News
Eurafric Debunks DPR’s Claims On Okrika Marginal Field
Eurafric Energy Limited has debunked claims by the Federal Government on the revocation of the Dawes Island marginal field and the decision to re-award it to Petralon 54.
The marginal field is owned by a Joint Venture, involving Eurafric, Tako and Petralon.
Addressing the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, Sarki Auwulu, had presented some reasons, including the alleged inactiveness for 17 years.
However, in his submission, Managing Director, Eurafic Energy, Onoriode Odjegba, faulted DPR’s claim that the field was inactive for 17 years.
Odjegba, who attributed it to the restiveness in the Niger Delta, which denied the company access to the field, stated; “Two Force Majeure, FM events of about 10 years cumulatively, severely affected field development activities from license award to date.
“The first FM event which spanned seven years from 2004 to sometime in 2011, was occasioned by militancy within the field area.
“At the height of this, Shell Petroleum Development Company also declared FM; evacuating 235 non-essential personnel from two oil fields, cutting oil production by 30,000 barrels per day.
“Similarly, our technical partner, PA Resources of Sweden declared FM as well and exited the country. This situation persisted until the government of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua commenced the Presidential Amnesty Programme which restored normalcy to the region.
“This fact was corroborated by the DPR in the Dawes Island Marginal field extension letter of March 28, 2011, when it stated, ‘Our records show that you have carried out some activities but not attained production.
“This is in recognition of the fact that there was a spate of restiveness that pervaded the Niger Delta region in the past few years which almost paralysed exploration and production activities in the region.
“The second FM, which occurred between January and June, 2018, involved the seizure of our shuttle vessel, the MT Breakthrough by the Nigerian Navy and subsequently, EFCC.
“This hampered our ability to evacuate produced crude oil and truncated our first extended well test. The ripple effect, however, prevailed till mid-2019 when the DPR gave approval for re-execution of the extended well test.”
He also said, “Although the DPR collectively held Eurafric, Tako and Petralon liable for delay in developing the field, Eurafric wondered why the agency said Petralon has the capacity to make the field viable.”
Expressing its commitment to the development of the field, the managing director, who noted that substantial investments were made over the years, said, “In appreciation of such expenses, his predecessor (Auwulu), made an exemption for fields on stream or showing significant progress towards production during the licence extension of 2015.
“At that time, the DPR utilised a Quantitative Evaluation Criteria and Scoring Chart for assessing performance wherein Fields which scored 70 points and above-termed Fields on stream or showing significant progress towards production, was given a clean bill and granted licence approval.”
He also, said, “Following the restoration of calm in the Niger Delta, Eurafric, together with its partners (Petralon and Tako E&P) successfully executed subsurface studies, mobilised to site and drilled a well.
“As a key part of the process leading to a submission of a Field Development Plan, FDP, Eurafric and partners applied for and received from DPR a permit to execute an Extended Well Test, EWT. Only after the EWT can an FDP be submitted. The licences were revoked just as the EWT was concluded.”
Eurafric described the claim that it had no financial or material investment in the asset as unfounded and grossly misleading, noting that it has funded 75 per cent of all expenses on the field to date.
However, the lawmakers reversed the award of the field to Petralon 54 Limited, stressing that DPR’s action was not fair to all parties.
The committee explained that since the DPR had admitted the JV relationship between Eurafric, Tako, and Petralon, the three parties should benefit from any re-award of the licence.
DPR had revoked 11 marginal field operators’ licences for non-performance, including Dawes Island marginal field in Oil Prospecting Lease, OPL 2006, Rivers State, in April, 2020.
Reacting, Eurafric had filed a motion on notice challenging the revocation and applied for an interim injunction restraining the action.
In its June, 2020 ruling, the Federal High Court in Lagos restrained the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources from accepting bids for eight marginal oilfields, including that of Dawes Island pending determination of the case.
But DPR had awarded the field to Petralon 54 Limited and its partners during the recent marginal oilfield bid round, a development which made Eurafric drag it before the House of Representatives Committee.
It would be recalled that the DPR had in April, 2021, also revoked four Oil Mining Licences (OML), belonging to Addax Petroleum due mainly to the alleged non-development, before President Muhammadu Buhari ordered it to return them to Addax.
A first class traditional ruler in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Aaron Ikuru, has described Nigeria at 65 as a grandfather who cannot provide leadership to other African Countries.
The monarch stated this in an interview at his palace in Ikuru Town, yesterday.
