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Tag: Niger Delta

  • Waive laments effects of oil exploration on the Niger Delta

    Waive laments effects of oil exploration on the Niger Delta

    The member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Francis Ejiroghene Waive has lamented the negative effects of oil exploration on the Niger Delta over the years.

    The lawmaker was speaking with a team of journalists on Tuesday at his constituency office at Ughelli, Ughelli North local government area of Delta State when he stated that what the region is getting in terms of allocations is nothing to be compared to the environmental degradation and the negative effects of oil exploration of several years.

    He disclosed that the region’s political class and other major tribes are exploring the dividing line amongst the ethnic groups in Niger Delta to undermine the region. He, therefore, called for unity amongst the different ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region in order to forge a common front at the national level.

    Hon Waive noted that unless Niger Delta ethnic nationalities come together and forge a formidable front, the region will continue to be exploited by both the political class and other region and will also lag behind in terms of development. He stated that because the region is not united, it’s not getting much from its rich oil resources.

    “I believe that what we are getting now in terms of the allocation to NNDC, 13% derivation and the allocation to the states from the oil-rich region are not enough. It’s a far cry from what we ought to get as a people and as a region because of the environmental degradation and the effect of oil exploration of several years.

    “But, having said that, we as a people in the South-South, we need to come together as one. We need to be united because that is the only way we can fight for our right, and get what truly belongs to us.

    “If we are scattered, if we are disunited, then the others will have the opportunity to take advantage of us, exploit us, use us as part to knock one another and exploit our resources.

    “Look at Warri for instance, it’s a sad story what this town has turned into. When Warri Port was booming, you remember what this town used to be like. When there was Shell and when Shell was building that Osubi airport, I believe that they had good plans in mind, not to abandon it, but look at where we are, and it’s all traceable to our inter-tribal problems, and these problems do no nobody good.

    “If we don’t know it, there are no tribes in the greater Warri area that will be able to alienate one another, the Urhobos, the Ijaws, the Itsekiris, we can’t eliminate one another, being together is God’s idea, and we must come together, partner one another, agree with one another, give and take, and then, we will be able to insist on our rights, otherwise, politicians will take advantage of us, the system will take advantage of us, contractors, of course, will mess us up, there is a need for unity across the Niger Delta, across the states of the South-South of this country in order to bring development to our people,” Waive said.

    The lawmaker also decried the level of mindless corruption and mismanagement of funds by successive management of NDDC, which he said if well managed the region would have witnessed some appreciable level of development.

    According to him; “it’s a sad reality that what is happening to us is an act of our own people but then there is a bigger dimension to it, the Act setting up the NDDC, the amount of money that should come here, is not coming, and it has never come and it’s because we are not united, nobody will ask and if we come together as a people and unite, we will be able to insist on the proper implementation of the act establishing the NDDC.

    He stressed that the region can only hold the management of NDDC accountable if there is unity, “in the same vein we will be able to bring the management of NDDC book, to call them to discipline, we will be able to call contractors to order, but as it goes today nobody can call them.

    “If it were to some other place where you have a single tribe or unity, the people know they cannot get away with some mess, elders will call them, some leaders of thoughts will call them, some traditional rulers will call them, but ours is not so in that case, that is the sad reality and that is why I keep calling for unity, among the people of the Niger Delta, the oil-producing communities, people of the South-south, come together as one and fight for our God-given rights,” he added.

  • Clark to Osinbajo: Stop antagonizing leaders, stakeholders of Niger Delta

    Clark to Osinbajo: Stop antagonizing leaders, stakeholders of Niger Delta

    Prominent leader of the South South Region, Edwin Clark has cautioned the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo over his alleged interference and antagonizing of leaders and stakeholders of the Niger Delta region.

    The elder statesman in a statement on Monday night noted with concern the Vice President’s recent peace meeting that excluded major leaders and stakeholders but only had few selected people from the region in attendance.

    Clark noted that the Vice President’s action may further agitate crisis in the troubled region.

    Read full statement below:

    CLARK CAUTIONS VICE PRESIDENT, PROF YEMI OSINBAJO, TO TREAD CAREFULLY ON NIGER DELTA REGION AND NOT ANTAGONIZE LEADERS AND STAKEHOLDERS OF THE REGION

    I have read with very serious concern reports of the meeting of Mr. Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, SAN, with the Minister of State Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, and the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro, at the State House, Abuja, few days ago, over heightened concerns in the Niger Delta region.

    This was in particular reference to the recent developments in Delta State; where some Communities and groups i.e. Ijaws of Gbaramatu and Ogulagha, Itsekiris, Urhobos, Ukwanis, Isokos, etc. issued ultimatums and threats to disrupt oil and gas operations in their areas, due to Federal Government’s continued apathetic attitude towards the Region.

    I have been inaundated with countless calls since the news of that supposed meeting from various quarters, including the media, and many have expressed serious exception to the fact that critical stakeholders of the region were not consulted or involved.

    The action, whatever the intentions were, is not only thoughtless but is also a betrayal of trust to say the least, and likely to stir up unnecessary tension in the region. This again shows the creepy attitude of this administration, and its practice of exclusion, and non-committal to issues of the Niger Delta.
    It is sad that this government has continued to behave in this manner, and sadly, with support of some of our people.

    Unfortunately, in spite of the gains arising from the subsisting peace in the region, and the conciliatory gesture of the Niger Delta people, the Federal Government has continued to demonstrate indifference to issues affecting the Niger Delta Region.

    Majority of the laudable pronouncements and promises made by the Acting President during his visit to the region, and subsequent engagements with the flagship, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), have remained, largely, mere wishful assertions.
    PANDEF noted at the time that the patience of the youths and other critical stakeholders in the Region was running out.

    However, when there were threats by the boys, in November 2017, to resume hostilities in the region, PANDEF appealed to them to sheathe their swords in the various National Newspapers and through active and spirited engagements.

    An issue that easily comes to mind is this Administration’s abandonment of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ)/Gas Revolution Industrial Park Project at Ogidigben in Itsekiri and Gbaramatu in Ijaw, in favour of building of AKK Gas Pipeline in Ajaokuta to Abuja, Kaduna and Kano for about 2.8 Billion Dollars. Sadly the name of the project, AKK Gas Pipeline, even ignores the name of Escravos from where the gas and the pipeline starts.

    This is very unfortunate; I consider it part of the deliberate attempts to undermine the efforts of the people of the region and the leadership of PANDEF. It is capable of causing disaffection and unnecessary tension in the region.

    The Minister of State Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, in fairness to him, was not part of our past conversations on some of these issues, so he may not be blamed for this new action.

    Niger Delta Leaders are particularly disappointed at the steps being taken by the Vice President of Nigeria and the impact it may have on impending crisis in the Niger Delta six coastal States.

