News

Reps Summon NNPCL, Chevron, Mobil, Others Over Environmental Degradation In Host Communities

Published

7 months ago

April 24, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

… threaten to sanction erring company

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has summoned the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, to appear on May 8, 2024 over a probe on environmental degradation caused by the activities of oil companies in oil producing communities in the country.

The Chairman Committee on Environment, Rep. Pondi Julius Gbabojor, gave the summon on behalf of a Joint Committee of the House at an investigative hearing on the “Need To Investigate The Service And Unprecedented Environmental Damage Within The Communities”, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Also to appear before the joint committee are Chief Executives of some oil companies which include Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Total Energies, Oando Oil Limited, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited Seplat Energy among others.

Also government agencies summoned include Nigeria Midstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, National Oil Spill Detection Response Agency, National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency.

The Joint Committee us made is of House Committees on Environment, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Climate Change.

Rep. Gbabojor said the matter to be addressed was critical, even as he threatened appropriate sanctions if those companies invited failed to turn up.

Only four out of the 35 oil companies and agencies invited for the probe showed up, at the commencement of the investigative hearing on Wednesday.

The National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency, however sent an excuse through a representative, but the others did not give reasons for their absence.

The Committee members however complained that even the four that turned up submitted the relevant documents a day before the hearing, not giving the lawmakers enough time to study it for the probe.

They rued the attitude of the oil companies and agencies saying it impeded efforts aimed at moving the country to a better place.

The chairman said, “We will do another letter to everybody. They should turn up to answer questions on issues pertaining to degradation of the environment due to the activities of oil companies.

“They have to be here on the 8th of May. If anybody fails to show up on, then we would not decide as a committee on what to do. I want to believe that there was enough time, two letters were sent, there was ample time for them to see the letters and duly honour. But for putting on a human face, we would still give another time to do so”.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, in his opening remarks earlier said it was important that to protect the environment.

The Speaker was represented by the Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. George Ozodinobi.

He said, “I fully recognize the immense responsibility which befalls us as public servants to protect and safeguard our environment and meet the challenges posed by the ravages of environmental damages, and the need to balance economic prosperity and social responsibility to ultimately achieve equitable development.

“Also as representatives of the people, we must ensure that the voices of those most affected by environmental damage are heard and respected. We have to listen to the fears that are faced by frontline communities, indigenous people, and marginalized groups who usually bear the brunt of environmental injustice.

“It is therefore, for this reason that the House mandated the Committees on Environment, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Downstream), and Climate Change, to investigate the environmental damage in oil producing communities caused by non-compliance to extant laws by oil producing companies.”

News

NASC appoints Kamoru Ogunlana as Clerk to National Assembly

Published

26 mins ago

November 7, 2024

Naijablitznews

Authorities of National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has approved the appointment of Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana as Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA).

According to the letter dated 6th November, 2024 and signed by NASC Executive Chairman, Engineer Ahmed Kadi Amshi, his appointment takes effect from 2nd February, 2025.

While noting that Barrister Ogunlana’s appointment was in recognition of his hard work and administrative competence, the NASC Executive Chairman tasked him to continue to uphold the confidence reposed in him.

The appointment of Barrister Ogunlana followed the pre-retirement notice sent by the Commission to the incumbent CNA, Sani Magaji Tambuwal, notifying him of his retirement from the service of the National Assembly effective 2nd February, 2025.

The Commission also notified the outgoing CNA of the appointment of Barrister Ogunlana as his successor at its 610th meeting held on Wednesday, 6th November, 2024.

According to the Commission’s letter, Barrister Ogunlana would oversee the office of the CNA “while working closely with you to ensure smooth transition until he takes over from you as the substantive Clerk to the National Assembly on February 2, 2025.

Kamoru Ogunlana, an indigene of Omu-Ijebu in the Odogbolu LGA of Ogun State, was born on June 22, 1967, in Tiko town, South-West, Cameroon.

He holds a degree in Law from Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye, attended the Nigerian Law School in 1989/1990, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1990.

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and International Bar Association (IBA).

Barrister Ogunlana began his career with the National Assembly Service on October 4, 1993, as a Litigation Officer II in the Legal Services Department.

After the inauguration of the 1st National Assembly of the 4th Republic on 8th June 1999, Barrister Ogunlana was converted to a Legislative Officer and re-deployed in the House of Representatives as a Committee Clerk by the management of the National Assembly.

He serves as the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, a position he attained on the 29th March, 2023.

Before his appointment as the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Ogunlana served in various capacities in the National Assembly Service: Director, Legislative Scrutiny and Research Department, House of Representatives (February 2017 – August 2020); Director, Committee Services Department, House of Representatives (August 2020 – April 2022); Secretary, Legal Services Directorate (April 2022 – March 2023).

