Consultant commends Fashola’s inspection tour of Niger Delta road projects

  

A highway engineer, Mr Mayne David-West, says the projects tour in Niger Delta Region by the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, is reassuring to the people.

                       

David-West made the assertion in an interview  on Tuesday in Yenagoa.

He spoke against the backdrop of Fashola’s recent inspection visit to some ongoing and abandoned Federal roads projects in region.

Contending with frequent accidents at oilfields in Bayelsa

Contending with frequent accidents at oilfields in Bayelsa

 Less than an hour after arrival at the Agip facility, Mr Godspower Okorosei, a welder was blown to pieces, and his remains, unrecognizable. mixed with the shattered pieces of the crude oil pipeline he came to repair.

 More than one year after the July 2015 tragic incident, his family and that of the other 13 who died in the blast cannot believe how they lost their bread winners.

Their agonies have endured with the treatment they have received from the company.

The loss of 17 lives within one year at oilfields in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) in Bayelsa has raised concern on the value of human lives and safety at oil and gas industry.

I flogged 4 Radio Bayelsa Union leaders in self-defense- GM

  

Mr John Idumange, General Manager, Radio Bayelsa, christened Glory FM on Friday confirmed that he flogged four union leaders of the station as earlier reported.

He General Manager in his reaction justifying the action said that he took the action in self-defense.

Idumange saidat the weekend that the incident happened on Monday February 20, after the unions shut down the FM station operated by Bayelsa Government.

The Radio Bayelsa Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Radio Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) had alleged that Idumange was running the station outside public service rules.

Ex-Environment Commissioner chides Shell for claims that Seibou leak had no impact on Bayelsa Communities

Mr Iniruo Wills, immediate past Commissioner for Environment in Bayelsa on Sunday berated Shell for its claim that the Seibou oil leak of 2015 had no adverse effect to warrant compensation.

Two years after an underwater oil leak discharged some 550 barrels of crude into Ogboinbiri River in Bayelsa, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) said the incident had no adverse impact.

SPDC had on March 5, 2015 confirmed an oil leak from its underwater line within its oil fields in, Ogboinbiri, Bayelsa.

Oil Theft: Military destroys 3 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

The Joint Military Force deployed to the Niger Delta , Operation Delta Safe on Saturday destroyed three illegal oil distillation sites in Delta and Rivers.

Spokesman of Operation Delta Safe, Maj. Abubakar Abdullahi who confirmed the development noted that the operation was part of renewed effort to protect oil and gas infrastructure in Niger Delta region.

Radio Bayelsa GM flogs 4 staff on duty post

 The industrial dispute at Radio Bayelsa, christened Glory FM took a twist on Thursday as the General Manager flogged four staffers on duty.

The Radio Bayelsa Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) and Radio Television and Theatre Arts Workers Unions (RATTAWU) consequently shut the radio station. Some reports had said the staffers were whipped by suspected thugs.

Mr Tonye Yemoleigha, NUJ Chairman in Radio Bayelsa said on Thursday in Yenagoa that he and three female staff were caned by the General Manager of the Station, Mr John Idumange.

NUJ,RATTAWU in Radio Bayelsa shut down FM station

The Radio Bayelsa chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) and Radio Television and Theatre Arts Workers Unions (RATTAWU) on Wednesday shut the radio station over lingering labour dispute.

Shortly after the station went off air, the management mobilized armed security men and few employees who rebuffed the strike to reopen the station playing music all through.

The station’s scheduled programmes and news bulletin could not be aired.

Bayelsa Airport suffering funding deficit despite N40 billion loan

Bayelsa Airport suffering funding deficit despite N40 billion loan

The Bayelsa government and its contractors handling the Bayelsa Cargo Airport project have held divergent views on the availability of funds for the project.

Bayelsa government had in 2015 secured a N40 billion loan to complete the project whose timeline has been shifted several times.

FG mulls legalising illegal refineries’ to transform Niger Delta

 FG mulls legalising illegal refineries’ to transform Niger Delta

Amidst the challenges of inadequate local refining capacity and meeting demand for refined petroleum products, the federal government seems to be thinking of encouraging artisanal refineries which had bridged the product supply gap for decades.

Although outlawed, more than 60 percent of diesel and kerosene used in the region are sourced from local bush refineries produced from stolen crude through fractional distillation.

Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd) Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta has said the federal government plans to liberalise modular refineries to develop the oil rich Niger Delta region.

Fashola visits Bayelsa, promises to complete federal projects

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has assured the people of Bayelsa that the East-West Road will soon be completed.

He also said funds will be provided by the Buhari administration for the completion of Kolo, Okaki roads.

Bayelsa Govt warns oil communities against shutting oil production

The Bayelsa government on Friday warned oil bearing communities in the state to desist from disrupting the operations of oil firms saying that it was an invitation to anarchy.

The government noted that such acts were capable of tarnishing the hard earned reputation of state government and sending wrong signals to international investors.

Mr. Felix Bonny Ayah, Special Adviser to the governor on Oil & Gas, said this in a statement in Yenagoa in on Friday.

Niger Delta Youths Coalition says protest by Ankio Briggs on grazing land uncalled for

Niger Delta Youths Coalition says protest by Ankio Briggs on grazing land uncalled for

The Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP) on Thursday said that the aborted protest led by Ms Annkio Briggs, a Niger Delta Activist against allocation of grazing land was ill advised.

Briggs had led a protest on Tuesday against donation of 1,200 hectares of land to cattle rearers for grazing purposes by Bayelsa government.

The protesters were dispersed at the Tombia area of Yenagoa by youths who stormed the area in several buses injuring the protesters in the process.

Cleric urges Bayelsa Govt to clear 6 months salary arrears to avert ‘wrath of God’

Cleric urges Bayelsa Govt to clear 6 months salary arrears to avert ‘wrath of God’

A clergyman, Rev. T. Y Emmanuel, has urged the Bayelsa government to clear outstanding backlog of salaries owed to workers in the state to avert the wrath of God.

The cleric gave the advice on Thursday during a Church Service to commemorate the first anniversary of Governor Seriake Dickson’s second tenure in office.

NUJ,RATTAWU in Radio Bayelsa accuse General Manager of double standards

 NUJ,RATTAWU in Radio Bayelsa accuse General Manager of double standards

The Radio Bayelsa chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) and Radio Television and Theatre Arts Workers Unions (RATTAWU) have accused the General Manager of the station Mr John Idumange of double standards.

In a statement, signed by Tonye Yemoleigha and Puis Otiti, Chairmen of NUJ and RATTAWU respectively the unions urged Idumange to immediately
withdraw the employment letters recently issued some persons in the station.

They said that there was no justification for employment when the General Manager who was appointed on December 6, 2016 had lamented that the station was over staffed and redeployed competent staff from the FM station.

Nigerian Content: NCDMB decries low access to local content fund

Nigerian Content: NCDMB decries low access to local content fund

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB) on Monday, expressed concern that indigenous companies in the oil and gas industry had not accessed the $600 million Local Content Development fund as expected.

NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Simbi Wabote, made the observation at a news conference in Yenagao, to commemorate his first 100 days in office.

Wabote, who said that only three indigenous firms had accessed the fund, so far, promised to remove the bureaucratic bottle necks and increase the indigenous companies’ access to the fund.

The executive secretary, also said that the country had so far achieved only 28 per cent content in the oil and gas sector.

Wabote, however, said that that under his watch, NCDMB had reduced the contracting cycle from two years to one year, adding that the board aimed to further meeting the six months target.

He disclosed that two out of the three pipe mills supported by the board had commenced local production of pipes for the oil and gas sector.

The executive secretary further said that six coating mills were completed and functioning.

Peace Advocacy group says Osinbajo’s visit to Bayelsa rekindles hope of development

A Peace Advocacy group, the Niger Delta Non-Violence Youth Leaders Assembly on (NDYLA) on Sunday said that Friday’s visit by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo the Bayelsa was a morale boost.

The group applauded the Federal Government adding that the visit has revived the hope of Niger Delta people of a  sustainable peace and development in the region under President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Group, Niger Delta Non-Violence Youth Leaders Assembly, in a statement issued yesterday after active participation during the Interactive Session with key stakeholders,‎stated

Osinbajo resumes tour of Niger Delta, pledges rapid development of oil communities in Bayelsa

Osinbajo resumes tour of Niger Delta, pledges rapid development of oil communities in Bayelsa

Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Friday resumed the peace talks with oil communities with a visit to Yenogoa, Bayelsa capital pledging rapid development oil bearing communities in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking at the stakeholders meeting during the ongoing dialogue, Osinbajo noted that the oil industry was the dominant source of foreign exchange earnings and said it was high time the country added value to crude oil.

