NEWS
Bayelsa: Danger Looms as AGIP Pipeline Leaks, Spews Massive Gas
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Danger is looming along Kolo-otueke Bayelsa Palm Road in Ogbia local government area of the state as a massive gas leakage is coming out from AGIP pipeline.
When our correspondent visited the seen of the incident, there were battery connected with wire that suggested that it might be a sabotage, even as information has it that there was an explosion on Monday night on the facility which might have resulted into the burst of the gas pipeline.
Speaking to journalists at the site of the incident, the Head of Field Operations, Niger Delta Resources Center of ERA/FoEN, Morris Alagoa, said this is the second time incident like this happened at the site but not the second time in Bayelsa and Niger Delta.
Alagoa said, it’s not strange for people like him who is always on the field as issues like this happen every now and then especially spilling of oil and gas. “It has been a reccurring incident again and again”
Though, Alagoa said there were signs that it was man made because both the fresh mod and the little battery that was connected towards the point of the incident means that there must have been a detonated explosive. Saying it also speaks volume interms of security of the pipeline.
“There are giant anthills on the AGIP pipeline which might also help the people to sabotage the system even in the afternoon to burst the pipeline because it will serve as a cover for the perpetrators.
“We have SPDC pipeline on the other side and AGIP pipeline this way and both are running on the same line, that means there should be visibility so that people passing by will see any Intruders whether in the day time or night. That could also send signal that something is happening here.
” And this is raw gas coming out from the geological formation. Knowing that from the formation we have water, oil and gas from several wells being channel to wherever they channeling it to which is even more dangerous than gas flare interms of impact on health. In Kalaba, Yenagoa local government area of the state, a woman was badly burnt due to leakage of gas as the woman went to her farm with live charcoal. She suffered greatly and this can even result in fire if urgent step is not taken”.
He said NOSDRA has already visited the site and hope that other relevant agencies like Ministry of Environment that had also visited the place to put a demarcation where people should not go as a result of danger it potends.
“In essence, what we are saying is that there should be enough security guiding the pipeline and that is why the recent contract given to some Niger Delta indigenes is very very important and they should swing into action to ensure that not only the pipeline are protected but that the perpetrators should be apprehended and make to face the wrath of the law.
Some of the residents raised concern over the incident. Mr. Kelvin Irhurhu and Mr. Eboughe Awudu want government and other relevant agencies to swing into action quickly and stop the leakage before it result into fire disaster.
According to Agip spokes person, Mr. Musa, after fixing the gas pipeline a few days ago, vandals blew it up and it went up in flames.
“The Nigerian Agip Oil Company is working actively to depressurize the pipeline in order to affect repairs on it,” Musa said.
Some other officials of NAOC declined to comment on the incident and negligence of the regulator’s advice to intensify surveillance on the asset when contacted for response by our correspondent.
The fire at the site, which had forced surrounding vegetation to wither, is yet to be put out as at Thursday morning.
The commissioner for Environment Bayelsa state, Mr. Isekemo Gbaranbiri couldn’t be reached as at the time of filling in this report as he was in the state Assembly defending his ministry budget.
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
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