Port Harcourt Mundial

By Kelechi Nwaucha For over 50 years of oil exploration in Nigeria, more than 1.5 million tons of crude oil were spilled in the Niger Delta, leading to biodiversity loss, health crisis among the region's over 30 million inhabitants, socio-economic tensions and an environment severely damaged. Of note, however, is the growing threat in the mining sector, and it's likely impact on mining host communities. Following an over 30% spike in mining activities, in Nigeria's quest to diversify revenue earnings from oil, host communities in the mining sector and their environment have began to show early signs of repeating the Niger Delta scenario. A situation that has seen mining communities in Nassarawa, Niger, Kogi and others record incidents of land degradation, water and soil pollution, lead poisoning (and blindness), among others. These informed a training for journalists, drawn from various media and states across Nigeria, held in Abuja on May 9, essentially to create awaren...

By Kelechi Nwaucha Despite the devastation brought on the Niger Delta environment by decades of oil exploration activities, mangroves remain effective natural defense against climate change manifestations in the region. According to research findings, mangroves, indigenous to the Niger Delta, "are one of nature's most effective tools in the fight against climate change," and contribute to the promotion of a sustainable ecosystem. Against this backdrop, non-governmental organisation, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, with support from Both ENDS, recently embarked on the regeneration of 5,000 propagules (mangrove seedlings) in five riverine communities. The project, which began with the regeneration of 1,000 propagules in Ibaka community, in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, last Friday, is to traverse four other riverine communities, that include Bundu (Port Harcourt City LGA), Rumulumini (Obio//Akpor LGA) and Bodo (Gokana LGA). Project off...

The saying that a golden fish has no hiding place played out recently as Engr Adokiye Tombomieye was honored with an award for his meritorious service to the nation and humanity by the umbrella media body in the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Media Forum (NDMF). According to president of the NDMF, Prince Gbasam, Engr Tombomieye was honored in recognition for his outstanding leadership and contributions to the development to the oil and gas industry as well as support to the less privileged in the society through several empowerment and employment opportunities which have improved the economic status of several families and homes in the Niger Delta and the nation. "It is gratifying to note that the award recipient who bestride the oil and gas industry like a colossus where he left indelible footprints and retired as executive Vice President, Upstream, in the Nigeria National Petroleum Company limited without blemish, is no doubt a role model to the younger generation in the Nig...

A business mogul, Ofirima Adieleuwa C. Allison, has called on Niger Delta people to close ranks and support the "lofty initiatives of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr.Samuel Ogbuku, so as to fastrack development in the area." Ofirima stated this recently, while speaking with journalists at his country home. He said that words are inadequate to describe the qualities of the administrator who is "exceptional and unique in the history of the interventionist agency through his sound policies and programmes." Ofirima maintained that Dr. Ogbuku is focused and a result-oriented administrator with unparalleled pedigree, noting that his purposeful agenda in repositioning the agency will be achieved. Read more: https://phmundial.com/nddc-boss-a-trailblazer-ofirima/

By Kelechi Nwaucha - Against the backdrop of worsening Environmental crisis in the Niger Delta, occasioned by decades of oil exploration activities, environmental rights groups have intensified calls for urgent remediation measures and environmental justice in the embattled region. According to a United Nations report, life expectancy has dropped to 45 years in the region as a result of the hydrocarbons released into the water, air and soil pollution, with the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other IOCs roundly accused by locals and NGOs of leading an "environmental assault" on the Niger Delta. Thus taking an advantage of the World Press Freedom Day last Friday, leading non-governmental organization in region, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center, drew media attention to the harrowing cases of environmental injustice against communities and persons in Rivers State and the Niger Delta. Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and...

By Godwin Chukwumaechi - Even as the dust continues to settle over events leading to the last days of the Dr Goodluck Jonathan presidency, former minister of Sports and Youth Development in the administration, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has said that the former president was neither weak nor clueless. Dr Jonathan, who has been roundly criticised as weak and clueless during his reign (2010-2015), lost the 2015 presidential election to former President Muhammadu Buhari. Abdullahi made the assertion in Port Harcourt at the weekend while presenting his book, 'On A Platter Of Gold - How Jonathan Won and Lost Nigeria,' at the first book reading event tagged August Meeting held in the Rivers State capital. The former minister who also served as the national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (2016-2018), disagreed with the widely held claims that the former President was weak and clueless, but rather described him as a patriot. Read more: https://phmundial.com/jon...

… Allegations are False, Baseless ~ Contractors By Emma Sunday Host communities of Oil Mining Lease (OML 11) along the Imo River axis, cutting across Rivers and Abia states have accused Martinsevid Nigeria Limited, the contractor providing surveillance services for the crude oil pipeline of abetting illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft. The communities which include, Isietitioha, Umuorie town, Isimiri autonomous community, Owaza clan in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State and Umuedeokwara community, Odagwe in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State have called on the Federal Government and the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited to immediately replace the contractor for gross incompetence. Speaking on behalf of the Owaza people, the King of Isietitioha Owaza in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, His Royal Highness, Eze Christian Ikemefula, lamented the proliferation of illegal oil bunkering in his area, saying the development indicated gross...