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Tag: produce

  • Firm to produce 525mmscfd of natural gas daily

    Firm to produce 525mmscfd of natural gas daily

    Independent oil giant Seplat, has begun to assemble equipment for the expansion of its Oben Phase 11 plant to increase natural gas plant to produce 525 million standard cubic feet  (mmscf/d) daily.

    Seplat, an exploration and production (E&P) company,  completed the expansion of the Oben gas plant phase last year. The expansion raised the company’s overall processing capacity from about 150mmscf/d to 300mmscf/d.

    Seplat Chairman, ABC Orjiako confirmed the expansion plan when he addressed shareholders at the firm’s annual general meeting in Lagos.

    He said: “The Oben gas plant phase II expansion is underway with additional processing modules ordered. Once installed, the additional processing modules will take gross processing capacity to an expected minimum level of 525 mmscfd.”

    Orjiako said the company’s management, despite the headwinds facing the oil and gas industry, made progress on all aspects of its strategy delivering best-in-class production and reserve growth.

    “We were able to transform our gas business, which achieved 185 per cent year-on-year growth,” he said.

    He added: “In a significant step forward for its gas business, during mid-year 2015, Seplat successfully completed and commissioned the Oben gas plant phase I expansion. This expansion saw the company’s overall gross processing capacity double to 300mmscfd.

    “Alongside the significant increase in gas production, the positive2  financial impact of Seplat’s gas business was evident as revenues from gas sales increased to  185 per cent year-on-year to $77 million.

    “Our (Seplat’s) position as Nigeria’s leading independent E&P company has been reinforced in the past 12 months during which we delivered on corporate performance target despite the oil price volatility. Our resilience is testament to the quality of our business, our strategy, our management team and staff, and our adherence to strong corporate governance policies.”

    Seplat’s Chief Executive Officer CEO, Austin Avuru said the company’s corporate governance stance and transformation initiatives helped to shield it from being heavily impacted by the global low oil price regime. He noted that the company recorded growth in oil and gas production, but lamented the renewed attacks on oil and gas facilities by the Niger Delta militants.  The attacks have led to shutting of Shell’s Forcados terminal a few times, which resulted in shut-in of Seplat’s output.

    According to Avuru, the Forcados frequent closures have affected the 2016 financial year projections.

    He said: “In 2015 we delivered on what was in our control, posting best-in-class reserves and production growth and taking our gas business across a transformational threshold with further expansion still to come. We acted quickly and decisively in response to the weak oil price environment, adjusting our work programme and cost structures.  Against a bleak industry backdrop, we remained profitable with a strong balance sheet underpinning us.

    “Our 2016 full year production expectation has been impacted by the current shut-in of the Forcados terminal. However, we are much better positioned to withstand such interruptions than in prior years. Our gas business takes on additional importance by providing a continuous revenue stream that is de-linked from the oil price. Our enlarged portfolio offers us the scope for greater diversification.

    “I would like to re-emphasise that our strong focus remains on protecting the business and managing value through effective cost reductions, optimising operations, leveraging and strengthening the balance sheet. This will strategically position the company to take advantage of opportunities that will inevitably follow this current downturn.”

    On production figures, he noted that the company’s working interest 2P (proven and probable) reserves at the end of 2015 had increased by 71 per cent year-on-year to 480mmboe, with a further 98mmboe recognised as 2C resources bringing the total reserves to 578mmboe. Recoverable resources discovered, but uncommercialised gas fields are classified as contingent resources and 2C denotes the best estimate of contingent resources.

    Avuru said average working interest production in 2015 averaged 43,372 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), adding that oil and condensate production accounted for 29,003 barrels of oil per day (bopd) up 20 per cent year-on-year while natural gas production was 86 mmscfd, up by 119 per cent year-on-year.

    All  the natural gas produced, he added, was supplied to the domestic market for industrial and power sector use. According to him, gross revenue for the 2015 full-year, stood at $570 million, down by 26 per cent year-on-year. Net profit stood at $67 million and cash flow from operations before movements in working capital stood at $190 million as against capital investments of $152 million. Cash at bank and net debt stood at $326 million and $573 million respectively.

