By David Owei, Baylesa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has advised the management of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited that having acquired the assets of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), it should operate differently from the former owners of the oil firm.

The Bayelsa governor also urged the company to incorporate the interests of host state governments in its operations in order to reduce conflicts in host communities.

Senator Diri stated this on Wednesday when he received the management of Renaissance Africa Energy, including its chairman, Dr. Layi Fatona, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Tony Attah, and other officials in Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor explained that before SPDC divested its assets, host communities were short-changed because the proceeds that accrued to them were grossly inadequate and resulted in agitations by state governments for a better deal.

“When we heard that SPDC had divested, we advised that the new company carries the host states along because part of the issues with the previous operator were that they were seen more like buccaneers. They were like people who came to the communities to collect and in return gave nothing back.

“Of course, the other party that also enjoys the oil arrangement is the federal government. Even out of protests and agitations, what the Niger Delta states get is a paltry 13 per cent.

“There is nothing wrong if states are co-owners with you even if it is a little percentage and that is what l have been pushing for. l think it is not too late now that we have our own people there.

“If we are co-owners, there is even the tendency that we will protect it more just as we are doing with the 13 per cent. See what you can do to include the interest of Bayelsa State.”

Senator Diri, who expressed dissatisfaction with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), noted that, “under the act, the federal government and oil companies cut off the states and local governments and deal directly with the communities. Now we receive a lot of protests from the communities. It is only when trouble comes that they remember that there is a state government and a local government.

“But you have now come in. So please, do not be the buccaneers that people used to know about SPDC, Nigerian Agip Oil Company and all other oil companies that have operated on our land.”

The Bayelsa helmsman commended the management of the oil firm for acquiring SPDC, which had hitherto been dominated by foreigners for decades, saying that it was historical and something to be proud of.

“The good thing is that we have the same people that have been in the oil industry and have understudied and have been exposed to the intricacies. l hope that you are not going to make the same mistakes and that you are going to see the states and communities as part and parcel of your operations,” he said.

Diri assured of the state government’s commitment to partner with the company on energy security, adding that his administration was procuring a 60-megawatt gas turbine for independent power supply to the state.

He also appealed to the company to look in the issues of environmental pollution, stressing that as it had acquired the assets of SPDC, it should equally acquire the liabilities.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Dr. Layi Fatona, said the delegation was in the state to introduce the company and its vision to the government having acquired SPDC’s assets.

He sought the state government’s collaboration in the area of energy security under the administration’s ASSURED Prosperity Agenda to help support Bayelsa’s development.

Also, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Chief Tony Attah, said the company recognised Bayelsa as being supportive to its predecessor (Shell) and commended Governor Diri for his visionary leadership.

Attah noted that the company intends to be Africa’s leader in energy security and facilitate industrialization using domestic gas for the interest of Nigeria, especially Bayelsa which has huge potential in gas.

In a bid to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians  Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a further reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

By David Owei, Yenagoa.

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL)—a pipeline surveillance firm in the Niger Delta region—has dismissed suggestions of its involvement in the recent shutdown of the Ogidigben oil facility in Ugborodo, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

This follows remarks by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, the chairman of the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited insisting that the Ogidigben oil facility is under the operational scope of PINL and therefore linked to the recent crisis rocking the facility.

But in a swift reaction, the PINL described the claims as baseless, misleading and a deliberate attempt to drag the company into issues far outside its operational jurisdiction.

The company through a statement issued by its media consultant, Mr Ifetayo Adeniyi, on Thursday, clarified that its operational coverage does not extend to Ogidigben or any other part of Warri South-West.

“We are shocked at the blatant misinformation being peddled. Let it be known to all: PINL is not responsible for the Ogidigben facility.

“Our surveillance mandate covers specific territories of Rivers State, Bayelsa State, Imo State, and parts of Abia State. Ogidigben is nowhere near our operational theatre.

PINL slammed alleged attempts to politicise its name, especially in relation to community agitations over electoral matters.

“We are a professional infrastructure protection company, not a political tool,” the company declared.

It added that “the protest at Ogidigben, led by Itsekiri youths, concerns local political grievances with INEC. PINL has absolutely no stake or involvement in such matters.”

Warning against what it described as “cheap blackmail” and the “irresponsible dragging of reputable companies into local disputes,” PINL cautioned those peddling falsehood to desist.

“These wild claims are not only mischievous but a calculated attempt to tarnish our reputation. We will not tolerate it,” the statement continued.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its operations within its assigned corridors, warning that any further attempt to associate its name with incidents outside its operational areas would be met with legal action.

“Our track record speaks for itself. We operate within the law, and we are focused on our mandate. Let those trying to deflect attention from their own failures be properly guided,” the company state.