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A’Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance demands Gas Flaring Accountability,-says failure of compliance will attract stiff protest

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‎By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo

‎Coalition of civil society organizations, youth groups, community advocates, academic scholars and media in Akwa Ibom have petitioned the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to address cases where corporate organizations are profiting from Gas flaring and pollution while host communities bear the cost.

‎Addressing journalists just after a peaceful demonstration and presentation of the petition letter to representative of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Eket, Eket LGA on Friday by Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reward,Helen Bassey Eyo, the coalition which was convened by Clement Isong Foundation with support from Actionaid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) II, says the exercise was part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Environmental Day with a call to end gas flaring, defend rights and build future.

‎According to them, Gas flaring penalties exceeding $10.4 million dollars became payable on OML 13 alone between 2021 and 2023. They therefore called for accountability of $270 million dollars in outstanding penalties owed to host communities from 2021 to 2025. “nationally, oil companies paid $646 million dollars in Gas flare penalties in 2025, the highest in five years, yet Nigeria flared 301.3 million scf of Gas in 2024, up from 278.3 million in 2023, and did not meet its 2025 zero-flare target”.

‎The Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance noted that in communities like Ikot Town, Elekpon and Atabrikang in Eastern Obolo LGA of the State Gas has been burning continuously since NEPL/NOL began production on OML 13 in May 2024. Eight villages in Eastern Obolo have no electricity yet OML 13 holds over five trillion cubic feet of Gas. The energy being burned over these communities could instead be used to power them.

‎Speaking to newsmen, the Director, Clement Isong Foundation, convener of Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance on behalf of the 15 CSOs including academia, media, women and youths groups noted that in Ibeno LGA of the State, Network Exploration and Production Limited continues to flare gas at Mkpanak with documented impact on air, water and soil across Ibeno, Onna, Eket and Esit Eket. “rain water in Ibeno is no longer consumable, Itakabasi community has been lost to coastal erosion accelerated by environmental degradation. Seplat Energy which acquired Mobil Production Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil in December 2024, now operates OMLs 67, 68, 68 and 104 in Akwa Ibom, inheriting an operational history that includes over fifty years of environmental liabilities that coastal communities are still waiting to see them addressed”, they added.

‎Accordingly, the alliance have asked President Tinubu to reverse the presidential executive order 9 of February 13, 2026 which suspended all Gas flare penalties remittance into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and and redirected them to the Federation Account. “the Order 9 has remove a financing mechanism established under the PIA 2021 specifically to support environmental remediation and community development in host communities. AKEJA is calling for this to be reversed and for the original framework to be restored”.

‎Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organizations have stated that if their demands are not met as at when due, they will pull out all their members to protest to the office the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission with stiff penalties to ensure their plights are giving desire attention.

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Nigeria Exceeds OPEC Quota as Pipeline Security Boosts Oil Output Emmanuel Nlewedum, Port Harcourt Nigeria has surpassed its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, production quota for the first time in 2026, with indigenous operator Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, credited as a key driver of the recovery along the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP. Data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, on June 11, showed national oil output rose 2.2 per cent in May to about 1.70 million barrels per day, bpd, up from 1.66 million bpd in April. Crude oil production averaged 1.53 million bpd, crossing the country’s OPEC quota of 1.5 million bpd for the first time this year. The improved performance dominated discussions at an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting convened by PINL in Port Harcourt for host communities across Rivers, Imo and Abia States. Traditional rulers and other stakeholders at the meeting urged the Federal Government to provide stronger institutional support for PINL’s efforts in keeping the pipeline operational and safe. Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s General Manager for Community and Stakeholder Relations, attributed the gains and achievements of the pipeline surveillance firm to stronger operational stability on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), deeper community participation, and a shared commitment among government, security agencies and host communities to reject crude theft and pipeline vandalism. Mezeh noted that more reliable infrastructure was translating into higher government revenue, improved energy security, and renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream sector. “The Trans Niger Pipeline continues to record remarkable operational stability,” he said. He called for improved collaboration from host communities, while emphasising the roles of stakeholders and traditional rulers in protecting critical assets and government infrastructures in their domains. Chairman of the South Monarchs Forum, who is also the Nye Nwe-Eli Emohua, King Sergeant Awuse, warned that the peace now enjoyed in oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta had become a target for some unpatriotic saboteurs. “Some who are not patriotic enough will want to spoil your good works,” he cautioned. Awuse called for increased support for PINL from the Federal Government and security agencies. “This is the time the National Security Adviser and the relevant agencies should give more support to PINL, because if our oil production goes down, it will affect every act of governance,” the monarch stated. The King of Eleme Kingdom, His Majesty Dr. Philip Obele Osaro, commended PINL’s community programmes for reducing youth restiveness in host areas. He said increased funding for the company’s initiatives would expand opportunities for youth and women empowerment across the corridor. Also speaking, Engr. Akponime Omojewvhe, Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor at NNPCL’s Project Monitoring Office, urged communities to provide early reports on suspicious activities of saboteurs and oil thieves. He stressed that timely intelligence from residents remained critical to protecting the pipeline corridor from vandals and oil thieves. The output milestone comes amid sustained operations by security agencies under Operation DELTA SAFE and renewed collaboration between regulators, operators and host communities. With the TNP accounting for a significant portion of Nigeria’s export grade, stakeholders say maintaining the current stability will be crucial to sustaining production above the OPEC quota in the months ahead.