    It would be recalled that in early 2016, various militant groups in the name of Niger Delta Avengers were vandalising and destroying oil pipelines, which resulted in drastic reduction of crude oil production from 2,000,000 Barrels per day to about 700,000 Barrels per day. At the time, even though the Nigeria Army, in the name of “Operation Crocodile Smile”, invaded the area, vandalisation continued.

    So the Leaders led by me, convened an emergency meeting which was attended by over 500 persons from the Niger Delta region, from all walks of life, at the P.T.I. in Effurun, Delta State.

    Our beloved Son, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa was also in attendance at that meeting. We then appealed to the youths to cease fire, and give peace a chance.

    It was after that meeting that I led a delegation of over 100 Leaders of the Niger Delta to the Presidential Villa to see Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari on 1st November, 2016. The 100 strong powerful delegation included First Class Traditional Rulers, Eminent Statesmen, Technocrats, and Professionals of all spheres, Right Activists, Politicians, Community Leaders, Youth and Women Leaders. At the meeting, we presented a 16-Point Agenda, summarizing our broad issues.

    That 16-Point Agenda was presented by the then co-Chairmen of PANDEF, HRM King Alfred Diette-Spiff, Amayanabo of Twon Brass and former Governor of old Rivers State, and His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State. The document was personally received by President Buhari and he promised to study it and revert back to us.

    Unfortunately, the President later left for London on Medical Vacation, and the Vice President acted for a long period of time.

    During the period, when Professor Osibanjo was the Acting President, he decided to take a tour or visit to the Niger Delta, starting on the 16th of January 2017, and met the various Communities including the Youths and the Women Leaders.

    At various venues, and in all the Town Hall meetings, during the visit, the Acting President recognised PANDEF’s role. His first port of call was Delta State, to a place known as Gbaramatu, where he said he was disappointed at the level of underdevelopment. He had thought that these oil producing areas were like Dubai, but met the people living in abject squalor, not even potable water to drink. He later returned to Warri to meet Leaders under my Chairmanship, and later, made series of purposeful visits, holding Town Hall Meetings in the various States.

    In Bayelsa State, he specifically stated and promised the people, that the Federal Government will replace the existing illegal refineries located all over the Niger Delta with modular refineries, where the Communities will have a stake in the investments. Indeed, he made these same promises when he visited Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, where he categorically stated again that the Federal Government will direct the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to relocate their operational headquarters to their areas of operation in the Niger Delta. As he clearly argued on that occasion, this was to reduce the frequent misunderstandings and crisis, between the communities and the International Oil Companies (IOCs). This is because, at present, the IOCs operate from Lagos and Abuja except for SPDC which has relocated its operational headquarters to Port Harcourt.

    The then Acting President also visited Edo State. Thereafter, he visited Imo, Abia and Ondo States which are also Oil Producing States; he ended his tour on 1st of June, 2017 in Cross River State.

    After this extensive tour, for which we are grateful, and the promises made at every stop, PANDEF was invited to a meeting with him on August 3rd, 2017, (exactly three years today, 3rd August, 2020).

    At the meeting with Prof. Osibanjo, it was further agreed that the Federal Government will hold dialogue with us, PANDEF, on the 16-Point Agenda earlier submitted to Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari.

    It is as result of the nonchalant attitude of the Federal Government and blatant disregard for the people of the Niger Delta region, who live in abject poverty and seriously deprived of participating in their God given resources, oil and gas in their area, and with the NNPC completely taken over by a section of Nigerians outside the Niger Delta, that has started to heighten tension in the area again.

    I should add that since the return of Mr. President to his office, from his medical vacation in London, the progress which seemed to have been made by the Acting President was totally ignored. This is very sad indeed.

    The Leaders of the Niger Delta under the auspices of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) gave a warning that they would continue to support the youths in the oil producing Communities, particularly in Delta State where the Ijaws, Itsekiris, Urhobos, Isokos, Ukwanis and Ogulaghas, where oil is produced in large quantity and the Forcados Terminal is also situated; Amatu in Bayelsa State were the large oil producing Bonga Oil field is situated as well as Bilabri, Letugbene, Peretorugbene Ekeni, Ogbetubo, Nun River, and other oil producing Communities in the State. Other cases are the Oil producing Communities in Rivers State and the recent threat given by the Omoku and Egbema against AGIP Operations, the oil producing Communities in Akwa Ibom State and the Bakassi boys in Cross River State.

    This is the very reason why the youths in the various places mentioned above have given various ultimatums to the Federal Government, to address the iniquities, which are now reducing us to second class citizens.

    From recent revelations, we see that some politicians and other operators loot our resources to their areas, outside the Niger Delta region, shamefully assisted by some unscrupulous corrupt and unpatriotic persons from the region.

    Can you imagine a situation where a Legislator from Ondo North, where a single drop of oil is not produced, will in the name of Chairmanship of House Committee on NDDC; dictate to the NDDC to award road contracts, worth about 10 Billion Naira in 2018 and 2019 to his Constituency. Whereas my beloved daughter from River State, from a core oil producing area, was very much agitated, when Senator Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs was trying to expose some of the contracts awarded to Members of the National Assembly. She obviously seems totally uninformed of this fact of the alleged attitude of her Committee Chairman. Unknown to many members of NASS, their Chairman attracted such number of roads to Akoko North East, North West and South in Ondo State where he comes from. This was in 2018, when he was not even a Member of the House Committee until 2019, where he awarded 11 contracts, influencing the implementation of the same contracts earlier awarded to Ondo State.

    Whereas in Kula, in the Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, where my daughter in question represents two Local Governments Areas in the House of Representatives, and which produces large quantity of oil and gas, there are no such gigantic projects.

    When the Minister of State Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, the GMD of NNPC Melee Kyari, the Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, and Amb. Godknows Igali, who represented me, recently visited Kula, they saw for themselves that the only Primary School in a community was dilapidated with no seats, and the only source of water, produces saline water.

    While not exonerating the States and Local Governments of the oil producing areas, it is the very ungodly treatment, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Oil Companies gives to our people that is most unjust and provocative.
    This is unacceptable and it will not continue.

    It is therefore a betrayal of trust, after the recent ultimatums given by the various oil producing communities in Delta State, for the same Vice President to hold a meeting with the Minister of State Petroleum and the Deputy Governor of Delta State, widely reported, especially in Vanguard Newspaper of July 31st, 2020 at page 37. Instead of the Vice President reverting to the Leadership of PANDEF, he now holds meeting with the Minister of State Petroleum Timipre Sylva and the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro to the exclusion of the leaders with whom he has been working.
    Disappointedly, the Deputy Governor of Delta State representing his Governor, had even discussed this matters with me earlier, after the visit of the GMD of NNPC, Mele Kyari and Prince Nduka Obiagbena to my resident in Abuja.

