South Coast Business Round-table

15/11/2021

https://trekafrica.net/headlines/bayelsa-annual-thanksgiving-day-local-artistes-call-off-planned-protest-accept-roundtable-talks-with-ssa-on-tourism/

BAYELSA ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DAY: Local Artistes Call off Planned Protest, Accept Roundtable Talks with SSA on Tourism By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa, Trek Africa Newspaper     Followimg the timely intervention… Continue reading BAYELSA ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DAY: Local Artistes Call off Planned Prot...

29/07/2021

https://checkpointcharley.net/2021/07/28/nuj-calls-for-synergy-between-performing-artistes-and-tourism-professionals/

Mr Samuel Numonengi (NUJ chairman, middle), BMAA Manager, Miss Bina Jokori (right) and BMAA Board Secretary, Miss Farida Ebitimi Emerson (left) Chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Nigeria Union of J…

02/09/2018

On Wednesday the 29th of August, 2018, British Prime Minister, Theresa May, visited Nigeria with a plane full of business people to help Britain make money in Nigeria. So meticulously choreographed was her visit, that she came with businessmen and women that sold or manufactured every item you could imagine from air fresheners to Scotch whiskey.

Pastor Reno Omokri
Mrs May, who I met twice last year, demonstrated the main thrust of her visit by travelling with David Schwimmer, the Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange. Her entourage to Nigeria was chockfull of business and industry folk and very lean on civil servants and politicians.

In fact, only two members of her cabinet joined her on her African trip. If there was any spare space on the Royal Airforce Jet that flew her to Africa, that space was reserved for people who could bring jobs and capital to Britain.

Even though a day earlier, Mrs May had regretted that Nigeria is home to the largest number of extremely poor people in the world, she still took her time to meet the few extremely rich people in Nigeria and introduced them to the businesspeople on her entourage.

She met for 40 minutes with an assortment of Nigerian business leaders like Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, along with Femi Otedola and Tony Elumelu. Mrs May did not come to play. She came to pay. Pay Britain mind you. Not Nigeria.

Not to be undone, her German counterpart, Chancellor Angela Merkel, flew into Nigeria two days after Mrs May.

When Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tuggar, was asked why Mrs Merkel was visiting Nigeria, he said “She is coming with a business delegation which is very important. We have strong economic relations with Germany over the years. But one of the major challenges in recent times has been how to attract German medium-size businesses to invest in Nigeria.”

Note that Mrs Merkel led a “business delegation” to Nigeria, not a political delegation, even though the Mediterranean Migrant Crisis (please watch my TEDxApata talk on this issue) played heavily on her mind.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, August 31, 2018, the Nigerian Presidency announced that Muhammadu Buhari, who is the President of Nigeria, the world headquarters for extreme poverty (according to the World Economic Forum and the World Poverty Clock), is on his way to China, the second largest economy on earth.

Expectedly, the Presidency released a list of Mr Buhari’s entourage and for your benefit, I will simply republish the part of the official statement detailing President Buhari’s entourage below;

“President Buhari will be accompanied to Beijing by his wife, Aisha, who is scheduled to participate in a Spouses’ Programme on China-Africa at the Great Hall of the People, under the theme, “Joining Hands for a Future of AIDS.”

Also on the President’s entourage are Governors Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar (Bauchi), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo).

Others are Senators Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa), George Akume (Benue), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto).

Also accompanying the president are: Ministers Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Affairs), Rotimi Amaechi (Transport), Babatunde Fashola (Power, Works and Housing), Muhammad Bello (FCT), Okechukwu Enelamah (Industry, Trade and Investment), Udoma Udo Udoma (Budget and National Planning), Suleiman Adamu (Water Resources); Ibe Kachikwu (State, Petroleum Resources), and Hadi Sirika (State, Aviation).

Others are the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; and the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Maikanti Baru.”

Observe that President Buhari’s entourage is full of his ministers, Governors, the GMD NNPC and other civil servants. Not ONE business person is on the entourage!

Let that sink in for a minute. Or perhaps two minutes.

Do you now see why Nigeria is the world’s headquarters for extreme poverty and why the U.K. and Germany are poster nations for extreme wealth?

It all boils down to leadership. A leader is either a catalyst for growth or a lid that prevents growth. Muhammadu Buhari is the latter.

A mere three years ago, Nigeria was the third fastest growing economy in the world because we had a President who loaded his entourage with business people whenever he visited foreign nations.

