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Tag: rivers

  • Oil theft: Navy uncovers saboutaged NNPC wellhead in Rivers

    Oil theft: Navy uncovers saboutaged NNPC wellhead in Rivers

    The Nigeria Navy in Port Harcourt says it has uncovered a huge mechanism installed in the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 wellhead being used to siphon crude oil into waiting barges.

    It was learnt that OML 18 wellhead is owned and operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

    Commodore Sulaiman Ibrahim, Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, took newsmen to the site at Kala Ekweama community in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers.

    “The terrain (site) was discovered by our naval helicopter on routine aerial patrol of the waterways and creeks in our area of responsibility.

    “Immediately after it was spotted, we deployed our gunboats to the site and kept watch of the facility to ensure the illegality perpetrated here is discontinued.

    “The Nigeria Navy has put everything on the ground to ensure that it curbs illegal crude oil theft in the Niger Delta,” he said.

    Ibrahim said troops recovered from the already sabotaged facility, boats, equipment and other machines being used to steal crude oil from the wellhead.

    “We have contacted the operators of OML 18 to send their technical team and skilled manpower but the team said the wellhead has been greatly compromised.

    “So, all efforts to get products out (of the wellhead) has been quite difficult at the moment except higher skilled and technical team are brought in.

    “However, we are fully on the ground and committed to curb all activities of oil thieves in this general area and the region at large” he added.

    The navy officer urged members of the public to come forward with useful information about anyone in their communities involved oil theft, and assured secrecy of their identity.

    He said the war against oil theft in the Niger Delta can only be won by security agencies with the support of the Nigerian people.

    “The Federal Government is aware of the efforts of the armed forces and in particular the navy in doing everything humanly possible to stop oil theft in the country.

    “Some people have alleged that military personnel connive with oil thieves, and I have on several occasions challenged them to name such personnel, so that they can be shamed,” he said.

  • How I was poisoned as Rivers governor – Wike

    How I was poisoned as Rivers governor – Wike

    The former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has  narrated how he survived after being poisoned in 2018 while in office as governor.

    Wike during a thanksgiving service in the church on Sunday revealed that doctors told him that his intestines were all black, a situation he believed arose from the poisoning that reportedly took place at the state government’s secretariat.

    The Ex- governor however, expressed gratitude that he survived the poison miraculously to the surprise of the doctors who diagnosed him

    “There is a lot to thank God for; from 2015 to 2023 God was in charge; everybody who knew how we came to power knew it was turbulent, but God saw us through. I will give three instances why we need to thank God. While in your office, so many people think as governor everything is going on well with you.”

    “As governor, nobody wants to ask if you are well, all is, you wake up in the morning, see text messages, accounts you are to send money to… December 2018, that day was the day my former Chief of Staff was to have Thanksgiving ceremony, and I was to attend that event on a Sunday.

    “On that Sunday, I never came down from my room, it was bad. For those who attended the January 1st State Banquet of 2019, will know that I never spoke that day, I just sat down there and told my deputy to speak on my behalf, people didn’t know what was going on.

    “After that banquet, 12:00 am midnight, I was taken out of the country because I thought it was over, when we got to Beirut the doctors told me they had to do so many tests…they came back the next morning and said it was bad; my kidney, liver were gone.

    “Doctors told me I’d been poisoned and that my liver and kidney were no longer functioning. I believe I was poisoned at the secretariat. To God be the glory, I survived it.”

    “I never knew that I had been poisoned in our campaign secretariat; my intestines were all black. The doctors did everything they could do, and the next day the doctors came and said everything was turning around; to the glory of God after about one week, they said I could then go. I came back to Nigeria and told those who are close to me that we wouldn’t stop at anybody’s house because I could not identify how I was poisoned; everyone was a suspect to me.

    “When I was going through my presidential primaries, my wife called me from London that she has been diagnosed with cancer, I called my G5 members who were supporting me, I said there is a problem and I don’t think I can continue with this race; I called my wife back and she said no, continue so we started (the race).

