Author: Emmanuel Obe

Following the directive by the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, to the 23 local government chairmen in the state to hand over to heads of their respective local government administrations, the outgoing Chairman of Eleme Local Government, Chief Brain Gokpa, has handed over the affairs of the local government to the Head of LG Administration at Ogale headquarters of the local government.At a brief ceremony on Monday, Gokpa urged the HLGA to ensure that the local government secretariat project is funded and that the evacuation of waste is sustained. The HLGA thanked Chief Gokpa for taking good care of…

Veterans of the Niger Delta struggle have publicly defended the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and its Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, against allegations of corruption by a group of disgruntled former agitators.In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, the veterans state that the PAP and Dr. Otuaro have significantly improved the lives of former agitators and contributed to greater security and increased oil production in the region.They highlighted their own role in establishing the PAP in 2009 and emphasized their commitment to its success. They refuted claims against Dr. Otuaro, stating that the program’s financial practices are transparent and legitimate.The…

Former militant leader and prominent Niger Delta youth leader, Osaanya B. Osaanya, has alleged that campaigns against NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, are being orchestrated by those promoting a “core Ijaw agenda.” Osaanya claims that these individuals, primarily from Bayelsa State, are unhappy with Ogbuku’s appointment, believing that someone from a “core Ijaw” local government should have been chosen instead. He further suggests that their anger is fueled by Ogbuku’s performance and alignment with President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.” Osaanya criticized this “parochial and primitive mentality,” arguing that it has hindered Bayelsa’s development. He insisted that any attempt to…

Target Segibo, Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA), has expressed deep concern over the severe impact of a recent oil spill at Obololi. Segibo attributed the leak to a pipeline operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) and criticized the company’s lack of responsiveness to the challenges faced by its host communities. Following an on-the-spot assessment, Segibo described the pollution as extensive, noting that the community’s only water source has been heavily contaminated. He explained that the leak, which occurred on Sunday, originated from a ruptured underwater pipeline laid in 1973. The Chairman lamented SPDC’s neglect…

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Bayelsa government are collaborating to conserve the biodiversity of Taylor Creek Forest Reserve in Yenagoa Local Government Area. According to a press statement by Mrs. Gladys Afam-Anadu, Shell’s Media Relations Manager, Shell and Bayelsa recently inaugurated the Gbaran Biodiversity Action Plan (Gbaran BAP). Afam-Anadu said more than 150 people from Taylor Creek Forest Reserve communities have been trained in alternative livelihood skills to reduce exploitation of resources at the forest. The trainees acquired skills in aquaculture, beekeeping, goat rearing, snail and cassava/plantain farming and grasscutter technology and were given packs to…

The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has said that it has received a report of an oil spill incident at Obololi, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa. The leak from the 16 inch Nun River-Kolo Creek pipeline has been discharging huge volumes of crude oil into River Nun and impacting adjoining areas. A statement signed by Mr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Director-General of NOSDRA made available on Thursday in Yenagoa to reporters stated that incident was being investigated. Woke explained that the agency got a report of the incident on Monday and convened a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV)…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that in the heat of political crisis staged against his administration in 2023, he committed to improving the welfare of Rivers workers in order to have a well-motivated workforce to achieve the goals of the Rivers First mantra. The Governor stated that the resultant industrial harmony has now become unprecedented as workers feel more valued, supported, and resolved to be more productive on an increased efficiency and profitability scale. Governor Fubara gave the explanation while inaugurating the one-storey twin-building Labour House constructed by the administration of Governor Douye Diri, in Yanagoa City,…

Former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has urged the Federal Government to prioritize stability within the commission’s leadership. Speaking at a management board retreat in Lagos, Ndoma-Egba emphasized the detrimental effects of frequent leadership changes on project completion and regional development. He advocated for allowing boards to complete their statutory tenures, citing the law’s provision for eight years of service (four years, renewable once) as an indication of the drafters’ intent for continuity. Ndoma-Egba also called for a review of the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan, emphasizing stakeholder ownership, particularly from state governments. NDDC Executive…

Renowned language expert and professor of French at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Priye Iyalla-Elechi Amadi, has said that a society whose members do not update themselves through reading would always fall prey to false information with all the dangers that come with it. Prof. Iyalla stated this while delivering the keynote address at the World Book Giving Day event at Faustinah Ojoba Walter-Akpana Resource Centre in Bakana, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State hosted by Havids Centre for Environment and Development. The programme featured book reading by students of Oba-Ama High School, Bakana and a…

The Chief Whip of Eleme Legislative Assembly and councillor representing Alesa Ward 1, Hon. Obele Humphrey Dada, has embarked on a road development project in the ward to mark his 100 days in office. During the inspection of the sites, Hon. Obele, said the project would have a positive impact on the community as it will attract investors and improve access to local farmers. “This is particularly significant for the women in the community, who play a vital role in agriculture and will greatly benefit from the improved infrastructure,” he said. The councillor’s efforts to upgrade the roads in Alesa…