Former President Jonathan not only travelled with Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Aig Imokhuede amongst others, he also included cultural icons from Nollywood and Nigeria’s blossoming pop music scene on his entourage.

For instance, Aliko Dangote was on former President Jonathan’s September 2013 entourage to Kenya (where Dangote now has massive investments) and had this to say about Mr Jonathan in Nairobi:

“I want to tell you what the president has been doing in Nigeria. He is very humble and may not want to sing about what he has been doing.

I will tell you what he has been doing to Nigerians and to some of us who are in business in Nigeria. We are very grateful for some of the policies he has introduced.

As you all know, without good policies of government, there is no way a person like me from a big town like Kano can rise from a humble beginning to become the 25th richest person on earth.

Without the policies of the president and also making sure that there is consistency in the policies of the government, this could not have happened.”

Which Nigerian businessman can say that of President Buhari today? When Dangote made that statement, he was worth $25 billion. Today, after three and s half years of Buhari, the same Dangote is now worth $12.4 billion. Less than half what he was worth a mere four years ago!

I am yet to hear of a President like Muhammadu Buhari, who rather than go abroad to project his country positively, would rather go overseas to demarket the economy he should promote.

When Theresa May visited Nigeria, she promoted Nigerians by wearing a jacket made by Emmanuel Okoro, a Nigerian designer. But when does Buhari, our own President, promote Nigeria? He goes abroad for medical treatments and while there he calls our youth “lazy” and our adults “criminals”.

Have you ever heard of Emmanuel Okoro before today? If not for Mrs May, I would never have heard of him. There are leaders and there are leaders!

And it was rather amusing to watch President Buhari introducing one government official after another to Mrs May and Mrs Merkel. Rather amusing indeed. What are those salary earners and civil servants going to discuss with the business elite those two great women brought with them? Pitiful really.

It is such a pity that the four highlights of Buhari Presidency have been that:

Nigeria had her first recession in 25 years under Buhari
Nigeria became the world headquarters for extreme poverty under Buhari
Nigeria made her worst ever performance on Transparency International’s CPI under Buhari
The Naira became the 4th worst performing currency in the world under Buhari
And the reason that Nigeria is poor is not because we have poverty of resources. It is because we have poverty of leadership. You see, no matter how much resources a man has, it will never be enough if he does not know how to use them.

Introducing Reno’s Darts:

If Davido, a billionaire son, a multimillionaire in his own right and an international music superstar who has made and continues to make Nigeria proud, can serve his nation in the compulsory National Youth Service Corp, then why didn’t Kemi Adeosun serve? And why is Buhari protecting her? And how can you continue to lie to yourself that Buhari has integrity?

Reno

You have the power to summon a stronger positive thought into your mind whenever a negative thought attempts to break into your mind

10/10/2017

FG to introduce tourism in School curriculum - official

Mrs Patricia Narai, Deputy Director, Domestic Tourism in the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture said plans had been concluded to introduce tourism as a subject at senior secondary school level.
l
Narai said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

“The Nigerian Educational Development Council has proposed 34 trades and identified tourism as one of the trades to be thought at the entrepreneurship level.

“So students from SS I to SS III will soon start studying tourism and at that level they can come out successful and establish a tourism business of their own.

“And they can also further their education on that line.

“What is left now is the approval, and am sure that soon, the curriculum will be out and the students will start studying tourism,” Narai said.

On its impact, the deputy director said the students would be empowered with skills and knowledge on tourism and hospitality.

She maintained that after graduation from secondary school, such a person could become a tour guide, event manager, visa professional or get employment in the tourism and hospitality sector.

“This is because he or she would have acquired the needed skills and knowledge to effectively carry out responsibilities that will encourage tourists and boost the positive image of the country.”

On getting the propose tourism subject into Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination, she explained that it would be a gradual process.

“We have done the curriculum, when it is approved, the teachers guide will follow to enable them know what they are going to teach and subsequently it will go into JAMB and NECO examinations.

“The essence of this is to catch them young; by the time tourism is studied in all senior secondary schools across the country, it will go a long way to produce large workforce for the sector,” Narai said. (NAN)

24/06/2017

Bayelsa Airport has potential to stimulate state economy - NCDMB boss

Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote has said the Bayelsa State international airport project has the potential of opening up the state for investments and other socio-economic activities to thrive.