    At this juncture, may I use this medium to quote the Archbishop Elect of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province of the Anglican Communion, Rev. Dr. David Onuoha in Imo State, where he said in the Church that he has been having sleepless nights since he read of the rot in the NDDC, and the neglect of the Niger Delta people. You can, therefore, imagine the number of sleepless nights, we, the Niger Delta Leaders led by me, have been having.

    We, the entire leaders, often feel like hiding ourselves in shame, and a sense of condemnation, for allowing our God given resources to be looted by a few of our corrupt sons, in conspiracy with some unscrupulous politicians from other parts of Nigeria.

    Finally, it may be necessary to emphasize our ungodly deplorable plight where we have being treated as second class citizens or colonial territories being exploited by politicians and the Federal Government, which makes us one of the most undeveloped regions of Nigeria, despite our God given resources.

    Before I conclude, let me go back a little to state that in order to develop our difficult and swampy terrain, as far back as 1958, the Willinks Commission was set up by the Colonial Government to look into the problems of the minorities of the Niger Delta. Our leaders at the time, appeared before the Commission and made presentations.
    At the end, the Commission made very favourable recommendation based on the facts presented and what they verified. The Commission stated that the deplorable areas of the Niger Delta are not being understood by the Federal Government.

    For this reason, the Commission made a recommendation for the setting up of the Niger Delta Development Board in 1960. This was entrenched in the Independence Constitution of Nigeria in 1960 and the Republican Constitution in 1963.

    I made this point to underscore the fact that the developmental needs of our area, despite the ravaging effects of oil have been historic.

    Now with all the oil which we produce, we are still being reduced to suffer grave injustices and exclusion. Most of the communities where the oil comes from are not connected to the national grid, thus no electricity, and the roads are deplorable; the East-West Road has been under construction for the past 10 years and has remained uncompleted.

    We have suffered and endured enough, hence today, the Leaders of the Niger Delta have become a laughing stock. This situation, we will not accept from the Federal Government, the State Government and the politicians.

    Mr. Vice President, therefore, take heed over these secret meetings, in which you want to isolate our leaders. We would have thought that your greater concern should be after how to put into action your various promises, most of which are not being implemented.

    Let me make it clear that we are prepared to take our destiny in our own hands, no matter the consequence that will follow suit. Enough is Enough.

    Chief (Dr.) E.K. Clark, OFR, CON
    Leader, South – South

  • Rot in NDDC: South South Governors complicit, says Urhobo group

    Rot in NDDC: South South Governors complicit, says Urhobo group

    An Urhobo group representing the people of the Niger Delta known as Urhobo Leadership Forum, Abuja (ULFA) has said Governors of the South South are complicit in the ongoing rot in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President of ULFA, Chief Jonathan Esin, who made this known at a briefing on Monday in Abuja, also stated that the federal government was not without blame in the recent happenings in the NDDC.

    Chief Esin said the leadership of the NDDC has remained perennially unstable, and that the development appears to ensure the turn-by-turn looting of the Commission.

    He noted with dismay the silence of the Governors of the Niger Delta region on the massive looting going on in the NDDC in spite of the fact that they have statutory roles to play under the Act in the attainment of the developmental goals of the region.

    “It could be said that the federal government’s approach to the management of the NDDC after the expiration of the tenure of the last governing board gave rise to untoward developments. This is further exacerbated by the meddlesomeness of top government functionaries and their cohorts in the affairs of the Commission,” he stated.

    Esin stated that the idea of the government in undertaking the forensic audit of the NDDC was commendable, but that working with an Interim Management Committee (IMC) was absurd.

    According to him, the provisions for the management of the NDDC ought to have been sufficient for the effective management of the Commission, if at all those concerned have respect for law.

    He expressed concerns over the horrendous revelations that have emanated from the investigations by the National Assembly (NASS) into the finances of the NDDC.

    He vehemently warned against scrapping the NDDC, and called for the swearing in of the members of the Board earlier screened by the Senate to enable the Commission settle quickly into its role.

    Read full statement by the President of the ULFA at the briefing below:

    The Urhobo Leadership Forum Abuja (ULFA), is a think-tank Forum of Urhobo people resident in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The body anchors its ethos amongst others, on the enhancement of the welfare of its members and the promotion of development, unity and peace among Urhobo people and foster cordial relationship with other ethnic groups, within the context of a peaceful, united and progressive Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    We are very concerned about the horrendous revelations, which have emanated in the past couple of days, from the investigations by the NASS into the finances of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The revelations of massive looting of the hard-fought-for and won financial allocations made to the Niger Delta area which are reposed in the NDDC in trust for the long-suffering people of the area, is to say the least, shocking.

    The ugly developments have led to aspersions being cast on all the people of the area as being somewhat complicit. As an indication of our embarrassment, consternation and indignation, the ULFA has critically examined the issues and hereby put forward our views on the state of affairs in the NDDC in particular, and the Niger Delta region in general.

    The NDDC as an interventionist organisation, is vested with the mandate to bring about the overall development of the Niger Delta area and in particular conceive, plan and implement in accordance with enabling Act projects and programmes for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta area in the fields of transportation (including roads, jetties and waterways), health, employment, industrialization, agriculture and fisheries, and urban development. Similar responsibilities have been successfully executed in other wetlands of the world.

    The NDDC Act 2000 (as amended) is a very comprehensive piece of legislation in all of its structure and inbuilt control mechanisms. The President, Board including representatives of oil companies), Management Committee, Advisory committee (comprising Governors of the area) and a Monitoring Committee (comprising public/civil servants) including other in-house provisions, ought to be sufficient for the effective management of the Commission, if at all those concerned have respect for law and are imbued with a sense of mission to turn the fortunes of the area around.

    Unfortunately, the Commission has been perennially beset with problems since its inception and has thus failed woefully to impact on the quality of life of the people.

    In this regard, the following points are noteworthy:

    We observe that the Act setting up the NDDC has been held more in the breach than in the observance.

    The idea of the Government in undertaking forensic audit is commendable, but working with an illegal IMC is absurd.

    The National Assembly’s handling of the petitions that emanated from the Niger Delta indigenes and NGOs has shown that the Commission is a cesspool of corruption, rot and a conduit for perpetuating the despoliation and plundering of the resources of our people by a few Nigerian leaders and their cronies

    There is no doubt that some members of the bureaucracy of the Commission may have been complicit by their connivance with members of the political class. This may have resulted in the declaration of fictitious projects completed and other corrupt practices

    The ULFA notes also that the leadership of the NDDC has remained perennially unstable. Indeed, in its 20 years of existence, it has had 16 Chief Executives – an average of one MD every 1 year and 3 months. The development appears to ensure the turn-by turn looting of the NDDC.