    He also stated that Seplat’s senior partner in the joint venture (JV) operation, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company’s (NPDC) net receivables balance stood at $435 million, down from $463 million at the end of 2014. Further receipts post-period end reduced the net NPDC receivables balance to a current level of about $350 million, he added.

    He said the company has set a production target of between 41,000 and 48,000 boepd in the 2016 financial year and expects its capital expenditures to be around $130 million.

  • Organic produce for export

    Organic produce for export

    By using bio-fertiliser, farmers are reviving land and boosting the nation’s agro exports prospect, Daniel Essiet writes.

    While many farmers are battling to survive, because of the financial challenge of setting up a modern farm, organic farming method is helping Herny Adigun, chief executive, Yomex Organic Farm, to succeed.

    He uses organic fertiliser, mostly green manure. This helps to provide moisture and nutrients. When he began, his knowledge of farming was not much.  Yet his willingness to learn and hard work have paid off handsomely – and he is an example to emerging farmers everywhere.

    Yomex Organic Farm based in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State,  showcases Adigun’s efforts to make his 16-acre farmland a self-sufficient organic.

    The farm is one of the largest in the area, with tomatoes, cucumber and vegetables on three acres of land. Besides growing vegetables, Adigun has spacious sheds for poultry and goats. The peculiarity of the farm is its self sufficiency in every aspect, including manure production, and its solar power unit to generate its own electricity is nearing completion.

    At the pace he is going, he could begin the process of applying for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification or any international certification as an organic grower. Although his farm is not yet ‘official’, he regards his operation as 100 per cent organic.

    While exploring various business ventures, he hit upon organic farming as having a promising growth potential. He foresees a tremendous growth in the demand for organic food in the next few years.

    With activities of farmers, such as Adigun, organic production,  has taken off successfully. Companies involved in organic farming are mostly export oriented.

    In the last 20 years, a lucrative international market for organic cocoa, spices, vegetables and coffee has attracted more farmers into organic farming.

    This is because the demand for such produce in the United States, Europe and Asia far outstrips domestic supply.

    The major organic produce importing countries are the United Kingdom, the United States, China, India, Germany and the Netherlands.

    A member of the Nigeria Vietnam Business Council, Mr Sunday Anjorin, said European and Asian markets offer good business opportunities for Nigerian organic companies that want to export their products.

    According to Anjorin, supermarkets, food and pharmaceutical companies are channels for organic produce.

    Others include bakeries, health food shops, specialised organic shops, fast food restaurants and delivery services.

    He said organic spices and herbs were in demand in India.

    So far, Germany is Europe’s largest market for organic products, with a sales volume of €5.8 billion and an average growth of 15 per cent yearly.

    Indeed, food exports are vital to Nigeria’s economy, and increasing participation in organic farming by exporters is a welcome boost to the already strong and expanding sector.

    Gradually, the ranks of certified organic farmers is swelling with the Nigerian Organic Agriculture Network (NOAN), an association that unites farmers, processors, exporters and organisations promoting the practice.

    To experts and farmers, as organic farming drives growth in productivity, it  also allows farmers to get the most out of soil.

    While health-conscious consumers worldwide are providing valuable new organic export markets, most Nigerian farmers are finding it challenging meeting necessary certifications and other requirements to take advantage of the growing popularity of organic foods in industrialised countries.

    In most cases, new entrants incur higher costs applying new organic techniques without the higher prices associated with organic label.

    Most importantly, the European Union (EU) legislation requires that imported organic foods are produced to the same standards as that from the UK or EU.

    On the average, and to win certification, a farm must stop using most pesticides and make other changes, then maintain those practices for three years.

    Going organic is governed by strict government standards, which require that products bearing the organic label are made without the toxic and persistent pesticides, synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering or other excluded practices, sewage sludge, or irradiation. Beyond this, producers and processors are expected to register with an EU-approved organic control body, and subject to the import controls for organic produce.

    While farmers are struggling to comply with the high-level standards needed to meet certification requirements, the EU in June banned some of the nation’s food items. They included beans, sesame seeds, melon seeds, fried fish, meat and peanut chips, among others, from entering Europe till June this year.

