The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger-Delta

  • ‘Govt needs technology to promote peace in Niger Delta’

    Discussants at a panel on promoting peace in Niger Delta have stressed the need for improved communication between the government and resident of the oil-producing region to drive development in the axis.

    The session was held at the weekend during the Social Media Week held in Lagos. The panelists were unanimous in their call on the need for the government to adopt technology as a means of enhancing communication with the Niger Delta people.

    The session with the theme: Government and the Citizens, Communicating the 21st Century Way in the Niger Delta, was organised by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND).

    Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC), Mr Nsima Ekere, represented by the commission’s Technical Adviser on Partnerships and Development, Mr John Akpan, participated in the discussion.

    Other panelists included Special Adviser on Communications to Abia State Governor, Sam Hart, Program Director of the Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Florence Kayemba, Chief Executive Officer of NETOPPS, Fibiresima Bereni, and Chime Asonye, Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to of Abia State governor.

    On the role of government in communicating feedback to the Niger Delta resident, Akpan said platforms offered by social media played key role in opening up discussion between the government and the people in the region.

    Akpan said: “The newly-inaugurated governing board of the NDDC is determined to improve openness and transparency in its dealing and engaging the people in the Niger Delta.”

    He reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to 4Rs method it adopted to restructure its balance sheet, adding that the commission had embarked on reform to improve its governance systems to ensure compliance to extant rules and regulations.

    Kayembasaid said the Niger Delta’s heterogeneous nature made its needs peculiar. She advised the government should create a system where residents would provide feedback on the development programmes being currently carried out in the region.

    Hart noted Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had introduced programmes to drive citizens’ engagement in his administration, giving example of an e-library recently commissioned by the Abia government to create platform for feedback from the citizens.

    According to him, the Abia government would host events to select outstanding technology startups in the state.

    While speaking on the need to maintain open budgeting by state in the Niger Delta, Hart said: “I support open budgeting by state in the Niger Delta. It is not required by law to do that, but it has to be done to promote transparency and accountability.”

    He also reiterated the need for governors in the Niger Delta region to engage the social media in communicating with citizens. “Any government not on social media is doing itself a disservice,” he said.

    Speaking on poverty and lack of access to basic amenities, Asonye noted that implementation of the SDGs in the Niger Delta states was poor, adding that there was a need to focus attention on the challenges hindering development in the region.

    The SDGs, he said, will provide a proper channel for irreversible development in the Niger Delta.  Chime called for openness in implementation of government’s programme to tackle poverty. He said there should be a platform where citizens can give feedback and receive responses from the government, citing an example of Abia State which has an active social media presence that serves as a feedback mechanism between the government and the citizens. He stressed the need for evidence-based budgeting process that would afford citizens’ participation in governance process.

    In his discussion on private sector and technology, Bereni said there is a need to improve technology adoption in the region. “The Niger Delta is still struggling with low internet penetration, which is affecting the emergence of startups. Government needs to address the developmental gaps in the region by creating a holistic innovation strategy to support the young people who are marginalised,” he said.

    In response to the panelists’ submission, members of the audience drawn from the Niger Delta region expressed optimism that the discussion could bring about new thinking in the region to drive development.

    One of them, Obat Akpeji, said: “We should hope some of the solutions offered here would be considered by the governors in the region.”

    Another participant from Edo State, Ezekiel Efeobhokan, said: “I hope to see Niger Delta governors spearhead programmes that would impact on innovations of the youth. We want the youth to stop engaging crimes that tarnish the image of people from this region. Niger Delta youths are known as angry people, but we want the narrative to change.”

  • Presidency urges oil producing states to absorb Amnesty beneficiaries

    Presidency urges oil producing states to absorb Amnesty beneficiaries

    • Submits 1,416 names to Obaseki

    The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd), on Thursday appealed to governments of the oil producing States to absorb beneficiaries of the amnesty programme from their respective states.

    Boroh said the development will reduce unemployment among the ex-militants.

    Describing the new approach as a game changer, in a statement by the Office Media & Communication Consultant, Owei Lakemfa, Abuja, the presidential aide added that it would resolve youth restiveness in the region.

    He disclosed that in line with the model, the  Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki already commenced moves to provide employment for Edo State amnesty beneficiaries. 

