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OML 11: RSG Wins Suit Against Shell …Warns IOCs Over Provision Of Poor Quality Water To Host Communities

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The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided over by Hon. Justice Charles Nwogu, yesterday, delivered judgement in favour of the state government in suit No.PHC/652/CS/2020 filed by the Attorney General of Rivers State against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria Limited.
The Rivers State Government had claimed that SPDC Defendant’s/Judgment Debtor Interest in its fixed landed assets comprised in Kidney Island Base, Port Harcourt and interests in lands comprised in Oil Mining Lease No. 11 (OML 11) sold to the Claimant pursuant to the execution of the combined court judgments in Suit No. FHC/PH/231/2001; CA/PH/396/2012 and the Supreme Court Appeal No.SC 731/2017 is consistent with the command contained in Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
The Claimants further claimed that “the continued defiant appropriation (despite the completed sale) of possessory and usufructuary, including pecuniary accruals in respect of its fixed landed assets comprised in its Kidney Island Base, Port Harcourt and interests in lands comprised in OML 11 infringes on the Claimant’s vested respective rights to title, and pecuniary interests therein.
“That SPDC is bound to render accounts to and pay over to the Claimant all accruals from the Defendant’s continued appropriation of the pecuniary interests in the said OML 11, including arrears of commercial rents for their use of the said property from the date the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court of Rivers State issued title documents thereon to the Claimant until the Defendant peaceably yields up possession thereof”.
The court, in a considered judgment, upheld the claims of the Rivers State Government in the following terms: “SPDC Judgment Debtor’s interests in its fixed landed assets comprised in its Kidney Island Base, Port Harcourt and interests in lands comprised in OML 11 sold to the Claimant pursuant to the execution of the combined court judgments in Suit No. FHC/PH/231/2001; CA/PH/396/2012 and the Supreme Court Appeal No. SC 731/2017 is consistent with the command contained in Section 287(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“That the Defendant’s continued defiant appropriation(despite the completed sale) of possessory and usufructuary rights, including pecuniary accruals in respect of its fixed assets comprised in its Kidney Island Base, Port Harcourt and interests in lands comprised in OML 11 infringes on the Claimant’s vested respective rights to title and pecuniary interests therein.
“Also that the Defendant is bound to render accounts to and pay over to the Claimant all accruals from the Defendant’s continued appropriation of the pecuniary interests in the said OML 11, including arrears of commercial rents for their use of the Kidney Island Base and Jetty from the date the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court of Rivers State issued title documents thereon to the Claimant until the Defendant peaceably yields up possession thereof.
“That the Claimant ought to be accorded with all interests, rights, privileges and benefits derivable from its acquisition of the Defendant’s fixed landed assets comprised in its Kidney Island Base, Port Harcourt and interests in lands comprised in OML 11 in accordance with the title documents issued by the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court of Rivers State.
“That the Claimant is entitled to the Defendant’s fixed landed assets comprised in its Kidney Island Base, Port Harcourt and the license in lands comprised in OML 11 in accordance with the title documents issued by the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court of Rivers State.
“An Order compelling the Defendant, their agents, assigns, representatives, privies or whosoever called to accord the Claimant with all rights, privileges and benefits accruable from its purchase of Defendant’s fixed landed assets comprised in its Kidney Island Base, Port Harcourt and interests in lands comprised in OML 11 in accordance with the title documents issued by the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court of Rivers State”.
The court directed the Defendant to account for and handover to the Claimant all monetary accruals it had made from its continued appropriation of the fixed landed assets comprised in its Kidney Island Base, Port Harcourt and interests in lands comprised in OML 11 from the date the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court of Rivers State issued title documents thereon to the Claimant until the Defendant peaceably yields up possession thereof.
The court also perpetually restrained the Defendant, their agents, assigns, representatives, privies or howsoever called from embarking on acts or omissions adverse to the title, right and interest of the Claimant over the fixed landed assets comprised in its Kidney Island Base, Port Harcourt and interests in lands comprised in OML 11.
The court further condemned SPDC’s continued violation of the legal process by her continued occupation of the said Kidney Island Base, Port Harcourt and other properties already acquired by the Rivers State Government.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Government has warned oil multinational companies and international donors to stop drilling mono pumps in the course of donating water to their host communities.
The Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, who said this during an inspection of water facilities in Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, restated the commitment of the state government to package a model water treatment plant for the state.
According to him, the treatment plant was a deliberate effort by the government to check all incidences of water-borne diseases in the state.
Gogo-Jaja said oil companies must always approach the Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development for guidance in the course of providing water to their host communities.
The commissioner also expressed dissatisfaction with the poor handling of the network connection of the project by the contractors, regretting that such actions by the contractor would cost the state government extra funds in correcting the anomalies to enable residents have potable drinking water.
Gogo-Jaja also admonished the people of Abonnema to exercise patience, particularly those who have not been connected yet to the water facility.
He cautioned consumers association in the area against the exploitation of the people in the guise of connecting water to homes and residences, warning that they risked being dissolved and replaced with people that would render selfless services to the communities.
The commissioner thanked Governor Nyesom Wike for his efforts to ensure that Abonnema people have access to potable drinking water.

