Oil & Energy
COVID-19: FG Only Interested In Rivers Oil Revenue – Lawmaker

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, says the Federal Government has no love for the state, but is only interested in the oil revenue from the state.
Amaewhule stated this when he called on telephone to participate in a live radio programme monitored by our correspondent in Port Harcourt.
Amaewhule, who represents Obio/Akpor Constituency 1 in the state legislature echoed what Governor Nyesom Wike said that it was wrong for the Federal Government to be mounting pressure on oil companies for the purpose of drilling oil even at this time when the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) was ravaging every part of the world.
He commended the state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for taking the right steps and for being proactive in taking measures aimed at checking the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, saying, “What the state government has done is in the right direction and it is only important that the Federal Government supports the Rivers State Government in its efforts.
“I want to say that what the governor said in his broadcast that the Federal Government is mounting pressure on oil companies in the state for the purpose of drilling oil only shows how the Federal Government looks at Rivers State. Federal Government only looks at Rivers State as a state that produces oil and brings revenue to the Federal Government.
“The Federal Government has no love for this state and I must say it is quite regrettable that the federal government would look at a state like this that has many multinationals coming in, people coming in from all countries of the world and the Federal Government has not deemed it necessary to bring a testing centre to Rivers State.
“ If there has to be testing centers in this country, about five of them, Rivers State deserves to have one, at least to look at these multinationals coming in, to know their status. That is exactly what the governor is saying. Those who are calling in (phoning into the programme) and supporting the Federal Government are not even thinking far. If these people are coming in from all nooks and crannies of the world, what is their status? Nobody is concerned. We need to know. Have they been tested? What is going to happen if they all flood into the state?”
The State Assembly leader further said, Rivers or any other state that has any case does not need to request assistance form the Federal Government, noting that all the latter ought to do is to be proactive rather than wait till the number of persons infected by the Coronavirus climbs to a certain figure before intervening.
“So much money has been given to Lagos, about N10nillion as we heard. Rivers State Government does not need to make a request. All states that have index cases don’t need to make any request. Federal Government just need to be proactive. Now that the state government is doing so much, all that the federal government needs to do is give support to the state so that whatsoever the state government is doing to make sure that the disease does not spread is maintained; because when that is done, it will reduce the burden of the Federal Government.
“Federal Government will have less work to do because you have a proactive governor like His Excellency, Nyesom Wke. What the Federal Government ought to do is to identify those states that have cases of Covid-19 and give the support in order for them to continue doing what they are doing to curb the scourge.
“If they (FG) don’t do anything and wait for any state to have 50, 100 or 1000 cases before they come, it would have been too late. So I think the Federal Government needs a change of attitude. There should be no politics in this thing because it is a global problem, so all hands must be on deck to tackle this pandemic,” Amaewhule advised.
Oil & Energy
Nigeria Loses More Crude Oil Than Some OPEC Members – Nwoko

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
Oil & Energy
Tap Into Offshore Oil, Gas Opportunities, SNEPCO Urges Companies

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.
Oil & Energy
Administrator Assures Community Of Improved Power Supply

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