News

Reps Summon Aiteo E&P, Agip Oil Over Oil Spillage In Bayelsa Community

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives joint Committee on Environment and Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum (downstream ) has summoned the Managing Directors of Aiteo E & P Company, Victor Okoronkwo and Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Bolondi Fabrizio (now Oando Oil Ltd) to appear within 7 days over oil spillage at Olugboboro Community in Southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State.

The Commitee also expressed its displeasure over the refusal by oil companies executives to appear before the it after three consecutive invitions.

Chairman of the Commitee, Rep. Pondi Gbabador in his address, on Tuesday at the commencement of the investigative hearing, he said the Commitee’s mandate, was to investigate the activities and operations of Aiteo E & P Company and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (now Oando Oil Ltd).

According to him, these companies’ allegedly portend deadly environmental consequences in their host communities and, by extension, the nation at large.

Rep. Gbabojor explained that the oil industry plays a critical role in the economic development of the country, and it’s contributes significantly to the national income, provides employment, and supports infrastructure development in various regions.

He however stated that contributions by oil companies should not be at the cost of the health, well-being, and livelihood of the people in the host communities, nor the expense of the environment.

He said: “You may recall that the House of Representatives, at its sitting of Tuesday, 12th March 2024, considered a motion titled Environmental Impact of Transporting Crude Oil by Mega Seagoing Vessels from Nembe Creek Trunk to Offshore Crude Oil Storage in the Atlantic Ocean by Aiteo E & P, and resolved to:Urge the Federal Ministry of Environment to compel the Management of Aiteo E & P to conduct an environmental impact assessment of the project, as dictated by the Environment Impact Assessment Act, 2004, and include the host communities, the State Government and stakeholders, in line with international global practice, subject to scrutiny of the public and environmental experts.

“Recall that the House in a motion mandated it’s committees on Environment and Petroleum Resources (Midstream) to:Investigate Environmental Impact of Transporting Crude Oil by Mega Seagoing Vessels from Nembe Creek Trunk to Offshore Crude Oil Storage in the Atlantic Ocean by Aiteo E & P, and Monitor compliance with the Ministry of Environment and the Management of Aiteo E & P with this requirement, and report within four (4) weeks.

“In the same vein, the House also on Tuesday, 23rd July 2024, considered a motion titled Oil Spillage at Olugboboro Community in Southern Ijaw from Nigerian Agip Oil Company Facility, and subsequently resolved to:Urge the Management of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company to urgently stop/contain the oil leakages from its Facilities at Ogboinbiri/Teibidaba affecting Olugboboro community in southern Ijaw Federal Constituency;

“Also urged the National Emergency Management Agency to urgently supply relief materials to ameliorate the suffering of the impacted communities who have lost sources of livelihood;Further urge the Nigeria Agip Oil Company to immediately pay compensation to the affected community for the economic trees and aquatic life damaged since April 2024, by the spillage; and Mandate the Committees on Environment and Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to carry out extensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the spillage, to ascertain and assess the extent of impact to Olugboboro community of Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency and report within four (4) weeks.

“In light of the above, we have invited the Managing Directors of both Aiteo E & P Company and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (now Oando Oil Ltd) to this Hearing, to provide us with detailed explanations regarding their activities, particularly in their areas of operations. We expect full cooperation and transparency from all stakeholders in this process.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the operations of oil companies in our country are carried out in a manner that is sustainable, environmentally responsible, and respectful of the rights and welfare of the communities they operate in and the Country at large.

“It is also noteworthy, to emphasize that the Committees are not here to vilify any corporate entity but to ensure accountability, transparency, and adherence to environmental laws and regulations that govern the oil sector in our country. We aim to find solutions, hold the responsible parties accountable where necessary, and recommend the appropriate remedial actions”.

According to the chairman, the outcome of the Hearing will not only affect the immediate communities involved but will also set a precedent on how Nigerians approach environmental issues related to industrial activities in the future.

“The environment is our common heritage, and we must protect it for ourselves and future generations.I trust that the deliberations today will be conducted with the highest level of professionalism, respect, and commitment to justice.Thank you all for your attention, and I look forward to a productive session”, he added.

Speaking at the meeting, Rofikat Odetoro who represented the ministry of Environment said the EIA approval issued by the ministry stipulated that the crude oil from Altio oil fields should be evacuated through pipelines and not through barges as being currently practiced by the company.

“In terms of children, they are not used to have cyanosis. They are not used to wear glasses. You see 8-month-old children are using glasses.Children are not used to have fatty liver. Now we see children having fatty liver. Even if it is a rare condition, it’s not supposed to be as young as that.You start touching the fingers. They put that in the system. That entire human being is responsible.So your action is timely. And it’s very well concentrated.

“However, we also have this to say, that the Ministry was neither notified or advised or even sought for permitting sake – they are guardians of the Ministry in respect of the deviation or change in scope. In line with best global practices, if you are given a medication and you want to change to a similar effect, the best thing to do is to go back to the doctor. So if you are going to change the scope of the EIA approval, the best practice is to come back to seek the guidance of the Ministry.

