Ex-Militants commend Buhari for sustaining Amnesty Programme's funding

Ex-agitators from Akwa Ibom State have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for sustaining the funding of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

They observed that the President's  funding of the programme despite the current economic challenges, had largely contributed to the sustained peace in the region. 

The ex-agitators, however, appealed to the President to confirm Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), as the substantive head of the PAP.

They said since his appointment, Dikio had displayed commitment and the highest level of capacity to their admiration and that of all stakeholders. 

The former warlords in a statement on Thursday signed by the State Chairman, Ex- Agitators Forum in Akwa Ibom, Amb. Alban Paulinus after a stakeholders and leadership strategic meeting and circulated in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, described Dikio as a round peg in a round hole. 

The statement said: “The entire ex-agitators in Akwa-Ibom will agree and acknowledge the fact that from the inception of the programme, this is the first time the ex-agitators in the state have been given full attention. We have never had it this good with PAP.

“Dikio, in his quest to redirect and reposition the region through PAP has engaged the ex-agitators in an effective and strategic communication model in order to bridge the gap between the real owners of the programme and the office.

"He has enhanced the Presidential Amnesty Liaison Offices in various parts of the region, like Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states to be more effective. 

“Furthermore, non-payment and delay of the ex-agitators’ monthly stipends are now a thing of the past, due to the new improved payment structure. 

“In the light of the above, we the ex-agitators of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in Akwa Ibom State join other stakeholders in the region to voice out that, what is good is good and to whom little is entrusted with, more can be entrusted". 

The ex-agitators said a more sustainable  method had been initiated by the administration of Dikio to curb social vices that had contributed to the under-development of the Niger Delta region. 

They said: "We applaud his approach to transform and transmit a more youth and women inclusive programme in the Niger Delta under the new Niger Delta Stability Programme. It will form a new phase in achieving the exit plan of the amnesty programme, sustaining the peace and development of the region and bringing in new investors. 

“We call on all stakeholders in the region, governors, House of Representatives, Senators and Mr. President to look in this direction and leave a legacy with their names written in gold.

“We appeal to Mr. President as a father who has shown so much love to Niger Delta people, to please use his good office  to confirm Dikio as substantive head to enable him run the programme more effectively in achieving a sustainable goal". 

Environment Rights Group trains Bayelsa, Delta Oil Community Residents on Environmental Monitoring

Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), an environmental rights focused group has concluded training of some 40 residents of oil bearing communities in Delta and Bayelsa states.

Speaking to the volunteers drawn from Gbarain/Ekpetiama in Bayelsa and  Iwhrekan in Delta, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of HOMEF noted that a safe environment was fundamental to support life and livelihood.

He said that there was a need for people who reside near oil and gas fields to remain vigilant and observant to conserve the environment and ensure that the economic interests of investors do not threaten the environment.

Bassey who holds a National Honour of Member of order of Federal Republic (MFR) for environmental activism noted there was a need to raise volunteers who will defend the ecosystem from degradation and pollution.

He noted that Iwhrekan and Gbarain gas fields constitute the dominant gas flare sites in the Niger Delta and hence residents from the areas require capacity building on environmental management.

He advised them to develop their skills to 'listen to the environment' as it responds and speaks by responding to human activities that distort the ecosystem.

Speaking to participants, Mr Alagoa Morris, an environmentalist said that monitoring the environment demands factual and evidence based data collection, recording and reporting.

"In journalism, the media professionals say that facts are sacred, and that is even much more applicable and I will say that in advocating for environmental justice, facts are more sacred.

"I say so because there is no room for false and misleading information because all facts must be validated at various stages including litigation and aven exergaration is strongly discouraged.

"Environmental monitoring is evidence based and empirical, and it makes the information stand the test of time," Morris said.

Also, Mr Ken Henshaw, a Civil Society Activist who examined the imperatives of the divestment by oil firms from onshore assets and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) urged communities to brace up for challenges in the new era.

Henshaw noted that the new law which recommends a three per cent operational budget as host community funds left the constitution of the governance structures largely in the hands of oil firms.

He observed that the PIA is silent on existing corporate social obligation operated by oil firms.

Mr Cadmus Alake-Enade, Project Lead, Fossil Politics and Climate Change at HOMEF took the participants through the steps and procedures in environmental monitoring and reporting.

Alake-Enade urged them to be observant about changes in their environment and record same over time to establish a trend.

The interactive segment of the training had the volunteers from the two states share experiences and adverse impacts of oil and gas exploration on their environments. 

Agip's gas export disrupted as Ogboinbiri/OB-OB gas pipeline in Bayelsa vandalised, set on fire

 

  

Barely one week after it was attacked by vandals on March 29, the 24 inch Ogboinbiri/OB-OB gas pipeline has been vandalised and set ablaze, .disrupting the firm's gas export schedule from oilfields in Bayelsa.

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The breach of the pipeline operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) cuts the oil firm's gas export feed to the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas gathering and processing plant.

2023:APC support group in Bayelsa goes spiritual, prays for unity, success

FOUNDER OF THE SUPPORT GROUP PASTOR REUBEN WILSON

An All Progressives Congress (APC) support group on Sunday organised a prayer and fasting programme seeking God's intervention towards the unity and success of the party ahead 2023 polls.

The event put together by the group known as Pastor Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability (PRIFGLA) attracted members of the APC support group from the eight local governments in Bayelsa. 

 

A party chieftain and Chairman Advisory Council of PRIFGLA, Hon. Stephen Ogullah while speaking during the prayers and fasting programme harped on unity amongst the the leader of APC in Bayelsa. 

He noted that harmony amongst Chief Timipre Sylva, Chief David Lyon and Senator Heineken Lokpobiri was crucial for part successm in the polls as a divided house cannot achieve anythiseats will be feasible.