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Tag: oil facilities

  • Lagos begins inventory of oil facilities, depots

    The Lagos State government has begun a comprehensive enumeration of petroleum product facilities and storage depots within the state to ensure appropriate planning and energy security for economic and urban development.

    The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is undertaking the inventory taking on behalf of the government.

    The permanent secretary, Olujimi Hotonu, in a letter by the Assistant Director and Head of Oil and Gas Department, Ayodele Antonio, urged stakeholders to cooperate with the workers in carrying out the exercise.

    He stated that the exercise is to sanitise the siting of petroleum product storage facilities and has the endorsement of stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sector, such as the Independent Petroleum Marketing Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA) and others.

  • Militants attack oil facilities in Delta

    There were signs of threats yesterday to the dialogue between the Federal Government and Niger Delta militants through the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

    A militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM), claimed to have destroyed another oil pipeline in Delta and threatened to do more.

    Also, a new group, the Niger Delta Defence Corps (NDDC), said it would launch many attacks as from tomorrow.

    In a statement by its spokesperson Aldo Agbalaja, NDGJM said it brought down the 32-inch Effurun-Otor pipeline in Ughelli area of Delta State late Saturday night.

    The militants opposed the representatives of the region in PANDEF.

    The statement said it did not object to a dialogue between the Federal Government and the region, adding that such dialogue should be held with reliable people from the region.

    NDGJM said it was collating names from all parts of the region for the dialogue.

    The statement said: “At 23.30 hours (11.30 p.m) on Saturday, October 29, in furtherance of the Operation Hammurabi Code, our Akuma Strike Team struck and brought down the 32-inch Effurun-Otor delivery line. This is not ending soon; we shall fulfil our promise of uprooting your assets in our land.

    “We are reiterating our unflinching belief that the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, being coordinated by E. K. Clark, is a joke and, therefore, can never get our support.

    “Like we said before, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate is not opposed to a genuine dialogue between the Federal Government and real representatives of the various nations of our region. We are collecting names from the region, those who will sincerely and equitably represent our various peoples.”

    Also, in an online statement by its spokesman Egbe, Niger Delta Defence Corps said its attacks on oil facilities would be carried out simultaneously in Delta and Rivers states.

  • Avengers resume bombing of oil facilities

    Avengers resume bombing of oil facilities

    •Navy: we’re not sure it’s militant attack

    The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) yesterday said its fighters bombed the Chevron Escravos export pipeline at Escravos offshore in Delta State.

    A statement by its spokesman Brig.-Gen. Murdock Agbinibo said the militants had resumed the bombing of critical oil infrastructure.

    NDA has been observing a ceasefire since the Federal Government indicated interest to dialogue with Niger Delta stakeholders on the challenges in the region.

    The militant group has been accusing the government of insincerity in the dialogue, following alleged militarisation of the region and the recently concluded Operation Crocodile Smiles, in which soldiers stormed the creeks during the ceasefire.

    The Escravos pipeline was among the first oil installations the NDA crippled before the latest attack on the Escravos pipeline.

    NDA said it had warned international oil companies (IOCs) that there should be no repairs of oil facilities pending the end of negotiation and dialogue with the government.

    The statement said: “Today (yesterday), at 3:45 a.m, our Strike Team 06 took down Chevron Escravos export pipeline at Escravos offshore.

    “This action is to further warn all IOCs that when we warn that there should be no repairs pending negotiation/dialogue with the people of the Niger Delta, it means there should be no repairs.

    “Any attempt to use dialogue to distract us in order to allow the free flow of our oil will halt the dialogue.”

    Also, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Joseph Dzunve, yesterday said it would be hasty to conclude that the bombing was an attack.

    He said the incident occurred offshore.

    Dzunve said he sent divers to investigate what happened, adding that he would react appropriately after getting the report from the divers.

    He added: “We have not confirmed if it was an attack. But we know that they reported loss of pressure and some confusion. In fact, as I speak, I have sent for Navy divers. It is not even on land; it is offshore. It is not on a platform also; it’s along the line…”

     

    So, it will be hasty to conclude that it’s attack.

    “Well, if some people are claiming responsibility and eventually we find out it was an attack, we’ll know what to do. But for now, we have not concluded that it was an attack. Nobody has even looked inside that water.”

     

  • ‘Stop destroying oil facilities’

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to Niger Delta youths to surrender their arms in the interest of development.

    The President, Mr. Aruna Kadiri, who made the appeal in a statement in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, yesterday, said the bombing of oil and gas pipelines by the youth had created economic setback and environmental degradation.