Mr. Wabote, who stated this while speaking with newsmen during his visit to the facility at the Wilberforce Island, noted that when completed the project would enable investors to easily access and explore the state’s natural resources for mutual benefits.

Describing the airport project as impressive and world class, Mr. Wabote said until his visit to the facility, he had the impression that it was just an airstrip that the state government was constructing.

According to the NCDMB boss, the state government has done creditably well in the area of infrastructural development and called on the private sector to key into the development agenda of the present administration.

Mr. Wabote, who drove on the 3.5 kilometre runway, described it as the best in the country, in terms of the quality of work done, noting that, if completed and properly managed, the airport would stimulate the economy of the state.

His words: “An airport with a 3.5 kilometre runway, there is none like that in Nigeria. As such, I think it portends great future for the state, if properly managed, harnessed and then linkages are also created, I think the sky is the limit.

“As such, I think it portends great future for the state if properly managed and harnessed and then linkages are also created, i think the sky is the limit. I think it has got potential and we need to harness that potential.

“What i have seen here is just unbelievable. It is good quality work; they got the right contractor and i have driven round the runway and i can see with nostalgia that the right quality is being maintained. And it can stand any airport of any kind in any part of this world because that is the quality that i see here.”

“It is a challenging terrain no doubt about it, I’m sure that contractor spent time sand-filling and getting the runway itself stabilized and ensuring that it settles on time I’m sure a massive work has gone in here. I can see the kind of equipment the contractor is using. It really gives me a much better impression than i had before i came here.”

“It is a gateway in my view because one about investors and travellers is that they want travelling and access to be made easy. And with this kind of airport with a 3.5 kilometre runway, there is none like that in Nigeria As such, I think it portends great future for the state if properly managed and harnessed and then linkages are also created, i think the sky is the limit.”

28/05/2017

Sensitisation meeting with modular refinery stakeholders in Delta state, organised by Bayelsa Business Roundtable in collaboration with Modular Refinery Business Stakeholders' Forum of Delta State in Warri on Friday April 14, 2017 at the Oasis Place Hotel .

05/05/2017

Relocation of oil firms: Dickson, others slam opponents

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has said that anyone who is opposed to the relocation of oil companies to the Niger Delta, as directed by the Federal Government, is clearly against the peace and stability of the region.

The governor stated this in a statement, yesterday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworison-Markson, at a special dinner organised by the state government as a major sideline event as part of the Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, in Houston, Texas, United States of America.

The event, which drew an impressive audience of key industry stakeholders and captains of multinational companies in the oil and gas sector, was tagged “Bayelsa/Oloibiri Roundtable.”

Dickson reiterated the establishment of three modular refineries in each of the senatorial zones of Bayelsa, for which he says it had already set up the Bayelsa Petrochemical and Refinery Company Limited, adding that the board and management of the company will be constituted upon his return back to the state.

Also, some pan-Niger Delta civil society groups, have warned that the rejection of the motion for oil companies to relocate their operational/administrative offices to the Niger Delta region by the House of Representatives was capable of stoking fresh crisis in the area.

The groups, Niger Delta Security Watch Organization of Nigeria, NSWON, Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, and Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, FHRACC, led by Dickson Bekederemo, Austin Ozobo and Alaowei Cleric, in a statement, yesterday, said “The decision by the House of Representatives to reject the motion sponsored by Goodluck Opiah for the relocation of oil companies’ operational/administrative offices to the Niger Delta region is not only unpatriotic, but also vexatious and provocative as such is capable of fanning the ember of unrest and discord in the region.

“A motion of this nature at this critical time of our existence ought to be appreciated by all and sundry. If Nigeria must continue to protect her unity, then we must be our brothers keepers.

“Let the House take a cue from the Senate, which in its wisdom introduced and debated the bill for the establishment of the National Maritime University at Okerenkoko in the Gbaramatu Kingdom.

“We, therefore, call on the House for the sake of peace in the country to revisit the motion they have unceremoniously rejected. We also extend our call to the Senate and the Buhari led-executive arm to prevail on the House to key into the Federal Government’s olive branch. The survival of this country is anchored on the House’s decision.”

“It is a fact that the Niger Delta people are subjected to bear the brunt of the environmental despoliation and degradation from years of unfavourable oil productions. Regrettably, others in the far northern and western regions are enjoying the benefits of the oil productions. These are the reasons why successive Nigerian governments faced aggression and youths restiveness in the region for over the years.