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Niger Delta

NACA Debunks Fake HIV Drug Pricing News

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The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has debunked what it called “fake news” circulating online regarding the cost of HIV treatment in Nigeria.
The news was that antiretroviral drugs will now cost 250,000 per dose with patients required to pay 500,000 monthly.
Describing the news as “completely false and misleading”, in a statement signed by the Head, Public Relations and Protocol, NACA said “HIV treatment in Nigeria remains free of charge at Government owned health facilities.
“The Government in collaboration with donor partners remains steadfast in providing free and accessible HIV treatment to all who need it.
“For accurate and up to date information on HIV treatment and prevention in Nigeria, follow our verified social media platforms and visit the official NACA website’.
Sogbeba Dokubo
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Niger Delta

RSG, MWAN Strengthen Partnership To Improve Healthcare

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The Rivers State Government, through the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, has indicated its preparedness to partner the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) in ensuring that the healthcare needs of vulnerable people in the State are met.
The State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Ilamu Arugu, who made this known when the leadership of MWAN, Rivers State Branch, visited him in his office in Port Harcourt, reiterated the State government’s commitment to improving the healthcare and wellbeing of vulnerable populations in the state.
While commending MWAN for their efforts in promoting healthcare and advocating for the rights of women and children in the state, Arugu expressed his ministry’s willingness to collaborate with the association in addressing the healthcare challenges facing residents in the state government-owned healthcare facilities.
“I want to thank you for appreciating our efforts. It’s not easy for people to recognize the humanitarian work we do, as we don’t seek laurels or rewards. We simply do what we believe is right,” the Commissioner stated”.
Earlier in her remarks, the state’s MWAN President, Dr. Cecilia Leloonu Nwibubasa, commended the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for appointing Mr. Ilamu Arugu as Commissioner, praising his outstanding achievements in the ministry.
She highlighted his unwavering commitment to effective, accountable, and participatory governance, particularly his focus on citizens’ welfare through responsive and inclusive policies, which, she said, serves as an inspiration to all.
Dr, Nwibubasa, who is the 19th President of the association in the state, noted that the organization is dedicated to advancing women and children’s health, with a focus on mental health, nutrition, and holistic mentorship for young female doctors, among others.
She stated that the association has remained at the forefront of community health initiatives, offering health services, medical outreaches, such as cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings, cancer treatment, maternal health care, support and extensive health education through various media channels.
Nwibubasa further revealed that the Association, a non-profit organization affiliated to the Medical Women’s International Association and the Nigerian Medical Association, was established in 1976 and incorporated in 1984.
The association’s motto, “Matris Animo Curantis,” meaning “healing with the love of a mother”, she explained, reflects its deep commitment to delivering compassionate healthcare.
The MWAM President noted that their visit was “driven by a deep sense of appreciation” for the commissioner’s leadership, which has been particularly impactful in areas aligning closely with the association’s mission.
This, according to her, includes ensuring safe homes, quality healthcare, education, and economic empowerment for women.
She emphasized the organization’s eagerness to explore collaborative opportunities to strengthen their shared objectives.
The MWAN delegation also presented the commissioner with a proposal outlining areas of potential collaboration, including healthcare services, training, and advocacy programmes.
The courtesy visit, which was attended by the ministry’s management team, ended with a commitment from both parties to work together to improve the healthcare and wellbeing of women and children within the Disabilitiy community in Rivers State.
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Niger Delta

HoSF Delighted Over New Secretariat Project In Bayelsa  … As Diri Promises Timely Completion 

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Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, has expressed delight over the construction of a new nine-storey civil servants secretariat by the Bayelsa State government.
She said when completed, the iconic structure would go down in her memory as an exciting legacy of the Governor Douye Diri’s administration.
Mrs. Walson-Jack stated this when she performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the project in Yenagoa.
According to her, the event was a special, significant milestone to her as she had served in the Bayelsa public service and felt a sense of nostalgia to witness the historic foundation-laying ceremony.
“The civil service is the engine of government, providing the expertise, structure necessary for effective governance. A well-motivated and efficient civil service requires capable personnel, robust policies and an enabling work environment that clusters professionalism, collaboration and innovation”, she said.
The HoSF stressed that the project was a testament to the state government’s commitment to strengthening the institutional framework that underpins governance and service delivery.
“This new state secretariat is a commendable effort to provide public servants with a con ducive workplace environment. I applaud the Bayelsa State government for its dedication to infrastructure development.
“This project aligns with the broader vision of strengthening the Nigerian civil service at both the state and federal levels to deliver people-centred governance”, she noted.
In his remarks, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, said the workers’ complex would be an electronic secretariat, noting that the cost of the project was N46 billion.
He stated that government had already mobilised the contractors with 30% of the project sum and had directed the release of another 20% as soon as it commenced work on site.
Diri, who assured that funding of the project will not be a problem, said the timeline for delivery was 24 months and charged the state workers to reciprocate government’s support for their welfare and wellbeing.
“What propelled me to build a new secretariat was the civil servants’ request for office accommodation, which became a recurring decimal every Workers’ Day in the state”, Governor Diri said.
He expressed delight that with the construction of the new secretariat, labour unions would no longer complain of inadequate office space.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, also stated that the project was conceived and initiated by the Diri administration and that the structure will provide a conducive and befitting communal space for the workforce.
He listed some of the features in the proposed structure to include modern eco-friendly green solutions that would support key functional needs of the state and that it would have a footprint of 3,675.633 square metres within a proposed gross area of 26,762.99 square metres with parking space for 155 cars.
Speaking on behalf of the project contractor, the Operations Director of Megastar Technical and Construction Company Ltd, Mr. Carlos Zanone, said the edifice will be equipped with a solar power-backed system, conference halls, a six-bed sick bay, a crèche to support working families among other features.
He added that the facility will be built to morden standard and finished with high quality materials that will improve and beautify the surrounding area.
Mr. Zanone assured that the 24 months completion time-frame was achievable.
In her remarks, the State Head of Service, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, expressed appreciation to Governor Diri, noting that the edifice will be a dream come true for all civil servants in the state.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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