According to him, Nigeria would have been a developed country to set the pace in the whole of Africa, considering its numerous resources.
“Nigeria is a grandfather but not behaving as a grandfather. Our country, Nigeria, before and from the era of Independence was in the state of becoming a great country, but unfortunately is not becoming anything.
“We should be far ahead with what we have in the country. God blessed us, we have almost what it takes in terms of mineral resources, manpower amongst others that can drive speedy development in the country.
“If we’re able to harness all the things we have, even America by now would have respected us”, he said.
While blaming the past leaders of the country, the monarch called on the current leadership of the country to redouble efforts in order to narrow the differences in terms of development, exchange rate between naira and foreign currencies.
King Ikuru, who is also the Chairman of Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council, however, lauded the efforts of the founding fathers, past leaders of the country for the achievements so far.
He also expressed optimism that Nigeria would be great, calling on the opinion leaders to shun tribalism and political intolerance in the country.
“If Nigeria should experience rapid development in all sectors, it means we must shun tribalism and political intolerance, the interest of our country must be our priority.
“We need to fight corruption vigorously, and leaders must show good example of discipline and integrity”, he said.
The monarch used the opportunity to wish Nigeria happy independence anniversary.
By: Enoch Epelle
The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate has announced the start of implementation of the new pension increments for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, saying the adjustments will be reflected in the September 2025 payroll cycle.
In a statement signed by Management and posted on its X handle, PTAD said the increase package includes a fixed N32,000 payment alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories, which will benefit about 832,000 pensioners under its management.
Recall that PTAD in August announced President Bola Tinubu approved a series of measures, including new welfare benefits for pensioners under DBS.
The approval follows a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, seeking an emergency budgetary allocation to implement pension reforms and welfare benefits for the scheme’s retirees.
The measures include a N32,000 pension increment, percentage increases for pensioners of defunct and privatised agencies, pension harmonisation for all DBS pensioners, enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the settlement of long-standing unfunded pension liabilities.
In a statement yesterday, PTAD said the partial release of N820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the emergency funding has made it possible for pensioners to begin receiving the enhanced payments immediately.
The statement read, “Further to the President’s approval of the emergency budgetary allocation for the payment of the new pension increment rates for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS) that was earlier published by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate on Friday, 8th August, 2025, the Directorate is delighted to announce the commencement of the implementation of the 832,000, 10.66% and 12.95% pension increment for eligible pensioners under the management of PTAD, in the September 2025 pension payroll cycle.
“This achievement has been made possible through the partial release of 820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance, from the initial 845 billion emergency funding approval granted by the Federal Government.
“This milestone clearly reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of DBS Pensioners in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The directorate thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the emergency allocation.
It also acknowledged the role of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Accountant-General of the Federation and key presidential aides and parliamentary committees for their “timely interventions” and support.
The statement also expressed appreciation to organised pension groups, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, for their cooperation during negotiations and implementation planning.
“We further assure all our DBS Pensioners and Stakeholders that the Directorate will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities towards release of the outstanding approved funds and subsequent fulfilment of all future obligations relating to the pension increments and the landmark reforms,” the statement added.
The DBS covers pensioners who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including those from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals.
Over the years, many have faced irregular payments, delayed harmonisation, and inadequate healthcare access, challenges that the new reforms are expected to address.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigeria. citizens to remain united, peaceful to enhance development of the nation as it celebrates 65th independence anniversary.
Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, Director of NOA in Akwa Ibom, gave the charge in Uyo yesterday while addressing newsmen and stakeholders to mark the anniversary.
Mkpoutom said it was essential to recognise that the strength of Nigeria lay in its diversity
“With over 250 ethnic groups and an array of languages, the nation embodies a unique blend of heritage.
“This diversity should be seen not as a dividing line but as a unifying force that propels the country toward progress.
“As Akwa Ibom embarks on another year, it is crucial for all citizens to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose.
“Embrace dialogue, understanding and collaborate with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu in its efforts to addressing pressing challenges like poverty, security, education, and healthcare, thereby paving way for a brighter future for all.”
The state director, however, appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life to renew their commitment to a more prosperous, peaceful, and equitable nation.
“Let this anniversary serve as a reminder of the collective strength that lies in every citizen,” he said.
He urged everyone to contribute positively to the development of a better society.
Mkpoutom urged the people and all citizens to honour the labours of heroes past, as they celebrated the present, while working diligently toward a future filled with hope and opportunities for generations to come.
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