Tuesday <strong>03</strong> <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2018</strong> BUSINESS DAY A3
A4 NEWS BUSINESS DAY C002D5556 Oil may flow again in Ogoni – Belemaoil CEO IGNATIUS CHUKWU & DAVID EJIOHUO The possibility that oil could flow again in Ogoni area of Rivers State is becoming obvious. This is despite several threats by the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). An oil explorer said the level of interactions with various layers of the Ogoni people could lead to return of oil operations soon. Oil exploration and other related activities were suspended in Ogoni for nearly two decades following the death of late Ken Saro Wiwa, an environmental activist, and several others. For this reason, oil-prospecting business became a taboo for both the Federal Government and the multi-national oil prospecting companies. Now, a new ray of hope was raised during the week when the Founder/President of Belemaoil, an indigenous oil prospecting company, Jack-Rich Tein, spoke with <strong>BusinessDay</strong> at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa. According to Jack-Rich, the possibilities that oil prospecting and drilling activities in Ogoni are becoming realizable and obvious, and disclosed that the level of interactions with the people, chiefs and the youths of the Ogoni that oil prospecting activities could resume very soon. He said: “I believe by the grace of God, very soon oil will flow in Ogoni again”. Apart from the interactions with the people, the founder of the indigenous oil prospecting company said indigenous oil companies were receiving great assistance and encouragement from the presidency. He said: “The current president is there to checkmate the over bearing antics of the multi-nationals and is supporting the indigenous companies”. According to him, no permission had been given to his company to go into the Ogoni land but he said he was optimistic because of the success and good relationship he had had with the people of Ogoni. He said support from the presidency could make it possible to go in there and drill. Answering questions on the possibilities of indigenous entrepreneurs emerging in the obvious challenges in the oil industry, the Belemaoil boss equally expressed optimism but added that they needed skills, partnership and to remain resolute. Edo secures 4 convictions on noise pollution, plans structures for sustainable recreational parks Edo State commissioner for environment and sustainability, Reginald Okun, says the state government has secured the conviction of four persons for noise pollution. Okun, who disclosed this during an interview with journalists in Benin City, Edo State capital, said, “The state government is clamping down on persons who violate laws on noise pollution in the state. We have secured four convictions, with more persons to be charged to court soon.” It is regrettable that people disregard laws on noise pollution, noting, “This government will not tolerate any behaviour that disregards law and order, or people being laws unto themselves,” Okun said. According to Okun, “There was a petition where someone alleged that his children find it difficult to sleep at night because of the noise in his neighbourhood, only for the children to go to school to sleep during the day. It is sad how people set up external speakers and live bands outdoor, which disturb entire neighbourhoods.” Explaining how the practice is common with some religious centres, relaxation spots, nightclubs and bars, he said, “They do all these without considering its adverse effect on the immediate environment. The standard practice for use of speakers in such places, is that they set-up some form of soundproof system to restrict the sound.” The commissioner said government had already set up a mechanism to warn people and sensitise them on the existence of the rules and would not treat lightly those who break the law, “The state government will not relent in warning people to desist from such practice, as we will continue to serve notices to such persons. Aside prosecution, we are focusing more efforts on sensitisation as the government takes the issue of noise pollution very seriously. People with external speakers should remove such and endeavour to do the right thing.” On the use of siren, the commissioner said, “The state government is working with the Police Command in the state. We are making effort to get the Commissioner of Police to get people to understand the proper use of siren, which is in emergency cases. We are also reaching out to the hospital management board to ensure when ambulances should use sirens.” Tuesday <strong>03</strong> <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2018</strong> COSON leadership crisis deepens as Edo members pledge loyalty, support to Okoroji IDRIS UMAR MOMOH, Benin Leadership crisis rocking the Copyright Society of Nigeria (CO- SON), deepens further as the Edo State chapter of the senior members of the union have affirmed their loyalty and support to the Tony Okorojiled governing board of the body. The senior members, who made the disclosure at a press conference in Benin City on Monday, however disowned the appointment of the Efe Omorogbe-led executives. Some of the senior members of the organisation in the state that attended the press conference are Omo Osula, the Arala of Benin, Joseph Osayomore, Roland Igbinigie, aka Akabaman, Raphael Ehis Oboh, aka Oligbese 4sale, Tony Okate, Fabomo Edoloyi, among others. Omo Osula, who addressed the press conference, advised the said Omorogbe to stop parading himself as the chairman of the union. The elders, who also threatened to drag the said Omorogbe before the palace of the Oba of Benin, urged him to desist from being used as an instrument of destabilisation. When contacted on phone, Efe Omorogbe said the mem- bers were merely expressing their opinion. According to Osula, “We are embarrassed by your behaviour and hereby denounce your unwholesome activities targeted at destroying the unsurpassed respect associated with COSON. “You are shocked that despite our clear democratic choice of Tony Okoroji as COSON chairman at the said enlarged general meeting chaired by our very own internationally respected music icon, Professor (Sir), Victor Uwaifo, you have mischievously and fraudulently continued to parade yourself as chairman of COSON. Your behaviour is contrary to the norms and culture of the great people of Edo state. “We warn that if you continue to allow yourself to be used to destabilise COSON, an organisation which we are very proud of and which is catering for our needs, we may have no choice but to drag you before the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, so that you can be called to order with appropriate sanctions imposed on you for the show of shame and the conduct that negates the value, norms and culture of our great people and the creative community in general,” he said.