    According to the European Food Safety Authority, the rejected beans were found to contain between 0.03mg per kg to 4.6mg/kg of dichlorvos pesticide. The acceptable maximum residue limit is 0.01mg/kg.

    Addressing a forum in Lagos, the Chairman, Agro-Commodity Export Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Obiora Madu, said it was imperative for the government to resolve the issue before the June deadline given by the EU to correct the anomaly.

    ”Yes, there are a lot of export markets beyond Europe but if we do nothing, it is likely to escalate at the same time as other nations join the EU to reject our produce again we are in trouble.

    “As a chamber, we are concerned about the trend and are actively at the forefront of sensitising farmers and exporters on compliance to international standard for our produce.”

    According to him, food safety implies the absence or acceptable and safe levels of contaminants, adulterants, naturally-occurring toxins or any hazard that may make food injurious to health.

    In an interview, Madu noted that the organic export market is growing because of awareness on the dangers of pesticide residues in food and growing disposable incomes of the urban middle classes.

    He said organically-grown products don’t have problems because producers don’t use pesticides.

    Madu observed that the EU market is one of the toughest to supply because the technical, ethical, quality and packaging standards are so high.

    This, notwithstanding, the successful exporters expect buyers to pay a premium for the extra certification and the quality and size standards; however, they are increasingly finding that the EU is still paying lower prices.

    For some exporters, there are still opportunities in the world, including the EU, which makes it attractive to new exporters.

    With Nigeria like South Africa in its ability to produce diverse agro product ranges, he sees a bright future for aspiring exporters.

    Madu stressed the need for collaborative efforts of regulatory authorities and stakeholders in formulating a framework to address the challenges of the agricultural produce in the international market

    There are programmes to help farmer groups and small exporters overcome the challenges and take advantage of the remunerative markets. The programmes are designed to increase their technical skills and improve product quality, which will enable them to obtain organic and fair-trade certification.

    Some of the programmes focus on stages of the supply chain from production, harvesting and packaging to certification and marketing. The vital part is to pay for the costly certification  and comply with high international quality standards.

    On the issue, NOAN President Prof Victor Idowu Olugbemiga Olowe said the group was at the forefront of helping farmers to meet standards for certification.

    To make them competitive, he said organic farmers, processors and traders must comply with strict requirements if they want to use organic logo or label their products as organic. He noted that farmers face a number of obstacles in exporting their products, including meeting buyers’ demands on quality, requirements and standards.

    According to him, importers require agro exports to have certification. The organic product labels  should bear the name of the producer. The advantage of certification, Olowe noted, is that the exporters are able to brand their goods as “certified organic, not just organic” which would increase value.

    NOAN, he argued, is striving to assist farmers to adopt organic agriculture as a model for sustainable food and farming.

    One way to achieve this is through a national system certification that demonstrates sustainable production practices and meets food safety practices.

    According to him, independent validation of sustainability and quality claims is crucial for organic growers to market their produce.

    Globally, the major problem in the organic market is a large number of logos and brands, which confuses many consumers and potential buyers of organic products; and probably has a limiting effect on growth over several years. The other challenge is that exporters are expected to prove with documentation that their produce have fair trade certification.

  • Expert urges produce audit to avert exports rejection

    Chairman Board of Trustees, Mycotoxicology Society of Nigeria, Prof Dele Fapohunda,  has  urged  the  government to  improve  on exports  standards and ensure commodities  meets European Union (EU) requirements for import.

    He said the rejection of some of Nigeria’s exported food items by the EU is not only detrimental to the agricultural sector, but is also counterproductive to the economy.

    He was addressing a workshop organised by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council in Abuja.

    He said beans, sesame seeds, melon seeds, dried fish and meat, peanut chips and palm oil from Nigeria have been banned by the EU till June, next year, which the reason given were aflatoxins and pesticides at unacceptable levels.

    According to him, plans to make the agricultural sector a major revenue earner for the country may suffer a setback if produce from the industry are being rejected by foreign countries.

