibom on Saturday showed that the cleanup exercise is yet to begin.
A statement signed by Mrs Gloria Essien-Dannar, Mobil’s Director in charge of External Relations and made available to newsmen in Eket on June 25, had said that the clean-up exercise would begin immediately.
According to the statement, the company will also continue to monitor the area for clean up of any residual deposit resulting from the incident.
“Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN), operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/MPN Joint Venture, confirms that on June 20, 2010, deposits of weathered hydrocarbon were found along the shoreline of Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State.
“MPN immediately deployed a team to inspect the site and sections of the shoreline with oil will be cleaned up immediately,” it said then.
Our investigations also showed that the oil firm had awarded contract for the clean-up to three contactors from its host community in Ibeno, but the number of workers to be engaged for the exercise is still in contention.
“Mobil only approved that each of the contractors will use 10 workers each for the exercise and the community feels that this is grossly inadequate as the few hands would make the already delayed clean-up to drag on for a longer time.
“We know that this is not good enough for the fragile environment,’’ a community leader who prefers to remain anonymous, said.
“Also in a community where thousands of youths are unemployed, it is only reasonable for the oil firm to absorb more people in the exercise but that is not happening,” he added.
We recall that coastal communities near the Qua Iboe oil fields recorded five oil spill incidents between December 2009 and June 2010.
One of the incidents, which occurred on May 1, compelled Mobil to declare a ‘force majeure’ on its Qua Iboe crude streams as a damaged pipeline affected oil production.
Declaration of ‘Force Majeure’ frees an oil company from legal liabilities for not meeting its contractual obligations due to circumstances beyond its control.
Niger Delta
Bipi Celebrates Gen Asabuja On Birthday
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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.
Niger Delta
Joint Provincial Council, East Of The Niger Salutes Diocese Of Evo
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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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