News
Tai Ready For Oil Exploration, Monarch Tells Shell
A Paramount Ruler in Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State, Mene Tuatua, Tai Kpite, Samuel Nnee has declared that Tai people were ready for oil exploration by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria and its Joint Venture partners.
Nnee made the declaration in Port Harcourt during a one-day stakeholders’ engagement organised by SPDC-JV for host communities in Tai as part of strategies to find lasting solution to the scourge of sabotage of oil facilities and illegal bunkering.
The traditional ruler noted that Tai’s economy was booming when Shell was operating in the area, but regretted that since the company withdrew its operations following agitations and stiff opposition, the area has been desolate while crime rate has increased because of the army of jobless youth.
According to him, “Those making agitations that Shell should not resume exploration and production in the area don’t have any oil while some Ogoni people are using the opportunity for their personal aggrandizement,” adding that, “The time has come when people should stop using Ogoni oil for the purpose of their personal economic gain.”
He further stated that even though SPDC was stopped from operating in the area since the early 1990s, its pipeline still cuts across Ogoni and carries crude from other areas to Bonny, and urged to sheathe their sword and come together to allow SPDC start operation in the area to rejuvenate Ogoni economy and create more employment opportunities for the people.
The Mene Tuatua Tai challenged SPDC to enlist locals in its pipeline surveillance management to tame pipeline vandalism, illegal oil refining and related activities.
Also speaking, the Sector 3 Commander, Operations Delta Safe (OPDS), Col Fadairo Ayobami Oluremi urged host communities to advise their youth against pipeline vandalism, illegal oil refining and other related activities, warning that the command would no longer fold its arm and watch critical national assets decimated in the region.
Represented by Captain Afam Chidi, the commander said that drastic measures were being taken to ensure that whoever was caught is prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Rivers State, Dr Emmanuel Urang, said the government was no longer business as a result of the recession, and called for synergy to make the state investors’ haven as government was doing everything possible to create enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Represented by the Director, Pollution Inspectorate, Ministry of Environment, Dr Charles George, Urang said that the presence of HYPREP in Ogoni has given hope that the best parameters would be used to bring about environmental sustainability for the benefit of all stakeholders.
On his part, the Shell General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli said that SPDC-JV was willing and ready to partner with relevant stakeholders and host communities to ensure friendly and conducive environment for business, promising that the company would not shirk on its corporate social responsibilities.
The Head Shell Pipeline Right of Way (RoW), Mr Sekobe Afohron said all stakeholders have a stake in the prosperity of the business, saying that pipeline vandalism and sabotage were twin evils that must be crushed through partnership and collaboration.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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