Niger Delta
A’Ibom Condemns Exxon Mobil’s Attempt To Sell Shared Assets
Akwa Ibom State Government has declared a recent attempt by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to sell off some of its assets, even as there is a pending court case, as upsetting and unbecoming of a responsible corporate citizen.
The state government said it was most irresponsible that the International Oil Company did not inform the state government, which is a critical partner, of the intention to carry out such major activity on its shared assets.
Recall that Exxon Mobil had recently issued a release informing the general public that it had reached an agreement to sell its equity interest in Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to Seplat Energy, a Nigerian independent oil and gas company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Seplat Energy Offshore Limited.
“This sale will allow us to prioritise competitively advantaged investments in our strategic assets, and it supports the Nigerian government’s efforts to grow its oil and gas operations,” said Liam Mallon, president, of ExxonMobil Upstream Oil and Gas. “We value the relationships we have spent decades building with the government and people of Nigeria, which will continue as we maximise the value from our deepwater operations.”
“When finalised, the sale will include the Mobil Development Nigeria and Mobil Exploration Nigeria equity ownership of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, which holds a 40 percent stake in four oil mining licences, including more than 90 shallow-water and onshore platforms and 300 producing wells,” the release stated
In an interaction with newsmen in Uyo at the weekend, however, the Akwa Ibom State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Uko Essien Udom (SAN), said the state government had filed a suit in court to prevent Mobil from proceeding with the assets sale.
Udom informed newsmen of another pending case involving ExxonMobil and the Akwa Ibom State government, initiated by the former, following the revocation of some Certificates of Occupancy from the company.
He said the attempt to sell off some of the assets, some of which were shared between the duo and the alleged plans by the company to relocate from the state would further frustrate the outcome of the initial court case.
In his words, “Mobil has not formally informed the state government that they are selling and leaving. Everything we heard was from the press. which is most irresponsible for any corporate citizen. There has been no direct contact with us. That is an action that may frustrate the outcome of a pending court case”.
“Akwa Ibom State Government had to enter a court case restraining Mobil from continuing with the proposed sale of its assets and that’s because there is pending litigation between Mobil and the government of Akwa Ibom State. The attempt to sell its asset, some of which may include assets belonging to Akwa Ibom State was handled in a manner that is rather upsetting.
“Mobil has been in Akwa Ibom State for several years and the relationship has been very good until recently. The fact that they’ll attempt to sell in a surreptitious manner without any discussion with the government of Akwa Ibom State is very distressing and not to be expected of a responsible corporate citizen.
Attempting to provide some insight on why ExxonMobil may have dragged the state government to court in the first instance, Udom said “All the land in Akwa Ibom belongs to the government, the government gives out a certificate of occupancy. Some of the certificates of occupancy purportedly old have been revoked. They actually sued the Akwa Ibom government challenging the revocation of some of the C of Os and the matter is pending and is continuing.
“It is, therefore, a big surprise to us that in the pendency of these lawsuits, they went ahead and attempted to sell some of the assets and leave. That is why we have the order, stopping them from continuing the sale and removing any asset from Akwa Ibom State. The sell-out cannot be allowed to proceed because when you have parties contesting ownership of assets, all those things would be kept in abeyance.
“The court has the right to keep what is called “subject matter of litigation”. Any attempt by either of the parties to deplete the asset or sell or dispose of them would be resisted by the court. it is contemptuous actually”. he said.
Niger Delta
Diri Appoints New SSG, CoS, Retains CPS
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the appointment of the serving Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue(BIRB), Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The state’s Chief Executive also has appointed his former Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Pereotubo Akpe as his new Chief of Staff (CoS) in his second tenure in office.
The Tide also learnt that the Governor has approved the retention of Mr Daniel Alabrah as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).
A statement from the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah noted that Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS), Government House.
Alabrah in his statement stated that the appointments take immediate effect.
The Tide learnt that until this new appointment, the new SSG, Ayawei, is a Professor of Analytical Chemistry, technocrat, public servant and university lecturer.
He has also held the position of the Executive Chairman of the State’s board of internal revenue since 2016.
A further profile of the new appointees made available to newsmen by Governor Diri’s CPS says that Prof. Ayawei is also a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
The statement noted that the new SSG started his working career at the state’s Ministry of Environment before his appointment as member of the State Scholarship Board in 2001.
In 2002, he was appointed Chairman, Bassan-Koluama Rural Development Authority. While in 2003, he was elected to represent Southern Ijaw Constituency four in the state legislature, after which he became General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the Bayelsa State Housing and Property Development Authority in 2012.
He has also been Commissioner for Housing and Rural Development in 2014.
Ayawei bagged a Bachelor of Education degree in Chemistry in 1995 at the then Rivers State College of Education, Port Harcourt (which was then an affiliate of the University of Ibadan) before obtaining a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry in 2008 at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State and later a Doctor of Philosophy in Analytical/Environmental Chemistry at the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma.
He was the first PhD graduate of the NDU in 2016.
