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Minister Meets Bayelsa Monarchs In moves To Tackle Oil Theft
Published
1 year agoon
By
Editor
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has visited traditional rulers in Bayelsa State to seek their support to end pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Lokpobiri said the move aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to foster cooperation with key stakeholders in the oil industry and address the persistent challenges of pipeline vandalism, crude theft and security uncertainties in oil communities across the region.
The Federal Government and oil sector operators have repeatedly blamed the drop in Nigeria’s oil earnings on the incessant cases of pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
On December 25, 2023, The PUNCH exclusively reported that Nigeria lost about N289.6bn crude oil revenue in November 2023, following a plunge in the country’s oil output in that month, when compared to what it pumped in the preceding month of October.
The report stated that Nigeria produced 41,867,775 million barrels of crude (excluding condensates) in October, but this plunged to 37,508,971 barrels in November, representing a decline of 4,358,804.
The drop in output was attributed to oil theft, and in a bid to halt the menace, Lokpobiri, according to a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by his Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, had to visit various traditional rulers.
The statement read in part, “One of these meetings took place with the Pere of Ekpetiama clan and Chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council of Bayelsa State, King Bubaraye Dakolo.
“In this engaging encounter, the minister stressed the imperative of collective efforts in curbing pipeline vandalism and oil theft. He called on His Royal Majesty to utilise his esteemed position to rally other traditional rulers in the state for a unified front in addressing these challenges.
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“Recognising the crucial role traditional leaders play in the socio-economic fabric of the region, the minister emphasised the need for a joint commitment to securing the oil infrastructure.”
Lokpobiri extended his courtesy visit to the King of Nembe Kingdom and former Minister of Petroleum, Edmund Daukoru.
“The discussions during this meeting were focused on the importance of collaborative action in ensuring the security of pipelines and combating illicit activities in the oil sector,” the statement added.
In another engagement, Lokpobiri met with the Pere of Kumbowei Kingdom, Boloye Embareba.
The discussions with Embareba revolved around the need for collaboration between the government and traditional rulers to effectively address security challenges and enhance crude production.
This ministry stated that the visits underscored the Federal Government’s objective of increasing crude production by actively engaging with traditional rulers to build a strong and enduring alliance with local leaders and fostering a secure environment conducive to sustainable growth in the oil industry.
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The Nigerian Medical Association has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands to avert industrial action in the health sector.
The association, in a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, expressed disappointment and condemned the circular on the consequential adjustment of allowances under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure for medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria.
A copy of the speech of the NMA President, Prof Bala Audu, made available to our correspondent, noted that the association rejected the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission’s circular (SWC/5/04/5.218/III/646), dated June 27, 2025, on the review of allowances for medical and dental officers in the Federal Public Service.
Prof Audu said the circular from the NSIWC violated previous Collective Bargaining Agreements with the government, adding that the recent development had worsened already existing tension among doctors who had remained committed to serving in Nigeria despite ongoing challenges.
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“The Nigerian Medical Association expresses grave disappointment and unequivocally condemns the circular purportedly issued to address the consequential adjustment of allowances under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure for medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria.
“The circular is grossly inadequate, misleading and constitutes a flagrant violation of the spirit and letter of the agreements painstakingly reached during the collective bargaining process between the NMA and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“We want to bring this to the attention of Mr President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), the National Assembly and the general public whom we are under oath to always protect and promote their well-being.
“We reject this new circular in its entirety and demand a new circular that reflects previous agreements reached,” Audu said.
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He stressed that the principles of fairness and justice must guide the adjustment of allowances as previously agreed.
He further noted that while the association had submitted the correct salary structure table as requested by the relevant government bodies, it was disappointed to find it was disregarded.
“Our demands include but are not limited to the immediate withdrawal of the circular on review of allowances for medical/dental officers in the federal public service dated 27th June 2025; immediate correction of consequential adjustments in line with the agreements of 2001, 2009, and 2014 CBAs; immediate correction of the relativity agreed between CONMESS and Consolidated Health Salary Structure and compliance with relativity in all professional allowances in accordance with the 2001 CBA, particularly regarding call duty allowances, and the payment of all accrued backlogs.
“The immediate settlement of all outstanding arrears of 25/35 per cent CONMESS, clinical duty and accoutrement allowances owed to medical and dental practitioners; the immediate payment of Medical Residency Training Fund for 2025, and review of the MRTF to reflect prevailing economic realities; the immediate convocation of the long-overdue Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations on CONMESS; the immediate release of the circular on clinical duty and other allowances for honorary consultants as agreed in January 2024.”
