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  • Belemaoil names new CEO, CFO

    Belemaoil names new CEO, CFO

    Indigenous oil firm, Belemaoil Producing Limited, has announced the appointment of Ahmadu Sambo as its new managing director/chief executive officer. The company also said that it has appointed Emmanuel Onos  as its chief finance officer. Theses appointment, the firm said, is “to drive its transformation and realise its shared vision.”

    In a statement at statement issued at the weekend and obtained by The Nation, the company’s Board of Directors said it approved the new appointments “having carefully reviewed their credentials and found them deserving of the positions.”

    The statement noted that Sambo, a former Group General Manager (GGM), Finances, NNPC, joins Belemaoil in the new capacity as MD / CEO with over 35 years experience in the oil and gas industry spanning public and private sectors in Nigeria and the USA. He has also served as Managing Director of three subsidiaries of NNPC, which include NNPC Pension Fund, NIDAS Marine and NNPC Oilfield Services in addition to the position of General Manager in charge of NAPIMS Finance and Accounts as well as Group General Manager Accounts for NNPC Group.

    The statement reads: “The Board is confident that under the leadership of the new MD/CEO, Belemaoil will derive significant benefits for its joint venture operations and shareholders. The new Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Emmanuel Onos, also comes on board with over 35 years of experience in the financial space of the oil and gas industry at the managerial level in both local and international scenes,” the statement said.

    It further added that the Board believes strongly that the combination of Sambo and Onos, supported by the existing management team, will revitalise the company’s Joint Venture operations, unlock multibillion-dollar value and reposition it for a greater height that will be more beneficial to all shareholders.

    With the appointment, the firm said its President/Founder of Belemaoil, Tein Jack-Rich, will now focus on his vision for strategic multi-dimensional business development, including lens in the Fintech space, for strategic partnership with communities to foster financial inclusion, promote social good, peace and shared prosperity for national gain.

    Read Also: Belemaoil to build N279m hostels in UNIPORT, UDUS

    Jack-Rich also expressed confidence in the new appointees given the experience they bring to the table and their ability to steer the ship of Belemaoil to become the first truly indigenous oil and gas explorer and producer which emerged from an oil producing community in the Niger Delta, to be launched in the Nigerian Stock Exchange as well as  London and the New York Stock Exchange with overwhelming stock growth.

    “We have no choice than to dream big and break new business boundaries beyond our eyes, for shareholders. I know our critics will say that this task is herculean. And I know you can deliver for yourself, for Nigeria’s sake, our investors, as well as the community that sees Belemaoil as its model,” he said.

  • Community seeks more for Belemaoil

    The people of oil-rich Kula Kingdom in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State have urged the Federal Government to approve operatorship licence of more Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) to indigenous oil company, Belemaoil Producing Ltd.

    The Paramount Ruler of Kula Kingdom,  King Kroma Amabibi Eleki (JP) (Sara XIV), made the call at a one-day  Special Prayer and Thanksgiving event in the community organised by Kula Council of Chiefs in honour of their illustrious son, Jack-Rich Tein Jr, an engineer, who is the founder and president of Belemaoil Producing Limited.

    Kula Kingdom is one of the core island communities of Rivers State, located right behind the sea, sharing boarders with their neighbouring Bayelsa State.

    Kula, like other riverine communities, has no access road, hence their only means of transportation remains boat ride but the area is rich in oil and gas, and plays host to Anglo-Dutch multinational company, SHELL, for over 50 years.

    However, the area is grossly neglected, with the land and people highly impoverished.This was evident in the absence of government presence in any part of the communities.

    The young and old, chiefs, men, women, youths and children came out in their numbers to give thanks to God for the gift of  a son like Tein Jr. and to also pray to God to  continue to bless and protect him, his family and business from all evil and enlarge his business coast.

    Speaking at the event, King Eleki said the special prayer was a way to express profound thanks and appreciation to God for the unprecedented developmental projects Belemaoil has carried out in the area within a short period of operation in the area.

    The monarch said of Tein Jr: “I am filled with joy and laughter because God has answered our prayers of many years as our illustrious son, Engr Jack-Rich Tein Jr. has wiped off tears from our eyes. For that we thank him and we thank the Almighty Father who has blessed him to bless us.

    “Even in the bible the parable of the talents, those who were given five, they turned it to ten, those who were unable to do something to what they had, even what was given to them was taken away from them.and added to the other person that prove resourcesfulness, going by this bible principle, I think since he (Tein Jr) has been able to double what was given to him, the government should give him more OMLs to operate in the Niger Delta so that he will do more for oil bearing communities in the region.”

