News
Shell Shuts Floating Storage Facility …Alerts On Rising Pipeline Vandalism, Crude Theft, Illegal Refineries
A Shell Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, operating off the Bayelsa coastline, has been shut down due to water leakage.
The company’s spokesman, Mr. Michael Adande, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
This is even as the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has raised alarm over increase in the spate of pipeline vandalism, crude theft and illegal refineries operations in Nigeria.
According to Adande, the vessel has been safely anchored for repairs.
He explained that the offshore crew on board the vessel, christened, ‘Sea Eagle’, reported the water inflow into the hull of the facility on July 24.
“The water inflow did not affect the section of the FPSO where any crude is stored. An emergency response team has been successfully activated to respond to the incident and to contain the water inflow,” he said.
Adande said that the FPSO could store up to 1.4million barrels of processed crude, and had a production capacity of 170,000 barrels per day.
However, speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Port Harcourt, the Head Corporate Relations, Shell Nigeria, and Director, SPDC, Igo Weli, said that the high rate of pipeline vandalism, crude theft and illegal refineries was responsible to the hardship, high dollar exchange rate, poor infrastructure, among others, being experienced in Nigeria.
Weli reiterated that Shell has a future in Nigeria, and as such would not leave the country, but rather, would seriously implement strategic restructuring programme to meet its needs.
He maintained that the company was collaborating with governments and critical stakeholders to ensure the fight against illegal refineries, crude oil theft; pipeline vandalism was result-oriented, so that everyone can have a clean environment free from soot for all to live in.
Weli added that the problem of pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and illegal refineries would have been solved earlier if everyone had played their role, rather than feeling unconcerned.
He noted that all that was needed now at this time was a fundamental shift by everyone to correct the wrongs with a view to moving the country forward.
“I think this problem has gone worst because everyone feels it’s not their problem. It’s a fundamental shift that we need to retrace our steps to things that keep us going. We should be asking: what is the cause of the spills impacting our land? If you don’t want to know what the cause is, and you are chasing the symptoms, you will never get result.
“There is link to high cost of dollars to what we are discussing today. Nigeria is owning plenty of debts, yet nothing to show. Oil price is over $100, yet Nigeria is still borrowing in the midst of plenty. The future of the generations yet unborn is at risk due to incessant strikes. Now, doctors are planning to also go on strike.
“All these are totally avoidable, if we pay attention to what we should attention to”, he said.
He commended Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his leadership prowess displayed during the fight against illegal refineries and crude oil theft, noting that within the period, soot disappeared from the environment.
He stressed that the governor’s action shows the power of leadership by example.
Also speaking, Manager, Pipelines, Mr John Okojie, stated that crude theft was an organised crime, adding that it has major players in all strata of the society.
Okojie maintained that the crude thieves were people that were technically sound, noting that it was not rocket science for them to be able to do all they do.
“It takes us some months to plan to do a hot tap operation, but it is not difficult for these boys to do the operation overnight”, he said, adding that it was a high risk business they were engaging in because it could take one’s life.
On his part, Lead Encroachment Manager, Olarewaju Abiola, while talking on the Business Update from the session in Owerri, Imo State, stated that Shell had, in the past, saved so many lives that had built on high pressure pipelines by asking them to relocate and settling them just to maintain peace even when it was their fault.
Abiola noted that the meeting in Port Harcourt was to request the Media to relay Shell’s story on encroachment unedited to the understanding of the general public.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.