Featured
NNPC Declares State Of Emergency On Oil Production
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has declared a state of emergency on crude oil production in Nigeria.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, disclosed this while giving a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 23rd edition of the Nigeria Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOG Energy Week) in Abuja, yesterday.
According to the NNPC Limited boss, there is need to ramp up oil production to grow local capacity saying the Company is working vigorously to close the two million barrels per day oil gap as Nigeria currently produces between 1.2 million and 1.4 million barrels per day.
He said it is time to take the bulls by the horns by tackling those challenges that are creating obstacles to Nigeria’s crude oil production. He added that the era of debate has gone while calling on all stakeholders to come together to remove principalities “hindering our production.”
“We can’t continue talking, we cannot continue debating. Debate don’t produce oil, debate produce conflict. This industry is about producing oil and gas. Yes, we can do so many other things as you have heard the OPEC Secretary General and the GCF Secretary General have said but the world expect many other things from us. But more importantly for all of us in this room, I’m sure the biggest interest is to produce more oil and more gas. We don’t need to talk about reserves we have reserves. It is all dream until you produce it.
“Therefore, what we are focused on with our partners today is to produce more oil and to grow the production. It is to produce more oil and how do you produce more oil? It’s common knowledge also that we must put money, we must get the right people to work, we must have the right technology and the will to produce it so that we can benefit from it.
“But what really happened in our country, we went down in our production in both oil and gas. Nowhere near our capacity and our capability. You can blame anything; oil theft, integrity and so on and so forth. But the bottom line is that what we did recently is to take a deeper look at where we are and when we look at the data for our production by assets in the last three months without doing anything, without mobilising any rig, we can talk about decline as it has been said, but decline don’t happen in three months.
“Even when we took a look at our production in the last three months by assets, we discovered that we are actually at two million barrels per day. That means we’re unable to sustain it. Yes we can blame anything for lack of sustainability, theft is one of them, vandal action but also the sheer inability of all of us, our partners no exception including NNPC, our inability to act quickly in the timely manner.”
Kyari said a detailed analysis of assets revealed that Nigeria can conveniently produce two million barrels of crude oil per day without deploying new rigs, but the major impediment to achieving that remains the inability of players to act in a timely manner.
“Also, we can blame anything, access to capital, yes. Why don’t we have access to capital. We can blame anything but what we have seen is that we are actually at two million barrels per day without doing any of the major things we are talking about,.without the new 700,000 that has been talked about. And that is why we (NNPC) as the partner of 80 percent of those who produce oil and gas in this country have decided to stop the debate. We have declared a war and war means war. We have the right troops. We know what to fight. We know what we have to do at the level of assets and we’ve engaged our partners.
“Any partner that doesn’t do what it should do will get it done. We can’t wait for anyone, we are moving on. We cannot afford to negotiate any further. So, we have stopped the debate. And by war what it means is that we are looking at every asset, every issue that is associated with it. We’ll partner with our counterparts but if it doesn’t happen, we get it done and this is the meaning of the war. From security, assets to integrity to everything you can think of.
“As a matter of fact and as you all know, our pipeline network today, the major trunk line delivering crude to Bonny and Forcados and Brass and all of them as you all know are all constructed in 1970. No pipeline survives this. With or without the vandal action or the theft, we have taken another major decision that we’ll replace these pipelines. On this no debate. And when we replace them everybody must flow his crude inside this line. It’s not just a business decision, it’s a national decision. We are very determined to deliver on this and we will move on.”
The NNPC helmsman called on all players in the industry to collaborate towards reducing the cost of production and boosting production to target levels. He expressed the Company’s commitment to investing in critical midstream gas infrastructure such as the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipelines to boost domestic gas production and supply for power generation, industrial development and economic prosperity of the country.
Featured
Fubara Frowns At Slow Pace Of Ndele–Omofo–Egmini–Agba-Ndele Road Project ….Says Contract May Be Reviewed
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress of work on the 14.5-kilometer Ndele/Omofo/Egamini/Agba-Ndele Road project located off the East–West Road in Emohua Local Government Area.
Addressing newsmen during an inspection tour of the project on Tuesday, the Governor noted that the pace and quality of work being delivered by the contracting firm, Messrs Stream Co. & Equipment Limited, fell below acceptable standards.
He was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who briefed the Governor on the status of the project and adjoining infrastructure.
Governor Fubara, who appeared visibly unsatisfied with what he saw on the stretch of the road, said his administration would not condone mediocrity or allow public funds to be wasted on underperforming projects. He, therefore, hinted that a review of the contract may be imminent to ensure the delivery of quality infrastructure to the people.
“I can say here already that the contractor handling the road from the bridge to the East–West Road is not doing a good job. I’m not happy about it. When I get back, there will be a need to review that contract because I’m not impressed. They don’t have the capacity, and we need capacity because we must have value for whatever money we’re spending,” the Governor said.
The Governor, however, commended Setraco Nigeria Limited for the standard and pace of work on the 240-meter Agba-Ndele/Abua Bridge, which forms a major component of the project. He explained that the bridge, which his administration inherited, would significantly improve connectivity among communities in the area once completed.
