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Niger Delta: Expert warns as abandoned oil facilities litter communities
There is growing apprehension throughout the Niger Delta region regarding the numerous abandoned oil wells and neglected infrastructure of multinational oil companies. Experts express serious concerns about the potential health and environmental hazards posed to oil-producing communities.
In Akwa Ibom State, more than 32 oil wells are reported to have been abandoned in the Oko, Okoroette, and Utapete communities. Additionally, the onshore oilfield in Oloibiri, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has been deserted with approximately 21.26 million barrels of hydrocarbons.
Environmental expert Dr. Nninmo Bassey emphasizes the need for the decommissioning of various well-heads, manifolds, flow stations, and pipelines across the Niger Delta that have been left unused and unattended for decades. Bassey expresses worry over the state of these abandoned oil wells and aging infrastructure of international oil companies (IOCs), urging them to consider the environment and the well-being of the local residents.
Bassey points out that Nigerian laws mandate the proper decommissioning and removal of all unused oil facilities according to international standards, but these requirements are often overlooked. He describes the situation as ticking time bombs that have already started to explode, citing incidents such as the Aiteo’s Nembe/Santa Barbara Well-1 blowout and the explosion and sinking of the Trinity Spirit Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FSPO) vessel in February 2022.
Bassey also highlights instances of neglected well-head leaks, including the Ororo-1 well fire in Ondo state, and criticizes the federal government’s heavy dependence on IOCs. He contends that this dependency has deepened the dysfunctionality of the petroleum sector and empowered IOCs to engage in irresponsible corporate behavior, rendering regulatory agencies either impotent or complicit. Bassey urges the government to address this concerning trend, not only in the oil and gas sector but also in the solid minerals sector, citing abandoned tin mines in Jos and coal mines in Enugu.
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EFCC nabs 34 currency speculators in Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives, assigned to the Taskforce on Currency Mutilation, Dollarization of the Economy, and Forex Malpractice, have apprehended 34 individuals suspected of engaging in foreign exchange fraud. The arrests were made during a sting operation on Friday, following credible intelligence regarding illicit dollar sales in the Wuse Zone 4 area of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
As conveyed by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the suspects include individuals such as Usman Mohammed, Abdullahi Nasir, Abubakar Saleh, and others listed in the statement. The arrests reflect the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to cleanse and stabilize the foreign exchange market.
Oyewale stated that upon the completion of investigations, the suspects will be brought before the court to face charges.
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Transfer: Wolves table €12m bid for Osayi-Samuel
Wolverhampton Wanderers, a Premier League club, has reportedly submitted a €12m bid for Bright Osayi-Samuel, the Super Eagles defender currently playing for Fenerbahce. According to NTVSpor, Wolves are eager to secure the services of the Fenerbahce star, with Crystal Palace and Leeds United also expressing interest in the full-back.
It remains uncertain whether Fenerbahce will accept the offer. Osayi-Samuel is enthusiastic about returning to England after a successful stint with Queens Park Rangers. Throughout this season, he has made 34 appearances across various competitions, contributing to nine goals. Despite having one year left on his contract with Fenerbahce, his desire to return to English football could influence his future transfer.
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BenPoly: Purge yourself of ethnic favouritism – Group tells Alia
The Idoma Intellectual Forum (IIF) has urged Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to ease the growing tension within the Benue State Polytechnic community by promptly appointing a substantive Rector for the institution. In a statement released on Friday in Abuja by Dr. Sunday Ochigbo, the National Secretary of IIF, the group expressed support for Governor Alia’s commitment to revamping the educational sector in Benue State.
While acknowledging the governor’s decision to dismiss all heads of state-owned higher institutions with the aim of bringing in more qualified individuals, the group expressed concern over the delay in filling the vacancy at Benue Polytechnic, Ugbokolo. They noted that despite the swift appointment of a substantive Provost for the Benue State College of Education, Oju, and a Rector for the Alfred Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi, the process for Benue State Polytechnic has been protracted.
The group criticized the composition of the management team at Benue Polytechnic, describing it as unfavorable to the Idoma people and contrary to the principles of state representation. They highlighted the dominance of Tiv individuals in critical management positions within an institution situated in Idoma land as unacceptable.
Moreover, the IIF condemned the removal of an Idoma Rector and the installation of a Tiv acting Rector by the Alia administration. They denounced what they perceived as a deliberate effort to marginalize and disadvantage the Idoma people across various sectors in Benue State, including within a state-owned Polytechnic located in Idoma territory.
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