    We note with dismay the silence of the Governors of the Niger Delta region on the massive looting going on in the NDDC in spite of the fact that have statutory roles to play under the Act in the attainment of the developmental goals of the region.

    It could be said that Federal government’s approach to the management of the NDDC after the expiration of the tenure of the last Governing Board gave rise to untoward developments. This is further exacerbated by the meddlesomeness of top government functionaries and their cohorts in the affairs of the Commission.

    The intendment of the NDDC Act is subverted and jettisoned in favour of directives from those who exercise the Federal might. This has been with the connivance of some Niger-Delta elements, all of whom are unperturbed by the dire future of the people of the area when oil and gas exploration and production would have become a thing of the past.

    The quality of persons appointed to the Board and the Chief Executive of NDDC leaves much to be desired. A situation where both the Board Chairman and Chief Executive of the Commission have been mainly politicians is inimical to the growth and development of the Niger Delta area. Apart from only 2, all other past Managing Directors have been politicians. The consequence is that they have continued to be lackeys and stooges of their mentors.

    We like to conclude by emphasising that the NDDC is an interventionist created to fast tract development in the region This is in addition to the statutory responsibilities, which the Niger Delta States and the FGN owe to the region as part and parcel of the Nigerian Federation. But we note with pain and regret that both tiers of government have failed woefully in this regard Therefore, in the final analysis, the failure of the NDDC is NOT the only problem of the region.

    In order to bring the rot and looting in the NDDC to an end and reposition it to effectively deliver on its statutory responsibilities, the ULFA hereby recommends as follows:

    That sensitive positions in the NDDC management, such as the Managing Director/CEO, should henceforth not be given to active partisan political actors. Nevertheless, in light of the exigencies of the moment, the members of the Board earlier screened by the Senate, should be sworn-in without delay to enable the Commission settle quickly into its role,

    A competent and reputable external audit firm should be engaged after the inauguration of the Board to execute the forensic audit of the Commission including top management officials since the inception of the NDDC.

    The recommendations of the National Assembly’s investigation of the NDDC Interim Management Committee should be acted upon by the Executive branch of Government without delay,

    All persons involved in financial embezzlement and misappropriation should face the penalty imposed by law, including forfeiture of improperly acquired wealth,

    The audited accounts and reports of the NDDC should be undertaken and made available as stipulated by the enabling Act, 46 Government should strengthen the Commission’s financial management and internal control system. For example, in the implementation of the Procurement Act provisions against contract splitting should be rigorously enforced,

    All major contracts or projects should be handled by reputable contracting firms, preferably in which the Niger Delta indigenes have substantial stakes,

    Projects locations, completion status and costs should be regularly published on the NDDC portal and such information should be made available to the Niger Delta State Governments and the LGAS,

    The Local Content of every project should be visibly verifiable,

    The Commission should concentrate on mega projects with impact across create its own problems.

    Therefore, this matter should be handled with the seriousness, equity and justice the situation demands so that there is no the Niger Delta area,

    That NDDC must not be scrapped. The ULFA cautions that such an action will relapse or degeneration into the destructive militancy that predated the establishment of the NDDC.

    Their Excellences, the Governors of the Niger Delta states should be more alive to their responsibilities of “advising the NDDC Board and monitoring the activities of the Commission for the equitable development of the Niger Delta Area as stipulated in the enabling Act.

    Finally, the ULFA appeals to the people of the Niger Delta region to remain peaceful and calm as we await the Federal government to reposition the Commission to deliver on its mandate.

  • FG receives bashing over happenings in NDDC

    FG receives bashing over happenings in NDDC

    The Urhobo Leadership Forum, Abuja (ULFA) has expressed concerns over the horrendous revelations that have emanated from the investigations by the National Assembly (NASS) into the finances of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the group at a special press briefing on Monday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) blamed the federal government over the recent happenings in the NDDC, stressing that the people of the Niger Delta region were wholly against it..

    President of the ULFA, Chief Jonathan Esin, who addressed the briefing, stated that the revelations are shocking, and that the ugly developments have led to aspersions being cast on all the people of the area as being somewhat complicit.

    He further stated that the idea of the government in undertaking the forensic audit of the NDDC was commendable, but that working with an Interim Management Committee (IMC) was absurd.

    Chief Esin noted that the leadership of the NDDC has remained perennially unstable, stressing that this appears to ensure the turn-by-turn looting of the NDDC.

    “For example, there is no provision in the Act setting up the NDDC for an Interim Management Committee (IMC). The IMC was hurriedly inaugurated while the nominated NDDC Board members were being profiled. The NDDC Board members cleared by the Senate have been on stand by since last year without being inaugurated to assume their responsibilities. This, to us, is a grave aberration.

    “The idea of the Government in undertaking forensic audit is commendable, but working with an illegal IMC is absurd. The leadership of the NDDC has remained perennially unstable. Indeed, in its 20 years of existence, it has had 16 Chief Executives, an average of one MD every 1 year and 3 months. The development appears to ensure the turn-by turn looting of the NDDC.

    “It could be said that federal government’s approach to the management of the NDDC after the expiration of the tenure of the last governing board gave rise to untoward developments. This is further exacerbated by the meddlesomeness of top government functionaries and their cohorts in the affairs of the Commission.

    “The intendment of the NDDC Act is subverted and jettisoned in favour of directives from those who exercise the Federal might.

    “This has been with the connivance of some Niger Delta elements, all of whom are unperturbed by the dire future of the people of the area when oil and gas exploration and production would have become a thing of the past,” Esin stated.

    The ULFA President went further to state that provisions for the management of the NDDC, including the President, board, representatives of oil companies, Management Committee, Advisory committee (comprising Governors of the area) and a Monitoring Committee (comprising public/civil servants) including other in-house provisions, ought to be sufficient for the effective management of the Commission, if at all those concerned have respect for law and are imbued with a sense of mission to turn the fortunes of the area around.

    He vehemently warned against scrapping the NDDC, and called for the swearing in of the members of the Board earlier screened by the Senate to enable the Commission settle quickly into its role.

    Read full statement by the President of the ULFA at the briefing below:

    The Urhobo Leadership Forum Abuja (ULFA), is a think-tank Forum of Urhobo people resident in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The body anchors its ethos amongst others, on the enhancement of the welfare of its members and the promotion of development, unity and peace among Urhobo people and foster cordial relationship with other ethnic groups, within the context of a peaceful, united and progressive Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    We are very concerned about the horrendous revelations, which have emanated in the past couple of days, from the investigations by the NASS into the finances of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The revelations of massive looting of the hard-fought-for and won financial allocations made to the Niger Delta area which are reposed in the NDDC in trust for the long-suffering people of the area, is to say the least, shocking.

