News
…RVHA Seeks Other Means Of Illegal Products Destruction
The Rivers State House of Assembly (RVHA), has appealed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to sort out another alternative means of destroying illegal refineries and products, instead of burning them with fire to worsen gas flaring and black soot in the state.
The Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Hon. Christian Ahiakwo made the appeal last Wednesday during an interactive session with NSCDC at the Corps Command office in Port Harcourt.
Ahiakwo listed the likely causes of increased gas flaring and black soot as activities of illegal refineries and the NSCDC’s destruction of such illegal refineries with fire.
The Committee Chairman advocated that the Defence Corps should consider the option of handing over any seized illegal petroleum products to Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for proper refining instead of destroying same.
Ahiakwo who regretted the prevailing black soot all over the state said his committee as part of its oversight function would have an interface with the NSCDC in the efforts at combating the menace of illegal refineries in the state.
According to him, activities of illegal refineries are the prime suspect for the cause of the black soot. He therefore appealed to the corps to intensify its effort at saving and preserving lives and the environment for accumulated efforts of cancer and other medical related diseases and sicknesses in the state.
The Rivers Commandant of NSCDC Mohammed Lawal Haruna noted that all illegal refined products were adulterated, hence, it could not in any way be re-refined for lawful consumption in the country and the global market.
The Commandant, who also expressed worries on the increasing activities of illegal refineries in the creeks of Niger Delta, especially in Rivers State, said the Command adopted intentional combat on illegal refineries and orderly check their menace in the state.
According to him, in most cases, the Command set on fire the illegal refineries and the adulterated petroleum product to protect the environment from spillage that could be detrimental to livelihood.
“In most cases, we set them on fire because, we cannot pour it to destroy the environment”, he said.
Despite the stringent measures taken, the Rivers State NSCDC Commandant expressed surprise that many barges of illegal products find their way into territorial rivers on a daily basis even as many have been destroyed daily by men of the corps and the Navy.
He commended the Assembly for its moves to interface with security agencies to proffer solution to the black soot as well as check the menace of illegal refineries in the state.
Enoch Epelle
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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