Author: Emmanuel Obe

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has sounded the alarm over what it describes as a veiled move toward monopoly by the Dangote Refinery, warning that the company’s adoption of a forward integration strategy could devastate the downstream petroleum sector, eliminate competition, and trigger massive job losses nationwide. In a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Joseph Obele, PETROAN expressed concern that the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery, recently commissioned and touted as one of the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, appears poised not just to meet local fuel demand and export surplus, but also to…

Prominent voices from Ogoniland have rejected the presidential pardon and national honours recently conferred on environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight others executed alongside him in 1995. The Ogoni people are instead demanding full exoneration, insisting that a pardon does not address the injustice meted out to their heroes. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had on Thursday, as part of activities marking Democracy Day, posthumously granted presidential pardons and national honours to the “Ogoni Nine,” recognizing their contribution to Nigeria’s environmental justice movement. But the gesture has been met with mixed reactions, especially from Ogoni leaders and civil society advocates.…

…’Don’t Call It Incomplete’— Umahi Defends Partial Commissioning A prominent son of Eleme in Rivers State, Nwafor Oji Awala, has criticized the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for commissioning what he described as an “incomplete and misleading” portion of the East-West Road. Awala questioned the rationale behind inviting President Bola Tinubu to inaugurate a single carriageway beside a decaying bridge, while portraying it as a completed project. In a strongly worded statement titled “Don’t Call It Development – Call It Betrayal,” Awala expressed disappointment not only in the Federal Government but also in political leaders from Rivers State, particularly Eleme,…

For more than six decades, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark stood as a towering figure in Nigeria’s political and socio-cultural landscape, dedicating his life to the struggle for justice, equity, and national development. A nationalist, teacher, lawyer, administrator, and elder statesman, Pa Clark’s voice has echoed with conviction across Nigeria’s turbulent history, unwavering in the face of adversity and resolute in the pursuit of truth. Born on May 25, 1927, in Kiagbodo, a serene community in Delta State, Edwin Clark began his career as a schoolteacher. His early years in the classroom imbued him with a deep sense of discipline and…

Motorists and other road users have expressed concern over the decision of the Federal Government to make major adjustment to the reconstruction of the 15-kilometre Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State. Those who spoke to National Point noted that the adjustments would reduce the quality of the road and called on the Federal Government to stick to the original specifications. The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had disclosed that the flyover at the Refinery Junction has been suspended, while concrete overlay would not be used on some parts of the Eket-bound lane of the road under…

One of the casualties of the political crisis in Rivers State is the Port Harcourt Ring project that has been abandoned by the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC. Julius Berger pulled out of the project after the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice-Admiral Ibok (Rtd.), refused to renegotiate new terms with the contractor. The Port Harcourt Ring project was the first road project awarded by the Siminalayi Fubara government. It is also the most ambitious project of the state government as the road covers a distance of 62.5 kilometres and running through the six local government areas of Port Harcourt,…

The shutdown of the old Port Harcourt Refinery plant by the top management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has raised concerns over the future of the Port Harcourt refinery. The old refinery plant had resumed production a few months ago after undergoing a major rehabilitation that lasted for three years. But the management of NNPCL ordered its shut down after defects were allegedly found in the process system that hindered it from attaining full production. Before the shutdown, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arrested the former Managing Director of the refinery on allegations of…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has announced that the Commission will be inaugurating several projects in the Niger Delta region to commemorate President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office. Ogbuku, who spoke during the NDDC Quarterly Management Meeting with Staff at the Commission’s headquarters, called on the staff to brace for new challenges in developing the oil-rich region as the agency delivers more people-oriented projects. The NDDC boss expressed satisfaction with the Commission’s recent achievements, especially in project delivery. He assured that while the staff give their best in discharging their responsibility,…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has reaffirmed its commitment to educational development, emphasising the closing of the deficient gaps in core areas of study in secondary schools in the Niger Delta region. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated this during the grand finale of the NDDC Secondary School Quiz held in Port Harcourt. Ogbuku, who was represented by the Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Dr George Uzonwanne, stated that the NDDC considered education as crucial in the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. He noted, “A well-grounded education is a bedrock for success in…

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) says Nigerian companies have a lot of opportunities if they take advantage of more opportunities in its offshore and shallow water operations. According to a statement by Gladys Afam-Anadu, Communications Manager, SNEPCo, the energy firm gave the assurance at the just concluded 5th Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa. The statement quoted SNEPCo MD, Ronald Adams as saying that projects such as Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North and Bonga Main Life extension could grow Nigerian businesses and improve their expertise if they applied themselves seriously to executing higher…