    The ugly developments have led to aspersions being cast on all the people of the area as being somewhat complicit. As an indication of our embarrassment, consternation and indignation, the ULFA has critically examined the issues and hereby put forward our views on the state of affairs in the NDDC in particular, and the Niger Delta region in general.

    The NDDC as an interventionist organisation, is vested with the mandate to bring about the overall development of the Niger Delta area and in particular conceive, plan and implement in accordance with enabling Act projects and programmes for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta area in the fields of transportation (including roads, jetties and waterways), health, employment, industrialization, agriculture and fisheries, and urban development. Similar responsibilities have been successfully executed in other wetlands of the world.

    The NDDC Act 2000 (as amended) is a very comprehensive piece of legislation in all of its structure and inbuilt control mechanisms. The President, Board including representatives of oil companies), Management Committee, Advisory committee (comprising Governors of the area) and a Monitoring Committee (comprising public/civil servants) including other in-house provisions, ought to be sufficient for the effective management of the Commission, if at all those concerned have respect for law and are imbued with a sense of mission to turn the fortunes of the area around.

    Unfortunately, the Commission has been perennially beset with problems since its inception and has thus failed woefully to impact on the quality of life of the people.

    In this regard, the following points are noteworthy:

    We observe that the Act setting up the NDDC has been held more in the breach than in the observance.

    The idea of the Government in undertaking forensic audit is commendable, but working with an illegal IMC is absurd.

    The National Assembly’s handling of the petitions that emanated from the Niger Delta indigenes and NGOs has shown that the Commission is a cesspool of corruption, rot and a conduit for perpetuating the despoliation and plundering of the resources of our people by a few Nigerian leaders and their cronies

    There is no doubt that some members of the bureaucracy of the Commission may have been complicit by their connivance with members of the political class. This may have resulted in the declaration of fictitious projects completed and other corrupt practices

    The ULFA notes also that the leadership of the NDDC has remained perennially unstable. Indeed, in its 20 years of existence, it has had 16 Chief Executives – an average of one MD every 1 year and 3 months. The development appears to ensure the turn-by turn looting of the NDDC.

    We note with dismay the silence of the Governors of the Niger Delta region on the massive looting going on in the NDDC in spite of the fact that have statutory roles to play under the Act in the attainment of the developmental goals of the region.

    It could be said that Federal government’s approach to the management of the NDDC after the expiration of the tenure of the last Governing Board gave rise to untoward developments. This is further exacerbated by the meddlesomeness of top government functionaries and their cohorts in the affairs of the Commission.

    The intendment of the NDDC Act is subverted and jettisoned in favour of directives from those who exercise the Federal might. This has been with the connivance of some Niger-Delta elements, all of whom are unperturbed by the dire future of the people of the area when oil and gas exploration and production would have become a thing of the past.

    The quality of persons appointed to the Board and the Chief Executive of NDDC leaves much to be desired. A situation where both the Board Chairman and Chief Executive of the Commission have been mainly politicians is inimical to the growth and development of the Niger Delta area. Apart from only 2, all other past Managing Directors have been politicians. The consequence is that they have continued to be lackeys and stooges of their mentors.

    We like to conclude by emphasising that the NDDC is an interventionist created to fast tract development in the region This is in addition to the statutory responsibilities, which the Niger Delta States and the FGN owe to the region as part and parcel of the Nigerian Federation. But we note with pain and regret that both tiers of government have failed woefully in this regard Therefore, in the final analysis, the failure of the NDDC is NOT the only problem of the region.

    In order to bring the rot and looting in the NDDC to an end and reposition it to effectively deliver on its statutory responsibilities, the ULFA hereby recommends as follows:

    That sensitive positions in the NDDC management, such as the Managing Director/CEO, should henceforth not be given to active partisan political actors. Nevertheless, in light of the exigencies of the moment, the members of the Board earlier screened by the Senate, should be sworn-in without delay to enable the Commission settle quickly into its role,

    A competent and reputable external audit firm should be engaged after the inauguration of the Board to execute the forensic audit of the Commission including top management officials since the inception of the NDDC.

    The recommendations of the National Assembly’s investigation of the NDDC Interim Management Committee should be acted upon by the Executive branch of Government without delay,

    All persons involved in financial embezzlement and misappropriation should face the penalty imposed by law, including forfeiture of improperly acquired wealth,

    The audited accounts and reports of the NDDC should be undertaken and made available as stipulated by the enabling Act, 46 Government should strengthen the Commission’s financial management and internal control system. For example, in the implementation of the Procurement Act provisions against contract splitting should be rigorously enforced,

    All major contracts or projects should be handled by reputable contracting firms, preferably in which the Niger Delta indigenes have substantial stakes,

    Projects locations, completion status and costs should be regularly published on the NDDC portal and such information should be made available to the Niger Delta State Governments and the LGAS,

    The Local Content of every project should be visibly verifiable,

    The Commission should concentrate on mega projects with impact across create its own problems.

    Therefore, this matter should be handled with the seriousness, equity and justice the situation demands so that there is no the Niger Delta area,

    That NDDC must not be scrapped. The ULFA cautions that such an action will relapse or degeneration into the destructive militancy that predated the establishment of the NDDC.

    Their Excellences, the Governors of the Niger Delta states should be more alive to their responsibilities of “advising the NDDC Board and monitoring the activities of the Commission for the equitable development of the Niger Delta Area as stipulated in the enabling Act.

    Finally, the ULFA appeals to the people of the Niger Delta region to remain peaceful and calm as we await the Federal government to reposition the Commission to deliver on its mandate.

  • TNG Analysis: Reps probe of forensic looting of NDDC, final killing of Niger-Delta commonwealth

    TNG Analysis: Reps probe of forensic looting of NDDC, final killing of Niger-Delta commonwealth

    …will Nigerians see the cttee’s final report?

    … spending N122m on condolences is offensive
    …N1.3bn on palliatives is an insult on Niger Deltans sensibilities
    … a peep at Rep Kingsley Chinda’s observation
    By Emman Ovuakporie
    The signals were too visible to perceive that something was really amiss from day one that the former uncommon Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio inaugurated the Interim Management Committee, IMC.
    TheNewsGuru.com TNG had on October 29th last year reported how Senator Akpabio within five hours that President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter was read on the floor of the Senate, inaugurated another interim board to run the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
    Ignoring the IMC the Senate, Akpabio went ahead to confirm the 14 nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari but he (the uncommon Governor) had his way insisting that the forensic audit proposed by the president supersedes every other wisdom displayed by 109 wise men.
    The resultant of the rushed IMC is the squandering of N81billion within a space of six months, plundering the Niger Delta people into another wave of poverty.
    The region that lays the golden eggs that is the live wire of Nigeria’s economic survival still has a very high rate of poverty while its resources are squandered by those adjudged to be leaders of the region.
    Rep Kingsley Chinda’s Observation:
    In a statement issued last Monday, the leader of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the Federal Legislature aptly captured the rot associated with Akpabio’s IMC in part.
    Read Him:

    There is something more sinister going on that the behaviour of Daniel Pondei seeks to mask. Never in the history of the NDDC has corruption reached a peak as it has today.