    He approved the requests by the company to renovate and upgrade some of the existing health facilities in the area as he declared, “I grant you permission to renovate people’s dispensary hospital where you can develop and it will serve you people and they were negotiating for land for this project, we have all agreed to provide land for Belema oil to execute this project and for that we have signed papers for them for this project.

    “In addition he will provide two giant generators for the community and also wire the whole community that  should have been done by Jan 31st both because the equipment are not available they have to be ordered from abroad… I thank you very much may God continue to bless and protect your founder.” he informed the crowd.

    He further called for unity and cohesion among the people and appealed for more support and the cooperation of the Host Community for Belemaoil for better improved lives in the communities.

    Corroborating the monarch, another Paramount Ruler, in the area, His Highness, King Boudillon Ekine Oko, (OKO XXVIII), equally admitted that the Tein Jr. has greatly improved the wellbeing of the people of Kula with meaningful projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people.

    King Oko added that host communities of other oil blocks in Kula Kingdom should be given the right of first refusal by the federal government in the divestment or approval of operatorship licence of oil assets in the area.

    “Every kingdom that has the privilege and the honour to enjoy such opportunities as have given us by Belemaoil will want that the presence of such company to remain in the area, and we are not exception, hence if there are other presence of such opportunity that need to come to the territory we will still want Belem oil to inherit that opportunity,” he said.

    King Oko went on: “Belemoil is not just a son but a  Messiah sent to us by God to make the men happy, make the kings happy,  make the chiefs happy, make the women happy, even the politicians are happy, everybody in the communities are happy.”

    He agreed with the otjer speakers that Tein Jr.  is a gift to the body of the kula people and prayed against anything, person or group that would want to bring to a halt the good things that has begun to come to the community through Belemaoil, and those that are yet to come, “we will all in a perfect match rise up to say no,” he assured.

    The Manager, External Affairs of the company, Samuel Abel Jumbo, called on the Kingdom to eschew bitterness and rancor among themselves for the prosperity of the community.

    He said the company has provided over 1,000 jobs to youths across the host communities. He outlined some projects which Belemaoil is currently carrying out and those it intends to carry out in the near future to include; the 85KM Kula Road to Port-Harcourt, the Belema Atlantic Island, Belema Industrial Base, Belema Atlantic Office, Billionaire Atlantic Island, Belema Trading Island, amongst others.

    “We cannot imagine the thousands of employments which these projects will generate for our people in Kula. We also cannot imagine the jobs and contracts that will be available for our business men and women who will be huge beneficiaries of this projects.All these shall happen in our life time.

    “And so, our dear fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, at this time in our history, I will implore you all on behalf of Belemaoil Producing Ltd., to eschew bitterness and rancor, and embrace peaceful coexistence and togetherness which has kept us together and made us the envy of our neighbours,”he said.

    He hinted the community about the passion of their son to open up the Island area for investment and tourism,

    ”As a very young company with a little over two years in operations, and, with a very strong filial bond with our host communities- Kula being one of them, our determination to radically develop our host communities is of very paramount interest to us given the fact that these communities are the basis upon which our operations are successfully carried out.

    “Indeed, our relationship with our communities can only be compared to that of a Siamese twin. And this reinforces the reason  in our very short history, we are grateful to God Almighty for using us as a vessel to impact very positively in the lives of our communities in such a way that has led to this Farthering.

    “In collaboration with the Federal Government, we have commenced preliminary work and approvals for the commencement of the construction of the 85Km Kula-Port Harcourt Road, which will link up all our satellite communities and settlements of Belema, Robertkiri, Luckyland, Boro, through Idama Kingdom and Degema. This multi-billion-naira project shall, when completed, not only guarantee the security of our lives and properties as we will no longer be preys to marauding pirates on our seas and water ways.

    “Through our investment and development affiliates: J+G Global Gas and Oilfield Ltd and Jack-Rich Tein Aid Foundation the Belema Industrial zone has already taken off the drawing board with the on-going reclamation work at Roberkiri for the citing of a world class Airport which will stimulate the attendant developments and additional projects and business opportunities that will be attracted to the Community, which shall include amongst others.” among other projects mapped out by the firm.

    In his sermon, the pastor of one of the Pentecostal churches in the community, Revd. Victor Iyaye, lauded Tein Jr. for being kind to the poor and the people of under developed oil bearing communities, and assured him that he will be rewarded by God, he appealed to him not to relent in the good job.

