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VC Urges FG To Implement Policy On Modular Refineries
The Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Prof Okechukwu Onuchukwu has called on the Federal Government to show fairness to the people of the Niger Delta by going ahead to implement the policy on modular refineries as a way of encouraging economic growth, employment generation and increased productivity in the country.
He made the call while delivering a keynote address titled: “Insecurity and Economic Development in Nigeria”, during the memorial lecture organised by the Ikwerre Doctors’ Forum (IDF) at the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) House, East-West Road, Port Harcourt.
As a professor of economics, he opined that Nigerian Government has all it takes to take up the challenge of training Niger Delta youths who were willing and available to take up the artisan refinery project to make them useful to the society.
He recalled that it was by far better than using collective resources to pay for fuel subsidy which has never improved the economy but has become a mirage.
Onuchukwu said that it would be better to apply subsidy at the production stage as against the government’s decision to apply it at the consumption level.
“Subsidy is better in production than in consumption. Our boys are carrying arms, getting involved in societal vices. However, some have been found themselves into artisan refinery. If you try to find out how much our government has put in fighting crimes, you would see the reason to apply economic policies to salvage the system.
“Why can’t we refine our oil by ourselves? Why can’t we queue up and improve on our livelihoods? Why can’t we stop the western economic patronage and build what is exactly ours to be managed by ourselves?”
He maintained that we experience bad government because those who mount the office of leadership of the country were corrupt, and wondered why some ethnic groups were made to look superior to others.
The university lecturer compared the gold that is being mined in Zamfara State to the oil in the Niger Delta, and maintained that the Federal Government has never been fair to the people of the Niger Delta.
He sued for an all-inclusive policy on fairness for all Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic group or region.
“I am not saying that ‘Kpo fire’ is the best but I am saying that we can improve upon what the boys are doing. There must be a conscious effort to improve on what they are doing. We can put them into co-operatives, hence improve on it.”
On the contrary, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Prof Emenike Wami, condemned, in totality, the idea of modular refineries and that of “Kpo fire”, and maintained that both were never better options and should not be one.
According to him, the Nigerian Government has no better option than to build and maintain standard refineries for optimum production.
He was reacting while responding to questions from journalists who were at the event.
Wami argued that crude oil production was by far better in larger quantities than in smaller quantities, and warned that anyone trying to experiment crude oil production through the establishment of modular refineries for small scale production was making a grave mistake.
“Kpo fire’ is not viable option and modular refinery is also not viable. Both are not the answer to the problem. I am a petroleum engineer by profession with over 40 years standing. I am telling you that both are not viable options because it is not economical to refine petroleum in a small quantity. If you refine one barrel of crude oil using ‘kpo fire,’ you will not get N10 profit. The way forward is for the Federal Government to build and maintain or rehabilitate our refineries,” he maintained.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.