    “On the night of the primaries, I went with my wife to Abuja, and from nowhere, we were called that fire gutted my wife’s room. We called the fire service everything was burnt; up to today, we haven’t repaired that room… and nobody knew, I just kept quiet. That is why I said some people don’t ask what I’m passing through–you just want me to give you! give you! you don’t even know if I’m dying.

    “But I thank God today that my wife is hale and hearty. When people text me, my wife is sick, my mother is at the hospital, I always say should I text back, my wife is also in hospital? If anything should have happened you can imagine the effect on my children.

    “The last one, as we finished the primary, my wife went to Lagos to bring my daughter, they landed at the air force base, and I said when they land I will just enter and go to Lagos (somebody was waiting for me that I must see).

    After 15 minutes of take-off, we heard a sound, I saw the air hostess running. I rushed to the cockpit, but the door was locked; nobody to communicate with; she ran back and told us one engine is gone; the pilot said it’s safer for us to turn back (we were three)…by the grace of God before we landed, we saw several ambulances, fire service trucks line up; I didn’t know the pilot had communicated with them that there was a serious problem, to the glory of God we landed safely; people just see me as a strong man; part of leadership is not to frighten one’s supporters.”

     

  • NSCDC investigates dispute with NUPENG, removes Rivers Commandant

    NSCDC investigates dispute with NUPENG, removes Rivers Commandant

    The Commandant General (CG), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, has ordered the immediate removal of Rivers Commandant of the corps, Mr Michael Ogar.

    This is contained in a statement by NSCDC Director Public Relations, Mr Olusola Odumosu on Thursday in Abuja.

    The removal of the commandant followed the blockade of the NSCDC Command office in Rivers by members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) on Wednesday.

    The blockade followed the impoundment of three oil trucks belonging to members of the union by NSCDC personnel.

    Odumosu said that the NSCDC CG had ordered Ogar to hand over to his deputy pending the deployment of a substantive State Commandant.

    He added that a high-powered panel, headed by Deputy Commandant General Operations, Dauda Mungadi, has been constituted to investigate the matter.

    The spokesman added that the panel was directed to objectively investigate the role played by Ogar and personnel of the command Anti-vandal team in the situation that led to the protest.

    “I have given the committee a marching order to ascertain the role played by either of the parties.

    “Anyone found guilty would be severely dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law,” Audi said.

    He assured the public of unbiased  investigation, and appealed to all interested stakeholders to await the outcome of the investigation.

    Audi however expressed shock at the action of NUPENG which painted a surprising scenario and unwarranted contradiction to the ideals of the corps.

    “Nigerians are fully aware that we are the lead agency in protection of critical government assets and infrastructure.

    “Therefore, under my watch, no act of indiscipline, compromise or sabotage would be condoned from anyone within and outside the corps.

    “Humility and integrity in service delivery is the watchword of the corps, as such, any breach of trust or suspected compromise by any personnel will not be treated with kid gloves,” he assured.

    The CG said the NSCDC will continue to sanitise the oil sector by waging relentless war against oil thieves and illegal oil bunkerers sabotaging the nation’s economy.

    He enjoined all critical stakeholders to continue supporting the corps with credible information that will help in tackling nefarious activities in the sector.

    NAN

  • Rivers Assembly approves 4 commissioners for Gov. Fubara

    Rivers Assembly approves 4 commissioners for Gov. Fubara

    Rivers House of Assembly on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of four commissioners whose names were sent to it by Gov. Siminialayi Fubara for screening.

    The four were members of the State Executive Council of immediate past Gov. Nyesom Wike.

    They are Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedum Mmon, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacheaus Adango, and Commissioners for Finance, Mr Isaac Kamalu and that of Works, Mr George Kyeli.

    The Assembly itself is due for dissolution on June 3.

    Leader of the House, Mr Martins Amaehwule (PDP-Obio/Akpor 1), said the approval was necessary to enable the quartet to continue the good works they were doing in the service of Rivers.

