Jonathan applauds Dickson’s tenure as PDP inaugurates Elders Advisory Council

Ex-President., Goodluck Jonathan has commended Gov. Seriake Dickson’s tenure as Bayelsa governor, saying the state has taken shape under his administration which commenced in 2012.

Jonathan stated this during the inauguration of the state Peoples’ Democratic Party  Elders Advisory Council  on Thursday in Government House, Yenagoa.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media Relations to the governor,
Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, stated that Jonathan praised Dickson for a building a befitting edifice as office complex and official residence for the Governor and Deputy.

Court frees suspect arrested with 14 ‘bags’ of illegally refined kerosene

A Federal High Court on Wednesday freed a suspect arraigned by the Bayelsa Command of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) for dealing in petroleum products without license.



Presiding Judge, Justice Awogboro Abimbola ordered that the 14 sack bags filled with suspected illegally refined kerosene and the Mazda car used in conveying the products be released to the suspect, Mr John Araike.



Delivering the judgment, Abimbola chided the NSCDC for lack of diligent prosecution and improper investigation as it failed to ascertain the volume of kerosene found with the suspect at the time of arrest.



She said that although the suspect had admitted to transporting the kerosene without a license the prosecution made no effort to verify the quantity of the exhibit.

Aiteo,Host Communities face-off: Court declines to halt renewal of OML 29 lease

The communities are seeking an environmental audit of the impact of the oil field on the host communities and the implementation of the social obligations of the host communities by the operator of the oil block amongst others.

The lease will expire on June 30, while the operator of the oilfields had commenced renewal formalities with the payment of 82 million dollars to the Department of Petroleum Resources.

Justice Awogboro Abimbola, in a ruling in response to an application by Lead Counsel to the Plaintiffs, Mr Iniruo Wills, that the renewal of the lease be halted decline to grant the application and adjourned the case to Sept 27 to hear applications of parties seeking to join the suit.

Aiteo’s lifeline to Education in Bayelsa, Panacea to vandalism ?

Aiteo’s lifeline to Education in Bayelsa, Panacea to vandalism ?

By Lucas Xavier

Pipeline vandalism, sabotage and oil theft are crimes that hurt the criminal, the environment and the economy at large and frequent mishaps leading to avoidable deaths.

These crimes are fuelled by ignorance and lack of enlightenment and education and is a threat to oil industry growth as the sector is unable to attract investment capita.

Shell reports that crude oil theft on the pipeline network resulted in a loss of around 11,000 barrels of oil a day (bbl/d) in 2018, which is more than the approximate 9,000 bbl/d in 2017. It also reports the identification of over 1000 oil theft points. The fallout opportunity costs from downtime and theft point repairs has seen a staggering loss of revenue and subsequent loss of confidence from investors in the sector.

N/Delta: We have supported 6,659 entrepreneurs in Bayelsa,Delta –SPDC

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) says it has raised some 6,659 entrepreneurs from its gas fields in Bayelsa and Delta from 2003 till date.

Mr Igo Weli, General Manager, External Relations at SPDC stated this on Wednesday at a graduation and award ceremony for beneficiaries of the oil firm’s enterprise development programme in Yenagoa.

Weli, who was represented by Mr Adebanjo Adekoya, Manager, External Relations, SPDC noted that the company embarked on the scheme to provide alternative income and to divert the attention of the youths from restiveness.

According to him, SPDC has injected a total of N2.2 bn into the Southern Swamp Associated Gas Solution area for community development as top up funds for the Community Cluster Development Boards in Bayelsa and Delta.

JTF Commander seeks media support in fighting Oil theft, insecurity in N/Delta

The Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed to protect oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta on Tuesday enlisted the support of the media in its fight against oil theft and insecurity in the region.

Commander of the joint military force codenamed Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade noted that the media was a critical stakeholder in security of the nation.

Akinrinade, spoke when the executives of the Federated Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited the headquarters of the JTF at Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

He urged the media not to report the security agencies in the country to enhance the confidence of the people their capacity and to refrain from glorifying crime in their reportage.

