News
Controversy over N98bn oil pollution fund in Niger Delta
Some oil producing communities in the Niger Delta region have expressed displeasure over the delay in the payment of the alleged N98 billion oil pollution compensation fund promised by the Federal Government.
Speaking with a cross-section of some community heads in the region they confided in The Nation that the monies were approved during the twilight of the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration and was expected to be paid by President Muhammadu Buhari after due diligence was conducted.
But that was not to be as the government white paper on the payment was still gathering dust on the shelves, the community heads lamented.
Confirming this development, Chief Prof. Jasper Jumbo, Chairman/CEO, Niger Delta Projects Consortium Limited, while fielding question from our correspondent on the sidelines of the “Stakeholders Forum on The Environment” facilitated by the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD) Port Harcourt chapter, recently, recalled that he was part of those who drafted the recommendations made by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)which suggested some form of compensation to be paid by oil companies to communities affected by oil spillage.
Specifically, Prof. Jumbo said the agreed levies and compensation the federal government was meant to pay the affected communities in the oil-rich Niger Delta was over N98billion, but which it is yet to pay almost seven years later.
Such delay, the elderstatesman noted, was not in the best interest of the people of the region as it negates the principle of equity and fairness and in fact could precipitate crisis in the region if not handled with tact and diplomacy.
“With the general insecurity in the country the delay in the disbursement of the oil spill compensation fund is a trigger any day,” he warned, adding that it was better to prevent a breakdown of law and order by ensuring that due compensations are paid to the affected communities.
It may be recalled that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, in August 2017 set in motion a $1 billion clean-up and restoration programme of the Ogoniland region in the Niger Delta, announcing that financial and legislative frameworks had been put in place to begin implementing recommendations made by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Besides, it recommended the creation of an Environmental Restoration Fund (ERF) for Ogoniland with a capital of $1bn, to be co-funded by the federal government, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell.
A year later, the Nigerian government established the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP), an agency under the ministry of the environment with the mandate to implement the environmental clean-up programme in Ogoniland.
In 2016, the government then launched a $1bn clean-up and restoration programme of the Ogoniland, with $200m to be released every year.
The cleanup exercise later took off in 2019, eight years after UNEP’s recommendation.
Checks by our correspondent revealed that so far, $360m has been released to HYPREP out of which less than $30m has been spent, making cleanup slow.
Meanwhile, the federal government says it is prepared to regain lost time occasioned by a slip in achieving some timelines in the implementation of the UNEP Report.
-The Nation
News
IGP orders withdrawal of police attached to Yahaya Bello
IGP orders withdrawal of police attached to Yahaya Bello
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has withdrawn all police officers attached to former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello.
This is contained in a police wireless message obtained on Friday.
The document with reference number: “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 read, “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also placed Bello on its watchlist after he evaded arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N80 billion financial crime.
The notice to this effect comes a few hours after the EFCC declared the former Governor wanted.
Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as Kogi Governor.
News
Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest
Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest
The internet users has bombarded the twitter page (X) of the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga over his comment on former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who resisted arrest by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Recall EFCC declared the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, wanted for alleged misappropriation of funds while in office. The development has been attracting mixed reactions from members of the public, and one of those who reacted was the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy.
On Thursday, the EFCC had declared Yahaya Bello wanted in connection with an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of about 80 billion naira.
Sharing a photo of the former governor online, the anti-graft agency said that anyone with useful information about his whereabouts should contact them.
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Reacting to that, Onanuga asked Bello where he intends to run to, and advised him to turn himself in to the EFCC and get a good lawyer that would defend him.
He said, “Yahaya Bello, where will you run to? It’s better you submit yourself to the EFCC and get a good lawyer.”
Below are the reactions:
Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest
News
Updated: More trouble for Yahaya Bello as Immigration places him on watch list
Updated: More trouble for Yahaya Bello as Immigration places him on watch list
The Nigeria Immigration Service has ordered the arrest of former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaha Bello, if found at any entry/exit point of the country.
The NIS said on Thursday night that Yahaya Bellowas placed on its watchlist after evading arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of N80 billion fraud.
This notice came a few hours after the EFCC had declared the former governor wanted.
The NIS, in a letter addressed to the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency as well as other formations declared that Bello had been placed on its watch list.
The letter was signed by the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (Suspect Index), D S Umar, on behalf of the Comptroller General of the Immigration Service.
Part of the letter read, “Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust and Money Laundering vide letter Ref: CR: 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/TE/V 1/279 dated 18th April 2024, if seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.”
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