Niger Delta

FG Grants Licence For A’Ibom Refinery

Published

6 years ago

August 14, 2019

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DR) has approved the ATC licence for the construction of 5,000 bpd modular refinery for Ikwe-Onna Refinery project located in Akwa Ibom State.
The company’s official, Modupe Salawu dropped the hint to newsmen in Uyo, saying the refinery project under the supervision of Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Ibe Kachikwu would be a flagship for Modular Refineries in the country.
She said that the original equipment manufacturers, Chemex Modular USA and Local Content Companies, Cakasa have moved to site to comence construction work.
The project, which ground-breaking was performed in December 20, 2016 by Dr IbeKachikwu, is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Public Private Partnership (PPP), designed to encourage local refinery development and peaceful cooperation with host communities to bring an end to the epileptic petroleum products supply by NNPC, as well as drag on the nation’s FOREX reserves.
The modular refinery, sited in a 50.1 hectares of land in Ikwe Community, Onna Local Government Area of the State, on completion will produce about 5000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) start-up, to be beefed up to 20,000 bpd, in the medium term and 100,000 bpd in the long term.
Earlier, the Chairman, Board of Directors of the company, Engr. Bassey Rex said that the refinery was incorporated in August, 2016 as an indigenous oil and gas group in partnership with Ikwe Community to enhance the socio-economic development of the state, with full participation of community stakeholders to bring its activities closer to the host communities, while ensuring equally green operations through foreign collaborators.
According to him, the refinery comes with major components such as the Petroleum layouts, Fertilizer Plants, Lubricant Factory, LPG Plant and Bio-Refinery for integrated waste management through a robust biotechnology advancement to produce energy from waste products as well as maintain cleaner and safe environment.
Engr. Rex further said: ”our loading bays shall have state of the art E-service system, as we have E-Card mega Filling stations for efficient close loop management and accounting process and, resolution of all prevalent issues of product distribution and safety through our mega Gas Park”.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.