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The association also demanded the implementation of scarce skills allowances for medical consultants; approval of specialist allowances for all doctors; approval of excess workload allowances for all doctors; and adoption of relativity in all professional allowances in accordance with the 2001 CBA, particularly regarding call duty allowances; compliance with CBA of 2021 on hazard allowances; implementation of subsisting CONMESS circular of 2024 for house officers; and universal application of the CONMESS across all federal and state Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to combat internal brain drain.
The doctors also demanded the immediate reversal of the appointment of other healthcare professionals as consultants in hospitals, citing patient safety and the need to maintain medical care standards.
The NMA President stressed that the association had consistently engaged in dialogue with relevant government agencies and the Federal Ministry of Health in good faith, and remained committed to continued dialogue as long as their rightful entitlements were appropriately addressed.
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“As a responsible and responsive association that understands and respects values, we have painstakingly and repeatedly engaged in dialogue with the relevant agencies of government and the Federal Ministry of Health.
“We have exhibited so much goodwill and intend to continue the same as long as we get our appropriate and timely dues.
“We hereby expect that attention will be given to our demands within the next 21 days to avert disruption in the health services rendered to the Nigerian people,” he concluded.
News
Lagos Suspends BRT Lane Enforcement On Eko Bridge, Odo Iya-Alaro
Published
17 hours agoon
July 2, 2025By
Editor
The Lagos State Government has temporarily suspended enforcement of the Bus Rapid Transit lane along the Eko Bridge and Odo Iya-Alaro corridor to ease growing traffic congestion.
This gridlock is a result of the ongoing structural rehabilitation on the Ogudu-Ifako Bridge expansion joint.
Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa announced the suspension on Wednesday, describing it as a strategic move to tackle gridlock in affected parts of the city.
“This remedial measure, conceived as a palliative response to mitigate commuter hardship, aligns with the Lagos State Government’s forward-thinking and adaptive transportation strategy under the THEMES Plus Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, particularly within the framework of sustainable traffic management and infrastructure modernisation,” Giwa said.
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He explained that the temporary suspension is a transitional and conditional measure aimed at absorbing the anticipated vehicular overflow caused by the partial closure of the Ifako-bound carriageway of the Third Mainland corridor.
“We are fully cognizant of the immense strain currently imposed on key ingress routes into the Lagos Mainland. Consequently, this tactical suspension of BRT lane enforcement is a calculated response designed to deliver immediate relief, reduce commuting time, and preserve the fluidity of vehicular movement throughout the duration of the bridge repairs,” he added.
According to him, the directive takes immediate effect and allows general vehicular access to previously restricted BRT corridors on Eko Bridge and Odo Iya-Alaro, particularly during peak travel periods.
He said this move is expected to expand available road capacity and ease traffic along critical routes.
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Giwa, however, stressed that commercial buses and articulated vehicles must remain in compliance with existing safety rules and loading guidelines to avoid worsening traffic conditions or compromising public safety.
He also disclosed that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has been mobilised to strengthen its presence along the affected corridors.
“Enhanced personnel deployment and traffic equipment are now in place to ensure orderly conduct, prevent exploitation of the temporary suspension, and respond promptly to any emergent traffic disturbances,” Giwa stated.
News
Lagos Opens Teacher Recruitment Portal For Two Weeks
Published
17 hours agoon
July 2, 2025By
Editor
The Lagos State Government has announced the reactivation of its teaching job recruitment portal to allow qualified individuals to apply for entry-level teaching positions.
In a notice issued by the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission on Tuesday, the portal will be open for applications from Tuesday, July 1 to Monday, July 14, 2025.
“The Lagos State Teaching Service Commission is set to reactivate its Recruitment Portal as a bold step towards improving access to employment opportunities, equity, and fairness.
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“The job portal, which will be accessible for two weeks (Tuesday, July 1st 2025, to Monday, July 14th, 2025), is intended to provide a centralised platform where individuals can apply for State Teaching jobs at the entry level (GL 08) in their relevant fields,” the notice read.
The move, according to the Commission, is aimed at improving access to employment opportunities in the education sector while ensuring equity and fairness.
TESCOM urged interested applicants with a degree in Education or other relevant qualifications to visit the official portal https://tescomjobs.lagosstate.gov.ng and apply for teaching roles at Grade Level 08.
The notice was signed by the Chairman of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission.
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