Oil
Anxiety mounts in the Niger Delta over pirate attacks
PORT HARCOURT- WITH the Federal Government’s amnesty programme in place and effective in the Niger Delta, hope had risen that the waterways would become safe and residents, including fishermen, would go about their legitimate businesses without fear.
But the recent killing of a boat captain, Patrick Abormegah by people suspected to be sea pirates, has dashed all hopes and prompted call by local fishermen in the Niger Delta region for President Goodluck Jonathan and security operatives to beam searchlight on the nation’s waterways, which they describe as ‘death zones.’
The slain Abormegah, who hailed from Badagry in Lagos State, was shot dead by a suspected group of sea pirates operating along the Andoni River, near Andoni village in Rivers State on December 20, 2012 at location 0420100n 0072132e at about 18.00hours.
A boat captain, Joseph Kenebo, and the president of Nigeria Merchant Navy, Olakunle Ololade, who spoke to The Guardian in separate interviews, said the activities of sea pirates had become a major headache to the fishermen, especially in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers States.
“Before the killing of one of our colleagues on December 20, the gang had attacked and kidnapped the captain and chief engineer of another boat and forcefully took millions of naira from them.
“When they struck again on December 20, they ordered the late captain to give them huge amount of money. After collecting what was available with him, the attackers pointed a gun at him and blew off his head. “You can imagine what we are passing through in the hands of sea pirates in our own country,” Kenebo stated.
According to him, areas in which the pirates operate include the Eastern Obolo Local Council of Akwa Ibom State, along the coastal line in Bayelsa State as well as St. Babara Kulaat community in Rivers State.
“Their speedboat are everywhere in Abonema waterside in Port Harcourt and the security operatives are not doing anything to arrest the situation. One of their most popular speedboat drivers is called Timaya and he is a well-known person in Nembe waterside.
“Their other point of attack is Sembero River in Bonny anchorage. The captain that was killed on December 20 was shot at Andoni River. The attackers came from Andoni village. There is this particular one that is terrorizing all fishing boats at the moment. He calls himself Commander Devil and he is very popular at Abonema waterside,” he added.
Also speaking on activities of the sea pirates, Ololade hinted that after kidnapping a boat captain or an engineer, the attackers would send some phone numbers.
“At the end of every kidnapping operation, they would send various account numbers demanding for huge payment before the person is released. In Rivers State, they various accounts with first generation banks to obtain money from us.”
Speaking further, Ololade said a new twist has been added to criminal activity in Brass Local Council of Bayelsa State.
“They disguise as local fishermen but arm themselves with cutlass and other dangerous weapons. They attack the vessel and slaughter the captain as if they are slaughtering an animal.
Meanwhile, the family of the slain boat captain has called on the security forces in Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region, to fish out the killers.
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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