    He prayed for rapid growth and expansion of investment for Belemaoil in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

    The President Kula Youth Organisation, Christian Eleki, assured of the support of the youths for the success of the firm’s presence in the area, noting that youths of Kula have benefited immensely from the company, especially in the area of employment and empowerment.

  • Youths hail   Belemaoil for jobs

    Youth leaders and past presidents of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) have hailed the founder and President of Belemaoil Producing Limited, Mr. Jack-Rich Tein Jr., for creating jobs for youths.

    They spoke in a communiqué issued after a congress of NYCN and Ethnic Nationalities Youth Organisations in Abuja at the weekend.

    The ethnic nationalities and  organisations at the meeting were  Arewa Youths, Ijaw Youth Council, Middle Belt Youths, Northern Youth Coalition, Ohanaeze Youth Council, Nigeria Youth Organisation, National Youth Coalition, Oduduwa Youths, Ndigbo Youth Organisation, Urhobo Youth Council, and Nigeria Youth Parliament.

    The group observed that the restiveness of youths of Kula in Rivers State had been addressed through creation of jobs.

    National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro,  speaking for the youth, said:  “Mr. Jack-Rich has demonstrated his belief in youths, through philanthropy and wealth creation, which initially began in several communities in Niger Delta, but have led to more opportunities  across the country, through creation of jobs, skill acquisition, and other forms of empowerment.

    “We cannot but mention his significant role, in achieving peace and stability in oil-rich Kula in Niger Delta, which has led to increase in output.

    “Youths are grateful to Jack-Rich. We are glad that today, our youths, in Kula and its environs in Akuku-Toru Local Government of Rivers State are no longer restive or engaging in pipeline vandalism, sea piracy and cultism due to the employment and empowerment of Jack-Rich in the area.”

    They commended the plan by Jack-Rich to extend the programme to other parts of the country by employing 111 youths and training  over 2,253  others.

    Jack-Rich also got kudos for his philanthropy in the North through provision of potable water and roads in Katsina, Sokoto, Gombe and Bauchi states.

    The leaders added that  the decision to begin nationwide advocacy on non-violence in the election would enable youths shun violence.

    “We will soon commence  a nationwide advocacy on non-violence participation of youth in the 2019 elections.

    “There is no doubt, that young people are always blamed for election violence. Therefore, we have come to inform Nigerians and the international community, of our resolve to sensitise youths, towards denouncing violence before, during and after the elections.

    “…our youths must denounce political disturbances and violence, under any guise. We shall work with government and every stakeholder in the electoral chain to achieve this noble objective.”

  • Belemaoil trains 33 fire fighters in Rivers

    An indigenous oil and gas producing company in Port Harcourt,  the Rivers State capital, yesterday issued certification to 33 men trained in fire-fighting skill.

    The one-month training conducted by TDI Global Consult,  a North American based fire fighting company, was part of its corporate social responsibility to its host communities.

    Speaking to reporters after a fire fighting demonstration by the trainees at Belemaoil jetty in Port Harcourt yesterday,  the fire chief training officer of TDI,  Gary Eve said,  the training was meant to give the trainees the basic fire fighting skill, and confirmed that by the demonstration technic they exhibited at the demonstration,  they have understood the basics in fire fighting methodology.

    Eve said:  “This is the basic way to respond to  normal fire outbreak in the garage,  side of the road,  general small degree outbreak anywhere.

    “The skills the trainees displayed in the demonstration exercise is basically fire attack skill,  changing of host starting and the technic of pumping water from one a standby fire equipment to the other without disrupting the process that is on course.”

    He expressed satisfaction with the trainees and the timeframe it took them to put out the burn-fire, describing it as standard.

    In a pre-certification appraisal,  Eve assured that the 33 trainees were capable of attacking and arresting any fire outbreak , using the state- of -the- art equipment used in the demonstration.

    The Executive Vice President of the company,  Mrs.  Rosemary Asiegbu, urged the trainees to take the skill they have acquired seriously,  and determine to put it into use to better their families.

    Mrs Asiegbu said:   ”You are the few selected ones,  getting a Company  from North America to come and train you in this noble profession.

    “Fire fighting is a challenging job, a lot is expected of you, physically,  mentally and spiritually. Fire fighting is a serious job, to the point that you will always be prepared at all times. You will be expected to be prepared and be fit all the time.

