Oil & Energy
Expert Warns Against Oil Crisis In Ogoni
As oil exploration resumes in Ogoniland, an expert in the oil and gas industry, Engineer Eddie Wikina has cautioned stakeholders within and outside Ogoni against instigating crisis in the area.
He advocated for a careful handling of issues bordering on the clean-up of the polluted Ogoni environment and resumption of oil exploratory activities in the area.
Wikina, who gave the warning in a press statement made available to The Tide called for a more pragmatic approach in addressing the issues at stake; noting that Ogonis were yet to recover from the crisis that ravaged the land in the past as a result of oil politics.
“Ogoni has borne the brunts of oil politics over the years. Of all the Niger Delta communities, Ogoni is the least beneficiary of the struggle for better right of place in the Nigeria neconomy, despite playing a leading role. We cannot afford another oil related crisis in the area when previous issues raised have not been addressed”, he said.
The Ogoni-born international business executive, said critical issues on the imperatives of justice and the restoration of Ogoni environment should be addressed to justify confidence in any negotiation process.
He described the emergence of splinter groups with various appellations and vested interest as unrepresentative of the ideals of the Ogoni struggle, and called on all stakeholders in the area to harmonise their various positions so as to promote sustainable peace and development in Ogoni.
He said: “Today, various groups are coming up in Ogoni, with claims of mandate to speak for the people. This is not in the best interest of the Ogoni, as we cannot achieve anything concrete with such divisions and splinter voices. No single group has the mandate to speak for Ogoni, all relevant stakeholders in the area must be involved in any issue relating to the development of Ogoni; the process has to be consultative”.
Engr Wikina also expressed dissatisfaction over the quality and competence of the companies seeking to come to Ogoni for resumption of oil exploration activities.
According to him, most of the companies so far mentioned to be prospecting for Ogoni oil lack evidence of requisite capacity in line with modern industry standards.
“Ogoni is in dire need of development and cannot compromise the chances of putting the area on a strong economic footing. Any company coming into Ogoni must have a track record of excellence in practice and service and must be ready to dialogue with Ogoni stakeholders for active community participation in the process”, he stated.
Speaking on the Ogoni environmental clean-up, Wikina decried the delay in the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Project(UNEP) recommendations in Ogoni.
He regretted that the Ogoni cleanup exercise has become a subject of partisan politics and called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to expedite action on the clean-up process and restore the devastated Ogoni environment.
Taneh Beemene
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