Niger Delta
NGO, Stakeholders Partner On Campaign Against Oil Spills, Grievance Mechanism
A Non-governmental organisation, Stakeholders Alliance for Corporate Accountability (SACA), has just rounded off a one-day event tagged “Triggers of Human Rights and Community Gatekeepers Action Reflection Forum” in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Speaking with newsmen at the event, Executive Director of SACA, Mr Kingsley Ozegbe, said the programme was held in a bid to steer community leaders in the state to take non-violence actions against crude oil spillages due to the huge health hazards linked to their exposure and also to sensitize them on ways to channel their grievances against companies operating in their areas.
The Tide learnt that the event is a component of SACA’s project that is titled, “the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) in conflict and post-conflict contexts in the Niger Delta region”.
The Tide reports that the state’s Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Environment made presentations about the risks that are linked to crude oil spillages into the environment.
Meanwhile, the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for stoppage of further willful damages and illegal activities in the oil business in the State to safeguard the environment and people.
The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) also indicated its willingness to synergize with stakeholders to address grievances and improve relationship with host communities to end oil spills.
The Grievance Coordinator, Stakeholders Management and Community Development Division, NAOC, Mrs. Diepreye Torubiri, stated this while making a presentation on Agip’s grievance mechanism.
She sensitized the communities about the NAOC Grievance Mechanism, the Stakeholders Management System (SMS), on what it entails, the processes involved, and the channels of receiving grievances, just as she assured communities that NAOC is open to dialogue.
Torubiri added that the process cannot be completed without constituting an engagement until their complaints were addressed, urging aggrieved communities to send their complaints in writing through a credible body like SACA, CLO and NAOC offices for it to be addressed.
In their separate presentations, Director of Petroleum and Pollution, Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, Engr. Enai Reuben, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Okoya Embasi, and Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Stowe Jones, cautioned against oil spills.
The trio noted that crude oil spillage degrades the environment, saying it leads to loss of food security and several health challenges including impotence and infertility, frequent miscarriages, change in DNA, as well as various types of cancer, defective births and many more harms.
The Executive Director of SACA, Mr Kingsley Ozegbe said that SACA invited leadership of 40 communities in Bayelsa State, adding also that the NGO is working to reach and sensitize 72 communities by September 2024.
“SACA is concerned over the effect of oil spills on humans, aquatic life and the entire environment.
“SACA’s quest in carrying out continuous sensitization was hinged on its resolve to end the threat posed by Oil spills from either third party interference on oil facilities or equipment failure on the other hand”, the Executive Director said.
This was even as he said the initiative is part of the charge of Pope Francis, who is asking all humanity to care for nature, because it is a common home.
On his part, Head of legal Services and Enforcement, National Human Rights Commission, Bayelsa state office, Barr. Goselle Vinning called on all stakeholders to checkmate the threat posed by vandals in order to forestall the occurrence of oil spills.
He added that human right violations in the affected communities are being given the attention it deserves.
Tide Tide, which monitored the event, reports that participants openly engaged in frank discussions.
Participants reflected on the presentations and shared experiences of actions they are taking to safeguard their community from these menace, just as participants also asked questions and got answers.
Meanwhile, SACA during the programme informed communities that the grievances they received have been submitted to NAOC and hope to get feedback from the firm soon.
The Tide learnt that SACA is being funded by Misean Cara of the Republic of Ireland and St. Patrick Missionary Society.
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.