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NSCDC Uncovers Illegal Refining Site In Rivers

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1 year ago

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) last Friday discovered an illegal crude oil refining site in Umuechem in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Rivers State Commandant, NSCDC, Basil Igwebueze, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, saying NSCDC’s anti-vandal unit, acting on credible intelligence, swung into action to uncover the illegal refinery constructed in a thick forest.
He stated that the equipment discovered in the forest include two 20,000-litre capacity receiver, open tanks, two 25,000-litre cooking pots, and four-inch galvanised pipes used by the oil thieves.
“We got credible intelligence that there is an illegal oil refinery site under construction at Umuechem, in Etche Local Government Area.
“The Command’s Anti-Vandal Unit took a proactive step and swung into action by capturing the environment to forestall all activities of illegal dealings in petroleum products in the area.
“As you can see, this illegal refinery is located in a thick bush, showing how defiant and desperate the oil thieves are.
“Recall that the activities of local refineries have often led to environmental degradation, pollution, and health hazards and we will not tolerate that henceforth”, Igwebueze stated.
He assured that the corps would not rest on its oars in the war against illegal oil bunkering activities and other ravaging crimes in the state, adding that the NSCDC in collaboration with sister security agencies would continue to ensure that critical national assets in the state are protected.
Igwebueze noted that despite the continuous fight against oil theft, “unscrupulous elements are still unrepentant and bent on sabotaging the nation’s economy”.
He commended his men for being proactive, adding that the local illegal refining site has been successfully cordoned off.
He said that the Command under his watch would continue to solicit for more sustained and credible intelligence that would assist in nipping in the bud such illegal activities.
The NSCDC boss in Rivers State assured that information given to the corps would be treated with utmost confidentiality, adding that the Command stands to stamp out oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities in the state.

By: Kiadum Edookor

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CSOs Seek Restraint On Planned Oil Extraction Resumption In Ogoni

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2 days ago

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January 28, 2025

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Concerned Civil Society Organisations have called for restraint on the planned resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland, citing environmental degradation, social injustices, and a lack of meaningful community engagement.
The groups, representing various stakeholders across the Niger Delta, issued their statement after a meeting at the Port Harcourt office of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria.
The statement was endorsed by several organisations, including Environmental Rights Action, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Ogoni Solidarity Forum-Nigeria.
According to the groups, the call for a restraint follows an invitation by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for select Ogoni leaders to attend a private meeting to discuss resuming oil production.
The civil organisations criticised this approach, describing it as dismissive of the collective will of the Ogoni people whose lands and livelihoods have been devastated by decades of reckless oil exploitation.
“Ogoniland remains a stark example of environmental degradation, with decades of oil spills, gas flaring, and poor remediation efforts leaving land, water, and air heavily polluted.
“The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland in 2011 highlighted the catastrophic effects of oil activities, including severe health impacts and economic losses for the Ogoni people.
“Despite the report’s recommendations, implementation has been slow, with the Nigerian government and oil companies accused of neglecting cleanup efforts.
“The attempt to resume oil extraction without addressing these environmental crises is an affront to the Ogoni people’s right to a safe environment”, the statement read.
The groups outlined a series of demands aimed at ensuring justice, environmental restoration, and sustainable development in Ogoniland and the broader Niger Delta.
They called for the allocation of $1 trillion for the cleanup of the land and compensation for lost livelihood.
“Full and transparent execution of the UNEP report’s recommendations and increased funding for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
“Review of the military trial and execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other environmental activists, along with their exoneration.
“Enforcement of strict regulations and holding oil companies, particularly Shell, accountable for past damages.
“Prioritising a shift away from fossil fuels to mitigate environmental harm and address climate change”, the coalition said.
They urged the Federal Government to recognise Ken Saro-Wiwa, an Ogoni environmental activist executed in 1995, as a hero of the environment, similar to the national honour conferred on MKO Abiola for his role in democracy.
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Kirike Chiefs Endorse Ogube’s leadership … As Chairman Sues For Unity 

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January 28, 2025

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The Kirike Divisional Council of Chiefs in Okrika Local Government Area has expressed confidence in their king, HRH, King (Air Com.) T.O Ogube (rdt.) over what they call his tremendous achievements since assuming the throne.
Speaking with newsmen during the annual banquet for the chiefs of Kirike Division, the Chairman, Alabo, Prof. Sotonye Ogan, said King Ogube deserves commendation for engendering peace in the kingdom since ascending the throne.
The banquet, which held last weekend at Abam in Okrika, was home coming for the reverred chiefs hosted by King Ogube.
Prof. Ogan, Chairman Kirike Divisional Council of Chiefs, sued for peace and unity among the people, stressing that no meaningful development takes place in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony.
He urged the youths to tow the line of peace, follow the foot steps of their fore fathers as a panacea for advancement of the kingdom.
He further encouraged the youths to  promote their culture, saying that no society grows without culture bequeathed by their fore bears.
According to him, “the end of the year banquet is geared towards counting our loses and gains as custodians of the people. It affords us great opportunity to discus issues of great importance of the kingdom and moving it forward.
“It’s an occasion every chief looks forward to, to make merry above all annual home coming where the chiefs dance and eat to the glory of God.
“We also engage on health talk to promote their health status. We commend our King for having volunteered to make it an annual event.
“Our reverted king uses the banquet to thank his chiefs for supporting and assisting him in the kingdom”, he said.
Prof. Ogan explained that peace is key to re- engineer peaceful co-existence among the communities, saying that living together, which attracts development, can’t be compromised under King Ogube, no matter the provocation by some few elements as their king had been a manager of violence.
He pledged total support of the chiefs as he reigns on the throne, urging the Judas among them to refrain and join hands with King Ogube to move Kirike forward.
On an alleged threat by one sacked Chief, Tam George, to disrupt the event, Prof. Ogan said the  people are with the king.
In his swift reaction, Chief Tam George denied sponsoring the said attack, saying as at the time of the attack, he was in Port Harcourt, urging them to respect the directive of the State Government through the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Development.
Kevin Nengia
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Bonny Protest Neglect, Seeks CSR MoU Implementation 