    Boroh noted that the Office has submitted a list of 1,416 ex-Agitators including 213 scholarship graduates and 466 persons who needed training and empowerment or employment.

    The statement reads: “A fundamental one in sustainably reintegrating  aggrieved youths who six years ago, had  taken  the amnesty offer of  the Federal Government.”

    He emphasised the need for other State governors from the oil producing states to partake in the programme.

    “By assisting their youths the presidential amnesty programme is not an open-ended one and all beneficiaries would have to eventually exit the programme.

    Boroh said the visit to Edo State by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo last Monday, further cemented the ties between the people in the Niger Delta region and the federal government. 

    He said, “If the amount of empathy, concern and commitment to the people in the Niger Delta and their plight shown by the Buhari administration had been shown by past governments, there would have been no reason for agitations in the region. All that the people require and are asking  for is basic development and understanding which is what the Buhari administration is offering.”

    He lauded government’s decision to get all contractors who have abandoned projects in the region to go back to work and fulfil their contractual obligations.

  • Naira appreciation: Economist advises Nigerians to import less

    Naira appreciation: Economist advises Nigerians to import less

    An economist, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, has advised Nigerians to import less to sustain the appreciation of the naira at the foreign exchange market.

    Uwaleke, who is an Associate Professor and Head, Banking and Finance Department, Nasarawa State University Keffi, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

    “ I expect a reduction in imported inflation and a general increase in the tempo of economic activities following the increase in reserves and appreciation of the naira in the parallel market,’’ he said.

    Uwaleke said the new foreign exchange measures by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were mainly designed to ease access to foreign exchange at the official window and reduce pressure on the shallow parallel market.

    He said the measures would ultimately close the wide gap between the official and parallel market rates and in turn discourage round tripping and rent seeking.

    Uwaleke said the increased supply of foreign exchange by the CBN was made possible by the accretion witnessed in foreign exchange reserves in recent time.

    “Its sustainability will depend on continuing favorable conditions in the international oil market with regard to oil price.

    “It will also depend on the sustenance of the current relative peace in the Niger Delta region which has enabled improved production,’’ he said.

    Mr Isaac Okorafor, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications in CBN, on Tuesday said that the apex bank had injected another 100 million dollars into the interbank foreign exchange market.

    Okorafor said the fresh injection by the apex bank brought the amount so far pumped into the interbank market in the last two weeks to 1.14 billion dollars for both forwards and invisibles.

     

  • Towards new roadmap for Niger Delta

    Towards new roadmap for Niger Delta

    Contrary to allegations that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is enmeshed in corruption and spent a fortune buying 70 exotic cars for members of its Governing Board and management, indications are that the commission is evolving into a responsive and transparent public institution, with a new strategic road map to deliver on its mandate. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI who has been monitoring the development reports 

