Niger Delta
Presidential Aide Makes Case For Modular Refineries
Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, said it was time Nigeria embraced modular refining of oil and develop local capacity in the sub-sector.
Enang, who made this known when he featured on News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, said that rather than destroy “illegal refineries’’ in the Niger Delta, the operators should be encouraged and regulated.
He said with plans by some developed economies to ban the use of petrol-driven cars in a few years, Nigeria should develop its refining capacity to stand up to any surprise that may come up.
He explained that if the use of electric cars was actualised in the near future, the countries refining Nigeria’s crude may stop refining, leaving the country with no option but to refine its crude.
According to the presidential aide, it is expedient for Nigeria to think ahead by developing and integrating the modular refineries.
“Some countries of the world have given notice that they are no more going to use petrol and some petroleum by-products in a very short while.
“You know it is what they stop using that they will send to the third world countries and when they stop using petrol cars, they may also stop refining for you.
“This makes it absolutely necessary for us as a country to develop our refining capacity by integrating the local refineries and stop calling them illegal.
“Let us think of the cost of sending soldiers to these creeks, the cost of accommodating and equipping them to destroy the refineries,” he said.
He, however, stated that some people were taking advantage of the situation to enrich themselves.
“Why do some big men want to be posted to be in charge of those areas? In fact, only few of those refineries are destroyed and shown on camera.
“So, we better face the reality and regulate them, give them the license and crude. If you do not give them the crude they will take it any way.
“These people do not break the pipeline for the oil to spill, they break the pipeline to take the crude, so, if you give them the crude they will not break the pipeline.’’
Enang said contrary to beliefs that the operators of the “illegal refineries” had no technical know-how, most of them were graduates with detailed knowledge on refining of crude and an organised chain of activities.
He noted that, “the operators of these refineries in the creeks have trainees. The graduates among them train the other ones. There are those who go for the crude.
“There are those who see to the refining, there are those who manage the post-refining disposal and there are those who manage the relocation of the products.
“Also, there are those who manage the security. That is, those that relate with the appropriate persons to know when security agencies are coming for them to know when to move to another location.
“Besides, the crude being refined by these local refineries is in the market, particularly in the South-South.
“Some people have two generating sets, one is called the NNPC generator and the other is for the locally manufactured product and they sell them officially.’’
The special assistant added that if the modular refineries were given licenses to operate legally, it would go a long way in protecting the environment as well as create job opportunities.
He stressed that local refineries polluted the environment because they produced in very frenzy circumstances.
Enang explained that if they were allocated land, given licenses to produce and given protection, and their products bought by government and sold to Nigerians, it would help to develop the economy.
“The current approach makes it in such a way that they run from soldiers, Navy and other security operatives.
“In the process of running, they move with the refined products and leave the waste to damage the environment.
“Do not forget that we trained these children in petroleum refining and engineering, petroleum technology and other relevant fields.’’
Enang commended Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo for visiting Delta, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari to announce Federal Government’s intention to integrate the local refineries into the system.
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.