Maritime
NAOC: 50 Years Of Corporate Service
Wow! The live band is set, the champagne is on ice, the red carpet is ready to be rolled out, the paparazzi is out, waiting for snaps of a towering oil glant who have achieved Golden Jubilee in extraction of oil and gas in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
How time flies, record has it that Eni & P Division commenced activities in Nigeria in 1962 through a wholly owned subsidiary – Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited.
Praise God, Activities of Eni in Nigeria grew tremendously over the years resulting in establishment of other companies, namely Agip Energy and Natural Resources (Nigeria) Agip Exploration Limited which operates in the shallow waters offshore and the Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited which concentrated on the deep-water frontier region.
It is true that since 1962 Eni activities in Nigeria have demonstrated a strong commitment to active involvement of Nigeria and her people in its operations. An eloquent testimony to this commitment was the pioneering participating offer (Joint Venture) to the Federal Government of Nigeria upon commercial discovery of hydrocarbons. There are various highlights of NAOC’s commitment.
Credit must be given to Nigerian Agip Oil Company for pioneering the conservation and development of the nation’s gas resources, and indeed she has executed several gas development projects targeted both at the domestic and export markets.
NAOC built her first gas recycling plant at Akri-Oguta (in joint venture with shell) progressively invested in targe scale Gas injection plant in 1985 with the construction of Obiafu-Obrikom Gas plant, with initial capacity of 270 MMSCF per day, which is now upgraded to 400 MMSCF per day. Closely followed by the kwale Gas plant in 1987, with capacity for 75 MMSCF per day, now upgraded to 150 MMSCF per day. Kudos for diversifying investments for the company.
Furthermore, NAOC signed a Gas supply agreement with the Rivers State Government for the supply of 36 MMSCF/d of gas to the state’s owned power plant located in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. Of a truth, it is a unique initiative by NAOC to support the Government in promoting the economic and social development of the state. But today as I write this piece the city of Omoku and its environs is in total darkness in the last two weeks and without potable drinking water with her Agip-China roads – now pot holes – dead traps.
NAOC, your score sheet of extracting hydrocarbons from the Niger Delta is second to none. Your effort to boost utilisation of gas resources in Nigeria is laudable. More grease to your elbow, more oil to your Omls, more gas to your gas master plan.
It is unfortunate that in almost 50 years of operations in Nigeria, you have a fair record in your community relations efforts. Sincerely I put it to you that to whom much is given, much is expected.
NAOC as a corporate entity has taken so much from us, your host communities, as such expected much from you. Taking the ONELGA Community as a case study – the total value of oil and gas extracted from ONELGA in the last forty seven years is in excess of 350 billion US dollars. Yet, till date, there is no visible sign that the area had produced such staggering amount of money. No palliatives to cushion the effect of the soil/earth degradation.
Kindly note that: Community Relations, as a function of Public Relations is an organisation planned active and sustained participation within a community to maintain and enhance its environment to the benefit of both the organisation and the community.
Subsequently, an organisation (i.e. NAOC) needs to marry the community it settles with, especially a peaceful community like Ogbaland. The need for community relations might be seen as wife/husband relations.
As NAOC roll out the drums in celebration of fifty years in Nigeria, she must come to realisation that sound community relations is for social growth.
And community relations, as a concept, refers to all the activities undertaken by a corporate organisation on behalf of its host community/publics. It is a shame that oil companies blow their trumpets to the highest decibel because they grudgingly decided to spend meager amounts to execute a project in a community or assist an individual in need of financial aid.
To the undiscerning mind, it would seem true, that the oil industry is really spending millions of naira to execute community development projects in their areas of operations, but rarely is the question asked: how much do these firms make from such communities?
Thank God, for President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda. Probably things will go right, it is a known fact that the Nigeria government do not know how much crude is actually being lifted by the oil companies, as certain oil companies fill their high capacity vessels without prejudice, at the expense of the nation’s ignorance et al.
NAOC at 50, I think a new dawn has to begin now. I call on Hon. Otelemabara Dan Amachree led Rivers State House of Assembly to enact legislation to curb the non-challant attitude of oil companies and other expatriate firms. A fixed percentage of the companies’ profits must be ploughed back into the host communities in the form of quality projects, daily need manufacturing industries as to cut down unemployment rate amongst our teeming youth, total scholarship – both domestic and overseas. With these in place, then the companies can be seen as partnering with their host communities.
NAOC, should look at areas, she fell in the past years and make amends. In year 2000, late senator (Dr) Ibiapuye Martins Yellowe, then senate committee chairman on Petroleum, invited me to cover a one day brainstorming session tagged” A armonious Investor Friendly Environment” seminar held at catering Rest House, Ahoada, Rivers State. The Seminar was put together by NAOC.
Agip ex-Chief Image maker, Bashorun Akin Aruwajoye said and I quote “Agip is charting a new course in her relationship with her host communities, this is because we listen, our plans is to see how we can assist our host communities, using ONELGA as a prototype, a framework of moving forward towards achieving industrial harmony. Agip will be more pro-active, responding positively to the complains and needs of the communities within its operations.”
Almost twelve years after these beautiful words, the people of ONELGA is yet to see words being translated to action as promised. ONELGA has the most peaceful environment and Agip is operating unhindered.