N/Delta group expresses safety concerns over First E&P operations at OML 85 & 86 in Bayelsa

The Ifalbobou Revolutionary Movement, (IRM) has expressed concerns over operations of  First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company, (First E&P) within the KEFFES host communities in Bayelsa.

KEFFES, is an acronym for eight Chevron host communities in Bayelsa comprising Koluama 1 2, Ezetu 1 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni and Sangana located along the Atlantic coastline within Bayelsa.

First E&P in 2015 acquired the two oil blocks OML 85 and 86 from Chevron Nigeria Limited.

 The group said they had safety concerns on the rig deployed at the operational area by First E&P and later withdrew an ultimatum on the grounds that stakeholders had intervened to resolve the concerns it expressed.

It will be recalled that a rig explosion at an oilfield operated by Chevron in the area in January 2012 ignited a fire that burnt down the ill-fated KS-Eandeavor rig and devastated the ecosystem.

Chevron host communities in Bayelsa spent N350 m on 167 projects in 2018

The KEFFES Rural Development Foundation (RDF) spent a total of N350 million in community development activities within Chevron host communities in Bayelsa in 2018.

KEFFES, is an acronym for eight Chevron host communities in Bayelsa comprising Koluama 1 2, Ezetu 1 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni and Sangana located along the Atlantic coastline within Bayelsa.

Mr Esimaje Brikinn, General Manager in charge of Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited said the foundation embarked on 167 development projects.

Brikinn who spoke during the 8^th Annual General Meeting of KEFFES RDF in Yenagoa on Monday disclosed that Chevron runs a community driven approach in meeting its social obligations to its host communities in Niger Delta.

Ex-President Jonathan’s ally,kinsman Agadaga joins Bayelsa guber race

Chief Benson Agadaga, an associate and kinsman of Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has declared interest to contest the Bayelsa governorship election slated for November 16.

Agadaga, National Chairman, Ogbia Brotherhood Worldwide, a Socio-Cultural group said on Sunday in Yenagoa that he was ready to bring development to the people if elected. 

According to him, his aspiration was born out of his desire to continue to serve the people of Bayelsa at the highest level having served as a former Commissioner for Information.

Agadaga currently serves as Special Adviser on Establishment to Bayelsa Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson.

NDDC trains 500 N/Delta women on business innovation, self sustenance

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Sunday concluded a training  for over 500 women on innovative skills and rudiments of self-sustenance in order to cater for their individuals needs and that of their family.

NDDC conducted the capacity building programe in collaboration with the ‘Father's Heart Foundation' .

The workshop is part of the commission's programme to mark the 2019 International Women's Day, which had as its theme; “Balance for Better" and aimed at advancing gender equality in women.

Speaking during the conference , a resource person, Mrs Tobore Olumoye, urged women to keep updating themselves with modern technologies in order to be relevant in society.

Northern Izon Anglican Diocese calls for peaceful LG, Guber polls in Bayelsa

The Northern Izon Anglican Diocese, Kolokumo-Opokuma Council Area of Bayelsa has called for a peaceful local government and  governorship elections.

The Anglican Church made that call during the 2019 Synod hosted by Rt. Rev Funkuro Amgbare, Bishop, Northern Izon Dioscese.

The Syndod urged the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, INEC and security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities as the elections get closer with intense preparations by political actors.

The demands were contained in a communique issued at the end of the first session of the third synod of Northern Izon Anglican Diocese which held at St. Paul's Deanery, Okoloba in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area.

June 12: Ex-Gov Sylva applauds Buhari's democratic ideals, says Nigeria has gone a long way

Ex-Governor Chief Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa on Wednesday described this year's Democracy day as a moment of deep significance in the country's history saying Nigeria has made progress.

Sylva, leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa urged the new National Assembly members from the state to be true representatives of not just their respective constituencies, but of all Bayelsa people.

Sylva in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr Julius Bokoru observed that the country has gone a long way despite the challenges confronting the nation.

“Nigeria's democracy, though still fledgling, has been hard fought and steep to come by.