    He said: “We urge Niger Delta youths to lay down their arms. We assure them that the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari will attend to their needs.”

    Kadiri advised them to resist the temptation of being used by self-seeking persons to destroy their future.

    He hailed the Niger Delta Peace and Development Initiative organised by stakeholders from the region, including two former governors, Rotimi Amaechi and Victor Attah.

    The NANS president enjoined the people to contribute to the initiative’s success.

    He reiterated the association’s readiness to partner the Federal Government and organisations to restore peace to the Niger Delta and other troubled parts of the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that aggrieved youths under the aegis of the Niger Delta Avengers have launched attacks on oil facilities.

    The attacks have affected the economy.

  • Youth leaders decry renewed attacks on oil facilities

    A group, The Grand Council of Niger Delta Youth Leaders (GCNDYL), has condemned the renewed bombings of oil installations by the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the group’s spokesperson Awakessien Clement, said the renewed attacks would further pollute and worsen hardship among the residents.

    He urged the restive youth to halt attacks on oil facilities to pave the way for dialogue.

    The statement reads: “We have noticed with concern the activities of Niger Delta youths, who have resorted to using violent methods to press for our emancipation.

    “As much as we agree that the issues being agitated for are salient, and we identify with the genuine agitation of our brothers, we, however, condemn the vandalisation and bombing of oil facilities. We believe this is akin to shooting ourselves in the foot, as these activities are counterproductive.”

    Warning youths to stop the bombing of oil installations, GCNDYL said the economy was in dire need of revitalisation, adding that all resources should be put to revive it.

    The group added: “We, Niger Deltans, are a tranquil and advanced people. So, we implore our brothers to resort to dialogue in our demand for equity.

    “Collective good for all can only be achieved through the subjugation of our individual interests and the propagation of positive general ideas and polices geared towards holistic and overall development. Antagonism and aggression will only further erode our sensibilities and cohesion as an indivisible entity.”

    On environmental pollution and degradation, the group hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up a board to clean up Ogoni land in Rivers State.

    It urged the President to prevail on oil companies in the region to ensure full remediation and total clean-up of the region.

    GCNDYL also appealed to the Federal Government to revive the Delta Steel Company at Aladja as well as the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Ondo State and the abandoned Brass LNG project.

    It said: “We wish to express appreciation to the President for appointing our illustrious sons – Senator Ndoma Egba as the chairman; Obong Nsima Ekere as the managing director/chief executive of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). We note with pride the giant stride of the Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, for giving Niger Delta effective representation at the federal level.

    “We commend President Buhari for his administrative strategy, principally anchored on the fight against corruption and massive looting of Nigeria’s wealth by some political office holders. We also commend his efforts for redirecting the economy toward agriculture.

    “We applaud his systematic war against corruption and pledge our unalloyed loyalty and support for his anti-corruption war and join him in the crusade because if he fails, we all fail.”

  • Avengers destroys five oil facilities in Delta

    Avengers destroys five oil facilities in Delta

    The militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (DNA), at the weekend said it launched five attacks on the nation’s oil and gas facilities in the Warri creeks in the last three days.

    NDA, in a series of tweets, claimed to have attacked critical facilities in three locations in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State.

    But the claim has not been independently confirmed.

    Efforts to get security and industry confirmations on the alleged attacks did not yield results, although community sources confirmed the attacks.

    In its tweet, NDA claimed to have destroyed a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) crude pipeline in an unidentified location on Friday night; two major crude oil trunk lines belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), near Batan, on Saturday night and two major oil wells belonging to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) near Abiteye, on Sunday morning.

    It said: “At 9:15p.m on Friday, the @NDAvengers blew up Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) crude oil trunk line to Warri Refinery.

    “At 11:26 p.m on Saturday, @NDAvengers blew up two NPDC major crude trunk lines close to Batan flow station in Delta State.

    “At 1:15 a.m on Sunday, @NDAvengers blew up two major Chevron oil wells – Well 7 and Well 8, close to Abiteye flow station in Delta State.

    “All five operations were carried out by @ndavengers strike team. Well done, soldiers.”

    Confirming the attacks, a community leader at Kokodiagbene in Warri Southwest Local Government Area, who is also an environmental activist, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, said he had confirmed the attacks from community sources.

    The activist said the location of the NNPC trunk line attack had not been confirmed.

    Mulade said: “The one that happened yesterday (Saturday) was at Dibi flow station; that’s not exactly Abiteye, but behind it. It affects the Chevron Dibi flow station and the NNPC trunk line to the Warri Refinery. We have confirmed the one at Dibi, but we are yet to confirm the one at the trunk line. That’s the confirmation we are waiting for.

