Ogoni/Niger Delta News

26/03/2025

GOVERNMENT OF RIVERS STATE

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The Rivers State Government hereby announces the suspension of all political office holders and appointees within the state.

This action is taken pursuant to the authority granted to the Administrator of Rivers State, His Excellency, Vice Admiral (RTD) Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

The following individuals and positions are affected by this suspension:

1. Secretary to the State Government
2. Chief of Staff
3. Honourable Commissioners
4. Chairmen and Members of all Boards, Councils of Agencies, Commissions, Institutions, and Parastatals
5. Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants

This suspension is effective immediately from Wednesday, March 26, 2025. All affected officers are required to hand over their duties to the Permanent Secretaries in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). In cases where there is no Permanent Secretary, the handover should be made to the most senior Director or Head of Administration.

Signed,

Chief of Staff to the Administrator

26/03/2025

Court Orders Rivers Government to Pay N1.1b for Unlawful Demolition

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued a landmark ruling, ordering the Rivers State Government to pay N1.1 billion in compensation.

The judgment arises from the illegal demolition and forceful acquisition of properties belonging to residents of waterfront communities in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

Residents from areas such as Egede, Iruala, and Elechi Phase One had their properties destroyed and seized by the previous administration under Governor Nyesom Wike.

In 2022, the affected residents took their case to court, alleging violations of their fundamental human rights.

Justice Sika Aprioku, who presided over the case, ruled that the Rivers State Government had indeed violated the applicants' rights. The court found that the government had failed to notify residents before demolishing their properties and was unable to prove ownership of the land.

The court also condemned the government for its failure to provide alternative housing or compensation for the displaced residents. Instead, the government employed police and thugs to demolish the properties, forcefully evict the residents, and take control of the area for urban development.

As a result, Justice Aprioku ordered the state government to pay N900 million to the applicants as compensation for the violation of their rights, along with a fine of N2 million.

Tonye Igeri, counsel for the applicants and a member of the Justice and Empowerment Initiative, expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, stating that it would restore hope to victims who had been made homeless by the government's actions.

A representative from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, who defended the government in the case, declined to comment on the judgment.

23/03/2025

Blast Strikes NLNG Facility in Rivers

An explosion has been confirmed at the Soku oil facility, operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, located in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, with possibilities including equipment failure, sabotage, or an attack on the facility.

This incident follows a period of political instability in Rivers State, including the alleged impeachment notice to the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by the State Assembly. Over the past week, several explosions have been reported at different oil facilities in the state. Some of these reports were found to be false. For instance, a viral video circulating on social media, which claimed that militants had bombed two Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) flow stations at Cawthorne Channel, was later debunked. The footage was actually from an explosion on February 19, 2025, at Cawthorne Channel 1 in Iloamatoru, Bonny, which resulted in three fatalities. Explosions in Bodo Community in Ogoniland and Ogba/Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area were confirmed to be true, while others were fabricated.

In his nationwide broadcast on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the recent spate of explosions as part of his rationale to address attacks on oil infrastructure.

Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, Executive Director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots NGO active in the Niger Delta, confirmed the explosion at Soku, noting that it was accompanied by fireballs.

However, the Soku Kingdom has refuted reports circulating on social media that claimed the Soku gas plant was engulfed in flames. Mr. Witness Alasia, General Secretary of Soku Kingdom, clarified that while there was a fire on one of the gas pipelines along the Soku-Abua-Rumuji right of way, the Soku gas plant itself is safe and fully operational.

In a statement, Alasia said: “On behalf of the leadership of the Soku Kingdom, I write to debunk the falsehood escalating on social media that there was an explosion in the Soku Gas Plant. It is disheartening and worrisome that people will mischievously misinform the public with a baseless and untrue story.”

“The public should disregard this unsubstantiated and false report. We use this medium to assure the public that Soku and its surrounding communities are safe and calm. Regards.”