“It has come at the wake of sacrifices from patriots, extraordinary selflessness from statesmen and above all, unflinching resolve in Nigerians to yearn and strive for a country tall and brave in justice, equity and fairness

Osaisai, Nuclear Scientist declares interest in Bayelsa Governorship

DR FRANKLIN OSAISAI (LEFT) AND WIFE LADY EMONTONGHAN OSAISAI, KNEELING BEFORE BISHOP EMMANUEL OKO-JAJA OF NIGER DELTA WEST ANGLICAN DIOCESE AT A SOLEMN DECLARATION SERVICE FOR BAYELSA GOVERNORSHIP.  

Dr Franklin Osaisai, a Nuclear Scientist on Sunday publicly declared his interest in contesting the Nov. 9 governorship polls in Bayelsa.

Osaisai, a Nuclear Scientist made his guber ambition at a church service at St John’s Anglican Church in his community, Koluama situated along the Atlantic coastline in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa.

Speaking during the service titled Solemn Declaration of Interest, Osaisai a former Director-General, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission explained that he resolved to come back to the roots of his humble beginning in Church.

He said that he recalled that it was the grace of God that took him from a Chorister at the St John’s Anglican Church to the pinnacle of his career and becoming a pioneer Chief Executive of the Atomic Energy Commission.

Bayelsa Govt. claims to have lowest debt in South-South

The Bayelsa government on Wednesday said it was the least indebted state amongst the states in the South South geopolitical Zone.

The  states within the geopolitical zone are; Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross-River, Delta, Edo and Rivers.

Its commissioner for Information, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, stated this in a statement issued in Yenagoa on Wednesday.

Markson, did not, however, disclose the entire debt profile of the state.

World Environmental Day: Environmentalists berate N/Delta Govs on oil derivation proceeds

Renowned Environmentalists Rev Nnimmo Bassey and Mr Alagoa Morris on Wednesday frowned at the neglect of oil community environment by Niger Delta Governors.

The duo in separate interviews on the 2019 World Environmental Day (WED) noted that 13 per cent oil derivation funds to oil-producing states were being diverted by Niger Delta Governors.

According to them, the funds meant to ameliorate the adverse effect of oil exploration and production was being spent on frivolities to the detriment of the oil communities and the environment.

Bassey, who holds a National Honour of the order of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) said that Governors of the Niger Delta states were not deploying the oil derivation revenue for the benefit of the environment and the people.

N/Delta group says concerns over safety of rig at OMLs 83 & 85 in Bayelsa being addressed

A Niger Delta group, the Ifalibobou Revolutionary Movement, (IRM) says safety concerns over the state of an oil rig deployed to oilfields at Koluama coastal communities in Bayelsa is being addressed.

The group said that efforts were being made by leadership of the Koluama communities Rural Development Board to respond to their concerns and explain recent developments in the area.

The group had on May 7 issued an ultimatum to First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company (First E&P) to clarify the safety records of the rig within 72 hours to avoid a repeat of the 2012 rig disaster in the area.

It demanded that failure to show proof of integrity of the facility, the rig should leave the territorial waters of Bayelsa in Southern Ijaw and Brass Local Government Areas of Bayelsa.

N/Delta group commends FG, NOSDRA for Spill Impact Assessment intervention in Bayelsa

Oil and Gas Producing Areas Enlightenment and Empowerment Initiative (OGPAEEI) on Sunday commended the Federal Government and its agencies for intervening oil spill impacted areas in Bayelsa.

Mr Collins Igbabiri, President of OGPAEEI, who made the commendation in an interview in Yenagoa on Sunday, noted that the swift response of the oil spill agency was heartwarming.

According to him, the group had written a petitioned to the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) over an abandoned oil spill site within Shell’s oilfields in Bayelsa.

Bayelsa LG Poll: Bayelsa Independent Electoral Commission Chairman quits over threats to life

Chairman of the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission, (BYSIEC), Dr. Bertola Perekeme has resigned his position.

In the resignation letter dated May 31, 2019, Perekeme, who cited threats to his life and that of his family members as reasons for his decision hoped that the development would not jeopardize council polls scheduled for August 10.

The resignation letter sighted in Yenagoa on Saturday was addressed to Gov Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa.

It could be  recalled that Perekeme had on April 27 postponed the election earlier slated for July 27, 2019 to Aug. 10 , 2019 and pledged that the polls would be free, fair and credible.