Oil & Energy
Neglect: Eastern Obolo Vows To Disrupt Oil Firms’ Operations
The people of Eastern
Obolo Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, have vowed to frustrate operations of oil companies operating in their area, unless urgent steps are taken by the managements of the oil firms to address issues of neglect and marginalisation against them.
They alleged that despite the huge resources exploited from the area, there was no meaningful project to point to as adding values to the lives of the natives of the area.
Chairman, Eastern Obolo Traditional Rulers’ Council, His Royal Highness Job Job told newsmen Thursday that Eastern Obolo is the highest producer of crude oil in Akwa Ibom State and is hosting a good number of the major multinational oil companies.
Some of the oil firms mentioned were Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), ExxonMobil, Total E and P, Conoil Nigeria Limited, and Amni International Petroleum Development Company.
He alleged that, “since the creation of Eastern Obolo in 1996, not even a kilometer of road has been constructed by the state government.
“The eight-kilometre Okroroete-Elile-Amadaka-Kampa Road had been a subject of campaign promises by past administration. The road had been part of the state budget of 2012, 2013 and 2014 without implementation.
“Indeed, our hopes in the oil companies operating within Eastern Obolo waters have been dashed our people are simply ignored, alienated, neglected and cut off from sustainable development”, he said.
Job further alleged that out of the 4,000 oil spills in the entire Niger Delta recorded from 1956 to date, Easter Obolo alone recorded 143 oil spills with about 65 mystery spills not admitted to by the oil firms, as well as gas flaring, environmental degradation and attendant diseases.
The traditional ruler lamented that the level of marginalisation of the area is so alarming that Eastern Obolo was paid a paltry sum of N250 million by ExxonMobil for development purposes while other catchment localities like Onna got N900 million, Ibeno N1.6 billion, Eket N1.4 billion while Esit Eket got N1.08 billion.
He regretted that over 60 official correspondences had been sent to Amni International Petroleum Development Company Limited by Eastern Obolo Council of Chiefs on the grievances of the area but none had been addressed.
Job, who also stated that since the establishment of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2000, Eastern Obolo is the only core oil producing council area in the state that has not sat on the board of the commission and said for peace to reign in the area, an indigene of the area should be appointed as the Managing Director of NDDC.
The people also demanded construction of access roads to the LGA, delineation of Eastern Obolo State Constituency, establishment of marine police unit to check sea pirates activities in their territorial water.
Other conditions demanded were signing of a MoU with ExxonMobil .
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