News
Why ERA Is Against Multinational Oil Companies’ Divestment – Chima Williams
By Joseph Ebi Kanjo
The Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Barrister Chima Williams, has explained why his organisation is leading the campaign against the divestment of multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta.
He said his organisation is leading the campaign because of the negative impacts of such divestment on the people (hosting communities) and the environment.
Williams, who spoke during a webinar meeting on International Oil Companies Divestment from the Niger Delta, said it’s unacceptable for multinational oil companies to have destroyed the area (environment) they operated and thereafter walk away without doing something about the destroyed environment.
READ ALSO: ERA, Others Want Coca Cola, Others Held Accountable For Plastic Pollution
He said: “Oil companies have caused a lot of damage to our communities and environment, so they cannot leave us destroyed after they have carted away billions in dollars from our environment.
“Of course, oil companies are at liberty to dispose their assets as permitted by the law, but as assets that have caused damage to the people and the environment, there are requirements that must be met. The environment must be returned to the status quo. The livelihood of our people must be restored.
“They must settle the divide and rule style they have introduced to our communities. Before their adventure, our people were living peacefully, but they came and divided our communities; you see brothers fighting themselves. All these are their antics to make sure we do not speak in one voice.”
READ ALSO: CSOs Condemn FG’s Suspension Of Green Taxation On Single Use Plastics
He lamented that rather than oil to be a blessing to Nigeria as obtainable in other oil producing countries, it’s rather a curse.
Chima said this was one of the reasons why his organisation embarked on the campaign: ‘Leaving Oil in the Soil’.
“Our campaign on Leaving Oil in the Soil was as a result of the negative impacts of oil exploration in our environment and climate change. If oil companies are doing the right thing, there wouldn’t be need for such.
“Look at other oil producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, things are done properly. The oil companies are doing what they are expected to do, so they are impacting lives of the people positively. Even our own Libya here in Africa, before the death of Gaddafi, the citizens were enjoying the dividends of oil exploration in the country,” he said.
According to the Executive Director, multinational oil companies are going into divestment in order to move from the onshore to offshore where their activities cannot be monitored.
He added that since 2021 that Nigerians became aware that they (oil companies) can be held responsible for their operations and damage done to the environment through the law, they started looking for a way to move to an area where their activities cannot be monitored.
Williams, while calling on the government to reject all applicable for divestment by oil companies, urged Nigerians to join hands in the campaign against such divestment without doing the needful.
READ ALSO: ERA Chides Shell For Slow Response To Multiple Crude Oil Spills In Bayelsa Community
He further called on the National Assembly to enact a law that will spell out pathway for any oil company that wants to go into divestment.
“We are asking our legislative arm to enact a law that will spell out a step by step approach to any move for divestment,” Williams added.
News
Tinubu Unveils Plan To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland
President Bola Tinubu has moved to restart oil production in Ogoniland in Rivers State.
The president disclosed this on Wednesday when he conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, on the late Ogoni four; Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage.
Conferring the honours at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu urged the Ogoni people to embrace reconciliation and unity after decades of division.
READ ALSO:Teacher In Police Net For Tying, Beating Pupil In Bauchi
He assured them of his administration’s support for peace, environmental remediation, and economic revival in the land.
“I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production.
“The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity,” he said.
READ ALSO:Nigeria Ready, Willing To Host Commonwealth Games — Tinubu
The president directed the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin engagements between Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other stakeholders to finalise modalities for restarting operations.
Earlier in his report, the NSA stated that the consultations engaged all four Ogoni zones and the diaspora, capturing demands for structured participation in oil production, accelerated cleanup, and sustainable development.
News
Former Oyo Police Commissioner Is Dead
A Former Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abiodun Odude is dead.
The shocking news of his death was shared by the Chairman, Ibadan branch of Government College, GCI Old Boys Association, Akin Orowale on the Association’s platform.
Abiodun Odude, an old boy of GCI, served as Oyo CP between 2017 and 2019.
In the meantime, reactions have continued to trail the death of Odude.
READ ALSO:Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Is Dead
A former Director General, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), and GCI OBA stalwart, Dr Yinka Adepoju posted this on platform.
“Hmmm, another deep cut in the GCI Old Boys Association and Boys of 71 Set in particular!
“May the Soul of Biodun rest in peace as l pray that the Lord comforts all members of this Great 71Set and his entire family members, ‘Yinka Adepoju @71, 2356# Grierson”
“So sad to lose such a personality NOW. But what can we do? Nothing absolutely than to wish him eternal rest and divine consolation to the loved ones left behind, particularly his immediate family and GCIOBA,” another old boy, who is an Ibadan based politician, Mr Adeniyi Adeoti said.
The late Odude served in the Intelligence Department, Zone 2, Lagos State as Deputy Commissioner of Police, CID, Panti, Yaba; he was Commissioner of Police, Administration; Department of Finance and Admin., Force Headquarters, Abuja.
News
Lagos Govt Gives Computer Village Traders Ultimatum To Relocate To Katangowa
The Lagos State Government has given traders at the popular Computer Village in Ikeja an 18-month deadline to move to a new permanent site at Katangowa, in the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement with market leaders and traders on Tuesday.
According to him, the state government has provided the necessary infrastructure and facilities at the Katangowa site to ensure a conducive business environment once the relocation takes effect.
READ ALSO:Lagos Begins Monitoring As Schools Resume
“The government wants your cooperation to ensure the relocation comes to pass. The time is now. We have to make the project a reality. The relocation period is 18 months,” Oki said.
He explained that Computer Village currently sits on land originally designated as a residential area, which over time was converted into a bustling commercial hub without formal approval from the government.
Oki also revealed that plans to move traders from Ikeja to Katangowa have been in the works since 2006 but were stalled due to delays in completing the new site.
READ ALSO:Police Reveal Cause Of Death Of Bodies Found On Lagos Riverbank
Emphasizing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to inclusive governance, he noted that the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to carry traders along in the government’s plans.
“The governor is passionate about infrastructure development and the welfare of Lagosians. Katangowa has been designated as the permanent site for this market. It sits on 15 hectares of land, well-planned and strategically located near essential resources for your businesses.
“The present location in Ikeja was never meant to serve as a trading hub. What we are offering at Katangowa is a structured market environment that supports growth while addressing environmental and urban planning concerns. We want to work with you and jointly plan this relocation,” Oki said.
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