“This they acknowledged that is a mistake on their part, but it was as a result of a sister agency putting pressure on them to produce more in order to have more revenue. So the issue of synergy also comes to fore.

“At our meeting, we reached the following resolutions.Altio should urgently register for the EIA of the project or in the alternative conduct a post-embargo assessment since they have been operating for two years. Let’s see what has been done, what has been the effect of that particular activity that has been going on for the last two years.

“Altio should submit to the Ministry within two weeks the technical details, the video clips and other relevant documents in the project process that will enable us to take an informed decision that will be in the overall interest of Nigerians.

“We also noted Altio’s concerns of its existing pipeline’s integrity and the need not to disturb it so that we don’t have more leakage in or spill into the environment. We also saw the need and advised Altio appropriately for an inclusive stakeholders engagement in order to be able to define the project as better persons, those communities, and so on and so forth.

“To reduce the distance of crude oil transportation through the pipelines. Because the integrity of the pipelines were no longer what it was supposed to be.There were leakages along the line. It’s a swampy environment. Some are on the seabed.They couldn’t ascertain where the leaks were coming from.

“If they now decide to disturb it, it will create more havoc. More leakage and so on.As a result of that, and also with the activities of pipeline vandalization, they decided to construct an oil sand farm at the Nambe Creek flow station. Where crude oil is transported via the St. John-Rio Beto River through Nambe Grass, Okoma and Benema to the offshore crude oil storage facility in the Antarctic Ocean. That’s seven kilometers off the shoreline of the Grass Island.

“Accordingly, after receiving your letter, the ministry forwarded a letter to the company requesting the company to update the ministry on the status of the project and intimate us of any associated developments that were not covered by the previous EIA approval.

“We also had a meeting with the representative of the company and it was noted, not to waste your time, let me go straight to the point, that the EIA approval issued by the ministry stipulated that the crude oil from Altio oil fields should be evacuated through pipelines and not through barges as being currently practiced by the company.

“I am not an expert on barges transportation.We have relevant agencies that could give more advice on the merits and demerits of that. But be it as me, they have been doing that for the past three years. So if they have actually wanted to comply with the provisions of the law, that could have been done much earlier.Let me digress a little bit, sir.

“The proceeds of the joint venture is for Nigerians, including myself. And being an indigenous company, they are also Nigerians.So we are all answerable to governments and the entire Nigerian populace. We also noted that Altio has completed the installation of the FSO, that is Floating Storage Offshore Storage Facilities, the 54-kilometer pipeline that was also permitted by Nigerian upstream, has been finalized, but construction is yet to commence. I will reiterate my earlier suggestion.

“If there were more synergy and perhaps joint monitoring exercises, maybe we would have had better compliance. When you make a law and you compartmentalize the law, it gives into duplication and less efficiency, and you spend more.

“So that needs to be looked into.Also, Altio adopted and commenced temporary budgeting of crude oil about two years ago. We requested that they should furnish us with the details, visuals, audio-visuals of the budgeting exercise, and if there has been any incident of spillage or accident or incident, and we equally informed them of this investigative panel, and we advised that it would be good we have such before this panel today. I regret to inform this honorable committee that the Ministry, the Department, is yet to receive any submission from Altio.

“On behalf of my Director, Dr. Abbas Suleiman, I regret to inform this Honorable Committee that the House is yet to receive the EIA registration documents from Altio and other documents that would have enabled us to give appropriate advice or suggestions to this Honorable Committee”, she stated.

While responding to inquiries from the lawmakers, Mr. Yahaya who earlier disclosed that NUPRC granted the first permit of six months to Aiteo to badge to avoid loss of about 90 percent of the 50,000 barrels per day oil production, however affirmed that two years permit was given to Aiteo to badge considering the criticality of oil production.

According to him, any attempt to ask Aiteo to shut down will have huge cost implications on the oil production target.

News

Speaker Abbas Mourns Victims Of Ibadan Funfair Stampede

Published

39 minutes ago

December 20, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has expressed sadness over the death of children as a result of a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State. and described the incident as unfortunate.

Speaker Abbas, in his condolence message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, commiserated with the government and the people of Oyo State, especially the families of the victims.

The Speaker, while calling for a thorough investigation of the incident to forestall a recurrence, called for caution during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Speaker Abbas prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the Oyo State Police Command has confirmed 35 children dead and six others sustaining varying degrees of injuries, following the pandemonium.

News

NUJ FCT Council Mourns Sudden Death of Former Council Secretary, Rafat Idris

Published

44 minutes ago

December 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Council FCT Council has mourned the sudden demise of the former Secretary of the Council, Mrs. Rafat Idris.

Mrs Rafat died in the early hours of Friday, December 20th 2024, in Abuja after a brief illness.

In a statement signed by the Secretary of Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle described the untimely death of the former Secretary as a huge shock to the Union.

According to the statement, “The Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) FCT Council received the news of sudden death of the former Secretary, Mrs Rafat Salami today, Friday, December 2024, with a rude shock and disbelief.”