    “Whether you are on duty or out of duty, you must always be prepared,  because something might come up and those on duty might not be able to cope automatically you will be coopted to be in charge.

    “Again fire fighting is a multifaceted job that involves not just arresting burning fire,  but other rescue jobs that could see them jump from tall heights.”

    She noted hailed the decision of the President and Founder of Belemaoil, Tien Jack-Rich Jr.,  to engage a  competent company for the training.

  • Belemaoil seeks U.S. commerce office in Rivers

    •’Niger Delta is safe for investment’

    An indigenous oil producing company in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, Belemaoil and Gas Producing Company Limited, has appealed to the United States  government to direct the Department of Commerce to establish a liaison office in Port Harcourt.

    President and Founder of the company, Prince Tein JackRich, spoke when U.S. Consul General in Nigeria John Bray led delegates to  the company’s office in Port Harcourt,  yesterday.

    JackRich said investment opportunities abound in the state as in other Niger Delta states,  following natural oil and gas endowment in the region, and that the area is peaceful for businesses to thrive.

    He said: “Our vision is to ensure that we utilize the hydrocarbon values in such a manner that the local communities where we operate is focus centred, the communities is safe, we handle the environment in such a manner that it is clean, and we are in good relationship with the communities and we are going into capacity development through direct protective local capacity development.

    “To do this we also make sure that we build confidence of the communities in sure a manner that they also establish confidence in Belemaoil. Belemaoil started operation in OML55 formally operated by Shevron in 2012; and we have so far creates over 3000 direct jobs, and our middle top plan is to create 36,000 jobs both skilled and unskilled employments.

    “We have a 10 years plan which is to develop our economic resource, in which 60,000 jobs will be created.  We believe that this impact of this activities will create 2000 per cent oil value creation. These are being done with  foreign partners in the US companies who will be training our people in technology acquisition, servicing among others.”

    He outlined several ways Belemaoil activities would benefit the Federal Government to include youth empowerment through job creation to engender development, security and end to restiveness and increase investment,  and crude oil production among others.

    “To achieve all these as a private sector operator, we cannot do this alone; therefore we are requesting, appealing that the US department of commerce to have it’s presence in the Niger Delta region and Port Harcourt in particular,  being the economic base of West Africa in oil and Gas is high recommended for such office.

    “We believe strongly that that will go a long way in fostering economic growth,  and effective coordination of the U.S. Cmercial Department activities within the region. Port Harcourt being the economic hub for oil and gas investment in the sub-African region, operates over 85 per cent of Nigeria’s economy. The city is also the heart of the Nigerian Delta, which is Nigeria’s treasure base. Therefore such US commercial presence will greatly foster economic and diplomatic cohesion,” JackRich said.

    Responding,  the consul genera, however, decried the damage security challenges have done to the state, fuelled by unending election tussle and killings.

    He challenged leaders and residents to make the 2019 elections free, fair and peaceful first, before they could discuss business with the US.

    Bray said:  “I spoke with Governor Wike last night(Monday night), and there was a string request for US investment in the Niger Delta. He mentioned about how the area is safe for investment and all that; I am comfortable with what the governor said but how do we get that security sense back to United States,  back to American business people,  back to my government…

    “One of the most important things we are still calling for is that employment  rate is very, very poor in Nigeria and statistics has proven that. Again one of the terrible reputations in elections  in Nigeria is in Rivers State,  when you get  it right,  investors will certainly come.  Let’s have free,  fair and violent-free elections in Port Harcourt(Rivers), in 2019, when the world see that,  investors will come and invest.”

    Commissioner for Commerce and Industries Nancy Nwankwo described JackRich as a respected investor contractor and philanthropist who has passionate n for the developers mentioned of the local communities.

    She assured the U.S. consul General that the governor has done so much to restore the security and development to create enabling environment for investments.

     

     

     

  • Belemaoil gives scholarship to slain soldiers’ kids

    Belemaoil gives scholarship to slain soldiers’ kids

    An Indigenous oil company in Niger Delta, Belemaoil Producing, has announced an annual scholarship to 300 children of slain soldiers.

    The gesture is for children of soldiers, who died in the Northeast and Niger Delta.

    The award, valued at N45 million, would see each beneficiary receiving N150,000 annually.

    Founder/President of Belemaoil Tein Jack-Rich announced the award at the groundbreaking of the 16 Brigade Command,  named Camp Burutai, in Yenagoa,  Bayelsa State capital.

    He said: “I, on behalf of my company, hereby pronounce the award of annual scholarship to 300 children of Nigerian service men and women that paid the ultimate price in the country’s Northeast and the Niger Delta.”