    Amaehwule noted that members of the 9th Assembly were of the view that all members of the immediate past State Executive Council of former Gov. Wike be retained in the new administration.

    He explained that this was because of their competence, hard work and passion to serve Rivers, adding that they all did well in the Wike administration.

    Responding, the Education Commissioner-designate, Mr Mmon noted that his target for the ministry was to digitalise its data and information.

    “This means that information about any school in the state; the location; number of pupils or students and their classes and ages among others, will be readily available.

    “This is what is paramount to my heart for the ministry and if I am able to achieve that, then I will be fulfilled,’’ he said.

  • I don’t want direct confrontation with Tinubu – Abe

    I don’t want direct confrontation with Tinubu – Abe

    The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has said he doesn’t want to have a direct confrontation with the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, explaining the main reason he withdrew his case challenging the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    After the governorship election in the state, Abe and his party approached the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal to challenge the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike-backed PDP candidate, Siminalayi Fubara.

    In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson, Abe said the case was withdrawn because he does not want to enter into a direct confrontation with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-elect.

    He said this is because Wike and the G-5 governors have already formed an alliance with Tinubu and he, Abe, will not continue to fight the Rivers State helmsman.

    According to him: “The dynamics of the politics have changed. Wike and the G-5 now have an alliance with the APC at the national level and that alliance affects the dynamics of what is happening in the state.

    “Now, we looked at it that if we continue our battle in the court at this point, we will end up in direct confrontation with the President-elect, who has clearly by his body language and the alliance between the APC and the G-5, taken a clear position as far as the issue is concerned.

    “If we continue with this battle, we will be continuing on our own and we will not be able to get any institutional support.”

  • Wike declares public holiday for Tinubu’s visit to Rivers

    Wike declares public holiday for Tinubu’s visit to Rivers

    Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike has declared Wednesday, 3rd of May a public holiday ahead of the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the state.

    The Governor in a state broadcast on Tuesday announced that Tinubu would inaugurate Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the ultra-modern Magistrates’ Court Complex, Port Harcourt during his two days official visit to the state on Wednesday and Thursday.

    He said: “For us, it is an honour to the people of Rivers State and the government to host the President-Elect on this historic visit. Consequently, I urge all Rivers citizens to come out en masse to receive His Excellency Senator Bola Tinubu and display the traditional Rivers hospitality as he commissions these legacy projects to God’s glory and the advancement of the state development.

    “Given this, I hereby declare Wednesday, 3rd of May 2023, a public holiday to enable the people of Rivers State to receive our President-Elect rousingly.”

    Wike also ordered all shops and business premises along Rumuola to Rumuokwuta roads in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State to remain closed on Wednesday from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm and urged all labour unions and security agencies to comply with the closure order.

  • Rivers: PDP wins supplementary elections in 2 Federal Constituencies

    Rivers: PDP wins supplementary elections in 2 Federal Constituencies

    Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were on Sunday declared winners of the just-concluded re-run polls in Khana/Gokhana and Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Federal Constituency 2 (PHALGHA 2) Federal Constituencies in Rivers.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through its Returning Officer for Khana/Gokhana Constituency, Mr Kingsely Owete, declared the result at Bori, Rivers.

    Owete said that Mr Dunameme Dekor, the PDP candidate in Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, who won the constituency’s rerun election, satisfied the requirements of the law.

    He said that Dekor won with 18,641 votes ahead of his closest rival, Mr Friday Nkeeh, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who scored 10,165 votes.

    Responding, Dekor thanked the people of Khana/Ghokana constituency for electing him, adding that he would attract development to his constituency.

    INEC also declared Mrs Blessing Amadi of the PDP, winner of the election in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Federal Constituency 2 (PHALGHA 2).

    Amadi, also thanked the people of PHALGHA 2 for their support and pledged her commitment to the development of the constituency.

    She also commended INEC for ensuring that the BVAS machines functioned properly.

    Recall that Mr Collins Owhonda, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Rivers, withdrew from the race 24 hours before the election, and announced his defection to the PDP.

