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NNPC Limited: FG Taking Oil Communities For Granted —PANDEF

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The apex body of leaders of coastal states of the Niger Delta, Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), yesterday, accused the Federal Government of taking the hosts of oil and gas-bearing communities of Niger Delta and Nigerians for granted with its newly unveiled Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPC).

National Publicity Secretary of the regional group, Ken Robinson, told newsmen: “It will not be reckless to conclude that they are taking Nigerians, particularly the people of the oil and gas producing host communities for granted.

“The new NNPC Limited may be something to celebrate by the Federal Government and its proxies, but for the people of Niger Delta, and the South-South geopolitical zone, in particular, it is the same old NNPC and a continuation of the callous injustice against the people.

“It is merely an old wine in a decorated old bottle. And the event of July 19, 2022, the unveiling of NNPC Ltd, putting it mildly, was an unveiling of hypocrisy.

“Look at the composition of the board and management of the so-called new NNPC Limited, it is the same aged anecdote, lacking in equity and fairness.

“The South-South geopolitical zone, which accounts for over 80per cent of the nation’s crude oil production and which should be bonafide shareholders has only one member.

“The North-West, which accounts for zero per cent of the nation’s oil production has three members: Umar Ajiya, Chief Financial Officer; Mallam Mohammed Lawal and Hadiza Coomasie, Secretary to the board; North East has two members, Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Tajudeen Umar; South-East has the Chairman of the Board, Senator Margret Okadigbo and Henry Obih.

“North-Central and South-West also have one member each. The question is: what were the criteria used by the president in arriving at this composition?

“How can the new NNPC Limited become a ‘dynamic global energy company of choice to deliver energy for today, for tomorrow, for the day and days after tomorrow’, as stated by the President at the unveiling, when appointments are not made based on conventional standards?

“People are appointed either because they are friends or friends of friends of Mr. President.

“Worse still, the new NNPC Limited has reportedly made expansion of its retail outlets from 547 to over 1,500, within the next six months, one of its key priorities, and is to retail imported petrol, instead of prioritising how to increase local refining of the product to meet domestic needs.

“What a shame. Nigeria is reportedly the only OPEC member country that imports over 90 per cent of refined petroleum products to meet its domestic consumption.

“The new NNPC Limited is supposedly owned by Nigerians but it seems they will continue with the arrogant disposition of doing whatever they like, against the interest and well-being of citizens.”

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Rivers’ll Be Known For Peace, Not Crisis -Fubara

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.

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Hoteliers, School Owners Charging In Dollars Risk Arrest -EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”

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Eid-El-Fitr: Fubara Felicitates Muslims, Calls For Unity, Tolerance

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

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