…Says Rivers State unrest will destabilise Niger Delta

…As Fubara vows to deliver Trans-Kalabari Road before leaving office

Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt

Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has called for a ceasefire between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers for the sake of peace in the Niger Delta region.

The former President made this known on Monday at the flag-off of the construction of the multi-billion naira Trans-Kalabari Road project. The ceremony was performed by Nigeria’s former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan at Nkpor-Aker Road Roundabout, Rumuolumeni Community, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State..

Performing the flag-off, Jonathan, while commending Governor Fubara for his vision, commitment and courage to take up the construction of such a road, noted that outgoing governors and incoming ones must know that they have to work together for the collective interest of the citizenry of their states, urging them to address their minds to the need for such mutual acceptance.

The former President, who commended efforts of some leaders who had intervened in the festering political crisis in Rivers State, urged for a truce so that the crisis does not snowball into a bigger regional and national challenge with greater consequences.

The former President noted the problems associated with transition of governments in Nigeria, and crisis that it has come with.

He explained that even at the centre, where presidents have taken over from presidents, it has been better managed, but regretted that it is worse at the state level, warning that it is not the best.

The former President emphasised that outgoing governors and incoming ones must know that they have to work together for the collective interest of the citizenry of their states, urging them to address their minds to the need for such mutual acceptance.

 ”In this case of Rivers, Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara must work together for the development of the land and the people of Rivers State. The tension will not help us.

“Rivers State is very critical in this country. Rivers State is the heart of the Niger Delta. If Rivers State is destabilised, the whole Niger Delta will be destabilised, and it will not end within the Niger Delta alone because I am from this part of the country, and I know how the system works. We don’t want any crisis in Rivers State,” Jonathan posited.

 ”Leaders must know that nobody takes 100 percent. You must learn the principle of give and take. So, our political actors must work together if you love Rivers people.

“And, I join the leaders of Rivers State and well-meaning Nigerians who have been calling for truce, who have been calling for ceasefire, to also re-emphasise that there is the need for a ceasefire. Let us do things that will rather project this State positively.

 ”There is this common saying that when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. Both the Governor and the Minister are young people, very young people, but they are powerful, and if you continue to fight, Rivers people will suffer. We don’t want the Rivers people to suffer.

“So, we are calling on them to embrace themselves. One hand does not clap. It takes two hands to clap. So, we want them to work together for the collective interest of Rivers people.

“Whatever has happened, has passed. Let us move to a new phase for the interest of the State, for the interest of the Niger Delta, and indeed, the interest of the country,” he added.

On Fubura’s commitment to making movement easy, enhancing response time to security issues, promoting integration and economic growth, the former President noted, ”When I was asked to come and flag-off this project, I felt that it is only a person who has vision, and the commitment to develop his people that can do this.

“Your Excellency, let me commend you for your vision and the courage to start this project. In fact, it is not going to be a tea party. If you must develop a nation, region or state, there are critical elements that count. These are good road networks, airport, rail and water transport systems as well as security,” he said.

Dr Jonathan said by providing these enablers, development would thrive in the State. He thanked the Governor for daring to dream big, and venture into projects that previous administrations had avoided.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration is determined to deliver the Trans-Kalabari Road project to stimulate socio-economic activities in benefiting rural communities for overall development of the State.

The Governor  advised the people to buy into the project and ensure that they ward-off any form of sabotage that may delay or frustrate timely completion of the project.

The Governor said he understands the difficult terrain that the road will traverse, and the associated cost, but has decided to embark on it, which he said signals the driving principle of his administration to put the wellbeing and advancement of the people first.

Governor Fubara maintained that there is fund saved from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and federal allocations to fund the project to completion without borrowing, which he said formed the reason why 30 percent of the contract sum has already been paid to mobilise the contractor to site in order to deliver on schedule.

“When we went for campaign in the three local government areas of Kalabari Kingdom, we promised you that if you give us your votes and we succeed, we will embark on the Trans-Kalabari Road.

“And that is what we have come to do today. We are a government, when we make promise, we keep our promises.

“I understand the cost. I understand the difficult terrain and I also understand that somebody has to take this step. If it is not done by me, then another person can also do it. But within our time, it is proper for us to make a statement to our people.

“I don’t want to talk about politics on this project. I want us to look at the facts. It is a difficult terrain, it is going to be expensive, but we are equal to the task,” he said.

 ”Let me also say it for record purposes: We are not going to borrow to embark on this project. We have saved and we are using our savings to pay off the cost, which we have already done, the 30 percent initial advance payment. So, the contractor has no reason to delay, but to start off the project immediately,” the Governor added.

He appealed to the Rumuolumeni people to give the contractors the necessary support to enable them take off without much ado, while also urging the Kalabari Kingdom to give the necessary support so that the project will be delivered without any sabotage.

Governor Fubara said he heard the Amanyanabo of Abonnema when he spoke, alluding to the cost of building in the riverine, which he said is four times the cost of building in the upland, adding that when completed, the project would have helped to solve the problems associated with cost of property development in the riverine communities.

“This road will bring development to our people. This road will bring economic advancement to our people. So, we need your buy-in. Your buy-in is not just standing here with us today, but giving all the necessary support.

“You need to also cooperate with the contractor, your leaders and chiefs, so that there will be no sabotage.

“Let me also say it clearly, for those of you who are planning to sabotage it, it is your business. If we don’t do it in our own time, I wonder when you are going to get it. So, you need to buy-in into this project. The advantage of this project is making life easy for our people.”

“For us as a government, our duty remains, people first. Those things that we know will make life easy for you, are the areas that we will pay attention to.

“So, please give us the necessary support so that this project will be achieved at a record time. This way,  we can also look at other aspects of the state economy.

“We are not going to focus only on roads. But this particular road is important to the development of our State. That is why we are starting it now because of the time that is required to deliver it,” he stressed.

Governor Fubara said the Trans-Kalabari Road project will have a lot of bridges, and will have deck-on-pile, being built on the swamp, adding that having started it early, it should be ready within the lifespan of his tenure for formal inauguration.

The Governor also thanked former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, for accepting to perform the flag-off of the project because he understood the magnitude of the project and the specific transportation needs that it will address.

In his description of the project, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Engr Atemea Briggs, said Governor Fubara was making true his commitment of providing infrastructure that promote socio-economic growth and urban expansion.

Engr Briggs explained that the project that will link Kalabari land by road to the metropolis is 12.5Km long, has four concrete bridges measuring 576meters, 288meters, 360meters and 108meters, separately.

“The road commences from the Port Harcourt Ring Road at the Aker-Nkpor Road junction where we are currently seated, and extends through the swampy area behind Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.

“The road will include a series of bridge crossings, leading to Oguru-Ama, Bakana, Bukuma and Tombia. The first phase of the project is 12.5kilometer long, and it is expected to be completed within 32 months.

“The road features are 7.3meter carriage way, 2.5meter surface concrete shoulders and solar street lighting. It also consists 100 millimeter asphaltic to concrete surface scene, 150 millimeter crush granite base course and a 200 millimeter cement stabilizer sub-base.

“Additionally, the road includes 4 pre criss-crossed concrete bridges measuring 576 meters, 288 meters, 360 meters and 108 meters as well as 3 pre-stress deck-on-piles measuring 700 meters, 520 meters and 450 meters, respectively.”

He said it will begin from the Port Harcourt Ring Road section of Aker-Nkpor junction through the swampy area by the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) fence for a river crossing bridge unto Oguru-Ama, Bakana, Bukuma and Tombia communities.

In his remarks, Managing Director of Lubrik Construction Company Limited, Engr Hadi Shihadi, said they have already mobilised to site, and are confident to deliver the project on schedule with the cooperation of host communities.

Highlights of the event were prayers for the Governor and Rivers State Government by traditional rulers from Rumuolumeni and Kalabari communities as well as the conventional turning on of the grader’s ignition to signal the commencement of construction work on the project.

The group chief executive officer (CEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari has said the country’s oil production volume is close to 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd).

He made this known in Lagos at the weekend at a stakeholders’ engagement between the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) and the NNPC.

On May 14, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said Nigeria’s average daily crude oil production rose to 1.28 million bpd in April.

According to Kyari, Nigeria has the potential to produce two million barrels per day but “it is not possible today.”

He said this is due to oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.

“The good news is, there is substantial work that is being done by the government and I’m not going to speak about it. But I know that this will come to pass. It’s already subsiding. We are already seeing the results,” he said.

“As of today’s data, we are inching to 1.7 mbpd. Should we celebrate this? No, and I can tell you why. On April 17, 2020, our production, without doing anything, without drilling new wells, shot up to 2.2 mbpd.”

Kyari attributed the increase in oil production during the COVID-19 period to the lockdown that forced oil thieves and pipeline vandals to shut down their illegal operations, and “go to sleep.”

“We should be able to take control of this infrastructure. We are doing many things. I am very sure things are changing and that is why we are seeing the new value that is coming on the table. Production will improve,” he said.

Kyari said there is a need to fight insecurity in the oil and gas sector to increase output.

“How do you increase oil production? Remove the security challenge we have in our onshore assets. As we all know, the security challenge is real,” the GCEO said.

“It is not just about theft, it is about the availability of the infrastructure to deliver the volume to the market.

“No one is going to put money into oil production when he knows the production will not get to the market. Within the last two years, we removed over 5,800 illegal connections from our pipelines.”

He said the company took down over 600 illegal refineries.

“You simply cannot get people to put money until you solve that problem,” Kyari said.

Due to pipeline vandalism, he said everyone resorted to barging, with some spending $21 to transport a barrel of oil to the terminals.

“Barging is not normal. Barging is not economical, even trucking. In 1991, we didn’t think of barging, even to put oil on the trucks. But that’s what we are doing today,” he said.

Transcorp Power Plc has declared dividends of N23.46bn to its shareholders.

Transcorp Power Plc held its 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM), the first since the Company went public, via a listing by introduction of its shares, on March 04, 2024.

This is as the company recorded gross earnings of N142.1 billion, a 57.3 percent increase,  compared to the previous year. Profitability remained strong, demonstrating its resilience amidst evolving market dynamics. Profit before tax showed an impressive year-on-year growth, up 84.4 percent, from N28.6 billion reported in 2022 to N52.8 billion in 2023.

At the AGM, the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom highlighted  Transcorp Power’s achievements over the past year, while assuring shareholders of the Company’s commitment to maintaining its exceptional  financial results and improving the lives of Nigerians.

He said, “Last year’s strong performance is a testament to the resilience of our  business strategies, underpinned by a culture of strong corporate governance. We know that with our strategy and the dedication of our team, we will continue to deliver exceptional value to all stakeholders.”

Speaking on the Company’s performance, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Transcorp Power, Peter Ikenga, stated that the Company’s  success is as a result of the rigorous execution of our strategies and deliberate focus on enhancing operational efficiency.

“As we celebrate last year’s achievements, we remain committed to continuous improvement. This year, our strategic focus is on recovering plant available capacity, enhancing operational excellence and efficiency, and rigorously implementing our plant maintenance schedule. We will continue prioritizing and investing in human capital, aiming to enhance in-house capabilities.

“Our commitment to incident and injury-free operations remains strong, as we  leverage our talent, foster ingenuity, and nurture teamwork. We are determined  to build on our successes and leverage strategic investment opportunities to  deliver even greater performance and sustainable growth for our stakeholders.”

Shareholders at the AGM lauded the Company’s professionalism and commitment to growing value for shareholders. Mrs. Bisi Bakare, one of the company’s shareholders, commended Transcorp Power for continuously  exceeding shareholder expectations.

She said, “I am very satisfied with Transcorp Power’s performance. It demonstrates their commitment to creating value for us shareholders, which is what we are all here for.”

Transcorp Power’s social responsibility activities were also commended at the AGM. The Company has contributed to Nigeria’s sustainable development, particularly in the areas of education, community development, and environmental sustainability.

Operationally, the Company’s focus on excellence and optimisation has  contributed to its position as a market leader in the power sector. Through strategic investments and operational strategies, Transcorp Power continues to enhance its generation capacity and optimise plant performance.

Transcorp Power Plc is an electricity generating subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), a leading, listed African conglomerate with strategic investments in the power, hospitality, and energy sectors. Transcorp Power is committed to creating value and driving economic growth, by improving lives through access to electricity and transforming Africa.