News
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 Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has expressed concern over certain unprofessional practices within the surveying profession, urging practitioners to address issues surrounding the acquisition of Rights of Way and seismic operations in the State.
The governor also raised strong objections to what he described as threats to land ownership and title in the State through the alleged issuance of Federal Certificates of Occupancy by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and other affiliated federal agencies.
According to him, such actions are contrary to Section 1 of the Land Use Act, Cap L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which vests all land within a state in the Governor as trustee on behalf of the people.
Fubara made the remarks while speaking as Special Guest at the National Conference of the Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), a sub-group of the National Institute of Surveyors (NIS), held at the Obi-Wali Cultural Centre, Port-Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, the governor also expressed concern over the problem of land grabbing through illegal survey plans and the payment of inadequate compensation to landowners during compulsory land acquisition for oil and gas exploration by licence holders, urging surveyors to uphold professionalism and fairness in their practice.
He said such illegal activities negatively affect the development of the State.
Fubara urged surveyors to promote ethical and sustainable planning practices that protect the environment, including the preservation of green spaces, marine areas, and forest reserves.
He described the role of surveyors as pivotal to the growth, development, peace, and orderly governance of any society.
According to him, the services of surveyors are critical to physical and urban planning, housing development, land administration, and the provision of infrastructure.
He stressed that surveyors play indispensable roles in land use and management, infrastructure provision, environmental management, and conflict resolution, noting that their presence in government ministries, departments, and agencies ensures adherence to best practices.
“The role of surveyors in governance is pivotal to the growth, development, peace, and order of society, particularly in land administration, infrastructure development, environmental management, and conflict resolution,” the governor said.
He noted that the conference theme, “Mapping the Future: The Vital Roles of Surveyors in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry,” was particularly significant to Rivers State, given its position as the hydrocarbon heartbeat of the nation.
The President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Surv. Pius Eze, urged all participants to optimize the opportunity provided by the conference for professional upgrading and networking, adding that the conference displays consistency of vision and dedication to the welfare of private practitioners.
The National Chairman of APPSN, Surv. Simepiriye Kalio, thanked leaders and members of the association for their sacrifices to achieving the successes recorded.
The Chairman of APPSN, Rivers State chapter, Surv. Andy Nwikinane, said that the association was working with relevant stakeholders to prevent the infiltration of quacks in the profession.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has charged Corps members serving in Rivers State to be good ambassadors of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in the State.
?Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Batch A Stream I orientation course for Corps members deployed to the State, at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Head of Information and PR Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi.
He assured the corps members of his administration’s dedication to the provision of welfare and security.
?The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Sir. Dede Samson Friday, enjoined the Corps members to “serve selflessly in your Places of Primary Assignment and leave enduring legacies that will stand the test of time.”
?He noted that the ongoing comprehensive renovation of the NYSC camp facilities would receive speedy completion, assuring them that Rivers State remains “a home away from home for all Corps members posted in the 23 LGAs of the State.”
?He also urged them to be “exemplary, honest, committed, and dedicated in all that they do, and to be good ambassadors of the NYSC Scheme.”
?The Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Moses Oleghe, in his farewell address, appealed to the Corps members to “shine as light and dispel the darkness of tribalism, ethnic bigotry, hate speech, and corruption which have eaten deep into the fabric of the nation’s life.
?He also advised them to “make a difference in the service year by contributing selflessly to the lives of others, especially members of your host communities.”
?Speaking further, he appealed to Corp Employers to provide Corps Members with a suitable and conducive environment to thrive abd appreciated Governor Fubara for his massive support to the NYSC Scheme in the State.
Rivers State Government has launched Boat Ambulance Emergency Medical Services aimed at strengthening emergency healthcare response in riverine and hard-to-reach communities across the State.
The rollout, organised by the Rivers State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (REMSAS), took place at the Tourist Beach, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Speaking at the event, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, said the deployment of boat ambulances represents a practical response to longstanding healthcare access challenges faced by residents of riverine communities.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Prof. Justina Jumbo, the commissioner noted that difficult terrain and long distances have historically hindered timely access to medical care for many residents in coastal areas.
According to her, the initiative is designed to bridge that gap and ensure that geographical location no longer determines access to emergency medical services.
She added that the intervention reflects the commitment of the Rivers State Government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara to provide equitable healthcare access for all residents, regardless of location.
Also speaking, Vice Chairman of the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism, Dr. Ayo Ipinmoye, commended the state government for prioritising healthcare delivery to underserved communities.
He described the initiative as a significant step toward ensuring equitable access to health services, particularly for people living in remote areas who often face barriers to timely medical attention.
Ipinmoye stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among government agencies, community leaders, development partners, and healthcare professionals to sustain improved healthcare delivery.
The Tide reports that the boat ambulance initiative is expected to enhance rapid emergency response across both land and water terrains, ensuring quicker medical intervention in critical situations.
John Bibor
-
Sports4 days agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Sports4 days agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Sports4 days agoInsurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
-
Sports4 days agoYouth Olympics preparation Gears up
-
Sports4 days agoCologne Youth Team Set Crowd Record
-
Sports4 days agoTornadoes Set For NPFL exit over Stadium Ban
-
Sports4 days agoBarca Pull Out Of Super League Project
-
Sports4 days agoPalmer Stars As Chelsea Compound Wolves Woes