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Stakeholders List Gains Of Pipeline Surveillance …Say It Has Reduced Oil Theft, Vandalism In N’Delta
Oil industry stakeholders, including pipeline host communities have expressed satisfaction with pipeline surveillance strategy adopted to secure the nation’s hydrocarbon resources from crude oil thieves, illegal bunkerers and pipeline vandals.
They said that crude oil theft has reduced by over 90percent, saying that this was evident in the reduced availability of illegally refined product and significant improvement in the terminal recovery factor.
Speaking with newsmen during a tour of some pipeline host communities in Rivers and Abia states, the stakeholders said that some of the gains include restoration restoration of peace and improvement in infrastructure projects in host communities, improvement in environmental and health conditions of the people, increase in crude oil production capacity, among others.
Chairman, Okohia Community Development Committee (CDC), in Owaza, Abia State, Sunny Otuke said that the quick response of personnel of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited to the attack on the 12-inch Transfer Niger Pipeline (TNP) running through the area last Wednesday, saved the communities from devastation arising from a major oil spill.
Otuke said that the attack, carried out at about 5:30 am after the surveillance guards had closed from the night shift, would have massively polluted the environment, and praised the technical team from PINL for the quick response to the attack.
The CDC chairman stated; “The response was swift. Even the workers at the camp didn’t have breakfast, they just rushed down to effect the repairs”.
He explained that the oil thieves resorted to breaking pipes out of frustration because the surveillance guards now prevent them from stealing oil from the pipe.
Otuke applauded the policy of pipeline surveillance and the contactors handling the security surveillance, stressing that they have helped to extensively reduce oil theft and illegal refining that were threatening the peace and well-being of the entire community.
At Norkpo community, Tai Local Government Area in Ogoniland, hosting the 24-inch Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and 28-inch Bonny loop line, villagers said that the pipeline surveillance has not only helped to end illegal bunkering but also fostered peace among the people.
Speaking to journalists on the performance of the surveillance contractor handling the Ogoni axis, Paramount Ruler of Norkpo, Chief Augustine Aminikpo, said that since Pipeline Infrastructure came into the community a year ago, they have made peace to reign in Ogoni axis.
He stated; “In fact, before they came in, you cannot wash and keep outside because of bunkering activities that were going on in this our Ogoni axis. The reason we cannot wash and keep outside was because of soot generated from the activities of illegal refinery operators. But now, the bunkering activities have reduced and the soot that was staining our clothes when we spread them outside has ceased, now you can wash and keep outside, 24-hours.
“In fact, SPDC could not pump crude before but due to efforts of PINL, they are pumping 24 hours now. They can pump one week, they can pump two weeks, they can pump one month.
“They have made peace to reign in Ogoni axis, they engage and empower the youths, chiefs and His Royal Majesty. They even engage the people that the pipeline did not pass through their lands, like people of Okrika, Ogu, Wakama”.
He explained that part of the strategy adopted by the company was massive employment of community youths as part of the pipeline surveillance guards.
He added; “In some communities, they engage 20, some 30, some 40. There are three local government areas in Ogoni that the contractor covers. In each of these local governments, they employ more than 200.
“For now, those boys that were involved in bunkering activities have forgotten about bunkering and joined in securing the pipelines”.
Youth Leader of Norkpo community, Osaro Barisua, corroborated Aminikpo’s views, saying; “Before now, there had been series of sabotage on this pipeline, and we discovered that those responsible for it were the jobless youths. But when this new contractor came in and engaged the youths, things have changed.”
Also speaking, Chief Superintendent (CP) Audu Boniface, Head of the Civil Defense Special Forces from National Headquarters, Abuja, attached to the Zone 3, Owaza Camp, said they were on 24/7 surveillance of pipelines and well heads across Owaza in Abia and Rivers states as part of their statutory functions.
He explained, “We have precisely 130 well heads in Owaza and Odogwa. They are up to 80 functioning actively both in Owaza and Odogwa all feeding the Trans Niger Pipeline. We have spent about four months here and so far, so good. We have made so many arrests and so many prosecutions of the illegal bunkerers/oil thieves.
“I’m very happy that we have made serious achievements here because our presence here scares them away. Immediately the thieves sight us, they run, immediately you go they return. So, we keep on chasing them in order not to continue tampering with the well heads and pipelines.
“Right from Ibaa at Ndele camp, Kpo and Owaza, and Odogwa, the arrests have been more than 50 that we have made. Some have been prosecuted and some released on bail”.
However, the Operational Director of Pipeline Infrastructure explained that Owaza and Norkpo are just a small portion of the Port Harcourt section of Eastern corridor of the security surveillance covered by Pipeline Infrastructure (PINL).
He said that due to the PINL strategic deployment and operations in the Eastern corridor, the company has made 100percent recovery of the 8-inch Nkali flow-station in Imo River II manifold pipeline from historical illegal connection/leak points and clamped points.
He stated; “All infringements/clamps were removed and point saddles welded. The pipeline is currently transferring and receiving crude oil feedstocks from the Nkali flow station to Imo River manifold to Ogale manifolds.
“We made 100percent recovery of the Isinmiri delivery line and 95percent recovery along the dual trunklines on the Imo River II to Ogale Manifold pipeline, both pipelines are operational with 95percent receipt at Ogale manifold since commencement of PINL operation till date.
“Prior to PINL engagement, the delivery lines were abandoned due to multiple infringements and incessant leaks.
“PINL strategic deployment and covert operations are gradually turning the Zone 3 axis of the Trans Niger Pipeline to historical hotspot, and has ensured continuous crude oil flow through the Imo River to Ogale pipelines, among many other major achievements”, he added.
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.