“The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara’s comment in the House that he cannot be forced to site business in an environment that is not safe is to say the least demeaning. That is an insult to the people of the Niger Delta, who are feeding the nation.

“Niger Delta environment is safe for all kinds of business to strive. Is it the oil companies’ corporate headquarters that are not safe to be sited in the region while the companies oil platforms are safe for the companies to engage in daily productions? Only on May 3, the NNPC boss, Mr. Maikanti Baru while addressing State House press at the Presidential Vila said daily oil productions have hit two million barrels.

“How did the NNPC achieve these figures? Can it be achieved in an unsafe and a non business friendly environment as alleged by the Speaker? People should not be driven by their personal interests or ambitions to instigate another round of avoidable crisis in the region. We have not recovered from the bloody oil war that is gradually given way to peace as a result of the Buhari government’s timely intervention.

“The NASS cannot be a government of its own. It is part and parcel of the Federal Government and thus it should key into the executive arm’s initiatives. The House of Representatives’ callous and inconsiderate action will not do any good to President Buhari’s efforts to restore sanity to the region.

“The action of the Yoruba representatives at the green chamber was very annoying and provocative, though, we are not surprised at their objection to the motion, but what they should know is that it was not a bill that took IOC headquarters to the South-West and it equally needs no bill to relocate back to their operational domains.

“They should equally know that what goes up must surely comes down. It is not a right for such oil multinational headquarters to remain in the South West. We laud the South South, South East and other representatives for staging the walkout because it is really annoying to sit down and watch such treacherous and lopsided hearings.

“The Yoruba lawmakers at the green chambers should know that relocation of oil companies’ headquarters to the Niger Delta region is one of the key conditions for peace in the region and the government has accepted it already.

“What we expect the House of Representatives to do is to complement the efforts of the executive arm. They cannot be at cross purpose with the executive arm or run a different government. Such will jeopardise the prevailing peace in the region.

“Let the House take a clue from the Senate, which in their wisdom introduced and debated the bill for the establishment of the National Maritime University at Okerenkoko in the Gbaramatu Kingdom.

“We, therefore, call on the House for the sake of peace in the country to revisit the motion they have unceremoniously rejected. We also extend our call to the Senate and the Buhari led-executive arm to prevail on the House to key into the Federal Government’s olive branch. The survival of this country is anchored on the House’s decision,” they said.

02/05/2017

OTC: GOV.DICKSON HAILS FG'S MOVE TO SET UP MODULAR REFINERIES.
..SAYS BAYELSA WILL LEAD THE WAY TO INVEST IN REFINERIES.
..TO ESTABLISH THREE MODULAR IN EACH SENATORIAL ZONE.

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State says the interest of the Federal Government to set up modular refineries is a brilliant idea that will not only create more jobs but increase the economic fortunes of Nigeria.

The governor came out with this while speaking at the sub-sea Nations and Africa Oil and Gas Conference, which is a major sideline conference of the ongoing Oil and Gas Trade Conference (OTC), in Houston, Texas, United States of America.

According to him the refineries when fully on stream will also curb the illegal refining of petroleum products which has been on for years and reduce casualties associated with such risk.

He disclosed that because of the laudable initiative, his government has fully embraced it by setting up a company; Bayelsa Petrochemical and Refinery Company Limited, to partner with willing investors to ensure that the refineries are established and up and running.

Gov. Dickson told his audience made up of key players in the global oil industry‎ that Bayelsa being the home of oil and gas in Nigeria, provides strategic investment opportunities as well as a conducive and secured environment to drive investment in that sector.

The Bayelsa State Chief Executive pointed out that the participation of his state in the OTC is strategic as it affords it the opportunity to meet and leverage with prospective investors on various opportunities provided by his government.

Dickson who reiterated ‎that already Bayelsa State has in abundance gas feedstock to power the modular refineries said " It is interesting to note that we already have more than enough gas in abundance to deliver the three modular refineries so we are good to go".

Emphasizing on the issue of security, the governor assured prospective investors that all investments would be fully secure‎d and also allayed fears expressed on threats to destruction of pipelines.

" To a large extent, as a state government given our strategic and massive investment in security ‎over the last five years, we make bold to say that our state is one of the safest in the Niger Delta and Nigeria. So would-be investors have nothing to worry about".

