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Tinubu Commissions First Nigeria’s Indigenous Crude Oil Terminal

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6 months ago

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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.

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NDDC Provides Lifeline To Flood-Hit Ogu-Bolo Community

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6 days ago

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April 2, 2026

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In response to the recent flood disaster that displaced families, destroyed farmlands, and worsened economic hardship in Ogu/Bolo Community, The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed relief materials to residents of the community.
Presenting the items on behalf of the Managing Director, the Director II, Education, Health and Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Onolejoloni, said the intervention underscores the commission’s commitment to alleviating the plight of vulnerable communities across the Niger Delta.
According to a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the gesture followed the devastating impact of flooding on livelihoods in the community.
The Managing Director noted that the commission, in collaboration with the Derek and Davia Foundation, provided financial support to facilitate the distribution of essential food items and household materials to affected residents.
He described the initiative as part of efforts to address pressing needs, adding that it also reflects government’s solidarity with citizens facing economic challenges.
“This intervention goes beyond palliatives. It is a demonstration of government’s presence, compassion and commitment to supporting families in distress, in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President,” he said.
He urged community leaders to ensure fair distribution of the items and encouraged residents to sustain peace and support development programmes.
The Paramount Ruler of Ogu-Bolo, Chief Joachim Amachiri, commended the Commission for the timely intervention, noting that it would provide much-needed relief to victims of the flood.
He reaffirmed the community’s support for NDDC initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in the region.
Also speaking, a consultant on the programme, represented by Dr. George Smile, praised the commission’s responsiveness to disaster-affected communities, disclosing that plans were underway, in partnership with development stakeholders, to extend similar support to neighbouring areas.
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Don Traces Nigeria’s Highway Woes To Design Failures  … Proposes Mechanistic-Empirical Design Approach

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7 days ago

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April 2, 2026

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A lecturer at the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Emmanuel Osilemme Ekwulo, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s highway pavement systems, stating that poor design practices and weak standards, not just inadequate funding, are at the heart of the country’s persistent road failures.
Delivering the 128th inaugural lecture at the Rivers State University, titled “Removing Roadblocks: Rebuilding The Foundation For Reliable Highway Pavement Infrastructure”, Ekwulo argued that Nigeria’s roads will continue to deteriorate prematurely unless critical engineering principles are strictly applied and enforced.
According to him, recurring defects in the nation’s highways stem from a combination of faulty design processes, substandard construction materials, weak regulatory enforcement, poor drainage systems, and widespread disregard for professional ethics.
He stressed that these systemic failures have undermined the durability of road infrastructure despite significant financial investments.
“Premature pavement failures in Nigeria are not due to lack of funds alone, but largely due to poor design decisions, weak material standards, and absence of accountability,” he said.
Ekwulo proposed the adoption of the mechanistic-empirical design approach, a scientifically grounded method for predicting pavement performance, as a pathway to improving road quality.
He also advocated for the development of a localized framework, the Nigerian Empirical and Mechanistic Pavement Design System (NEMPADS), to reflect the country’s unique environmental and material conditions.
He further recommended stricter quality control measures, including independent audits, the establishment of a national database for material characterization, and compulsory traffic load analysis for all road projects.
The use of modified binders and advanced materials, he added, would enhance pavement resilience.
To ensure sustainability, the Professor called for the implementation of a National Pavement Management System to coordinate maintenance and monitoring efforts nationwide, noting that consistent upkeep is essential to prolonging road lifespan.
Ekwulo emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, urging universities to lead applied research initiatives and pilot projects that can deliver practical solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said universities must play a frontline role in addressing national development issues through research-driven interventions.
He described the lecture as timely, noting that the neglect of core engineering standards has contributed significantly to the country’s failing highways.
The event, held at the Dr. Ezenwo Wike Senate Building in the campus, also featured the formal decoration of Ekwulo as the institution’s 128th inaugural lecturer.
Reiterating his position after the lecture, Ekwulo stated that with proper design methods, quality materials, and strict adherence to global standards, Nigeria’s roads can achieve their intended lifespan of 10 to 20 years or more.
“Without a return to engineering fundamentals and accountability, investments in road infrastructure will continue to yield poor results”, he concluded.
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CP Reaffirms Commitment To Human Rights, Community Policing In Rivers

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7 days ago

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April 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured residents of the command’s commitment to upholding human rights and delivering people-oriented policing.
He stressed that officers under his watch would continue to operate within the confines of the law, while strengthening community relations.
Adepoju gave the assurance  during a sensitisation walk organised by the  State Police Command as part of activities marking the National Police Day in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the exercise was aimed at fostering trust and enhancing cooperation between the police and the public.
While expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a special day for the Nigeria Police to celebrate its achievements, he described the gesture as a morale booster that would spur officers to greater efficiency and professionalism in service delivery.
The CP also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for initiating a week-long celebration, which he said had provided an opportunity for the police to reconnect with citizens and showcase reforms within the force.
According to him, the large turnout of residents, stakeholders and members of the business community during the exercise was a clear indication of the growing confidence reposed in the police by the people of Rivers State.
He reiterated that the Command would sustain its sensitisation efforts, adding that officers had been adequately briefed to respect the rights of citizens, maintain professionalism and work closely with the media to promote transparency and accountability.
Adepoju disclosed that the week-long activities commenced with environmental sanitation across commands and divisions, alongside public enlightenment campaigns targeted at strengthening police-community relations.
He further revealed that the Command had also embarked on free medical outreach for both officers and members of the public, as part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to public welfare.
The CP added that financial support would be extended to widows of fallen police officers through the presentation of cheques, in line with directives from the police high command, to cushion the effects of their loss.
In his response, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state, Voke Emore, said the initiative was geared towards rebuilding trust between the police and the communities they serve.
Emore noted that the renewed synergy between the police and residents in Rivers State had created an enabling environment for effective policing, urging the public to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.
Also, a representative of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Chima Nnaji, said the group participated in the walk to show solidarity with their spouses.
 The event drew attendance from senior police officers, members of the PCRC, and stakeholders from various sectors of the state.
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