NEWS
Jonathan, Daukoru laud NCDMB as ERASKON launches factory in Bayelsa
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the former Minister of State for Energy and current chairman of Nigeria LNG Board, King Edmund Daukoru have applauded the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the effective implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act and the huge impact it had made on the economy.
They spoke on Thursday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State during the groundbreaking ceremony of a 64,000 litres per day lubricants blending plant being developed at Gbarain, Bayelsa State by ERASKON Nigerian Limited in partnership with the NCDMB.
Former President Jonathan had signed the NOGICD Bill into law in April 2010 when he was in office and he extolled NCDMB under the leadership of Engr. SimbiKesiyeWabotefor the outstanding successes it had accomplished, notably for catalysing the industrialization of Bayelsa State through the deliberate domiciliation of strategic oil and gas projects and capacities. Some of these include the 12,000barrelsper day (BPD)Azikelmodular refinery and the 2,000bpd Atlantic modular refinery, Rungascomposite LPG cylinder manufacturing facility at Polaku, the oil and gas industrial park at Emeyal-1 and the Board’s 17-story headquarters building.
2nd Left, former Minister of State for Energy and Amayanabo of Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa State, King Edmund Daukoru; Executive Vice Chairman of ERASKORP Nigeria Limited, Mr. Maxwell Oko; former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan commending the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote for the outstanding successes it had accomplished with the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
Others are the partnership with a core investor and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd for the development of 10,000metric tonnes per day methanol production plantin Brass,the development of the Brass Island Shipyard to domicile the repair and maintenance of vessels and LNG carriers and the partnership with NNPC and a core investor for the development of a coastal petroleum products terminal in Brass, Bayelsa State as well as the construction of the Oloibiri Oil and Gas Museum and Research Centre in Ogbia LGA of the state in collaboration with PTDF, Shell, and the Bayelsa State Government.
In his comments, King Daukoru,Amayanabo of Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa State, who had previously served as the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Group Managing Director of NNPC, expressed delight thatNCDMB’s interventions were transforming Bayelsa state into a haven for value addition in the oil and gas industry and changing its reputation of just being a base for commodity export, with no industrial base. He hinted that the number of derivatives and linkages from the oil industry was limitless, and they create opportunities for employment and economic advancement in the polity. He charged stakeholders of the state and host communities to support investors and companies in their domain and refrain from burdening them with onerous demands, so they can thrive sustainably.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan assisted by Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote performing the groundbreaking ceremony of a 64,000 litres per day lubricants blending plant being developed by ERASKON Nigeria Ltd in partnership with NCDMB, at Gbarain, Bayelsa State
In his address, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. SimbiKesiyeWaboteexplained that the partnership with ERASKON was in line with the Board’s mandate of developing local manufacturing capacity, providing employment opportunities, and increasing local content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and linkage sectors.
He hinted that Section 70(h) of the NOGICD Act of 2010 mandates the Board to assist local contractors and Nigerian companies to develop their capabilities and capacities to further the development of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.
He remarked that Nigeria’s in-country manufacturing capacity for lubricating oil falls far below the consumption, hence the shortfall is met through importation, resulting in loss of revenue and job opportunities.The ERASKON facility will produce approximately 64,000 litres of lubricants per day and more than 20million liters of products a year, becoming one of the largest lube plants in the country, with the capacity to serve the Niger Delta region and beyond.
According to the Executive Secretary, no lubricant blending plant exists currently in Bayelsa State and ERASKON decided to domicile and domesticate the production and thereafter submitted proposals to the Board, which was approved after a diligent review of the technical and commercial viability.
He confirmed that the blending plant would be beneficial to the host community, state, and the neighbouring states through meeting their needs for lubricant products as well as providing direct, indirect, and induced job opportunities.
The Executive Vice Chairman of ERASKORP Nigeria Limited – the holding company of ERASKON lubricants, Mr MaxwellOko confirmed that the plant would on completion produce high-quality engine oils, transmission fluids, hydraulic fluids specialized four-wheel-drive products, engine coolants, and speciality products such as waxes.
In the second phase of development, the company would go into the manufacturing of industrial chemicals such as drilling and production chemicals as well as transformer and turbine oil,in addition to household products such as detergents and aerosols, he added.
On why the project was sited in Bayelsa State, Okosaid the lubricants facility is making a huge impact in the lives of the communities, promoting development, creating employment and empowering Nigerians. It would also develop local manufacturing capacity and increase local content participation in the industry, he said.
He stated that the blending plant is co-located with the Shell Gas processing facility, Azikel Refinery, the 550MW NationalIntegratedPowerPlant (NIPP) and the transmission station as well as the NCDMB Gas Park. He hinted that “an industrial hub is quietly emerging along the River Nun corridor in the Niger Delta, and we are very excited to be part of the new, bold and innovative story being written. This project will be an important factor in changing the narrative about the Niger Delta.”
In a shocking incident on Sunday morning, unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded the home of Alhaji Auwal, a prominent businessman, in Garo Town, Kabo Local Government Area of Kano State.
The gunmen, estimated to be around 10 in number, forced their way into the residence, breaking down a door to gain entry.
An anonymous source revealed that the attackers were heavily armed, with three carrying firearms and the rest wielding other weapons.
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They quickly gathered the entire family in one room, instilling fear and panic in the household.
According to the source, Alhaji Auwal pleaded with the assailants to spare his family and agreed to meet their demands.
The kidnappers, who were determined to extort money, received ₦8 million from the family.
Despite this payment, the gunmen took the businessman’s eldest daughter, Zainab, a secondary school graduate, before fleeing the scene.
The whereabouts of Zainab remain unknown, and as of now, the kidnappers have not contacted the family.
This abduction comes just 48 hours after the tragic kidnapping and subsequent murder of former Gombe State Permanent Secretary, Atiku Mu’azu, who was killed by gunmen after a ₦10 million ransom was paid.
The two incidents have left the residents of Kano in shock and fear, prompting calls for increased security measures in the area.
Attempts to reach the spokesperson for the Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, for comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained unreachable.
Authorities have yet to make any official statements regarding the investigation.
In a bold move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared on Sunday that he would not allow US deportation flights carrying Colombian migrants to access his country’s airspace.
The left-wing leader took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his strong stance, stating, “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals. I forbid entry to our territory to US planes carrying Colombian migrants.”
Petro made it clear that such flights would only be accepted once Washington established a protocol to ensure the “dignified treatment” of deported migrants.
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The president later confirmed in a separate post that he had already turned back US military planes that were en route with Colombian migrants on board, although he did not provide further specifics on the matter.
While AFP sought confirmation from US authorities regarding the blockade of deportation flights, no immediate response was forthcoming.
Petro’s statements come just a day after Brazil’s government voiced similar outrage over the treatment of deported Brazilians.
Brazil condemned the US administration under President Donald Trump, citing instances where Brazilian migrants were deported while handcuffed on flights, describing it as a “flagrant disregard” for their basic rights.
In his remarks, Petro emphasized that he would be open to allowing civilian US flights to transport deported migrants as long as they were not subjected to treatment “like criminals,” signaling a broader call for humane treatment of migrants under international deportation policies.
An explosion at a mining site in Sabon Pegi, Mashegun Local Government Area of Niger State, claimed the lives of four individuals and left several others injured on Sunday morning.
The blast occurred as miners resumed operations, sending shockwaves through the community.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains undetermined, local residents have pointed to the poor handling of explosive devices by mining companies as a possible factor.
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The incident has sparked concerns about safety practices within the mining sector.
Community sources confirmed the recovery of four bodies, but authorities fear the death toll could rise.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the blast and assess the full extent of the damage.
One resident, Aminu, described the chaos that followed the explosion. “The sound was so loud that many of us thought it came from the hydroelectricity dam nearby. People panicked and ran into the bush for safety,” he recounted.
Another community member highlighted the potential role of mining operations in the tragedy.
“Mining companies here frequently use explosives during their activities, and this seems like an operational issue, not something related to terrorism,” the resident said, dismissing concerns about a security threat in the area.
As of the time of reporting, neither the state government nor security agencies have released an official statement regarding the explosion.
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