  • INEC fixes date for Rivers supplementary elections

    INEC fixes date for Rivers supplementary elections

    INEC has fixed Saturday, April 15 to conduct elections in polling units where the exercise was suspended in Port Harcourt II and Khana/Gokana Federal Constituencies of Rivers on Feb. 25.

    Its spokesperson in Rivers, Mrs. Geraldine Ekelemu, quoted the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Johnson Alalibo, as saying that elections would be conducted in 42 polling units and at Registration Areas 04 and 07 in Khana/Gokana.

    In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Ekelemu also quoted Alalibo as saying that elections would hold in 377 polling units and in Registration Areas 05, 10 to 18 in Port Harcourt II constituency.

    In the statement, Alalibo enjoined voters to turn out en-masse on Saturday to exercise their franchise in a peaceful manner.

    He assured that INEC was committed to a successful conclusion of the elections in affected areas.

  • HAPPENING NOW! Rivers PDP storm INEC office with juju priest to block APC from inspecting materials+Video

    HAPPENING NOW! Rivers PDP storm INEC office with juju priest to block APC from inspecting materials+Video

    A video has emerged showing PDP chieftains with Juju priest trying to block APC members from inspecting INEC materials as police provide backup for them.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this is captured in a video showing a PDP chieftain wearing white attire pouring libation at the entrance of the INEC office.

    The yet-to-be-identified PDP chieftain as captured in the video communicated in the Ikwerre dialect giving directives to the priest and PDP members.

    This action is designed to ensure that APC runs out of time to inspect the electoral materials.

    Watch video below:

     

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  • I did not prepare for war in Rivers election – Abe tells Wike

    I did not prepare for war in Rivers election – Abe tells Wike

    Senator Magnus Abe, Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate has said he was not prepared for war against Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who claimed that the governor failed to provide security in Rivers during the recent Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

    He noted that Wike is trying to discredit him and his aspirations.

    He spoke while fielding questions on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday.

    According to him, “If you could recall, the Social Democratic Party was none-existence in Rivers State, practically so a few months ago until we came into the party.

    “Now, when you talk about being serious, yes, I was not prepared for war, so if he [Wike] says I was not prepared, I was not prepared for war. But in a serious election, people are allowed to come out and vote, so we did not prepare for war, we prepared for elections. It is the responsibility of the government to have provided an environment in which Rivers people can vote and now that did not happen.

    “Now, what the governor is trying to do for some reasons and I want Nigerians to look into it, all through the elections, he was not attacking Senator Abe. Now that the elections are over, all of a sudden, Senator Abe is his prime target, trying to discredit me and my aspirations.

    “Now let me say this, he is an Ikwerre man. The thing he is fighting for at the national level is that a Fulani man should not succeed another Fulani man, but in Rivers State, he is an Ikwerre man. He had his own ambition to succeed his brother Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is also from Ikwerre. He came out and pursued that ambition without reservation.

    “People died for him to achieve that. He did not say his ambition was unserious, but I am an Ogoni man. In the entire history of Rivers State, no Ogoni man has ever had the opportunity to even contest in a major political party and I decided to contest.

    “I have no apologies to offer to anybody. I am eminently qualified. Rivers people knew who won the election. They knew who also did not win the election. So whatever the governor wants to say, he is free to say it. But I want to say here to the entire world that my name is Senator Magnus Abe.

    “So somebody who did not run a campaign, who did not win the election, was declared winner with almost three hundred thousand votes. So I did not need to go. He is free to say whatever he likes. He is a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but he should also understand that we, too, are citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we have our rights, and I am not somebody he can just come out and hush in public, he should say what he wants to say, but I have the right to contest and I am very proud of the fact that I stood out for my right and Rivers peoples stood with me.

    “If he wanted to know what Rivers people think about him, his administration and me and about my right to contest, the proper thing to have done was to have allowed an election. He didn’t allow one. So having scuttled the election, he has no right to come out and run down anybody. He cannot do that.”