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MEND Threatens To Shut Shell Operations Over Alleged LC Act Violation

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has threatened to shut down operations of oil major, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), over its alleged contravention of Local Content Act pertaining to the appointment of expatriates.
The threat is contained in an electronic mail by MEND’s spokesperson, ‘General’ Gbomo Jommo, yesterday.
The statement said MEND’s attention had been drawn to the alleged nefarious activities of the SPDC which is intended to instigate fresh crises in the Niger Delta and the nation at large.
It said their bitterness bordered on the alleged violation of the Nigerian Content Development Act 2010 and the politics of selective implementation as demonstrated by the SPDC.
MEND said contrary to the provisions of the Act, the SPDC had allegedly continued to disrespectfully engage and retain the services of expatriates in strategic positions that should be held by qualified local content personnel.
The militant group said: “For the avoidance of doubt, we like to point out a clear example of such disrespect for the Act – the appointment and retention of a certain Mr. De Meyer Thierry as manager of Well Engineering.
“It is imperative to note that the office of general manager of Well Engineering in the SPDC before the advent of the Local Content Act in Nigeria was occupied by expatriates (foreigners, ‘the whites’).
“As a matter of fact, the office was occupied by Mr Hans Flikeman (an expatriate). Upon the advent of the Act, however, critical stakeholders including the Ijaw Youth Council, Ijaw National Congress and others took it up with the oil giant, which led to the appointment of Mr Oluruntoba Akinmoladun as the first indigenous general manager of Well Engineering. Thankfully, Mr. Oluruntoba was able to complete his tenure in the company.
“In keeping with the tenure and provisions of the Act, the SPDC upon the expiration of Akinmoladun’s tenure appointed Mr Isaac Iyamu, as general manager. He, thus, took over from Mr. Oluruntoba Akinmoladun.
“Owing to the trademark character of racism and divide and rule, the SPDC framed up Mr Isaac Iyamu and removed him subsequently as manager of Well Engineering in its operations.
“To our utter surprise, they replaced him with an expatriate, a ‘white man’ in utter violation of the Local Content Act. The expatriate who they used in replacing Isaac Iyamu is a certain Mr. De Meyer Thierry. We watched in anger as De Meyer Thierry served out the remainder of the tenure of Isaac Iyamu.
“Again, it is important to point out that the tenure of De Meyer Thierry has now elapsed but the SPDC has continued to retain him as general manager, Well Engineering contrary to the provisions of law. Here lies our bitterness and anger.”
MEND noted that SPDC could not dare to infringe the laws in its home country but felt absolute that it could take the nation and its laws for a ride.
The group said by the oil firm’s action, it was inviting crises in the Niger Delta and as well setting the stage to endanger its operations in the region.
The MEND added: “At a time like this when all hands are on deck to ensure peace in the energy vault and economic hub of the nation, Shell is conversely setting the stage to turn the hands of the clock to the dark old days of total unrest.
“May we here state that we will not beg the SPDC to do the right thing. We will never, never do that! We are by this letter giving Shell a marching ultimatum to immediately replace De Meyer Thierry with a Niger Deltan in line with the Local Content Act, or face a total dismantling of its operations, including the generality of oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta.
“The SPDC is hereby advised to look within its rank and file, of which we are sure there are eminently qualified Niger Deltan people to occupy that office as provided by law. We urge them to forthwith put an end to their white supremacist tendency in the interest of peace.
The group, therefore, urged the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, the group managing director of NNPC and all other concerned agencies to use their good offices to save the economy and the nation from this imminent crisis that the SPDC intended to bring upon the people.”
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Tribunal Verdicts, Affirmation Of People’s Trust In Us – Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the judgment of the Governorship Election Tribunal that upheld his election victory as a confirmation of the trust expressed in him by Rivers people.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Boniface Onyedi, in Government House, Port Harcourt.
At a brief thanksgiving service held at the Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday night, which was attended by some members of the State Executive Council and political leaders, Fubara restated his commitment not to betray the expectations of Rivers people on his administration.
He explained that the place of God in his administration would not be compromised, which is why they had gathered to thank Him for His unceasing direction and guidance.
He added that his emergence as governor was made possible at the polls by God, insisting that His favour has now been affirmed by the tribunal.
Fubara particularly thanked the immediate past Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, for his immense support to his governorship bid, following through the stages of the legal contest.
He also thanked the Rivers people for rallying behind him to allow the will of God to prevail for the State.
The governor, who solicited for more support, enjoined Rivers people to be patient with his administration, promising to deliver good governance that will make their lives better.
In his exhortation, the Chaplain of the Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Government House, Port Harcourt, Rev. Barasin Ogan, said it is good to give God thanks, which is what the governor has done.
Ogan declared that the hand of God is upon Fubara and will strengthen him to work in mercy, delivering justice without bias and showing mercy without ceasing.
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Senate Warns Tinubu Against Extra-Budgetary Spending

The Senate Committee on Gas has urged President Bola Tinubu to present a 2023 Supplementary Budget to the National Assembly to commence his Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe made this known in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, barely 48 hours after Tinubu announced measures to mitigate the effect of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.
The chairman, who lauded Tinubu for the CNG initiative, however, warned that it would be illegal to spend taxpayers’ money or money without approval by the National Assembly and other projects in the gas value chain, which is cheaper than the use of fossil fuel.
The federal lawmakers also advised against extra-budgetary expenditure through ‘Ways and Means,’ saying the legislature is ready to support and bring succour to Nigerian people.
“The noble initiative will ameliorate the hardship of the citizens. Also, the President needs to come up with a supplementary budget to enable the government to fund the gas value chain, including the provision for CNG infrastructure and CNG vehicles, and the workshops and training would need to be funded,” the senator said.
“The President should not embark on extra-budgetary expenditure because it will be inconsistent with the provisions of the law”, he cautioned.
Jarigbe noted that the National Assembly, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, was poised to support the great programmes of Tinubu’s administration, adding that a 2023 supplementary budget would be most appropriate, instead of the ‘Ways and Means’ approach of the previous administration, which is currently a major issue of contention in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
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NDIC Begins Payment Of N16bn To 20 Defunct Banks’ Shareholders

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced the declaration of N16.18 billion in liquidation dividends to depositors, creditors, and shareholders of 20 banks in liquidation.
The announcement comes after impressive recoveries from debtors and realisation of assets of banks in liquidation.
The corporation’s Director, Communication and Public Affairs, Bashir Nuhu, made this known in a statement on Monday.
The NDIC said it had commenced verification and payment of stakeholders covered by the declarations within 30 days, starting from September 28.
The statement reads partly, “It is instructive to note that the ongoing payment is sequel to earlier payment of various sums which cumulatively amounted to N45.45bn as liquidation dividends in respect of the 20 banks as at July 2023.”
The closed banks covered by the exercise include Liberty Bank, City Express Bank, Assurance Bank, Century Bank, Allied Bank, Financial Merchant Bank, Icon Merchant Bank, Progress Bank, Merchant Bank of Africa (MBA), and Premier Commercial Bank.
Others are North South Bank, Prime Merchant Bank, Commercial Trust Bank, Cooperative and Commerce Bank, Rims Merchant Bank, Pan African Bank, Fortune Bank, All States Trust Bank, Nigeria Merchant Bank, and Amicable Bank in-liquidation.
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