Niger Delta
Fishermen Lament Effect Of Bonga Oil Spill
Fishermen, under the aegis of Famous Fishing Organisation (FFO), on Sunday said the recent bonga oil spill had negatively affected economy of coastal settlements in Akwa Ibom.
Legal adviser of the organisation, Mr Umoekeyo Eno, told newsmen in Oron, that the fishermen would be compelled to seek legal redress if the oil firm responsible for the spill failed to compensate the victims.
He said that he had written to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) on the impact of the spill on members of the organisation in Akwa Ibom.
Eno said that there was evidence to prove that fishermen in Oron, Mbo, Urue Offong Oruko, Udung Uko, Ibeno, Ikot Abasi and Eastern Obolo in Akwa Ibom, were affected by the spill.
He dismissed reports that the spill had not reached Akwa Ibom shorelines.
Eno described the reports as “unscientific” and argued that only a scientific study of the Akwa Ibom coastline would exonerate the oil firm.
“The statement is unscientific, when you put something in the water which is injurious to the interest of fishermen, the thing goes on and off, it doesn’t go one way, water doesn’t flow one way.
“So, if you put injurious substance in the water in that area, it must naturally pass to other areas, nobody is directing the movement of the spill one way, it is not a one-way traffic.
“Of course, what is on ground is that this area, this Oron area, Ibeno has been affected, adversely affected by the spill; for somebody to make that statement, it is unscientific and false.
“Anything that happens in Port Harcourt passes along the Atlantic coast to other communities in the Delta region where we are.”
He urged the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Environment to immediately conduct an environmental audit of the Atlantic shoreline in the state to ascertain the level of damage to coastal settlements.
Our correspondent recalls that SNEPCO, operator of the Bonga Field located about 120 kilometres from the coastline, reported that some 40,000 barrels of crude leaked into the Atlantic Ocean in the spill incident which occurred on December 20, 2011.
A statement from SNEPCO said the oil firm had completed the clean up of the spill which occurred 120 kilometres off the coastline and restarted production from the Bonga platform in January.
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.