The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Port Harcourt

  • House of Reps urges public input in lawmaking

    Mr Ishaka Bawa, Chairman, House of Representatives ad hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), has called for public participation in law making.

    Bawa, who made the call at the opening of the zonal public hearing on the proposed PIB organised by the committee on Monday in Port Harcourt, said public input is crucial to legislative actions.

    The chairman said the House resolved to simultaneously organise public hearings in the six geo-political zones of the country to provide an opportunity for Nigerians to express their opinions on the bill.

    Bawa said the bill, when passed into law, would address the various irregularities in the Oil and Gas Industry.

    “Corruption, indiscipline, strange criminalities such as bunkering and vandalism have assumed unacceptable proportions in the industry,” he said.

    The lawmaker said the public hearing would provide an opportunity for stakeholders, civil society groups and host communities to offer advice and make constructive input to provisions of the bill.

    Prof. Fubara Dagogo, member, Rivers State Economic Council, who read the address of the state government, flayed the Federal Government policies of the Petroleum Trust Fund.

    According to him, the fund had yet to give adequate attention to the host communities who suffer the impact of oil exploration by the oil companies.

    Dagogo decried the high cost of petroleum products in rural and host communities.

    “As soon as you leave Port Harcourt city to our localities, you get petroleum products three times the price in Port Harcourt and this is unhealthy for our rural dwellers,” he added.

    He advised the Federal Government to ensure that pipelines were connected to the rural areas to stabilise the cost of petroleum products in the country.

    Dagogo also said that to stop gas flaring in the country, penalties on gas flaring should be made 10 times higher than what it is now.

    He said the step, if taken, would encourage oil companies to work out modalities for a better alternative to gas flaring.

    Dagogo also urged the Federal Government to include science and technology in its transformation agenda, saying that no country could develop by relaying 100 per cent on imported products.

    Mr Alfred Alison, Public Relations Officer of the Bonny Kingdom Study Group, said that in as much as the host communities were expected to suffer some hazards of development, they should not be neglected.

    “Oil and gas activities have impacted much on the communities, if you flare gas in Bonny and pay penalties to the federation account, how then does host communities benefit from the penalties.

    “You cannot flare gas and pay penalties into the federation account and those from the Delta region begin to share whatever that is there with those who are not suffering from the activities of oil exploration.”

    Alison called on the government to respect and involve host communities in determining who should benefit from the penalties on gas flaring.

  • Dana Air flies to Port Harcourt

    TEN months after it suspended operations into Port Harcourt because of the June 3, 2012 crash involving its aircraft,  Dana Air said yesterday that it would resume flights to the Garden City next Monday.

    The airline has  also reaffirmed its commitment to boost its operations with the acquisition of a Boeing 737 aircraft by the third quarter of the year.

    The airline said it will offer services from Port Harcourt to Lagos and Abuja, as well as operate daily flights from both destinations to Port Harcourt on resumption of the service.

    The Head of Commercial, Obi Mbanuzuo, said Dana Air is pleased to re-launch flight operations to the oil rich city, to offer business and leisure travellers the opportunity to experience the firm’s services in line with its objective of re-integrating major cities into its route network.

    “We are constantly reviewing our operations and our decision to commence operations to Port Harcourt is hinged on our desire to offer our guests access to seamless connections to their final destinations across the nation”, Mbanuzuo said.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Port Harcourt team for London fair

    After emerging as the UNESCO World Book Capital City 2014, the Nigerian metropolis of Port Harcourt will host series of events lined up under the theme; Books: Windows to Our World of Possibilities. But in London, the team behind Port Harcourt’s historic bid for the World Book Capital City title will be at this year’s London Book Fair from Monday April 15 till Wednesday 17, to share their vision of literary programmes and interactive activities designed to celebrate Nigeria’s literary culture, promote reading and broaden the horizons of the nation’s young people.

    Port Harcourt was best known as the hub of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry but in recent years, it has emerged as a significant literary destination in sub-Saharan Africa, partly due to the success of the annual Garden City Literary Festival, which draws writers, publishers, academics and the reading public from around Africa to a week-long celebration of literature and the arts.

    Port Harcourt is the first sub-Saharan African city to hold the title and the first African city to win by public bid.

    It will be the 14thWorld Book Capital City when it takes over from Bangkok in April 2014. As 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the creation of Nigeria, the city will be celebrating with a range of events including initiatives to inspire young writers, engaging the community in literary and arts exhibitions, promoting the publishing industry, building capacity for the running of libraries and book clubs and the creation of collaborative publications such as The Walking Book and an anthology of 100 Nigerian writers entitled Nigerian Literature: A Coat of Many Colours. The emphasis is on empowering Nigeria’s greatest resource – its youthful human capital.

