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Street Journalist, 4. Waterworks Road, Alode Eleme, Port Harcourt (2025)

30/07/2025

Community Stakeholder Rejects NNPCL’s Decision Not To Privatise PH Refinery
By Emmanuel Obe

A prominent community stakeholder and National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Joseph Obele, has faulted the decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to retain ownership of the Port Harcourt Refining Company while preparing to privatise the Warri and Kaduna refineries.

In a statement made available to journalists, Dr. Obele described the move as a misguided strategy that contradicts national interest, community development, and economic efficiency.

“This is not good news,” he declared. “The decision to exclude Port Harcourt Refinery from privatization is deeply concerning, especially given NNPCL’s long record of corruption, inefficiency, and favoritism. Privatization is the only way to breathe life into our refineries.”

Citing the success of private-sector-driven projects like the Indorama Petrochemical plant in Eleme, Rivers State, Dr. Obele argued that privately managed firms are often more committed to host community development and operational excellence.

“NNPCL has consistently failed Nigerians,” he said. “From fuel scarcity and product adulteration to mismanagement and unaccounted subsidies, the public is fatigued. We need a fresh start.”

He gave 10 reasons why privatizing the Port Harcourt Refinery would be beneficial. The reasons include, increased efficiency and productivity, inflow of investment and capital, transfer of modern expertise and technology, and job creation and economic development

The other reason he gave were elimination of bureaucratic bottlenecks, improved transparency and accountability, enhanced global competitiveness, better resource management, higher revenue for the government and improved product quality and supply reliability

Dr. Obele called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and ensure that the Port Harcourt Refinery is included in the ongoing privatization plans.

He assured prospective investors of strong community backing. “Our people are ready to welcome any reputable private investor with open arms. We believe such collaboration will transform our community and contribute to national economic growth.”

Dr. Obele, who is also a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, urged the government to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past by clinging to inefficient public ownership.

“Privatizing the Port Harcourt Refinery is not just a business decision; it is a bold step towards sustainable development and national transformation,” he concluded.

16/07/2025

Experts Warn Against Surveillance, Silencing of Journalists Across Africa

At the 17th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture held virtually on July 13, 2025, leading voices in journalism and human rights raised the alarm over growing surveillance, digital threats, and the systematic silencing of journalists across Africa. They called for urgent reforms to safeguard press freedom, strengthen privacy protections, and build public awareness of the consequences of suppressing independent media.

Themed, “Surveillance, Safety and the Silencing of Truth,” this year’s lecture marked the 91st birthday of Nobel Laureate and grand patron of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Prof. Wole Soyinka.
The event featured a keynote by Angela Quintal, Africa Regional Director at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and a panel including Quinn McKew, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19; Fisayo Soyombo, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ); and Sonja Smith, investigative journalist and Associated Press correspondent. The session was moderated by Jimeh Saleh, former Editor of the BBC/MacArthur Foundation Partnership Series.

Opening the discussion, Dapo Olorunyomi, founder of both the WSCIJ and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), described surveillance as a deeply institutionalized threat. He warned that while the digital age has empowered journalists with unprecedented tools, it has also created a complex and dangerous landscape where state, corporate, and intelligence interests intersect.

“Surveillance today is no longer just about espionage—it’s about control,” Olorunyomi said. “It undermines democratic values and endangers the safety of those who hold power to account.”

In her keynote, Quintal painted a stark picture of the ongoing “invisible war” against journalists in Africa. She highlighted the use of spyware, metadata tracking, and transnational monitoring to instill fear and curb dissent. Drawing from her own experiences—including a detention incident in Tanzania—and citing cases from Nigeria, South Africa, Togo, and Botswana, she stressed how intrusion into private communications erodes journalistic integrity and endangers sources.

“Journalists are being watched, followed, and targeted,” she said. “This surveillance undermines not only our work but the very foundation of democracy.”

Quintal called for urgent legal reforms, stronger digital safety protocols, and continental recognition that privacy is fundamental to press freedom.

Fisayo Soyombo spoke passionately about how harassment and surveillance are discouraging young people from entering journalism. He shared a message from a student journalist who expressed disillusionment with the profession due to mounting threats. Soyombo criticized the Nigerian government’s heavy investment in surveillance technology, arguing that it prioritizes monitoring critics over ensuring citizens’ safety.

“When you silence journalists, you silence the people,” he said. “We need a united front—stronger protections, institutional support, and a louder voice against digital repression.”

ARTICLE 19’s Quinn McKew broadened the discussion, linking surveillance to authoritarian efforts to control narratives and stifle criticism. She noted that national security laws, cybercrime legislation, and “smart city” technologies are increasingly being weaponized to monitor both citizens and the press.

“Surveillance has become the modern tool of repression,” McKew said. “The combination of state monitoring, legal suppression, and unchecked corporate data collection creates a toxic ecosystem that erodes freedoms.”

She called for a global ban on spyware exports, stricter data protection laws, and reforms to close legal loopholes that give governments easy access to private information.

Namibian journalist Sonja Smith addressed the gendered nature of surveillance, particularly in Southern Africa. She spoke about the unique threats faced by women journalists, including sexual intimidation, smear campaigns, and emotional abuse. Smith also raised concerns over state surveillance measures like mandatory SIM card registration, which can enable government tracking.

“Outside of capital cities and mainstream media houses, journalists are even more vulnerable,” Smith said. “Donors and platforms must pay attention to these frontline risks.”

In her closing remarks, WSCIJ Executive Director/CEO Motunrayo Alaka described surveillance and the suppression of dissent as part of a larger, “sophisticated and intentional” attack on truth and accountability. She noted that in the past four years, WSCIJ has convened multiple forums to address.
.. Emmanuel Obe

$CDS Urges Communities to Safeguard National Assets…commends PINL on zero infractionsThe Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Ge...$

16/07/2025

CDS Urges Communities to Safeguard National Assets
…commends PINL on zero infractions

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called on host communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) to take greater ownership of national assets within their territories and work collectively to protect them.

Speaking through Navy Captain Lassie Audi Ozovehe at a monthly stakeholders' engagement hosted by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt, General Musa warned that the primary victims of pipeline vandalism and oil theft are often the communities themselves.

“If you break a pipeline, the environmental and health hazards will affect the community more than the oil companies,” he said. “These assets are on your land. You benefit from them—so you must protect them.”

He commended PINL for its exemplary performance in securing the TNP, citing its record of zero infractions as a model for infrastructure protection nationwide.

Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations at PINL, the company owed its successes to a working synergy it struck with communities through which the pipelines pass.

“Our success on the TNP is rooted in effective collaboration with host communities, a consistent operational strategy, and the unwavering commitment of our personnel on the ground.”

He attributed the company’s achievements to a people-centered approach, including prompt salary payments, a strong focus on safety, and swift dispute resolution—all of which have helped reduce downtime and foster stakeholder confidence.

While highlighting progress, Mezeh acknowledged ongoing challenges such as intelligence gaps, threats to surveillance teams, and disputes within community leadership structures.

He reiterated the company’s alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing that sustainable development in host communities remains at the heart of PINL’s mission.

Traditional rulers and community stakeholders at the meeting lauded PINL’s role in minimizing pipeline breaches but called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other key actors to do more in addressing the needs of oil-producing communities.

Prince Datolu Sokubo, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (Eastern Zone), stressed the importance of a people-first approach:
“You can’t protect infrastructure without prioritising the people. Without our cooperation, no pipeline is truly safe.”

Mene Suanu Timothy Baridam, Chairman of the Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, lamented that the environmental damage caused by vandalism and illegal bunkering has deepened poverty and food insecurity in the region.

Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, Ada Ekpeye-Logbo of the Ekpeye Kingdom, urged international oil companies to halt gas flaring and encouraged PINL to amplify the health and environmental concerns of the host communities.

“We are committed to ending illegal bunkering,” she said. “But oil companies must also take responsibility for the long-term impacts of their operations.”

The meeting ended with a renewed pledge by PINL and community leaders to strengthen collaboration, enhance surveillance, and promote peace and development across the region.
.. Emmanuel Obe

06/07/2025

RCC is no longer using stone base for East-West Road project at Eleme. It's using the old tarred road. N156 billion project. Fifteen kilometres

16/06/2025

PETROAN Warns Of Impending Job Losses As Dangote Moves Towards Monopoly

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has sounded the alarm over what it describes as a veiled move toward monopoly by the Dangote Refinery, warning that the company’s adoption of a forward integration strategy could devastate the downstream petroleum sector, eliminate competition, and trigger massive job losses nationwide.

In a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Joseph Obele, PETROAN expressed concern that the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery, recently commissioned and touted as one of the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, appears poised not just to meet local fuel demand and export surplus, but also to dominate distribution channels traditionally served by independent marketers.

“Dangote Refinery should be competing with global refiners, not operating as a distributor in the local downstream sector,” the association stated. “The entry into distribution, accompanied by pricing pe*******on tactics, suggests a strategic ploy to wipe out independent filling station operators, modular refiners, truck owners, and other stakeholders.”

PETROAN emphasized that the refinery’s integrated model — controlling production, transportation, and distribution — poses a serious threat to market diversity. Of particular concern is Dangote’s recent rollout of 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers, a move PETROAN says could displace thousands of truck drivers and transport entrepreneurs who rely on the conventional petroleum logistics chain for their livelihoods.

According to PETROAN, the ripple effects of Dangote’s approach could be far-reaching. Modular refineries may struggle to survive amid aggressive pricing and preferential access to crude. Filling stations could be pushed out of business if Dangote leverages its scale to undercut retail fuel prices. Diesel suppliers to telecom towers and other sectors could also see their market share shrink drastically.

“Monopolistic practices, such as price fixing and market cornering, have long-term negative consequences,” said Dr. Billy Gillis Harry, National President of PETROAN. “Nigerians should not be forced to bear the brunt of reduced competition. Regulatory bodies must intervene swiftly.”

PETROAN has called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to act urgently. It recommends the introduction of price control mechanisms and regulatory safeguards to prevent monopolistic dominance and protect market plurality.

