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.