Niger Delta
Environmentalists Want Proper Clean-Up Of Oil Spill Sites In Communities
Environmentalists under the aegis of Environmental rights action(ERA) have berated oil majors operating in Bayelsa State for their improper remediation and clean-up of sites of oil spills in Biseni clan of Yenagoa council area of the state.
The Tide gathered that constant oil spill has reportedly rocked Tein community of Biseni Kingdom.
Reports made available to newsmen by the Environment Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) from their field reports, have it that the constant spill which had occurred in the Biseni-Asamabiri cluster, with 14 inches pipe which in turn leads to Obiobio, between March and February 2020, in a facility own by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC has caused an unimaginable hazard to the clan’s Environment.
The pipe leak, ERA’s head in the State, Comrade Alagoa Morris, said, the spill has not been cleaned up, noting that NOSDRA and the Ministry of Environment were not there when they came for the clamping, in the fishing and farming settlement.
The Tide further gathered that the people of Tein in Biseni Kingdom have also experienced several oil spills for years which ERA/FoEN has said was as a result of equipment failure.
“The operators, Agip, should ensure that they carry the regulators along.When we had that they are coming with Swampbugi again we felt we should follow up on what is happening to the Environment”, the ERA boss said.
“I Want to join my voice with the people, the families, and others saying that Agip should do the needful by coming to ensure that the Environment that was polluted by their own crude oil is properly cleaned up. Possible remediation should be carried out.
“And that is what we want. We’re demanding for a sustainable Environment for our people,and that is what we need,” he said.
Also corroborating ERA’s position, a community leader, Chief David Obuma, said over the time the clan has suffered alot from the oil companies, Shell and Agip, saying the multinationals have never done any perfect clean up job on their Environment.
“Here when we hear any spillage they will say it is sabotage, does it means that the spill cannot be cleaned?”
“They always term any oil spill as sabotage, meaning somebody must have burst the pipe, who is the person? No name, so, we are worried,
“Last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, around March, there was a spillage in 14 inches pipe beginning from the cluster to Obiobio, in Ahoada, before the people realized, the oil companies came with excavators’, without even letting the Chiefs know that such a thing has happened. They covered it up till today; we have written letters to Agip, they have not done anything,
“For us we are not just a host Community, but also landlords, because when you say host Community that means you are hosting somebody, that can run away any time”, he said.
Obuma who once served as member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly called on Nigerians to come to the aid of the people, saying they were in a precarious situation.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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.
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