    SINCE the new management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) came into being last November, it has pledged to embrace due process, transparency and become responsive to the ideals of the law which set up the body as an interventionist agency to create synergy and sustainable regional development. As part of this openness, the budget of the commission is now available on its website. Besides, a project-monitoring portal has also been launched.
    The new management of the commission, led by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba as Chairman and Mr. Nsima Ekere as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, believes that due process and transparency will facilitate sustainable development in the Niger Delta region and end the era of uncompleted projects and corruption.
    Against this background, the new board and management has promised to adhere strictly to processes and procedures that conform to international best practices. This new vision is encapsulated in the commission’s 4-R Initiative of restoring its core mandate, restructuring its balance sheet, reforming its processes and reaffirming a commitment to doing what is right and proper at all times in facilitating the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
    In this regard, the commission is also partnering with Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and Open Government Partnership (OGP), to improve its governance systems, procurement and project-implementation processes, in order to plug loopholes and eliminate incidences of mismanagement and corruption.
    The ground rules was set by the new management during its first stakeholder retreat in February, which took place under the theme: “Collaboration for Sustainable Development”. The event, which was the first of its kind in the 10-year history of the NDDC, was charged with the duty of jointly formulating the commission’s vision, and the drawing up of a roadmap for the actualisation of this vision.
    At the event, Ekere presented a paper where he identified poor governance as the biggest challenge to achieving sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. This, he added, has been responsible for the poorly-delivered infrastructure which decays rapidly, lack of social services, pervasive poverty, resurgent militant attacks, pollution of the environment and decreased revenue to government.
    He disclosed that the Niger Delta Master Plan, which originally required 15 years to implement at a cost of $50 billion, has failed to achieve its vision and objectives, despite the region receiving, according to figures released by the Ministry of Petroleum, $40 billion in 10 years, declaring: “Sadly, there is little evidence to show for the sums spent.”
    The NDDC boss identified weak internal processes, procedures and control, weak organisational culture and unethical practices, among others, as factors impeding the successful implementation of the NDDC mandate and declared that the 4-R Initiative of the Governing Board was set to change things for the better.
    He said the 4-R strategy encapsulates the solution required to address the myriad challenges facing the NDDC and that the board will restructure the balance sheet, reform governance protocols, restore the core mandate of the commission and reaffirm “a commitment to doing what’s right and proper”.
    Ekere said: “With about N1.2 trillion of the contingent liabilities on its balance sheet, the NDDC needs to find ways to free funds for urgent development projects and programmes.” He promised to review over-invoiced projects, determine wrongly-procured contracts and recover mobilisation from abandoned projects.
    He called for collaboration among stakeholders to achieve sustainable development in the Niger Delta. He assured that the NDDC Governance and Reform Project (NGRP) will catalyse the irreversible reform of the NDDC by enforcing compliance with rules and regulations, adding: “We must begin to do the right thing in the commission, no matter what it takes. Two things are likely to happen: it’s either we tame the beast or we get bitten by the beast. We hope to tame the beast, for the good of the people.”
    It was agreed during the retreat that the NDDC would embrace corporate governance, built on openness, efficiency and accountability. This was agreed against the background that the NDDC, like NEITI, was set up to fight the resource curse.
    Speaking on the idea of embracing corporate governance, Ekere said: “Engagement with the Bureau of Public Procurement is what will make NDDC better. The narrative has been that our procurement processes are opaque and tainted, and we don’t know how to run a transparent and efficient system. My take-home is that we must create an opportunity for the bureau to interact more with the NDDC, so that we can strengthen our procurement processes and capacity of the procurement unit. We must begin to comply not just with all extant rules and regulations of government, but international best practices.”
    Contrary to allegations that the NDDC is enmeshed in corruption and spent a fortune buying 70 exotic cars for members of its Governing Board and management, Ekere said the commission under his watch has been evolving into a responsive and transparent public institution; with a new strategic road map to deliver on its mandate.
