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Nembe Oil Spillage: Ijaw Diaspora Council Demands $500,000 Compensation For Impacted Communities

Published

4 years ago

November 25, 2021

…Slams Aiteo/NNPC For Flimsy Excuses

By Abigail Enenyi

Group, Ijaw Diaspora Council, IDC, has demanded immediate compensation of at least $500,000 from Aiteo group and the NNPC to the over 40 communities impacted by the Santa Barbara South field, OML 29 oil and gas well blowout at Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The group said this amount should be used as initial response to the spill and getting them to gett some food stuffs as a way of survival in this trying time, stressing that it shouldn’t be counted as communities’ claim in the future.

A statement signed by Technical Advisor to the group, Prof Rick Steiner, a copy of which he made available to our correspondent electronically, decried the lackadaisical attitude of Aiteo, NNPC, and other responsible parties towards the OML 29 oil and gas well blow out.

Steiner, a Professor in Anchorage Alaska, USA, who has worked for decades on oil spill issues globally, including in the Niger Delta, raised the alarm that the spill caused by the blow-out has continued for over 15 days, releasing a minimum of 150,000 barrels of toxic hydrocarbons into environment, adding that the effects have been serious, extensive and long lasting.

“I estimate that the flow rate from the failed well is at least 10,000 barrels of toxic hydrocarbons (methane and crude oil) per day, and possibly twice that. Thus, after 15-20 days of continuous flow, the spill has already released a minimum of 150,000 barrels – 200,000 barrels of toxic hydrocarbons into the sensitive mangrove ecosystem in Nembe LGA, and possibly twice that much. Even by international standards, this constitutes a major hydrocarbon spill, and its impacts are likely to be serious, extensive and long lasting,” he laments.

Speaking further on the compensation, the Prof said, “This initial compensation will allow the community to purchase alternative food resources during the spill (as fish from the spill area are contaminated and must not be caught and consumed); purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); and conduct its overall response to this emergency.”

Steiner, who debunked claims that the blow-out was caused by sabotage and that the environmental damage is minimal, further demanded that Aiteo/NNPC to immediately “kill the blow-out and retain the failed well head structure for independent analysis to determine the cause of the blow-out.”

He added that, “For Aiteo to assert that environmental damage will be minimal is equally unsupportable, as a credible, scientific environmental damage assessment has not been conducted. In my experience with such major spills in the Niger Delta and elsewhere, the damage will be serious, extensive, and long lasting. And the company’s claim that the hydrocarbon outflow is composed of 80% methane and 20% crude oil needs independent corroboration.”

The statement therefore called on the Federal Government to convene an independent inquiry to ascertain the cause, response, and impact of this major oil spill and likewise to prevent future occurrence.

It further recommended: “Aiteo/NNPC must immediately deploy sufficient oil spill containment and cleanup equipment and personnel to collect as much of the spilled hydrocarbon pollutant as possible, hiring local community members as possible. This is clearly a Tier III oil spill (the largest category), well beyond the capability of local cleanup assets such as Clean Nigeria Associates, and Aiteo/NNPC should contract Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) in Southampton UK to conduct a large-scale Tier III spill response.

“Aiteo/NNPC, Bayelsa State, and the federal government must agree to support a technical advisor for the Ijaw communities to join the official Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

“Aiteo/NNPC must immediately commission an independent, scientific environmental damage assessment by a credible, independent scientific institution.

“Aiteo must preserve all evidence, including documents, video and photographs, and actual equipment (e.g. the failed Christmas Tree structure) that may be relevant to determining the cause of the wellhead failure and spill.

“Aiteo must provide the community with all records pertaining to this well, including its design and installation date, any/all inspection and maintenance the company has performed on the well, any deficiencies the company has noted, all corrective/remedial actions the company has taken on the well, etc.”

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Headline

26-year-old Nigerian Fatally Stabbed In London

Published

15 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Two individuals have been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 26-year-old Nigerian, Ayowale Aladejana, in New Cross, southeast London.

The Metropolitan Police reports that detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of Ayowale charged a man and woman with murder.

“Ben Wazabanga, 23 (24.10.2001) of Fairfax Road, Bedford was charged with murder and possession of a knife on Monday, 4 August. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August.