ONELGA is the highest oil and gas producing community in Nigeria. The community also host Agip’s LNG Gas supply project. In the light of this, I call on NAOC to recognise the significance of partnership and community stake holding and without much ado, uplift our sons Prince Nwachukwu Obi, to the position of Divisional Public Relations Manager and Chief Okoroma as security manager, respectively. For a sound fifty years of excellence in Nigeria, Agip should promote all our sons and daughters who have proved their mettle via sound service delivery.
Finally, I use this medium to call on the amiable Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibike Rotimi Amaechi, CON to use his good office and compel Nigerian Agip Oil Comlpany to relocate its operational headquarters to Port Harcourt or Omoku city. And also enforce the first law enacted under your leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly that ht position of Human Resources Manager be reserved for erudite Rivers Men/Women, for all companies operating in Rivers State. Happy Golden Jubilee NAOC.
Emma Nwabrije
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base (FOB), Badagry, says its gallant officers have rescued nine women from the hands of suspected human traffickers.
FOB said the suspects have been handed over to the National Agency for prohibition of Human trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) for prosecution.
This was disclosed to newsmen in a statement by the Base Information Officer, Litunent B. Awodeyi, in Lagos.
Awodeyi said the first interception of the women was during a stop and search operation by the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Command in a boat traveling to mile 2 and Panshi Jetty in Lagos State were five women between the ages of 19 and 32 were rescued.
The statement further said four women were also rescued by QRT two days later in a boat along Tongeji Island in Badagry, with the ages of victims ranging from 19 to 24 years.
Awodeyi said the rescued suspects were under investigation in line with the 2016 Harmonised Standard Procedures on arrest.
Although the names of the suspects were not made public by FOB, it insisted that the operation reflects Navy’s dedication to combating human trafficking and ensuring a secure maritime environment in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive 2023 and 2026.
The directive, Awodeyi said, is aimed at promoting safety in Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by its President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike, if the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) fails to pay nine months of salary arrears owed its employees.
Adeyanju said the affected workers are members of MWUN, and accused CRFFN management of neglecting its financial responsibilities.
MWUN in a statement by its Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the actions of the CRFFN’s Acting Registrar.
The statement noted that MWUN had exhausted all available options for negotiation, including issuing several ultimatums, but that the efforts were ignored by the management of CRFFN.
“The most recent attempt at mediation occurred in Abuja on September 18, 2024, yet no progress was made in resolving the matter”, it said.
The statement criticised CRFFN for disregarding a crucial resolution reached during the mediation meetings.
According to Ikemefuna, one of the resolutions stipulated that when funds become available to the CRFFN, the payment of employees’ salaries should be prioritis ed.
The statement further noted that CRFFN diverted available funds to conduct what it described as a “kangaroo” training programme for select staff members, leaving the issue of unpaid salaries unaddressed.
“This is a clear violation of the agreements reached”, it emphasised.
The Union said CRFFN’s actions have deepened the financial challenges faced by its members, hence MWUN expressed disappointment that, despite their willingness to cooperate with the CRFFN management, the regulatory body has continued to act in a manner that undermines the rights and welfare of its members.
The workers union, therefore, insisted that it would no longer tolerate the perceived impunity of the CRFFN and declared that if the outstanding nine months salary arrears are not paid, it would have no choice but to initiate a total withdrawal of its members from services.
“This action would impact key sectors of Nigeria’s maritime industry, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, dock labour, shipping and freight forwarding agencies, as well as seamen working across all ports, jetties, terminals, and oil and gas platforms”, Ikemefuna stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has thwarted a smuggling attempt of N1.1billion illicit drugs in four containers at Apapa Port.
The four seized containers were filled with narcotics valued at N1,183,915,500.
The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this to newsmen through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Usman.
The seizure involved 236,783 bottles of cough syrups containing codeine and Barcadin, packed in a total of 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the command’s jurisdiction.
Three other seizures were made at APM Terminals, while one was intercepted at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Comptroller Olomu explained that, “On October 11, 2024, during a joint inspection of a 1×40 container, number MRKU0377493, our officers discovered prohibited CSP cough syrup—34,800 bottles packed into 174 cartons, each containing 200 bottles.
“The shipment was expired at the time of interception”.
The statement said on the same day, another 1×40 container, number TGBU8886020, was found with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed in cartons containing 100 bottles each.
Additionally, a third container (TCKU6800526) examined on October 15, 2024, at APMT Terminal, labelled as containing essential goods, revealed 19 cartons of concealed CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest with codeine, packed in 200 bottles per carton.
Another major seizure was recorded on October 15, 2024, at Kachicares Resources Terminal: A 1×40FT container, number SUDU8579006, declared as containing kitchen wares, was found with a concealed stash of Barcadin cough syrup in 1,584 cartons, along with 83 loose bottles.
Comptroller Olomu described the seizures as part of the NCS’ zero-tolerance policy toward smuggling.
Apapa Command, he said, “is committed to efficient trade facilitation while maintaining strict controls on revenue collection and anti-smuggling activities.
”I urge those engaged in illegal trade to avoid Apapa Port. Our vigilant officers, using intelligence, technology, and experience, are poised to detect and intercept any smuggling attempts”.
He insisted that Codeine abuse has been linked to severe side effects, including drowsiness, confusion, and increased susceptibility to criminal behaviors.
“The Nigerian government banned the importation of codeine-containing cough syrups in 2018 after widespread misuse among youth”, he noted.
The Comptroller said further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the smuggling attempts.
