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Sylva affirms President Buhari’s commitment to N/Delta Development, gives precondition for oil firms return
Modupe ASUDO
YENAGOA-THE administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is very committed to the development of Bayelsa State and other states of the Niger Delta, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva said on Monday.
He spoke in Yenagoa, at the special town hall meeting organized by the Bayelsa State Government and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources with chiefs, youths and other stakeholders in the state. The interactive session was a directive by Mr. President after the ENDSARS protest last year, for ministers and other top government functionaries to enlighten Nigerians about the plans and programmes of the Federal Government.
Chief Sylva affirmed that the Federal Government is willing to promote more investments that will create jobs and prosperity for citizens and residents of the state. He listed the Nigerian Content Tower as one of top achievements of the current administration.
The Minister further stated that the Federal Government is promoting the development of Nigerian Oil and Gas Park at Ogbia LGA of the state and is facilitating the development of two modular refineries within the state, notably the 12,000 barrels per day Hydroskimming modular refinery being constructed by Azikel Petroleum Limited at Obunagha, Gbarain, and the 2000 barrels per day modular refinery being developed by Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited at Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area.
He added that the Federal Government has also taken final investment decision on the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Project, among other projects.
He affirmed that the various projects will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Bayelsans and other Nigerians during the construction stage as well as the operations phase of the facilities.
Speaking further, Sylva has charged residents and stakeholders in Bayelsa State to embrace unity and collaborative spirit in order to enjoy more developmental strides.
He said: “From this meeting, we expect a lot more understanding because some of the problems we have are as result of breakdown in communication. This forum will create a platform to understand the plans of what the state government is doing and how the Federal Government can also assist in order to create a better life for the people,” Sylva said.
Responding to calls for the relocation of oil companies to the Niger Delta region, the Minister maintained that youths and residents of the region must eschew restiveness and work for peace and security as preconditions for multinationals to relocate. He stressed that asking the companies to relocate without addressing the security concerns would only escalate Nigeria’s cost of crude oil production, which is one of the highest among OPEC members. According to him: “We look at it from the perspective of cost. It will be cheaper for oil companies to operate from here because it is nearer from the operating areas. The only concern is that we have a responsibility to bring peace and security because that is another source of cost. If you don’t have peace and security and the oil companies move back here, then you add to the cost of oil production.”
He insisted that it would make sense to the oil companies to return if the environment is safe because it will be cheaper for them. He added: “They were before. Shell was in Port Harcourt and Warri and most of other companies were here. They only ran away when insecurity took over the region. It is time to bring back peace and security so that those firms can return.” On our part as the Ministry we are not against the oil companies moving back.”
In his remarks, the Executive Governor, Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Douye Diri applauded the peace building initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari. He also pleaded for unity, synergy, collaboration and cooperation from all parties to move the state forward.
While appreciating the President for some of the Federal projects ongoing within the state, Diri pleaded with the Federal Government to commence the Nembe/Brass road.
“All the projects that you have sited in Brass LGA will become Elephant projects if we do not have a road leading there.”
He noted that Brass LGA and Southern Ijaw LGA are some of the few Local Government headquarters in Nigeria that are not accessible by road. Diri pledged his readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that all federal investments in the state are protected.
The engagement had in attendance representatives of the State in the National Assembly, State Assembly members, leaders of youth groups, traditional rulers as well as members of the Civil Society Groups.
Gunmen believed to be kidnappers have reportedly abducted an unspecified number of employees from the Dangote Cement Company Plc in Okpella, Etsako West local government area of Edo state.
The incident occurred on Monday when the workers were traveling back to Okpella town in a staff bus after work.
According to an anonymous source from Okpella community, the gunmen ambushed the bus, emerged from the bush, halted the vehicle at gunpoint, and then took the workers into the bush.
The source added “Yes, we heard of it, they said they were in a Coaster bus coming to Okpella after work when they were kidnapped by gunmen. But, we don’t know the numbers of the workers that have been kidnapped.”
Confirmation from police authorities regarding the incident was unavailable as calls and messages to the State Commissioner of Police and the Command’s spokesperson went unanswered.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and First Exploration & Production Limited (First E&P) joint venture (JV) has donated the sum of N53 million to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Nigeria.
Under the JV’s Impact First Initiative, the donation, targeted towards enhancing societal welfare, would address areas such as good healthcare and well-being, quality education as well as economic growth within the nation.
Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony, NNPC Ltd’s Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO), NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, expressed gratitude to First E & P for initiating the laudable programme.
Represented by the Deputy Manager, External Relations, NUIMS, Mrs. Edith Lawson, Wunti highlighted NNPC Ltd’s belief in the power of CSR, stressing that the Company remains committed to working with its partners to impact the lives of the less-privileged.
Wunti said under the initiative, projects and programmes executed include the provision of classrooms, ICT Centres, laboratories and other infrastructural intervention projects, scholarships, quiz competitions, skill acquisitions, and economic empowerment, a testimony to NNPC’s dedication to fostering sustainable development in Nigeria.
Wunti described First E & P’s foresight and leadership as commendable, adding that the partner has spearheaded the initiative towards meaningful change that will ensure a better future for all Nigerians.
Among the beneficiaries of the donation were the Irede Foundation, which provides custom-made artificial limbs to child amputees aged 0-18 and Human Development Initiative (HDI), which focuses on tackling fundamental issues of poverty, injustice, neglect, deprivation, and equality among vulnerable people.
Others were the OISA Foundation, which transforms lives through interventions in the education and healthcare sectors; Cerebral Palsy Center, which renders support to families with children with cerebral palsy as well as the Niola Cancer Care Foundation, which organises awareness talks and screens communities for colon cancer.
In a heartwarming gesture, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, has announced plans to arrange marriages for 100 female orphans who lost their parents to banditry in Mariga Local Government Area.
Sarkindaji stated that he will cover the grooms’ dowries and has already obtained all necessary items for the collective wedding event.
The selected girls were chosen from a group of 170, as part of the Speaker’s constituency empowerment project to support the underprivileged.
Sarkindaji further revealed that the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau, will serve as guardians for the 100 female orphans during their collective marriage ceremony.
The event, scheduled for May 24 in Bangi, Mariga Local Government Area, will also be attended by Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, the Kano State Commander General of the Hisbah Board.
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