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‎A’Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance demands Gas flaring accountability, community justice, reversal of executive order 9 ‎- says failure of compliance will attract stiff protest ‎By Emmanuel Ikpe, Uyo ‎ ‎Coalition of civil society organizations, youth groups, community advocates, academic scholars and media in Akwa Ibom have petitioned the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to address cases where corporate organizations are profiting from Gas flaring and pollution while host communities bear the cost. ‎ ‎Addressing journalists just after a peaceful demonstration and presentation of the petition letter to representative of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Eket, Eket LGA on Friday by Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reward,Helen Bassey Eyo, the coalition which was convened by Clement Isong Foundation with support from Actionaid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) II, says the exercise was part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Environmental Day with a call to end gas flaring, defend rights and build future. ‎ ‎According to them, Gas flaring penalties exceeding $10.4 million dollars became payable on OML 13 alone between 2021 and 2023. They therefore called for accountability of $270 million dollars in outstanding penalties owed to host communities from 2021 to 2025. “nationally, oil companies paid $646 million dollars in Gas flare penalties in 2025, the highest in five years, yet Nigeria flared 301.3 million scf of Gas in 2024, up from 278.3 million in 2023, and did not meet its 2025 zero-flare target”. ‎ ‎The Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance noted that in communities like Ikot Town, Elekpon and Atabrikang in Eastern Obolo LGA of the State Gas has been burning continuously since NEPL/NOL began production on OML 13 in May 2024. Eight villages in Eastern Obolo have no electricity yet OML 13 holds over five trillion cubic feet of Gas. The energy being burned over these communities could instead be used to power them. ‎ ‎Speaking to newsmen, the Director, Clement Isong Foundation, convener of Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance on behalf of the 15 CSOs including academia, media, women and youths groups noted that in Ibeno LGA of the State, Network Exploration and Production Limited continues to flare gas at Mkpanak with documented impact on air, water and soil across Ibeno, Onna, Eket and Esit Eket. “rain water in Ibeno is no longer consumable, Itakabasi community has been lost to coastal erosion accelerated by environmental degradation. Seplat Energy which acquired Mobil Production Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil in December 2024, now operates OMLs 67, 68, 68 and 104 in Akwa Ibom, inheriting an operational history that includes over fifty years of environmental liabilities that coastal communities are still waiting to see them addressed”, they added. ‎ ‎Accordingly, the alliance have asked President Tinubu to reverse the presidential executive order 9 of February 13, 2026 which suspended all Gas flare penalties remittance into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and and redirected them to the Federation Account. “the Order 9 has remove a financing mechanism established under the PIA 2021 specifically to support environmental remediation and community development in host communities. AKEJA is calling for this to be reversed and for the original framework to be restored”. ‎ ‎Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organizations have stated that if their demands are not met as at when due, they will pull out all their members to protest to the office the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission with stiff penalties to ensure their plights are giving desire attention. ‎ ‎ ‎

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Oil & Gas

HOSTCON lauds GGSL CEO over outstanding performance in protection of Nation’s Asset, Commuity Dev

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By David Owei

The National Executive Council (NEC) and the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCON Youth Council) has commended the Global Services Limited (GGSL) for strategic protection of critical oil and gas assets, effective host community engagement, employment opportunities, Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.

