At the root of the impending clash is the alleged withdrawal of the oil company from what the community described as “the age-long tradition of maintenance of electrical facilities in the area.”

The community fears that such withdrawal might throw the community into darkness, thereby depriving them of what they see as “only major benefit of oil exploration” in the area.

According to the chairman of Omoku Development Council, Dr. Christian Ojobah, in a telephone chat with The Atlantic Bell, the community cited a letter which the oil firm wrote to the community hinting of withdrawal from maintenance of electricity facilities in the area. The letter, according to the chairman, indicated that the responsibility has been handed over to the community.

Dr. Ojobah said such a development was “unhealthy, unwarranted and a ply by the company to deprive the community from the only benefit which the people enjoy from the company. This is something that Agip, the predecessor of Oando, maintained over the years. Why will Oando that just took over the assets and liabilities of Agip initiate this kind of anti-community posture.”

“The oil companies have destroyed our mangroves, our farms,our rivers. Our people can’t get firewood anymore, gas is expensive for the rural folks. So, the light which they give us is the only benefit the people derive to enable them power their gadgets. Now, if you leave maintenance of the electrical facilities to the community, it means you want to throw them into darkness,” Ojobah stated.

Dr. Ojobah noted that since Oando took over operations in the area from Agip, Omoku community has not seen any progress. “We expected them (Oando) to continue with what Agip did if they could not add or improve on them. Generate, transmit, and maintain, we are not asking for the entire world,” he quipped.

The Omoku Development Council chairman stated that Oando should not unnecessarily cause a breach of the peace in the area, as according to him, thcompany’s stance on the matter of electrical facilities maintenance is, “provacative”, especially considering the fact that they are still flaring gas in the area.

However, The Atlantic Bell investigations revealed that the stoppage of maitenance of electricaal facilities was a fall-out of the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which the responsibility of such acts to host communities.

A source in Oando, told The Atlantic Bell that the community leaders ought to be aware that the PIA had taken such responsibilities and handed trhem to communities.

“Communities are paid huge sums of money monthly as afall-out of the PIA.Such funds are expectedto be deployed by the communities to maintain the facilities when they are faulty. The company will continue to generate and transmit, but maintenance is no longer under our purview. That is the law, and Omoku community cannot be the exemption,” the source stated.

The Atlantic Bell recalls that the PIA allocates three per cent of company’s annual profit to host communities. The Host CommunitySection of the PIA provides for hosts communities development trust to foster sustainableprosperity, enhance peace, abd cordial relationship between licensees and lessees, and the communities.

Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State had recentlydescribed the PIA as “a time bomb” that risks inflaming tensionsin oil-producing communities.

The PIA enacted in 2021 was intended to modernize Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, attract investment, and guarantee benefits to host communities. But in the Niger Deltawhere most ofNigeria’s oil is produced, the law has faced criticism during implementation.

True to its promise at inauguration few days ago, to move with the speed of light in ensuring that the people of Rivers State have a greater feel of the impact of the Rivers State Microfinance Agency, the board has swung into action, determined to ensure financial inclusion of the people described as, “the poorest of the poor.”

Chairman of the board of the agency, Professor Adolphus Toby, told The Atlantic Bell shortly after the inaugural meeting of the board held at the agency’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, that one of the topmost priorities of the new board is to ensure that the activities of the agency and its subsidiary, the RIMA Growth Pathway Microfinance Bank, is felt by the people, especially in all the 23 LGAs of the state.

“The law establishing this agency mandates us to use the instrument of microfinance to enhance financial inclusion and ensure wealth creation at the grassroots. For a long time, this has not been done effectively. This board will leverage on its subsidiary, which is a statewide microfinance bank to establish branches in all the LGAs,” Prof. Toby stated.

Toby, a professor of Banking and Corporate Finance, said that by the triangular nature of the issue of microfinance, with RIMA at the centre, the board would adopt the mode of outreach, financial sustainability and welfare impact assessment and analysis of clients, to guide its operations.

“The issue of microfinance has to do with a triangle. At the centre is RIMA. That triangle is made up of outreach. We are going to build our outreach capabilities to the poorest of the poor. The other part of the triangle is financial sustainability. We are going to ensure that this agency and its subsidiary are financially sustainable. Our oversight function will be carried out regularly and diligently to ensure the bank is on track. The third part of the triangle is the welfare impact assessment of the recipients of our loans,” the chairman stated.