    He said local exporters were at the risk of suffering losses since imports are significantly protected by the high standards of the major food suppliers and retailers, and the regulatory controls which deter the importation of seriously contaminated material.

    Stringent mycotoxin standards on exported food crops, he noted, countries must export their best-quality foods while keeping contaminated foods away.

    For Nigeria to make remarkable agricultural progress, he said further action is required to address new and emerging contamination challenges.

    Going forward, he said Nigeria needs to improve its policy environment, to enable investments that will allow help exporters to adapt to the opportunities created by rising export demand.

    As increasing agricultural exports is now an integral part of the government’s sector-development strategy, Fapohunda said the government should help exporters to streamline exports with the ever-changing food quality and safety norms of major importing countries. According to him, there  have been concerns over pesticide residues in horticultural produce.

    As result, he  said  the  food industry has to deal with various intrinsic issues impacting food quality and safety across the supply chain.

    To further harness the potential of the agriculture and food industry, he said robust policy strategies on food quality and safety  are  imperative to improve standards and secure greater market access of food products in the developed markets.

  • Nigeria to produce anti snake venom

    As the October 31 date announced by Wyeth for the expiration of anti venom approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for coral snake bites draws near, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Prof Nasidi Abdulsalami,  has assured that Nigeria has the skill and the capability to produce the snake anti venom and bridge the gap which will soon be noticed after.

    The present manufacturer, Wyeth now owned by Pfizer has stated that it will cease production by the end of October this year. And that by that date there may be no commercially available antivenom (antivenin) left, as that is the expiration date on existing vials of Micrurus fulvius, the only antivenom approved by the Food and Drug Administration for coral snake bites. The antivenom was approved for sale in 1967, in a time of less stringent regulation.

    Prof Abdulsalami said his centre can be more proactive though if the federal government is ready to invest in the production of the antivenom as his centre is already collaborating with Echi TAB, United Kingdom, and Costa Rica. This is championed by Echi TAB and the Nigerian study group. The centre required between $3million to $5million to undertake the studies required to get it approved by FDA.

    According to Prof Abdulsalami there is really no need for the world to experience any panic as Nigeria/UK collaboration will rise to the challenge and fill the gap created by the suspension of the anti snake venom by Wyeth.

    A snakebite treatment specialist at the Florida Poison Information Centre, Tampa, Joe Pittman while assessing the situation said, “It’s ridiculous that we’re losing a technology that we already have. It’s even more ludicrous that we have a product that’s available, and we have to jump through so many hoops to get it approved.”

    In July 2009, an FDA advisory board determined that Coralmyn qualified for an accelerated approval process, but there is still no one with the estimated $3 million to $5 million to pay for the required studies.

    Nobody in this situation is being a bad actor,” says Eric Lavonas of the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Centre. “We just don’t have a system set up to deal with it.”

    With no adequate replacement for coral snake anti venom, hospitals are likely to appeal to local zoos, many of which maintain small stocks for their staff. But zoos are under no obligation to provide the medicine.

  • ‘It’s Lafogido’s turn to produce Ooni’

    The Lafogido ruling house of Ile-Ife has said it was its turn to produce the next Ooni.

    Following the transition of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, 35 candidates from the four ruling houses of Osinkola, Giesi, Ogbooru and Lafogido have signified their intention to occupy the stool.

    The Lafogido house of the Lajamisan dynasty has cried out over an alleged marginalisation.

    Addressing a news conference, the leader of the house, Sooko Adeleke Adewoyin, said the house had produced only one Ooni in the history of Ile-Ife.

    He lamented that a particular dynasty had produced not fewer than eight and held unto the stool since 100 years ago.

    According to him, the Lafogido house had been marginalised.

    Adewoyin said the house should produce the next Ooni for the sake of equity, adding that it had many qualified candidates.

  • Ekiti advises farmers on storage, preservation of produce

    The Ekiti State Government has assured farmers in the state of necessary assistance in storing and preserving their farm produce.

    The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Kehinde Odebunmi, gave the assurance in Ado-Ekiti while addressing a cross-section of farmers and traders in the state during a two-day sensitisation seminar on “Safe and Responsible use of Agrochemicals for stored Grains”.