    According to revelations already in the media, N81bn was squandered alone between January-June, 2020, with an individual paid $1m from NDDC in what appears as forensic looting of the NDDC coffers; yet, the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC rather than be sober and repentant, had the effrontery to walk out of the Committee charged to look at the books of the Commission. This is unacceptable.

    All these dramas are moves to change the current narrative of bad, corrupt, and inept governance and turn the attention of Nigerians away from the main issues of unpardonable deceit and deep-rooted corruption that bedevil this government.

    This is a clarion call on the Leadership of NASS to take back its independence from the Executive and desist from making such statements as “I will approve whatever GMB asks for”; “better to be a rubber stamp and get what we want “. The institution of the National Assembly, made up of its members, is higher and bigger than the members themselves; the institution of the National Assembly remains the symbol of democracy; and its independence should not be negotiated under any circumstance whatsoever.

    We cannot as Members of the PDP Caucus, watch from the side-lines as if nothing is happening when the tenets of democracy are being subverted and the Constitution desecrated. The snub of the National Assembly by the Executive and the unconscionable and obsequious behaviours of appointees of Executive arm have to stop forthwith.

    And the man fainted at Reps investigative hearing same day.

    The drama that unfolded at the Reps probe of the forensic and scientific looting of NDDC in a long time will remain indelible in the hearts of Nigerians.

    How media consultancy contracts were awarded to an engineering firm and an advance fee of N.7bn paid to a company that does not know the definition of the word news.

    A Medicare job was given to a transport company that does not know how to diagnose ailments all in the name of looting the commonwealth of a zone that has been relegated to the background despite the enormous resources being tapped from its communities on a daily basis.

    N1.3bn spent on palliatives for staff of the commission to cushion the effects of Covid-19 in a region where citizens live below $1 per day.

    The most annoying is the N122m spent on condolences. Who did they pay condolence message to or better still could it be that every burial ceremony in the nine states of the commission monies are doled out to individuals.

    Reps Probe:

    To let Nigerians know that the House of Reps will be transparent in handling the probe, Chairman of the committee Hon Olubunmi Ojo stepped aside before Professor Pondei started his submission on Monday but midway the man fainted.

    Akpabio the uncommon Governor spoke from both sides of his mouth after taking his oath but tactically avoided signing the oath form he filled.

    Pondei did not adequately address how N1.3bn was distributed to staff of the commission whether it was a bazaar or bonanza for staff.

    The former MD Joi Nunieh had told Nigerians how she refused to sign a N10bn bonanza and church bazaar for Christmas last December in a zone where eating rice is seen as exclusive for the rich.

    The House of Reps by now should have enough evidence to bury all those that plundered the commonwealth of Niger Deltans but wait a minute, will this report not go the way many reports and many NASS Resolutions were thrown into archival dustbins.

    This is one report that must be made public and those indicted should be made to face the long arm of the law.

  • Police give officers backing for Joi Nunieh’s arrest

    Police give officers backing for Joi Nunieh’s arrest

    The Police Command in Rivers has said policemen who went to arrest Dr Joi Nunieh, the former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) were on legitimate duty.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni made the clarification in a statement on Friday in Port Harcourt, following reports that the presence of the policemen at the residence of Nunieh was not on the directive of the command.

    Recall it took the intervention of Gov. Nyesome Wike of Rivers on Thursday to stop the police operatives from arresting Nunieh from her residence in the early hours of the day.

    Omoni said the police operatives were from the Inspector General of Police (I-G) Monitoring Team, with support of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mukan.

    “The Rivers police command wish to clarify that officers who went to the residence of Nunieh were from the I-G Monitoring Team in Abuja on official assignment to the state.

    “The officers, before proceeding to Nunieh’s residence, observed due protocols and requisite standard operating procedures.

    “On arrival, the officers reported to the police command headquarters with their investigation activities duly signed and approved by the commissioner.”

    Omoni said that mobile policemen that accompanied the team to effect the arrest of Nunieh, went there on official duty, contrary to some media reports.

    “The reference that police officers went to arrest Nunieh without the directive of the CP and I-G is ridiculous and most unfortunate, hence should be disregarded.

    “Mukan is poised to deliver quality policing services and the command will continue to remain firm, focused and will not be distracted by any consideration,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Earth shaking revelations galore as Reps probe NDDC contract scams

    BREAKING: Earth shaking revelations galore as Reps probe NDDC contract scams

    …how N.7bn contract media consultancy job was allegedly awarded to an engineering firm

    … healthcare contract awarded to logistics firm

    ..contracts awarded without due process

    …contracts were awarded before Presidential approval

    Earth shaking revelations have been made at the ongoing House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) probe of alleged contract scams by the government interventionist agency.

    This is coming barely 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari cautioned government agencies to respect the National Assembly, and proper and well coordinated probe should be carried out on the Commission.

    Kolawole Johnson, a critical stakeholder at the panel revealed that a media consultancy job worth N.7bn was allegedly awarded to an engineering firm.

    He also told the panel that a healthcare contract was awarded to a logistics company worth N35m.

    The panel was also informed that these contracts were awarded on the 22nd of April and Presidential approval was given on the 30th of April.

     

    Details soon…

  • Nigerians descend on Akpabio on social media after ex-NDDC MD’s damning corruption allegations

    Nigerians descend on Akpabio on social media after ex-NDDC MD’s damning corruption allegations

    Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator God’swill Akpabio is trending number one on Twitter. The reason for his unusual trend TheNewsGuru.com TNG learnt is as a result of grievous allegations made by the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh.

    Nunieh said out of the N81billion spent by the Commission between October last year to May this year only N8billion was expended by Interim Management Committee (IMC) under her leadership for the months period spent ( October 29, 2019 to February 18, 2020).

    She alleged while answering questions from Journalists during a press conference on Saturday that Akpabio engineered her removal from office for failing to dance to his tunes as regards writing implicating Chairman , Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs , Peter Nwaoboshi on fraudulent contracts awards and executions.

    In her words: “The minister did all manner of dirty things to forcefully remove me out of office like sponsoring the vandalisation of Agip trunk a pipeline in Bayelsa as a way of making the unsuspecting public to believe that the youths in the area are angry with NDDC under her leadership. He even made frantic attempts to force me to swear to fetish oath which i vehemently refused before he succeeded in getting me out of the place for sole purpose of having his way to run the place the way he likes under the present team of IMC”.

    However, Nigerians in their thousands have expressed opposing and supporting views on the former MD’s accusation.

