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Rivers Host First Modular LPG Plants … As FG Commissions Project

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1 year ago

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The Green Energy and Lekoil Joint Venture (JV) have built a 12-million cubic feet gas extraction plant and 20-megawatts gas power plant at the Otakikpo field in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The two key gas and power infrastructure projects, originally developed by Green Energy and Lekoil Joint Venture (JV), marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s gas sector.
The projects are envisioned to actualize Nigeria’s vision for adopting gas as the transition fuel of choice, and lolespecially as the global discussion of energy sustainability gathers momentum.
Giving highlights of the project, Chairman of Green Energy International Limited, Operator of Otakikpo field, Prof Anthony Adegbulugbe, explained that the inauguration of the twin projects was the realiszation of the firm’s commitment to the federal government to implement a pilot project of the World Bank Gas Flares Reduction Programme (GFRP), based on Small Scale Gas Utilization Programme (SSGUP).
Adegbulugbe explained that the idea was to provide a unique model that ensures oil exploration from the field that not only eliminates gas flares, but ensures that associated gas is monetized through utilisation for domestic gas, power generation and other products in the value chain for the economic advancement of the host communities and the nation generally.
Adegbulugbe, who explained that the field was awarded to Green Energy International Ltd. in 2014 by the Federal Government, however, expressed regret that the project suffered over 20 months of setback with the COVID-19 pandemic which shut down the entire world.

“But by the grace of God, the Joint Venture undaunted by the unexpected set back at a huge cost overrun, rebounded, and by January last year, we started a test run. At completion, the two projects cost the JV over $60million”, he explained.

He added that the installation and operations of the plant was implemented 100 per cent by Nigerian young men and women who cut across a wide spectrum of professional backgrounds with significant number from the Niger Delta and Host communities.

“The workforce are managed by a set of world-class professionals at the board and management levels”, the Green Energy International boss declared.

Adegbulugbe lauded the cooperation of the technical partner, Lekoil Oil and Gas Company, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Olalekan Akinyanmi, saying, “Upon entering into a partnership with us, the company aligned with our vision, and we have jointly achieved this successful outcome”.

Also speaking, the Lekoil boss, said the event marked a significant milestone, not just for Lekoil and Green Energy International, but for Nigeria’s energy future.

He said, “The commissioning of the Otakikpo LPG Extraction Plant and the 20MW Gas-to-Power Project is a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and unwavering commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

“From the very beginning, our partnership has been anchored on a shared mission to unlock the full potential of the Otakikpo Field, harness our nation’s vast gas resources, and drive economic transformation through reliable power generation.

“What we see here today is a direct result of that synergy. Together, we have demonstrated that when companies align their strengths, expertise, and ambition, we can deliver innovative solutions that benefit not just our stakeholders, but the communities and industries that rely on us”.

He also expressed gratitude to Green Energy International, their partners, the government, and all those who contributed to making the project a reality.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, while commissioning the projects, said coming on stream of the projects is pivotal for actualising Nigeria’s vision for adopting gas as the transition fuel of choice, especially as the global discussion of energy sustainability gathers momentum.

Ekpo, who commended the joint venture on the initiative, said the mandate of President Bola Tinubu to him was to drive the development of the gas sector in the country, with a dedicated and strategic focus on development of Nigeria’s natural resources (gas), noting that Nigeria ranks eight in the whole world and largest in Africa with 33 percent of Africa gas reserve.

The Minister said, “The creation of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) by Mr. President reflects the foresight and wisdom of Mr. President in ensuring a dedicated and strategic focus on development of our natural resources (gas).

“It is gratifying to observe that the joint venture has made significant strides in complying with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 particularly your establishment of the distinct midstream entity First Otakikpo Midstream Limited (FOML), to manage the gas business.”

Ekpo assured that the Tinubu-led administration would remain committed to supporting the JV’s aspirations as they continue to expand their investment blueprint within Nigerian gas sector, saying; “Another remarkable and commendable milestone worthy of recognition is the development of the 20 megawatts gas to power generation plant which I understand is being deployed to support your rapidly expanding field operations”.

According to him, the excess power generated from the power plant would be made available to local industries through the establishment of an industrial park targeting agro-allied ventures, small and medium scale enterprises and the surrounding communities.