    Hon Odebunmi who noted  that large percentage of farm produce was destroyed every year through poor storage techniques  stressed the commitment of the state government  to reverse the trend

    He reiterated the resolve of the Fayose administration to diversify the state economy from one that is  totally dependent  on the dwindling allocation from the federation accounts to an agriculture-based economy that will ultimately boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

    According to him, government would leave no stone unturned in sensitising all stakeholders on the proper use of agrochemicals.

    Noting the enormous harmful effects of the misuse of agrochemicals which he attributed to ignorance by farmers/traders and consumers, Odebunmi explained that the seminar was organised to assist in curbing the misuse of agrochemicals.

    He described the choice of Shasha Market as venue for the training as strategic since it serves as the primary distribution centre for grains to all markets in the state.

    The Seriki of Hausa Community at the Shasha Market expressed gratitude towards the government, especially the visit of the commissioner which he said was the first of its kind, as he had never witnessed such since he got to Ado-Ekiti about 40 years ago.

    He promised the Fayose administration of unalloyed support from the Hausa Community in the state and prayed for the success of the government.

  • My mandate is to produce future Eagles-Amunike

    My mandate is to produce future Eagles-Amunike

    Golden Eaglets’ Chief Coach,  Emmanuel Amunike has disclosed that his mandate is not only to win the tournaments the team is contesting in but to also produce future Super Eagles stars.

    The world football governing body FIFA’s aims and objectives of this organizing these kind of tournaments is to produce players for the senior national teams of affiliated football federations which Amunike is seriously targeting to fulfill.

    “Nigerians are always eager to hear that we have talents, but we have to build our youth with the knowledge that what is good today may be outdated tomorrow. But like I keep on telling you it is our responsibility to see how we can improve. We should not just depend on the fact that we have talents, of course, talent is been given by God, but there are a lots of things that makes the talent to gel. These are the areas we have to emphase on. So that when these guys grow they will learn to fight.

    “We don’t want to have people like when they get to the Super Eagles they won’t live up to their billings, like what we are seeing today. You then see players that are not putting enough efforts.  They must improve, they must work and they must know that the road to success is always under construction. We came to do the best we can, and with hard work on our side we will definitely achieve our goals and objectives.

  • APC: we want to produce real Nigerian president

    APC: we want to produce real Nigerian president

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it is poised to produce a Nigerian President who will be acceptable to all citizens as an upright person with commitment to the ideal of a united nation, irrespective of their tribes or religions.

    APC National Secretary Alhaji Mai Mala Buni addressed reporters at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

    He said APC, being the best thing to happen to Nigeria, was not interested in producing a Northern or Southern President but a true Nigerian President.

    Buni noted that the level of poverty and degradation in the country had no boundary in the South or North, Christian or Muslim.

    The party chieftain said what the nation needed was a President who could fight insecurity and restore peace and progress in all communities.

    He said: “It is not about producing a Northern or Southern President. We want to produce a Nigerian President; we want to produce a President who will work for the country, sacrifice himself for the country and be selfless in discharging his responsibilities to the country. We want a President who will be acceptable to every Nigerian as an upright person; who can fight corruption and bring development to the country.

    “That is what we want. It’s not about the South or the North. Let me tell you that the level of poverty and degradation and impoverishment in this country has no boundary of South or North, Christian or Muslim.

    “We are all suffering; nobody is left out. Everybody is desirous of change. That is why the APC is poised to produce the best President for this country. We want to have somebody who will fight corruption because it is the major dent on this country, which is underdeveloping the country.

    “We want somebody who can fight the insecurity and restore peace, harmony and tranquillity in all communities. This is our hope. I don’t think we will now restrict this to either the South or North. These are political boundaries.

    “APC is poised to give the best President who will be read to address the problems militating against the development of Nigeria. This is our common problem; it is our common challenge. So, it is not about where the person comes from.”

  • ‘Riverine zone should produce next Rivers governor’

    ‘Riverine zone should produce next Rivers governor’

    Achinike Peter is President, Ikwerre Consultative Forum. In this interview, he speaks on the quest by riverrine communities to produce the next governor of Rivers State.

