News
Use Gas Flare Penalty To Fund Modular Refineries, HOSCON Tells FG
The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON) has called on the Federal Government to deploy monies recovered from gas flare penalties to fund the construction of modular refineries in the Niger Delta.
HOSCON said that with such refineries, it would be unfashionable for the youths of the region to engage in illegal refining of crude oil that has caused environmental pollution, soot and destruction of aquatic lives and the biodiversity.
The National Chairman of HOSCON, Chief Jasper Jumbo, made the appeal during the 2022 Validation Annual Conference held with government and security officials in Port Harcourt.
Jumbo said that the conference with the theme, “Reviving Nigerian’s HOSCON Oil and Gas Communities for Inclusiveness and Sustainable Development”, was aimed at strategically repositioning and advancing the inclusive stakeholders of oil and gas community units to enhance the growth of the communities.
He stated that the conference’s resolutions demand the unmitigated release of the accumulated and earlier approved gas flare penalty fund and part thereof to be applied by the Federal Government in funding some of the proposed artisanal modular refineries.
“We fully support Federal Government’s initiative to set up three pilot modular refineries in each Niger Delta state that would hopefully correct the fragile and flawed past.
“We also thank the federal and state governments as well as the House of Representatives for the strong message sent, indicating signal of government’s intent to halt the debilitating effects and anxious emission from illegal oil bunkering, through host community involvement, application of indigenous technologies and subsidised funding.
“We plead with the Federal Government, through the National Assembly, to put a clause in the 3per cent Petroleum Industry Act to 5per cent in the near future in spite of the rising production costs, and allow the host communities to choose their management for the fund,”he said.
“We want the Federal Government, through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) led by Sen. Godwin Akpabio and Barrister Effiong Akwa to call for and settle the long outstanding bills of genuine and performing NDDC contractors for executed projects, especially the founding fathers of the defunct OMPADEC, NDDC and traditional rulers of host oil and gas producing communities.
In his speech, the Commandant General of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Gen. Ahmed Abubakar, represented by an Assistant Commandant General of the Corps, Dr Evelyn Ebitume, said that the agency would continue to carry out its mandate on the protection of oil and gas pipelines in the country.
He stated that activities of vandals led to economic wastage, and urged the youths and the public from host communities who live near the pipelines to avail the agency information that would help in curbing the activities of oil and gas pipeline vandals and bring the offenders to book.
Similarly, the Anambra State Commissioner for Lands, Bonaventure Enemali, has urged every community leader in the HOSCON catchment area to ensure that the voice of their community was heard.
Enemali urged chiefs in host communities not to neglect the interest of their people while negotiating with oil companies.
The states that endorsed the conference resolutions were Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
?
?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
?
?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
?
?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
?
?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
?
?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
?
?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
?
?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
?
