News

Indigenous Oil Facility Security Company clears air on discovery of 9 illegal refineries in Bayelsa

Published

2 years ago

July 4, 2023

The management of an indigenous oil and gas facility security company, Pipeline Infrastructure, has cleared the air on an online report earlier Monday with headline ‘9 illegal refineries with 1m/bpd production capacity uncovered in Bayelsa’, saying the discoveries were uncovered by operatives of Pipeline Infrastructure, in collaboration with the Joint Task Force, JTF as well as personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, not the name of any purported company, which the report was wrongly ascribed to.

The Coordinator of Operations, Pipeline Infrastructure, Ikurite B. David, who made the clarification, in a statement this evening, emphasized that no fewer than nine illegal refinery sites, with a combined total daily production estimated to be more than one million barrels, were uncovered in three communities across Bayelsa State.

According to David, the discovery of the sites, aimed at eradicating the region of illegal oil bunkering activities, was carried out under “Operation No More Smoke” by operatives of Pipeline Infrastructure, including community guards of the company.

He explained that the illegal refineries commonly called kpofire in local parlance were uncovered in Okordia/Zarama/Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area and the boundary communities of Ibelebiri and Otuege (Agba) in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

David noted: “One of the busted illegal refinery sites, was located 8 kilometres inside the swamp forest of Zarama Clan. The discovery was based on local intelligence and routine operations from officials of our company. We were able to uncover sites with about 15 ovens (tanks) with a capacity of 450,000 litres daily production in Okordia/Zarama/Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

“We had difficulty accessing the sites, because they are tucked away about eight kilometers across the Taylor Creek in the swamp forest. Our community guards, trekked for more than three hours, before they got to the locations. We also discovered that the operators were tapping (sourcing) their production from Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, pipelines in the area.

“We also visited sites in Ibelebiri and Agba communities in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, where we uncovered many tanks being constructed by illegal refineries operators with a production capacity of more than 500,000 barrels per day. One of the standouts of that operation was the visible environmental impact. We saw a two-hectare of land totally destroyed by activities of artisanal crude oil refining.

“Pipeline Infrastructure will continue to uncover more and fetch them out from the roots. Our mandate is to protect the environment and oil facilities to boost oil production and the Nigerian economy, that is the task given to us and we will continue to collaborate and sensitize the communities and work with the leaders of the community.”

VANGUARD

News

INEC CVR: CSO Expresses Worry Over Poor Deployment Of Machines, Manpower To LGs In Edo

Published

6 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has expressed worry over the poor deployment of capturing machines and manpower to Igueben Local Government Area of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing Ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

The Coordinator, EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre, Leftist Enabulele Larry, and Secretary, Leftist Mark Akande expressed the CSO sentiment when the duo visited the INEC headquarters in Igueben where the CBR in the local government is taking place.

In a statement made available to INFO DAILY on Friday, the leadership of EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre condemned the “use of only two capturing devices in a local government with over 69, 396 in population.”

The duo noted in the statement that their findings at the INEC headquarters revealed two capturing machines were deployed to each local government across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The civil society members said INEC excuse of deploying two capturing machines to each local government was not germane enough because many do not have a computer or android phone to do the online registration INEC gave as an excuse.

“The question here is, what is the percentage of our people mostly the aged individuals, that have access to Android mobile and other internet gadgets in Edo state?

“How many people can afford internet data to enable them have access internet services in Edo state under the current excruciating economic pains by the people?

“How many of the Edo people can even manipulate the Android mobile phone to the extent of navigating the internet hurdles to undertake the job is INEC? If INEC is not ready for the job, they should tell Nigerians.

“If citizens are now advised to individually undertake the statutory job of INEC, of what purpose does the commission serve to the people? etc,” they said.

As at when filing this report, INFO DAILY was yet to get a reply from the message sent to the INEC in Edo for reaction.

News

Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

11 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

22 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.