Source: The Guardian

23/03/2025

HYPREP: Potable water now available in 30 communities across Ogoniland

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reiterated its commitment to tackling water challenges in hydrocarbon-impacted communities across Ogoniland, Rivers State.
In a statement released on Saturday to mark World Water Day, themed “Glacier Preservation,” HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, disclosed that 30 communities in Ogoniland now have access to potable drinking water through HYPREP’s interventions.
According to the statement, this year’s World Water Day theme underscores the critical need to protect freshwater sources, including glaciers, which sustain ecosystems, support human life, and regulate the climate. Prof. Zabbey emphasized the importance of safeguarding potable water sources, particularly the operational and ongoing water schemes in Ogoniland.
“At HYPREP, we recognize the essential role of clean and safe water, especially for hydrocarbon-impacted communities in Ogoniland. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland provided clear recommendations for restoring contaminated water sources, and we remain steadfast in implementing these recommendations.”
He further highlighted that HYPREP’s potable water projects are a key part of its mandate to remediate and restore the Ogoni environment.
HYPREP’s Water Interventions in Ogoniland
Prof. Zabbey outlined the strides HYPREP has made toward ensuring safe and sustainable water access in Ogoniland, including:
Rehabilitating existing water infrastructure
Establishing new water facilities, including recently commissioned projects in Bunu and Beeri communities
Implementing sustainable water management strategies
“Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and we are working tirelessly to ensure Ogoni communities have this basic necessity. Our potable water projects are designed as sustainable solutions to improve public health, restore dignity, and secure a better future for residents.”
Call for Collaboration
Prof. Zabbey urged citizens, stakeholders, and government agencies to support HYPREP’s mission for environmental restoration in Ogoniland.
“Protecting our streams, lakes, wetlands, rivers, and groundwater is essential for sustainable access to clean water. We call on all stakeholders—including government agencies, international organizations, and community leaders—to join us in this effort.”
Reaffirming HYPREP’s dedication to environmental restoration and peace-building, he added:
“Water is life. Together, we can ensure that everyone in Ogoniland and beyond has access to clean, safe, and sustainable drinking water. Let’s unite to protect our water resources and secure a healthier future.”

23/03/2025

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reiterated its commitment to tackling water challenges in hydrocarbon-impacted communities across Ogoniland, Rivers State. In a statement released on Saturday to mark World Water Day, themed “Glacier Preservation,” HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, disclosed that 30 communities in Ogoniland now have access to potable drinking water through HYPREP’s interventions. According to the statement, this year’s World Water Day theme underscores the critical need to protect freshwater sources, including glaciers, which sustain ecosystems, support human life, and regulate the climate....

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reiterated its commitment to tackling water challenges in hydrocarbon-impacted communities across Ogoniland, Rivers State. In a statement released on Saturday to mark World Water Day, themed “Glacier Preservation,” HYPREP’s Project Coo...

20/03/2025

Corps members to receive N77k starting March ending

Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, has announced that starting from March 2025, all Corps Members will receive a new monthly allowance of N77,000.

This increase follows the Federal Government's promise made six months ago to raise the allowance from N33,000 to N77,000.

20/03/2025

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpehbolo, distanced himself from the statement made by South-South governors opposing the emergency rule declared in Rivers State.

20/03/2025

On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu praised the National Assembly for its swift and patriotic approval of the State of Emergency declaration in Rivers State.

20/03/2025

The Sole Administrator officially assumes control of the administration of Rivers State for a six-month period.

20/03/2025

The Senate on Thursday approved the proclamation of state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday. The resolution was taken at Thursday’s closed-door session of the legislators to deliberate on the declaration and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and other elected officials. The closed session was announced after Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read a letter from Tinubu at plenary on Thursday....

The Senate on Thursday approved the proclamation of state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday. The resolution was taken at Thursday’s closed-door session of the legislators to deliberate on the declaration and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his d...

19/03/2025

ABUJA – The Federal Government announced on Wednesday that the allocation for Rivers State will be released to the Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.). The government also emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State was timely and aimed at preventing a potential crisis in the state. Additionally, the government clarified that the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is not involved in the political unrest in Rivers State that led to the state of emergency declaration....

ABUJA – The Federal Government announced on Wednesday that the allocation for Rivers State will be released to the Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.). The government also emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State was timely and ai...

19/03/2025

Breaking: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) swears in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (CFR) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State at the State House.

Stay tuned for more updates.