    The company, in January,  released scholarship of over N100 million to 374 indigent students in Rivers State for the 2017/2018 academic year.

    Speaking on the project,   Jack-Rich said:”It is a great honour for us (Belemaoil) to be here today and be a part of a laudable project as this.  This is the second time Belemaoil is partnering  the 16 Brigade  in a project as this,  the first was a 100-bed hostel at Elele, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    “I will be very happy to have all the details worked out to making sure this project goes on. Bayelsa and Rivers states have been one and when I heard of this project in Bayelsa, I said I have to be here.”

    Jack-Rich announced the takeover of the construction of 30 units “Corporal Below Quarters” at the Camp Burutai site.

    “Belemaoil has decided to take over the construction of 30 units Corporal Below quarters for the Camp Burutai and to demonstrate the love that has brought us together within Bayelsa and Rivers State, and the super-excellent services that have been rendered by the Army, especially JTF, in our area of operations,” he said.

    While calling on other corporate bodies to support the military, he  said the company would commit over N116 million to the project.

    He lauded Governor  Seriake Dickson  for making available land for the project.

    Chief of Army Staff Lieut-Gen. Tukur Burutai hailed Jack-Rich for his support and donation of a block of 30-unit mini-flats for soldiers and their families.

    Seriake Dickson described Jack-Rich as a promoter of communal peace and stability.

    He said: “Let me appreciate the president of Belemaoil who has been doing big businesses and making good money in this state and around this area. You have done very well for the military. I have heard the good work about the way you are running your company and promoting communal peace and stability.

    “This state also needs your support. We need more captains of industry to do what Belemaoil has just announced and I want to thank you all and solicit for collaboration and support for this brigade and indeed for all arms of our nation’s security services in the state.”

    The Army chief  presented a plaque to the Founder/President of Belemaoil in recognition of his support for the military.

  • Belemaoil: A giant in the making

    Belemaoil: A giant in the making

    From merely providing technical services in the oil and gas industry, an indigenous firm, Belemaoil Producing Limited to which Chevron Nigeria Limited divested interest in OML 55 last month, plans to inject $500million to produce 600,000 bpd, 650Mw and refine 30,000 litres from its floating barge, reports JOHN OFIKHENUA .

    AN  indigieous oil and gas firm Belemaoil Producing Limited, which commenced  as a technical service provider 17 years ago, has made history.

    A month after the American giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited sold its  Oil Mining Lease  (OML) 55 in Rivers State to it, Bolemaoil produced 11,700 barrel per day (bpd), from 1,450 bpd – within a month.

    The feat, according to its Chairman, Jack-Rich Tein Jr.,  was as result of hard work.

    Speaking to The Nation at its corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, he said the firm embarked on a study of why other oil firms were lagging behind in production. Realising that the local community will be required to help in the production chain, the company engaged 520 employees from the area.

    Tein Jr. said the company has been sailing smoothly because the local community was empowered to join the business, adding that the people are happy about the development.

    He said: “When this asset was handed over to us, two of the major fields that were producing about 6,000 barrels per day were down. We took over the operation with 1,450 bpd. The other field was shutdown because the other transmission line was down, so they handed over the asset to us at 1,450 oil production barrel per day. And when we took over, we were able to work so hard, producing 11,700 barrel per day. And that is a huge success for a company that just took over in less than 21 days.

    ‘’Part of our strategy was to look at why other oil operators were having downturn. And we found out that the local community where this oil firm operates, needs to be incorporated by major employment creation. So we quickly had to inject 520 employees of the local community. In that way we had to comb all the relevant areas that the field traverses to  be able to engage available hands, including erstwhile  bunkerers  and pipeline vandals .

    ‘’We were able to take those guys out of the field and hand them over to the Joint Task Force and ever since,  the local communities have been doing campaign and they have been able to advise others to stop bunkering that Belemaoil can help them develop their capacity.”

    The feat, the chairman said, is only an eye-opener about the company’s monumental plan, to, in the first instance, accomplish  24,000bpd, in the medium term, 42,000 and later 60,000 bpd within next 14 months.

     

    From oil to gas 

    Tein Jr. said since the field is devoid of associated gas solution, it is difficult to optimise the product to that level as quickly as possible, saying that Belemaoil has, therefore, planned to create other economic opportunities by harnessing the huge gas deposit in the field to help tackle the power challenge in the country.

