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Niger Delta

Expert Warns Against Abandoned Oil Facilities In N’Delta Communities

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There is rising concern across the Niger Delta region over the number of abandoned oil wells, as well as unused and derelict infrastructures of multinational oil companies.
According to The Tide’s source, experts say the situation posed serious health and environmental dangers on oil producing communities.
It noted that in Akwa Ibom State alone, over 32 oil wells are said to have been abandoned.
The facilities are located in Oko, Okoroette and Utapete communities of the state.
Also, the onshore oilfield located in Oloibiri, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has been abandoned with about 21.26 million barrels of hydrocarbons.
An environmental expert, Dr Nninmo Bassey, reacting to the issue, said there were several well-heads, manifolds, flow stations and pipelines across the Niger Delta that needed to be changed and decommissioned having stayed decades unused and unattended to.
Bassey expressed worry over the state of abandoned oil wells, as well as unused and old infrastructure of the IOCs and called on them to consider the environment and the well-being of Nigerians living in the areas.
According to him, “There are several wellheads, manifolds, flow stations, and pipelines that ought to be decommissioned and removed from communities across the Niger Delta region by the IOCs and the NNPC.
“These derelict facilities constitute ecosystem impacts, groundwater contamination and threaten human health.
“Nigerian laws and regulations require proper decommissioning and removal of all unused oil facilities according to best international standards. These requirements are often ignored”.
Bassey, however, described the situation as time bombs that have already started to explode, citing the blow of Aiteo’s Nembe/Santa Barbara Well-1 in the Santa Barbara River, in OML 29 (Bayelsa State).
“The Santa Barbara blow raged for 39 days, and official/industry estimate was that less than 5,000 barrels were spilled.
“But independent experts estimated that over 500,000 barrels of hydrocarbon fluids, gas and oil were spilled in the monumental incident”, he added.
He also cited the aged Trinity Spirit FSPO that exploded and sank in February 2022, noting that numerous well-head leaks have been recorded across the region.
He further mentioned the ignored “Ororo-1 well Fire in Ondo state in shallow water Oil Mining Lease (OML) 95 and demanded that the fire should be extinguished.
“The Ororo-1 well has a long and chequered history. This oil well was first drilled by Chevron Corporation but was shut off in the 1980s with a steel plug due to pressure issues, according to reports.
“The well was awarded as a marginal field to Guarantee Petroleum and its partner, Owena Oil & Gas Ltd (an Ondo State company) in 2003 but the award was allegedly revoked in 2019 because the company had not developed and brought the field to full production before expiration of an extension period that elapsed in April 2019.
“Owena Oil & Gas Ltd filed a lawsuit against the DPR over the revocation.
“Interestingly, the well was re-entered by the new ‘owners’ in 2020 and the horrific blowout occurred on 15 May, 2020.
“Note that the well was re-entered decades after it had been plugged by Chevron. The Nigerian government effectively took ownership of (controlling) the fire since it had revoked the rights of Guarantee Petroleum to the field by the time of the disaster.
“Experts suspect that the blow out occurred due to a sudden rush of hydrocarbons under high pressure and the failure of both the Blow Out Preventer (BOP) for the main well and the BOP between the pipe and the skin of the well.
“The blow out which occurred on the Hydraulic Workover rig (Grace-1 HWU) hired by Guarantee Petroleum has been accompanied by oil spill and a constant inferno since the blow out”.
Bassey also noted that the abandonment does not only occur in the oil and gas sector but in the solid minerals sector as shown in the abandoned Tin mines of Jos and the Coa

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Niger Delta

Tai Agric Sector Gets Emergency Attention …As Chairman Distributes Farm Inputs, Inaugurates Technical Team