‎The governor used the occasion to announce that the Kolo Creek Gas plant which is the first independent power plant in the country has been running for years and again listed the opportunities available in the state to drive investments in modular refineries, power plants and allied petrochemical industries.

Gov. Dickson was also a guest at the Nigerian Content Development and Montoring Board (NCDMB) strategic Stakeholders Event as part of the OTC roundtable side meetings, where the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe kachukwu, along with other key players in the oil and gas sector were present.

At that forum, he further called on major players in the industry to partner with the State on a number of opportunities in driving investment in key sectors of the State and lauded the recent federal government policy directing Oil companies to relocate to the oil producing states.

To this he asserted that Bayelsa has already provided the enabling environment to make the relocation of the oil companies easy and seamless and talked about the 3.5km runway international airport which the State is presently constructing and is at almost 90 percent completion level.

"The airport will enable the oil companies executives to be able to fly in and out of the state without the the stress of travel time from Port Harcourt to Yenagoa and the completion of the new heliport will serve the purpose of helicopter shuttles".

"In addition to that, the ambitious infrastructural projects provided by the present government to facilitate businesses in the state has made Bayelsa to be fully ready and open for business" he said.
‎
‎In his remarks, the honourable minister of state for Petroleum commended Governor Dickson for all the initiatives and efforts put in place to attract investment in the sector, particularly the move by the state government to set up three modular refineries‎.

‎Present with the Governor at the event were Senator Foster Ogola, Hon. Fred Agbedi who is Chairman House Committee on Gas, Hon. Henry Ofongu, Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Serena Dokubo-Spiff, Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Commerce and Industries, Barr. Kemela Okara, Chief Economic Adviser, Duate Iyabe, Special Adviser on Investment, Cyril Akika among other top aides of the governor‎.

02/05/2017

When Tourism Big boys gathered in Lagos for the NATOP AGM 2017.
Hanging out with the real Big Boys.Hloni Lehlohonolo Pitso South Africa Tourism Regional head, Fatima Garbati Former President,Nkereuwem Onung President NATOP,Gabe Onah Chairman Carnival Calabar,Senator Liyel Imoke Former Governor of Cross River State,Hon Minister of Tourism Lai Mohammed and DG NTDC Folly Coker.

02/05/2017

Oil and Gas Trade Conference: Gov. Dickson hails FG's move to set up Modular Refineries
.... says Bayelsa will lead the way to invest in refineries
.... to establish three modular refineries in each senatorial zone

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State says the interest of the Federal Government to set up modular refineries is a brilliant idea that will not only create more jobs but increase the economic fortunes of Nigeria.

The governor came out with this while speaking at the sub-sea Nations and Africa Oil and Gas Conference, which is a major sideline conference of the ongoing Oil and Gas Trade Conference (OTC), in Houston, Texas, United States of America.

According to him the refineries when fully on stream will also curb the illegal refining of petroleum products which has been on for years and reduce casualties associated with such risk.

He disclosed that because of the laudable initiative, his government has fully embraced it by setting up a company; Bayelsa Petrochemical and Refinery Company Limited, to partner with willing investors to ensure that the refineries are established and up and running.

Gov. Dickson told his audience made up of key players in the global oil industry‎ that Bayelsa being the home of oil and gas in Nigeria, provides strategic investment opportunities as well as a conducive and secured environment to drive investment in that sector.

The Bayelsa State Chief Executive pointed out that the participation of his state in the OTC is strategic as it affords it the opportunity to meet and leverage with prospective investors on various opportunities provided by his government.

Dickson who reiterated ‎that already Bayelsa State has in abundance gas feedstock to power the modular refineries said " It is interesting to note that we already have more than enough gas in abundance to deliver the three modular refineries so we are good to go".

Emphasizing on the issue of security, the governor assured prospective investors that all investments would be fully secure‎d and also allayed fears expressed on threats to destruction of pipelines.

" To a large extent, as a state government given our strategic and massive investment in security ‎over the last five years, we make bold to say that our state is one of the safest in the Niger Delta and Nigeria. So would-be investors have nothing to worry about".

‎The governor used the occasion to announce that the Kolo Creek Gas plant which is the first independent power plant in the country has been running for years and again listed the opportunities available in the state to drive investments in modular refineries, power plants and allied petrochemical industries.

Gov. Dickson was also a guest at the Nigerian Content Development and Montoring Board (NCDMB) strategic Stakeholders Event as part of the OTC roundtable side meetings, where the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe kachukwu, along with other key players in the oil and gas sector were present.

