Niger Delta

SPDC, NNPC, Others Hail Wabote Over Local Content Policy

Published

1 year ago

May 22, 2023

Major stakeholders and operators of the Nigerian oil and gas industry have lauded the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Management Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, for turning around the fortunes of indigenous people in the oil and gas sector of the nation.
They said Wabote achieved the feat through concerted efforts in implementation of local content policy of the Federal Government.
The stakeholders include the Country Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Nigeria, Mr Osagie Okunbo; Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Malam Mele Kolo Kyari; and the Chief Executive of the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr Gbenga Komolafe and, other stakeholders in the industry. Komolafe was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning, NUPRC, Dr Kelechi Ofoegbu.
The stakeholders gave the commendation at the 2023 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), which took place at the content tower, the NCDMB headquarters, in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.
In his opening address, Wabote, commended invitees and partnering agencies as well as major players in the oil and gas sector for being part of the event.
He also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for giving the oil and gas industry the needed support to champion economic and infrastructural development of the nation, by signing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law, noting that the oil and gas industry contributes about 48% to the economic and industrial development of the nation.
The NCDMB scribe described the NOGOF as a biennial event which brings investors and critical stakeholders in the oil and gas industry together to brainstorm and to proffer solutions to likely problems in the industry, and opportunities for stakeholders, including partnering agencies and individuals, to network towards the industrialisation of the nation.
He reemphasised the need for greater and more robust synergy, noting that upon the establishment of the NCDMB, the board has been playing pivotal roles in developing the economy through deliberate and legal implementation of the local content act (NOGICD Act) for greater economic expansion and opportunities.
Wabote expressed the optimism that in the near future, the Nigerian oil and gas parks (NOGAPS) in Bayelsa and other states of the Niger Delta would be completed and put to use in furtherance of the economic development and industrialisation of the nation.
“The theme of this year’s NOGOF is ‘Oil and Gas Industry: Catalyst and Fuel for the Industrialisation of Nigeria’’.
“It’s my belief that the oil and gas sector can serve as the catalyst that will enable us to achieve the desired double-digit GDP growth rate, if we’re bold and disruptive in our strategy.
“In the aspect of creating opportunities, the NOGICD Act set the minimum targets in 278 services across oil and gas value chain in schedule.
“One probable means through which double-digit GDP growth can be achieved is by harnessing the array of opportunities that exist in various categories enabled by the oil and gas industry”, the NCDMB’s Executive-Secretary said.
In his speech, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, represented by the State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Dr Ebieri Jones berated the Federal Government for not according oil producing states any significant role to play in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Diri also frowned at the Federal Government for allocating just 3% from the gains from the oil industries operating in the Niger Delta region to the host communities, while 30% percent of the NNPC annual profit was allocated for exploration in frontier states, noting that it amounts to continuous marginalisation and undermining of the Niger Delta region.
Highpoints of the event was the presentation of awards to stakeholders in the oil and gas Industry, panel discussions by panelists, comprising managers and staff members of the multinationals.
The NCDMB held the 4th edition of the NOGOF last week Wednesday to Friday.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Issele-Azagba-Otulu Road Construction

Published

3 days ago

October 1, 2024

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it will build roads and bridges to link every community with the state capital as part of the efforts to develop the state.

The Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, stated this on Thursday during the commencement of the 2.7km Issele-Azagba-Otulu Road construction in Aniocha North Local Government.

Aniagwu said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was determined to develop all parts of the state in line with his administration’s ‘MORE Agenda’.

“Oborevwori’s desire is to make sure that every local government whether they are in the North, Central or Southern Senatorial district of the state are touched.

”So that by the time we are coming back to our people in 2026-2027, the people themselves would appreciate what we have done”, he said.

Aniagwu added, “You will recall that few weeks ago, the Executive approved a number of roads across the three Senatorial districts.

”After the approval, we proceeded to the process of awards and we got a number of contractors who bidded after the projects were advertised.

“This particular project, which links Issele-Azagba-Otulu and to Ubulu-Okiti, was among the projects that was approved in the course of that meeting.

“It has been awarded and we are here to examine the level of mobilisation and to formally hand over the projects to the different contractors.