“Rafat is a great asset to journalism and a quintessential journalist who has served the union meritoriously in many capacities at different levels.”

“ She is a friend and mother to all.”

“She served the union with unwarranted dedication and commitment, contributing significantly to the growth of the profession during her tenure as Secretary of Council. She is a peace-loving and easygoing person who has remained a strong member. “

“She was not only a remarkable leader but also a cherished friend to many people in the profession. Her passion for professionalism and excellence will always be remembered. “

The council expresses its deep condolences to the immediate family she left behind, the NUJ Voice of Nigeria (VON) Chapel, the NUJ, and the entire VON management in this time of grief.

Rafat was the Assistant Director of Digital Media I Voice of Nigeria (VON). She was the former Assistant Secretary of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria and re-elected as the Treasurer of the Institute last week.

She was the founder of the Okenite Foundation for Special Needs Children and a Media Personnel of Habbabiya.

She hails from Ihima in the Okenne Local Government Area of Kogi State, and she is survived by three children.

She will be buried today at the Gudu Cemetery according to Islamic rite.

News

Non-Kinetic Approaches Boosting Southeast Peace Efforts – Deputy Speaker Kalu

Published

48 minutes ago

December 20, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has affirmed that non-kinetic strategies aimed at tackling insecurity in the South-east region are showing promising outcomes.

Kalu made stated this while receiving the Outstanding Peace Ambassador Award from the House of Representatives Press Corps on Thursday, in recognition of his leadership in the “Peace in the South East Project” (PISE-P).

The event, held at the National Assembly Complex, also featured the unveiling of the fourth edition of the Press Corps’ magazine, “Green Sentinel”, alongside the launch of its website.

Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, reaffirmed his dedication to fostering sustainable peace in the southeast and commended security agencies for embracing non-violent solutions to insecurity challenges. While acknowledging progress, he stressed the need for sustained efforts to achieve lasting peace.

Kalu also lauded the Press Corps, led by Comrade Gboyega Onadiran, for its professionalism in delivering accurate and timely reports on parliamentary activities to Nigerians.

He said, “Before now, I was the spokesperson of the House, and I worked with you. You have not changed. You remain consistent in ensuring that you do the right work with regards to the ethics of your profession.

“You’ve been feeding Nigerians with the right information. You’ve been unbundling what we do here, we want to be more transparent. You know what that has done for us is that it has increased the confidence level of Nigerians in the workings of the parliament, more than it used to be.

“And today, launching the Green Sentinel, this Green Sentinel started when I was with you. And you’ve not allowed a dream to die. And I’m so proud of you to support you to make sure that you keep telling the story.

“You’ve also gone ahead to give me an award, not just as one of you, but as one of you who is interested in peace and motivation. The motivation has been nothing but the fact that we only have one country. We don’t have two. All this division. North, South, West, doesn’t matter to people like us.

“In fact, the more it is dissolved, the better. The more we remove all these North, South, East, West, the better for us because we are one. Because we are one, we must preach peace to sustain that oneness. That is the truth. We must preach it starting from home and from the Southeast, and they say charity begins at home. There’s no how I would preach peace outside to the rest of the rest of Nigeria, while leaving what is in my area.

“You know, Southeast has been, you know, there’s been a crisis there for some time, even though it’s going down now a little bit through our various interventions, and through your own intervention, the way you report the stories there, it’s going down. But we started the Southeast Peace Project, which the President was there to launch on the 29th of December barely a year now.

“And with that, we lobbied for the South East Development Commission, we reached out to people and we are beginning to speak to those who are radicalized and say, please come. There are better ways of achieving what we want to achieve through the non-kinetic approach. We spoke to the military and the security forces and they have given their support and they are ensuring that the kinetic approach to resolving problems is not the only approach.

“It’s working. Are we there yet? No. Are we going to get there? Yes. Especially now that the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in his magnanimity approved the Southeast Development Commission Bill to become an Act and has gone ahead to make a budget proposal. So he’s not just talking the talk, he is walking the talk.

“What this would do for the peace project we are doing is that it’s going to calm the nerves of so many people who are agitating for one marginalization or the other. The President has now said this is the fund from the federation account to develop your place. What other excuse do you have to carry arms? What other excuse do you have to destroy your place? This is a peace tool that the President has given to us. And the President has taken that also to other regions of the country.

“The regional development agenda of Mr. President is a wonderful agenda because you see Northwest has received funds that are going to be used to calm the nerves of those there who are carrying out the insurgency and the rest of them. Northeast is working. Very soon, Southwest will start. South-South, and the rest of them. Before you know it, it would be every man to your own camp, develop your place. That is a regional agenda which worked for us before which is coming back again in the spirit of federalism and I’m sure it is going to work.

“So all this is because if we don’t pursue peace, there will be no unity. And if we don’t have unity, there will be no progress. Check our coat of arms. It says, peace, unity and progress. So if Nigeria wants to progress, the foundation is peace. Thank you for recognizing our work, and we pledge to partner with you to make sure that we achieve more within that space.”