According to him, adding value to crude oil would bring enormous economic benefits to oil bearing communities.

Despite N99 billion revenue to Bayelsa abandoned projects beg for funding

  

 Despite N99 billion revenue to Bayelsa abandoned projects beg for funding

In spite of a whopping N99 billion that accrued to Bayelsa in 2016, many ongoing projects in Bayelsa State are suffering from poor funding by the State Government.

The figures obtained from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicate that Bayelsa received N99 billion between January and December 2016 from the federation account alone and the state owes workers an outstanding salary for six months in the out gone year.

The above does not include a N40 billion loan obtained for the airport projects and the N14 billion refunds from the Paris club loans and the bail out funds.

A recent loan of N3bn approved by the Bayelsa Assembley to finance the acquisition of cars for the legislators, GovDickson and his deputy as well as security services had sparked off public outrage in the state.

Security tightened , traffic diverted for Osinbajo's visit to Bayelsa

Security tightened , traffic diverted for Osinbajo's visit to Bayelsa



 Security has been beefed up in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital as the Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo resumes his fact finding tour of the Niger Delta region on Friday.

Armed soldiers, Policemen and Civil Defense personnel deployed for security duties for the visit were visible on the streets and strategic parts of the state.

Pipeline vandals kill one in reprisal attack following arrest of 3 gang members in Bayelsa

Pipeline vandals kill one in reprisal attack following arrest of 3 gang members in Bayelsa



Suspected oil thieves on Wednesday attacked Korokorosei Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa leaving one dead , Police aut hourities have said.

Mr Asinim, Butswat, Spokesman for Bayelsa Police Command confirmed the development on Friday in Yenagoa.

He said the attack was sequel to the arrest of three of the gang members of the hoodlums by the combined team of the JointTask Force and the men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Niger Delta Youths back Kachikwu’s reforms pledge to support for FG’s Devt. plan

Niger Delta Youths back Kachikwu’s reforms pledge to support for FG’s Devt. plan

Youths under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Leaders Assembly (NDYLA) comprising ex-militant leaders and non militant youths on Tuesday applauded the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu for relentless efforts to restore peace to the region.

They therefore pledged to work with Dr Ibe Kachikwu to enable him achieve President Buhari's new roadmap for the oil sector and the Niger Delta.

This endorsement is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a strategic meeting held in Yenegoa, the Bayelsa capital and signed by Mr Amaibi Hornby and Mr Kenedy West for NDYLA.

Former Nigeria Ports Authourity MD Port Notel Ocean Terminal

A former Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Engr. Omar Suleiman has joined Port Notel Ocean Terminal project in Ibeno LGA of Akwa Ibom, Management/Technical Team.

According to a statement by Mr Victor Akpanika, Managing Director, Port Notel, an indigenous port development firm on Tuesday, Suleiman was appointed as Port Infrastructure Development Consultant.

He is expected to provide guidance for the speedy realization of Nigeria’s 1st OFF-Shore greenfield deep sea port project.

Bayelsa Govt. urges oil communities to embrace peace to attract development

Bayelsa Govt. urges oil communities to embrace peace to attract development

The Bayelsa government has called on its oil-bearing communities to always embrace peace and work with the state government in order to attract sustainable development to their areas.

Mr Felix Bonny Ayah, Special Adviser to Gov. Seriake Dickson on oil and gas, made the call in a chat with newsmen during a peace meeting in Yenagoa on Monday.

N3bn car loan : Bayelsa Govt, workers disagree on salary arrears

 N3bn car loan : Bayelsa Govt, workers disagree on salary arrears

The Bayelsa Government and its workforce have disagreed on the exact outstanding salary arrears owed civil servants in the state.

The workers claimed that they were being owed six months salary backlog, while government officials put the arrears at three months.

The Bayelsa House of Assembly on Tuesday, in a closed-door session, approved a N3 billion loan request from the executive arm to purchase cars for legislators and security agencies.

The development attracted criticisms from civil servants in the state, who said that seeking a loan to purchase the cars at a time the state government owed workers six months salary arrears was insensitive.

