Niger Delta
Expert Charts Path To End Fuel Scarcity …Advocates Resuscitation Of Refineries
A Professor of Energy and Comparative Environmental Law and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Rivers State University, Prof Samuel Chisa Dike, has proffered lasting solution to the incessant fuel scarcity affecting Nigeria, contending that the general overhaul of the petroleum sector is the surest way to go.
Dike, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt regretted that the country is still importing fuel in spite of it being blessed with abundant natural resources including oil deposits and reserves.
Consequent upon this, he challenged the Federal Government to immediately resuscitate the four refineries in the country located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna so that they would be able to function and operate in optimal capacity.
According to him, Nigeria has no excuse for exporting crude petroleum products and importing refined products when in actual fact the country is richly endowed.
Dike, also the National President of the Association of Environmental Lawyers of Nigeria(AELN) noted with sadness that the country’s petroleum sector is plagued with what he described as systemic and human problems to the point that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited which is saddled with the responsibility of managing the oil sector as well as development, production and distribution of petroleum products is not living above board while its contractors are at the same time apparently short changing Nigerians.
The university teacher, therefore, advocated the general overhaul of the petroleum sector in such a way that square pegs are placed in square holes, with thorough-bred technocrats and experts at the helm of affairs.
According to him, the President of the country who is saddled with several other responsibilities should not function as the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
Dike said both the Petroleum Resources Minister and the Minister of State should be experienced technocrats drawn from the oil and gas sector; and should be persons who are upwardly young and mobile, saying, “these are unique sectors you need unique personalities and experts to manage”.
He further indicated that Nigeria is not yet ripe for the removal of petroleum subsidy since there are no social welfare policies and palliative measures in place to cushion its negative effects on the poor masses, adding that if the subsidy is removed today, it would further inflict untold hardship on the poor.
“We want to mimic developed countries that have removed subsidy in the petroleum sector. In those countries,they have social welfare policies for their citizenry. The economic indicators are good in those countries but they are not in Nigeria”, he said.
In the meantime, Dike suggested that good managers should be deployed to manage the refurbished refineries until at a point when the market is good enough before tinkering with the idea of gradual removal of subsidy.
He said the Naira swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) is good but queried the timing, and advised the apex bank to revisit the policy.
Dike said Nigeria needs today a President who is a true democrat keen on enforcing the letters and provisions of the Constitution within the context of equity, justice and fairness, and urged INEC to be neutral in order to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.