Lady Godknows Ogbulu

 

 

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Boat Mishap Kills Pastor, Wife And Church Members  In Brass Water

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May 18, 2026

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A boat accident in Bayelsa state has killed a serving Pastor, Wife and other church members along Brass waterways
The sad incident happened at Odioama in Brass local government area of Bayelsa State when the Pastor, wife and  members of his church were in a programme.
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?Tide confirmed that the lifeless body of the Pastor’s wife has been found and deposited in a mortuary while the remains of her husband ,the Pastor is yet  to be recovered
as search party are still ongoing.
Although the real cause of the boat Mishap is not yet known as at the time of this report,  our Correspondent gathered  that the identities of the Pastor, wife and church members were not disclosed to the public.
The mishap, Tide gathered occurred on Friday morning when the church members were on a boat transit
The Bayelsa State government and the state police command are yet to issue official statement’s  on the sad accident
By: CHINEDU WOSU
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Rivers Workers Seek Scrapping Of Contributory Pension Scheme

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1 week ago

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May 18, 2026

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The Rivers State Council of  Nigeria Civil Service Union has called on the State Government to urgently scrap the contributory pension scheme, describing it as unfavourable to long-serving civil servants in the state.
Chairman of the union, Chukwuka Osuma, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt,  recently.
Osuma said the current pension structure has continued to worsen post-retirement hardship for workers.
He noted that  the contributory pension scheme had failed to provide adequate retirement security for workers who had spent many years in service, especially those approaching retirement age.
According to him, civil servants who had served for more than 20 years were among the worst affected under the scheme, insisting that many retirees could no longer cope with prevailing economic realities.
He also  informed that the Union has made moves to showcase their concerns, pleading with Governor Siminalayi Fubara to abolish the pension policy and introduce a more favourable arrangement for affected workers.
“The union was not opposed to pension reforms, the contributory scheme should only apply to newly employed workers or those with fewer years in service”, he said.
Osuma explained that workers who had already spent decades in the civil service ought to remain under a more secure pension structure capable of guaranteeing stability after retirement.
The labour leader further noted that inflation and the rising cost of living had continued to erode the value of retirement savings, thereby increasing the suffering of pensioners across the country.
He also appealed to the state government to consider extending the years of service in the civil service from 35 to 40 years and the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
Osuma argued that such adjustment had become necessary in view of present-day economic realities and changing conditions in the workplace.
The unionist also reviewed that similar policies had already been adopted in some sectors and jurisdictions, expressing optimism that the State could also implement the reforms for the benefit of workers.
He however, commended Governor Fubara for approving an N85,000 minimum wage for workers in the state, noting that the amount was above the national benchmark of N70,000.
Osuma also acknowledged the government’s efforts in the area of workers’ promotions and bonuses, but insisted that pension reforms and extension of years of service remained critical to the long-term welfare and stability of civil servants in Rivers State.
By: King Onunwor
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FG Begins South-West Tour To Promote New Cooperative Bank

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2 weeks ago

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May 13, 2026

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The Federal Government has launched the South-West zonal engagement and ministerial advocacy tour on the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria share capital mobilisation, sensitisation and cooperative sector digitalisation.
 Reports say the initiative was launched through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
According to reports, the advocacy tour, organised by the ministry’s Federal Department of Cooperatives, began on Monday in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security and Supervising Minister of Cooperative Affairs, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, said the initiative was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Abdullahi described the exercise as a strategic effort to reposition the cooperative sector as a key driver of inclusive economic growth, financial inclusion, enterprise development, food security and national prosperity.
“Today represents a defining moment in our collective determination to reposition the cooperative sector as a major driver of inclusive economic growth, financial inclusion, enterprise development, food security and national prosperity,” he said.
The minister noted  the modern cooperative movement in Nigeria originated in the South-West following the 1934 Strickland Report, which led to the enactment of the Cooperative Societies Ordinance of 1935.
According to him, the decision to commence the sensitisation and share capital mobilisation tour in the region is symbolic, as it marks a return to the roots of cooperative development in the country.
Abdullahi said the advocacy tour was a direct outcome of resolutions reached at the 8th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Cooperative Affairs held in Abuja in March 2026.
He said the council approved the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme, a comprehensive framework designed to strengthen the cooperative sector and align it with the administration’s goal of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
“The reform programme focuses on seven strategic pillars, including governance reforms, cooperative financing and the establishment of the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria, digitalisation, capacity building, value chain development, inclusion of youths, women and persons with disabilities, and strategic partnerships,” he said.
He said the establishment of the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria and the digitalisation of the cooperative sector were the two major transformational initiatives under the programme.
“The Cooperative Bank of Nigeria is aimed at rebuilding a strong cooperative financial system capable of supporting cooperators, farmers, artisans, traders, SMEs, youths, women and persons with disabilities with accessible and affordable financial services,” he said.
Abdullahi emphasised that the proposed bank would be government-enabled but not government-funded.
“Government is not establishing the bank as an owner, nor will it rely on Treasury Single Account funds.
“The role of government through the FMAFS is to provide policy support, stakeholder coordination, regulatory facilitation and an enabling environment under the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme,” he said.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to cooperative sector transformation.
She described cooperatives as critical tools for promoting inclusive growth, grassroots productivity, food security, financial inclusion and community wealth creation.
Ambrose-Medebem said Lagos State would continue to support reforms and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (2025–2030).
“Together, let us build a cooperative ecosystem that is modern, transparent, digitally enabled, financially inclusive and globally competitive.
“Let us build cooperatives that not only mobilise savings, but also mobilise prosperity,” she said.
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