Among the key recommendations outlined by the association are: Promotion of fair competition in the refining and distribution sectors;
Robust regulatory oversight to detect and prevent anti-competitive behavior; Support for indigenous modular refineries through guaranteed crude oil supply; and Job protection and alternative livelihood strategies for vulnerable workers.

“It is imperative for the government to strike a balance between attracting large-scale private investment and preserving economic opportunities for smaller players,” Dr. Harry added.

As the Dangote Refinery prepares to ramp up operations, PETROAN’s warning injects urgency into the national conversation about energy independence, market equity, and the future of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

By Emmanuel Obe

08/06/2025

Executive parking lot, Old GRA, PH

08/06/2025

Executive lodge at Amadi Flats, PH

29/05/2025

Shutdown of PH Refinery: Petrol May Cost N2,000..host Community group calls for removal of Aderenle
By Emmanuel Obe

The Host Community Bulk Petroleum Retailers Association of Port Harcourt Refinery Depot, has raised an alarm over an alleged attempt by an interest group to sabotage the operations of the Port Harcourt refinery.

At a press conference in Port Harcourt, the Host Community retailers association, said the interest group was bent on stalling operations at the Port Harcourt refinery so that an unnamed private refinery could benefit from the shutdown.

The Group Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had ordered the shutdown of the old Port Harcourt refinery for a 30-day maintenance with effect from May 24, 2025.

While commending President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to revamp the neglected public refineries, the host community retailers association cautioned that crude oil supply to the Port Harcourt refinery should not be cut off during the maintenance period.

The Chairman of the Group, Chief Sunny Nkpe, said that currently, no activity was going on at the refinery and requested the Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, to as a matter of urgency appoint a substantive managing director for Port Harcourt refinery to drive the rehabilitation of the plant.

"They said they are shutting it down for repairs. We don't believe it. It's an attempt to shut it down like Warri (refinery) and other areas," Nkpe said.

The Chairman also demanded that the Refinery Coordinator, Mr.Bayo Aderenle should be removed, stating that his activities were inimical to President Tinubu's reform agenda.

Also speaking, Dr. Joseph Obele, said the price of fuel could jump to N2,000 a litre if the shut refinery does not resume production soon.

"Recall that that last July when a particular refinery started, PMS was selling for N1,000 per litre. As at October/November when the old refinery came on, it came down to about eight to nine hundred naira.

"Nigerians should understand that this recent shutdown could be an orchestrated way to give monopoly to a particular refinery and if that happens, Nigerians will buy fuel at N2,000 per litre," Obele said.

The host Community retailers association however passed a vote of confidence on Tecnimont, the contractor handling the overall rehabilitation of both the old and new refineries and called for timely and sufficient funding of the rehabilitation projects.

29/05/2025

Fubara Reflects on Two Years in Office, Says Journey Has Been ‘Challenging but Progressive’

By Emmanuel Obe

The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described his two years in office as “challenging but progressive and impactful."

In a message to mark his swearing in as governor on May 29, 2023, Fubara said the two years had been politically turbulent but also marked by significant developmental strides.

In the message titled, “Our Journey: Challenging but Progressive and Impactful!”, Fubara thanked the people of Rivers State for the “clear and overwhelming mandate” given to him during the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election.

“Despite the turbulence, I have remained steadfast and focused, guided by the oath I took and the solemn promise I made to always put Rivers State first,” Fubara declared. “That commitment remains unshaken.”

While acknowledging that political challenges have sometimes slowed the pace of his administration, the governor highlighted a number of key achievements across various sectors. These include visible improvements in healthcare, education, infrastructure, youth empowerment, human capital development, and the inclusion of women in governance.

“These achievements would not have been possible without your unwavering support and hope in the brighter future we all envision for Rivers State,” he said.

Fubara’s tenure has been marked by a prolonged political feud with his predecessor and former political ally, which observers say has tested the resilience of his administration. However, the governor used the anniversary to advocate for reconciliation and healing.

“Your support has emboldened me to press on and not to retreat, but to work harder to foster peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness,” he stated. “These are essential to restoring normalcy and delivering transformational infrastructure, impactful programmes, and life-changing services across the State.”

He reaffirmed his administration’s focus on core priorities such as peace, security, community welfare, and socio-economic advancement, and pledged to make difficult decisions in the best interest of Rivers people.

“To those still carrying the weight of our recent political struggles, I appeal to you, let us turn the page, come together, and focus on our shared goal of progress and unity,” Fubara urged. “The time to rebuild and rise is now.”

The governor closed his address with a hopeful message: “I look forward to working hand in hand with all of you to build a state we can all be proud of—a Rivers State that stands as a model for the rest of Nigeria.”

As Rivers State reflects on two years of the Fubara administration, citizens and political analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the political crisis in the state would be resolved and the democratic structures suspended on March 18 restored.

President Bola Tinubu had suspended the governor and the house of assembly when he declared a state of emergency on March 18 following a protracted impasse between Fubara and a larger faction of the House of Assembly.

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