News
Militants’ Attack: MOSOP Dismisses NNPC’s Claim On TNP
The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has dismissed reports that the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) that transports some 150,000 barrels of crude oil through Ogoniland to Bonny Export Terminal in Rivers State, was at any time attacked by suspected militants.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had earlier in the week claimed that the TNP had been vandalised by militants in the area.
The President of MOSOP, Legborsi Pyagbara, in a swift reaction to the NNPC’s claim, which was published in some national dailies, dismissed the claim as a figment of the imagination of the corporation, saying that there has not been any militants’ attack on the TNP for some time now.
In the statement signed by the Media/Public Affairs Advisor, Bari-ara Kpalap, MOSOP described the NNPC’s allegation as an attempt to blackmail Ogonis and back its ploy to resume oil production in Ogoniland.
“What we believe is that the whole claim or allegation is a complete attempt to blackmail Ogoni people. If not, NNPC wouldn’t have taken that line because if you look at what has happened, NNPC has not said that this is where the vandalisation of the TNP took place in Ogoni.
“They did not say it happened in Khana, or Eleme or Tai or Gokana. So, which part of Ogoni did the vandalisation take place? This is why we say it is a mere blackmail and an attempt to justify their secret entry into Ogoni to commence oil production and its related activities,” Kpalap added.
The Tide investigation revealed that MOSOP’s reaction is sequel to NNPC report that Nigeria’s crude oil output dropped by 150,000 barrel per day following alleged attack on the Trans Niger Pipeline by suspected militants.
In the report, the corporation had said that suspected militants, had last Monday, vandalised the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Ogoniland in the Niger Delta region, thereby reducing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s crude oil production by 150,000 barrels per day.
According to the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, the country has not been able to sustain the recent gains recorded in crude oil production as a result of the rupturing of pipelines in the region.
When asked if the corporation had been able to sustain the 2.2 million bpd crude production that it announced last week, Baru told journalists in Abuja, “unfortunately, we have not been able to sustain it because we have challenges.
“As I am talking to you, this morning (Monday), the Trans-Niger Pipeline has been breached in Ogoniland, and that is 150,000 barrels of oil that have been knocked off. That has been fairly an issue with that area. We hope we can continue our dialogue and this will return to what it should be.”
The NNPC boss had told stakeholders in Abuja, last week, that the country’s crude production was 2.2 million barrels per day.
Baru, who spoke through the corporation’s Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, Saidu Mohammed, had announced that the country’s crude production was building up.
“We are doing about 2.2 million bpd today, but of course, the intention is to build on that, sustain production and grow it up to three million barrels per day in the next few years,” the GMD had said.
Commenting on the ongoing African Petroleum Producers Organisation extraordinary session in Abuja, Baru stated that Nigeria gave birth to the body.
He said, “In the first instance, Nigeria is the one that gave birth to the African Petroleum Producers Association, which as part of reorganisation, is changing its name to African Petroleum Producers Organisation, and that is giving some form of permanency in the organisation.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
-
Environment3 days ago
World Water Day And Provision Of Clean Water
-
Rivers3 days ago
Abua/Odual Is Simplified -Board Member
-
Niger Delta1 day ago
C’River, Ebonyi Govts Resolve Boundary Dispute
-
Opinion1 day ago
Leveraging On ICT For Timely Retirees’ Payment
-
Politics3 days ago
Gov Mutfwang Harps On Tolerance Among Nigerians
-
Nation3 days ago
WTD: Banigo Advocates Good Hygiene
-
News1 day ago
Nigeria’s 149 Private Varsities Undersubscribed -NUC
-
News1 day ago
Police Neutralise Notorious Cult Leader In Owube Kingdom