    “We have not been able to confirm the attack on the NNPC trunk line to Warri Refinery, but it is around the Batan Chanomi Creek axis. We are yet to know the exact area.”

    Also, a police report, which our reporter accessed in Warri last night, confirmed the twin attacks on the Chevron Oil Wells 7 and 8 at Abiteye.

    It reads: “At about 0110 hours (1.10 a.m) and 0115 hours (1.15 am), Chevron Oil Wells 7 and 8 were blown up at Abiteye flow station. Chevron’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), who was on ground at the location, claimed that the twin explosions occurred at about 5 minutes intervals. The bombed oil wells are a little distant from the Abiteye flow station. Chevron has reported a drop in pressure from the crude oil pipeline at Abiteye.”

  • Navy arrests ‘key’ suspects in attacks on oil facilities

    Navy arrests ‘key’ suspects in attacks on oil facilities

    A man the Navy believes to be the suspected coordinator of the multiple attacks on oil and gas facilities in Delta State has been arrested.
    He was yesterday paraded along with some other suspects by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta in Warri.
    Also paraded were six other suspects arrested for other crimes, among them, the suspected killers of some security personnel and civilians in Batan, Warri South-West council area of Delta State on April 30.
    Also yesterday, the Federal Government was praised for initiating a ceasefire in Delta State creeks in the ongoing effort to restore peace to the volatile area.
    The Commander of the NNS Delta, Commodore Raimi Mohammed, at a press conference held at the base of the command in Warri, described the arrest of the suspected coordinator of the attacks on Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) facilities as “a star success”.
    He believes that his arrest would curtail further attacks.
    Commodore Mohammed, who did not name the suspects, particularly the three key suspects, said his command worked in synergy with other law enforcement agencies to achieve the feat, adding that they all followed up on the investigations and interrogations that made the arrests possible.
    “Today I am pleased to announce that after several weeks of persistent efforts, the Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with other security agencies, has arrested the main coordinator of attacks on NNPC and Chevron oil and gas facilities that we have witnessed since May 4, 2016, with the attack on Chevron’s Okan valve platform, offshore Escravos.
    “This arrest came after weeks of trailing and arrest of his foot-soldiers. It is important to mention that the suspect is also deeply involved in pipeline vandalism for stealing crude oil. He steals crude oil from about 35 abandoned oil well-heads and crude oil pipelines in Okpoko and Obodo in Warri South-West council area of Delta state. The Nigerian Navy believes with the arrest of this suspect, the attacks on Chevron/NNPC oil and gas facilities will abate,” the naval chief said.
    He said that the command was on the trail of his collaborators and foot-soldiers, whom he said were on the run, adding that materials used in blowing up and vandalising facilities had been recovered.
    Commodore Mohammed revealed that a key arrest had also been made in the investigation of the attack last week on the Shell Petroleum Development Company’s (SPDC’s) 48-inch crude export pipeline in Forcados.
    Asked if any of the key arrests had led to the unveiling of those behind the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), the officer said his concern was not about names of persons or groups, but about the actual persons involved in the attacks.

    For the Federal Government, it has been praises for initiating the ceasefire in the creeks of Delta State after months of military onslaught against rampaging Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
    The Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), a non-governmental Organisation (NGO) which gave the commendation, described it as a welcome development.
    But it urged the government not to politicise the dialogue to be led by the National Security Adviser (NSA). Critical stakeholders from the core oil producing communities should be included in the process otherwise the impact would not trickle down to the grassroots, the NGO said.
    In a statement signed by it National Coordinator, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, CEPEJ said: “Most of the crises are being perceived to be sponsored by the political class to gain more relevance.”
    The Center observed that several dialogues had been held in the past on the development of the Niger Delta, but the resolutions were never implemented.
    ‘’We want to believe that this is not another political gimmick but a genuine intention to address the problem once and for all,” it said.
    CEPEJ urged the communities to take advantage of the proposed parley by electing credible leaders to lead the talks on their behalf and not succumb to the whims and caprices of politicians.
    The NGO called on the militants to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue as the only veritable and viable means to resolving conflicts and not personalise the Niger Delta question.
    ‘’Niger Delta Avengers should sheathe their swords and embrace peace. The issues they are fighting for are not personal. The problem of underdevelopment is encompassing the Niger Delta region. They should give room for dialogue.’’

  • Okowa condemns attacks on oil facilities

    Okowa condemns attacks on oil facilities

    •JTF: attacks threaten national security

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has condemned the recent attacks on oil and gas facilities across the state.

