News
26 In JTF Net As …Shell Threatens Shut-down of Afam VI
The Joint Military Task Force (JTF), says it has arrested 20
Ghanaians and six Nigerians and destroyed seven barges with tug boats carrying
stolen petroleum products in Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area of
Rivers State.
JTF Commander, Brigadier-General Tuku Brutai said the 26
suspects were arrested during operations by his men.
The 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army spokesman disclosed that the
seven barges loaded with crude oil with the 20 Ghanaians and six Nigerians
arrested were on board were impounded last month.
He added that the arrested persons had been handed over to
the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps for prosecution, saying that,
“there were some arrests and they have all been handed over to the civil
defence corps for prosecution, and as you are aware, these barges are based in
this area.”
“They take advantage of these creeks, the difficult terrain
to sneak into the area and steal the crude oil but luck ran out of them and we
were able to intercept them.”
The 2 Brigade commanding officer also said that sea piracy
has continued in the creeks of the Niger Delta despite the efforts of the JTF
to stop the menace.
“We also have the challenge of difficult terrain where some
of our gun boats can not have access to the creeks because of the shallow
nature of the waters there but by and large, we have taken full control of the
situation in the riverine areas,” he said.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC)
has said that the shut in of 150,000 barrels of oil per day may adversely
affect the Federal Government’s revenue targets and fiscal allocations for
projects and programmes in the 2012 budget, saying the Federal Government has
lost 1.2million barrels of projected crude oil sales in just eight days from
Shell alone.
The company has therefore, warned of grave consequences, if
government agencies charged with the responsibility of managing the nation’s
marine systems and territorial waters fail to remove the illegal crude oil
vessel which caught fire eight days ago, atop its 28-inch high pressure Trans
Niger Pipeline (TNP).
Shell has threatened to shut down the 240million cubic feet
per day Okoloma Gas Plant, which supplies feedstock to the Nigeria Liquefied
Natural Gas (NLNG) facility in Bonny Island and at Okololunch new Bonny the
gas-powered Afam VI Power Station, lying adjacent to the gas plant, in Oyigbo
Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Afam VI supplies 650megawatts to the national grid, managed
by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), thus, contributing
significantly to the government’s desire to achieve uninterrupted power supply
as part of its Transformation Agenda.
The Tide gathered that shut down of Afam VI Power Station
would cut off 650MW from the overall national power supply equation, which
stands at between 4,200MW and 4,500MW, thereby worsening the nation’s power
supply challenge.
The Bomu-Bonny 28-inch TNP and 26-inch high pressure gas
pipeline run in parallel, and pump crude oil and gas from the entire Land East
production infrastructure, particularly the Okoloma Gas Plant to facilities at
Bonny Island..
The Tide gathered that Shell’s concerns revolve around the
fact that the vessel now in flames seats atop both high pressure pipelines, and
therefore, exposes the billion-dollar facilities to serious threat.
The Land East operations cover all Shell production
facilities in Rivers, Imo, Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
Shell’s Vice President, Health, Safety and Environment
(HSE), Communications and Corporate Affairs, Tony Attah, who gave the warning
last Friday, said the shut in of 150,000bpd production, and shut down of both
Okoloma Gas Plant and Afam VI Power Station, though regrettable, were a
compelling last resort.
He stated that as soon as the incident was reported Sunday,
the Emergency Response Team (ERT) was mobilised and dispatched on overfly of
the area to ascertain the veracity of the fire, adding that three six-inch
crude theft point fittings have so far been identified on the TNP.
He urged the Federal Government to address the crude theft
problem swiftly by tightening security on the nation’s waterways while
arresting and prosecuting criminals involved in the illegal business to save
the region and the nation’s economy.
The Tide had exclusively reported last Monday that the
explosion and fire which gutted the vessel had claimed the lives of four
expatriates and 18 others while another 21 persons around the crude oil theft
circumference sustained serious injuries, including first degree burns.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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