The Atlantic Bell learnt that the board has approved adhoc and statutory committees in line with sound corporate governance rules to tackle very critical issues facing the agency and its subsidiary, the bank. This was sequel to the board’s familiarisation visit to the RLMA Headquarters and the RIMA Griwth Pathway Microfinance Bank, which exposed glaring situations that needed urgent attention.

Prof. Toby expressed confidence that the board would excel in its functions since all the members were appointed based on their professional competencies and assured that the working relationship between the board and management of the agency which is defined in the Rivers State Microfinance Agency LawNo.6 of 2008, would be defined by professionalism.
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“The board under our watch shall exercise its independence as provided in the law. Similarly, the relationship between the board and its subsidiary is also clearly defined in the law. In the exercise of its oversight function over the RIMA Growth Pathway Microfinance Bank, we shall also endeavour to be guided by the provisions of BOFIA (2020), CBN Microfinance Regulatory Framework (2012) and the CBN Code of Corporate Governance for Microfinance Banks (2019),” he added.

Prof. Toby assured that the board of the agency under his watch will pursue a strategy that is sustainable, prudent, and development-oriented, stating that the time of spending government finances recklessly was over.

In order to address longstanding consumer complaints against the activities of Digital Money Lenders and Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) popularly known as loan sharks the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has officially issued the Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations (DEON Consumer Lending Regulation), 2025.

Other acts covered in the new law include exploitative practices, data privacy violations, abusive loan recovery tactics, harassment, and anti-competitive behaviour by certain digital lenders and their partners within Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital credit market.

Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said non-compliant operators of the new regulations face sanctions, which include fines of up to N100 million or 1 per cent of turnover, as well as potential disqualification of directors for up to five years.

“For too long, Nigerians have endured harassment, data breaches, and unethical practices by unregulated digital lenders. These regulations draw a clear line that innovation is welcome but not at the expense of the rights and dignity of consumers or the rule of law.

This Regulations, made pursuant to Sections 17, 18, and 163 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (2018), primarily safeguards consumers by establishing a comprehensive framework.

This framework mandates transparency, fairness, responsible conduct, data privacy, and accessible redress mechanisms, all under the oversight of the FCCPC.

It is a crucial step toward regulating Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital lending sector.

These regulations draw a clear line that innovation is welcome, but not at the expense of rights and dignity of consumers or the rule of law.
“This Regulations provide the legal tools to hold violators accountable and promote responsible digital finance. No consumer should be harassed, defamed, or lured into unsustainable debt under the guise of digital lending.”

The Regulations, which came into effect on July 21, 2025, establishes a robust legal framework to register, monitor, and sanction all forms of digital and non-traditional lending in Nigeria.

Applicable to all unsecured consumer lending conducted through electronic, online, mobile, or other non-traditional means, the regulations set out clear requirements for registration, transparency, data privacy, ethical recovery, fair interest rates, and responsible lending. Critically, the Regulations prohibits pre-authorised or automatic lending, compels clear and accessible loan terms, bans unethical marketing, and mandates local ownership of at least one service provider for airtime and data lending services.

It also requires joint registration of all lender partnerships and prohibits monopolistic or dominance-based agreements without prior Commission’s approval. Under its provisions, all digital lenders must register with the FCCPC within 90 days of commencement.

Approval is dependent on meeting consumer protection, data compliance, and transparency.

The FCCPC urges all current and intending providers of digital lending services, including Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), Digital Money Lenders (DMLs), and service partners, to visit http://fccpc.gov.ng for application forms, guidelines, and compliance requirements.

The Commission advised consumers to report unlawful or unregistered lenders, unfair interest rates, or privacy violations to the Commission through its complaint portal:

The federal government has declared Friday, 5th September 2025, as a public holiday to commemorate the celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, extended warm felicitations to Muslims Umah in Nigeria and across the world on this occasion

In a statement Wednesday in Abuja, signed by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, further called on Nigerians, regardless of their religious beliefs, to use the occasion to pray for the peace, security, and stability of the country, while supporting the Federal Government’s efforts in fostering national harmony and sustainable development.