“Ronique Belfon, 23 (10.05.2002) of Morinsbury Road, Bedford was charged with murder on Monday, 4 August. She was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August,” the report read.

Speaking on the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who is leading the investigation, was quoted as saying, “Our thoughts are with Ayowale’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“I understand this incident will be concerning and we are carrying out a fast-paced and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances. I would encourage anyone who has not yet spoken to us.”

The investigation was reportedly launched after officers were called to reports of a man with stab wounds at a residential address in Monson Road, New Cross, at 19:26hrs on Saturday, August 2.

The officers were said to have responded alongside the London Ambulance Service and medics from London’s Air Ambulance, however, Ayowale died at the scene despite efforts to save him.

The report added that a post-mortem examination conducted on Sunday gave a preliminary cause of death as stab wound to the chest.

Ayowale’s family are also reportedly being supported by specially trained officers.

Headline

Trump Threatens 250% Tariffs On Foreign Pharmaceuticals

Published

16 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that upcoming tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals could reach 250 percent, after starting at a lower level, while adding he plans to also unveil fresh duties on foreign semiconductors.

“We’ll be putting (an) initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year, one-and-a-half years, maximum, it’s going to go to 150 percent,” Trump said in an interview on CNBC.

“And then it’s going to go to 250 percent because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country,” he added.

In the same interview, Trump said he expects to raise the US tariff on Indian imports “very substantially over the next 24 hours” due to the country’s purchases of Russian oil.

While Trump has aimed at products from different countries with varying tariff rates after imposing a 10-percent levy on almost all trading partners in April, these have excluded certain products he planned to target separately.

These sector-specific tariffs have generally come after government investigations that look into the national security concerns surrounding certain imports.

After earlier embarking on probes on imported semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, the Trump administration has signaled plans to wrap up these studies, which could lead to new tariffs.

Already, Trump has slapped steep tariffs of 50 percent on imported steel and aluminum, and also rolled out a separate but lower duty on autos and parts.

AFP

Headline

UK Opens Application For Chevening Scholarships

Published

20 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The United Kingdom on Tuesday announced that applications for its Chevening Scholarships are officially open, with prospective scholars encouraged to apply between August 5 and October 7, 2025.

The Chevening programme offers fully funded one-year master’s degrees at UK universities to individuals with demonstrated leadership potential and a strong commitment to driving positive change in their home countries and globally.

In a statement released by the British High Commission in Abuja, the Head of the Scholarships Unit at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Emma Hennessey, described the programme as highly competitive, selecting only the most outstanding candidates from across the world.

“Chevening’s highly competitive selection process ensures that those chosen to become Chevening Scholars or Fellows represent the brightest and most driven individuals from around the world.

“Chevening Alumni use their world-class education, global networks, and confidence gained in the UK to create meaningful, lasting change when they return home, whether by tackling global challenges or making a tangible impact in their own communities.

“If you can clearly demonstrate the skills needed to join them — outstanding leadership, influence, and networking skills — I strongly encourage you to apply.

“If you’re not quite there yet, I encourage you to take the time to build the experience that will make your application competitive,” Hennessey noted.

According to the statement, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, urged Nigerians with leadership potential to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Chevening is more than a scholarship — it is a gateway to a global network of leaders, innovators, and changemakers,” he said.

“Whether your aspirations lie in shaping public policy, launching a business, or addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, the Chevening Scholarship offers a unique opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in the United Kingdom to advance your knowledge and skills.

“While there is no ‘typical’ scholar, we seek individuals with the passion, ideas, and influence to drive meaningful change in Nigeria and beyond.

“Our alumni network includes dynamic professionals across diverse sectors who are making significant contributions in their fields.

“If you have the potential to lead positive change in your community, Nigeria, or globally, I encourage you to submit your application before the 7 October 2025 deadline.

“Apply today and take the first step toward this life-changing experience,” he said.

Applications must be submitted online via chevening.org/apply.

Interested applicants are also encouraged to review available guidance at chevening.org/guidance to determine their readiness for the competitive application process.

Since its launch in 1983, the Chevening programme has supported over 60,000 professionals from over 160 countries and territories.

The scholarship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations.