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Ikenne Obaship tussle crisis persists leaving four injured
Ogude Samuel, Warri
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Udu Unit in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State has charged the returned Udu Local Government Area Chairman, Chief Hon. Jite Brown to work closely with the state government under the leadership of Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa to create programmes to empower the youths in order to curb youths’ restivenes in the area.
This was stated by the Coordinator of Udu Unit of CDHR, Comrade (Amb) Derrick Oritsetomasan Agberen over the weekend when speaking with journalists in his office in Udu Road in Udu Local Government Area of the state.
The Udu Unit of CDHR boss who commanded the Udu Council boss Chief Hon. Jite Brown for his victory in the just concluded Saturday, 6th March 2021 election spoke on various issues on how the local government can move forward in this second term in office.
Comrade (Amb) Agberen said youths’restiveness will be reduced to the barest minimum or totally eradicated if various programmes are created to capture the mind of the youths adding this way, the rate of crime such as cultism, drug abuse among social vices in the local government area would be a thing of the past.
He said, “There is need for Udu Council boss to liaise with the Delta State Goverment’through Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration to come up with several empowerment programmes to capture the heart of the youths in this region to make them desist from crimes and other related violence.”
Comrade (Amb) Agberen said lack of empowerment programmes which forms a part is one of the factors that cause insecurity in the three (3) subclans namely Evwrirhe which comprises: Aladja,Ovwian, Emadadja, Egini, Obubu, Ubogo, Oleri, Oto- Udu, Ogbe Udu, Ukpiovwin, Ugbisi, Ekrota, Ayama, Ukperheren, Owhrode, Oboto, among others; Oniere subclan which comprises: Orho-Uwheru (Orhuwhorun), Igbogidi and DSC Township, a new town founded due to the construction of Delta Steel Company (DSC) Aladja, Steel Township; and of course, Uheredjo subclan which comprises: Opete, Okpako and Enerhen.
The Udu Unit CDHR boss lamented that the three (3) subclans have been under one Divisional Police Station saying, that has further made it impossible for Ovwian Aladja Division with one faulty patrol van to fight crimes in the area.
He said the Udu Council Boss should liaise with Delta State government and Delta State Commissioner of police to create a new police station as that would help to reduce crimes in the area.
He said, “It is shameful to note that the three(3) clans are under the watch of one Division Police Station in the area and this has made crimes worse day by day.”
Comrade (Amb) Agberen also called on the Udu LGA Chairman and the community leadrs to help provide vehicle to Ovwian Aladja Police Division as this would help combat crimes in the area pending when there is vehicle for the station from the Area Command.
On the area of roads and street lights, Udu Unit CDHR Coodinator, Comrade (Amb) Agberen said Udu LGA has major road linking to all clans and villages saying but it can’t boast of dual road compared to other local government areas of the state.
He also decried the rate marketers and traders take over the roads especially that of Ubogu Junction and Jigbale Market at Urhuwhorun Junction saying this has led to lot traffic grid on the major roads and made the roads inaccessible as this has gone a long way to endanger lives and property which of course, is a violation of human rights.
While on the street lights, Udu Unit CDHR boss said if street lights are fixed in the area, it would not only make the place beautiful but would help to expose and prevent crimes in the area.
Speaking further, Udu Unit CDHR Coodinator, Comrade (Amb) Agberen said Udu Local Government has one finest Shell Gas Plant located in Otor-Udu as well as other engineering campanies saying, adding to this is the railway constructed by the federal government from Itakpe to Ajaokuta to Aladja. He added that these opportunies can be harnessed to take the youths off the streets.
He said, “The local government Chairman and the state government should help the youths discover their talents through many available employment programmes (skills acquisition) that these can curb youths’ restiveness and go a long way in creating great legacy for the government.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria has warned Deposit Money Banks to stop rejecting old and small denominations of the United States dollar bills.
CBN threatened that there would be sanctions for rejections.
It also urged Bureau De Change operators and the public to desist from defacing the notes.
The CBN issued this warning in a circular signed by the acting Director of the Currency Operations Department of CBN, Solaja Mohammed, with reference: COD/DIR/INT/CIR/001/017 on Tuesday.
It said the directive followed the outcome of a customer market intelligence conducted by the bank which revealed rejection of old/lower denominations of dollar bills by commercial banks and forex traders.
The acting director, recalling a 2021 circular noted, that the bank’s directive which frowns at the selective acceptance of deposits is still in force and must be adhered to by all parties.
The circular read, “The outcome of the consumer market intelligence conducted by the bank revealed the continued rejection of old/lower denominations of United States dollar bills by Deposit Money Banks and other authorised forex dealers.
“Kindly be reminded that the CBN circular referenced COD/DIR/INT/CIR/001/002 and dated 9th April 2021 which explicitly frowned at this selective acceptance of deposit is still in force and must be adhered to and complied with by all relevant parties.
“For the avoidance of doubt and further guidance on the circular, the content is hereby reissued as follows for strict compliance: all DMBs /authorised forex dealers should henceforth accept both old series and lower denominations of United States dollars that are legal tender for deposit from their customers.
“The CBN will not hesitate to sanction any DMB or authorised forex dealers who refuse to accept old series/lower denominations of US Dollar bills from their customers.
“In addition, all authorised forex dealers are advised to desist from defacing/stamping US dollar banknotes as such notes always fail authentication tests during processing/sorting. Please note for immediate compliance.”
This development is coming months after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission began the arrest and prosecution of Nigerians mutilating and defacing the naira.
By Esther Agbo
In a move aimed at safeguarding Africa’s petroleum industry from exploitation and enhancing its sustainability, the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) was launched on the sidelines of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference (NOG) 2024 in Abuja on Monday.
The forum, themed ‘Fostering Collaboration and Sustainability in Africa’s Petroleum Industry,’ marked a significant step towards a unified regulatory framework across the continent.
During the roundtable engagement, industry leaders emphasised the necessity of collaborative efforts to protect Africa’s petroleum industry from operators exploiting weaker regulatory environments.
With representatives from five African oil-producing nations in attendance, the forum highlighted the collective journey towards a more innovative and sustainable petroleum sector.
The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the establishment of AFRIPERF as a testament to Africa’s commitment to overcoming common challenges together and leveraging opportunities in the hydrocarbon sector.
At the African Energy Leadership Forum and Awards during the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, USA, in May 2023, he stated that, “We recognised the need for a unified platform that would bring together the regulators of the African Petroleum Industry. AFRIPERF was born out of this vision, with the primary goal of promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing and adoption of best practices across our continent for a secure energy future.”
He mentioned that the forum aims to address the rapidly evolving global energy landscape, where collective strengths must be harnessed to secure energy resources vital for national development. With Africa’s proven oil reserves estimated at around 125 billion barrels and natural gas reserves at approximately 620 trillion cubic feet, the continent holds significant potential.
He said, “The recent surge in hydrocarbon discoveries across Africa, coupled with the pressing need for a sustainable energy transition, demands a concerted effort from all of us. AFRIPERF will enable us to address these challenges head-on, ensuring that our regulatory frameworks are robust, our policies forward-thinking and our actions aligned with global best practices.
“Currently, Africa holds substantial oil and gas reserves. The continent’s proven oil reserves are estimated to be around 125 billion barrels, representing approximately 7-9% of the world’s total oil reserves, while the proven natural gas reserves are estimated at around 620 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), which is about 7-8% of the global total.
“Aside from hydrocarbon resources, Africa is blessed with potential for green and blue hydrogen, solar, wind, biomass and critical minerals to develop clean energy technologies as well as a growing population predominated by young people representing huge economic assets.
“Indeed, Africa’s potentials are derived from its human, natural and material resources which must be mobilised to propel the continent on a path of economic growth and development.
“With a population of 1.49 billion compared to the combined population of Europe and the USA estimated at 1.1 billion, Africa has the second largest population among the continents of the world. This population is expected to continue growing rapidly in the coming decades. Unfortunately, Africa’s GDP which currently stands at $3 trillion is very low compared to that of Europe at $22 trillion and the USA at $26.9 trillion.”
Komolafe added that the goals of AFRIPERF include promoting cooperation and coordination among African petroleum regulators, facilitating knowledge sharing and technology transfer, enhancing sustainable management of petroleum resources, advocating for African petroleum producers internationally, and fostering investments and economic development in the sector.
Echoing the words of American businessman Henry Ford, Komolafe noted, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” He said the forum’s role in creating opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and establishing strategic partnerships, urging regulators to collaborate for a sustainable future.
Continuing, Engr. Komlafe emphasised the importance of the roundtable discussion, noting that regulators focused on AFRIPERF’s main objectives, developed a Charter, and determined the meeting frequency, governance structure, secretariat, and collaboration areas.
However, the head of NUPRC expressed confidence that AFRIPERF would offer substantial opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and forming strategic partnerships. He stated that by uniting regulators from across the continent, a favourable investment environment could be created, fostering economic development and enhancing the petroleum sector’s sustainability.
He concluded by encouraging the regulators to take advantage of this opportunity to collaborate, share knowledge, and build a brighter, more sustainable future for the continent.
By Matthew Denis
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Lokpobiri Heineken, has disclosed that the economic downturn confronting the country can be addressed by the oil and gas sector.
He made the disclosure at the Gala Dinner of the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy week in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Minister said, “The oil and gas sector has been a significant contributor to Nigeria’s economy and relying solely on this sector to solve economic challenges in terms of expanding the sector to include petrochemicals, refining, and manufacturing can create new revenue streams and reduce dependence on crude oil exports.”
According to him, investing in new technologies and infrastructure can boost oil and gas production, leading to increased revenue thereby improving the economy.
He encouraged local content and value addition in the sector creating millions of jobs and stimulating economic growth.
“Effective management of oil and gas revenues, such as investing in sovereign wealth funds, can provide a cushion against economic shocks.
“Encouraging local procurement, services, and manufacturing in the sector can create economic linkages and stimulate growth.Fostering a business-friendly environment to attract investment and drive growth.”
The Minister added that adopting a comprehensive approach that includes both the oil and gas sector and other sectors, Nigeria can more effectively address its economic challenges.
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