     

  • Port Harcourt fans unhappy despite Dolphins’ win

    Despite Dolphins picking all the maximum points, Port Harcourt fans on Thursday voiced their disappointments on the performance of the Centre Referee, Kadiri Mohammed from Lagos who officiated the match between Dolphins and visiting Shooting Stars.

    The fans who spoke shortly after the match though were happy that their team won but were left disappointed by the referee whom they accused of killing the game in desperate attempt to frustrate the visitors’ moves ,which they said made the game boring.

    Some of the fans complained of not getting value for their money as the referee continued to blow for infringements at the slightest contact thus frustrating the flow of the game.

    A fan, who identified himself as Emigo, accused the match officials of bias and deliberately killing the game. “Bros, that referee na something else,” he remarked

    Another fan who preferred to be called ‘Sho‘ simply said: “This match na waste of money, only Dolphins dey play that referee no allow 3SC play.”

    Shooting Stars slumped to a 1-0 loss to Dolphins in a day two fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Thursday at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.

    The only goal of the match was scored in the 53rd minute of the tough encounter by Dolphins midfielder Emem for the home side to claim the maximum points from the encounter.

    The Oluyole Warriors next play Lobi Stars of Markurdi on Sunday at the Lekan Salami Stadium Adamasingba.

  • Julius Agwu takes Laff 4 Christ Sake to Port-Harcourt

    Julius Agwu takes Laff 4 Christ Sake to Port-Harcourt

    FEW days after staging a matchless Festival of Love Valentine show in Abuja, one of Nigeria’s most resourceful comedians, Julius Agwu, is gearing up for the Port Harcourt edition of Laff 4 Christ Sake, another popular event brand from his stable. Having held in London and Lagos, this is the first time the show will be holding in Port-Harcourt.

    Billed to hold on March 29 at Aztech Arcum, the event will feature talented gospel acts like Frank Edwards, Tim Godfrey & D Extreme Crew, Afy Douglas and Freke Umoh. Top comic acts like MC Abbey, Owen Gee, Dan D’Humorous, Senator and Buchi will be entertaining guests with rib-cracking jokes.

    Speaking on the event, Julius Agwu said it is another opportunity for him to thank God for his talents. “I want to use this event to say a big thank you to the Almighty God who gave me the talent, nurtured it and led me from Port-Harcourt to Lagos where my career grew globally. So I want Rivers and the entire South-South people to join me in thanksgiving to God who oils my wheel of creativity and ingenuity, as I also thank Him as I celebrate my 40 years on earth. God’s grace is what has kept me going, and I want to use this event to seek His renewed grace in my life and career,” the artiste said.

    On what to expect from the show, Julius said it will be nothing short of “serious praise and gospel comedic experience like never before.”

    As part of its corporate social responsibility, Dana Airlines has identified with the event and agreed to be the official carrier.

  • Illegal school shut in Port Harcourt

    Illegal school shut in Port Harcourt

    The Rivers State government has closed Our Saviour’s Academy along Ada George Road in Port Harcourt for operating illegally.

    The school was closed after an unscheduled visit by the Inspectorate Department of Ministry of Education, Rivers State. Its Director, Samuel Wigwe, said the school was shut because it was operating illegally and was not conducive for learning.

    The Director said apart from not being up to the standard prescribed by the state government, the school did not have enough facilities to run pre-nursery, nursery, primary and secondary in the same compound.

    He directed parents/guardians of the affected pupils having problems in enrolling their wards to another school to meet the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education for onward absorption in other schools.

    Wigwe also said the punishment would serve as deterrent to other private schools that are operating illegally or with sub-standard facilities. He added that the era of illegal private schools in the state would soon be over.

     

  • Production from Port Harcourt refinery hits 17m litres daily

    With the maintenance work carried out by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at Port Harcourt Refinery, it now produces 17 million litres of different products per day, it was learnt.

    The new production level was attained as a result of the rehabilitation of the nitrogen plant of the 210, 000 barrels per day refinery, which has been dysfunctional for over a year.

    However, the optimisation of the refinery is being limited by the incidence of vandalism of the pipelines that supply crude and evacuates products from the refinery.

    Spokesman of the company Mr. Ralph Ugwu, had told reporters that the refinery produces about 7.5 million litres of premium motor spirit (petrol), three million litres of dual purpose kerosene (DPK) and 6.5 million litres of automotive gas oil (diesel).

    Ugwu said production from the refinery now contributes to the nation’s petroleum products supply to guarantee availability of fuel Nigerians. The development, he added is part of NNPC’s plan to reduce the volume of imported fuel especially petrol as well as subsidy paid by the government.

    Ugwu noted that the management of Port Harcourt refinery have activated processes to bring the critical units of the plant back into operation adding that the fixing of the Nitrogen plant has also paved way for the maintenance and putting other vital sections of the refinery into operation, including the Catalytic Reforming Unit (CRU) and Naphtha Hydro-treating unit (NHU).