    In his response to the allegations of financial recklessness by the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Ekere said over the weekend that the commission under his watch has been putting a system in place to achieve the goals set for it.
    Ekere said: “We will work to promote cooperation, collaboration and synergy among stakeholders such as state and local governments, oil and gas companies, donor agencies, civil society organisations, community-based organisations and other traditional institutions in order to make regional development a shared vision and common aspiration.
    “Let me restate that this administration will work to enthrone a management vision that emphasises efficiency, transparency, effective deployment of resources, promotes due process and the quality implementation of projects and programmes.”
    He added that his administration would focus on intervention programmes that will deliver real measurable development outcomes for the region and its citizens.
    Sagay had alleged at the opening of the two-day National Dialogue on Corruption that the NDDC has just bought over 70 cars, with money meant for the provision of infrastructure, water, housing, hospitals, school, etc., to the people of Niger Delta, without sparing a thought for the wretched people of the region.
    Sagay added: “Of those, about eight of them are Super Lexus Jeeps, costing N78million each and about 10 are Land Cruisers, costing N63million each.
    “This money was taken from funds for infrastructure, water, housing, hospitals, school, etc., without conscience, recklessly, without a thought for the wretched people of the Niger Delta.”
    This, he said, is coming at a time the commission’s Managing Director was quoted as saying that the NDDC lacked funds to execute projects and was in debt to the tune of N1.2trillion.
    But, the NDDC has reacted through its Head of Corporate Affairs, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, saying no such purchases had been made since assumption of office of the current management and Governing Board on November 4, 2016.
    Amu-Nnadi said: “Indeed, it is a known fact that the Chairman, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), the Managing Director/CEO, Nsima Ekere, and the two Executive Directors are still using their private vehicles three months after assumption of duties.
    “The NDDC is only now in the process of acquiring work vehicles, and is adhering strictly to due process. These include five Toyota Prado jeeps, 10 Toyota Hilux trucks, four (4) Toyota Landcruiser jeeps, one (1) Toyota Coaster bus and two (2) Toyota Hiace buses.
    “The Commission has just received the Due Process Compliance Certificate from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and is preparing the mandatory memo for the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
    “We wish to restate that the current Board and Management of the NDDC is committed to making its transactions transparent, by adhering strictly to processes and procedures of Government, as espoused in the Board’s 4-R Initiative of restoring the Commission’s core mandate, restructuring the balance sheet, reforming our processes and reaffirming a commitment to doing what is right and proper at all times in facilitating the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
    “NDDC is always ready to open its books for audit. We are also committed to responding to all inquiries from well-meaning individuals and groups seeking clarification on rumours and possible false information.”
    Prof. Sagay has since clarified his position, saying his allegations of corruption against the NDDC were not directed at the current board and management. In its reaction to the NDDC rebuttal, the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) insisted its chairman was right with the allegations, but blamed the commission for not seeking for clarifications.
    A representative of PACAC, Okon Eminue, said in a statement: “The NDDC ought to confirm the claim by the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay by seeking clarification on the administration under which the said vehicles were purchased. Prof Sagay is quite right. The vehicles were bought by one of the past administrations of the NNDC.”
    PACAC said when the details of the purchase were first published, the immediate past Managing Director of NDDC, Dan Abia, was still in office. Abia was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan, and left office in 2015.
    Eminue added: “To be sure, President Muhammadu Buhari had assumed duties when the scam came to light. One would have thought that the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies would wade into the allegations at that time. Consequently, Prof. Sagay’s accusation or allegation does not say that the scam is perpetrated by the current leadership of the NDDC.
    “For emphasis, Prof Sagay’s allegation does not, in any way, pertain to the present Board and Management of NDDC under the leadership of Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN (Board Chairman, NDDC) and Obong Nsima Ekere (Managing Director, NDDC). The scam even came to limelight before Mrs Seminitari was appointed Acting MD, NDDC.”

  • FG pledges to work directly with oil producing communities

    The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, says the Federal Government will henceforth work directly with the oil producing communities in the region.

    Boroh, who is also the Coordinator Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), said this in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said the Federal Government would involve the youths and stakeholders in the development of their communities.

    The presidential aide said the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is committed to finding a lasting solution to the unrest, instability and underdevelopment of the region.

    According to him, the Federal Government is proposing a new vision that focuses on technological advancement and innovation in improving the value of oil produced in the region.

    The coordinator said Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit to Benin and tour of the region will go a long way to win the confidence of the youths and the leaders.

    He explained that the tour is also a fact finding mission on issues affecting the region.

    He said the visit was also to fulfill the Buhari’s administration earlier promised of ensuring the genuinely development.

    “People finally can see this government face to face and discuss their problems and their perceptions are finally changing for the better.

    “The pipeline bombing and other violent threats have almost disappeared in the region.

    “Before now there were no forum to meet and no opportunity for interaction and exchange of ideas by opinion leaders,” he said.

    Boroh explained that with the interaction there was better understanding of the challenges of government in tackling the Niger Delta problems.

    He said the tour had provided an opportunity to reassess the journey so far and the way forward.

  • Buhari and Niger Delta development

    Buhari and Niger Delta development

    When President Muhammadu Buhari took over the running of governmental affairs at the centre in 2015, not many believe he was going to show any serious commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region. The thinking was that the Niger Delta under Buhari would witness another round of total neglect that has made the region to remain completely backward in terms of development, despite being Nigeria’s oil hub where the country’s main revenue comes from.
    Buhari, however, appears to be proving those with such pessimistic view wrong with the great concern he is currently showing about the plight of the Niger Deltans and the needed attention being given to the issues of the region. This is apparently  why many have continued to call on the people of Niger Delta, particularly those involved in militant activities, to allow peace to reign so that the good plans of the present administration for the area can be easily actualised.
    The Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), for instance, at the board’s inaugural meeting, cited the increase in the budgets of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, the NDDC and the Amnesty Programme, the fresh urgency for the completion of the East-West Road, the East-West rail line and the Ogoni Clean-up as efforts showing Buhari’s determination towards the advancement of the Niger Delta.
    In a statement by his Special Assistant on Communication, Clara Braide, the ex-Senate Leader also noted that the ongoing tour of major communities of the Niger Delta by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, to have a direct interface with the people of the oil-producing states, was a further demonstration of the commitment of the Buhari-led Federal Government (FG) towards the development of the region. Pleading with the people of Niger Delta to wholeheartedly embrace the option of dialogue and consultation being carried out by the FG, the NDDC chair, who had always remarked that Buhari’s administration meant well for Niger Deltans, said only the entrenchment of peace, can guarantee an overall development of the oil-rich region.
    According to him, destruction of oil facilities, pipeline vandalisation and damage done to other national assets within the Niger Delta would only help to further exacerbate the monumental infrastructural and environmental challenges confronting the region, rather than solving them for the benefit of the general public. The NDDC board helmsman expressed optimism that the time for change and solution to the numerous problems facing the Niger Delta has come, stressing the need for the people of the Niger Delta area to give the present administration all the required support and encouragement for it to continue in its positive drive to transform the region.
    The Managing Director (MD) of NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere had equally at a forum asked the people of Niger Delta to be calm and cooperate with the administration of Buhari towards the provision of infrastructure in the region. Regretting that the Niger Delta region had nothing much to show in the area of development for the five years a son of the soil ran the affairs of the country, Ekere said it was clear Buhari had the interest of Niger Delta at heart from the moves he has so far made to tackle the problems of the zone. The NDDC’s MD vowed that the interventionist agency will work vigorously and tirelessly in line with Buhari’s vision to bring sustainable development to the Niger Delta.
    While hailing the FG’s commitment to Niger Delta development and the adoption of its 16-point demand as a working document for the development of the Niger Delta axis of the country, the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) stated that “beyond rhetoric, the federal government has given definite approval for the opening of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, as well as the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) comprising the Gas City Project at Ogidigben and the Deep Seaport in Gbaramatu, Warri South-West LGA, Delta State. These projects, when fully operational, will definitely cause a turnaround of the socio-economic and security landscape of not just Delta State, but the entire country.”
    Appealing to the youths and all aggrieved stakeholders in the Niger Delta to continue to maintain peace, and shun any act of vandalism and destruction of key government-owned assets, PANDEF said: “Let us give the federal government a chance to carry out its plans for the development of the Niger Delta region. We believe, and will continue to uphold the ideals of a peaceful Niger Delta, hinged on equity and justice, a united and prosperous Nigeria.”
    Also arguing that Buhari has shown enough commitment to improving the lives of the people of the oil-rich region, a former acting MD of NDDC, Pastor Power Ziakede Aginighan, urged the Ijaws, Urhobos and Itsekiris to bury their differences and support the FG’s renewed efforts to positively change the face of the Niger Delta region. According to him, “There can be no stronger expression of Federal Government’s understanding of the situation in Niger Delta than the pronouncement by the vice president that the region should be treated as a special development zone.”
    Chief Mike Loyibo was part of PANDEF delegation led by Chief Edwin Clark and His Royal Highness, Diete Spiff, to visit Buhari on November 1, 2016, where the 16-point item of the group was presented to the President. Loyibo, who later led another high-powered delegation of the Niger Delta Peoples Congress (NDPC), to meet with Osinbajo, in an interview published in a national daily, observed that “For us as leaders that are the true representatives of the people, there is no better time than now. The visit of the presidency to the heart of the problem, that’s the core Niger Delta area, is the best thing to be able to assess first hand; it is a fact-finding visit. What are the problems? How do we get out of it? For us as leaders, it shows that the presidency is actually committed and genuinely concerned in addressing in a very holistic manner the age-long neglect of the Niger Delta.”
    He emphasized the reasons why the efforts of the Buhari-led government must be appreciated and supported by all well-meaning Niger Deltans, saying: “After all, the problem is not Osinbajo’s problem. It is not Buhari’s problems. The problem was caused by we Niger-Delta people because when you blame the centre every day for all these problems, we have not asked questions about our 13 percent derivation money; what do the governors at that level do with the money? So, every day we run to the centre, saying you have not done this and that, we have not been able to ask questions among ourselves. There is a leadership problem in our area. As far as I am concerned, the problem is not a Buhari problem. It was caused by us, the Niger Delta people. Have we also asked questions? Our son and brother was there for years, what was the take home achievement?”

    •Michael Jegede, a media professional , wrote in from Abuja.

  • Expert laments delay in completing Niger Delta roads

    A fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Highway Engineers (FNIHE), Mr. Mayne David-West,snr, has lamented problems arising from the delay in completing critical roads in the Niger Delta region awarded by the Federal Government.

    Speaking in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, he raised the alarm that some roads awarded since 1970s were still far from completion.

    He said: “It is difficult to swallow that a 33.5km road project awarded since 2009 has a completion status of only 47.76% as at now. The Federal Government should do all it could to facilitate the completion of stalled projects.

    “Each time there is delay in a project, it pushes the price up. A road like Bodo-Bonny Road has been in the realm of dreams since 1974.

    “In 1990, we carried out some preliminary studies and produced inception report and drawings on this road and the preliminary cost estimate was just a few hundred million naira then, but today that project will cost nothing less than N150bn.

    “The Bodo-Bonny road alignment which is proposed to run initially along the eastern periphery of Bonny Island, crosses the Nanabie and then flies over Opobo Channel and Patrick Creek before running through Bodo to Mogho Junction after a distance of about thirty-nine (39) kilometers.”

    According to Mayne David-West,inadequate budgetary provisions,delay in the payment of certified works within the stipulated time frame in the contract and initial community problems, all conspire to restrain the completion of major Federal road projects in the Niger Delta region.

    David-West added: “The Bodo-Bonny road project will entail engineering soil transplant procedure, PVD installation, embankment placement and the construction of three River Crossings such as the Opobo Channel, which is about 950 meters long, the Nanabie Crossing which is about 720meters and Patrick Creeks which is 600 meters long”.

    He, however, blamed the delay on inadequate budgetary provisions, delay in the payment of certified work within the stipulated time frame in the contract and initial community problems.

    He lauded the recent tour of abandoned and ongoing road projects in the region by the Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola?, describing it as commendable and reassuring.

    He said the decision by the minister to visit project sites such as the abandoned Bodo-Bonny road project in Rivers State and the Yenegwe-Okarki-Kolo road project, which links Rivers State to Bayelsa State, had reassured the people of the Niger Delta region.

    He said the minister’s initiative had helped to consolidate the gains of the recent visit of the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and restore the peoples’ confidence in the Federal Government’s readiness to accelerate development in the region.

    David-West works for the Pearl Consultants, the firm that designed the 730km East-West Coastal Highway (Calabar – Lagos). The firm is handling the 33.5km Yenegwe-Okarki-Kolo road project.

    David-West expressed confidence that with the visit of Fashola, the Bodo-Bonny road project would commence adding that completing the road would give credit to late Chief Harold Dappa Biriye and others who fought for it.

    David-West urged all the major stakeholders of the Bodo-Bonny road such as the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), other multinationals, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rivers State Government (RSG) and Federal Government to launch a trust fund for the road.

  • Pipeline Vandalism: NNPC again appeals to Niger Delta militants

    Pipeline Vandalism: NNPC again appeals to Niger Delta militants

    The Group Managing Director of  Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, has appealed to militants in the Niger Delta to stop attacks on oil facilities.
    Baru made the appeal at the 26th edition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF) on Thursday in Abuja.
    According to him, with Nigeria’s enormous reserves in gas as the 9th largest in the World, unemployment and infrastructural challenges can be tackled but the disruptions are crippling activities like power generation.
    “On this note, I will like to use this medium to appeal to the militants in the Niger Delta to stop the attack on pipeline infrastructure to enable us sustain our plan and grow the industry for the benefit of all Nigerians.
    “Gas pipeline vandalism has been the most disruptive challenge to supply across the country, but more recently in the West.
    “The Trans-Forcados crude oil pipeline (TFP) has been the major victim of attacks, so also the ELPS gas pipeline has seen surprising increase in attacks.
    “As we speak today, there is enough gas to generate about 4,800 megawatts and 6,000 megawatts by second quarter of 2017, based on our gas supply plan.
    “However, the power sector is presently struggling to evacuate 4,500 megawatts power due to DISCOs’ incessant rejection of allocated load and transmission line constraints,’’ he said.
    Baru said that interventions in the sector yielded results on Feb. 2, 2016 as a record high peak generation of 5,079 megawatts (86 per cent thermal) was attained, but that incessant attacks on pipelines significantly affected gas supply.
    He said that in spite of challenges, NNPC was committed to ensuring adequate gas supply to meet Nigeria’s industrial growth.
    He said that strategic repositioning of the sector was ongoing to support massive gas-based industrialization to place Nigeria as the regional hub for gas-based industries such as fertilizer, methanol and petrochemicals.
    “The first of this effort is the planned 30 square-kilometre Gas Revolution Industrial Park in Delta which will be Africa’s largest gas industrial park, supporting gas-based industries.
    “Also, we have successfully completed a pilot programme to introduce natural gas as fuel for transportation through Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
    “Today, over 4,000 cars, mostly commercial taxis, run on natural gas in Benin, served by a network of six gas-filling stations. We are currently extending the CNG initiative to other parts of the country.
    “Apart from the obvious environmental benefits, use of gas in transportation is cheaper; taxi drivers save significantly on petrol cost as CNG is sold at 46 per cent of the price of petrol.’’
    The GMD said that CNG was not only cheaper but was neater, cleaner, pilferage-free, burned cleaner and had become the fuel of choice for power globally.

    Speaking to journalists shortly after his remarks at the lecture, Baru said that the Oben-Geregu (196km), Escravos-Warri-Oben (110km), Emuren-Itoki (50km), Itoki-Olorunsogo (31km), Imo River-Alaoji (24km), Ukanafun-Calabar (128km) had been successfully implemented.

     

    He added that strategic East-West Obiafo/Obirikom to Oben (OB3) pipeline (127km), looping of the Escravos-Lagos Gas Pipeline System from Warri to Lagos and Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano pipeline (650km) were currently ongoing and at various stages of completion. (NAN)

  • Osinbajo to visit Akwa Ibom Thursday

    Osinbajo to visit Akwa Ibom Thursday

    As part of effort to reduce tension in the Niger Delta, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will Thursday visit Akwa Ibom State.

    A release by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh reveals that Prof Osinbajo will inspect the ongoing construction of the second runway at the Akwa Ibom International Airport shortly on arrival.

    The Acting President according to the release will later pay a courtesy call on royal fathers in the state at the traditional rulers’ council.

    Prof. Osinbajo is also expected to address a town hall meeting with stakeholders at the state Banquet Hall in Government House before departing from the state.

    Among dignitaries expected at the town hall meeting Udoh stated are members of the state elders council, royal fathers, representatives of the oil producing host communities, socio-cultural organisations, women leaders, and representatives of youths in the state.

    The visit comes as part of the ongoing efforts by the federal government to interact with stakeholders in the Niger Delta region and find lasting solutions to crisis in the oil rich sub-region.

  • ‘Modular refineries will enliven Niger Delta’

    A University lecturer, Prof. Okey Onuchukwu, says establishing modular refineries in the Niger Delta will enliven the economy of the area and end youth restiveness.

    Onuchukwu, an Econometrist who teaches at the University of Port Harcourt, made the suggestion in an interview with journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo recently in a meeting with Niger Delta leaders in Port Harcourt announced that the Federal Government planned to establish modular refineries.

    A modular refinery is a processing plant that has been constructed entirely on skid mounted structures. Each structure contains a portion of the entire process plant, and through interstitial piping, the components link together to form an easily manageable process.

    The don also said the establishment of modular refineries would make the youth in the Niger Delta more meaningfully occupied, productive and enterprising.

    “The meaning is that we shall have modular refineries along the creeks, with such development; the youth will become more productive.

    “The economy will become more vibrant, more money will legitimately be put in their pockets, this to me is a good omen,’’ he said.

    Onuchukwu further said that the crises plaguing the Niger Delta would be reduced if the move to establish modular refineries was implemented.

    He further said that when implemented, modular refineries would close the gap in the petrol consumption need of the country.

    “Apart from that, it will also make more products available for sales outside the shores of the country,” Onuchukwu said.

    He said that the move was to meaningfully engage youths involved in illegal oil refining in the region.

    Illegal refinery operation nicknamed ‘Kpo Fire’, is a major activity in the region, with products such as diesel and kerosene being produced for household consumption.

    Scientists say the black soot being witnessed in some parts of the region is as a result of the activities of illegal refiners.