Business

NNPC Blames Pipeline Vandalism On Gas Shortage

Published

12 years ago

January 22, 2014

The Nigerian National Pe
troleum Corporation (NNPC) last Monday blamed the recent drop in gas supply for power generation on pipeline vandalism.
The Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Mr Andrew Yakubu, who stated this during a news conference in Abuja, said about N800 million had been spent on the ongoing repair of the pipelines.
Yakubu attributed the incident to outright sabotage of some crucial gas pipelines, which he said, had significantly eroded available gas supply to the power plants.
He said that as at last weekend, over 30 per cent (480 MMsf/d) of the installed gas supply capacity was out due mainly to vandalism.
The GMD said that the lost gas was equivalent to the gas requirement to generate about 1,600 MW of electricity.
He listed the pipelines involved to include the Escravos-Warri stretch of the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) which accounted for (190 mmcf/d) and the Trans-Forcados crude pipeline (230 mmcf/d).
“The remaining supply shortfall is due to maintenance issues at Utorogu gas plant (60 mmcf/d).
“The outage on the ELPS has been on for over six months due to willful acts of vandalism at various locations between Escravos and Egwa location,’’ the GMD said.
He said that an explosion rocked the ELPS and investigation revealed that a dynamite had been used on four ruptured points on June 25, 2013.
Yakubu said that engineers from the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) were mobilised immediately to commence repair works, but as repairs progressed, more points of rupture emerged.
“At the last count, 20 ruptured points have been identified, all due to deliberate dynamite explosion.
“NGC completed repairs in November and on commissioning in December, rapid pressure loss was experienced indicating further rupture in weakened locations.
“We have since effected repair on these new points and re-commenced commissioning activities,’’ he said.
The GMD, however, gave assurance that gas supply would be reinstated in the next three or five weeks at the completion of various repairs, which is expected to bring a major improvement in power supply.
He said that the cumulative effect of the above interruptions was the degradation of power supply to Nigerians.
Yakubu said that the Ministry of Petroleum and NNPC would continue to make efforts to ensure gas supply in the difficult environment.
He also said there would be additional 450 mmcf/d supply from various ongoing projects to bridge the growing demand by the power sector between 2014 and 2016.
“By the end of Q2/Q3 2014, additional 200 mmcf/d of gas is expected from two NPDC projects at Utorogu and Oredo.
“In addition, with the planned completion of the Omoku and Alaoji NIPP power plants, further boost in generation is expected as both plants have gas supply available awaiting completion of the power plants,’’ the GMD assured. .
He said that many other projects were expected to mature progressively among which would be the East-West pipeline expected to be completed in 2016.
According to him this will bring a major boost in gas supply as over 250 mmcf/d of gas stranded in the East will be diverted to meet the growing power demand.

Business

RIVERS NDC STANDARD BEARER CAUTIONS AGAINST TRIBAL POLITICS IN 2027

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

Governorship candidate of The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has called on politicians and other stakeholders in the state not to make the governorship seat of Rivers State an ethnic agenda.

Chief Lulu-Briggs, who said this in an interview with newsmen shortly after arrival from Abuja, also blamed the alleged unenviable position of Rivers State among the comity of states in the country on the political class.

He said stakeholders must avoid a situation where the state would be plunged into another round of political crisis, adding that given the ethnic and cultural diversity of the state, it was necessary to give everyone a sense of inclusion by ensuring that the governorship seat rotates among the ethnic nationalities.

The NDC governorship flag bearer condemned the alleged intimidation of the electorate, noting that the situation has underdeveloped the state.

He said, if elected, his administration would provide the democratic dividends that will improve the lives of the people.

In a similar development, the state chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Rivers State, Mr Success Jack, says his party will run an all inclusive government in the state.

Mr Jack, who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt, promised that an NDC controlled government will always consult with the people before taking any decisions.

According to him, based on his party’s ideology of “Solid, Strong Accommodating”, the NDC offers hope to the hopeless and the downtrodden.

“We assure you that we are fully ready. Our party is a platform that is open to everybody whether APC or PDP, we offer hope. Our ideology is Solid, Strong, Accommodating. The manifesto of our party is anchored on the ideology of providing genuine service to the people”.

Mr Jack also stressed that the policies of an NDC government would be crafted in such a way and manner that serves the primary and secondary interests of the people.

“This is not what you find in other parties.What you find in other parties is utmost impunity, absolute impunity, where the people are not included, they are not consulted and so their opinion does not count, they don’t know what government wants to do because they didn’t contribute to what government wants to do.

“That’s not the case here. We listen to the people, even provide the way forward, (and) the details for the way forward because we provide the framework as a government but the people will provide the details because they are the ones that wear the shoes and they know where it pinches them”, he said.

By: John Bibor

Business

Navy Upgrades Infrastructure To Tackle Security Threats —— CNS

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding its infrastructures and training to tackle emerging security threats

Navy also said the service is aimed at strengthening operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas stated this 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.

Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, Abbas 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 facilities include 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 said.

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.

NAVTRAC also distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area.

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.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Business

Airport Road Remains Only For Airport Activities —-Gov. Fubara

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara says Airport road will soon be accessible only for Airport activities in the state.

The Governor said this recently while inspecting the level l0of construction work on the Igwuruta By-Pass Road project in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

The Governor who expressed optimism over the progress of work on the project, saying the By-pass road will reduced unrelated activities on the Airport area in the state.

Governor Fubara explained that the By-pass road was designed in collaboration with the host community to address accessibility concerns while preserving the operational integrity of the airport corridor.

“So, we liaised with the community and created this By-pass,” he stated.

The governor further clarified the objective of the road project, saying it would provide the residents with a dedicated access route separate from the airport operations.

“The purpose of the By-pass is so needful that the community can have this as their own way, their own entrance, while the airport will remain only for airport activity once these roads are completed,” he said.

Providing an update on the pace of work, Fubara disclosed that the project had already achieved a major milestone in execution.

“So far, they’ve done about 65% of the job,” the governor announced,

revealing that contractors handling the project had assured the state government of timely delivery.

He also expressed confidence that the bypass would be completed before October.

“They’re also promising that before October, the total project will be delivered,” he added.

By: Enoch Epelle