News
Don’t Reopen TFP, Militants Warn FG, Shell …Says Oct 29 Parley, A Facade
The Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM), has warned the Federal Government and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) against reopening the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP) shut-in since February, 2016, following alleged attacks on the strategic national asset.
The militant group, which gave the warning in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Aldo Agbalaja, and made available to The Tide at the weekend, said: “We do not have much to say to the oil companies than to just dare you to reopen the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP). We are aware you are experts at testing wills, especially as you believe that you have a military shield. Please go ahead and restart the facility, and see what will happen.”
The group said, “We are not deterred from meting out justice to the abusers and pillagers of our people and our natural assets; we shall execute this ongoing campaign until last vestiges of our enemies, including the conniving oil and gas companies and their criminal partners, the military, have been vanquished and evacuated from our land. This can only be halted if these leeches listen to the voice of reason, and seek to do the needful for our people and do so by taking the right steps.”
The Tide reports that the Trans Forcados Pipeline conveys most of the Nigerian crude oil from the Western Operations of SPDC, and some other firms, including Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), to the Forcados Crude Export Terminal, near Warri, Delta State.
It was learnt that the shutting down of the facility for months, has greatly affected Nigeria’s ability to meet its crude export obligations to buyers in the international markets, thereby further forcing a huge depletion in national revenue to meet 2016 budget targets.
The group also warned the Federal Government against negotiating with questionable characters on behalf of the Niger Delta people, saying “We are 100 per cent against the October 29th meeting, we consider it an impersonation of the people of the Niger Delta and their interest.”
The militants emphasised that, “If the Federal Government wants to meet with the people of the region, it cannot be through an organ put together by persons of doubtful character and definitely not those associated with the causes of our long history of neglect and impoverishment, the different peoples of the region can raise young, sincere grassroots persons, who have been known among them to be free of today’s Nigerian corruption scandals.
“The Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate has nothing against the people of the region reaching an agreement with the Federal Government, what we find offensive is the entity that is about to, as it has done in the past, steal the identity of our people to hoodwink government,” it noted.
According to the group, “By the time an agreement is reached with this so-called Pan-Niger Delta Dialogue Team, Chief E.K Clark’s new conduit, the current disaffection in the region will remain because the old man has his model of doing things, which ultimately sidelines the people of the region, to satisfy the greed of a few.”
The group promised to “release the names of credible grassroots leaders and traditional rulers who shall be representing the upland region in any form of negotiation/dialogue with the president Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.”
Chinenye Nwabueze
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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