In addition, he was for several years the Clerk to the House of Representatives Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Justice, Federal Judiciary, and the National Assembly Joint Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the Constitution.

Barrister Ogunlana had undergone extensive trainings as a Legal Officer and a Legislative Officer both internationally and locally, establishing himself as a seasoned draftsman and Legislative Officer.

He participated in the conception and drafting of several major bills passed by the National Assembly from 1999 to date.

Barrister Ogunlana is a God-fearing, family-oriented person who enjoys football, watching combat sports, travelling, and reading.

News

‘TikTok yanked me off because of my dangerous miracles ‘ – Odumeje claims

Published

28 mins ago

November 7, 2024

Naijablitznews

Clergyman, Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, aka Odumeje, has claimed that TikTok disconnected him because of his dangerous miracles.

The clergyman made this known while addressing his congregation on why he was blocked on the video-sharing platform.

Speaking in a clip, the cleric noted that he has performed a lot of what he described as ‘dangerous miracles’ that the platform is afraid of.

He accused those who don’t believe in his miracles of preventing him from having an account.

Odumeje said, “Even social media is rejecting me. Because of my dangerous miracles the TikTok rejected me. They disconnected me. They said this miracle is beyond them.”

News

What Kamala Harris says after losing America presidential election to Donald Trump

Published

4 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

Vice President Kamala Harris has conceded defeat to President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, after the election results was announced.

She urged her supporters in a speech delivered from her alma mater not to lose hope, but to continue “the fight that fueled this campaign.”

Harris addressed a crowd of supporters, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, from Howard University in Washington, D.C., after she was defeated by Trump in the race for the White House.

Harris said: “Let me say my heart is full today. My heart is full today, full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country, and full of resolve.

“The outcome of this election was not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”

The vice president expressed gratitude to her family, President Biden, first lady Dr. Jill Biden, her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and her campaign staff. Mr. Biden watched the remarks from the West Wing, the White House said.

“I am so proud of the race we ran and the way we ran it. Over the 107 days of this campaign, we have been intentional about building community and building coalitions, bringing people together from every walk of life and background, united by love of country with enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America’s future.

“And we did it with the knowledge that we all have so much more in common than what separates us”, she said.

She said the results of the election must be accepted and reiterated that she had spoken with Trump and is committed to a peaceful transfer of power.

“A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results,” she said. “That principle as much as any other distinguishes democracy from monarchy and tyranny, and anyone who seeks the public trust must honor it.”

According to Harris, the nation does not owe loyalty to a president or party, but to the Constitution, “our conscience and to our God.”

“My allegiance to all three is why I am here today — to say while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” she said.

She therefore pledged to continue fighting for democracy, the rule of law and equal justice, even as she appealed to her supporters.

“Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win.

“Do not despair. This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together.”

The vice president’s speech came just hours after she called Trump to congratulate him on his win and discussed the “importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans,” a senior aide to Harris said.

The vice president, in her role as president of the Senate, will preside over Congress’ counting of electoral votes during a joint session on Jan. 6 that will reaffirm Trump’s victory

CBS News projected Wednesday that Harris had secured 222 electoral votes, short of the 291 amassed by Trump, her Republican opponent. Trump surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed to secure the presidency just after 5:30 a.m. ET Wednesday, after locking up the battleground states of Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

The vice president called Trump to congratulate him on his win and discussed the “importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans,” a senior aide to Harris said. The vice president, in her role as president of the Senate, will preside over Congress’ counting of electoral votes during a joint session on Jan. 6 that will reaffirm Trump’s victory.

Steven Cheung, spokesman for the Trump campaign, said that during the call, the president-elect “acknowledged Vice President Harris on her strength, professionalism, and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country.”

Mr. Biden also spoke with Harris by phone and congratulated her on a “historic campaign,” the White House said. He also talked to Trump and “expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and emphasized the importance of working to bring the country together.”

Harris was expected to address supporters from Howard, the historically Black college where she graduated in 1986, on election night, but never made it to her alma mater as the results came rolling in. Instead, campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond sent the assembled crowd home and said Harris would speak on Wednesday.

Election Day on Nov. 5 capped a chaotic and historic presidential election cycle that saw two assassination attempts against Trump and was roiled by Mr. Biden’s sudden announcement in July that he would exit the race following a disastrous debate performance in late June.

Harris swiftly announced her own candidacy for the White House, and Democrats quickly coalesced around her as their pick to take on Trump. Her nomination was solidified at the Democratic National Committee in Chicago in August, where Harris made history as the first woman of color to top a major party ticket. CBS News

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