    The firm, he said, plans to produce about 630megawatts of power. The chairman said the company would want to aggregate all its hydrocarbon products within the country in view of the challenges of refined products in Nigeria.

     

    30,000 Refinery

    Belemaoil would include a 30,000 capacity barrel refinery in the barge. To this end, the company has already made a presentation to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) that was very glad about the innovative ideas services.

    He said the field has huge gas reserves and with no further development as it is now, “we have access to about 35million standard cubic feet of gas production per day. Now, what do we do with that! The field does not have what we call associated gas solution. And because it doesn’t have that, we cannot optimise production to the level we want to get to.  We are currently producing 11,700 now. We want to increase production to 24,000 barrel and then in the medium term, we want to increase to 42,000 barrel and 60,000 barrel. All this we intend to do within 14 months from where we are now.

    “Now for you to take production higher, you need to manage your gas production. Now some of the wells we have have huge gas, and what do we do with the gas? We have to harness the gas by creating other economically viable commodities. And we have identified power as key to the government of Nigeria and we want to encourage that we support the government by investing in power. We want to introduce a floating power barge . We will be able to inject our 35million SCUF. Phase one is introduce 135MW of power. Phase two we’ll move to 333MW and 650MW respectively. 30,000 barrel refinery is also going to be on the barge . We are also aware of the sensitivity of refined products in the country. We want to commodify all our hydrocarbon products in the country. So we are bringing in 30,000 barrel refinery also on the barge. These are technologies that have never been tried before. So, we have made the presentation to the Department of Petroleum Resources and they are very happy that this service is innovative. That they have never heard or seen any of this before.

    Following the presentation to the DPR, a team of experts is is Singapore to conclude the plan and part of the interest is to be able to establish a relationship with off-takers. Jack revealed that the firm has discussed how to distribute the power with  the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company that covers Rivers, Cross River  Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states. Belemaoil is still working on the technical modality to draw up the right engineering to make the product bankable. He divulged that he was already receiving telephone inquiries from some regulators on gas sales benchmark.

    Asked whether he was planning to go export the gas, he said “Basically, we are more interested in developing  the local market. We don’t want to export our products and shrink the local economy. We are indigenous company. As a matter of fact our company is the first indigenous company in Africa to have assets within its locality. And this was made possible by Chevron and their zeal,  vision and desire to develop host communities where they operate. As an indigenous company we want to develop the Nigerian economy. We are not only interested in buying and selling, we also want to develop capacity. And that is why we have brought in these technical hands to make this happen. So if there are other energy consumers locally that need to be given energy, we are also ready to give them energy.”

    Owing to the company’s plans to produce and sell power in the country, the DPR has directed it to secure power generating license from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). But Jack noted that Belemaoil is carrying out a market feasibility study to ascertain the capability of the off-taker     (power distribution company) to absolve and pay for the product.

    His words: “Part of the recommendations from the DPR is to write to the Commission. Before we write to them, we want to look at the off-taker’s ability that is the current distribution company. So we want to generate this volume of power, can you take it. Do you have the financial ability to demonstrate that? The oversea financiers, who are bringing in their funding want to make sure that we have an off taker that has the ability to pay. So, we want to do that engineering first before we approach the agency.”

    These ambitious plans, he said, require huge amount of money to come to fruition. Jack told our correspondent that Belemaoil is exposed to the tune of $500 million. The company that has brought its production level to 11,700 bpd has committed $300million into the business. It however requires additional $200million to hit its production target.

    He said: “Currently, we are exposed to about $500million . And we are still exposed to a lot of more spending. So, right now the volume we have been able to bring in has cost us about $300million. And we are looking at another $150million to take production to 42,000 barrel. So we are going to expend additional $150 to $200 million to get to where we are expecting to get to in the economy of Nigeria.’’

    To enhance peace for sustainable development in the Niger Delta, especially now that news of insecurity in the region is topical, Jack revealed that his company has been making frantic efforts at partnering the youths and local community on the benefits of coexistence. It has therefore advised the youths and host community that unless they allow peace to reign they may lose the opportunity of acquiring  new technology from  experts as most of them are already leaving Nigeria in droves.

    He added that Belemaoil has always admonished them to give peace a chance in order to boost the economy for them to  benefit from inherent social security like that of food and quality education for their family.

    The chairman maintained that “basically what we have experienced is the news that is making the wave-the Niger Delta news and all that. And what we are doing now is to partner with the youths of Niger Delta to encourage a peaceful business atmosphere. So what we are doing is to be able to encourage the Niger Delta to bring sustainable peace for the local community to accept a friendly business atmosphere’’.

