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Royalties: Kalabari King Gives Shell Ultimatum
The chiefs and people of Kalabari kingdom in Rivers State, have vowed to resist plans by oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to reduce royalties accruing to the area due to rising incidents of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The kingdom, which comprises, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema local government areas, said any slash in their royalties will amount to a breach of the agreement signed with the people.
Managing Director of SPDC, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, had in a news briefing in Port Harcourt, on March 1, 2013, said the firm may be compelled to shut down its Nembe-Creek Trunkline (NCTL), following the upsurge in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, particularly in Cawthorne Channel and Kakrama, in Kalabariland and Awoba in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Sunmonu, disclosed that 60,000 barrels of crude oil were being stolen everyday, out of the company’s 150,000 barrels daily oil supply to the trunk line, while bemoaning the huge loss of revenue to the government and the devastation such illicit activities were causing to the environment.
The company, in keeping to that threat, had five days later shut down the pipeline and declared force majeure on crude supply to Bonny Export Terminal.
SPDC’s spokesman, Mr Precious Okolobo, also said recently that the company may look in the way of slashing the funds to the communities within the NCTL, if nothing was done to stop the ugly trend.
But the Amayanabo of Kalabari kingdom, Professor Theophilus J.T. Princewill, last weekend faulted the move by Shell, reminding the firm of its promise to increase the mandate annually by 10 per cent, saying the planned reduction will be collectively resisted by the people.
The monarch, who was answering questions from newsmen shortly after a special service at the African Church, Buguma City in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the State, to mark his 11th Anniversary on the throne as Amayanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, noted that the funds were part of extant agreement between Shell and the kingdom to assist the development of the area.
King Princewill explains: “Shell keeps mentioning that they were going to shut down their trunkline. For the last six years or so, they gave us some money which we used in providing projects.
Now that they are coming to the second phase of that agreement, on the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU, instead of increasing the lot (they call it mandate) that is due to us (the Kalabari people), they want to reduce it by more than half, whereas in the last five years, there was a promise to have 10 per cent increase annually.
“Instead of finding it necessary to review it upwards now that they are going to enter into a new agreement, they want to slash it down by more than a half. Of course, the Kalabaris will not agree.
”Although they said because of crude oil theft, their production in the Kalabari area dropped, but we did not believe that, that has happened. But if we go by that, there are other areas where there is no production whatsoever, but they have increased their funds allocation to them.
”So, if they want to insist on reducing what mandate they gave us, we will say no, we will not accept it. You either increase it or you don’t operate in our area,” he posited.
He further said that the Kalabari Council of Chiefs had met severally with Shell where the latter was told that whatever is in the territory belongs to the people and that the firm was only allowed to go and exploit the crude.
”If what they are doing is to make us suffer for it, we ask them (Shell) to pack up their things (facilities) and go, because we will not beg them to come and do it. If they don’t do it, there are other companies that will come in to do it. For many years now in Ogoni area, Shell is not operating, yet Ogonis have not died.
“If we stop Shell from operating in our territory, we will not die and Nigeria will not collapse and that is our position. They say they are going to close down their operation, we say not only closing down, pack your things and go. That is what we have said to them (Shell),” he said.
Prof. Princewill, however, said that if youths in the area were found culpable over allegations of crude theft, the Kalabari Council of Chiefs would intervene, but noted that crude oil and the control of the resource was essentially the business of the government.
”I and the Kalabari chiefs do not have any control over crude oil production or exploitation. The only thing we can do if our children are doing it is to talk to them, but the full control of such issue is in the hands of government,” he added
Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the reduction of all incidences of cancer through an effective healthcare delivery system in the State.
Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, stated this in a speech to mark the 2026 World Cancer Day in Port Harcourt.
Oreh said part of the strategies to reduce cases of cancer include investment in training of healthcare professionals as well as upgrading of health facilities across the state with a view to equipping them for better cancer treatment.
She added that the State government would also pay more attention to the prevention of cancer.
“As a Government, we remain committed to reducing the burden of cancer through effective policies, strengthened health care system and strategic partnership,” she said
Oreh said part of the administration’s strategies was to improve cancer prevention programme, expand screening and diagnostic services, and ensure that treatment and care are accessible and affordable by all citizens.
She said the government is also investing in the training of healthcare professionals and upgrading of health facilities to provide better cancer care.
Oreh, however, acknowledged that prevention remains the best option as far as cancer treatment is concerned, and stressed the need for citizens to adopt healthy lifestyle as well as prioritize regular medical check-up
“I urged all residents of Rivers state to adopt healthy lifestyle and to prioritize regular medical check ups.
“Early detection saves lives. Cancer such as breast, cervical, prostrate and colorectal cancer can have better outcome when diagnosed early.
“Prevention is a key pillar in fighting against cancer; avoiding tobacco use, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy diet, engagement in physical activities and seeking protection against cancer related infection can significantly lower cancer risk
“We, therefore, encourage our people to utilize available screening services and to overcome fears, stigma and misinformation surrounding cancer,” she said.
By: John Bibor
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his resolve to remain steadfast in delivering development projects across the state, declaring that political distractions will not derail his administration’s commitment to the people.
The governor gave the assurance last Wednesday, while inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation of major roads within the old Port Harcourt Township, including the Creek Road Market project.
Apparently reacting to the prevailing political atmosphere, Fubara insisted that his priority remains governance and service delivery, not political pressures.
“I have promised our people that no matter the situation, we will not lose focus on governance,” he said.
“They entrusted us with leadership, and the least we owe them is confidence, stability and the assurance that governance will continue strongly.” he added.
Accompanied by Engineer Michel Issa of Setraco Nigeria Limited, Fubara toured several completed and ongoing roadworks, inspecting rehabilitated streets around Moore House before concluding the exercise at the Creek Road Market.
Speaking on the market redevelopment, the governor described the project as central to the revival of the old Port Harcourt township, noting that the modernisation of the facility would restore its lost glory and improve commercial activities in the area.
He explained that the new market was designed to accommodate traders currently operating on the roads, a situation he said contributes to traffic congestion and the rapid deterioration of road infrastructure along Creek Road.
“What are we trying to do? You can see the difficulty in driving through Creek Road because we don’t have proper settlement for marketers,” Fubara said, adding, “If we fix this market, those trading on the streets will move inside.”
According to him, relocating traders into the market will make it easier to properly rehabilitate the roads and preserve their structural integrity, while also enhancing the aesthetics of the township
On the road network, the governor disclosed that the rehabilitation works span from Borokiri through all major streets in the old township, stressing that the approach is holistic and aimed at delivering lasting infrastructure upgrade.