    WHAT is your view on the zoning of governorship in Rivers State?

    We are not different from our brothers and sisters in our zone. Therefore, the talk about power shift is also going on.  We will do what others are doing.  Democracy is all about power sharing and power shifting.  It is all about zoning and harmonisation.  Since 1967, when Rivers State was created, there has existed this Riverine and Upland harmonization.  There is understanding among the people.  For instance, after Dr. Peter Odili, power should naturally have shifted to the Riverine, but it was given to an Ikwerre man, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and we are grateful for that.  But, to contemplate retaining power among the Upland people after 16 uninterrupted years is not only unfair and unjust, it is even criminal.  Therefore power must shift to our brothers and sisters in the Riverine.  This is the thinking of most people in Rivers State.  Our people want our riverine part that has been shut out for 16 uninterrupted years to   taste power. It has to go back there.

    Why are you passionate about power shift. Are you a riverine person?

    I am not a riverine person.  I am the President of Ikwerre Consultative Forum.  We are upland people.

    What is the motivation for this struggle for the Riverine?

    I am doing this because of what will happen tomorrow, I am seeing tomorrow.  Today, it is the riverine looking for power and justice from the upland.  Tomorrow, the uplanders may be in this situation and they will remember that some people spoke out.  So, it is better for us to go back to our usual and normal harmonization as before.

    What is your reaction to the ambition of some uplanders, who have shown interest in the contest next year?

    I wouldn’t want to discuss parties or ideologies.  I am only interested in the fundamentals and that is what I would want to talk about.  Today, we in Rivers State know ourselves.  No matter who is voting for power, or anybody for that matter who thinks he has the biggest voting strength and wants to take advantage, this will not happen.  It is not possible.  It is not good for our democracy and co-existence. Therefore we must stand in support of justice and equity.  We must condemn it

    How influential is Ikwerre Consultative Forum?

    Ikwerre Consultative Forum cuts across the four local governments of Ikwerre.  They include Ikwerre Local Government, Emuoha Local Government, Port Harcourt Local Government and Obi-Akpor Local Government.  The forum is a formidable group that has always been there.  We are not a political party; we are a pan Ikwerre forum.  So, our ideologies are properly rooted and our agitation is to make sure there is a better Rivers State.  We are not just looking at Ikwerre; we are looking at Rivers State as a state that should at all times respect power sharing.  Even though we have the highest number of votes, we must be guided by fairness.

    What are the qualities you expect from the next governor?

    We are considering three things: the personality, a credible person.  I believe the riverine part of the state has such people in abundance.  But aside all these, there are also other considerations.  Let me say here that all our senatorial zones have riverine and upland, that is why our harmonization is very thorough.  Therefore in all our considerations, we must consider the riverine in all these.  It is their time, and we must give them because they are human beings.  Even President Goodluck Jonathan is a product of zoning, so we must encourage it.

    There is also the agitation that Rivers Southeast Senatorial District is the only  district  that is yet to produce a governor…

    There are riverine people in all senatorial districts of the state so there is no problem in this regard.  In this instance, let them consider riverine people.

    What about the agitation of the Ogonis?

    If you observe, no real Ogoni leader from any of the three Ogoni LGA’s is asking for governor. What you hear is a media creation by some self serving Ogoni politicians.  The real Ogoni leaders know it will be unfair to exclude more than one third of the population of the state being riverine people from governance for too long.  The thought of it is immoral.  The true leaders of Ogoni are saying we want a governor who will develop our place and restore our environment.  Where a governor comes from is immaterial to them.

  • ‘Why Delta North should produce Uduaghan’s successor’

    ‘Why Delta North should produce Uduaghan’s successor’

    Sir Ajie John Ogwu is a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State. He is the leader of Anioma people in Rivers State. In this interview with Precious Dikewoha, he spoke about the chances of Anioma in 2015, zoning and other interesting issues.

    What is the problem with Delta North?

    We have no problem, but we have political issues which we think should be equitable and justly solved. If you look at the political map of Delta State you will discover that Delta Central has had a completed eight years of governorship ticket, Delta South will complete their own by next year, and it is time for Delta North.