    He said that when the planned turnaround maintenance of the refinery is completed, production would increase by about 30 percent.

    The Group Executive Director, Refineries and Petrochemicals, NNPC, Tony Ogbuigwe, commended the management of the Port Harcourt refinery for the commitment to ensuring increased output from the refinery and assured them of NNPC’s support to sustaining operation of the plant.

    The Managing Director of the refinery, Ian Udoh, said the members of staff of the company are committed noting that the modest success achieved was due to the foundation laid by his predecessor Ogbuigwe. He urged the staff to sustain the tempo despite challenges resulting from crude supply disruptions by oil thieves and vandals.

    On attacks on the pipeline, he said that 199 incidents were recorded product line from the refinery to Okrika Jetty in 2012 alone. He also noted that challenges of pipeline vandalism including pollution of the environment and economic loss.

    He also pointed at other concerns over the pipeline breaks to include environmental pollution and degradation, huge economic loss and possible fire outbreak in contiguous local communities.

    In view of the above challenges, Ugwu said the company has embarked on massive enlightenment campaigns in its various host communities stressing the dangers and effects of pipeline vandalism and product adulteration to health, safety, environment, machinery and the economy.

    “The management of PHRC passionately appeal to opinion leaders and government agencies to come to its aid in curbing the activities of vandals through the enlightenment of the citizens to enable the company deliver on its mandate of ensuring optimal and sustainable production of refined petroleum products for the benefit of all Nigerians,” Ugwu said.

  • Port Harcourt free mission ends

    An international non-profit organisation, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) (Doctors Without Borders), which offers free medical care, will stop admitting patients at the Teme Hospital in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, tomorrow.

    MSF’s Field Coordinator Mr. Eric Jeunot yesterday said the group would move to other emergency areas in Nigeria.

    He said out-patients and those on admission at Teme Hospital would be attended to till the end of next March.

    MSF was created in 1971 in Paris. It is in over 70 countries, with 30,000 workers world-wide.

    The organisation has been providing free medical services to Rivers State residents since 2005.

    Jeunot said: “For patients already admitted or currently being treated, we will complete the treatment, mostly based on appointments with doctors. If there is an emergency in Rivers State, we will be willing to render our services, but for now, we have to leave the state.”

  • Rotary sensitises residents on water

    Rotary sensitises residents on water

    Members of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, Rotary International District 9140, Nigeria, have staged road walk in Port Harcourt to create awareness on water situation in the state.

    Tagged “Global Run 4 Water,” the match, which started from CFC bus stop, close to the Catholic Church Cathedral, Kaduna Street on Aba Road, ended at the take-off point. They matched through Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway, to the Waterlines Roundabout Junction.

    Members who participated were Rotractors (student members) who wore white T-shirts with the club’s logo and that of the Walk upon a pair of black trousers and canvas, chanted solidarity songs. Men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria police, a mobile medical bus and a nurse provided accompanied them while the walk lasted.

    Speaking to journalists shortly after the exercise, the coordinator of the walk, Dr. (Mrs.) Georgiana Ngeri-Nwangha, said the exercise aimed at creating awareness on lack of potable water in some parts of the state, and also to raise funds to provide water in the communities where water is lacking.

    According to Mrs. Ngeri-Nwagha, the walk is observed simultaneously by rotary members across the world between September 29 and 30 every year to raise consciousness on water need of the people.

    “Global run for water is an event that is simultaneously undertaken by rotary clubs in various parts of the world; and it must be undertaken either September 29 or 30.

    “The essence is to create awareness on the fact that there are still people in both urban and rural areas in this 21st Century who do not have access to potable water and who need to be assisted to have water,” she said.

    She noted that the club has, at various times, provided water to rural communities, schools and markets in the state and, even as she added that funds for the projects are raised from corporate bodies, friends of the club, international sister club/ parent clubs as well as members.

    Contribution, President-elect of the club, Mr. Chidi Ikeji appealed for partnership from governments and government parastatals to enable them to realise their dream of providing this essential commodity to members of the public.

    Meanwhile, at Ogbema, Abua in Abua /Odual Local Government Area, the club expressed concern over polio disease that is still ravaging some parts of the country.

    It regretted that the disease is still rampant in Nigeria when it has been totally eradicated in most countries of the world.

    Speaking through its District President, Dr. Henry Sota at a five-day free medical mission by Lulu-Briggs Foundation at Ogbema Community, the club appealed for the support of every citizen in the country for meaningful results to be achieved.

    Dr. Sota, who recalled that rotary clubs worldwide have championed the fight against polio since 1985, hinted that Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries of the world that are yet to eradicate the disease.

    On their partnership with Lulu-Briggs Foundation on the free medical exercise, he said: “Rotary Club is here to render support to the foundation in form of service delivery.

    “This is because we realised that what the foundation is doing is in line with the vision of selfless service of our club. The foundation, he said, funded the outreach.”