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A Summit To Celebrate

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The curtain was drawn last Friday on the 1st Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro
Economic Zone Development Summit, 2012 which took place at the Hotel
Presidential, Port Harcourt.

Initiated and sponsored by the member representing Andoni,
Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Dakuku
Peterside, the initiative  represented an
attempt by a people to take their fate in their own hands.

The Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro geographical area today, is a major
oil and gas producing zone whose natural endowments  contribute to the nation’s financial  mainstay.

Prior to the discovery of the liquid  gold as the crude oil is often referred to,
the people of Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro had thrived on their natural endowments in
the era of the palm produce trade.

They were a people bound together  by common geographic, economic and
developmental challenges until divisive politics both at the national level and
in the geographical area weakened the bonds that bound them together, virtually
destroying their individual and collective potentials for growth and
development.

For many  an Andoni,
Opobo or Nkoro indigene, especially the merchants of politics of division and
doomsday  prophets,   a rapprochement, the magnitude of which
was  achieved by the  summit under review was  impossible
and unthinkable.

The remarkable success of the 1st Andoni Opobo-Nkoro
Economic  Zone  Development
Summit, 2012 in aggregating the challenges, and aspirations of the zone
through their peoples –youths, intellectuals and community leaders is therefore
worth celebrating.

The quality of speakers, discussants and presentations at
the two-day summit is enough to transform the zone into an economic giant in
Nigeria, if only, ideas without works avails anything.

If however, the people of the zone indeed adopt and
implement  the recommendations of the summit
in  a phased, consistent and  pragmatic manner, then the theme of the  summit-Shared responsibility, shared
prosperity would have been realised.

Participants  were
agreed on the need for the summit to be an annual event that would continue to
bring people of the zone together to assess achievements on set targets.

They also whole-heartedly accepted the proposal by the
Deputy Speaker, House of  Representatives
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha that the summit  be subsequently hosted in either  Andoni, Opobo or Nkoro on a rotational basis
instead of Port Harcourt, to  enable
participants appreciate the challenges of the zone.

Amaopusenibo Bobo Brown may have set the tone for the
summit, when at the first plenary session, he noted that politics of divide and
rule had torn the people of the zone apart.

Brown, former National President of the Nigerian Institute
of Public Relations who spoke as a discussant on “Local Economy For
Andoni-Opobo –Nkoro”, stated that it was
foolhardy for the people of the zone to think that  they have a population that could sustain any
massive production.

Reason? They have over 300,000 impoverished  people who have become  economic refugees, he said.

He however anchored the benefit of the summit on its timeliness
in putting people of the area in position to become relevant and competitive in
state and national economy, especially in this era of global economic  recession.

According to him, such foresight as displayed by the
convener of the summit was what the local economy needed and not going back to
the old economic activities of the area.

Both Engr Ernest Nwapa, Executive  Secretary, Nigeria Content Development and
Monitoring Board and Prof Michael Onyekonwu, Director, Institute of Petroleum
Studies, University of Port Harcourt stressed the need for people of  the zone to equip their youths with the
relevant training and skills to be active participants in the competitive
oil/gas sector business.

Nwapa noted that 98 per cent of the  nation’s oil blocs are   in the hands of the  oil majors-Shell, Agip, Mobil, Chevron etc
and that the Nigerian Content Act was designed to make Nigeria a great oil
producing nation through the development of her refining capacity and a  skilled workforce.

He said that the Nigerian Content  Fund which
will be launched on October 24, was dedicated to human capital
development  in the oil/gass sector  pointing out that when Nigeria is able to
develop her refining capacity and robust
supply chain  then youths that
possess relevant  skills will benefit.

In his contribution, Prof Onyekonwu stressed the need for
community involvement in the oil industry business through the empowerment  of youths with relevant education and skills.

The oil industry is driven by money, technology and people,
he noted, and charged people of the zone to develop their youths so that they
could actively participate.

While expressing disappointment  that people of the zone have not  had one
person trained at the Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port
Harcourt in which he is director, Onyekonwu canvassed the award of scholarships
to youths  of the zone who secure
admission in the world’s best10 universities, as a way of developing skilled
manpower relavant for their participation in the oil industry business.

Engineer Sampson Ngerebara, a former Commissioner for Works
in Rivers  State in his presentation
xrayed the role of infrastructure in driving sustainable economic development
in the zone and strategies to achieve them.

While  asserting that
the challenges were intimidating, Ngerebara recommended among other measures,
the Eastern  Obolo model in which a
synergy between the people and operators/project promoters culminated in the
establishment of a refinery in the area with
spill-over  socio-economic
benefits and development.

Ngerebara  believed
that when people of the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro economic zone become united, focused
and determined in their quest to use their endowments to develop their
territory, multinational companies and others interested in their resources
will partner with them to bring investment and development to the zone.

Many seasoned and celebrated intellectuals and professionals
enriched the summit with their cerebral presentations.

