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Oil Sector Records 98% Spillage From Sabotage –Report

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Oil theft through pipeline sabotage caused 98 per cent of oil spill in the oil and gas sector across the country since June this year till date, the Federal Government has said.

It also stated that the sector recorded 60 fatalities (deaths) and 62 injuries from 34 incidents between September 2021 and September this year.

The government disclosed this in a report by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, titled, “HSEC Practices in the Midstream and Downstream Sector: Past, Present, PIA Regulations, Guidelines and other Policies.”

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The report, which was obtained by our correspondent from the authority in Abuja on Friday, stated that 82 oil spills in Nigeria occurred in Rivers State, while 75 were recorded in Bayelsa State.

Oil spill occurrences in Delta, Akwa Ibom and Imo states were 12, two and two, respectively, according to the NMDPRA report.

READ ALSO: Oil Theft: Navy Destroys Arrested Bunkering Vessel

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Speaking on the key mandates of HSEC (Health, Safety, Environment and Community) directorate of the NMDPRA, The Executive Director, HSEC, Mustapha Lamorde, said, “It is to regulate midstream and downstream petroleum operations including technical, operational and commercial.

“To promote healthy, safe, efficient and effective conduct of activities in the midstream and downstream petroleum operations.

“And to ensure that the midstream and downstream operations are carried out in an environmentally accepted and sustainable manner, as well as foster host communities’ development.”

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The agency observed that the statutory provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 on HSEC administration clearly indicated that the Federal Government understood the importance of a healthy and environmentally conscious workforce.

It said the effective implementation of the HSEC would ensure a safe workplace for businesses to thrive in the oil and gas industry.

This, according to the NMDPRA, led to the creation of a directorate to manage the Health, Safety, Environment and Community matters in the mid and downstream value chain.

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The Chief Executive of the authority, Farouk Ahmed, said the petroleum industry had been at the forefront of HSE innovations in the last few decades, often in response to the peculiar challenges that the industry faces.

He said the directorate, dedicated to HSE in the oil and gas industry, had over the years played a huge role in driving HSE innovation and awareness.

“I am aware that the erstwhile regulator of the oil and gas industry has over the decades collaborated with the industry in the institutionalisation of some programmes, especially HSE related,” Ahmed stated.

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He added, “This is with the aim of progressing the cause of the industry and ensuring hitch-free implementation of such programmes, operations and processes.”

READ ALSO: Oil Theft: Tompolo Exposes IOCs, Security Officials, Oil Bunkerers

He noted that in the recent past, the regulator and the industry through the Quarterly HSE Managers Forum, exchanged ideas, thoughts and deliberated extensively on topical day-to-day operational and process-related HSE issues.

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Ahmed said the deliberations yielded positive results as well as fostered the relationship between the industry and the regulator, specifically on HSE issues.

“It is therefore in this regard that the authority has decided to revive this forum to enable us to build on its past achievements,” he stated.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

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READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

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Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

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I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

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