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Senate Mandates Five Committees To Investigate Crude Oil Thefts In N’Delta
The Senate has mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources, (Upstream, downstream,) Gas, Host communities and Niger Delta to conduct investigation on oil theft in the region.
It specifically mandated the committees to investigate the actions of security forces, militia groups, local populace,all company employees, and any individuals or entities suspected to be using sophisticated methods to pilfer from oil facilities within the country.
The resolution was sequel to adoption of a motion at plenary yesterday on “Urgent need to investigate incessant and nefarious acts of crude oil thefts in Niger- Delta region.
The motion was sponsored by Sen. Ned Nwoko (PDP- Delta) and Co sponsored by Sen. Ede Dafinone and Sen J.Thomas.
Nwoko in his lead debate said that Nigeria was largely dependent on crude oil for its economic growth and development.
He said the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that oil sector contributed 6.33 per cent of the nation’s GDP which translated to 45.6 billion dollars in 2022 .
Nwoko said the oil sector in Nigeria plays pivotal role in providing employment opportunities for millions of Nigerian citizens accounting for 70 per cent of its budget financing, while oil and gas made up of 90 per cent of export and 85 per cent of government revenue in the first quarter of 2022.
He said statistical data which has been reported over the years, indicated that pipeline vandalism, oil bunkering, has brought Nigeria Into serious socio-economic crisis.
The senator said current collaborative efforts involving joint task force of the military,with contributions of various security entities, state and local governments, and International Oil Companies (IOCs) in the Niger Delta region has yielded positive results.
He said the efforts has led to an increase in oil production, reaching 1.51 million barrels per day in first quarter 2023.
“ This figure marks an improvement from the 1.49 million barrels per day recorded in the same quarter of 2022 and is notably higher than the production volume of 1.34 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2022.”
Nwoke said inspite of efforts of military personnel and security agencies in combating oil theft in the Niger Delta region, he, however alleged of individuals within the institutions who engage in illicit activities.
“These individuals collaborate with unscrupulous figures within the oil industry to undermine the nation’s economy.
“Also observes that it has come to attention that oil theft in Nigeria thrives due to a troubling collaboration between security forces, militia groups, the local population, and certain employees within oll companies .
“These parties employ sophisticated methods to carry out theft from all facilities located within the country given Nigeria’s vast oil and gas reserves.”
He expressed concern of alleged accusations and counter-accusations of oil bunkering and various other crisis between the military and local militia groups.
“In 2022, it was reported that Nigeria suffered daily loss of approximately 437,000 barrels of crude oil, amounting to a value of 23 million dollars, due to criminal activities.
“ Moreover, between March 2023, Nigeria incurred a substantial loss of 65.7 million barrels of crude oil, valued at 83 dollars per barrel, translating to a staggering revenue loss of N2.3 trillion as a result of oil theft.”
He expressed worry that the activities of oil thieves and their collaborators has significantly hampered crude oil production posing a substantial threat to the nation’s economy.
Contributing, Sen. Mpigi Barinada(PDP- Rivers) called for proper check on issues of oil thefts in Niger Delta, adding that there was challenge of collaboration among security agencies.
Sen.Osita Izunaso (APC- Imo) said oil bunkering was a major economic sabotage for Nigeria , saying that it was a multifaceted issues.
He said the solution required sustainable measures and not on ad-hoc basis.
Sen.Buhari Abdulfatah called for a review of the laws to provide for punitive measures for would be offenders.
Sen.Adams Oshiomole (APC-Edo) urged the Senate to support President Tinubu in the fight against oil thieves,saying that it was time to stop oil thefts in Nigeria.
He said it was shameful that so much was been stolen from oil, and urged the senate to invite the service chiefs to interface with senate on what the security agencies were doing to stop oil thefts.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpiabio said he believes strongly that the Armed Forces were in better position to secure the country.
He thanked the sponsor of the motion, while urging the committee to do a holistic investigation in the interest of the nation.
Senate consequently urged the committee to present its report on the investigation in six weeks.
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.