According to the HOSTCON Youth Council has stood out as an indigenous company known for humanitarian interventions and inclusive stakeholder partnerships have made remarkable contributions to peace, security, and sustainable development across its operational areas.

The National President of the Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCON Youth Council)
Snr. Comr. Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder (AKA Gen. Osama) at the conclusion of their Annual Mid-Term Review Meeting held in Abuja, said after a proper review of the activities and operations of indigenous companies engaged in the protection of Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure across the Niger Delta host communities,Grosvenor Global Services Limited (GGSL) was rated exceptional.

He said the Council particularly applauded the exemplary leadership of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Asiwaju Engr. Prince Olusoji Olatunji, whose transparent, inclusive, visionary, and people-oriented leadership has distinguished Grosvenor Global Services Limited as a model indigenous company.

According to him, the National Executive Council and Board of Trustees unanimously commended and endorsed his exceptional foresight, transformational leadership, and outstanding commitment to host community development, and hereby unanimously pass a Vote of Confidence on his leadership and stewardship”

They described him as a patriotic statesman, an outstanding corporate leader, and a dependable partner in Nigeria’s oil and gas asset protection whose leadership qualities deserve to be emulated by all indigenous and multinational oil and gas companies operating within the Niger Delta region.

The Council further called on all operators in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to emulate this transparent and inclusive leadership model by strengthening host community partnerships, expanding community empowerment initiatives, and promoting responsible corporate governance as the foundation for sustainable peace, increased crude oil production, and the long-term protection of Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas assets.

The HOSTCON Youth Council also highlighted the achievements of the Grosvenor Global Services Limited (GGSL) under the leadership of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Asiwaju Engr. Prince Olusoji Olatunji, to include successful expansion of the firm into a premier global services brand in Nigeria.

“He also serves as Chairman/CEO of Tratun Energy Limited and Executive Director at Regions Oil and Gas.National Impact: His firm’s interventions in pipeline security have been highly commended for reducing crude oil theft and protecting critical energy infrastructure in the Niger Delta”

“The foundation runs mass distributions of notebooks, textbooks, and essential school supplies to students.Youth Mentoring: Recognized for youth development, he has received various awards, including the prestigious Delta Role Model Award for Youth Empowerment.Community.”

” His philanthropic gestures span youth-oriented entertainment and sporting sponsorships to uplift communities, along with regular palliative distributions to indigent families.”

The group also identified that due to the paternal affinity of the Asiwaju Engr. Prince Olusoji Olatunji to Delta State, the Urhobo host communities have been direct beneficiaries of his corporate and personal initiatives including the establishment of the corporate headquarters of Grosvenor Global Services Limited and Tratun Energy Limited right off the DSC Expressway in Otokutu, bringing significant commercial traffic, infrastructure visibility, and local employment to the area.

The group also noted that the personal health Outreach Programs of Asiwaju Engr. Prince Olusoji Olatunji known as PROOF, health care program have been executed extensive healthcare initiatives spanning over 50 communities across the Niger Delta region, providing medical checkups, drugs, and health supplies to vulnerable local populations.

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Oil & Gas

Nigeria tops OPEC target again as oil output hits 6-year

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By Our Correspondent

Nigeria beat its OPEC target for June 2026, pumping more crude than it has in over six years and logging its fourth straight month of gains.

Total liquids output averaged 1,735,398 barrels per day for June. That figure combines crude and condensate. On crude alone, Nigeria delivered 1.56 million bpd, while condensate added another 0.18 million bpd.

Because OPEC set Nigeria’s crude benchmark at 1.5 million bpd, June’s performance put the country at 104% of quota.

Stripping out condensate, the 1.56 million bpd crude average marks the strongest month for Africa’s top oil producer since April 2020. That makes it a 74-month high.

A press statement issued by Eniola Akinkuotu ,Head, Media and Corporate Communications, said the month also showed Nigeria’s upside. Peak combined output hit 1.89 million bpd, hinting that the 2 million bpd mark could be within reach soon. The low point for June was 1.57 million bpd.

The statement reads in parts”The upward trend has held since February. Average daily output climbed from 1.483 million bpd in February, to 1.546 million bpd in March, 1.663 million bpd in April, 1.700 million bpd in May, and 1.735 million bpd in June. That is a 2.2% month-on-month increase.