At that forum, he further called on major players in the industry to partner with the State on a number of opportunities in driving investment in key sectors of the State and lauded the recent federal government policy directing Oil companies to relocate to the oil producing states.

To this he asserted that Bayelsa has already provided the enabling environment to make the relocation of the oil companies easy and seamless and talked about the 3.5km runway international airport which the State is presently constructing and is at almost 90 percent completion level.

"The airport will enable the oil companies executives to be able to fly in and out of the state without the the stress of travel time from Port Harcourt to Yenagoa and the completion of the new heliport will serve the purpose of helicopter shuttles".

"In addition to that, the ambitious infrastructural projects provided by the present government to facilitate businesses in the state has made Bayelsa to be fully ready and open for business" he said.
‎
‎In his remarks, the honourable minister of state for Petroleum commended Governor Dickson for all the initiatives and efforts put in place to attract investment in the sector, particularly the move by the state government to set up three modular refineries‎.

‎Present with the Governor at the event were Senator Foster Ogola, Hon. Fred Agbedi who is Chairman House Committee on Gas, Hon. Henry Ofongu, Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Serena Dokubo-Spiff, Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Commerce and Industries, Barr. Kemela Okara, Chief Economic Adviser, Duate Iyabe, Special Adviser on Investment, Cyril Akika among other top aides of the governor‎.

24/04/2017

ARTISANAL REFINERY STAKEHOLDERS EXPRESS WORRY OVER FG’S SILENCE ON GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURE OF OBTAINING LICENSES

Artisanal refinery business stakeholders in the Niger Delta region have expressed worry over what they described as undue silence on the operational modalities, procedure of getting licenses and possible grants to establish community based mini modular refineries as pronounced by the then Acting President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, during his tour of the region.

Speaking after the inauguration of an artisanal refinery business association, known as Modular Refinery Business Stakeholders’ Forum at the Oaks Hotel & Suites, in Ughelli, Delta State over the weekend, Chairman of the forum, HRH King (General) Para Ekiyes, Pere Egbetube of Esuku, the Egbesukari-Owei of Esuku in Tuomo Clan, expressed worry that the excitement that followed the pronouncement by the Acting President has become short lived as the federal government has not come up with any tangible operational guidelines, procedure of obtaining licenses and possible grants to establish the mini modular refineries.

According to the royal father, the recent pronouncement by the Federal Government to establish community-based-mini-modular refineries to engage those that are currently involved in the so called illegal local refining activities in the region necessitated the inauguration of the stakeholders’ forum in Delta state, with a view to forging a common front to engage with relevant authorities on how to benefit from the new partnership and policy direction of the present administration.

While thanking President Muhammandu Buhari for his foresight and genuine concern for oil bearing communities, King Ekiyes pointed out that the establishment of mini modular refineries will give host communities a sense of belonging as well as reduce restiveness and violent agitations because of neglect by previous governments.

He maintained that the proposed community based mini modular refineries will reduce environmental pollution as the refining process will be properly regulated by the relevant authorities, adding that “We believe that the establishment of Community-based modular refineries will create employment opportunities for the teaming unemployed youth in the region”.

“I want to call on all stakeholders in the artisanal refining business to close ranks by coming together to forge a common front to engage with the relevant authorities on how to benefit from this new business opportunity in the region.

“It is my wish that stakeholders from across the region will come together to form a coalition to engage meaningfully with the relevant authorities”, he said.

He reiterated that the federal government’s new approach towards the socio-economic development of oil producing communities in the region through establishment of mini community based modular refineries will enable the local people to participate actively in downstream petroleum sector.

“Integrating the local refiners into government’s established process plants, would bring a new lease of life in oil bearing communities”, he maintained.

Also speaking, vice chairman of the forum, Mrs. Adiboh Adipere, informed that women are key stakeholders in artisanal refining business being the only viable source of livelihood for the rural women, pointing out that “as our farmlands and rivers have failed to yield produce because of pollution from oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities in the area over the years, we urge the federal government to come up with alternative business opportunities for rural women in the creeks”.

Other members of the newly inaugurated executive body include, Mrs. Adiboh Adipere (Vice chairman) Hon. John Tomme (Secretary General) Mrs. Nora Kushin (Treasurer) Mr. John Yorke (Assistant Secretary) and Mr. Andrew Obuku (Financial Secretary).