The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.

By: Donatus Ebi

The Administrator of Eleme Local Government Council of Rivers State, Dr Gloria Obo Dibia, has cautioned  workers of the council against Partisansip in the discharge of their duties
Dr Dibiah who said this at this year’s Workers Day celebration at the council also urged them to be focused on their core responsibilities  with a view to improving productivity, adding that there should be no room for indolence at the council.
The Administrator who sympathised with the workers over the fire at the council secretariat also said her administration is determined to provide a conducive environment for them through the construction of a befitting secretariat for the council.
She also commended the workers for their support since the inception of her administration, adding that she salute their tireless efforts and dedication to duty.
Speaking, the Chairman of the occasion,Mr Isaac Saloka said the day epitomises the struggle and triumphs of workers against oppression.
Saloka said in the cause of the struggle, many workers both known and unknown had paid with their lives to ensure freedom for workers across the world.
He however urged workers to continue as the struggle has not yet ended.
The chairman who is a retired staff of the Rivers state ministry of Environment also urged Nigerian workers to demand for a living wage as the current minimum wage is nothing to talk about.
He further urged staff of The council to shun absenteeism by taking their job seriously.

Earlier chairman the National Union of Local Government Employees (Nulge ) Eleme local government council, Comrade Minii Gospel saluted the workers for their tenacity and commitment to achieving organizational goals.
“It is our relentless toil that till farm lands ,dies the minds,lay the rail tracks build the cities, construct and run the factories and provide the services that make communities livable
“Without our brains and muscles not even a single will of productivity can turn because the truth is that workers produce the wealth
“So on a day like this we celebrate the great value will bring not only to the workforce but also to the society and to the nation at large”he said.

By: John Bibor

A 32-year-old fashion designer identified as Mrs Sarah David and her three-month-old daughter were reportedly electrocuted in Benin City, Edo State.
The Tide’s source gathered that the incident happened recently around the Oregbeni area of the Benin-Agbor road.
It was gathered that the woman had the baby on her back when the unfortunate incident happened.
It was learnt that the woman was walking through a flooded road in the area, after a heavy downpour, when she stepped on a live electric cable that fell from one of the electricity poles.
An eyewitness account had it that one of the children of the deceased was so lucky as a young man who was also walking alongside took the child and passed through a different direction.
According to him, the young woman who wrapped her newborn baby on her back was electrocuted.
“She and her baby were electrocuted while going home. She passed through one of the flooded roads around the Oregbeni axis of the Benin-Agbor highways in Benin City when she stepped on a live electric cable that fell from one of the electricity poles in the area.
“After the incident, some residents in the area called on the authorities of the Benin Electricity Distribution company, BEDC, to interrupt electricity supply to the area before the corpses of the woman and her baby were removed from the flooded area.
‘The corpses were removed by some residents assisted by some police officers from the Oregbeni Police Division.
“She was, however, lucky that the second child did not die along with her, as a young man who was walking with them while they were trying to walk through the erosion helped to carry the little child from her.
“ If not, the three of them would have been electrocuted. The young man took the child from and passed through another direction”, he said.
Speaking of the incident, the husband of the deceased, Mr Samuel Ibom, described his wife as the breadwinner of the family.
Ibom said his wife, who hailed from Ebonyi State, was a fashion designer before the unfortunate incident.
He said he had just gotten a job a few days before the incident.
He, however, appealed to governments and well-meaning individuals to assist him with funds to first pay his wife’s bride price.
“I am begging governments and individuals to help me with money to first pay her bride price before burying her and my child”, he appealed.