….. As Gov Fubara Faults ” One Man”Pipeline Surveillance Contract Award.
A Federal Government’s delegation on a fact finding mission to oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta Saturday visited the Governor of Rivers State, Siminilayi Fubara .
The team led by Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Bola Tinubu also had the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja.
Others include Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri; and Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources, Ekperipe Ekpo.
The Group’s Chief Executive Officer GCEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL ,Mele Kyari and other senior officers of the company were also part of the delegation.
Addressing the Governor, Ribadu said they were sent by the President to find lasting solution to the problem of oil theft and illegal refining of petroleum products as well as peace In the Niger Delta.
He said “indeed this part of Nigeria matters a lot; not just the resources but of course the people of the Niger Delta need to live in peace”.
“He has given an instruction. As you see here, this is the entire federal might. Strategic individuals and offices are here assembled.
“This is a clear demonstration of a commitment and a belief that indeed, time has come for us to open a new chapter.
“We believe that it is time to do the right thing and we’re going to do it,” Ribadu said
Also Speaking, the Defence Minister, Badaru said the delegation was on a mission to tour the nation’s assets with a view to seeing the challenges and finding out the best possible ways to sort them out.
“We have the marching order by Mr President to stop crude oil theft and all other vandalism around our installations and that we promised to do”.
In his response ,Gov. Fubara said that the Niger Delta is not benefiting much compared to its contribution to the nation’s economy .
The governor told the visitors of measures the state had taken right from the previous administration to curb crude oil theft and illegal refining but wondered how the federal government would award contract for the protection of oil pipelines to” one man” knowing the complexities and challenges of the territories.
” Security of pipeline should not be given to one man or one person. How can someone from Kalabari be controlling the pipeline in Ogoni? There is no way it will work
” We must look at bringing all the key people in the various communities
” Two of our sons from Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom are heading the ministry of petroleum. We don’t want them to fall. We must give them the necessary support “the governor said.
The delegation is expected to visit Delta and others to visit oil and gas facilities.
