News
Lloyd Accuses IOCs, Marketers, Tanker Drivers Of Aiding Illegal Oil Bunkering …Uncovers Illegal Sites In Egbeda, Ibaa
The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr Chidi Lloyd has accused officials of multinational companies of aiding illegal oil bunkering activities in the area.
He said operators of artisanal refineries cannot have access to unrefined products without the collaboration of key officials of the pipeline operating and servicing companies.
The council chairman stated this when he led a combined team of security personnel to discover new illegal petroleum refining sites in Egbeda community in Emohua LGA, last Wednesday.
According to Lloyd; “operators of illegal artisanal petroleum refineries can only know when there is pressure in a pipeline with the assistance of key officials of the operating company or the pipeline serving company”.
Lloyd also accused petroleum marketers and tanker drivers of promoting illegal oil bunkering activities by engaging in the transportation and distribution of illegally refined petroleum products from the oil thieves.
He wondered why petroleum marketers association and tanker drivers’ union have not been able to caution their members against lifting criminally refined petroleum products from the illegal artisanal refineries across Rivers State.
Speaking further, Lloyd described the silence of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other multinationals over the ongoing war against illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State as a direct indictment on the companies.
He said; “Up till now, nothing has been heard from Shell and other multinationals regarding the illegal oil bunkering activities. Does it mean that they are not aware of what’s been happening in the state?
“Since the marching order from the governor to the council chairmen, we have not heard anything from the operators of the pipelines that were vandalised by these illegal petroleum refiners, not even a word of commendation to the governor and the council chairmen”.
He added that the war against illegal oil bunkering activities, which has been identified as the main cause of soot pandemic in Rivers State, requires the total support of the first tier of government which has the exclusive powers over oil exploration in the country.
Lloyd stressed that the war against illegal oil bunkering and artisanal petroleum refining cannot be won with the present disposition of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He, however, commended the Rivers StateGovernor, Chief Nyesom Wike for championing the fight against soot pandemic in the state through the marching order given to local government council chairmen to dislodge operators of illegal refineries across the state, which was already yielding positive results across the state.
The council chairman and his team also stormed Ibaa community, where several trucking lines and residential houses used to store illegally refined petroleum products in commercial quantities were uncovered.
Lloyd frowned at the massive storage of illegally refined petroleum products in residential environment across Ibaa community, and warned against its consequences on residents of the community.
He expressed fear of imminent fire outbreak that may consume lives and properties in the area, as a result of the use of residential buildings as trucking lines and storage facility by oil thieves in the community.
He directed the local government taskforce on illegal oil bunkering to effect the immediate evacuation of the illegally refined petroleum products intercepted in course of the raid, as well as the impoundment of the vehicles used to transport the products.
Lloyd also said that the suspected perpetuators apprehended in the course of the raid were expected to be arraigned in court.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
Oil & Energy22 hours agoWe Are Elevated Through Plethora Of Projects —- Obagi HCDT Board … As Senator Attributes Success To PIA
-
Business22 hours agoNCAA Certifies Elin Group Aircraft Maintenance
-
Maritime22 hours agoCustoms To Scan 200 Containers Per Hour At Apapa Port
-
Rivers22 hours ago
ECOWAS Parliament Adopts AI In Lawmaking
-
News21 hours agoNIGERIA AT 65: FUBARA HARPS ON UNITY, PEACE
-
Opinion22 hours ago184 Days of the Locust in Rivers State
-
News22 hours agoFG moves to avert fuel supply crisis, promises stability
-
City Crime22 hours agoIndustry Braces For Glut And Investor Demands