  • Belemaoil achieves 11,000 bpd

    An indigenous oil firm, Belemaoil Producing Limited that recently took over the oil mining lease (OML 55) from Chevron, has increased its production by 3,000 barrel per day (bpd) to hit 11,000bpd.

    The feat has, however, attracted the accolades of Niger Delta Oil Producing Communities Empowerment Forum (NDOPCEF).

    NDOPCEF Chief Media Secretary Comrade Amaibimabo Godswill Tamunofubura,   in a statement, said: “The Niger Delta people are proud of Belemaoil, who just took over OML 55 field works on the June 2, 2016 and, in 18 days of take over, is able to take production from 8,000 barrels daily to 11,000 barrels per day.”

    Commending Chevron Nigeria Limited for handing over the fields to Belemaoil, he said the divestment will a create economic empowerment for the Niger Delta oil producing communities and promote peace and order.

    Tamunofubura who also hails from the community of OML 55 lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for encouraging programmes such as what has given Belemaoil the privilege to emerge successful in the bid process.

    He advised other oil companies to emulate Chevron which is geared towards direct local capacity development for oil producing communities in Niger Delta.

    The statement also noted that after a successful field hand-over by Chevron, Belemaoil has gone further to fulfill some of its promises to host communities by employing a total of 350 community youths across OML 55 and Niger Delta communities.

    Belemaoil is also working with experts to provide portable drinking water in Kula.

    The statement reads in part: “With this development Chevron Nigeria Limited has uniquely  acheived for itself the first and only international oil company in Africa to have divested its participating interest in an OML to a local company from within its host community, which has trickled down to unemployed youths in their respective communities.”

    RiverS State Youth Organisation President, Prince Sara-Igbe, during a courtesy visit to Belemaoil thanked Chevron’s founder/Chairman of Belemaoil Producing Limited Jack-Rich Tein Jr.,for making history in Rivers State.

    The youth leader further expressed thanks to God and  gratitude to President Mahammadu Buhari in whose administration Chevron and Belemaoil have brought this great blessing to his people in Niger Delta.

  • Belemaoil pledges to implement UNEP report as youths kick over sale of Shell’s assets

    Belemaoil pledges to implement UNEP report as youths kick over sale of Shell’s assets

    An indigenous oil and gas producing firm, Belema Oil, seeking to resume oil production in Ogoniland in Rivers State has promised to abide by the United Nation Environmental Program (UNEP) Report if given consent.

    The Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director of the firm, Tein Jack-Rich (Jr), made the pledge while addressing  Ogoni youths at Yeghe Community, in Gokana Local Government Area.

    The firm is owned by an indigene of the state from Kalabari. He is among seven others, including Chinese company seeking approval to take-over oil production activities in the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), OML 11 abandoned in 1993.

    Addressing Ogono youths in Yeghe, Jack-Rich promised to follow the terms and conditions stipulated in the UNEP report in carrying out oil activities in the area, including the clean-up of oil impacted areas.

    Jack-Rich promised to create employment opportunities for youths of the area, give 300 scholarship slots to indigent youths in the university and release the sum of N24 million grants for farmers of Ogoni origin.

    The MD said: “Belemaoil is you and me and what Belemaoil will do is to abide by UNEP report, ensure you have a voice and a say in anything that has to do with your future. We will create employment, empowerment programmes and projects. We will provide scholarship scheme for indigent Ogoni indigene that have the dream of going to School, starting with 300 students.

    “We also have designed a programme to support farmers in Ogoni, we have mapped out a sum of N24 million in form of grant.

    “Belemaoil is not here to cajole you, I am aware of your needs; I am a Rivers man, I know and understand the plights/ difficulties faced by oil bearing communities of the Niger Delta region like yours and I promise that I will carry everybody along, as for me days of divide and rule tactics are over , just give me a chance to prove myself.” He appealed.

    Reacting to rumor he was fronting for a politicians in the state, he said: “Belema Oil does not belong to any political platform. It is a company from Rivers State, Kula in Kalabari Kingdom of the state.

    “Belema has a Foundation known as Belema Aid Foundation and as a mark of seriousness we have already acquired a piece of land to set up the Foundation’s secretariat in Ogoni to enable us begin to implement the scholarship and grant disbursement programmes. The office will be ready within six months.”

