Oil
Civil Defence destroys 200 illegal refineries, prosecutes 120 suspects
ABUJA-THE Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, has set up a Special Task to clampdown on people engaged in vandalism, illegal refineries, oil theft, and illegal bunkering.
“This is in line with the Corps mandate in the protection of critical infrastructure and National Assets,” NSCDC Public Relations Officer, ACC Emmanuel NSCDC, said.
Illegal refinery
According to NSCDC in a statement issued Monday in Abuja, “The Corps helmsman while charging the Special Task Force on their responsibilities in tracking down vandals and operatives of illegal refineries, also directed the State Commandants to cooperate and work in synergy with the Commandant General’s Special Task Force assigned to their states for the Special operation in clamping down on illegal dealers on petroleum products, vandals, illegal refineries, illegal bunkering, marketers involved in diversion of petroleum products.
The operation also extends to filling stations selling above approved government pump price, hoarding of products, those involved in black marketing and racketeering as well as other related crimes for prosecution in line with the Law of the federation.
“To further buttress the need for the Special Task Force, Abdullahi stressed that the Corps as at December 2015, have identified and destroyed over 200 illegal Refineries in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi, Ondo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom states, among others, and over 120 suspects involved in the act of vandalism and other associated crimes have been prosecuted and sentenced to various prisons terms by the High Courts in their respective states.
“He also reiterated that, about 250 suspects are still undergoing prosecution in various state high courts with over 80 trucks containing petroleum products impounded with several operational equipment belonging to suspected vandals recovered.
“Abdullahi therefore charged the Task Force and other operational officers to live up to expectation by justifying the confidence the Government and the people have for the Corps by ensuring that vandalism is reduced to the barest minimum by deploying all necessary mechanisms to check mate the illicit act.
“In the same vein, the Corps Chief Executive assured the Government of the Corps readiness to tackle vandalism and other illicit crimes in line with the Corps Mandate in the Protection of Critical Infrastructure and National Asset in all ramifications by deploying all necessary arsenal to monitor and to clamp down on decedents.”
Okeh quoted Abdullahi as saying: “We are an agency of Government created to tackle this onerous task of fighting the scourge of vandalism, illegal bunkering, illegal refinery, oil theft, and other allied crimes, therefore we will continue to fight these illicit acts diligently in ensuring that, the Nation is rid of these obnoxious activity perpetrated by some few individuals that have posed as an enemy of the State as a result of greed and selfishness. We will not rest on our oars until the battle it’s all over.”
The Corps boss, according to Okeh, seized the opportunity to appreciate all other security agencies and the stakeholders, especially the Armed Forces and Joint Task Forces for their unalloyed support and assistance in assisting the Corps in prosecuting the war against vandalism.
“Abdullahi warned those still in the business of vandalism to desist or relocate from the nation as the Corps will deal decisively with anyone caught whose act is inimical to the State,” Okeh said.
In a strategic move to revitalize Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Federal Government has unveiled two key fiscal incentives aimed at attracting investment and enhancing energy security.
The announcement was made by Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on Wednesday.
The first initiative, the Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order 2024, introduces critical exemptions for essential energy products and infrastructure, including Diesel, Feed Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Electric Vehicles, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure, and Clean Cooking Equipment.
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These exemptions are designed to reduce living costs for Nigerians, promote energy security, and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy alternatives.
The second initiative, the Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production, offers new tax relief options for deep offshore exploration projects.
This measure aims to position Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for international oil and gas investments, boosting the country’s appeal to foreign investors.
These reforms are part of a broader set of policy initiatives, known as Policy Directives 40-42, endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The directives reflect the administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in the energy sector and enhancing Nigeria’s competitive edge in the global oil and gas market.
By Yemie Adeoye
NIGERIA’s President Bola Tinubu has announced that the protracted ExxonMobil-Seplat upstream oil divestment will be formally approved by the Minister of petroleum within a matter of days, just as he announced his government’s intention to expand the Compress natural Gas, CNG buses initiative.
The President who stated this during his Independence day nationwide broadcast stated that the move is in line with his administration’s commitment to free enterprise, free entry and free exit in investments which is the hallmark of his administration investment policy.
“Fellow compatriots, our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes. This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector.”
The President also seized the opportunity to plead with Nigerians to be patient with his administration’s reform policies. “As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel”.
“Our energy transition programme is on course. We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players. The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation.
Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion. Our economy can only thrive when there is peace”. he enthused.
As part of the administration’s push to improve Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed support for ExxonMobil’s plan to invest $10 billion in the country’s deep-water oil sector.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, during a meeting with ExxonMobil executives at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Shettima called the investment “a clear testament to the administration’s economic reforms and investor-friendly policies.”
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This announcement follows news that international maritime company DP World intends to develop a multibillion-dollar port project in Nigeria.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, shared the development in a statement on Wednesday. He quoted Shettima as saying: “ExxonMobil’s potential investment aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for a more investment-friendly Nigeria.
We are committed to fostering an environment that supports such transformative projects.”Shettima also discussed the administration’s broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business, highlighting the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which aims to simplify bureaucratic processes, enhance transparency, and offer fiscal incentives to attract global investors.
“Our administration has taken bold steps to unify the exchange rate, remove fuel subsidies, and implement tax reforms. These measures, though challenging in the short term, are intended to create a stable and predictable business environment in the long term,” he added.
On the oil and gas sector, Shettima mentioned that the government is revising the fiscal framework for deep-water operations to attract investment while ensuring fair returns for the Nigerian people.
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