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Shell, FG Voice Doubts Over Forcados Operations

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More than seven months after it was shut down, the Forcados export terminal remains offline, with the operator, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Federal Government, represented the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), saying they are unsure when the facility near Warri, Delta State, will resume crude oil lifting to international markets.
It would be recalled that September 21, 2016, had marked exactly seven months that Shell declared force majeure on crude lifting for export from Forcados terminal.
The force majeure, a legal clause that allows it to stop shipments without breaching contracts, came a week after the Forcados export line was attacked by the Niger Delta Avengers.
During the attack, the militants blew up a subsea pipeline feeding the terminal, knocking out, at least, 250,000 barrels per day of the nation’s oil exports.
Government officials had said the terminal was expected to resume in May, but that did not happen, as the reopening was pushed back to June, and again, to September.
But while responding to inquiries by newsmen, Corporate Media Relations Manager, Shell Nigeria, Mr. Precious Okolobo, said he could not tell when the terminal would come back on stream.
According to him, “The repairs are in progress; so, we cannot give precise timing on when the pipeline will be reopened”.
Similarly, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in its latest monthly report, said its subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), lost over N27billion in July due to the force majeure declared by the SPDC as a result of the vandalised 48-inch Forcados export line.
The representative of the Federal Government in the joint venture operations of the oil and gas business, did not also state when the Forcados export terminal will resume crude oil lifting.
The NNPC, rather, said crude oil production in the country had in May plummeted to 1.69 million bpd following uptick in pipeline vandalism in the volatile Niger Delta region.
The NNPC said, “Subsisting force majeure at the Forcados terminal means that about 380,000bopd remain shut-in. Cargoes were deferred until repairs are completed.
“Also, the nation has lost over 1,500 megawatts to the damage at Forcados, which accounted for 40-50 per cent of gas production,” the NNPC added.
It is still uncertain when the Forcados pipeline will come back on stream as repairs have yet to be concluded.
According to the Head of Energy Research, Ecobank Capital, Mr. Dolapo Oni, “The terminal was supposed to come online last week; I don’t know why that announcement has not been made yet.
“We can’t afford another one month of having it offline, especially considering our foreign exchange position. The naira is now down to N480 to a dollar,” he added.
According to Bloomberg’s ship-tracking data, no tankers have loaded from the terminal so far since mid-February, 2016.
It revealed that eight cargoes are scheduled to load in October, with a further six planned for November.
Seven Energy, an integrated gas company in South-East Nigeria with upstream oil and gas interests in the region, said it lifted no oil from the Mining Leases 4, 38 and 41 during the first half of the year due to the shutdown of the Forcados terminal and declaration of force majeure by Shell from mid-February.
The International Energy Agency had in April estimated that Nigeria could lose up to $1billion in revenue by May, when repairs of the Forcados terminal were expected to be completed.
The IEA had said, “The Forcados terminal in Delta State, one of Nigeria’s biggest terminals, was scheduled to load 250,000 barrels of crude per day. At $40 per barrel, Nigeria could stand to lose an estimated $1billion between February, when the force majeure was declared, and May, when repairs are expected to be completed.”
It would be recalled that the Niger Delta Avengers, had claimed responsibility for Forcados pipeline attack, and many other attacks in the region.
Other groups have also claimed responsibility for some attacks, including Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM).
The groups have primarily targeted pipelines belonging to oil majors Shell, ENI and Chevron, the NNPC itself, and the Nigerian company, Aiteo.
Exports of multiple crude oil grades, including Bonny Light, Forcados, Brass River and Qua Iboe have been under periods of force majeure since the beginning of this year, meaning that companies are released from export obligations as a result of circumstances beyond their control.
Former group managing directors of the NNPC had, at the end of a recent meeting with the current GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said the attacks were putting the nation’s oil industry at risk of total collapse.

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May Day: Labour Seeks Inclusiveness In Policy-making 

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The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.

The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.

The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.

Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.

He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights  of workers by some agents

According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.

Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.

“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.

“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.

“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said

Ajaero, therefore,  urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.

He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to  demand better conditions is non-negotiable.

“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”

Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.

He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.

 

 

 

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2025 UTME: JAMB Disowns Site Requesting Payment From Candidates

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.

The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.

“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.

“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.

“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.

” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.

“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.

Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.

According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.

He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.

He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.

He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”

“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.

“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.

“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.

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NDDC Seeks UN’s Support To Accelerate Niger Delta Development

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.

Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.

According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.

He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.

“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.

Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.

He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.

“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.

“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.

The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.

Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.

In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.

He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.

“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.

“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.

He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.

 

 

 

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