News

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

Published

3 years ago

July 4, 2023

Editor

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

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.