“The celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid offers us yet another opportunity to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, promote peaceful coexistence, and imbibe the Prophet’s teachings of mutual respect and selfless service to humanity,” the Minister stated.

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also urged citizens to remain law-abiding, security conscious, and supportive of government policies aimed at ensuring the collective well-being of all Nigerians.

The minister also assented to a 7.5 per cent charge on the Assessed Capital Value of properties converted without the knowledge or express permission of the FCT Administration, payable within 30 days.

Wike gave the approval after receiving the report of the committee set up to address the abuse of the Land Use Act in the FCT in his office on Tuesday.

The minister had inaugurated the committees on August 8, 2025, describing the issue of land abuse as “very important” in streamlining the activities of the FCT

Chairman of the Land Use and Purposes Clause Committee and Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, said the committee found that many properties on Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Aminu Kano Crescent, Yakubu Gowon Street, and Gana Street, among others, had been converted to residential, commercial or mixed usage, contravening the original agreements.

He added that the total capital value of the said properties amounted to N1,037,478,716,500, while recommending various sanctions on the defaulting title holders, including sealing of property, removal of buildings and structures, revocation and withdrawal of titles, if they

Chairman of the Land Use and Purposes Clause Committee and Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, said the committee found that many properties on Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Aminu Kano Crescent, Yakubu Gowon Street, and Gana Street, among others, had been converted to residential, commercial or mixed usage, contravening the original agreements.

He added that the total capital value of the said properties amounted to N1,037,478,716,500, while recommending various sanctions on the defaulting title holders, including sealing of property, removal of buildings and structures, revocation and withdrawal of titles, if they failed to pay the fines.

The Committee hereby recommends as follows: That, allottees/title holders of land and properties affected by the land use change/conversion, pay within thirty (30) days from the date of conveyance of approval, Land Use Conversion fee of 7.5% of the assessed Capital Value of the properties as contained in the Schedule/Valuation Report Sheet.

That, allottees/title holders of the land and properties affected by the land use change/conversion, in addition to payment of Land Use Conversion fee, pay statutory Right of Occupancy bills applicable for the new land use/purpose clause and as charged for the District;

“That, where illegal/unapproved extension, merger and subdivision has been established, the allottee/title holder of the property… pay, within thirty (30) days from the date of conveyance of approval, extension/merger/subdivision fee of the extant 2.0% of the assessed Capital Value of the properties as contained in the Schedule/Valuation Report Sheet,” Galadima said.

The minister, in his address, commended the committees for their work, stating that no defaulter would be allowed to go scot-free, as the administration was interested in raising money to carry out projects.

“I’m not going to leave anybody to go free. We are looking for money to carry on projects. If you fall into our trap, it’s your business.

“Or if you want us to take back our title, which we are not interested in taking back. We are trying to raise money for the FCT. But if you don’t want, we take back your title, we sell it, we will still raise money. You have to pay the penalty and pay for the conversion, they are two different things.

“I’m aware that certain areas are designated for residential, and certain areas are designated for commercial. But people believing that they can do anything without approval from the government, some have changed residential to commercial, some have changed commercial to residential, and some have changed for all kinds of mixed uses. If you don’t sanction them, it will continue to be so,” Wike stated.

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have pledged to enforce discipline within the party by declaring that the PDP will not yield to arrogance, impunity, or divisive tendencies.

Speaking on behalf of the governors, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said during the inauguration of the National Convention Planning Committee on Tuesday that they are not cowards and are prepared to confront anyone who attempts to obstruct the party’s progress.

He was reacting to threats by Wike and his group, who have continued to challenge the party’s National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

On Monday in Abuja, after their meeting, Wike’s camp listed six conditions the PDP leadership must meet for the convention to hold peacefully.

In response, Mohammed insisted that the governors would not be distracted, stressing that the convention would proceed as planned.

Bauchi Governor stated, “We are not cowards, and we are not afraid of anybody

“We are capable of navigating this party beyond the shenanigans, beyond the arrogance, and beyond the impunity of others.

We can not continue to take part and allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse. That’s our job.

“And our job is to make sure we don’t go to the slaughterhouse.

“And we are working as governors and working with the committee to ensure that. The keyword is discipline.

“We will no longer allow or tolerate anybody to take us for granted. It has to stop. Enough is enough. We are not going to tolerate it any longer.”