Governor Fubara stated that the bridge will serve as a key link between communities in Abua/Odual, Ahoada-East, and Emohua Local Government Areas, reducing travel time and providing an alternative route to the East–West Road.
He emphasised that the project demonstrates his administration’s commitment to rural connectivity and inter-community access, which are central to his development vision for Rivers State.
“Where we are standing on is a bridge connecting Abua/Odual, Ahoada-East, and Emohua Local Government Areas. The community that is connected to this bridge is Agba-Ndele.
“Instead of running through the East–West Road to Ahoada-East and heading into Port Harcourt or out of it, this bridge provides easy access for the Abua/Odual people to cross into Emohua, Agba-Ndele, and access the East–West Road in minutes,” he explained.
Governor Fubara also expressed optimism that the bridge would be ready for use in early 2026, noting that Setraco’s expertise and performance met his administration’s expectations for quality and delivery timelines.
He highlighted that projects of such importance should be handled by firms with the capacity to meet government standards.
The Governor further remarked that once completed, the bridge would serve as a crucial economic corridor for farmers and traders, especially those involved in agriculture and cultivation of local produce across the beneficiary local government areas.
He maintained that his administration is determined to deliver people-oriented projects that promote connectivity, strengthen commerce, and enhance livelihoods across the State.
“I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen on the bridge. I’m very sure that before the end of January, it might be completely ready for us to walk through and even drive across,” Governor Fubara said.
Reaffirming his vision for Rivers people, the Governor noted that his development plan seeks to integrate all parts of the State through strategic infrastructure investments that promote mobility, social cohesion, and economic growth.
He explained that his government is executing projects across multiple local government areas to ensure balanced development and inclusivity.
Governor Fubara stated that the administration will soon address the deplorable state of the Abua/Ahoada Road, which he said, will be included in the 2026 state budget.
“Our vision is to connect the entire Rivers State together, especially communities that have challenges of access. The bridge here connects Abua/Odual and Ahoada-East to Emohua and Port Harcourt. It will ease movement, promote trade, and boost our economy because agriculture is strong on this side. Moving goods to the city won’t be a problem anymore,” he said.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure that provides value for public funds and meets the aspirations of Rivers people.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has unveiled plans to permanently relocate the dumpsite along the busy Port Harcourt Airport–Obiri-Ikwerre Road, describing the current location as both a public health threat and a damaging first impression for visitors arriving in Port Harcourt, the State capital.
The Governor made this known on Tuesday during an inspection of a proposed replacement site, which is a disused burrow pit near Bambo Estate, off Eneka Road in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The location is being assessed as a potential permanent dumpsite for the State.
Governor Fubara, who was conducted by the Board Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Dr Samuel Nwanosike, and its Managing Director, Dr Ibimina Wokoma, expressed concern about the environmental and health challenges posed by the existing site, which sits along a major entry point into the State.
“The kind of environmental hazards that we are facing there along the Airport–Obiri- Ikwerre Road; the smell on that road being the entrance into the State, we felt it’s not proper,” he said. “So, we are making alternative arrangements so we can have a permanent refuse dumpsite that meets acceptable standards.
“He added that the government would move swiftly to formalise ownership of the land and complete construction work on the access road to make the new site functional.“We have not concluded the issue of the burrow pit, but the access road, I think the government is doing something about it.
So, I will make sure that everything that needs to be done to ensure government owns this burrow pit is done,” he stated.
Governor Fubara also commended the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) for what he described as a more assertive and improved approach to managing refuse across the State.In addition to the dumpsite inspection, the Governor also visited the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters located in Elimgbu Town, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, to assess the extent of ongoing construction work on the facility.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Benibo Anabraba, to uphold the dignity of his office, protect the interest of the State, and discharge his duties with honour, respect, and responsibility.
Governor Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of the new SSG, held on Monday at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
Describing Anabraba’s appointment as an act of divine favour, the Governor said positions of leadership are not attained by our own human effort but by God’s grace in our lives.
“Let me first congratulate you. I’m using the word ‘congratulations’ because a few of us, not by our power but by the special favour of God, find ourselves in exalted positions. It’s not because we are the best, but only by His grace.”
Governor Fubara noted that the Office of the Secretary to the State Government is one of great honour, occupied by only a few since the creation of Rivers State, and urged the new appointee to serve with humility and dedication.
He, however, expressed confidence in Anabraba’s capacity to deliver, citing his past record as a principal officer of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“This position is a rare privilege. Guard that office with honour. Discharge your duties with respect. Protect the interest of Rivers State. When you leave office, let it be with honour, and that only comes through responsible service.
“I know you’re a dedicated person. This opportunity is not for show or display of power. It’s a call to duty,” he cautioned.
The Governor emphasised that the current administration is focused on restoring confidence of the people because peace has been achieved in the State.
He enjoined the new SSG to align with the vision of the administration and contribute meaningfully to the collective progress of Rivers people.
“We are emerging from a very difficult period and must reassure our people that we mean well for them, especially now that peace has returned to Rivers State. By the grace of God, do your work well. Help us succeed in this assignment that God has given to us,” the Governor added.