News
NNPC’s Subsidiary Seeks Amaechi’s Support On Security
The Port Harcourt Refining Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has solicited the support and cooperation of the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to help secure crude oil supply pipelines in the state and ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products to Rivers State and other parts of the country.
The new Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Mr Ian G. Udoh made the appeal when he led a delegation of top managers of the company on a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “Our main mission here is to while seeking ongoing support and cooperation from Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, we also need very strong support in securing the crude oil supply pipeline. Similar measures have been taken, successes have been achieved in the product evacuation line”.
He named the problems confronting the Port Harcourt Refining Company to include pipeline vandalization and crude oil and products theft.
According to him, the vandalization of oil pipelines disrupt the normal supply of petroleum products and sought the governor’s assistance to fight the menace.
“This is the greatest threat to the existence of refining in this country, also to this Port Harcourt Refining Company and its operations. The crude oil supply pipelines have been under a spate of unprecedented attacks in recent times and products evacuation pipelines suffer similar threats”, he said.
The Managing Director on a brighter note, said the Port Harcourt Refining Company was until very recently in production of six million litres of petrol per day and 17 million litres of product daily collectively, stating that the company has zero tolerance for harmful effluent to the environment.
Udoh disclosed that all NNPC refineries in the country would in the next few years undergo an original builder – led rehabilitation that would increase their capacity utilization to 90 per cent.
On corporate social responsibility, the Managing Director noted that there is a good relationship between the Port Harcourt Refining Company and its host communities.
He congratulated Governor Amaechi on his most recent Vanguard Personality of the Year 2012 Award, describing the award as “an eloquent testimony Sir of your record of outstanding service to the good people of Rivers State. Your government has hallmarks of commitment, hard work and above all innovation. You have also brought about a congenial and relatively peaceful atmosphere that engenders economic growth both for individuals, the economy and the entrepreneurship in Rivers State. This is just one of the many accolades you have received and will continue to receive”.
Responding, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi said: “Let me welcome you to Port Harcourt and say to you that it brings me joy when you say that there is an improvement in refining in Nigeria. Hope you know that you are fighting a group of people that would prefer importation of finished product than for it to be refined here, so I will partner with you in that regard and I wish you success”.
While he expressed his administration’s readiness to secure crude oil supply pipelines in the state, he urged the Port Harcourt Refining Company and other oil multinationals in the state to be truly involved to work with the state government to provide the needed security for oil pipelines, disclosing that the state government has acquired two surveillance helicopters for checking crime in the state.
“You must then join the oil companies to bear the cost of operations and maintenance, yearly or monthly, I don’t want to know how, because we brought the money to be able to purchase those two helicopters. They are bullet-proof, they are equipped with sophisticated security gadgets and they record in real time”, Amaechi said.
The governor also appealed to the Port Harcourt Refining Company to consistently carry out its corporate social responsibilities to its host communities in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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