Oil & Energy

Youth Laud N’ Delta Leaders On Demands

Published

9 years ago

November 7, 2016

Youths of the Niger Delta region have commended Niger Delta leaders on their 16-point presentation before the Federal Government.

The youths who made the commendation under the aegis of the Niger Delta Youth Coalition (NDYC) said that there was wisdom in the presentation made before the Federal Government, noting that if actualized, the step would remedy the loss, injustice and marginalization of the region.

In an interview with The Tide, Saturday in Port Harcourt, NDYC National Coordinator, Prince Emmanuel Ogba, however, stressed the need for full participation of the oil-producing and bearing host communities in the exploration of oil and gas in their areas.

“It is by involving the host community people that they would get their fair share or quota of employment, protect the oil facilities as co-owners and ensure standard operations as observed in other parts of the world where oil and gas are being produced.

.“The community people should rather partner with multinationals on exploration of oil and pay tax to the Federal Government. That’s what obtains in other oil producing nations of the world, and Nigeria cannot be an exemption,” he said.

Ogba urged the National Assembly to enact Petroleum Industry Bill that would observe international standard and due benefit to the communities on whose land God deposited the oil and gas.

He also decried the high level degradation in the region and called the government not to limit remediation to Ogoniland alone, but to extend the clean-up exercise to all oil producing communities in the region.

The group called on the militant groups to stop their attack on oil facilities, emphasizing that it was wrong for the militants to continue with their attacks while negotiation is going on.

“Let all the aggrieved militant groups, stop destroying oil and gas installations and give the Federal Government time, say, for one year, if no tangible result is noticed, they can question why,” he said while advising the government to check its utterances and ensure they do not provoke the boys to negative reactions.

He described the present negotiation as a golden opportunity for Nigeria to get it right and expressed confidence in the presentations so far made to the government.

They NDYC co-ordinator stated that practice of true federalism remained the lasting solution.

“If true federalism is adopted, not just oil and gas producing regions but every other region will be abreast of its benefits and responsibility and there would be less rift,” he said.

Chris Oluoh

Oil & Energy

MIND Slams PENGASSAN, Urges Senate Probe Over Alleged Maltreatment Of Nigerians At TotalEnergies

Published

2 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Movement of Intellectuals for National Development (MIND) has criticized the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over what it describes as an evasive response to allegations concerning the treatment of Nigerian employees at TotalEnergies.

In a statement issued by its Western Coordinator, Ebi Warekromo, MIND expressed disappointment at PENGASSAN’s attempt to distance itself from a petition submitted to the President of the Nigerian Senate, maintaining that its petition is grounded in verified evidence and first hand accounts from affected workers.

Warekromo noted that the submission draws extensively from documented correspondence originating from PENGASSAN’s local branch communications that previously raised concerns about unfair labour practices and managerial misconduct within TotalEnergies.

Among the critical issues highlighted are allegations of workplace bullying and intimidation allegedly perpetrated by certain expatriate staff.

The petition also cites serious security concerns and alleged violations of the Nigerian oil and gas industry content development (NOGICD) act, particularly claims that expatriate positions have been unlawfully extended beyond their approved tenures.

Warekromo who dismissed PENGASSAN’s characterization of the documents as merely ‘internal correspondence’ as weak and disingenuous, insisted that workers’ rights violations and systemic oppression cease to be internal matters once they begin to harm Nigerian employees.

The group argued that confidentiality must not be used as a shield for injustice, stressing that internal dispute resolution mechanisms must deliver measurable outcomes.

Where such mechanisms fail, MIND insists that public and legislative oversight becomes necessary

beyond the immediate allegations, questioning PENGASSAN’s independence and effectiveness in representing its members.

The group urged the union to welcome a Senate hearing, describing it as an opportunity to clarify its position, restore credibility, and rebuild trust among workers.

“We are not attacking PENGASSAN. We are responding to the absence of effective representation that has allowed these oppressive practices to persist unchecked”,

MIND emphasised its belief that when unions appear reluctant to act decisively, civil society organizations have a responsibility to intervene in pursuit of justice and equitable labour relations.

Calling for a collaborative response, the group urged workers, unions, regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders to work together toward fostering a healthier and more accountable environment within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

It further reiterated its unwavering commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and urged PENGASSAN to take concrete and transparent steps to fulfill its mandate as a labour union.

Oil & Energy

Elumelu Tasks FG On Power Sector Debt Payment

Published

2 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, has urged the Federal Government to fast-track the settlement of debts owed to electricity generation companies (GenCos).

Elumelu said that the timely payment was imperative to boosting power supply and accelerating economic growth.

Speaking to State House correspondents, shortly after the meeting with President Bola Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Weekend, Elumelu insisted that the debt payment would aid in revitalising the power sector and stabilising the economy while strengthening the Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs).

He said “All of us who are in the power sector are owed significantly, but in spite of that, we continue to generate electricity. We want to see the payments made so that there will be more provision of electricity to the country. Access to electricity is critical for the development of our economy.”

Elumelu, whose conglomerate has major investments in Nigeria’s power industry, stressed that improving electricity supply remains one of the most important enablers of economic expansion, job creation and industrial productivity.

According to him, President Tinubu recognised the urgency of resolving the liquidity challenges in the power sector and is committed to addressing legacy debts to ensure generation companies can scale operations.

“The President realises it, embraces it and is committed to doing more, especially helping to fast-track the payment of the power sector debt so that power generators can do more for the country. That is very, very critical,” he added.

In his assessment of the outlook for 2026, he said growing macroeconomic stability, improved foreign exchange management and sustained reforms in the power sector could position Nigeria for stronger growth — provided implementation remains consistent and structural bottlenecks are addressed.

Elumelu posited that one priority stands out, which is: resolving power sector liquidity challenges to unlock increased electricity generation and energise the Nigerian economy.

Oil & Energy

‘Over 86 Million Nigerians Without Electricity’

Published

2 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria has been said to have more than 86 million of its population still without access to electricity.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, stated this at the Award Ceremony of the Leadership Newspaper, in Abuja, last Thursday.

Mohammed noted that sixty per cent of the world’s best solar resources are on this continent adding that by 2040, Africa could generate ten times more electricity than it needs, and entirely from renewables.

Mohammad regretted that Africa now receives just two per cent of global clean energy investment saying, “And here in Nigeria, more than 86 million people still have no access to electricity at all.”

Expressing concerns over the large population of Nigerians living without access to electricity, the deputy scribe, said however, that Nigeria is responding to this challenge the right way insisting that under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has developed a best-in-class action plan for climate, one that treats climate not as a constraint but as an engine for growth.

According to her, by placing energy access, climate-smart agriculture, clean cooking, and water management at the heart of its development agenda, Nigeria is showing what serious climate leadership looks like but Nigeria cannot close the climate action gap alone.

“Developed countries must the triple adaptation financing, we need for serious contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund, and mobilize 300 billion dollars per year by 2035 for developing countries to succeed. Early warning systems need to reach everyone, so that communities have the means to prepare for climate shocks before they hit.

“And as Africa drives the global renewables revolution, including through its critical minerals, Africans must be the first and primary beneficiaries of the wealth that they generate”, Mohammed stated.