News
Rivers Community Calls for Urgent Action to Address Pollution
Rivers Community Calls for Urgent Action to Address Pollution
By: Michael Mike
Kebetkache, in Rivers State has raised an alarm to the pollution committed in the oil rich state by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), calling on the oil exploration company, the government, global community, regulatory agencies and relevant stakeholders to take urgent action to address these issues.
In a statement titled: “The Environmental Assault Committed by Shell in Rivers Communities” issued at the weekend to mark the World Press Freedom Day, the community said: “There is a threat to sustainable development in the Niger Delta. The environmental crisis of air pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change have become significant challenges for people and communities.”
The statement read: “This is the reason Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre use the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day to provide update on key environmental injustice cases in Rivers state. This is necessary to prevent misinformation and disinformation by people who do not understand the issues. It is important to note that the information ecosystem is crucial.
“The theme of the 2024 World Press Freedom Day is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crisis” and it is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis. In view of this, Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, with her allied organisations present the environmental pollution issues in Ibaa and Obelle communities in Emohua local government area and Aminigboko community in Abua/Odual local government area.
“In 2016, people in Chukwure family compound discovered that their hand dug well was filled with crude oil instead of water that it was producing until that fateful period. The case was reported to the Shell the corporation carrying out activities in the locality.
“The family has been worried and concerned over their fate living such level of pollution. Part of the response by Shell to advocacy efforts to get justice for the family is Shell sealing off the affected well.
“A visit to the site on May 2nd 2024 showed that some family still live with the pollution. The family wants to be relocated to somewhere safe and secured and compensation paid for damages so far suffered by family members.
“Obelle community of Emuoha Local Government Area, Rivers State, is one of the sites where Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) carries out its oil extraction activities. In 1998 the well-4 head operated by Shell erupted with gas fire, burning over thirty hectares expanse of land, in the community for about three months.”
The community alleged that: “After burning for some weeks, SPDC added some chemicals to control it. The
chemicals were washed into the community’s aquifer, resulting to impacts on the people’s health and their source of livelihood. The only solution proffered by SPDC was to acquire these lands without alternative provision for farming. There was no compensation made to the community and the people have suffered untold hardship as a result of the insufficient land to carry out their farming activities and women are the worst hit in terms of displacement.
“Cases of environmental pollution are also reported in Aminigboko community, where environmental impact assessment is also under contention by community members. The issues have been reported to the Dutch National Contact Point, who intervened and made recommendations. The company has outrightly refused to address the issues since 10th February 2023 when the recommendation was made.”
The statement said Kebetkache in 2022 had conducted an environmental and socio-economic assessment in Ibaa community, and the key findings from the field revealed a widespread crude oil contamination in the seven groundwater and four soil samples covering a radius of about 6 kilometres based on the risk associated with undue exposure to crude oil contamination, the assessment recommended as an emergency measure that the impacted families and others within 1500 metres across the pipeline right of way be relocated to safe locations within the community, provision of safe drinking water for the community and the rectification of the cause of the leakage in addition to other long term remedies.
“Kebetkache is therefore using this medium to call on the government, global community, SPDC, regulatory agencies and relevant stakeholders to take urgent action to address these issues,” the statement added.
Rivers Community Calls for Urgent Action to Address Pollution
Tuggar Congratulates Catholics Worldwide on Election of Pope Leo XIV
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has extended warm congratulations to the Catholic faithful worldwide for the successful election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
Tuggar, in a statement on Friday signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa said Nigeria rejoices with the global Catholic community on this momentous and historic occasion and prays for divine wisdom, strength, and guidance for the new Pope as he assumes this sacred responsibility.
He said: “We are confident that with his wealth of experience and devotion, His Holiness will lead with compassion, humility, and a steadfast commitment to peace, unity, and the spiritual well-being of humanity.
“As a nation with a significant and large Catholic population, Nigeria values the enduring relationship between the Holy See and our country. We therefore look forward to continued collaboration in promoting interfaith dialogue, harmony, social justice, and the common good of all people.
“Once again, Nigeria congratulates Pope Leo XIV and the entire Catholic faithful. May his papacy be blessed with grace and profound impact on the world.”
Tuggar Congratulates Catholics Worldwide on Election of Pope Leo XIV
Yobe: Governor Mala donates N50m to troops
By: Yahaya Wakili
In bida bid encourage the Nigerian Army, Yobe staState Governor . Mai Mala Buni CON has today donated the sum of #50 million to be shared to amonge troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade Buni Gari, in addition to foofoodstuffsattresses, blankets, and other sundry items donated by the Yobe staStatevernment.
Governor Buni CON made the donation when he visited the Heaheadquarters the 27 Task Force Brigade Buni GarGari sympathize with the formation over the recent attack by insurgents.
He described as unfortunate the resurgence of insurgency and the attack on security formations.
The governor commiserated with the army and families of the deceased personnel, adding thathat e gallant officers did not die in veivain;ey died gallantly defending their fatherland.””
overnor Buni also donated the sum of #2 ₦2llion to each of the families of the fallen herheroes #1 ₦1llion to each of thothose whostained injuries.
“Government would also provide educational support to the children of the deceased solsoldiers,” added.
He assured the support of the government and people of the state to the army and other security agencies in the state to effectively fight and defeat the resurgence.
The governor directed fortheinforcement of security around the brigade, assuring govthe governmentsupport to the security.
“We will continue to complement your efforts to improve security around your forformation,”v. Buni said.
The Bribrigade commanderen. Usman AhmAhmed,o conducted the governor around the formation, andmended Governor Buni for the uncommon show of concern and care to fore solsoldiers.
Yobe: Governor Mala donates N50m to troops
Fire Disaster: Peace Ambassador Mato expressed appreciation for support.
By: Yahaya Wakili
Alhaji Nasiru Mato, Peace Ambassador, has expressed his profound appreciation to all those who traveled from far and near distances to sympathize with him following the unfortunate fire incident that gutted his house last month.
“My singular and sincere appreciation goes to my leader, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN, Chiroman Gujba, for his support and sending a high-power delegation under the Honourable Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr. Bello Muhammed Kawuwa.”
According to Nasiru Mato, Peace Ambassador, my sincere appreciation also goes to my mentor, my boss, the President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, PhD, GCON, Sardaunan Bade, Yobe North Senatorial District; Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka Madakin Gudi, Chairman APC Yobe State; Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri; Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, Turakin Fika; and traditional rulers.
Others include the district heads, business moguls (men and women), religious leaders (both Muslim and Christian), members of the National and State Assemblies, union leaders, and members of the communities’ youth and student unions.
Alhaji Mato further said, A kindhearted gentleman like no other, for all the encouragement and showing their concern and sympathies extended to me, I am eternally appreciative and grateful to all, and also to those who called me and sympathized with me in prayers. I appreciate you.
“I thank everyone with the deepest appreciation and pray Allah reward you abundantly and grant you all your heart’s desires, and once again, I can’t thank you enough to those who travel far and near distances to show their concerns and sympathies with me over the incident.” Mate, pray.
Fire Disaster: Peace Ambassador Mato expressed appreciation for support.
Tuggar Congratulates Catholics Worldwide on Election of Pope Leo XIV
Yobe: Governor Mala donates N50m to troops
Fire Disaster: Peace Ambassador Mato expressed appreciation for support.
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics9 months agoKashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident
