News
FG Gives Update On Ongoing Work At Port Harcourt Refinery
The rehabilitation of the refinery was awarded to Maire Tecnimont SpA in April, 2021 at the cost of $1.5 billion. The first phase of the project was initially scheduled for completion next month.
But speaking after an inspection visit to the refinery, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri said the refinery will be back on stream in December.
A statement by the NNPC Limited in Abuja said the Minister reiterated the Federal Government commitment to end petroleum product importation soon, as efforts are being redoubled to restore the nation’s local refining capacity.
He said: “Our objective in coming here today is to ensure that in the next few years, Nigeria stops fuel importation. From what we have seen here today, Port Harcourt Refinery will come on board by the end of the year, Warri will come on stream by the end of the first quarter of next year, and Kaduna will also come on board towards the end of next year. If you add that to the Dangote Refinery, we will be able to stop fuel importation, and Nigerians will enjoy the full benefits of deregulation”.
Sen. Lokpobiri who expressed satisfaction with the ongoing rehabilitation work at the refinery, noted that once all the refineries are back on stream, Nigerians will enjoy a better supply of petroleum products, and foreign exchange will be domesticated, leading to an improved economy.
The Minister was accompanied on the inspection visit by the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Gabriel T. Aduda, and the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari.
READ ALSO: Strange Ailments Ravage Benue IDPs Camps As Food, Medical Supplies Dry Up
In his remarks, Hon. Ekpo said: “We are here to go into the field. Yesterday was the era of subsidies. Today, we don’t have subsidies. Today, people are in a desperate situation to heave a sigh of relief; and see how to live. You all know that petrol is very vital to our economy. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the refineries are working”
Earlier, Mr. Kyari informed the ministers that bringing back the refineries to their optimal levels is a national aspiration, and the Company remains focused on delivering that.
According to him, “We are aware of our nation’s challenges in terms of fuel supply. But we are not here to give excuses. We are focused on delivering this rehabilitation project, our two other refineries, and all other investments towards revamping the nation’s refining capacity. We are hopeful that in 2024, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products”.
News
IYC Expresses Displeasure Over Okpebholo’s Neglect Of Edo Ijaw
Leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, have expressed displeasure over what they described as the “persistent marginalisation of the Ijaw political class, traditional institutions and the ongoing abandonment of Ijaw communities,” by the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led Edo State government.
The IYC, in a statement jointly signed by Comrade Nicholas Igrama, Barr. Ebi Olowolayemo and Comrade Tare Magbei, Western Zone Chairman, Secretary and Information Officer respectively, lamented that despite the “massive support Ijaw people gave to Okpebholo across the five Ijaw clans in the state,” not a single appointment has been given to the Ijaw speaking people in the state.
The statement which was made available to newsmen in Benin on Tuesday, said that the “conspicuously absent of Ijaw man or woman in the State Executive Council,” gives credence to their claim.
READ ALSO:Tompolo, Otuaro: Call Your Subjects To Order, IYC Tells Itsekiri Monarch
The IYC, while stating that “we state this not out of bitterness or entitlement, but as a call for fairness, equity, and justice,” emphasized that “despite our enormous contributions to the state’s treasury through natural and human resources, Edo Ijaws remain conspicuously absent in the State Executive Council.”
The statement reads: “It is important to remind the Governor that the Ijaw nation mobilised massive support across the five Ijaw clans in Edo State to ensure his victory at the polls.
“Our voice was loud, our mobilisation was firm, and our votes counted significantly toward the success of this administration.
“Regrettably, one year after, this government has not deemed it necessary to appoint a single individual from the Ijaw extraction, nor has it addressed the glaring infrastructure deficit in our communities and also left our traditional issues unattented to.”
READ ALSO:IYC Urges Tinubu To Sack NCDMB Boss
The statement noted that “the Ijaw areas are the bedrock of the state’s oil wealth, the same wealth that qualifies Edo State as an oil-producing state and entitles it to the 13% derivation fund. Yet, there is no visible reflection of this revenue in our communities.”
“We state this not out of bitterness or entitlement, but as a call for fairness, equity, and justice.”
The IYC, therefore, urged the governor to “have a rethink so it doesn’t take to another form of agitation in the state where we contribute.”
News
EPL: Arteta Gives Update On Havertz, Saliba, Gabriel, Others
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has provided the latest update on four of his players ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Brentford on Wednesday.
The four players are Kai Havertz, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães and Leandro Trossard.
Arteta’s side will host Brentford in a Premier League tie at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
READ ALSO:EPL: Slot Reveals When Salah Will Leave For AFCON
Arsenal head to the game following a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in their last game over the weekend.
“Kai Havertz is still weeks away,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference as quoted by Fabrizio Romano on Tuesday.
“We are all desperate to have him. I mean, it is a player that, personally, I love so much for what he brings to the team – his character, his personality. I see him suffer, being outside.
READ ALSO:EPL: He Has No Replacement – Alan Smith Names Arsenal’s Most Important Player
“Gabriel Magalhães is doing very well, but it will take weeks to see him back.
“For William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, hopefully it’s a matter of days.
“For Saliba, this one is very bizarre injury… but hopefully it will be a short time out.”
News
BREAKING: Tinubu Nominates New Defence Minister
President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, rtd, as the new Minister of Defence.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu disclosed Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday.
Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
READ ALSO:BREAKING: Ex-CDS Musa meets Tinubu At Aso Villa
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria.
He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.
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