They included the Head and Resident Representative, United
Nations Institute for Training and Research, Nigeria, Dr Larry Boms; Professor
of Development Sociology and Director Centre for Ethnic and Conflict Studies,
University of Port Harcourt, Prof Mark Anikpo and the  Executive Director, Rivers State
Sustainable  Development  Agency, Mr. Noble Egbert Pepple.

Others included the President, Uptonville Oil and Gas
Institute, Prof Winston Bellgam, a seasoned petroleum engineering professional,
Engr Don Boham, Director-General, Greater Port
Harcourt City Development Authoritiy, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam and a
Consultant Pediatrician at the
University of Port  Harcourt, Prof
Alice Nte among others.

The success of the summit is a testimonial to the vision of
the convener, Hon Dakuku Peterside to reposition the zone to be relevant in
contemporary national economic order.

It  represents the
will of a newbreed politician and patriot to dismantle and replace the
discredited and archaic politics of divide and rule with politics of
inclusiveness, shared responsibility, and shared prosperity.

The youthful politician who the Deputy Speaker, House of
Representatives described as one of the thinkers and eggheads in the House,
received lavish encomiums  and blessings
from participants, elders and leaders of thought  from the zone for blazing a trail in the
socio-economic affairs of the impoverished but richly endowed zone.

Accolades were also poured on the chairman,
Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Economic  Zone  Development
Foundation Board of Trustees, Sir Emiyarei Ikuru and his members for the
planning and execution of the summit.

What is left to be seen is how, over the  coming years, the product of the summit will
lead to the realization of an integrated economic zone, providing attractive
investment   opportunities and nourishing
the people and their landscape with the good life and infrastructural
development as envisioned  by the
convener and stakeholders.

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NCDMB, Dangote Refinery Unveil JTC On Deepening Local Content

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The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Company have inaugurated a Joint Technical Committee (JrefineryTC) aimed at advancing local content implementation during the operational phase of the 650,000 barrels per day  plant.
A statement from the Directorate of Corporate Communications of the Board noted that the inauguration ceremony took place at the Dangote Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
The statement also said the inauguration marks a pivotal moment in fostering strategic collaboration between the both institutions, and was a significant move to reinforce local content development in the oil and gas sector.
Presided over by the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, and the Group Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Group, Chief Edwin Devakumar, the event featured the formal sign-off of the Committee’s Terms of Reference (ToR), a guided tour of the refinery, other critical facilities, and the official commencement of the JTC’s responsibilities.
According to the Board, the visit also featured the presentation of the certificate of the Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the Year Award won by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Company at the inaugural ‘Champions of Nigerian Content Awards’ held recently in May.
The NCDMB’s boss made the presentation to the President of the Dangote Group, Alhalji Aliko Dangote, who expressed delight at the recognition, noting that he would display the certificate proudly at his office.
Ogbe congratulated the Dangote Group on the successful development and commissioning of the largest single train refinery in the world, as well as petrochemical and fertiliser plants, describing the projects as a historic milestone not for Nigeria alone, but for the entire continent.
He emphasized that the Dangote Refinery stands as a testament to the success of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010 and the transformative potential of Nigerian-led industrial projects.
“At an optimal daily production capacity of 650,000 barrels, this refinery will significantly enhance Nigeria’s energy security and contribute to the supply of refined petroleum products across West Africa.
“Nigerians, have to own the plant, we have to make sure that the plant works well. We have to secure it, we have to maintain it. The NCDMB would continue to collaborate with Dangote Petroleum Refinery”, Engr  Ogbe said.
Highlighting the need to ensure more value retention in the sector, as mandated by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD) 2010, the Board’s helmsman demanded compliance with Sections 32 and 33 of the NOGICD Act, with particular reference to local manpower utilization and requirements for NCDMB’s approval prior to the engagement of expatriates.
“The NOGICD Act stipulates that no expatriate can be employed in any organization in the oil and gas industry without the prior approval of the NCDMB. We will work with you, We’ve to protect jobs for Nigerians. It’s critical to job creation, skills development, and national capacity building in line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, he said.
He commended the firm for training and employing Nigerian engineers, saying the collaboration will ensure that qualified Nigerians were given opportunities across all operational roles, while also urging the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals to support the Board’s initiative which aims at developing oil and gas industrial parks across the country to foster local content and manufacturing in the sector.
He noted that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS) seeks to create an enabling environment for Small and Medium Enterprises in the sector.
“NOGaPS was conceived by the Board to develop facilities close to oil fields where manufacturing of oil and gas components, as well as research and development, can be carried out.
“We would like Dangote to support one of our major activities, which is the oil and gas industrial parks scheme. The parks are aimed at creating an enabling environment for SMEs in the industry to do fabrications and create more jobs for Nigerians”, the NCDMB’S boss stated.
In his welcome address, the Dangote Group Vice President, Devakumar, highlighted that the refinery project and NCDMB have been working together, promoting local content development during the construction stages of the project.
“We can’t say we have achieved everything, because there is opportunity to do more. We’re grateful to the NCDMB for all their support and advice.  As entrepreneurs, we’re trying to optimise costs. It’s a Nigerian company, it’s also an entrepreneur-driven company. As a Nigerian company, the focus will be on Nigerian content. As an entrepreneur-driven company, it will be cost-focused”, he noted.
Devakumar underscored the long-standing commitment of the Dangote Group to national development and capacity building, saying that the Group’s vision is to grow Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
High points of the visit, according to the Corporate Communications Directorate of the NCDMB, was the inauguration of the Committee members.
The statement from the NCDMB further added that the committee is to ensure the implementation of local content in the refinery’s operations, while its core objectives include promoting the use of Nigerian skilled manpower, services, and locally sourced materials in compliance with Section 3 of the NOGICD Act.
The Tide learnt that the committee will also support Dangote Refinery in aligning its operational procedures with the Act’s requirements.
In his acceptance remarks, Director of Corporate Services at NCDMB and Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu, expressed gratitude to the leadership of both organizations, reiterating the Committee’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of local content enforcement and fostering measurable outcomes that will benefit the nation’s economy.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Food Security: NDDC Pays Counterpart Fund  For LIFE-ND Project

