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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.
My-ACE China, known as the Mayor of Housing, has won the 2024 Man of the Year. The award was announced by board of trustees of the DMOMA Awards Academy in Port Harcourt at the week.
The organisers also declared his company, the Construction and Housing Mayor Limited as the brand promoter of the year, the third in a row.
The award ceremony which was held at the Arena Event centre in the GRA area of Port Harcourt was attended by several dignitaries in the society.
The organisers led by Dr. Ezebunwo Nyeche (chairman) and Stephen Chidiebere Okoye (Awards organizer) said in a statement that China was picked for his support and impact to small and medium enterprises in Rivers State, his media footsteps and his consistent propagation and promotion of Rivers State.
They noted that China won over 10 prestigious awards in 2024 alone on his track to promote Port Harcourt as a brand destination and Rivers as a peaceful state.
Handing the award to China, the organisers said the Mayor of Housing always comes to the rescue of events that aim to promote Rivers State, saying the DMOMA Awards would be held in two more cities in 2025.
Responding, Mr China said there is need for more sponsorship of talents in Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta, saying what they lacked was support.
“There is more talent in Port Harcourt but there is more support in Lagos to artistes than in Port Harcourt. So, the top talents in Port Harcourt work 10 times harder than those in Lagos to attract sponsorship.”
He also said Nigeria has a treasure base which is Port Harcourt but that the treasure is not oil and gas but talents. He said he was highly elated to win the of Man of the Year Award with his firm winning brand of the year.
In an interview, My-ACE China said he was particularly impressed with the diligence demonstrated by the organisers and the processes they used to pick winners every year.
He also said the victory showed attention paid by the organisers to unveil the personality behind the corporate masquerade, not just focusing on the company. “It actually reaffirms one of my quotes that a brand can only grow as big as the character of the visioner behind it.”
On his plans to help Port Harcourt compete with Lagos, China said 2025 will meet him doing things with the youths of Rivers State to push the Port Harcourt brand in the social media and rally the traditional press to create a positive narrative of Rivers State beyond violence and political negativity.
“The Garden City has not been enjoying the best of media perception for some years now but this is the first time we have a governor committed to non-political bias in doing his work. He does not consider whether you are a member of his party or not before doing what is right. For the first time, we have a true father of the state to all, and he has been diligently following the blueprint that stakeholders developed at the last Rivers Economic and Investment Summit, making sure he is doing it without political cronyism.”
He said his company would be building the biggest estate and the best, the ‘Alesa Sustainable Smart City, to move from brand perception to brand experience so as to move Rivers State to the next level.
He appealed to entrepreneurs not to be carried away by the old perception but to join the new way. “Position yourself because there is going to be a boom. People are rushing into Port Harcourt and new entrants may take the ground. Think expansion not contraction, think investment not divestment. Else, you miss it.”
To fellow estate investors, he admonished them to gear up for regulation. “It is no longer going to be business as usual especially for land peddling and land grabbing. Try to grow up because tangible development is going to take over.
“It is no longer going to be who sells the most land but who develops the most houses. The housing deficit in the land requires effective land development strategies. Any serious land seller should grow into a housing developer because developments are going to be coming into Rivers State and a lot of people are coming into the state.”
He said those that have grown to be developers will be many times richer than those that are just starting or are mere land sellers and peddlers. People should also position themselves because all the foreign investments and local ones will take advantage of this influx.
“The value of influx is coming, so prepare and take advantage. Be one of those that are big enough to take advantage. Remaining small will not be good but grow big in your products, in your services, because the market is going to grow big.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of a former military governor of the State, Major-General Godwin Osagie Abbe (rtd).
Late Abbe, who hails from Edo State, was military governor of Rivers State between August, 1990 and January, 1992.
Governor Fubara described late Gen Abbe as one leader who dedicated himself to the service and wellbeing of Rivers people and humanity during his administration in the State, saying that the death of the distinguished military officer, politician and administrator was a very huge loss to the State, the Niger Delta, and indeed, the entire country, having traversed the length and breath of the nation in the cause of his military and political careers.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Rivers State, I condole with the family of the Abbes, the Edo people, and the Nigerian military on the demise of this colossus, whose contributions to the unity, peace and development of the nation are legendary.
“While we mourn his painful exit at this difficult time, we pray for the eternal repose of his soul, and urge the family to take solace in the fact that late Gen Abbe lived a fulfilled life in the service of his fatherland.”
Wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, has noted with delight that Rivers children are well behaved, and has admonished them to remain supportive of their parents while striving always to make a difference wherever they find themselves.
Lady Fubara gave the counsel at the 2024 Christmas Children Party, attended by children from the 23 Local Government Areas of the State, including non-indigenes, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Christmas Children Party also witnessed the presence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who stopped over to share moments with them, walking from one canopy to another, waving at them, and at other times, shaking hands with them to leave lasting memories on them.
The Rivers First Lady pointed to the importance of the celebration of Christmas, which draws attention to the birth of Jesus Christ, demanding that people have a deep reflection of the love that is demonstrated and mission of the birth, which is to redeem mankind.
Lady Fubara recalled how she took out time to visit the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, where she appreciated God for safe delivery of children born on Christmas day while felicitating with the nursing mothers.
She also stated the valuable time spent with motherless babies when she visited the Port Harcourt Children’s Home in Borikiri, old Port Harcourt Township, and celebrated their meekness, innocence and the beauty they bring to the world.
She said, “Even today, as we continue the celebration, efforts were made to extend invitation to our children in all the 23 local government areas of our State. In doing this, children from all classes of society, including the physically challenged, have been offered the opportunity to sit together as brothers and sisters, play, eat and dance.
“Whilst contemplating the uniqueness of celebrating Christmas on a Boxing Day, steps were equally taken to provide gifts for the children who are there, and also to pray for them, a qualitative fun session that will last in their memories.”
Lady Fubara advised all children in the State to remember that Jesus came into the world to make a difference, advising that they must emulate him so that they can positively impact their families and society.
She urged them to pray fervently to God to bless and prosper their mothers, daddies, aunties and uncles to better cater to their needs.
She added, “Be humble, obedient and supportive at home. Do household chores, and don’t forget to make excellent grades in school next academic session. Children are the joy of every home, and we are glad to have beautiful, well-behaved children in Rivers State.
“Thank you all for witnessing this 2024 Children’s Party, and I pray God Almighty to protect, shield and keep you safe from all negative companies in the name of Jesus. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2025. God bless you all,” she said.
Lady Fubara expressed appreciation to her husband and Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his absolute commitment to the growth of children, and the immeasurable support that ensured that Christmas Children Party was a success.
There were performances by Virtue Dancers, Kalabari Iria dancers, Wonder Time Children of Opobo Kingdom, Children of Rivers State Council of Arts and Culture, Diseye the Poet and DJ Arnold.