Warri, Kaduna refineries shut
Kaduna Refinery
• As vandals blow up pipelines
• Buhari vows to crush militants
• Minister orders arrest of masterminds
• Military takes over Tompolo’s hometown
• Reps block moves to stop probe of oil swap deal
AS a fallout of the attack on some oil and gas pipelines in Gbaramatu area of Delta State by suspected militants at the weekend, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has shut down the Kaduna and Warri refineries.
The development threatens government’s efforts at reducing fuel importation at a time when the local refining seems to be gaining momentum.
Besides, President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that his administration would tackle resurgent militancy, oil theft and vandalism of oil pipelines and other forms of insecurity in the Niger Delta region.
It was learnt that the 125,000 barrels per day (bpd) Warri Refinery resumed production in November 2015, while the 110,000 bpd Kaduna Refinery began operations in December. The nation has four refineries, in Port Harcourt (old and new), Warri and Kaduna, which according to the last NNPC reports, produced about seven million barrels of crude in 11 months in 2015. This poor performance was linked to sabotage and vandalism.
The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, yesterday confirmed that the company has shut down crude oil flows to the two pipelines due to the recent attacks on the facilities. “We have shut down flows for now, the military are on top of the matter,” he said, without offering details of the attacks.
Some unidentified gunmen had at the weekend bombed some oil and gas facilities in Gbaramatu, allegedly in protest against the reported arrest warrant issued on the former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (a.k.a Tompolo). No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Joint Task Force Commander of Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta, Major General Alani Okunola, said the task force was closing in on the militants that blew up the oil and gas pipelines belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company, Chevron Nigeria Limited and NNPC.
Speaking at an interactive forum with members of the Nigerian community in Abu Dhabi, Buhari assured the gathering that his administration would deal decisively with the seeming resurgence of oil theft, vandalism of pipelines and insecurity in the Niger Delta.
Declaring that the Nigerian armed forces had already dealt “deadly blows” on Boko Haram, the president said that the activities of oil thieves and vandals would soon be brought to an end. “The oil thieves and abductors are a less problematic target. We will re-organise and deal with them.”
The Minister of Defence, Brig Gen. Monsur Dan-Ali, yesterday ordered the military to ensure that those who blew up the Escravos-Warri-Lagos gas pipelines are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
The minister who visited the scene where suspected militants blew up the pipeline described the action as unpatriotic and carried out at a time the nation was yearning for steady gas supply to power its power plant.
After inspecting the scene, he said a high calibre improvised explosive device was used to blow up the pipeline. “This is an IED explosion. I believe it was planned due to the magnitude of the destruction. This type of destruction must be stopped by the security agencies.” He said he had been briefed by the JTF commander who said he was on top of the matter and promised that those behind the act would be apprehended
A team of heavily armed military personnel from the Joint Task Force (JTF) has been deployed in Gbaramatu in Warri South West Local Council to forestall possible upsurge in militancy following the threat to arrest Tompolo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial impropriety.
Gbaramàtu, the hometown of the ex-militant Tompolo, was the scene of a bloody confrontation between the military and the heavily armed militants who finally agreed to sheathe their swords as a result of the amnesty programme of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua a few years ago.
The Delta State government, however, assured residents of the oil-rich community which is located deep in the creeks of the Niger Delta region that the presence of a large number of heavily armed military personnel in the area was not intended to cause panic or harm.
Meanwhile, there was a mild drama yesterday as a group, the Centre of Rule of Law (CRL) attempted to stop members of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee from probing oil swap deals involving the NNPC/Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and oil trading companies.
Shortly after Speaker Yakubu Dogara kicked off proceedings of the Zakari Mohammed led ad-hoc committee, an official of the CRL, Mr. Samuel Ogala, drew the attention of the lawmakers to the need to halt the investigation hearing since his group had lodged a suit in a court of law to stop the probe of the matter. Ogala argued that it was incumbent on him to notify the lawmakers on the need to stay action pending the determination of the subsisting suit on the issue, adding that going ahead with the proceedings would tantamount to a breach of the rule of law.
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19 Comments
That was the goal. The cabals are striking back.
When an old man can not propagate peace, what is going on in Nigeria today cannot be avoided. If Buhari has brain, he should have visited at least 2 Niger Delta states to thank Nigerians for voting for him and plead that electoral statements should go with elections so that the country can move forward. Instead, the illiterate embarked on campaign of calumny and vendetta through one-direction anticorruption war. He should be reminded that, it is easier to destroy than to build. Blowing up pipelines is far easier than protecting them. The illiterates should be reminded that no pipelines would be left in Sambisa forest if there were such infrastructures there before. Between now and 3 months time will tell the story. Workers salaries in the country are already pilling up in arrears. Compound fool!
He even said on CNN during his visit to US that states and regions he got less votes from will not benefit from him because he will not run an inclusive government, yet he has forgotten that those states produces the oil and revenue to manage and develop the entire nation!!! Clueless President.
He is a big buffoon
Visit at least two Niger Delta states and thank them for voting him? Na only Niger Delta vote for am? Does any President go about visiting the whole country to thank them for votes after getting into office? Especially at a time like this in our country that we have serious issues? Do u even know anything about GOVERNANCE? It’s obvious your opinion is formed by your ethnic bias and hatred. Instead of condemning this act that is trying to sabotage our country and draw back our progress you rather turn a blind eye to that and condemn the President. YOU ARE THE FOOL!
You are the fool you called Osanebi Osakuni, animal in human skin, Idiot and Sharrap!
As for you, I no get your time.
Good move because I for finish you
How do you expect me to condemn a natural response to insult. Buhari originally budgeted over N7 Billion for BMW vehicles under his use this year before he smuggled out the document and doctored because of complaints. That amount can not be contributed to national revenue by Katsina state in 7 years. Yet that buffoon declared foolishly that his government will give more attention to states that voted for him. My dear, just watch Nigerian revenue for the next 4 months. With all the soldiers in Warri more pipelines were destroyed last night. Buhari is just moronic to say the least.
What are we talking what are u saying? What business or correlation has N7B BMW got to do with this matter? Criminals and vandals blew up pipelines that supply crude oil and gas for refineries for national benefit and you are talking Katsina, BMW etc. It’s obvious your opinion is due to ethnic bias and tribal hatred! Such things can’t make people see things clearly. Do u see nothingg wrong in the pipeline vandalism? Are u a militant? If you are Sebi amnesty programme dey cater for una? They pay militants N65K monthly, what else do these criminal elements want? Do u want to turn a blind eye to these people atrocities and insult the authorities because you so much hate the President because he is Hausa? THINK WITH YOUR HEAD AND NOT WITH SENTIMENTS.
Am surprise that you extracted statements from my reply to suit your feelings. I repeat it to you that unless Buhari reverses his promise to give more government attention to those who voted for him at the expense of Niger Delta people that provide the resources, neither will refineries work nor escravos sustain crude exports. If you are consciousness, you should be worried that an old man could budget so much from this same oil revenue for BMW. Am shocked that it doesn’t bother you. Just wait, I can assure you that the economic crisis ahead will bother you when it fully manifests.
1) Amnesty Programme hasn’t ended and the ex-militants are still being paid N65k monthly. Amnesty well taken care of in 2016 budget with a South South man in charge. 2) South South are well represented with their full quota in this cabinet even with strong portfolios : Transport Ministry, Budget&national planning ministry etc. 3) Buhari released $10M upfront for the UNEP report Ogoni clean up that has been left for years even GEJ did nothing about. 3) One of states that first visited was a South South state Cross River to flag off East West Road with Gov Ayade! 4) Projects like Abuja -PH rail line is being given priority for completion. With all these done and more under 1year of his administration what other attention do you want? Let me tell you th problem of your people especially the militants ; The Amnesty programme has been restructured for every kobo to be accountable for so there won’t be fraud again. Dubious and fraudulent pipeline contracts to thieving militants has been cancelled so that their illegal bunkering and refining has been destroyed…all barges, illegal refineries etc have been destroyed by the Navy! That is the problem of your militants. All their avenues for fraud and bunkering and dubious ways of making money are being blocked! That drives them nuts because they are lazy and don’t want to be responsible or find something legitimate to do with their lives. All they want is their crime and cheat to make money anyhow. So they are bombing pipelines to pressure and blackmail FG so that FG can agree to their demands for MORE MONEY! Let me tell you this administration can’t be BLACKMAILED. Buhari is a tough man and strong willed. They will be well dealt with! Some idiots can’t hold Nigeria to ransom! The real development should be for the people of Niger Delta! Not some foolish and good for nothing warlords and militants like Tompolo, Asari etc who have not done anything worthwhile in their lives but have dubious and stupendous wealth that they can’t explain.
Nigeria is for everybody! There are people in the South South who need the development and this administration has the will and accountability to let the people people the development with their social programmes : sch feeding, 500,000 youths to be employed as teachers, loans to market women etc etc. Not dubious contracts and fraud in amnesty to favour some good for nothing traditional rulers and money hungry warlords! Tompolo should come out and go to court to go and defend himself against the fraud him and Akpolobokemi did in NIMASA! Asari with all his stolen money went to set up University in Benin Republic! Why him no set am up for South South to provide jobs and benefit the people? These idiots only care about themselves! And now they are bombing pipelines to pressure government because their source of dubious money has been affected! Th administration will not be BLACKMAILED! My friend my advise to you is if you have any part in this madness you better walk away, I fear for what government will do to these criminals! The law must be enforced! Nobody is above the law of Nigeria!!!!
Blablablabla…Buhari is a tough man. That is the only General in the history of Nigeria that was caught like a chicken and caged like a monkey for over 3 years without releasing one bullet. You can write an essay about Niger Delta, if the request to politically restructure Nigeria is frustrated, Nigeria will be economically brought to her knees. It is just a matter of months. Just wait, it is a pity that people like you believe that it is possible to protect a mesh of pipelines transmitting very inflammable substances within a stretch of 5 states in mostly inaccessible vegetation. Anyone that doesn’t want to rely on the spirit of self determination will soon be left behind. Just be patient.
Finally, I observed you made a point about economic crisis. Because of bombing of pipeline for crude oil? I LAUGH O! It seems to you are not following issues nationally and globally. Let me enlighten you ; the 2016 budget is N6.08trillion but projected oil revenue is N897B! That is oil will be only fund the budget by N897B which is less than 15%! The remaining N5.2trillion will come from other sources apart from oil!!!That is to tell u this government is moving Nigeria away from oil dependency!!! With oil selling below $30 per barrel and still projected to fall below $25 it is clear we can’t rely on oil so the FG is developing other sectors (Agric, solid minerals) and maximising revenue from other sources to fund our country. So how will your militants sabotage create economic crisis for us? Because one mentality you people have in your region is that “na our oil de feed Nigeria.”. Well, my friend be informed that NOT ANYMORE!!! Wake up from your slumber and face the future. The future of Nigeria now is BEYOND and BIGGER THAN OIL!!!!! Wake Up Man!!
I read your reply until you manifested the unlikeliest possibility. You are far from reality, check statistics, Nigerian revenue from non oil sector has dropped by over N10 Billion since Buhari became president. Propaganda has already expired. All the states in Nigeria are weaker today, the stock market has decided to shut down busines due to uncontrollable losses. It is a pity most of you are wallowing in economic fantasy. Pity!
I am solidly behind the House of Reps in probing the oil swap deal.
i would continue to ask and wonder. why are any pipeline above ground. in other developed nations, you would never know that pipeline is underground, because nobody knows where it is but the government and the company that built it. where is the backup incase this kind of thing happens. why aren’t we using our railway lines as backup. our leadership are full of talk, when we should have dealt with this madness.
Dear Mr President, now all can see the difference between you and your kinsman, the great UMYA! There is a God in heaven. Thank you.
We will review and take appropriate action.