News

Senate Probes Massive Gas Explosion In Bayelsa

Published

1 year ago

May 22, 2024

The Senate has begun probe into the recent massive explosion close to Gbarian-Ubie Gas Processing Facility in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State and pollution of the environment.

Consequently, the Senate has mandated its Chairmen and Vice Chairman of its Committees on Petroleum Upstream, Downstream, Gas, Niger Delta Affairs, Health and Environment to Carry out a holistic investigation into the ugly incident.

The Senate has called on the federal government to adopt measures for the protection of the environment from further degradation as well as for the enhanced protection of this and other national economic assets for the purpose of preventing the recurrence of this kind of threat.

The Upper Chamber has also called on the Federal government and the operator of the pipeline to provide medical assistance and relief materials to the people affected by this pollution and shock.

Resolutions of the Senate yesterday were sequel to a motion tiled, “Massive explosion close to Gbarian-Ubie Gas Processing Facility in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State and pollution of the environment: The need for urgent action.” It was sponsored by Senator Senator Benson Konbowei, PDP, Bayelsa Central.

In his presentation, Senator Benson Konbowei informed the Senate that the Gbarain-Ubie Gas Processing facility is one of the most valuable gas projects in Nigeria having cost multiples of billions of US Dollars to build, and processing about two billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.

According to him, the facility supplies gas to the Bonny Terminal for export and is a big source of foreign exchange earnings for the country as well as an important employer of labour.

The lawmaker expressed concerns over the huge explosions from a crude oil pipeline on Tuesday, 14th May, 2024 which led to an inferno in the vicinity of the gas facility, adding that the explosions caused widespread panic among residents of the community where the explosion occurred.

Senator Benson Konbowei said, “Whereas the Gbarain-Ubie Gas Processing facility is one of the most valuable gas projects in Nigeria having cost multiples of billions of US Dollars to build, and processing about 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day;

“Aware that the facility supplies gas to the Bonny Terminal for export and is a big source of foreign exchange earnings for our country as well as an important employer of labour;

“Alarmed that there were huge explosions from a crude oil pipeline on Tuesday the 14th of May, resulting in an inferno in the vicinity of the gas facility, and this constituted a threat to the safety of the facility, which is a precious national economic asset;

“Observes that the explosions caused widespread panic among residents of the community where the explosion occurred;

“Concerned that this inferno resulted in the pumping of huge volumes of poisonous gaseous substances into the atmosphere resulting in massive pollution of the environment, with adverse impact on the health of the people within the vicinity;

“Concerned also that the air in the vicinity has been heavily impregnated with impurities, which can cause difficulty in breathing, damage to the lungs and high risk for asthma patients; Worried that the cause of the explosions is unknown, creating an atmosphere of suspense and uncertainty.”

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio who described the explosion as a very worrisome situation, said, “First of all, the facility brings foreign exchange to Nigeria.

“However the explosion that occurred on 14th of May, 2024 caused panic as the gasses being spewed out of the pipeline and the attendant pollution can cause or aggravate asthmatic conditions.

“The good news is that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is a corrective rejime. We will bring this incident to the attention of the President and we believe the government will take necessary steps to ameliorate the situation and the relevant government agencies will put in place appropriate measures to prevent future occurrence.”

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

19 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

19 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

20 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.