    See a few as compiled below:

    https://twitter.com/unyime_leo/status/1281974142376517635?s=20

     

  • FG maintains silence as controversies trail 2020 marginal oil fields bid rounds

    FG maintains silence as controversies trail 2020 marginal oil fields bid rounds

    The federal government has so far maintained deafening silence, failing to address issues that have propped up since the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) announced the commencement of the 2020 marginal oil fields bid rounds.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the flag-off of the 2020 marginal oil fields bid rounds comes amidst the Nigeria’s poor financial situation, which has made the implementation of the 2020 budget a Herculean task for the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government with capital and recurrent expenditures already slashed.

    Prior to the announcement, stakeholders in the oil and gas industry have consistently urged the FG to conduct an oil bid round for the purpose of raising revenue to fund some of its critical projects.

    For the 2020 oil bid round exercise, DPR announced that a total of 57 fields located on land, swamp and shallow offshore terrains are on offer. But the implementing agency announced that the bid round exercise is open to indigenous companies and investors interested in participating in exploration and production business in Nigeria.

    Marginal fields: Itsekiri people decry alleged marginalisation in bidding process

    Meanwhile, the Itsekiri ethnic nationality in Delta State has decried what it called marginalization in the current bidding process for the 57 Marginal Fields by the DPR.

    They expressed their grievance in Ode-Ugborodo, Escravos, Warri South-West Local Government Area (LGA), of Delta, in a statement, after a peaceful protest on Monday.

    They tagged the protest “Movement for the Development of Itsekiri Oil and Gas Producing Communities’ (MDIOGPC)”.

    The statement was issued by the convener of the protest, Mr Isaac Botosan.

    The group threatened to cripple operations of the Oil and Gas companies operating in their homeland, if the Federal Government refused to halt the current biding process of the 57 marginal fields, and subsequently initiate new modalities.

    The protesters held placards with different inscriptions like: “We need our share of the marginal fields in our locality, DPR take note,” and “Competent companies owned by Itsekiris must be given first right of refusal”.

    Botosan in the statement, condemned the alleged protracted marginalisation of the Itsekiri nation, particularly in the areas of project execution, employment opportunities, infrastructure development, among others; and urged government to address the issues.

    He also urged the Federal Government to initiate new modalities where competent companies owned by Itsekiri indigenous people would be given “right of first refusal” on Fields in their homeland before considering outsiders.

    “We can no longer continue to sit and watch non-indigenes being offered Oil Mining Licenses in our homeland when we have capable Itsekiri people whose firms are qualified, but repeatedly denied such licenses,” Botosan said.

    According to him, the Itsekiri, as a law abiding ethnic nationality, committed to the sustainable peace, growth and development of the Nigerian project, understands perfectly the effect of the COVID-19 on the economy.

    “We are equally not unmindful of the teething security challenges the Federal Government is confronting headlong across the country, especially in the North East.

    “But, we are, however, constrained to ventilate our frustration regarding the brazen and worsening marginalisation, staring at our face daily by those in charge of managing affairs in the Oil and Gas Sector.

    “The marginalisation is clearly evident in a manner that the Multi-Billion Dollar Gas Revolution Industrial Park Project in Ogidigben and Deepsea Port in Warri South-West LGA, have been abandoned.

    “The age-long Omadino-Escravos Road, expected to connect the coastal communities in Warri South and Warri South-West LGAs, have remained abandoned till date,” he said.

    Botosan, therefore, urged the Federal Government to direct MDAs/IOCs to embark on large scale shore protection/sand-filling projects in Itsekiri riverine/oil producing communities.

    He also urged the government to institute a process for the facilitation of the abandoned age-long Omadino-Escravos Road.

    One of the protesters, Mrs Taye Mene, who spoke on behalf of the Itsekiri Women Omadinor-Escravos Federated Communities, said the people were suffering as a result of the consequences of oil explorations in their homeland.

    Ijaws demand ‘right of first refusal’ in marginal fields bids

    Similarly, the Ijaws in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West, on Sunday carried out a similar protest, calling on the Federal Government to give its people right of first refusal in the bids for the marginal fields.

    Godspower Gbenekama, Spokesman of Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, made the call on Sunday at a news conference held at Oporoza, the administrative headquarters of the Gbaramatu kingdom.

    Gbenekama who spoke on behalf of the chiefs and other sons and daughters of Gbaramatu, some of whom held placards, alleged the marginalisation of the oil-producing kingdom.

    Some of the placards reads: “FG should restart the Omadinor-Escravos road project, “Bring back our Dockyard, NIMASA”, among others.

    “We have by this medium announced our total and unequivocal objection to a bidding process that has for long excluded well-to-do Gbaramatu indigenes from the marginal fields.

    “The Federal Government should come up with modalities where competent companies owned by Gbaramatu indigenes will be given the right of first refusal on oil fields located in Gbaramatu and Warri South-West,’’ he said.

    Gbenekama was unhappy with the ongoing bidding process for the 57 marginal fields by the DPR which according to him had excluded Gbaramatu-owned companies from partaking.

    He appealed to the government to relocate to Gbaramatu the Floating Dock/Ship Building Yard originally planned to aid learning in the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.

    Gbenekama also appealed to the Federal Government to resume work on the abandoned Omadinor-Escravos road to boost socio-economic and peaceful co-existence of Ijaws and Itsekiris.

    “We urge the Federal Government to restart the Omadinor-Escravos road project to improve the economic relations between the neighbouring Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.

    “The Federal Government should also resume work on the multi-billion dollars Gas Revolution Industrial Park in Ogidigben and Deep Seaport in Gbaramatu both in Warri South-West, among others,” he said.

    CSOs decry exclusion in Marginal Oil fields’ bid rounds

    Also, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) had decried their exclusion from the proposed Marginal Oil fields’ bid rounds announced by the DPR.

    The group’s protest was contained in a letter to the DPR, jointly signed by the National Coordinator, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria, Peter Egbule; Executive Director Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Faith Nwadishi.

    Others include Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Rafsanjani Auwal Musaand, Chairman, Human and environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Olanrewaju Suraj.

    Others are the National President, Green Alliance Nigeria (GAN) Chima Williams, Chief Executive Connected Development (CODE) Hamzat Lawal; National Coordinator, Media Initiative on Transparency in Extractive Industry (MITEI) Bassey Udo and Programmes Manager, Selemati Foundation, Rita Kigbara.

    Also, Executive Director, Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, Yemi Ademolokun; Principal Lead, BudgIT Foundation, Gabriel Okeowo, Director Civic Media Lab, Akinfolarin Oluwaseun, and Programmes Officer, West African NGO Network (WANGONeT) Sandra Dike.