    The Leader of Association of Community Youths of Ogoni, Mr. Mao Kekah, said: “We are here today as youths of Ogoni to identify and partner with Belema, to transform our lives. Chiefs, youths, MOSOP and other groups of Ogoni have been consulted, what we are doing here today is a sort of grand finale of all the consultations and every one of us gathered here is in support of Belema.

    “You have heard his promises, we have not had it this way before. Belema is not the only person bidding for this OML11, I learnt a total of eight companies are on the role yet he is the only person that has come to us.”

    He also warned the bidder on the dangers of indulging in divide-and-rule approach when he begins exploration.

    “Thank you Belema for identifying with this group, just as we had earlier told you, this are those that would have given you problems and generate unbearable heat to you if you did not meet with them as far as Ogoni is concerned, but for them to have given you the audience, it is an indication that they have accepted you.

    “But be warned ensure that you implement all that you have told them here today, be and remain sincere with us I assure you that you will not have any problem with us.

    “We do not want any form of divide and rule, if we notice any thing of such, even if the government grants you the licence to start exploration, we will resist it, you will be surprised at what we will do.”

    Also the leader of another group known as Ogoni Youths, Chief Solomon Ndigbara, pledged his support for the indigenous oil company on the condition that he would implement the agreements he has reached with the people.

    He said: “When I heard about Belema Oil Producing company I was happy but happier when I discovered he is a young man.

    “We can give him support if he is actually going to carry out all that he has promised to the youths. We have had promises that never worked in the past and would not want to robe ourselves into such lies again.

    “I have past a stage in my live when people will come here to deceive us and go. But after several meetings between him and key youth leaders of Ogoniland, we have agreed to give him our supports with the hope that he will keep to his words.”

    Their declaration points were also read out to the acceptance of those present in the meeting.

    The Ogoni Youth Foundation has, however, refused to endorse the company.

    During a protest to the Port Harcourt office of The Nation, the youths led by their President, Mr. Dowell Badom, accused the  oil company of causing a fresh crisis in Ogoni communities. They alleged that the new company lacks understanding of the lingering crisis between the communities and SPDC before venturing into any agreement to take over production in the area.

    Badom said, Ogoni Youth Foundation, and Ogoni Kingdom Youth Forum chapters have refused to endorse the new oil company to protect the people of the area from another betrayal. He noted that their refusal to endorse the new oil company will send a signal to the company and Ogoni chiefs who have hurriedly endorsed the new oil company without consulting the youth body that all is not well.

    He alleged that “Ogoni oil bearing community chiefs have endorse the Belema Oil without the input of the Ogoni Youth Host Communities. But we are assuring the chiefs and the new company that without proper consultations and the engagement of the Ogoni Youth Foundation, we will not allow any indigenous company to enter into our oil bearing communities.

    “We have stated our positions and our decisions are predicated on the fact that Belema Oil Company has no oil social license from the oil field landlords in Ogoni land. The demand for the cleanup of Ogoni land, compensation for the Ogoni people, payment of rents, royalty for 56 years of a oil multi-national company operating in our communities are yet to be resolved. We are using this opportunity to call on the Belema Oil Company to stop parading itself as an owner of assets in Ogoni land until the company decides to consults all stakeholders involved in the area.”

    He continued that the Ogoni people are peaceful, hospitable and believe in a non-violent struggle but the youth leader insisted that any buyer of oil blocks in Ogoni territory must engage the Ogoni Youth Foundation and relevant stakeholders.

    He said the new oil company has no right of ownership to OML 11 (Oil Mining Lease 11) because the Ogoni people are the rightful owners. He said Ogoni people are expecting £18 Billion representing royalties on petroleum mining in Ogoni land since 1958, and £4 Billion compensation for environmental pollution and ecological degradation in Ogoni communities.

    “These sums remain unpaid to date and we shall not renege on it at this point in our struggle. We therefore, call on the good people of Ogoni to resist any attempt to fraudulently sell Ogoni Oil through the back door.

    The Ogoni Youth Foundation has supported a new lunch of National Ogoni Restoration Empowerment Program (NOREP) an initiative to provide a means of livelihood for economic empowerment to the Ogoni youths to be self employed and to develop the indigenous companies for training in the area of oil and gas.

    “We call on the Federal Ministry of Petroleum, Government Oil Agencies, the oil companies to partner with the OYF and other bodies to ensure that NOREP assist the Ogoni Youths in various skills. We also want them to provide the NOREP assisted transport services scheme as a means of empowerment to restore the livelihood of the youths to stop restiveness in our communities.”