He also took up appointment as lecturer in the university’s Department of Chemical Sciences in 2016 and is currently a Professor of Analytical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry, Bayelsa State Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa.
On the other hand, the new Chief of Staff(CoS) Government House, Dr. Pereotubo Akpe, who was the immediate past Deputy Chief of Staff and Acting Chief of Staff is a 1991 graduate of the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt (now Rivers State University) where he obtained a B.Sc. in Technical Education, specialising in Electrical/Electronics.
He also holds a Master degree in Administration and Planning from the same university and a Ph.D. in same discipline from the University of Port Harcourt.
Akpe worked in both the Rivers and Bayelsa States Civil Service for over 20 years and retired as Assistant Director.
He also served as Head of Administration, Office of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State (2006–2007), Commissioner with the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Service Commission (2008–2011), a two-term member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and was Leader of the House between 2011 and 2019.
He equally held other offices as Commissioner and member of the State Executive Council in 2020, Deputy Chief of Staff (2020–2023) and Acting Chief of Staff (2023–February 14, 2024).
Dr Akpe whom many have described as an astute administrator is a fellow of several professional bodies, a 5th Degree Black Belter and Certified Kukiwon Coach in Taekwondo, and is currently the Pastor-in-Charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Bayelsa Province one, and a part-time Lecturer with the Redeemed Christian Bible College, University of Ede, Osun State.
Meanwhile, until his new appointment, the new Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo was the Principal Secretary to the Governor until February 14, 2024.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
Niger Delta
C’River, Ebonyi Govts Resolve Boundary Dispute
In a bid to end the persistent border disputes between Cross River and Ebonyi States, the two States have resolved to unite and work for peace on the border corridor of Ndiagu Amagu, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Adadama, in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The resolution was contained in a five-point communiqué issued after a meeting of officials of the two States on the inter-state boundary, held at Ebonyi State deputy governor’s office, Abakaliki, yesterday.
In a communiqué adopted by officials from both parties and signed by the Deputy Governors of Cross River and Ebonyi States, the meeting resolved to embark on sensitisation of the affected communities to desist from all forms of encroachment while waiting for the delineation of the boundaries by the National Boundary Commission (NBC).
It also added that the two States put in place modalities for joint security teams to patrol the affected areas.
The members agreed that the deputy governors of both States, who are also chairmen of state boundary committee are to reach out to the NBC to expedite action on boundary delineation, so as to restore peace and ensure that no further lives are lost and properties destroyed in these communities.
It also called for the revitalisation of Adadama-Amagu Development Association (ADAMADA), a group that had contributed to peace in the region.
The meeting, presided over by the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Patricia Obila and attended by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Peter Odey and chairman, State Boundary Committee, represented by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, Ededem Ani, was attended by a high profile delegation from Cross River State, including the State Security Adviser (SSA), Major-General Okoi Ubi Obono (retd), Head of Personal Staff to the Deputy Governor, Dr Chris Ojikpong; the Director-General of Border Communities Development Commission (BORDERCOM), Ngim Okpo.
Others were Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Relations, Chief Ada Charles Egwu; Head of Local Government Administration, Abi Local Government Area, Cross River State, Mrs. Eke Ani and traditional rulers from the affected local government area of the State as well as other relevant government officials.
The Ebonyi State delegation to the meeting had the Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor and Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, as well as traditional rulers, among other top government officials.
Niger Delta
Cross River Commissioner Threatens School Principals With Sack Over Illegal Levies
The Commissioner for Education in Cross River State, Senator Stephen Odey, has threatened to sack any school principal caught in any illegality, including imposing an unapproved levy on pupils or students.
Odey spoke during a reception to mark the conferment of a second doctorate on him and the launch of his new book, titled “Oil and Gas Pollution Abatement and Legislation in Nigeria.”
The commissioner, who said he had received reports of illegal charges and was investigating their veracity, affirmed that the various reforms introduced in the education sector were necessitated by the need for change.
“I am not tough but I am doing things differently; the old style is gone. One thing that is permanent in life is change and when people resist change, it means that something is wrong,” he said.
He further said that his doctorate in philosophy and law will help him to discharge his duties, while also declaring that there is a need for upgrading academic attainments and diversification.
-
Oil & Energy3 days ago
Nigeria Hosts Global Confab On Oilfield Sustainability, Hydrocarbon Accounting
-
Sports3 days ago
Iheanacho, Dessers Applaud Finidi’s Tactics
-
Rivers3 days ago
Group Begins Massive Support Drive For Fubara
-
News1 day ago
Reps Member Pledges Support, Loyalty To Fubara, Joins SIMplified Movement
-
Maritime3 days ago
Illegal Migration: NIS, NIWA Move To Strengthen Partnership
-
News3 days ago
Insecurity: Arrest Gumi Within Seven Days, Group Tells FG
-
Rivers1 day ago
Bonny Ward 12 Endorses Council Boss For Second Term
-
News1 day ago
New Kalabari Monarch To Emerge Soon -Regent