What drove it: steady operations at most fields, no major pipeline breaks, better uptime, and smoother crude evacuation. A few facilities did shut briefly, but the effect on national volumes was small. Planned turnaround maintenance was also carried out on schedule and wrapped up without major interruptions.

Industry players credited the result to a continued push for efficiency, asset integrity, and reliability across Nigeria’s upstream sector.

Here is how the main export terminals and streams performed in June, with May for comparison:

Bonny Terminal: 318.28 kbpd, up from 293.88 kbpd in May 2026,Forcados Terminal: 306.36 kbpd, up from 289.90 kbpd in May 2026, Qua Iboe Terminal: 164.73 kbpd, down from 173.36 kbpd in May 2026,
Escravos Terminal: 138.03 kbpd, up from 135.47 kbpd in May 2026, and
Bonga: 103.66 kbpd, up from 102.54 kbpd in May 2026.

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Oil & Gas

HOSTCON Youth Council of Nigeria passes vote of confidence on PINL MD/CEO over achievements in crude oil production, others

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By David Owei

Youths from Niger Delta Communities under the Host Communities Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCON-YCN) have passed a vote of confidence on the management team of the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) led by the managing Director/Executive Officer, Osahon Okunbo Jnr over recent achievements in crude oil production above OPEC quota, protection of nation’s Oil&Gas assets.

The group also commended the managing Director/Executive Officer, Osahon Okunbo over his display of exceptional display of leadership professionalism, transparency and unwavering commitment by the PINL to protecting Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas assets.

According to HOSTCON-YCN, despite ensuring that the nation’s oil and gas assets are secured, they ensured the promotion of sustainable development across host communities.

HOSTCON-YCN, in a statement issued following the successful conclusion of the National Executive Council Mid-Term Meeting and Annual Board of Trustees Review held in Abuja, noted with satisfaction, the recent recognition that improved pipeline security and community collaboration have contributed significantly to Nigeria exceeding its OPEC crude oil production quota for the first time in 2026.

According to the statement, “Industry reports have attributed this achievement to enhanced surveillance, stronger stakeholder partnerships, and improved protection of the Trans Niger Pipeline, resulting in increased crude oil production, improved operational stability, and renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.”

The HOSTCON-YCN in the statement signed by its President, Senior comrade EMMANUEL FIAWEI PATHFINDER on behalf of the members of the National Executives with the board of trustees, commended PINL for demonstrating that effective engagement with host communities remains one of the strongest weapons against crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline vandalism, and economic sabotage.

“The Council particularly applauds the company’s community-driven operational model, which has strengthened peace, reduced youth restiveness in many operational areas, enhanced intelligence gathering, and built confidence between government, oil companies, traditional institutions, youths, women, and host communities.”

“The Council further acknowledges PINL’s remarkable investment in human capital development through its Host Communities Scholarship Programme.”

” The initiative has expanded from a transparent community allocation model to a broader programme covering about 1,500 scholarship beneficiaries across Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia, and Imo States.”

” The programme provides substantial financial support for undergraduate and postgraduate students, thereby creating educational opportunities for deserving youths from pipeline host communities and promoting long-term socio-economic development.”

HOSTCON-YCN equally recognised the company’s sustained implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, empowerment programmes, stakeholder consultations, community development interventions, and its continued efforts to build enduring relationships with traditional rulers, youth organisations, women groups, and other critical stakeholders throughout the Niger Delta.

“The Council specially commends the General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, and the Director of Operations and Stakeholder Engagement, Chief Seriake Alamieyeseigha, for their outstanding professionalism, strategic leadership, and tireless commitment to peaceful engagement with host communities.”

” Their dedication has helped strengthen confidence among stakeholders and has contributed significantly to the operational successes recorded by the company.”

“The Host Communities Youth Council of Nigeria also acknowledges the various empowerment initiatives targeted at women, youths, and vulnerable groups across host communities, including scholarship opportunities, skills development, community partnerships, and other social investment programmes that continue to improve livelihoods and foster sustainable development.”

Accordingly, HOSTCON-YCN called on all host communities, youths, traditional rulers, community leaders, women organisations, security agencies, government institutions, and industry stakeholders to continue supporting PINL in safeguarding Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure, protecting national economic assets, and sustaining the remarkable progress that has positioned Nigeria for improved crude oil production and enhanced revenue generation.

“The Council remains committed to partnering with all responsible stakeholders in promoting peace, security, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development throughout the Niger Delta.”

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