Oil
JTF impounds vessel with suspected stolen crude, nabs 76
YENAGOA —The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, otherwise known as Operation Pulo Shield, yesterday, said its operatives have impounded a vessel over alleged involvement in crude oil theft along Otokomabie creek near Oloma community in Rivers State.
A giant barge was intercepted lurking around an illegal oil loading point close to Burma Rice Farm between Brass and Obiama water-ways in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Seventy-six suspects were reportedly arrested during the raids on identified locations by operatives of the JTF.
The vessel, MT Shandy, according to JTF, was intercepted by personnel of 146 Battalion patrol team of Sector 2.
Spokesman of the JTF, Lt.-Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement in Yenagoa, said the vessel, before its arrest, had been kept under surveillance by its operatives while it lurked around Bonny anchorage.
He said: “JTF gun boat patrol team laid in wait until the vessel prowled into Otokomabie creek close to Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, pipelines before swooping on it.
“The 12-man crew on the vessel initially resisted arrest by refusing to let down the vessel’s stairway (ladder) for the patrol team to access the vessel until the troops threatened to apply some force.”
Eight of the 12 crew members arrested are currently been quizzed at the Headquarters, Sector 2 in Port Harcourt to ascertain the degree of their culpability, while 4 others were left behind to man the vessel which is presently secured at the NPA Jetty in Bonny Island.”
He also disclosed that troops of 343 Regiment of same Sector also impounded a metal barge found lurking at an illegal oil loading point close to Burma Rice Farm between Brass and Obiama water ways in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
“The barge,” he said, “has been towed to AGIP Brass terminal while preliminary investigations are on to ascertain its owners.”
The operatives of the Forward Operational Base Formosso (a maritime component of the JTF) Lt. Col Nwachukwu further said they have arrested a barge with the designation Lot-098 at Odioma water ways in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
According to him, the barge which was arrested laden with 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil had been towed to AGIP Brass terminal pending further investigation.
“Meanwhile, in Delta State, troops of 3 Battalion of Sector 1 of the JTF during an anti oil theft patrol intercepted and scuttled 61 assorted boats conveying stolen petroleum products along Whiteman community, Benneth Island and Spediagbene general area in Warri South West LGA of Delta state.
“Twenty eight illegal oil distilleries were also scuttled and clamped down by the troops in the same general area. Apparatus used by the oil thieves to facilitate their illicit activities, including 65 empty plastic drums and 2 large plastic reservoirs were razed while 7 hoses, 10 pumping machines recovered from the site as exhibits are in custody of the Battalion.
“Two suspected notorious kidnappers have been smoked out of their hideout in Afukang in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River from where they terrorised the state by a combined team of operatives of the Sector 3 of the JTF and Department of State Security covering CrossRiversState.
“The suspects Edidiong Udom and Victor Akwang who engaged the security team in a fire fight before they were overpowered and arrested in a pre-dawn anti kidnapping raid have been handed over to the Department of State Security, Calabar for further investigation. One pump action gun, one locally made pistol, 22 cartridges and four 7.62mm special ammunitions were recovered from the hide out.
“In another anti-kidnapping operation, troops of Sector 4 of the JTF on patrol along Ngbodo and Akoli-Imeni in Bende Local Government Area of Abia state have rescued one Mr Chidi Nwosu who was kidnapped by unknown gun men at Arochukwu street along Umuahia Road.
“The victim was extricated after a shootout with the kidnappers during which one of the kidnappers was gunned down. Two of the suspects who had earlier escaped have been arrested and are undergoing preliminary investigations before been handed over to relevant prosecuting agency. One AK 47 riffle, 2 magazines and 21 live rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered from the suspects’ hideout at Akoli Imenyi.
“During the entire operations that lasted from 15 to 27 April, 2013; 76 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from kidnapping and oil theft activities. The suspects are under going preliminary investigation in various sectors of the Joint Task Force after which they will be handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies.”
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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