    The coalition said that the published bid guidelines by DPR did not involve CSOs among agencies that would monitor the exercise of the Federal Government’s planned award of 57 marginal oil fields’ licenses.

    The CSOs said that the published guidelines for the auction were fraught with provisions that might hamper the interest of genuine bidders in the oil fields and deny the country the benefits of set objectives.

    They emphasized strict adherence to globally accepted best-practices, while expressing doubts that the current exercise would bring a different result from the past, if government did not make the process more transparent.

    They, therefore, advocated the immediate inclusion of about two civil society representatives in the bidders screening team as observers to build public trust and investors’ confidence in the bid process.

    The group also sought strong legislative oversight by the National Assembly and involvement of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) before, during and after the exercise to avoid the experiences of the past.

    “After reviewing the guidelines, and putting into perspective, past experiences and pitfalls of similar processes, we deem it important to draw your attention to some of the points that can hinder the success of the process, or limit Nigeria from deriving optimal financial and socio-economic benefits from the exercise.

    “We are prepared to play our roles as civil society in support of this very important national exercise with the understanding that it is intended and designed to deliver the overriding interest of Nigeria and Nigerians,” it said.

    The group identified licensing as one of the weakest links for value realisation from Nigeria’s petroleum industry, adding that previous exercises between 2000 and 2007 not only fell below global best practices, it failed to secure maximum value for the country’s assets.

    To deliver the expected increase in revenue and proven crude oil reserves as well as increase in daily crude oil production, the group said the government must ensure the set goals conformed to the country’s long-term planning objectives in the sector.

    According to the CSOs, previous licensing rounds in the country were not tied to any comprehensive asset development strategy or broader economic development plans.

    They added that each licensing round of objectives must align with the country’s strategy for managing natural resource base for current and future generations.

    The group also called on the government to strengthen the National Data Repository Geological system by making authenticated and certified data easily accessible to bidders to attract capable investors to the oil assets on auction.

    On the bidding process, the group urged the DPR to adhere to the published guidelines and criteria on the bid to avoid confusion and ensure due process, noting that the de-politicised criteria must be developed to support local content without compromising the sector’s development potential or returns.

    “Nigeria must resist the tendency to extend preferential treatment to companies solely because they are local and well-connected.

    “The DPR should amend the guidelines to accommodate the disclosure by all bidders of ‘sworn declaration, complete, comprehensive and accurate information on their ultimate beneficial owner(s).

    “This will show that Nigeria is fully compliant with her obligations under the EITI and Open Government Partnership (OGP) principles, transparency and a level-playing-field that will not allow ‘business as usual’ by vested interests,” they said.

    Petroleum Minister maintains silence

    Meanwhile, President Buhari, who happens to be the Minister of Petroleum, has maintained open silence so far. Apart from his mention of the 2020 marginal oil fields bid rounds during his Democracy Day speech, no words have been heard from the president.

    “For the first time in over ten years, Nigeria is conducting bidding process for 57 Marginal Oil Fields to increase revenue and increase the participation of Nigerian companies in oil and exploration and production business.

    “With sustained engagement of youths, opinion leaders and other stakeholders, we have restored peace in the Niger Delta Region and maintained our oil production levels,” Buhari stated in his Democracy Day speech.

    No repeat of past mistakes in 2020 marginal oilfield bids – DPR

    However, the DPR had said there will not be a repeat of past mistakes made in previous exercises in the ongoing bid rounds for 57 marginal oilfields in the country.

    Mr Auwalu Sarki, Director, DPR, gave the assurance on June 29 while delivering a keynote address at the Africa Marginal Oilfield and Independent Producers Webinar Conference.

    Sarki said the last bid round conducted in 2003 was fraught with litigations and other challenges which hampered the development of some of the awarded 24 marginal oilfields to the detriment of the nation.

    He was optimistic that the current exercise which was at the evaluation stage, would not encounter similar issues because of the robust and credible processes put in place by the government.

    The DPR boss said: “We have learnt from mistakes made in the past and have come up with workable solutions to ensure that the objective of the development of our marginal fields is achieved.

    “This time around, our awardees will be credible investors with technical and financial capability.

    “There is also the Post-General Award Conditions. This deals with transfer of interest post award. It means awardees cannot transfer more than 49 per cent interest to another party post-award.

    “It also include termination of rights of interest holder which gives the minister power to withdraw the interest of a party who fails to meet its obligations in terms of joint awardees.”

    Sarki further said the conditions protected the interest of all investors, saying that any disagreement arising among awardees and their partners post-award would first be referred to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre in DPR.

    He noted that this would reduce the years spent in courts over disputes which usually led to non-performance of the marginal fields, saying that such awards would henceforth be withdrawn by the government.

    “We believe that these steps will bring about a sustainable development of our marginal fields,” the director said.

    He added that the objective of the 2020 marginal field bid round was to deepen the participation of indigenous companies in the upstream segment and provide opportunities for technical and financial partnerships for investors.

    According to him, the existing 16 marginal oilfields contribute two per cent to the national gas reserves and their operations have brought peace and development to host communities in the Niger Delta.

    TNG reports a marginal field is any field that has reserves booked and reported annually to the DPR and has remained undeveloped for a period of over 10 years.

  • Global West Vessels was never involved in surveilance of oil facilities in Niger Delta

    Global West Vessels was never involved in surveilance of oil facilities in Niger Delta

    Global West Vessels Specialists Ltd, ( GWVSL) said on Sunday that it has never been involved in surveillance of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, making it clear that it is not even interested in surveillance of oil facilities in the region.

    In a Press Release, Management of Global West Vessel Specialists Ltd denied a publication by a group known as Central Youths of Escravos and Forcados that it once handled pipeline surveillance activities in the area

    According to the Release; “The attention of the management of Global West Vessel Specialists Ltd has been drawn to a publication by a group known as Central Youths of Escravos and Forcados, that GWVSL had once handled pipeline surveillance activities in the area. The insinuation was contained in a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari as regards to the contractor handling the surveillance job in the area”.

    “The group was obviously comparing the activities of GWVSL and the contractor, Ocean Marine Ltd and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Capt. Hosa Okunbor.

    For the avoidance of doubt and to set the records straight, Global West Vessels Specialists Ltd had never been involved in surveillance of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region. It is not even interested in surveillance of oil facilities in the region”, the release added.

    According to the release also; “Global West Vessels Specialists Ltd only had a concessional agreement with the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency and Administration (NIMASA) to shore up its revenue base and nothing more”.

    The GWVSL advised anyone raising allegation on surveillance of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region to do a thorough check before going to the public with falsehood, adding that; ” It is our believe that matters of this nature should be handled with care so as not to throw the region into chaos”.

    “We wish to advise that whoever that is involved in this surveillance issue should apply restrain and tow the path of dialogue to amicably resolve the issue if there is any”, it stated.