KEY POINTS
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National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and two federal ministers met Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Port Harcourt.
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The high level delegation is in the state for a multi day inspection of critical sites, including oil spill locations and the East West Road.
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The visit includes planned talks with Ogoni leaders on environmental cleanup, development, and security concerns.
A team of senior federal officials arrived in Rivers State on Monday, beginning a visit to Governor Fubara, focused on infrastructure and environmental assessment in the oil producing region.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu was joined by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and the Environment Minister, Balarabe Lawal. They landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport, where they were received by stakeholders including members of the Ogoni Mothers Union.
The delegation proceeded directly to the Government House for a meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The closed door talks are seen as a precursor to the core agenda of their trip: a firsthand review of key sites and issues in Ogoniland.
Schedule Focused on Spills and Development
After the meeting with Fubara, the officials are expected to travel into Ogoniland for a series of inspections and community engagements. Their itinerary, obtained by reporters, outlines a packed schedule.
The plan includes assessing progress on the crucial East West Road, a federal project vital to regional connectivity. The delegation will also visit the Yorla Oilfield spill site in the Kpean community, highlighting ongoing environmental concerns.
Further stops are scheduled at the University of Environmental Technology, a Gokana oil facility, and local hospitals in K Dere and Taabaa. A significant part of the visit will involve sitting down with the Ogoni Dialogue Committee.
These talks aim to address long standing challenges related to environmental remediation, infrastructure development, and security in the area. The presence of both the NSA and senior ministers suggests the federal government is seeking to coordinate a response across multiple agencies.
The visit represents a notable federal presence in a state that has experienced political tensions. Observers will watch for any public statements or outcomes from the inspections, particularly regarding timelines for cleanup and road projects promised to the region for years.