    What we are saying is that to balance the triangular equilibrium of power distribution, the other zones should allow us (the North) to produce the next governor. In Nigeria political history, power is divided into senatorial zones, I am not saying that arrangement is right. Even the principle of democracy guarantees that there should be power rotation, although, zoning is not a constitutional issue. It is about rotation of power, it is about the rule of morality of heart to impart on the life of the people on the area of true democracy and good governance. The essence of our arguments is that in 2015 power should shift from anywhere to Delta North.

    Do you think the people of Delta State will support the ambition of Delta North come 2015?

    I think the people of Delta State are in support of the ambition of Delta North because any Deltan who refuses to support us has lost his memory to realizing the enormous support which Delta North has given to the other zones in Delta State.  If we have given our votes to other senatorial districts in 1999, 2003, 2007and 2011, now we are saying it is time for those we supported to also support us, because Delta belongs to all of us. For years now we have been praying, crying and begging that this time around power should be given to us. We have good leaders who have all it takes to provide the needed dividends to the people; nobody can be given a governorship ticket on the platter of gold. The person has to be a bridge builder; he or she has to be somebody that can turn around the resources of Delta State to provide the people’s need.

    As the President of Anioma People in Rivers State do you think you have creditable candidate to represent Anioma in 2015?

    We have people who have all it takes to present themselves in 2015; Anioma is a great region in Delta, God has blessed us with enough human and natural resources. Anioma is a group of people with a common ideology, an ethnic nationality that is bind with one identity.  When the state was created we have Delta North populated by Anioma, Delta South populated by Ijaw and Itsekiri, and Delta Central populated by Urhobo. We (Delta North) have men who are not mediocre, people who can stand to defend Delta State. Though political situation of today has gone bad, but we cannot look at it in that direction, that is why we are calling on any Anioma person who has all the qualities, to come out in 2015.

    Among the governors that ruled Delta State since 1999 which one among them would you say has the quality Anioma people are looking for?

    It is the former governor, James Ibori. If you remember what happened during Ibori’s time, we saw people of reputation and mobilization capacity. So even if you don’t have money you can join politics, and there will be people who will ensure that you win as far as the people have endorsed you. These are people who are looking at intelligence and good performance not fiscal cash and ‘godfatherism’- that is the character Ibori stood for. If he comes back again we will support him.

     But he was arrested for looting Delta’s coffer? 

    You may be right, but the then Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  Mallam Nuhu Ribadu whose report indicted Ibori said he  was not the worst criminal in Nigeria. He told Nigerians when he left office that Ibori was not smart, that those who are worse than him are walking freely on the street. Ibori distributed Delta’s money to Deltans, he ensured that contracts awarded were executed and delivered. All I know is that he did wonderfully well with the little money he was getting before the price of crude oil went up. There was no local government including ward that Ibori administration did not touch. If law will allow him to contest election other contestants will step-down for him.   What he has done the present administration cannot boost of it. If I want to rate them in terms of performance I will score Ibori administration 90 percent and give the present administration 30 percent. In Nigeria everybody is a thief, so if he was arrested for whatever crime that does not make him the worst person on earth.

    As an APC Chieftain do you think the party is in a right direction to win election by next year especially with the legacy parties’ crisis?

    This is a game of power and struggle; you don’t just concede power to people because they were there before you came that was the argument of the legacy parties in APC. Like in Rivers State, ACN, ANPP, CPC and the rest of them that are legacy members were not strong, Governor Amaechi is in power and when he moved to APC he took his supporters along and made the party lively that means he is the leader of APC in the state likewise to other states that is facing the same challenge.  Of course, he will control the machinery of the party. I am not saying that he will not work with the legacy party members that are part of the merger. The best he can do is to incorporate them into the system, so the issue of protest by the legacy members are not necessary. I know that APC can outwit PDP in the next general election; the party is made up of progressive members who are looking for an avenue to contribute to the development of the country.  Look at the growth of the party, especially after the merger, so there is no two ways about it than to say we are going to capture more states come 2015. But if we lose we will become a formidable position that will provide the best advice to the ruling par