All Posts in "Day: September 5, 2024"

Obey Environmental Laws Or Face Sanction,NOSDRA Boss Tells Oil Firms

Mohammed Shosanya

The Director General and CEO of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Engineer Chukwuemeka Woke has put oil companies on notice, tasking them to comply with environmental regulations or face the full force of the law.

He spoke during a familiarization visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal headquarters in Rivers State on Monday.

Reacting to some of the challenges faced by the agency in the zone,he said as an agency established by Act of law, NOSDRA represents the Federal Government and has a sacred mandate to regulate the oil industry’s environmental impact and will not tolerate any form of non-compliance or disregard for regulations.

He added that no oil company is above the law, saying: “We will hold every operator accountable for their actions, and ensure that they adhere to the strictest standards of environmental responsibility.”

He assured that his leadership will not be compromised by vested interests or industry pressure, or be cowed, saying he is committed to upholding the law and ensuring that all oil industry operators, including International Oil Companies (IOCs), comply with NOSDRA’s regulations.

He said: “Having said that, let me address the issue raised by the head of the NOSDRA reference laboratory, I want to assure you that I am not the kind of DG that any oil company would take for a ride.

“Any oil industry, be it IOCs, or anybody must comply with the regulations of NOSDRA. NOSDRA is not just a private company but an establishment by an Act of law and so we represent the Federal Government and we are to regulate the operations of the oil industry as it relates to oil and gas pollution and spillage and so nobody, no oil company is above the law.

“If they want to think they can reach me, I am not the type of DG that they would reach. So let the message go very clearly now, we must do the needful, they must grant you access to take samples and we must get the results. Be rest assured that you are protected as long as you are committed to your work.”

He also addressed the staff of the agency and assured them of his commitment to taking the agency to the next level.

Engineer Woke was conducted around the office by the Zonal Director, Engineer Ime Ekanem and the head of the NOSDRA reference laboratory, Dr Kenneth Aroh where he visited the Analytical Session Lab; Microbiological lab, Ecotoxicology lab and the Web-Chemistry lab.

He expressed gratitude to the staff for their dedication to work and promised improvements in equipment and staff welfare.

“I have come to see things for myself, and I assure you that there will be improvements,” he said. “But I need your commitment to work because your productivity output is what I will be appraised with at the Ministry of Environment.”

Engineer Woke emphasized that he is the one who will appraise staff performance and determine promotions. “When you come for your promotion exams, I am the one who will say yes or no,” he stated.

He also reminded staff that outside the agency, he is not the boss, but the Minister of Environment is, saying: “So, it is your work that will speak for me,” he added.

admin by — September 5, 2024 in Oil&Gas 0
Petrol Price Hike:More SMEs Will Close Shop-MAN

Mohammed Shosanya

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) says the recent petrol price hike will force Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to close shop if they are unable to pass on the additional costs to consumers.

Businesses may need to adjust their pricing strategies, which could lead to reduced profit margins if consumer demand weakens on account of the increase in price from ₦568 per litre to ₦855 per litre,the association said.

According to MAN’s Director- General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the poor state of the nation’s refineries, which are not producing petroleum products, and the sharp decline in the value of the Naira, will further exacerbate the situation.

The association predicts that the increase in petrol price will lead to higher transportation costs, increased prices of goods and services, and reduced disposable income for consumers.

This will result in reduced demand for non-essential goods and services, affecting businesses across various sectors.

The situation may also lead to a rise in inflation figures, impacting household budgets and deepening the already lackluster performance of the manufacturing sector.

The association warns that the increased costs will add to production input and logistics costs, leading to higher prices and reduced consumer demand.

This may result in unplanned inventory rising, reduction in capacity utilization, and negatively impacted manufacturing performance.

The association urges policymakers to consider the potential consequences of the petrol price hike and explore measures to mitigate its impacts on the economy and the manufacturing sector.

admin by — September 5, 2024 in Business 0
6575 People Benefit From SNEPCo Vision First Plus Programme In Bariga LCDA

Mohammed Shosanya

No fewer than 6575 people benefitted from an eyecare outreach held in Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, August 26—30, as part of the Vision First Plus programme of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).

Beneficiaries from within and outside the LCDA received a wide-range of medical services including eye screening, surgeries, medication, and eyeglasses on the latest campaign to bring healthcare to the doorsteps of communities across Nigeria, a statement said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, SNEPCo Managing Director, Elohor Aiboni, said the outreach was a key investment in maintaining healthy vision which is an important but often neglected aspect of life.

Represented by Managing Counsel Upstream Nigeria, SNEPCo, Lara Taiwo-Ogunbodede, Aiboni commended the collaboration which resulted in the outreach, the third in Lagos since the Vision First Plus initiative was launched in the state two years ago.

She said:“Our sight, a crucial connection to our surroundings, safeguards us from danger, sharpens our minds, and unlocks the doors to learning, economic opportunities, and independence, hence we consider this intervention as crucial.”

In a speech read by Bunmi Lawson, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Bala Wunti, said: “From the smiles of individuals who can see clearly for the first time in years, to the stories of renewed hope and confidence, Vision First has truly become a beacon of light for many. This year, as we continue our journey, our mission remains unchanged: to ensure that no one is left in the dark due to preventable or correctable vision issues.”

The Executive Director and Chairman, Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, Professor Olukorede Adenuga stressed the need for “regular eye examination as one gets older in order to prevent avoidable loss of vision.”

The Chairman of Bariga LCDA, Alabi Kolade, described the vision outreach as a timely intervention at a time that vision impairment is found to affect the quality of life of adult populations, lower people’s the rates of employment and increase their rates of depression and anxiety. “Sight is life, and it’s for this reason that we cannot thank NNPC-SNEPCo and the partners enough for this opportunity, indeed on our doorstep.”

Giving a breakdown of the programme performance, Aiboni said that out of 1787 people screened for various eye conditions, 1,696 received prescription glasses and medication while 233 had successful cataract and pterygium procedures.

Another 1212 people were treated for ailments.

Permanent secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Olusegun Ogboye, who was represented by Adeniran Ifeyemi, A deputy director in the Ministry of Health, commended NNPC, SNEPCo, and their co-venture partners for the initiative.

The focus on eyecare comes against the background of a report in the National Eye Health Policy 2019 to the effect that blindness in three out of four people in Nigeria is preventable. The Vision First Plus programme aims to combat avoidable visual impairment by reaching patients early for diagnosis and treatment.

Over the years, the social investment programmes of NNPC, SNEPCo and co-venture partners have improved lives in internally displaced camps in Northeast Nigeria and rebuilt infrastructure in hospitals and educational institutions. In addition, the initiative has led to award of scholarships and donation of cancer treatment

admin by — September 5, 2024 in Health 0