News
‘Modular Refinery’ll Reduce Crime, Unemployment In N’Delta’
A non-governmental organisation, Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI), has told Federal Government that establishment of modular refineries in the Niger Delta would reduce criminal activities and unemployment rate in the region.
President of group, Douglas Fabeke, made the assertion at a stakeholders’ meeting of Ogoni ethnic nationality, in Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
OLI president said that the Federal Government should grant licences for operation of modular refineries in the Niger Delta.
Fabake maintained that if granted, the illegal oil refining operators would be reformed into cooperatives, which would benefit the government, as crime rate would reduce.
He added that it would generate more revenue with operators made to pay taxes to the government like other oil multinational companies.
The group commended the federal and Rivers State governments for tackling the effects of illegal refinery in the region, adding that modular refinery, if legalised, would end the economic sabotage experienced in the country.
He said: “To reduce these illegal refineries, for example, Niger Delta states are oil states. Government should set a platform that will be easier for private investors, private partners to come into oil and gas industries, setting up modular refineries, giving them licence, reducing the procedures that can be easier for investors to come into this business.
“We already have a proposal we sent to the government and our proposal is coupled with industrial fabrication for modular refineries. That means we can build the modular refineries here and also fabricate the parts and this will create more jobs.
“Like in Ogoni, we don’t have modular refinery; the Port Harcourt Refinery in Eleme is not working. Government cannot manage their refineries; Nigeria should not be a country where fuel is a problem. There is no need to import fuel because we the crude oil.
“Government should bring up a policy that will enable individuals to go into modular refinery, and also refine our oil here. It’s also going to reduce the burden and cost on the government. By so doing, it will reduce unemployment.
“Now, you have destroyed all the illegal refineries and bunkering sites. The boys are on the streets, they will actually enter into another crime because they want to survive. They have seen money. So, if government can implement that proposal that each of the states in the Niger Delta should have modular refineries, it would create a platform that will be easier for investors to come in and invest.”
The OLI president urged the Federal Government to specifically complement the efforts of the Rivers State Government in tackling the menace of soot by declaring “war” on oil thieves.
The group advised other Niger Delta states to emulate the steps taken by Rivers State Government in fighting illegal oil bunkering which has reduced air pollution in the state.
“There was a time that the Federal Government planned to build six modular refineries in Niger Delta, and they later said they want to grant three per state. Government cannot do this thing by themselves.
“What the governor has done in Rivers State is the best. Other governors in the Niger Delta should emulate the Rivers State Government in tackling the menace of soot, and see how they can create investment programme to eradicate illegal refineries.”
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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