Rivers
Tinubu Commissions First Nigeria’s Indigenous Crude Oil Terminal
President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, has commissioned the $400 million Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal in Ikuru town, Andoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
Developed by Green Energy International Limited (GEIL), the terminal is Nigeria’s first new crude export facility in over five decades, set to boost crude oil production, stimulate the economy, and create jobs.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, noted that the project aligns with the core priorities of his Renewed Hope administration’s agenda, symbolizing progress in addressing the longstanding challenges of evacuation in the oil and gas industry.
He commended GEIL for its vision and resilience in delivering a world-class facility with over $400 million investment and executing the project ahead of timeline.
The President highlighted the terminal’s significance in boosting indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry, showcasing local content and investment under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He assured Green Energy of the Federal Government’s support, noting that “oil and gas will remain crucial to the global energy mix for the next 50 years or more”, and urged industry stakeholders to collaborate to unlock Nigeria’s vast energy potential.
The President announced that the Africa Energy Bank, which is aimed at mobilizing local finances to invest in the energy sector, is ready to take-off, expressing optimism that the bank will help change the game for Africa’s energy sector and enable local companies to access financing for their projects.
Tinubu thanked the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for ensuring compliance to global standard, and commended the Ikuru Town Community for their understanding and partnership.
While assuring government’s commitment to delivering democratic dividends for the people’s betterment, Lokpobiri also stated that the Federal government is working with the people of Ogoni land and stakeholders in Rivers State and has reached a peaceful resolution to pave the way for the resumption of oil exploration activities in Ogoni land.
Earlier in his address, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Green Energy, Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, said, the facility is a testament to Nigerian innovation and ingenuity.
He noted that the terminal, which has a storage capacity of 750.000 barrels (expandable to 3 million barrels), and a pumping capacity of 360,000 barrels per day, is the first new onshore crude oil terminal in Nigeria in over 50 years.
According to the CEO, the terminal will unlock the potential of over 40 stranded fields in the region with over 3 billion barrels of reserves, potentially contributing over 200,000 barrels per day to Nigeria’s production.
Prof. Adegbulugbe expressed gratitude to Senator Lokpobiri, and the regulatory agencies for their support and commitment to transparency which, he noted, ensured the project’s timely delivery.
“This commissioning marks a new beginning. It’s now up to us – industry, government, investors, and operators – to build on this momentum, innovate further, and ensure Nigeria’s energy wealth benefits every Nigerian”, Prof. Adegbulugbe stated.
In his goodwill message at the commissioning, the Paramount Ruler of Ikuru Town, HRM, Aaron Miller Ikuru, thanked President Tinubu for the new crude oil export terminal, describing it as a monumental national asset that symbolizes hope for job opportunities and improved livelihoods.
The monarch expressed concerns over the inconsistent payment of the statutory 3% Operating Expenditure (OPEX) by the operating company and appealed to the President to ensure prompt payment.
He also requested that the company fulfill its promise to supply electricity to the community and connect them to the same energy source as nearby fields.
HRM Ikuru also thanked the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for completing a section of the Unity Road and appealed for the construction of a road leading to Ikuru Town.
In attendanxe at the event were top government officials, such as the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole; Political stakeholders, including former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus; Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Hon. Lucky Promise Otuo; as well as Oil and Gas Sector players and other notable dignitaries.
The commissioning of the Otakikpo terminal is widely seen as a major boost to Nigeria’s oil industry and a testament to the country’s commitment to increasing crude oil production and revenue generation.
A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.
Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.
Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.
Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.
Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.
In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more
He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.
Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.
The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.
Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.
Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.
Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso