Connect with us

Niger Delta

IYC Seeks Legalisation Of Local Refineries

Published

10 years ago

on

The Ijaw Youths Council
(IYC) has appealed to the Federal Government to allow local refineries to operate in the Niger Delta region.
The Chairman of the council, Mr Udengs Eradiri, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen  in Yenagoa, recently.
Eradiri also urged government to harness the potential of the operators of the local refineries and help in perfecting them to ensure production of high quality petroleum products.
He said formalising the operations of the local refineries would help curb the frequent scarcity of petroleum products in the country and create jobs in the region. According to him, if legalised, the local refineries will also curtail oil theft and make petroleum products available.
“Licensing modular refineries will reduce the pressure on the naira as the foreign exchange spent on importing the products will be conserved. Eradiri commended the Minister of Solid Mineral, Dr Kayode Fayemi, for encouraging illegal miners to form cooperatives for the formalisation of their activities.
He said that such an arrangement should be extended to the operators of illegal refineries in Niger Delta who had exhibited ingenuity in refining the products in makeshift refineries.
The IYC chairman, however, said that the illegal refineries had adversely impacted on the environment of the Niger Delta region, but said that legalisation of their operations would prevent this. “We welcome the idea being mooted by the minister of solid minerals and urged the Federal Government to also extend such gestures to the people involved in illegal refining.
“If the skills of these people are further developed, they will be adding to the local refining capacity of the country.
“All that is required is for government to train them, licence them and set the standard for the operation and thousands of jobs will be created.
“We are supporting the idea and shall shortly commence the collation of data on the operators of these ‘bush refineries.’ We will bring them together for government to work with them.
“It is going to block the crude oil leakages and the NNPC will get revenue from the supply of crude to the proposed modular refineries.
“The required environmental standards should be introduced to make their operations safe,” Eradiri said.
He also urged the Federal Government to sustain the amnesty programme, which he said, had guaranteed peace for optimal oil output in the past four years.
“Sustenance of the programme is better than deployment of more troops to the Niger Delta.
“The deployment of troops heightens anxiety and creates disequilibrium in the psyche of the people. The soldiers’ presence leads to conflict with the people and increased violence and crime.
“We recommend that rather than spend funds on deployment of more troops, the amnesty programme which has proved a huge success should be sustained.”

 

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

6 days ago

on

September 12, 2025

By

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
Continue Reading

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

6 days ago

on

September 12, 2025

By

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
Continue Reading

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

6 days ago

on

September 12, 2025

By

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
Continue Reading

Trending