General
Bayelsa Needs $12bn to Cleanup Oil Spills–Report
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission has revealed that the state requires $12 billion to clean up decades-old oil spills, which precisely covers a 12-year period.
This disclosure was contained in a new report issued by the commission on Tuesday. It also singled out major oil majors, Shell and Eni, for being responsible for most of the pollution.
Bayelsa is one of the major oil-producing states in the Niger Delta, a region which has been faced with pollution, conflict and corruption related to the oil and gas industry.
The agency said in the report that it started an investigation in 2019 on the impact of spills and looked at evidence from forensic scientists, blood samples from people in affected areas and company data.
The investigation discovered, among other findings, that toxic pollutants from spills and gas flaring were many times higher than the safe limits in samples of soil, water, air and the blood of local residents, the commission said.
“The report finds failures of strategy, prevention, response and remediation by oil companies,” it said.
According to Reuters, an Eni spokesperson said the oil spills were due to theft to feed illegal refineries as well as illegal exports and sabotage, but the company undertook to remedy all spills.
Most of the gas produced from Eni’s Nigerian unit was converted into LNG and fed to local power plants, the spokesperson said, adding that “Eni conducts its activities according to the sector’s international environmental best practices, without any distinction on a country basis.”
Toxins that cause burns, lung problems and risk of cancer were widespread while oil company-led clean-ups were often poorly executed and could further contaminate soil and groundwater, the commission’s report said.
The commission adopted a United Nations model used to calculate the clean-up cost of spills in Niger Delta’s Ogoniland more than a decade ago and found that “the clean-up will cost $12 billion over 12 years” in Bayelsa.
Pollution in Ogoniland, which was part of a landmark $1 billion clean-up effort involving a UN agency, could be worse than it previously estimated, a group monitoring the project said last year.
Recently, the UK Supreme Court ruled it was too late for Nigerian farmers affected by oil spills to seek a penalty.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About 1,000 small-scale farmers in Ogun State would be empowered with a mobile-enabled agricultural intelligence launched by MTN Foundation.
The organisation has partnered with the federal government, the Ogun State government, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and Huawei to introduce a digital agriculture platform known as AgriConnect.
This initiative will give the beneficiaries access to mobile-enabled agricultural intelligence and digital tools designed to enhance food production.
The selected farmers are from a state-managed database of over 160,000 registered farmers, providing them with mobile-enabled services and digital technologies supplied by Huawei.
“This initiative is intended to enhance food production, ensure food security, and boost agribusiness opportunities across the state and Nigeria at large.
“These are not just gadgets; they are tools of transformation. With this programme, we are boosting productivity, promoting efficiency, and fortifying the cassava value chain. Ogun State is proud to lead in cassava production and equally proud to lead in agricultural innovation,” the Governor of Ogun State, Mr Dapo Abiodun, stated at the launch of the scheme at June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta.
He announced the construction of a new cotton processing plant with a capacity to process 100 tons per hour, expected to generate 250,000 direct jobs and position Nigeria as a key player in the global cotton and garment industry.
The governor called on all public and private stakeholders to support the AgriConnect Initiative, stressing that Ogun State is home to the most responsible and best-organised farmers in the country.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Ms Odunayo Sanya, said, “We strongly believe in the power of technology to drive growth, create opportunities, and empower individuals.
“The AgriConnect Initiative embodies this belief by leveraging both global and local partnerships to provide our farmers with essential tools and resources.
“Access to real-time weather forecasts, market prices, and best agricultural practices will not only support informed decision-making but also significantly improve yields and increase farmers’ incomes.
“Ultimately, this will contribute to economic growth at both the state and national levels.
“For those unfamiliar with the MTN Foundation, since its inception in 2004, we have remained at the forefront of Nigeria’s social empowerment.
“We have invested over N32 billion in projects and interventions that align with national priorities and Sustainable Development Goals.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Mr Atiku Abubakar, has officially resigned his membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.
In a resignation letter addressed to the Chairman of PDP, Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, Mr Abubakar expressed profound gratitude for the opportunities offered to him by the party, including serving two full terms as Vice President and contesting twice as its presidential candidate.
Mr Abubakar, who described himself as a founding father of the PDP, stated it was “heartbreaking” to make the decision, but emphasized it was necessary due to the current trajectory of the party, which he believes diverges from its foundational principles.
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have emerged,” he wrote, wishing the party and its leadership well in the future and thanked them for their support.
His exit comes as he joins a coalition of some opposition leaders in the country which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The former candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, also indicated interest in the coalition.
Other prominent members of the coalition include former Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Mr Sule Lamido, Mr Gabriel Suswam, Mr Emeka Ihedioha and Mr Rauf Aregbesola, who is the national secretary of the ADC.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The remains of the immediate past President of Nigeria, Mr Muhammadu Buhari, have arrived in Daura, Katsina State, for burial.
The former Nigerian leader died in London on Sunday after an undisclosed illness. He was earlier planned for burial yesterday, but it was shifted to today.
The body of the late president left the United Kingdom for Nigeria on Tuesday morning, accompanied by the Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, the President’s Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and some family members.
At the Umaru Musa Yaradua Airport in Katsina this afternoon, the presidential jet, which conveyed the remains of the late military general from London, landed at about 2 pm, with President Bola Tinubu on the ground to receive the convoy.
They are in the Daura residence of late Mr Buhari for the funeral according to Islamic rites.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology5 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN