The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger-Delta

  • Troops destroy illegal refineries in Niger Delta

    Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), at the weekend raided and destroyed three massive illegal refineries in Delta and Rivers states.

    A statement from the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Major Abubakar Abdullahi, said the raid was borne out of the troops’ desire to frustrate activities of economic saboteurs in the region.

    He said the raid in Delta State was conducted by the Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) along Lapase Creek in Warri South area of the state.

    “During the raid, 11 metal tanks, five dug pits with about 1750 tons of suspected stolen crude oil and 170 tons of illegally-refined AGO were impounded”, he said.

    Abdullahi confirmed that troops of Sector 3 destroyed a large illegal refinery with multiple dumps at Alakiri in Rivers State.

    He said: “The bunkerers on sighting our troops set fire on parts of their bunkering camp to deny access to the illegal site. However, the troops on patrol put off the fire and destroyed the illegal refinery site.

    “We are, therefore, appealing to the law-abiding members of the public to support operational activities of Operation Delta Safe with valuable information.”

  • Ogiemwonyi: Niger Delta key to getting Nigeria out of recession

    Ogiemwonyi: Niger Delta key to getting Nigeria out of recession

    Chris Ogiemwonyi, an engineer, ex-Minister of State for Works, former Group Executive Director at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Edo State, believes peace in the Niger Delta and other factors will help get Nigeria out of recession. He also shares his thoughts on the Niger Delta Avengers, 13 per cent derivation, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and others. WALE AJETUNMOBI was at the session.

    Getting out of recession

    ur economy is definitely not at its best. We are experiencing hard times, recession in other words. The naira is sliding downwards against the dollar and the British pounds. For us to proffer solutions we should identify the causes. Among the factors causing recessions today are:

    Epileptic power supply, poor leadership (inability of the previous administration to save),oil price drop, Nigeria’s over-dependence on foreign products, corruption, mono–economy ( over dependency on oil and gas), the activities of militants and pipeline vandals, unstable monetary policies, unemployment, etc.

    For us to get out of recession we must address and improve the power sector. I recall in an NNPC/NIPP/IOC meeting held in February 2009 the target was to achieve 5000 megawatts in Dec 2009, then we were producing about 3200 megawatts.

    Today, we have major gas pipelines, yet gas does not reach the various thermal plants due to pipeline vandalism. Most industries today are running on diesel which is expensive, so we must have a holistic approach in solving these problems.

    Another solution to solve the economic problem will be seeking for peace in the Niger Delta. There must be relative peace in Niger Delta. I recall in February 2006, they blew the gas pipeline coming from Escravos with 180 mmscf/d we resolved it through dialogue. Breaking of pipelines didn’t just start today, they did it some years ago, and they have been doing it, but we were able to use peace to solve them. So, the first solution to solving the problems of the Niger Delta Region is peace. What we are having today is double pains, low oil price and low oil production, with these two factors, there is no way we can meet the 2017 budget estimate.

     

    Peace in the Niger Delta and the Avengers

     

    The Federal Government is willing to meet their demands; I spoke on this issue recently during a lecture I delivered at the University of Benin on the 42nd Founders Day lecture. In looking for peace, the Federal Government must involve the governors of the oil producing areas. They should be the arrowheads. The Federal Government should review their demands and come up with a realistic budget for implementation. The Federal Government should involve them in its implementation; in order words project implementation teams should be constituted. This process will ensure openness, transparency and give the representatives of the Niger Delta Region a sense of belonging.

    13% derivation and lack of development in the region

    We must commend the Federal Government for setting up as well as funding the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and others relevant agencies in the Niger Delta, including the 13% derivation. We need proper synergy between the Niger delta Governments and NDDC. 13% derivation to the governors should not just be a stand-alone. The need has come for integration of the various monies coming into the Niger Delta as well as transparency in budget implementation. The NDDC will no longer be a conduit for easy money. What is lacking in Nigeria in general is M & E – Monitoring and Evaluation. A Project Monitoring Office should be set up for proper coordination of major projects of federal government.  Appointing a Special Adviser on Project Monitoring is therefore an imperative.

     

    The APC and its promises

     

    Where we are today is a combination of various factors. Yes, you can make promises but you have to back these promises with resources (money). Globally, all oil-producing nations are facing shortage of funds. You could have made your projections early in 2015 when the price of oil was N110/N118, and based on these costs barrel per day we expect huge revenue but unfortunately, by early 2016 oil price slumped to a little over $30 per barrel. So, we must admit that shortage of fund is a major factor to where we are today. Apart from funds, another factor is corruption. Corruption has equally not helped this current government. The previous government was corrupt and today the element of corruption is still in government.

    Today we are catching thieves without looking at the fundamentals. It is not just to catch the thieves; we must make sure we unearth it from its tap root. We cannot be repairing the house from the roof if the foundation is bad, we must go back to the foundation to find out what is causing corruption in Nigeria. Why are people so corrupt? This cuts across all cadres, from the drivers, cleaners etc. There is so much corruption. I think another factor to it is the issue of minimum wage. You cannot pay somebody today in Nigeria N18,000 and you expect that man not to steal; that cannot buy a bag of rice; that cannot buy garri and where you have a driver with four, five, six kids, they have to go to college. So, we must be realistic to the problem in Nigeria today. We must all sit down to think how to solve this problem. I am saying that the money they are paying some big men are too high. There is the need to pay people who are at the bottoms something realistic and reduce those of the big men so that there will be something tremendously significant for the poor man in terms of earning while the rich men should earn less; that is my type and I prefer it. In most cases, corruption is not because people want to be corrupt but because some cannot even feed, they can’t pay for the house where they live.

     

    Thinking out of the box

     

    The mono-economy we have is not sustainable, and that is the truth; we cannot live on just oil and gas. We are now talking of diversification to other areas – solid minerals, agriculture etc. On this note, we must commend government, they are looking into solid minerals, agriculture, tourist industries. Government should think outside the box. Government alone cannot use their budgets to finance mega projects. Therefore, I am thinking Government should create enabling environment and look for new models to do mega projects through PPP. That is what happening in many developed countries. For instance, the Ajaokuta Steel Company, that is a humongous project that is lying waste at Ajaokuta, and every nation that wants to grow in terms of development must look into iron and steel Industry. We must create the enabling environment, good fiscial regime that will attract investors to bring in their money and invest and let government participate, not ownership. I believe when we give the signals that we want to be an industrial hub as a nation, showcasing the different resources we have, all we will be asking for is to have good partners and guarantee them. We should let them know there will be sanctity of agreements. Let it be a win-win situation.

     

    Buhari’s security strides

     

    Our security forces have been best in their various jobs; I must commend Mr. President. I like to judge situations from where they were before. I don’t judge from where they are today, that is the truth. If we judge people by what is just on ground, we will be unfair to them. Fighting the insurgency, we must take it back to where it was at the beginning, when Mr. President came on board to where we are now after about 20 months. So, the fact that Mr. President came and the insurgency that was at its peak and they commence deploying resources; human, materials and money, hardware, drones, I think we must commend him for that, and then not just because he brought money, I must equally commend the security agencies, Armed Forces, especially General Buratai, we commend him and other generals going to the war front. I celebrate General Buratai for leading the same incapacitated armed forces that Boko Haram was chasing under the previous administration and now we are the chaser. We are chasing Boko Haram now, so we must commend the men of the armed force for job well done, and then Mr. President and urge him to use the same tactics in fighting insurgency to making peace in the Niger Delta.

     

    Oil pricing

     

    There are two issues here, importation of products and local production of products. First the issue of product importation .The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) did a template on this I remember as GED in NNPC, my position on this was we should look at the various components that constitute the landing price. I felt there were lots of redundancies between NNPC and NPA. It is when we remove these areas of redundancies, including high demurrage, before we can achieve actual landing cost.

    Generally, we should also look for ways to eliminate corruption in this sector. Secondly, why are we not able to refine locally. I think we should shift our emphasis to how we can start refining in Nigeria. It is a shame that we are still talking of product importation after several years of oil production in Nigeria. Why are we still importing products? I know somebody will tell me oh, it takes some minimum of two years, three years, four years to have a refinery; what prevents us from having modular refineries that at least can be operational under two years? This is the best time for NNPC to quickly think of supporting local refineries not just one, four, five, six local refineries in Nigeria. Is it not a shame to us that we are hearing now that Nigeria wants to start importing products from Niger Republic? It is a shame. Again, it’s policy somersault, we don’t have long term plans, we have been inconsistent; we were always planning for two years. The minister will plan for just two years and once that man leaves, the next man comes with a different plan. For example, Algerians plan for ten years. Whether there is a new minister or new chief executive or a new GMD, the rolling plan remains the rolling plan but it is only here in Nigeria that once we change the CEO, the next man coming will bring his own agenda, that is what they call the policy somersault; that is what is causing our woes. DPR gave approval to about sixteen refineries, only Dangote is on it now and we pray he succeeds.

  • The new partnership with the Niger Delta

    AS I left  Ondo State on Monday, I reflected on Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s  historic visits to oil-producing states and wondered whether we from those states fully grasp  the import. Do we realise  what opportunities the visits offer, what alternatives they portend and the development miles we can make from them?  Given the enthusiasm expressed by the populace during those visits, the hope they rekindled and the vibrancy in the voices that welcomed him, I think we do.

    My first take on the visits are that they are a deepening and consolidation of the bond between the people and the Buhari administration; a partnership that opens wide, the road to sustainable peace and development of the Niger Delta. Secondly, they revealed  the Government’s  vision of transforming the   oil  communities into hubs for refining petrochemicals and related activities  which will  not only create mass employment and  make the country self- sufficient in petroleum products, but will also save the country the huge foreign exchange expended in importation of such products.  The Government’s agenda to build modular refineries  would be a big leap forward as it will in addition, check the rash of illegal refineries that are further destroying the environment and damaging the health of the people in the region. The black soot that has enveloped a major city like Port Harcourt  as a result of industrial pollution, the rash of illegal refineries and  the serious health hazards which has put six million residents at risk, tell us all, that we are running against time.

    Government’s plan to   make a state like Bayelsa,  a hub for power generation given its natural gas deposits , would greatly tilt the economics of scale in favour of the country. This will  vastly reduce incidents of pipeline vandalism  which has had serious effects on the functioning of  gas power plants in parts of the country.

    The visits also revealed the initiative of  a 40-point Agenda for the Niger Delta by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and oil companies. In my view, leaders, youths  and traditional rulers in the  Region should key  into to this effort  in the overall interest of the   people.

    Apart from the funds it is committing to the Niger Delta, the Federal Government’s initiative in securing over $1 billion dollars from the Shell Petroleum Development Company to provide drinking water and provide  health services in the Niger Delta, is salutary. Generally, the trans-national oil companies should follow in the Federal Government’s footsteps by partnering with the Region and contributing towards  its development.

    They should take advantage  of the  window of opportunity opened by the Federal Government’s commendable move in  bridging the communication gap between the oil companies and the Bayelsa State.

    It is advisable in my view, that oil companies  expand such cooperation to other oil producing states in order to guarantee peace, oil their business interests and ensure the needed development in the region.

    The government’s policy – as demonstrated by the visits –  of reaching out to the Niger Delta people, listening to their complaints and taking steps to address their concerns, is primarily responsible for the peace  being  witnessed today in the area and the  stop in vandalism of oil facilities. We have to build on this win-win foundation to build the human and infrastructural development of the Niger Delta.

    We have no time to waste because the odds are not in our favour. We must  be aware that oil is a wasting asset; it  will eventually dry up and  that more oil is being discovered in other parts of the world. These, along with fracking, will lead to oil glut. All these with the polluted environment of the region, have serious consequences for the future of the Niger Delta.

    The Federal Government has also demonstrated good will to our region by extending the life span of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and funding it to realise its objectives. I appeal to the youths in the area to key into the government’s agriculture project  to ensure food security and mass employment. The Presidential Amnesty Office is already training beneficiaries of the Programme in technologically advanced agriculture methods and is willing to expand this to accommodate other youths  in the Niger Delta.

    Another positive fall out of the Acting President’s visits is the closer collaboration with state governments. While the states have demonstrated commitment to the development of all oil producing areas, they need to do more. In fact, I look forward to the states continuing where the Presidential Amnesty Programme will stop; the reality is that the Programme  cannot be an open ended one.

    Following from the visits, the people in the region will need to build trust, we need to build confidence, we need to build human and infrastructure capacity, above all, we need  to build a new Niger Delta with a new narrative. The time to start is Now!

     

    • Brig-Gen. Boroh (Rtd) is the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty programme.

  • ‘Don’t blame Buhari for Niger Delta’s failure ’

    Itsekiri high chief, Chief Ritalori Ogbebor, yesterday said the Federal Government is not responsible for the under-development of the Niger Delta. She said leaders from the region must be held accountable.
    She also faulted the encomium poured on ex-Governor James Ibori by his community, after serving jail terms in London.
    Speaking at a conference in Lagos, she said she would be at the Federal High Court, Warri tomorrow to begin a fresh battle on how the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) funds were mismanaged.
    Ogbebor said the Federal Government’s 13 per cent derivation for the oil-producing areas had been squandered by leaders.
    She said: “I don’t see how our people can hold President Muhammadu Buhari responsible for the under-development in the Niger Delta. The funds made available for the development of the rural areas have been stolen by leaders of the communities.
    “If Buhari did not come, I wonder what could have happened in this country. Leaders in the Niger Delta have been starving the people of fund just to make them poor. When they are poor they will not be able to fight for their rights.
    “I though DESOPADEC will create jobs, build schools, hospitals and tarred roads, but reverse is the case. The people are suffering because of leadership failure. I will be in court to fight for the rights of people. We did it in the days of James Ibori, the cases ended at the Supreme Court. My efforts led to the creation of DESOPADEC but the institution has mismanaged.”

  • Fashola to stakeholders: Let’s work together to develop Niger Delta

    Fashola to stakeholders: Let’s work together to develop Niger Delta

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has challenged all stakeholders from the Niger Delta to close their ranks and work with the Federal Government to develop the region.

    Fashola, who visited Bayelsa State at the weekend, about a week after Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, led a delegation to the state and unveiled a new vision for the region, said everybody must work hard to change the negative conversation around the Niger Delta.

    The former Governor of Lagos State, said the current administration was sincerely determined to drive policies, projects and programmes that would develop the region.

    Fashola and his team inspected some federal road projects in the state, including the Okarki-Yenigwe-Kolo road, leading to Ogbia, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s local government and the popular East-West road.

    He called on Niger Delta governors to synergise and ‘step up’ their collaboration with the federal government to change the face of the Niger Delta.

    He acknowledged that the government at the centre “has not had as much impact as it should in the region”, but promised that the current government was working hard to change the narratives.

    He said: “I understand the challenges of building in the creeks and the swamps that’s how my state is like. It’s difficult terrain. We all need to get our hands in the plough here.

    “I see that the presence of the federal government has not been as impactful as it should have been over the years , especially in terms of infrastructure across the delta, not just in Bayelsa.

    “But we can only do that by collaboration, by peace and partnership. Not only does the governor and I have our work cut out for us, but the governors and his colleagues in the South-South must step up now and change the conversation around this place.

    “This place has great potential. It can create jobs for the youths of Nigeria. From gas and other by-products , creating industry and life defining infrastructure, connecting the sea. These are places where you can do alot of tourism. The possibilities are endless. But we need to shake hands and that is why we are here”.

    He said having inspected the East-West Road which is under the Ministry of the Niger Delta and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), his ministry would play some roles to complete the road.

    He lamented that contractors left sites of various projects in the area including the East-West Road at a period the country experienced prosperity in resources.

    But he said the Federal Government would ensure the contractors retire to sites as a means of getting the country pit of recession.

    “We have been through the east west road which is a federal road although it is under the Niger Delta ministry through the NDDC, but there’s a lot we can do in terms of collaboration to complete this road.

    “We need to collaborate to complete these roads, or from project to project. The contractors left site.

    “Unfortunately, this happened in a period of relative prosperity in terms of resources coming in, but this government is determined that whatever the case, the infrastructure represent the way out of recession.

    “Finishing them means getting contractors back to work, those living in those localities to have opportunities to get engaged and employed.

    “And also connecting those facilities which will make it easier to transverse between Bayelsa and Rivers and to other states, not only in the south south , but also in the South East.

    “I have spoken to the contractor and I have charged them to come back to site. We will take control of the project in a much more different way such that there is a more generous provision for the work that is going on rather than registering.

    “This is a matter where your brothers, colleagues and representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives should help to make the budgeting process more flexible. And this will change the way we budget”, he said.

    Fashola further attributed the problem with the Gbarain Power Plant to lack gas supply to the gas pipelines, adding that some of the pipelines were shut while others were broken.

    He said the Gbarain plant was off the greed till about two weeks ago when the country started receiving power from there.

    He said: “These are problems we are solving and the strategic importance of the gas assets the states of the Niger Delta and the Niger Delta itself cannot be understated.

    “We need to find peace here very quickly and the story must change. This is one of the reasons we have come here to see if what is being reported about this place is true and this is not a place where the story suggests you can’t work.

    But we need to get more ambassadors who will say ‘I work here, I live here. This place is safe’. And that’s what encourages people to come out and address the infrastructure work that needs to be done here.

    “The collaboration that the governor spoke about in producing more energy from gas is something that I intended to take up”.

    Earlier, the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, called for more collaborations between the stage and the Federal Government.

    Dickson said despite the strategic importance of Bayelsa, the government at the centre had abandoned the state.

    He said the state was sitting on gas and appealed to the government to partner with the state to explore the gas and generate electricity for the country.

    Dickson said: “Bayelsa is the centre of gravity. The story of Nigeria’s oil started just about ten minutes from here. Untill you visit Bayelsa, you haven’t visited Niger Delta”.

    The governor lamented the challenges of development confronting the state because of its terrain and most of the projects required support from the federal government.

    Addressing Fashola, he said: “Your appointment has given a lot of people hope. And we are very hopeful that with you in these critical ministries, it’s in the hands of someone we have confidence in and has capacity to deliver.

    “These ministries are critical areas that we want to collaborate with the Federal Government. Your ministry and federal government have very little footprint in terms of road construction.

    “The road you said you went to inspect, we have talked about these roads for several years for even as old as Nigeria is. Now you have seen where it is”.

    Dickson said the three senatorial roads and the Agge Deep Seaport were more critical projects that required federal government’s support.

    “A road from Nembe to Brass is like building the third mainland bridge. Some of the raids we call roads here are actually bridges because the whole of Bayelsa is below sea level. So the cost of construction is twenty times what you have in other areas.

    “We are available for collaboration. We can’t handle it alone. These roads are too expensive. Our country unfortunately has left this part of Nigeria behind. Nigeria left Bayelsa and the Niger Delta behind. No road to Brass , yet crude is lifted daily there the same for Forcados”.

  • Niger Delta’s tale of unedifying lack of devt amid plenty, by Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in Rivers State on Monday. He spoke about the government’s plan for the Niger Delta. Excerpts from his speech:

    I am here as an emissary of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari who after the visit of leadership of The Pan Delta Forum in November 2016, decided that we must undertake visits to engage with the leadership and people of our oil producing communities, to hear them, to seek to better understand their problems and concerns first hand and to offer to these communities in the Niger Delta, a new vision and a new compact.

    I have a strong personal affinity for the Niger Delta having served my NYSC in the former Bendel State, now Edo and Delta, which are very much an integral part of this zone.

    National service was a time of great memories as it provided an insight into the potentials, opportunities and the challenges that people in this part of the country face on a daily basis. It was the time that I realised that given the resources of the area there was a lot that could be done in a deliberate and determined manner to improve the lives of the Niger Delta people. The experience also provided a rude awakening to the dangers that the exploitation of oil and gas resources posed to the environment and livelihoods of the people of the region.

    The experience that I am describing was almost 38 years ago. It is therefore extremely discomfiting to know that we are still confronted with the very same situation. An unedifying lack of development and access to basic amenities in the abundance of plenty. A situation typified by continued environmental degradation and a disturbing lack of opportunities for those who can no longer carry out traditional occupations like fishing and farming.

    What we now have is an unhappy cycle of discontent sometimes expressed by a resort to violence and vandalism and drawing in response a strengthening of security arrangements and a gamut of palliative measures. This vicious cycle cannot continue as it builds needless tensions and frayed nerves. We just have to take meaningful steps to bring about permanent peace and prosperity to the Niger Delta.

    Rivers State is unarguably our oil and gas capital hosting as it does many of our onshore oil and gas fields, two of our domestic refineries, the Nigerian LNG plant, the Oil and Gas Free Zone at Onne amongst other things. It has of course hosted several oil companies and associated firms just as it is home to the international airport intended to serve this part of the country as well as the second largest port outside Lagos.

    It is of course also home to the Ogoni people who symbolise in many eyes, domestically and internationally, the previous neglect of the Niger Delta and the environmental damage that has been done to the area as we have exploited oil and gas to grow the rest of the economy. This is indeed why the Buhari Administration prioritised the ‘Ogoni Clean-up’ and with working with the United Nations Environmental Programme  (UNEP) and other partners to undertake this important task.

    Let me briefly update you on the progress made on that project in the time since the Presidential flag off in 2016.

    The Federal Ministry of Environment has set about establishing the governance framework with strong systems and controls that are required to carry the Project through its 25 year life cycle.

    A key component of that infrastructure is a robust governance structure, comprising mainly a Governing Council, a Board of Trustees and a Project Coordination Office (PCO). The Governing Council and Board of Trustees were inaugurated by the President on 4 August 2016 and have since had 2 meetings.

    The parameter outlined in the UNEP Report within which the Program must operate was approved by the Federal Executive Council before being officially gazetted on the 12th December 2016.

    On 12th January 2017, the Governing Council approved the appointment of Dr. Marvin Dekil, an indigene of Ogoniland, as the Project Coordinator after an international competitive process that saw applications received from other well qualified candidates from around the world.

    The Project office will be staffed by an initial 30 staff from both federal and state levels. Additional contracted experts from outside the system will be supported by Project Management Consultants, Monitoring & Evaluation Consultants and Communication Company.

     

    Funding for the program

    The clean-up project is to be funded by SPDC with an initial $1bn disbursed at $200m per annum over 5 years. A $10m take-off grant has been provided.

    Following the flag off, a Technical Committee was set up in the Ministry, and has been working on the project-related activities that must be addressed immediately. Some of these projects in preparation include;

    • Provision of clean drinking water to the impacted communities.
    • Conducting a health impact assessment study being planned, in order to begin to better understand the level of the human health issues referred to in your letter.
    • Demonstration of remediation technology, which will allow for the testing of the different approaches that are being proffered from around the world, and to ensure that only the best is ultimately applied.
    • Groundbreaking for the construction of an integrated contaminated soil management centre which will be critical to the clean-up process.
    • Groundbreaking for the construction of a Centre of Excellence.
    • Training: These are the activities that the UNEP Report recommended for start-up.

    On 16th February, the Governing Council will be performing a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of an integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre, provided for in the UNEP Report.

    On the same day, the project for demonstrating technologies for the clean-up, will be launched at selected sites in the four local government areas of Ogoniland.

    An important part of the planned work is skills and livelihood training, which will be essential in ensuring the long term sustainability of the result of the clean-up.

    As part of our behavioral change strategy, we plan to train about 2000 women from the four local governments in different skills that will enable them to be financially independent. These skills include Snail Farming, Palm Oil Processing, Green Housing, Fishing – Shrimps, Agriculture Extension, and Pottery.

    These skills were chosen from among the many that were suggested by a committee of representatives of Ogoniland who met back in August / September to agree on the first steps for the Project. In parallel with the planning and procurement of the services for training there will be a community based sensitization program in each LGA to ensure all stakeholders are aware of the clean-up and its mandate.

    It will serve as an entry point to reinforce the change in service delivery that no longer ‘shares money’ but delivers results in the lives of the Ogoni people and lays the foundation for a clean-up that is sustainable and provides the standards for the whole of the Niger Delta.

     

    Consultations

    All the steps we have taken so far have been in a consultative process, involving representatives of government, civil society, international organizations, international oil companies and local communities. Indeed, representatives of the Ogoni communities are present on the Governing Council and the Board of Trustees and have been involved in the decision-making process.

    The next six months will be critical to starting a long journey to realizing the fruits of a struggle that has cost many lives and loss of the ecosystem.

    Of course, Ogoniland is just one, though important part of the Niger Delta. Environmental remediation is essential across the entire region in order to restore healthy living conditions, enable other productive activities to take-off or resume and improve the quality of lives in general.

    This would of course require that we do not worsen the situation by acts which would further worsen the environmental damage that has already occurred.

    It is now clear that Niger Delta needs a new vision. But not just a new vision but a fresh commitment and a renewed spirit by all stakeholders including the states, federal agencies and oil- bearing communities.

    Let me lay this out for clarity: The Federal Government will begin a partnership with the oil producing states, local governments, oil companies, private sector, and civil society organizations for the rapid development of these communities. An oil communities intervention meeting is to work out what can be done in the short to medium term and the long term possibilities. There is no way that this new vision will be aborted because it does not depend for execution on the Federal government alone. Every stakeholder has a part to play.

    Oil exploitation by itself cannot suffice to assure our people of decent jobs and a decent income.

    We must make our oil producing communities hubs for petro-chemical industries, small and large. We must make these communities hubs for refining and related activities.

    The Ministry of Petroleum in collaboration with the oil companies is working on several initiatives for host communities including working with illegal refiners in oil bearing communities to participate in modular refineries to be established. There is no doubt that thermal power stations should be stationed here, it makes sense, the gas deposits are here.

    The biggest benefit we can obtain is to attract more investment to the region. But investments have a choice. They will go where they find an enabling environment especially security. It is up to us as government and people to assure the necessary enabling circumstances for investment.

    I must commend the oil producing communities for maintaining peace in their various communities. You have set the stage for progress.

    I had stated at the start of my tours that there was no reason why the infrastructure in the Niger Delta should not look and feel like Dubai. This is a point that I continue to stress. However, we must admit to ourselves that damage to pipelines and export facilities are also damage to infrastructure.

    Such damage also affects gas supply and if we are unable to generate electricity, all our demands for electrification may come to nought since there will be nothing to distribute.

    One thing that this government is determined to do is to change Nigeria from being a country that merely exports crude oil to ensuring that other parts of the economy contribute their own share while at the same time ensuring that we add value to our oil and gas resources.

    This is why we will be ensuring that our refineries are up and running while also encouraging the establishment of co-located refineries. Our petrochemical industries and fertiliser plants will similarly be boosted.

    The intention of course is to create jobs and opportunities for small and medium scale enterprises along the value chain. However, people can only work and businesses thrive in an environment of peace.

    This is why the Federal Government on its part is committed to continued implementation of the Amnesty Programme and to ensuring that its social investment interventions impact on lives in the Niger Delta. It was indeed a matter of some pleasure to find out that young graduates in Rivers State took advantage of the N-Power programme to the extent that this State has the second single largest number of participants in the scheme.

    Your Excellencies and the good people of Rivers State, the future is here. There is no time to waste. We must all re-commit to working together to making the Niger Delta a vibrant and dynamic economic zone.

    On its part, the Federal Government will use its forthcoming Economic Recovery and Growth Plan to restore growth, diversify the economy and promote social inclusion. We intend to do so through dedicated spending on capital and by paying particular attention to ensuring supply of power and petroleum products in addition to using small businesses to drive our push for industrialization.

    As you have challenged the Federal Government to action, I challenge the State and communities too, to play their part faithfully. If we do, we will change the trajectory of the history of neglect and attain the glorious manifest destiny of the people of this State.

     

  • How to end Niger Delta crisis, by youths

    Stakeholders drawn from the nine states in the Niger Delta region are eager to assist the Federal Government find lasting peace in the region. The stakeholders met recently under the aegis of the Niger Delta Youths Patriot (NDYP) to brainstorm on the real causes of violent agitations from the region and solutions to all the issues.

    During their first national convention held in Yenagoa, the state capital, they concluded that the attitude of oil multinationals was the primary cause of violence. In fact, the National President, NDYP, Mr. David Awasa, directly accused the oil companies of being behind the crisis.

    He said through their divide and rule approach to social and developmental issues, the oil companies were creating injustice and promoting violence.

    “After a long period of research on the solutions to the Niger Delta problems, we notice that majority of the problems are directly or indirectly contributed  by the multinationals.

    “Technically, these problems are created  in the remote  areas where over 75 per cent of oil installations are located”, Awasa said.

    According to him most of the problems manifest in oil-producing communities, which are at the receiving ends of oil exploration.

    To first ameliorate the problems created by multinational, he said the NDYP decided to partner other organisations in breaching the gap by providing empowerment to the neglected oil-bearing communities.

    He named individuals and organisations in the partnership as Defat Global Resources, Step of Faith Instant Food, Kabod Integrated International Ltd,  HIGH Chief Uzoka Ossai,  Gonak Projects Ltd and Sini-Harp Concept (Nig) Ltd.

    Others are De World Galaxy Boutique, De World Galaxy Wine, NUEL Medical  Variety, PIA Medical and Variety , Johnson Digital Primting Press, 3GNetworkServicesLtd,Terriz Hotel  Ltd, Amicable Bussiness Centre, among others.

    He said: “NDYP is a group of professionals, think-tanks, technocrats, oriented men and women in the region. Our aim is to form a strong synergy that will promote and metamorphose peace and stability in the region which has been bedeviled with violence and underdevelopment.

    “The entrepreneurial empowerment skills will include creating skills, techniques in productions and entrepreneurship that will be marketable at the rural areas.

    “Community-to-community sensitization programme for youths who see violence, kidnapping, sea piracy, pipeline vandalism, gunfire agitations, crude oil theft and the amnesty stipends as the only way for survival.

    “Our aim is to break the bridge of communications between the multinationals, government representatives such as councillors, states’ assembly members and Federal House of Representatives”, he said.

    To further tackle the problems and create jobs in oil communities, he said NDYP designed  a micro and macro  mechanized  farming  project. He said the proposal for the project tagged “G0-1+( Agro) will soon be presented to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. According to him, the project if implemented will maximize food  security  in the Niger Delta region and the country.

    He said: “If adopted, this project will go a long way in solving the myriad of problems in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. But If  the project is not timely adopted and implemented to keep youths off their current agitations, youths may be encouraged to continue and increase in techniques in various channels of gunfire agitation”.

    Also speaking, the convention host, Chief  Edege Edeg boasted that NDYP remained the best organization with the best structures to organise and monitor empowerment process of people at the grassroots.

    Edege  advised members to see the group as an instrument that would bring development to Niger Delta people.

    On his part, the National Advisory Council, NDYP, Chief  Gregory  Onah, said with the group’s programmes, industrialization would soon get to rural communities in the region.

    “Our vision is to ensure that the industrialization and economic  empowerment of  the youths  in the  oil region is realized. We shall succeed  in our vision because the vision is  not for personal goal but for the whole of Niger Delta”, he said.

    In his speech, a security expert, Dr. Emmanuel Opia, who represented the group’s Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT), High Chief Godwin Uzoka, lamented that the region has been battling crisis since the discovery of oil in commercial quantity at Oloibiri.

    He said the the crisis was also fueled by the refusal of successive administration to include communities in the management of oil revenue. He noted that there was nothing to show for all the sacrifices made by oil communities.

    He said: “We have put lots of efforts in the past to ensuring that the Niger Delta problems of Neglect are corrected but in vain. Over the years we have failed to receive the reward of  our sacrifice for Nigeria.

    “But the future of the Niger Delta is glorious. Niger Deltans are peace-loving people Today, Niger Delta has given birth to NDYP.

    “NDYP will rewrite  the history of Niger Delta. The multinational oil companies have exploited us for so long”.

    He commended the visits of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to states in the region and his desire to work with rural communities instead of elites.

    “The Acting President says they are tired of working with the elites from the region He says he wants to meet face-to-face with the Niger Delta patriots. He says the region has nothing to show despite its enormous oil revenue for Nigeria”, he said.

    “We should rise up to the challenge by using advocacy to the Niger Delta challenge.”

    In his contributions, the Vice-President, NDYP, Paul Uwadia, said the motive of the group was to ensure empowerment for all the people in the region.

    “All our government of the elite has done is to develop from up to bottom,  but  we , members of the NDYP, want to start it from bottom-up approach”, he said.

    Also speaking, Women Leader of the group, Easter Fafaa, said:  “We want to empower the Niger Delta youths for them to get better, to get something doing, not to carry guns.

    “Niger Delta  Youth  Patriot is capable of meeting the obligation of empowering the youths for their future. But youths should be patient and key into the development agenda of the NDYP. They should be patient because we are preparing something good for them”.

     

  • Pipeline vandalism: NSCDC seeks host communities’ cooperation

    Pipeline vandalism: NSCDC seeks host communities’ cooperation

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has called on communities in the Niger Delta to volunteer more information on activities of pipeline vandals to enable the Corps flush them out.

    The NSCDC Spokesperson, Mr. Emmanuel Okeh said that the Commandant-General of the Corps, Mr Abdullahi Muhammadu had ordered NSCDC officials to evolve new strategies and redouble their efforts in tackling the menace.

    Okeh said that more than 20 illegal refineries and 100 suspects were recently arrested in the region following intelligence report.

    He explained that the NSCDC had also established a 24- hour Command and Control Centre in Abuja as part of plans to enhance its surveillance on the pipelines.

    The spokesperson also stressed the importance of the cooperation and support of host communities to enable the NSCDC improve its operation in the region.

    “With the support and cooperation of host communities in the Niger Delta, I can assure you that our operations will be enhanced.

    “We need all the necessary information on the activities and hideouts of these vandals from the host communities, he said.

    Okeh described pipeline vandalism and illegal refineries as economic sabotage and environment hazard capable of destroying a nation.

     He said that the NSCDC would continue to collaborate with other security agencies like the Navy to stem the tide of vandals in the Niger Delta.

     

  • How Niger Delta can truly develop, by agitators

    How Niger Delta can truly develop, by agitators

    Members of Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders (NDRC) yesterday said the Niger Delta could only develop if it was allowed to control its resources.

    The group, in a statement, said giving the area tokenism would not help it compete with other regions.

    In the statement posted on its website, the spokesman of the group, Wo1 Izon Ebi, said the group was not interested in settlement, but to be given the chance to control the mineral resources deposited in their environments.

    The statement reads: “The NDRC rejects the one billion naira offer to us by the FG and view it as insult to our group. We cannot be bought over with one billion naira, what is the one billion naira offer for? Is the one billion meant to buy our conscience or to bring us to the other side?

    “The NDRC cannot be bought with our own resources and wealth. All we are fighting for is Justice, Equity and ownership of our God given resources. We are sad that the FG is only interested in the oil fund just to implement the budget, rather than sincerely activating a process for lasting peace and development of the region is funding all their budget proposals and activities.

    “Rather than play politics with the critical Federal agencies saddled with the responsibilities of developing the region, like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Ministry for Niger Delta, the Federal Government should be sincere and separate the developmental needs of the Niger Delta form politics and political party and appoint technocrats and grassroots residents who understand the core developmental needs of the people of the area and how best to go about the implementation for the desired lasting peace and development to be achieved.”

    On the NDDC Master plan, the group said: “The NDDC master plan originally stipulated 15 years implementation, at the cost of $50 billion, the region has so far received $40 billion over the past 10 years, but sadly there is little or no evidence to justify the amount. Poor governance of self and institution are at the hearth of public sector delivery and challenges.

    “We call on Shell Petroleum Development Company, other multinational companies and other sister agencies to stop paying what it pays to the NDDC, until this present Board is properly constituted. This call has become necessary because the N135 billion and $1.1 billion allocation and other funds appropriated by the commission, with the present exchange rate is being stolen away by corrupt politicians.

    “Our call on Shell, other oil companies and contributory sister agencies to NDDC followed the revelation by the General Manager, External Relations SHELL, Igo Wali and the Managing Director NEITI, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji at a recent retreat in one of the states in the region, on how much various institutions and companies contribute to NDDC annually and every other year to support development in the region, without satisfactory evidence.

    “We are asking for accountability of the funds that have accrued to the commission from inception and how far they are used.”

    The agitators described Egba and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu as significant to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in achieving peace in the region.

    They, however, faulted the NDDC’s Managing Director, Nsima Ekere, for allegedly making “mockery of the region in his speech at a retreat. They quoted him as describing the agitating youths as “dangerous beasts that are frustrating the development of the region”.

  • FG unfolds new vision for Niger Delta

    FG unfolds new vision for Niger Delta

    OIL-PRODUCING communities in the Niger Delta region, yesterday, got a new deal from the Federal Government. The Niger Delta development will henceforth be community- driven for oil-bearing areas to have direct impact of oil wealth. The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, who unfolded the new vision, yesterday, said the Federal Government would begin a partnership with all the stakeholders in the oil industry to concentrate development in oil-producing communities.

    Speaking at the Chief Diepreye Alameiyesiegha Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the acting president said the partnership would involve the local government, the oil-producing communities, the oil companies, the private sector and civil society organisations. Osinbajo led a delegation of ministers, heads of agencies and other federal cabinet members to Bayelsa to interact with Niger Delta stakeholders as part of efforts by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to find a lasting peace in the region. Women, youths, traditional rulers, captains of industries, political office holders and other government functionaries turned out in large numbers to participate in the dialogue. Osinbajo was accompanied by the Minister for Niger Delta, Usani Usani; Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu and his counterpart in Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri and other federal cabinet members.

    The team, who arrived at the heliport of the Government House in Yenagoa in a chopper, was received by the state governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah, cabinet members and some lawmakers from the state. After a brief meeting in the Government House, the team headed for the state’s Traditional Rulers’ Council where the chairman of the council, King Alfred Diete-Spiff conferred a chieftaincy title on the acting president. Women who were adorned in uniform wrappers and blouses and youths, who held banners were seen drumming and dancing to welcome the acting President.

    The banquet hall was congested with various groups of persons, elders, arrays of high personalities, who came to be part of the dialogue. The entire areas of the Government House were cordoned off by fully-armed security operatives who deployed few Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to monitor activities and ensure a hitch-free event. The Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nsima Ekere; former Governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva; former boss of NDDC, Timi Alaibe, Coordinator of the Amnesty Office, Gen. Paul Boroh and other leaders and elders of the Ijaw nation were in attendance. Explaining the new vision, Osinbajo said: “So, we come today on behalf of the President, Commander in Chief with my cabinet colleagues and heads of relevant agencies to propose a new vision and to signpost a new era to the people of the oil-producing communities of this state and Nigeria.

    “The Federal Government will begin a partnership with oil-producing communities, the local government, the oil companies, the private sector and civil society organisation for the rapid development of these communities. “We must convene an oil community intervention to work out what can be done in a short and medium term and the long term possibility. We must focus on how to ensure that the people feel the benefits of the wealth of the land. “This new vision will define the future of the region. Oil production by itself cannot suffice to assure our people of different jobs and different incomes. It cannot.

    We must make our oil-producing communities hubs for petrochemical industries, small and large. We must make these communities hubs for refining and related activities.” Already, he said that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, in collaboration with oil companies, was working on a 40-point agenda, a new initiative for Niger Delta development. According to him, one of the core areas of the agenda is to ensure the integration of illegal oil refiners in the modular refineries to be established.

    “Ministry of Petroleum Resources in collaboration with oil companies is already working on 40-point agenda, new initiatives for the oil-producing communities in Niger Delta. “In particular, one of those is working with illegal refiners in oil-bearing communities to participate in modular refineries that will be established,” he said. Osinbajo, further argued that the region was supposed to be the best locations for power stations as a result o the large gas deposits in the area. He said: “There is no doubt at all that power station should be stationed here. It makes sense. The gas deposits are here. Very frequently, the way we take decisions does not always show that we are applying all the common sense that we have. “I think that the place that has gas deposits is a natural location for power station. The biggest benefits we can obtain is to attract more investments to this region.” He said the new vision of the government was informed by the burdens the communities had to bear despite wealth generated from oil.

    He lamented that the people’s means of livelihood, fishing and farming, had been consistently destroyed by pollution while huge resources earned over the years from oil had disappeared. “The roads, schools, hospitals and social amnesties that oil well should have provided are either not there or they are patently inadequate. “Majority of people of these communities and several parts of oil-producing states have heard of the wealth that oil had brought but have hardly benefitted from it,” he said. For effective implementation of expected integrated development of oil-communities, the acting President advised them to desist from vandalism of oil facilities to enable the government and oil companies realise funds for the projects. He lamented that violent agitation had greatly reduced investments in the oil and gas sector in the country and advised the oil-producing communities He said: “New investment in the oil gas sector have slowed down so badly because investors have a choice all over the world even here in Africa and they are of course scared to put their resources in a place that is unstable.

    “This is why our oil-producing communities must now refuse to participate in the destructions of pipelines and oil facilities. Apart from the loss of revenues, it also means further pollution of the land and aquaculture. “We must not allow anyone to persuade us that we need to destroy investments and our environment to get a few benefits. It amounts to cutting our nose to spite our faces. From 2015, Nigeria began to lose one million barrels of oil every day, almost 60 per cent of revenue lost to vandalisation. “This affected all our states and especially even the states in the Delta region. All the requests, the road to Brass and airport can only be done when the Federal Government and the state’s earn revenue. We destroy the sources of revenue and expect revenue. Development comes with revenue.” On the global appeal of oil as a source of revenue, he added: “We must make haste and we must make haste quickly. Day by day, the world is no longer depends on oil. Other energy sources are getting cheaper.

    “America used to be the largest importer of our oil but now they do not import a drop of Nigerian oil since they started producing from shale. Our oil now sells to Asia but even they do not plan to depend on oil forever. “China and Japan are now manufacturing electric cars. In Japan, there are more charging stations for cars than petrol stations now. We must be wise. We must use the oil for development now when it is still valuable and guaranteeing of a future wellbeing is to act today.

    “It is time to set out sight on a great future for our people. It is time to do the hard work that is required and I want to assure you that President Buhari and government of the federation today is prepared to work with the people of the Niger Delta to ensure we bring development here.” He challenged the youths to set up a Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce and Entrepreneurship Council as a platform to harness their skills and develop their potential. He said: “So, I challenge the young professionals to set up a Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship Council. Let us have a chamber of commerce for the young men and women.

    “In that council we can identify those who are involved in technology, in agriculture, in oil and gas in manufacturing and other professions. A chamber of commerce properly organised will attract the right kind of local and international partnership and even funding. I want to say that I am prepared to work with you on that. “Societies are built on the resourcefulness, innovation and zeal of the people.

    They are not built on mere resources. Some societies do not even have any resources but are much richer than societies that have resources. “India does not have a drop of oil, but today it is the largest refiner of petroleum product in the entire world. And it doesn’t have a drop of oil.” Osinbajo stressed that President Buhari was sincerely determined to address issues in the Niger Delta, adding that the President sent his team on the fact-finding mission after meeting with the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) last year.

    “I am here as an emissary of the President, President Muhammadu Buhari who after the visit of the leadership of the PANDEF decided that we must undertake visits to engage the leadership and people of all the oil-producing communities to hear them and to seek to understand their problems and concerns firsthand and to offer to those communities in the Delta region a new vision and a new compass,” he said. Governor Dickson, in his remarks, called for a better collaboration between Bayelsa and the Federal Government for peace propensity and security.

    Describing the state as the core Niger Delta, the governor said the state has all the challenges of development and urgently needs the support of the federal government. The governor further called for partnership between the state and other federal agencies especially the NDDC on priority projects. Addressing the acting President, he said: “Don’t leave Bayelsa alone. It is a young state and it needs a federal support.” The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, on his part, thanked the people for their turnout and urged them to desist from vandalising pipelines, and lamenting that the government lost about $80bn to vandalism in five years.