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A Vicious Cycle …Combating Oil Theft In Nigeria
As far back as July, 1988, one time Minister of Petroleum, Pro. Tam David-West, in what he called ‘a family meeting’ with Journalists, said Nigeria was losing N10 million annually to oil thieves. Nearly twenty five years after, rather than abate, crude oil theft is today one of the most lucrative businesses, next only to political power and kidnapping.
Last week, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Andrew Yakubu said Nigeria loses $12 billion to crude oil theft annually, a figure which when converted at as low a rate as N150 to a dollar, amounts to a whooping N1.8 trillion, although, Chief of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters, Maj-Gen Lawrence Ngubane, said last week that the Joint Task Force (JTF) has been able to reduce crude oil theft from 60,000 barrels Per Day (BPD) to 23,0000bpd.
In a country where dependable statistical data management still remains a mirage, these figures can hardly be relied upon, but they nonetheless, help tell the sad story of how a national malady which years ago was a privileged trade for an influential few has become an all-comers occupation. Sadly, it now includes uniformed personnel depended upon to check the illicit trade.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba attested to it recently when he accused some of his men assigned to crucial sea borders of being compromised, only to aid illegal oil-theft, with the warning that anyone caught would be dealt with decisively. That would not be the first time such high ranking security chief would be sounding such warning, yet the situation remains the same.
Last week Friday, at about 5pm, Okrika bound sea passengers were shocked to their marrows to find two outboard engine boats, coated in black substance suspected to be used for oil theft, carrying armed personnel wearing Nigerian Military camouflage, openly sharing money mid-sea off the shores of the Abuloma Jetty in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
That was barely a day after Maj-Gen. Ngubane had warned men of the JTF in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of the state against aiding and abating oil theft, commonly called illegal bunkering.
But what is bunkering? When is it illegal? Or Legal.
The word bunkering is derived from the word ‘bunker’. According to the Collins’ Web Dictionary, ‘A bunker is a place, usually underground, that has been built with strong walls to protect it against heavy gunfire and bombing”. But the closest in meaning is a second definition which states, ‘A bunker is a container for Coal or other fuel’.
Understandably, the act of conveying products contained in such containers to a marine vessel, mid-sea is what is now re-coined as bunkering.
Bunkering, by itself was not always an illegal business, as some companies are licensed to own tank farms through which products are loaded and conveyed to large sea vessels that cannot berth in shallow rivers. Even at the Okrika Jetty, a ship as mighty as Baco-liner would have problem berthing and would have to anchor at the high seas for product purchase and loading. Bunkering is thus a major bridge.
Today, some of the same foreign vessels, owned by citizens from countries that near frequently tag Nigeria, as the most corrupt in the world, prefer to buy crude oil from illegal sources, sometimes in exchange for fire arms, at other times for peanuts. Even when it is officially loaded by say NNPC at a given jetty, officials assigned still under-quote their sales and share proceeds between Nigeria and their own pockets.
Unfortunately, such official crooks are not alone. This is why only very trusted staff are assigned roles at pump sites, as usually obtained at Police check-points, Immigration border posts and Naval Sea Control areas.
Understandably, just as some insects become more resistant, the more pesticides are used, oil theft has become a vicious cycle not limited to those who burst oil pipelines, or oil company officials who open pipe valves for thieves or uniformed men detailed to prevent the illicit trade but who end up joining the party.
Otherwise, how can a foreign ship illegally find her way into Nigeria’s sea borders, and for days, load stolen Nigerian crude, for peanuts and leave as easily as she came without the knowledge of the Nigerian Naval personnel detailed to be on guide duty?
What then is oil theft in general terms? The following categorisations may appear legitimate to many, but illegal refinery owners, today known as ‘Kpo-fire, are petty thieves, the others are armed robbers, So, when is oil said to have been stolen?
When oil blocks are shared among a cabal without recourse to the values of equity, fairness and justice. When as much as 83 per cent of oil blocks are owned by a few from the non-oil producing Northern part of Nigeria while, the rest of the forced amalgamation have barely 17 percent.
When a protest against such injustice, in course of debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in the Senate, the Upper Chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly, died as easily as it was raised because, on account of uneven numbers, illegal beneficiaries still remain judges in their own case, or in protection of their kith and kin.
Oil is said to have been stolen when oil bearing communities are denied any reward for the oil prospection and production activities in their land even if they suffer all manner of environmental degradation and denial of their traditional occupations of fishing and farming.
Oil is said to have been stolen when non-oil producing states determine what percentage must go to the oil producing states by way of derivation. When a paltry 13 percent of that is still made an issue by those who contribute little or nothing to the general pool.
Oil is said to have been stolen, when mining of countless minerals is condoned by those who should bring proceeds to the table for general use, and instead look the other way either for fear of the influential few behind the business or just to be seen to be fair to them, while all set their sights on crude oil from the Niger Delta.
Oil is said to have been stolen when the East-West road, the key gate-way that links the South-South geo-political zone to the rest of the nation, is left in a bad state for years at high risk to vehicular movement, even when Nigeria’s capital city with its mega roads was built from proceeds from the same oil from the Niger Delta.
Oil is said to have been stolen when the oil bearing states are denied control of their God-given resources, while in the days of the great groundnut pyramids, the opposite was true. It is even a bigger example of armed robbery when such beneficiaries, turn-around to say, one form is agriculture and the other, natural-gift to the entire nation.
But perhaps the biggest example of oil thieves are the NNPC and other multi-national oil firms who not only determine their own jumbo salaries, engage carpenters and brick-layers as expatriates and also under- report their daily production to a very gullible Nigerian State. Even worse is the huge surveillance contracts they award annually, ostensibly to check oil theft only to cry-wolf daily of the same problem and what Nigeria loses to that illicit trade.
Unfortunately, all these facts are known to most uniformed men regularly posted to high flash-points to prevent oil theft and so cannot live like non-Romans in Rome.
Such is the vicious cycle the Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to halt. And Nigerians expect government to do just that, afterall, it was part of the problems Jonathan elected to solve when he put self forward to become President.
My Agony is that those daily being arrested, and paraded as oil thieves, are the ordinary petty thieves of the illicit trade while those of the armed robber grade still determine whose right it was, is, and ever shall be, to steal the crude oil from the Niger Delta.
Isn’t there a way to directly involve the oil bearing Communities and States in the protection of oil facilities rather than letting NNPC and multi-national oil firms award surveillance contracts to themselves, using cronies who themselves become the legal thieves?
Or must we continue to do the familiar: recycle of security operatives to secure oil production sites for each to have a bite of the pie?
In a country where, a 17-year old teenager spends eight months in jail for wandering while a multi-millionaire drug baron bags 10 years in jail but serves his prison term in the comfort of his home, it will require more than cries of huge losses and repeated warnings to security personnel to check oil theft. The cleansing must start with the top.
This is because, there are so many things flawless oratory in high places can cover-up, corruption, like pregnancy is not one of them. It requires the top-down approach not the bottom-up, this time.
President Jonathan And Diezani Alison
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.