Business
Group Threatens Stringent Actions Against Firm
Members of a pressure group representing oil bearing communities in the Degema/Bonny axis of Rivers State, Abaji Doku Apu Association have threatened to would take stringent actions against Ereton Exploration and Production Company in Rivers State over their perceived flaunt dishonour of invitations to attend a meeting with the association.
President of the Association, Chief Adim Ikiromo-Owiye stated this shortly after a botched meeting called by the Rivers State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, between Ereton Exploration and Production and the association to dialogue at the Rivers State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs on Tuesday.
Ikiromo-Owiye noted that several letters have been written to the company since they bought the oil platform over from Shell Petroleum Development Company.
According to him, the company was invited, we also were invited to come with our representatives, which we did but the company did not respond.
He continued: “We are going to do what we are supposed to do because we are a pressure group and that means they are forcing us to make Rivers State look like there are crises. We are not provoking it, they said dialogue is the best practice, we are asking for dialogue, why is the company refusing to dialogue with us? Why are they asking us to close their gate?”
The leader of the pressure group said they would need government’s directive which has asked them to be patient while rescheduling the meeting, and restated: “If they refuse to next meeting, we shall close up their gate”.
The Tide gathered that Abaji Doku Apu Association is a pressure group seeking to create opportunties for meaningful engagement, employment opportunities and capacity building in accordance with the provisions of the Local Content Development Act and Shell Petroleum Development Company’s General Memorandum of Understanding signed the periods of Shell exploration activities in the community.
In attendance in the meeting were youths and leaders represented by Alex Ibienetua, Degema Cluster II, Auson Pollyn, Cawthorne Channel and Biobele Pokima Degema Cluster III.
Tonye Nria-Dappa
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.