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Nigerian Senate Uncovers Port Harcourt Refinery Not Ready For Production
The Nigerian Senate has disclosed that the Port Harcourt refinery is not yet ready for production.
Members of the Senate Adhoc Committee Investigating The Turnaround Maintenance Of Nigerian refinery met in River State to assess the progress and readiness of both refineries in Port Harcourt, one refinery established in 1965, and the second built 23 years later in 1989
Like other refineries in Warri and Kaduna, the Port Harcourt refineries have remained inactive for an extended period despite substantial investments by successive governments to revive them.
This inactivity has compelled the country to rely heavily on petroleum imports to meet its energy needs. The Senate has passed a resolution to ensure the functionality of Nigerian refineries to reduce dependence on imports and enhance domestic production.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah said, “We have a resolution in the Senate to look and make sure that Nigerian refineries are working so that we shouldn’t be depending on the importation of petroleum products, and that is one of the reasons why we are here and as well to look into the contract.
“What we saw is most encouraging, as the refinery upgrade and full rehabilitation is almost 90% complete. We are confident the refinery will soon be operational before the end of the year”.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara highlighted that his administration is actively supporting the federal government’s initiatives by constructing an alternative road to the Port Harcourt refinery.
“It will help to decongest the trouble commuters face along the east-west road and provide easy access straight to the refinery. So you can see our government is working in line, supporting the administration of Tinubu to give our people hope,” he stated.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, had lied to Nigerians several times that the refurbished Port Harcourt Oil Refinery would kickstart operations in the possible shortest time of two weeks.
Kyari stated this during a dialogue session with the Senate on Thursday, emphasizing that the promised delivery timeframe for the Port Harcourt refinery and other refineries remains unwavering.
“Now, we have crude oil already stocked in it. It is currently undergoing a regulatory compliance test before we restream it. I assure you that this refinery will start in the next two weeks.” he said.
News
Breaking: Wife of former DSP, Ekweremadu, released from UK prison, returns home
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of ex-Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria.
A reliable source on Wednesday confirmed her return to VANGUARD.
It will be recalled that Senator Ekweremadu, his wife, and Dr. Obinna Obeta were sentenced by a UK court over charges related to organ harvesting.
The former Deputy Senate President received a 10-year prison sentence, while Mrs. Ekweremadu was sentenced to six years.
News
18 States Move To Block Trump’s Order Ending Birthright Citizenship For Immigrant Children In US
A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday to block President Trump’s executive order aimed at eliminating birthright citizenship.
Shortly after taking office on Monday, Trump used presidential powers to initiate his long-promised immigration crackdown. His executive actions included an order directing the federal government to stop issuing passports, citizenship certificates, and other documents to many children born in the U.S. whose mothers are in the country illegally or whose parents are not legal permanent residents.
According to CBS News, the lawsuit, filed by 18 states in federal court in Massachusetts, argues that Mr. Trump’s initiative violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which has long been interpreted by the federal government to grant citizenship to those born on American soil.
The cities of San Francisco and Washington, D.C., have also joined the suit.
The 14th Amendment says: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
“The great promise of our nation is that everyone born here is a citizen of the United States, able to achieve the American dream,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement to CBS News.
“This fundamental right to birthright citizenship, rooted in the 14th Amendment and born from the ashes of slavery, is a cornerstone of our nation’s commitment to justice.”
The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction to stop the enforcement of the executive order and ultimately aims to have it invalidated.
The states participating in the suit include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
“The President’s executive order attempting to rescind birthright citizenship is blatantly unconstitutional and quite frankly, un-American,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.
The states are asking the court to immediately block the order from taking effect.
Mr. Trump directed that his order should be enforced in 30 days.
News
Burkina Faso outlaws colonial-era judicial wigs to embrace cultural identity
In a historic attempt to decolonise the country’s judiciary, President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has formally banned judges from wearing wigs from the British and French colonial eras.
President Traoré emphasised in his announcement the importance of eschewing colonial-era traditions and implementing customs that respect Burkina Faso’s cultural identity.
The action is in line with his larger plan to fortify national identity and declare the nation’s autonomy from outside influences. The colonial wigs, which have traditionally stood for outside authority in African legal systems, are gradually being abandoned.
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