Niger Delta
‘Pipeline Surveillance Has Boosted States’ Revenue’
The Special Adviser on Oil & Gas to the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Franklin Otele, has declared that the introduction of pipeline surveillance by the Federal Government as a strategy to end pipeline vandalism and oil theft has helped boost the economy of state governments in the country, especially Bayelsa and Rivers States.
Speaking recently with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Otele stated that with operations of pipeline surveillance contractors like Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd (PINL), among others, the menace of oil theft and illegal bunkering, which threatened Nigeria’s economy, has drastically reduced while crude oil delivery through pipelines has increased from almost three percent to above 90 per cent.
Otele added that oil pollution and its attendant degradation of the environment has also been reasonably stemmed, thus, boosting fishing and farming which were gravely endangered at the peak of the nefarious activities of pipeline vandals and oil thieves.
He said, “I want to thank the Federal Government for the initiative of engaging pipeline surveillance contractors such as PINL, which is presently in Bayelsa and Rivers states.
“As a government person, I want to talk in respect of the operations in Bayelsa State because we interface with the communities, International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the contractors. Illegal refinery or what we call ‘kpo fire’ is not a strange activity in the Niger Delta. But since the inception of the contractors in Bayelsa, we have started to receive good results.
“Before now, pipeline vandalism was like a daily occurrence. But they came and engaged the communities. They spoke with government and they enlightened the people about the consequences of these activities (pipeline vandalism and oil theft – ‘kpo fire’).”
He listed the consequences, saying “once there is vandalism, there’s shortage of crude oil supply, shortage of production. When there’s shortage like this, first the state government monthly revenue will drop. That’s from the state government aspect. At the community level, there is a lot of consequences for the environment. You know Bayelsa is a predominantly fishing and farming state; and where there is pollutions here and there: one, it will kill all the fish around. Two, it will destroy the farmland, and mangroves. Besides that, recently we have seen some fire outbreaks where lives were lost, especially in Rivers and Imo states.”
He commended the surveillance contractors for their key strategy of community engagement and employment of youths, noting that the contractors had engaged so many of the youths in various communities.
“And recently, they have some programmes such as medical outreach to the communities they are operating. I know that during the last flood in Bayelsa, PINL distributed some items to the communities. So, I commend them.”
Otele also commended the Federal Government for the policy, and called for the extension of the contract as well as widening the scope of the job for the contractors.
He advised the youths to shun violence and pipeline vandalism, saying; “On behalf of the state government, we wish to plead with the youths of Bayelsa State that they should tow the path of government, which are peace and prosperity. They should not be misled by criminals, they should be serious with the government, the government has done its best by providing enabling environment for citizens and people who are coming to do business in the State”.
Edo Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 1,210 personnel to ensure maximum security during the forthcoming Eid-el Kabir celebrations.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Efosa Ogbebor, in a statement on Friday in Benin, said NSCDC would provide maximum security at various Eid praying grounds, palaces, monuments and recreational centres across the state during the festivities.
Ogbebor stated that the NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Gbenga Agun, assured residents of security of their lives and property before, during and after the festival.
“I have directed all commanders, heads of tactical units, Area Commanders and Divisional Officers to ensure smooth, crime-free and secure celebration before, during and after the Eid-el Kabir festival.
“The personnel deployed have been tasked with critical responsibilities of safeguarding national assets and infrastructure, a core mandate of the corps, protection of lives and property and crowd control, amongst others.
“NSCDC personnel will work in collaboration with other sister-agencies”, he said.
The NSCDC boss appealed to members of the public to give maximum cooperation to the personnel and support them with useful information about criminal elements.
The Commandant felicitated with all Muslims and wished them joyous Eid-el Kabir celebrations.
The Delta State House of Assembly last Thursday in Asaba recalled its member, Mr Matthew Omonade (APC-Ughelli North I), after 29 days of suspension.
The recall was announced during plenary by the Speaker, Mr Dennis Guwor, following an adoption of the report by the ad-hoc committee set up to investigate Omonade.
The Tide’s source recalls that the assembly had on May 14 suspended the lawmaker over alleged gross misconduct.
“The house has, therefore, lifted the suspension following the adoption of the recommendations of the committee.
“He is expected to resume plenary and other legislative duties on the next sitting day”, Guwor said.
Earlier, the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi (PDP-Aniocha North), who chaired the committee, said after a thorough investigation, it recommended that Omonade be sounded a note of warning against future occurrence.
He said the committee also recommended that the recalled lawmaker be made to study the rules of the house.
According to the committee’s recommendations, Omonade should know that laws are universal and can be domesticated in any state or country without anyone being accused of plagiarism.
Nwaobi said since he had remorsefully apologised to the Governor, Speaker and the entire House, the committee recommended that the suspension be lifted.
In their various submissions, Mr Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi) and Mr Austine Uroye (PDP-Warri South I) supported the committee’s recommendations.
The recommendations, unanimously adopted by members via a voice vote, were seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr. Edafe Emakpor.
The House also approved Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s request to review and implement a new tariff regime for the 8.5 Megawatts Asaba Independent Power Plant (IPP), operated by Messrs Bastanchury Power Solutions.
The governor’s request was contained in a letter read during plenary by the Speaker.
In the letter, Oborevwori explained that the upward review of the electricity tariff from N31.74 per Kilowatt to N75 per Kilowatt became necessary due to the current economic realities.
He said this would enable the company to sustain its services to the state.
Oborevwori, however, noted that the State Government, through the Ministry of Energy, recommended a reviewed amount of N63 per Kilowatt, inclusive of VAT, hence the need for the House’s approval.
The Majority Leader moved a motion for the Assembly to receive the governor’s letter for consideration.
Leading the debate, Nwaobi said it was no longer news that the economic situation informed the governor’s request and, therefore, urged the House to give it speedy approval.
The motion, which was unanimously adopted by the assembly, when put to a voice vote by the Speaker, was seconded by Mr Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi).
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Delta State Command, has deployed 654 personnel, including regular and special marshals, to various locations in the state to ensure safety during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Sector Commander, FRSC, Mr Muftau Irekeola, said this on Friday in Asaba while addressing personnel of the Command in preparation for the Eid-el-Kabir special patrol.
Irekeola said a total of 654 personnel, 19 operational vehicles, one ambulance, one power bike, and others would be deployed in the state.
The Sector Commander, however, said the command was partnering with private tow truck owners, saying that the command’s tow truck was not in good condition.
“If it is more than 30 tons truck, we will call FRSC, Onitsha Command, for towing because Onitsha is less than four kilometers away from Asaba”, he said.
He urged motorists to drive with caution, and pay attention to other road users.
“During rainy season, the grip of their tyres on the road is reduced because of the rain, they need to speed less. In fact, they are supposed to go on a reasonable speed.
“Even the passengers should not board overloaded vehicles, they should talk to the driver and if he is not listening they should drop at the next available bus stop.
“They can alert any FRSC officials or security agency on the road”, he said.
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