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Nigerian Civil Defence seek communities support to tackle pipeline vandalism

Published

10 years ago

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LAGOS-The Nigeria ‎Security and Civil Defence Corp has called on pipelines host communities in the country to support its effort in curbing pipeline vandalism.

Lagos State Commandant of NSCDC, Commandant Donatus Azuka Ikemefuna who spoke Sweetcrude Reports in Lagos appeal to community leaders and youths to supply the Corp with intelligent reports about pipeline breaks in their areas.
NSCDC Lagos commandant also appeal to other ‎security agencies for their support and healthy collaboration to tame the menace of pipeline vandalism stressing that they have been mandated to protect critical infrastructures in the country.
Commandant Ikemefuna explained that NSCDC which came on board officially by the act of parliament 2003 and later amended in 2007 said aside maintaining peace and order in the society, part of it’s core mandate include intelligence information gathering for government. 
 
‎Working closely with the three tires of government, Federal, State and Local, commandant Ikemefuna said “we gather this information, give it to the government and try to be proactive on our security management. 
“We are also into disaster management  ‎because we have noticed that all the disasters and accidents that have being occurring in this country, which are bound to occur because we are all humans, if you look at the footage of these disaters and accidents, you will discovered that Civil Defence is quick arrive the scene.
 
‎”Our response time has always been 10 minutes but we want to reduce it to five minutes. Because we are spread all over the country, in the local government areas, our presence is being felt there.
“Our third mandate is the protection of critical infrastructures of government. For instance the oil and gas sector is critical to the survival of this country and it’s populace because we derive so much money from that sector. 
“This sector is critical because if anything happens to them, it affects our economy negatively and our lives becomes uncomfortable.
“We have been saddle with the responsibility to protect these critical infrastructure of our economy. We have active young men and women who have been trained in the area of arm bearing. The amended act of 2007 empower us to carry arms.‎”
Commandant Ikemefuna however stated that man power shortage has limit NSCDC ability to adequately secure and protect critical infrastructures.
He added that logistic challenge also limit the operations of NSCDC‎ noting that the absent of patrol vehicles pose a huge challenge to access rocky and swampy areas where pipelines are broken.
“We need four-by-four vehicles mounted with state of the art security system. We need not just one or two of these vehicles but enough because we live in a hostile environment.
“We have another issue deal with which indolence of our youths. They don’t want to work but for the ease of comfort, they just go to the pipelines, break it and steal these products.
“The worrying issue is not the amount that they steal but the quantity they leave unattended to or allow to waste.
“We also have problem with the people, the communities and neighbourhood where this nefarious act is carried out. This youth don’t operate in a vacuum.
“The villages where they operate don’t give us enough information. The leaders and heads of communities don’t give us useful information because they benefit from it and their son and relations participate in the act.
“This means that pipeline vandalism has now become a profession. Communities that were known for yam production, cassava and potato production have closed shop to venture into pipelines vandalism as a profession.
‎”Government is trying it best but they cannot do it all. ‎My advise is that let us come together and tackle pipeline vandalism. We are not magicians, give us information and we will act.
‎”As far as the civil defence is concern, pipeline vandalism has no other direction to go than down wards.
“Prior to when we assumed office, the activities of pipeline vandalism was free for all but now there is this general awareness that we are incharge and that all other security agencies have also been invited to fight this act but they are only complimentary our services, they are assisting us.
“There is no doubt as to who has the mandate but we are also inviting them to come. If you give me 20 vehicles today, I will continue to synergies with the Nigeria naval, Nigeria Police and the rest of them,” NSCDC Lagos State commandant said. ‎
Commandant Ikemefuna therefore appealed to the public to corporate and work with the defence Corp by saying “let them give us information, we are not magicians and we assure that the santity of your  identity will be persevered. 
“Tell us what is happening in your community and three days is all we need to burst it. We need information to be able to work effectively.
“Securing the pipelines is a very risky venture, we have lost our men to vandals. These vandals carry out this illegal activity without  ‎any cogent reason. It is their profession and when you are coming to arrest them, they will resist by engaging our men in gun battle but they are not well train but we are.
“But there are some places we will go to, there will be need for back up. Security operation should not be about competition but rather synergy. When other security agent arrest vandals, they should send them to us all the time for persecution.”
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Oil

FG Introduces New Incentives To Revitalize Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Industry

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2 months ago

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October 2, 2024

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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.

 

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Business

Tinubu set to approve ExxonMobil-Seplat oil deal, expands CNG bus initiative

Published

2 months ago

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October 2, 2024

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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.

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Oil

ExxonMobil To Invest $10bn In Nigeria’s Deep-Water Oil Operations

Published

2 months ago

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September 26, 2024

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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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