    He called on residents to cooperate with security agencies to arrest the perpetrators.

    The governor dispelled rumours that there were plans for security operatives to attack creek communities.

    At a briefing after a security meeting at the Government House Annex, Warri yesterday, Okowa said there were no plans to attack the communities and that the people should go about their business.

    “People should go about their businesses because there are no plans to attack the communities, what we witnessed was unfortunate and condemnable.”

    The governor said the Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff would be in the state for on-the-spot assessment of the damaged facilities.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, Okowa urged security agencies to intensify their surveillance and pledged the commitment of his administration to support all measures that would  restore the confidence of stakeholders.

    The Operation Pulo Shield (OPS), formerly called the Joint Task Force (JTF), has said the recent multiple attacks on pipelines in Niger Delta are capable of undermining national security.

    OPS Commander of Operation Maj-Gen Alani Okunlola threatened to hold community leaders responsible for any future attacks on oil installations.

    In a statement yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital,  OPS said it would no longer tolerate any act of sabotage on oil facilities.

    It said: “This warning is coming as a result of recent multiple attacks on oil facilities and platforms by suspected militants in the Niger Delta.”

    Describing the attacks as criminal, OPS urged government officials and community leaders to give its officers and other security agencies useful information.

    A group, the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), has denounced the renewed attacks.

    In a statement yesterday by its National Coordinator, Sheriff Mulade, CEPEJ urged security agencies to go after the attackers.

    Mulade said security agents must intensify their surveillance on oil facilities, adding that the communities in the creeks should assist them to identify the masterminds.

     

  • Attacks on pipeline threaten national security, says JTF

    Attacks on pipeline threaten national security, says JTF

    The Operation Pulo Shield (OPS) formerly known as the Joint Task Force (JTF) has said that the recent multiple attacks on pipelines in the Niger Delta region was capable of undermining national security.

    The Commander Operation, OPS, Maj.Gen. Alani Okunlola, threatened to hold community leaders in the Niger Delta region responsible for any attack on oil installations within their domains.

    Okunola in a statement signed, Monday, by the Media Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Cantre (JMCC), Col. Isa Ado, said it would no longer tolerate any act of sabotage against oil facilities.

    “This warning is coming as a result of recent multiple attacks on oil facilities and platforms by suspected militants in the Niger Delta  Region,” he said.

    Describing the act as criminal, the commander called on government officials and the community leaders to give OPS and other security agencies useful information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.

    Okunlola assured the Niger Delta residents of the determination of OPS to wipe out all acts of illegalities in the region.

    He warned perpetrators of the crime to desist from further destruction of oil facilities or be ready to face the consequences.

    He also assured that the troops would soon arrest the criminals and bring them to book adding that the extant law banning the use of outboard engines with 200HP and above would be strictly enforced in the region.

  • N’Delta attacks plot to frame Tompolo – Ijaw Group

    N’Delta attacks plot to frame Tompolo – Ijaw Group

    Ijaw kinsmen of Government Ekpemupolo (AKA Tompolo) in Warri area of Delta state have accused enemies of the former MEND leader of trying to smear his name by embarking on destruction of oil facilities in Delta state.

    The Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group, in a statement by its chairman, Chief Patrick Bigha, condemned the renewed wanton destruction of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region. It urged the Federal Government to enlist Tompolo’s assistance to fish out the masterminds of the attacks.

    He said, “The government should make peace with Tompolo so that he will be of great help to the government in managing such situations as well as not to allow the matter to lead to resumption of hostilities in the Niger Delta.

    “Mind you,Tompolo is a force to reckon with, in terms of peace building in the Niger Delta region,” the statement added.

    The Ijaw group said they are not happy over the incident, stressing that it looked like a smear campaign against Ekpemupolo, because of his position in the Bayelsa State governorship elections as well as the issue with the EFCC.

    “ It is worthy of note that Tompolo will not embark on such self destructive mission as one that fervently believes in the Nigeria project, and has contributed to peace building and development of Nigeria.”

    It could be recalled that it was this same Tompolo that was protecting oil facilities in the Niger Delta even though he was not paid for doing that,and so could not turn around to be one that is destroying oil facilities.

    “And as he was doing that he stepped on many powerful toes and such people were not and still not happy with him. Therefore such people can carry out this act and point accusing fingers on him because of the present condition he find himself in.

    “There is urgent need for the Federal Government to look inward as some APC chieftains may likely be involved in this incident as some of them have been involved in such acts in the past.”