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The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, says the commission has paid its counterpart fund for the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise Project to ensure food security in the region.
The LIFE-ND project is an agriculture intervention project sponsored by the Federal Government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the NDDC to boost food security in the region.
Mr. Ogbuku disclosed this while fielding questions at the commission’s 25th anniversary world press briefing  in Asaba, Delta State.
He stated that the commission has equipped and trained farmers in the region on best practices, adding that it has also established Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce with a commitment of N30 billion, but has released N5 billion to encourage commerce and entrepreneurship in the area.
According to him, agriculture is among the next phase of the commission’s programmes aimed at addressing food security in the region.
“Our target is to use agriculture to fight criminalities in the Niger Delta region”, he said.
The NDDC boss said the commission would hold a retreat to marshal plans to enhance the cultivation of rice, oil palm, cassava, and maize for industrialisation.
He also disclosed that its fund allocation from the Federal Government has improved, adding that funding from International Oil Companies has also increased, with greater compliance.
Ogbuku revealed that although its revenue has improved, the commission had thought it wise not to borrow but to deploy the surplus to execute more projects.
According to him, the commission has gone digital in its documentation and data generation to address its human capital development projects, ensuring the even deployment of resources, which allows people to take turns being trained in their chosen profession.
He stated that the NDDC was committed to addressing environmental challenges in erosion-prone areas in Edo, Delta, and other states, contingent upon the availability of funds.
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Replace Nipa Palms With Mangroove In Ogoni, Group Urges FG, HYPREP

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A concerned group of stakeholders under the auspices of Khana Coastal Communities has made a passionate appeal to the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Hydrocarbon Remediation Restoration Project (HYPREP) to include the removal of Nipa palms which has taken over the positions of mangroves in the area as part of the ongoing Ogoni Clean Up Exercise.
The group, which decried the invasive and destructive effects of Nypa fructicans, commonly known as Nipa palms, on the ecosystem of the affected communities, made their appeal in a Press Statement issued shortly after the  inspection and survey of the creeks and coastlines of  affected communities.
The communities are Kwiri, Kereken, Kaa, Gwara, Sii, Kpean, Tehnnama, Bane, Kalaoku, and Opuoku, all in Khana Local Government Area of Ogoni, Rivers State.
Signed on behalf of the affected communities by comrades Emmanuel Goteh Bie, Raymond Nwibani, and Chief Barineka Tonwe, the statement emphasized the need for urgent intervention to clear the Nypa fructicans and replace them with mangroves which provided sustainable habitat for aquatic species in the affected communities.
The group commended the Federal Ministry of Environment and HYPREP for their commitment to the Ogoni cleanup process and urged all stakeholders involved in the process not to renege on their complementary roles.
The statement read in part: “As you have seen, the Nypa fructicans has taken over our creeks, displacing native mangroves and aquatic life. The impact on our communities has been severe, with many of our people struggling to make a living due to the depletion of fish and other aquatic resources.
“We commend the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for its efforts in restoring native mangroves in Ogoni, particularly in the Bomu Community. However, we are alarmed by the unintended consequences of removing invasive Nypa fructicans, which has led to the disappearance of fish and aquatic life, threatening the livelihoods of our coastal communities.
“We believe that the removal of Nypa fructicans and replanting of native mangroves will help revive our aquatic life and sustain the livelihoods of our people.”
The group passed a vote of confidence on the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas, and HYPREP Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, for what it described as their unwavering efforts in ensuring the success of the Ogoni cleanup exercise.
They  called on the Federal Government to release their counterpart funding to HYPREP without delay to sustain the pace of progress recorded in the clean up process.
“The cleanup exercise is commendable, and any delay in funding could stall the progress and undermine the efforts of all stakeholders. We urge the government to prioritize the Ogoni cleanup exercise and provide the necessary support to ensure its success”, they stated.
They also used the opportunity to caution against the antics of self-inflicted activists or bodies that might attempt to hijack the cleanup agenda and create unnecessary agitation, and assured the total support of the affected  communities to HYPREP’s activities to enhance the holistic success of the Ogoni clean up exercise.
Bemene Taneh
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