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The Chairman of Tai Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Matthew Nenu Bari Dike has declared a state of emergency in the agriculture sector of Tai local government.
Speaking while distributing farm implements and other agricultural support packages to the farmers at the council’s headquarters in Saakpenwa, yesterday, Dike challenged farmers to show their farms before requesting for financial assistance.
The council boss stated that as a government, they were committed to putting smiles on the faces of the people and assured that his administration would ensure that every person in the local government is happy.
“As a government we want to assure you that, we will stop at nothing to ensure you all are empowered and living happily”.
According to him, “the gesture is aimed at enhancing food production and security through agriculture, and enjoined all lovers of agriculture in the local government area to identify with the quest to redefine development through agriculture in the local government.
He encouraged everyone to cultivate the passion and return to agriculture, to guarantee self-reliance, maximum food production and security in the area.
His administration, he said, would purchase more yam seedlings in order to get greater production to encourage exportation beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“A boost in yam production will also empower farmers in the Local Government Area”, the elated chairman said.
In a related development, the Chairman has inaugurated a five, member Agricultural Technical Committee for the Local Government Area.
The committee is made up of Pst. Anderson Wariboko, Barr. Paul Newman,, Smith Nyor-Ue, Gladys Jumbo and Dr Keke Rammyson
Also speaking, the Director of Agriculture, Tai Local Government Area, Mr Anderson Wariboko revealed that the event was part of activities to mark the chairman’s 100 days in office.
Wariboko who led the chairman, and other leaders of the council on the distribution of the farm inputs to the farmers, was full of praises for the chairman, Hon. Dike whom he said has the interest of the people at heart.

Kiadum Edookor

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Niger Delta

Coalition Urges Politicians Not To Escalate Tension In A’Ibom 

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The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations has urged politicians in Akwa Ibom State not to escalate political tensions in the state in order to ensure sustainable peace and development.
At a press conference, the National Coordinator, Mr. Franklyn Isong, said those already elected into leadership positions should be allowed to work.
Isong urged the political class to wait until ban on political activities was lifted  by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said it was too early to engage in unhealthy political activities, saying “2027 is still far, this early politicking can affect governance and development”.
The Coordinator said the coalition was aware of plots by some politicians to destabilise governance in Akwa Ibom State.
“As a body, we frown at this, and we are raising the flag against the plot to pile up unhealthy political climate ahead of the 2027 political season.
“Those involved in this plot should call themselves to order, their activities are capable of stifling governance in the state.
“We urge politicians across party lines to close ranks and work towards the unity, progress and development of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria at large”, he said.
Isong further said the coalition was committed to the sustenance of good governance, rule of law, transparency and accountability in the state.
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Niger Delta

Commissioner Charges NYSC Members On Opportunities In Edo

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Edo State State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy, has charged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to the state to see opportunities in difficult situations as they await their postings.
Addressing the corps members at the orientation camp in Okada, about 40 kilometres from Benin City, Paddy urged them to be focused, build strong networks, and embrace a mindset of value addition.
“If you can think it, you can achieve it. The story of Governor Monday Okpebholo is enough to inspire you that no dream is too big.
“Though the number of out-of-school children is rising, your resilience has brought you this far, and today, you stand as an NYSC member.
“Let this be a stepping stone to greater achievements”, he said.
The Commissioner stressed the importance of making deliberate choices in life, particularly in their careers and personal associations.
“You must choose your company wisely because it will determine who will accompany you in life. Do not surround yourself with dream killers.
“Take action with passion, and it will yield results. Above all, pray before venturing into anything”, he advised.
Paddy, however, expressed confidence in the corps members’ ability to contribute meaningfully to Edo’s development.
“I saw the youthful population, ready to act and contribute to society. I saw the energy and drive.
“Obviously, we expect you to bring your passion to improve our educational system and the state at large”, he said.
He assured the NYSC members of the state government’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people through policy reforms and strategic partnerships.
Earlier in her welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Frances Ben-Ushie, commended the State Government for its commitment to youth development.
Ben-Ushie said over 80 per cent of the corps members would be deployed to the education sector.
“These young men and women have undergone physical and intellectual training, leadership development, and specialised programmes such as the SDGs initiative, SERVICOM, and Safety Vanguard.
“They are ready to make an impact in their assigned communities”, she stated.
She further highlighted the importance of the commissioner’s visit, saying it provided corps members with direct interaction with a key stakeholder in the state’s education sector.
“This session is crucial because it allows the corps members to meet someone who is already making a difference in capacity building, philanthropy, and human capital development.
“It will prepare you mentally to serve effectively in the communities”, she added.
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