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 Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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