Oil & Energy
Ogoni Youths Graduate From Livewire Programme
A total of 105 youths
across Ogoni communities in Rivers State have graduated from the Livewire (Alternative Livehood) programme organised by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) in partnership with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA).
The youths were trained in Beauty therapy, welding and fabrication, computer, carpentry, catering, Basic fashion and tailoring skills, electrical, among other trades.
At a graduation ceremony last week at WTTC Bori, the Managing Director and Country Chair of SPDC, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, said the lucky youths graduated after a three months intensive training.
“We are happy about the successful completion of the Livewire training programme, and are pleased to see this group of young entrepreneurs start up businesses that will contribute to the economic development of communities”, Mutiu said.
The SPDC boss stated that the initiative which started in 2003 is part of a global flagship programme for youth enterprise development intervention in Nigeria.
The Shell MD who was represented at the event by the Manager, Ogoni Restoration Project, Mr Austin Igbuku said the programme which has undergone some improvements over the years, now provides access to an incubation centre to support growth and establishment of new businesses, mentoring by already successful entrepreneurs, an alumni network, as well as Shell supplier opportunities.
“The programme also encourages the establishment of co-operatives, which can be achieved when trainees in the same skill area agree to pool resources to set-up and co-own a business with the support of our implementing partners”, Mutiu said, stressing the need for trainees to work hard and remain steadfast at their various ventures irrespective of challenges.
In his own speech, the Executive Director of RSSDA, Mr Noble Pepple, expressed excitement at the success of the partnership and noted that such initiative was part of the mandate given to the agency to improve people of the state and the local economy.
The Executive Director who was represented by the Manager, Business Development and Job Creation in RSSDA, Mrs Blessing Daniel-Kalio said the agency trained the youths thoroughly in theory and practical and expressed confidence that with the quality of training, the trainees stand the chance of competing favourably in the open market and urged them to put the knowledge acquired into good use.
The Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Godwin Giniwa, expressed joy at the event and said the initiative would have a positive multiplier effect on the development of Ogoni communities.
The Majesty who was represented by Chief Sunday Nsane, Paramount ruler of Koroma Tai lauded SPDC and RSSDA and other stakeholders who contributed to the successful completion of the programme and advised the graduands to take full advantage of the programme to develop themselves and train others.
Highlight of the event was the handover of starter pack to the happy graduands and excellence awards to those who emerged first in various trades.
Chris Oluoh
Nigeria’s losses due to crude oil theft has been said to be more significant than those of some other members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC).
The Chairman, Senate Ad- hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Senator Ned Nwoko, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Nwoko noted with dismay the detrimental impact of the issue, which, he said include economic damage, environmental destruction, and its impact on host communities.
According to him, the theft was not only weakening the Naira, but also depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District described the scale of the theft as staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day.
Nwoko disclosed that the ad hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft, which he chairs, recently had a two-day public hearing on the rampant theft of crude oil through illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and the systemic gaps in the regulation and surveillance of the nation’s petroleum resources.
According to him, the public hearing was a pivotal step in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the nation.
‘’Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually to crude oil theft. This is severely undermining our economy, weakening the Naira and depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social development.
‘’The scale of this theft is staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day more than some OPEC member nations produce.
‘’This criminal enterprise fuels corruption, funds illegal activities and devastates our environment through spills and pollution.
‘’The public hearing was not just another talk shop; it was a decisive platform to uncover the root causes of crude oil theft, bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
‘’It was a platform to evaluate the effectiveness of existing surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms; Identify regulatory and legislative gaps that enable these crimes to thrive.
‘’It was also to engage stakeholders, security agencies, host communities, oil companies, regulators, and experts to proffer actionable solutions; and strengthen legal frameworks to ensure stricter penalties and more efficient prosecution of offenders”, he said.
Nwoko noted that Nigeria’s survival depended
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) has called on Nigerian companies to position themselves strategically to take full advantage of the growing opportunities in upcoming offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
The Managing Director, SNEPCO, Ronald Adams, made the call at the 5th Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) Conference, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, last Thursday.
Adams highlighted the major projects, including Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North, and the Bonga Main Life Extension, as key areas where Nigerian businesses can grow their capacity and increase their involvement.
“Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) says Nigerian companies have a lot to benefit if they are prepared to take advantage of more opportunities in its offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
“Projects such as Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North and Bonga Main Life Extension could grow Nigerian businesses and improve their expertise if they applied themselves seriously to executing higher value contracts”, Adams stated.
Adams noted that SNEPCo pioneered Nigeria’s deepwater oil exploration with the Bonga development and has since played a key role in growing local industry capacity.
He emphasized that Nigerian businesses could expand in key areas like logistics, drilling, and the construction of vital equipment such as subsea systems, mooring units, and gas processing facilities.
The SNEPCO boss explained that since production began at the Bonga field in 2005, SNEPCo has worked closely with Nigerian contractors to build systems and develop a skilled workforce capable of delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget both in Nigeria and across West Africa.
According to him, this long-term support has enabled local firms to take on key roles in managing the Bonga Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which reached a major milestone by producing its one-billion barrel of oil on February 3, 2023.
The Emohua Local Government Area Administrator, Franklin Ajinwo, has pledged to improve electricity distribution in Oduoha Ogbakiri and its environs.
Ajinwo made the pledge recently while playing host in a courtesy visit to the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, in his office in Rumuakunde.
He stated that arrangements are underway to enhance available power, reduce frequent outages, and promote steady electricity supply.
The move, he said, was aimed at boosting small and medium-scale businesses in the area.
“The essence of power is not just to have light at night. It’s for those who can use it to enhance their businesses”, he said.
The Administrator, who commended the peaceful nature of Ogbakiri people, urged the Chiefs to continue in promoting peace and stability, saying “meaningful development can only thrive in a peaceful environment”.
He also charged the Chiefs to protect existing infrastructure while promising to address the challenges faced by the community.
Earlier, the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, led by HRH Eze Goodluck Mekwa Eleni Ekenta XV, expressed gratitude to the Administrator over his appointment and pledged their support to his administration.
The chiefs highlighted challenges facing the community to include incessant power outage, need for new transformers, and the completion of Community Secondary School, Oduoha.
The visit underscored the community’s expectations from the LGA administration.
With Ajinwo’s assurance of enhancing electricity distribution and promoting development, the people of Oduoha Ogbakiri said they look forward to a brighter future.
By: King Onunwor