Bayelsa govt. defends N3bn loan to purchase cars for legislators, security services

The Bayelsa Government has said that the N3 billion naira loan for purchase of cars for state lawmakers and security agencies was a necessity and not a misplaced priority.

The Bayelsa House of Assembly on Tuesday, in a closed-door session, approved a N3 billion loan request from the executive arm to purchase cars for legislators and security agencies.

The development attracted criticisms from civil servants in the state, who said that seeking a loan to purchase the cars at a time the state government owed workers some six months salary arrears was insensitive.

Herdsmen-Farmers clashes: Bayelsa Govt donates 1,200-hectares for ranch development

In a bid to check indiscriminate grazing and violent clashes between farmers and herdsmen, the Bayelsa government has donated 1,200 hectares of land to cattle herdsmen, for grazing cattle in the state.

The state government had in December 2016 announced the restriction of the activities of herdsmen in the state to the Bayelsa Palm area in Yenagoa.

According to the government, its decision was to prevent the invasion of farmlands and check any security breaches.

Ibori arrives Oghara, his hometown after serving jail term

 Ibori arrives Oghara, his hometown after serving jail term


 The ancient town of Oghara in Ethiope West local Government Area of Delta was in a carnival mood on Saturday as former governor James Ibori arrived home after being deported to Nigeria on the completion of his jail term in a UK prison.

Ibori, who was convicted by a British court on charges of money laundering, arrived at the Benin Airport on Saturday aboard a chartered plane, IZYAIR, with registration number India Zulu Yanky (5NIZY).

He was initially scheduled to land at Osubi Airport in Warri.

Bayelsa Govt frowns at disobedience to court verdicts by oil firms

Bayelsa government on Friday expressed concerns and displeasure with oil firms for flouting court orders and disobeying court judgments on oil spill cases.

The government noted that disregard to court rulings was an invitation to anarchy and called on oil films operating in the state to embrace the rule of law.

Mr. Felix Bonny Ayah, Special Adviser to the governor on Oil & Gas, stated this while mediating in a peace meeting between Onyoma community in Southern Ijaw and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in his office.

Bayelsa House of Assembly approves N3 bn to acquire cars behind closed doors amidst 6 months salary arrears of civil servants

Facts have emerged behind the closed door sitting of the Bayelsa legislature  on Tuesday locking out members of the public.

Bayelsa House Assembly on sat behind closed doors to approve a loan request of N3 bn from the executive to purchase cars for the legislature and other political office holders, Speaker, Kombowei Benson confirmed to newsmen on Thursday.

Bayelsa House of Assembly sits in camera, shuts out journalists

The Bayelsa House Assembly contrary to  public expectations  on Tuesday sat behind closed door as journalists were barred from coverage of proceedings in Yenagoa, contrary to parliamentary best practices.

NOSDRA recommended compensation for victims of oil leak in Bayelsa D-G

The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) says it has recommended to Shell, payment of compensation to the victims of Seibou oil spill in Bayelsa even as the company flouted the regulatory advice without any sanctions..

Dr Peter Idabor, Director-General of the agency said in Yenagoa on Wednesday that NOSDRA participated in the cleanup of the oil spill.

He said that 549 barrels of crude was discharged into Ogboinbiri River in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

Contending with incessant oil spills in Bayelsa

Contending with incessant oil spills in Bayelsa

The negative effects of oil spills on the environment are well known and has been with oil communities since the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Oloibiri , Bayelsa.

Bayelsa which hosts the first oil well drilled by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) also hosts the operations of Nigeria Agip Oil Company, (NAOC), Chevron Nigeria Limited in both onshore and offshore locations.

Stakeholders agree that oil spills are an integral part of oil exploration and production while it is imperative to keep the spills within acceptable limits.

Peter Idabor, Director General, National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) said in April during a visit to oil spill sites in Bayelsa that the state is the worst hit in frequency and extent of oil spills in the Niger Delta.

DPR shuts down 10 petrol stations in Yenagoa for profiteering

 The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Bayelsa says it has shut down at least 10 filling stations in the state for dispensing products above the approved price of N145 per liter.

Mr Asuquo Antai, Operations Controller of DPR in the state said on Wednesday in Yenagoa that the directorate had intensified surveillance.

“As I speak, we want to send signals to others that we cannot tolerate profiteering.