“This particular project is comprising 2.7km and over 3km side drain has been awarded to a contractor we considered capable and it will link up Aniocha North to Aniocha South in Delta North Senatorial District”, he said.

According to him, once this road is completed, the people of Issele-Azagba may not go through the expressway again to get to their local government headquarters at Issele-Uku.

“I have extracted commitment from the contractor and from their work schedule, I am convinced that in no distant time this project would be delivered”, he said.

The commissioner also disclosed that the Oborevwori-led administration was mobilising contractors to ensure they work with the necessary speed to avoid price fluctuations.

Aniagwu said the contractor had been given 30 per cent of the contract sum, adding that he was expected to deliver the project within 12 months.

“We are doing this because we don’t want a situation were a job is given to anybody and he tells us that he has been very busy scouting for funds hence he has not been able to kick-start the process.

“Even though we know that a lot of the contractors have the resources to mobilise to site, we have to mobilise them so that they don’t move at their own pace because we want them to move at our own pace.

“What we desire first is quality job to be delivered, and secondly to meet up with the speed because we don’t want a situation where a contractor takes a job and then he goes to the market to buy a mattress and begin to sleep on the project.

“We want them to be progressing steadily so that at the end of the day we don’t have to suffer on account of fluctuations in the economy”, the Commissioner said.

Aniagwu, accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Solomon Aghagba, also inspected Ichie James Obodoechi Avenue and Chikozie Okafor Road, in Asaba under construction.

Niger Delta

Navy Holds Free Education, Medical Outreach In Bayelsa Community

Published

3 days ago

October 1, 2024

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, has held a free education and medical outreach for residents of Diebu in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The Commander, Commodore Nanmar Lakan, told newsmen during the exercise on Saturday in Diebu, that the outreach was a way of promoting cooperation with host communities.

Lakan further said the education and medical outreach was part of the navy’s corporate social responsibility to the civil populace.

He said the exercise was in line with the navy’s broad mandate which extended beyond safeguarding the nation’s territorial waters and national assets.

“We also take steps to support the health, safety and development of the people in our host communities.

“This initiative is part of the navy’s non-kinetic operations which are mostly aimed at enhancing civil-military relations”, he explained.

The commander also said the exercise aligned with the vision and strategic directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla.

He stated that Diebu Community was chosen for the outreach because of its history of producing leaders who had served the nation in various capacities.

“Remember that education remains a key tool for personal and societal development. It is veritable a tool to unlock opportunities.

“Health is an essential requirement for productivity and growth. We are aware that access to quality healthcare remains a challenge to many.

“This outreach targets to promote education and healthcare delivery in this community”, he said.

Lakan thanked the community for the warm reception and cooperation accorded members of the outreach team.

He reiterated the commitment of the navy to strengthen the close ties between it and the people of Southern Ijaw.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Distributes Fertilisers, Improved Seedlings To Farmers

Published

3 days ago

October 1, 2024

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has commenced the distribution of fertilisers and improved seedlings to farmers in the state.

The State Governor, Umo Eno, who kick-started the exercise on Thursday at Uruan Local Government Area, said the gesture was to support second planting season activities.

He said a total of 12,000 bags of fertilizers and improved seedlings would be distributed to farmers across the state.

He reiterated the commitment of the State Government to support more citizen participation in farming to ensure massive food production.

“Our intention is to take agriculture to another level, a level where young people will see farming as a business activity.

“Our state is blessed with good vegetation, favourable weather, good road network, and adequate security.

“With the availability of land, favourable weather and good vegetation, there is no reason for anyone not to plant what they will consume”, he said.

The Governor said the State Government’s free food initiative was a temporary intervention towards reducing the hardship in the country.

“The lasting solution to the poverty and hunger facing the people is to return to the farm”, he said.

He stated further that the State Government would also distribute 10,000 cassava cuttings, 20,000 improved oil palm seedlings and 5,000 trays of pepper seedlings among others.

“We believe that it is time to go back to the farm. We should make our children to understand the need to get involved in farming very early in life”, he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, urged Akwa Ibom people to key into the state government’s food sufficiency programme.

He expressed the commitment of the ministry to drive the state government’s agriculture initiatives in the interest of food sufficiency and economic prosperity.