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2 days ago

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January 28, 2025

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A protest by Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State have given ultimatum to international oil firms and the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNGL) operating in the island on the need to transform the island in line with the memorandum of understanding (MOU) provided by the Train 7 agreement.
The Chairman of Bonny Kingdom Development Committee (BKDC), Amaopusenibo Amairigha Hart, accused the oil and gas multinationals of neglecting their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations, marginalizing Bonny people, and violating agreements.
Hart warned that the Kingdom would no longer tolerate what he called the flagrant disregard for its developmental needs.
“Bonny Kingdom is known for its peaceful and hospitable nature, but this should not be mistaken for weakness. While individuals, nations, and organizations hail Bonny Island as a blessed geographic location, the land and people have very little to smile about.
“This stems from the abject neglect, total exclusion, rights and privileges denial, and obnoxious disregard for the people of Bonny Kingdom in the scheme of things with regards to how the companies operating in Bonny Island do their businesses”, he said.
Indigenes of the island  had planned to begin an indefinite shutdown on January 13, 2025, to demand the implementation of stalled development projects and agreements.
However, the BKDC announced the suspension of the protest following interventions by NLNG and security agencies, who requested an opportunity for dialogue.
“While the plans to commence the protest were at their peak, government agencies and NLNG reached out to us for a chance to discuss and resolve the issues amicably. The Kingdom considered the requests and had decided to suspend the planned peaceful protest”, he explained.
Despite this temporary suspension, the BKDC stressed that it remains steadfast in its demands.
“This is a strong note of warning: things cannot remain as they are. A people grounded may be buried but cannot die twice”, Hart stated.
The BKDC Chairman decreied the failure to implement the CSR projects under the NLNG Train-7 project, including road expansions, construction of a mini-stadium, a waste-to-wealth facility, and other infrastructure.
He alleged that despite adequate funding from Train 7 investors, NLNG has withheld the project funds and failed to deliver.
“For emphasis, NLNG and SCD-JV signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to execute the following projects in the Kingdom under the Train 7 Project: Expansion of the road from Shell Gate to Coal Beach with a spur from Amaomu Junction to the King Perekule Palace; construction of a 5,000-capacity mini-stadium and sports academy; construction of a vehicular terminal; and construction of a 2.5km road from Workers’ Camp to Simidia Junction. But none of these projects has seen the light of day up till now.
“Interestingly, the people of the Kingdom are well aware that investors in the Train 7 Project provided adequate funds for the implementation of CSR projects in the Kingdom, but unfortunately, NLNG has ensnared these funds in its custody and continued to exercise sole authority over them without any input from the Kingdom”, Hart alleged.
He  further lamented the poor living conditions in Bonny despite its immense contributions to Nigeria’s economy.
He continued that “As at today, Bonny Island lacks clean, potable, and drinkable water. It lacks basic social amenities. There are no internal roads except the few constructed by the Bonny Local Government.
“The Bodo-Bonny Road remains under construction since 1975 and is yet to be completed. Roads in the Kingdom remain one-lane narrow roads despite the intense traffic utilization occasioned by the activities of these companies”.
Noting that the kingdom is grappling with severe environmental degradation, Hart said, “The shores around Bonny Island continue to be washed away by the sea waves, a situation aggravated by the strong waves caused by the heavy traffic of large seagoing vessels owned and operated by the multinationals.
“The air pollution is at an all-time high with attendant environmental and health hazards which residents of the Island are being subjected to. Acid rain is a normal occurrence, which continues to undermine the sustainability of buildings in the Island”.
The BKDC further urged the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, and IOCs to take immediate action to address the Kingdom’s grievances, warning that failure to do so could result in renewed action from the people.
“This is a cry for help by the people of Bonny Kingdom and a strong note of warning that things will no longer remain as they are. It is time for the Federal and State Government as well as the companies operating in the Kingdom to rise to the occasion and act right, urgently and in the interest of Bonny people”, Hart stated further.
The committee emphasized that while the Kingdom values dialogue and collaboration, it expects concrete results and a change in attitude from the companies operating within its borders.
In his response, the management of NLNG, through the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Ms. Sophia Horsfall, assured stakeholders that plans for Train 7 CSR projects remain on course.
Kevin Nengia
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