The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) says it will restore bloody cockles in Ogoni creeks as measures to alleviate the plight of the people of the area.
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, HYPREP Project Coordinator, visits Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, the HYPREP Project Coordinator, announced this in a statement on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Abuja.
The development is a follow up to Zabbey’s visit to the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area, where the project is funding a research to carry out the culturing of the bloody cockles.
Bloody cockles (Senilla senilis) are bivalve molluscs commonly found in muddy areas in the intertidal zone and are vital for sustaining the economy and livelihood of people living around coastal communities.
“Bloody cockle has a high nutritional value as it is a complete source of protein and contains high levels of essential amino acids of about (85 per cent to 95 per cent).
“Due to the spills in Ogoni and other human factors, cockles have become critically endangered and have been completely wiped out in most of its shoreline areas.’’
According to him, HYPREP aims to restore bloody cockles by artificially propagating them in the lab and reintroducing them to the Ogoni shoreline.
“Understanding the species’ reproductive biology is essential to determining the renewal capacity of natural stocks,’’ he said.
Zabbey said the initiative was in line with HYPREP’s mandate to restore the environment, including keystone species like the bloody cockle, oyster and other seafood in Ogoni creeks.
He said that the species of seafood had supported the livelihood of the people for centuries, particularly women and children.
The projector coordinator said that the adoption of culturing the bloody cockle at the moment was more sustainable given certain environmental conditions that could affect natural reproduction in large numbers as envisaged.
He expressed optimism that the effort would benefit both Ogoni and other coastal communities in the Niger Delta and beyond.
Zabbey expressed satisfaction over the early successes recorded in the research and said the visit was to encourage the team sustain the efforts to restock the bloody cockle.
He donated microscope and other items to enhance research at the centre and commended the Institute for the initial laboratory cultures which were successful.
The European Commission will soon present a plan for the EU’s complete abandonment of Russian fossil energy resources, spokesperson for climate action and energy, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, said on Monday, January 20, 2025.
European Commission spokesperson for climate action and energy, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen
“The roadmap to wean the European Union off Russian fossil fuels is being crafted.
“It was announced as something that the Energy Commissioner will present within the first hundred days.
“There is still presence of Russian gas in the EU market, and this is something that we rather not see, and this is one of the issues that will be addressed in this roadmap.
“Roadmap framework for moving away from Russian fossil fuels that it will be presented in the coming weeks,’’ Itkonen told reporters.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ebonyi has launched a campaign against the use of harmful chemicals in food preservation, urging foodstuff dealers in the state to avoid this dangerous practice.
NOA, food stuff dealers during the awareness campaign
Mr. Theophilus Nwokpor, the State Director of the Agency, made the remark on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Abakaliki during an awareness campaign on the use of toxic chemicals for food preservation.
Nwokpor emphasised the serious health risks associated with these chemicals, warning food dealers to refrain from using them.
He pointed out that while the harmful effects of such chemicals may not be immediately apparent, continuous consumption of food preserved with them could lead to serious health issues in the future, including terminal ailments.
He encouraged traders and grain dealers to stop using chemicals to preserve and store grains and instead adopt traditional, safer methods of food preservation.
“We are sensitising traders to the dangers of preserving foods with harmful chemicals. As grain dealers, especially wholesalers who supply markets within and outside the state, you must be cautious.
“The effects of these chemicals are detrimental to health. We cannot compromise human health for material gain.
“Our responsibility is to provide food that nourishes and sustains life, not one that endangers it,” Nwokpor said.
Mr Emeka Orajaka, the State Coordinator of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), also warned against the use of such chemicals.
Represented by Mr Obinna Okonkwo, Principal Regulatory Officer of NAFDAC, Orajaka stated that offenders would face legal action.
He also highlighted that innocent consumers have lost their lives due to food preservation with dangerous chemicals.
Mr Francis Nworie, Secretary of the Foodstuffs Dealers Association, called on the government to reduce the price of special storage bags, known as “Purdue Improved Crop Storage Bags,” from N3,000 to N500 to encourage compliance with safer practices.
In support, Mr Chidi Oduma, Chairman of the Association, emphasised that reducing the price of these bags would encourage food safety and help control harmful food preservation practices.
Oduma also commended the organisers of the programme for addressing this critical issue.
The event included an interactive session with traders and an inspection of food storage practices by officials.
Kwara State Government has directed the temporary closure of forests in the state in order to facilitate the natural regeneration of the forests which had been severely impacted by human interference.
Kwara State Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge
This is contained in a statement signed by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Shakirat Muritala, on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Ilorin, the state capital.
The directive was issued after a top management meeting of the Ministry of Environment, Chaired by the Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge.
The Commissioner said that the temporary closure was a necessary step to protect the environment and public health.
“Apart from illegal tree-falling for charcoal production, the saw millers also cause distortion by cutting various kinds of trees without regard for regeneration process thereby disrupting the ecosystem.
“The closure will also ensure implementation of laid down procedures for reforestation.
“The Forestry Directorate will partner with stakeholders for various levels of engagements to restore normalcy and ensure that forests were not depleted without regard,” she said.
Buge implored members of the public who deal in forestry related products to cooperate with the Ministry and entrench compliance with laws of the state and restrictions during the period of closure.
She warned that anyone who contravened the directive would face penalties in accordance with the law.
The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has called on Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency (NOSDRA) and all relevant stakeholders to take immediate action on a reported strange chemical leakage from a domestic borehole facility in Agudama Community in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which is in close proximity to an SPDC owned facility in the area.
Deputy Executive Director of EDEN, Alagoa Morris (left), with the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Ebi Ben Ololo (middle), accompanied by members of the State sanitation Authority on an investigative visit to see the strange spilling chemical
Following a distress call from a resident of the community, Beatrice Mieye, on Sunday, January 12, 2025, about a strange liquid which looks like crude oil obtained from her borehole, the EDEN field monitoring team led by the Deputy Executive Director of EDEN, Alagoa Morris, visited the site on the same day to investigate the complaint.
Speaking to the EDEN team, Mieye revealed that she had been using water from the borehole for about six years without experiencing such chemicals. She, however, stated that due to some careless handling of the submersible pump, the pump could not be accessed and had been lying fallow for about six to seven months until she acquired a new surface pump and tried to get water on that same Sunday when the strange liquid was seen inside the water.
Morris reported the issue to the Commissioner for Environment in Bayelsa State, Ebi Ben Ololo, which prompted another visit of the site by Morris, the Commissioner for Environment and the State Sanitation Authority on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
While Ololo has expressed the determination of the Ministry of Environment to follow up on the matter, EDEN on its part is seeking a swift intervention by SPDC and all related government agencies, to detect the cause and source of the spill for prompt resolution.
Meanwhile, EDEN has applauded the Bayelsa State Government and the state Ministry of Environment on its move against indiscriminate logging, implementing a forest closure in the state and meeting timber dealers in the state.
“We commend the Bayelsa State Government for such environmentally friendly move, as the forest closure will protect the biodiversity of the environment,” said the group.
China National Chemical Engineering International Corporation Ltd (CNCEC) has expressed its readiness to support the development of the Federal Government’s $20 billion Ogidigben gas project in Delta State.
Joseph Tegbe, Director-General, Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP)
The CNCEC President, Li Zhenyi, stated this in Beijing when he received a delegation of Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), led by the Director-General, Joseph Tegbe.
A statement made on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Abuja by the NCSP media team, said Zhenyi expressed the company’s desire to support the project.
He said that the support would be through partnership with other Nigerian stakeholders in a restructured funding partnership.
Zhenyi expressed CNCEC’s commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth through construction and industrialisation.
He also reiterated his support to President Bola Tinubu on the ongoing development projects across the country to fast track his administration’s move toward industrialisation.
The NCSP delegation is currently in China for strategic engagement with key Chinese stakeholders.
The visit aims to deepen the bilateral cooperation between China and Nigeria, as part of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) projects coordination and investment drive.
The statement said that the visit would also ensure a review of priority FOCAC projects, explore innovative funding options and attract major Chinese investments into Nigeria.
Tegbe said that his delegation had also met with representatives from China Exim Bank and China Development Bank to discuss accelerated delivery of priority projects.
He said that the delegation also visited the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) headquarters, where they toured a 2.5 million eggs-per-day production poultry farm.
Tegbe said that his delegation also held strategic sessions with renowned economist and former World Bank Director, Prof. Justin Yifu, where he (Yifu) pledged support for NCSP in areas of policy implementation, reforms and attraction of Chinese investments.
The director-general further stated that the NCSP team visited TBEA, a leading electricity corporation in China and leading power transmission enterprise, located at Xinjiang.
He said that during the visit, the delegation discussed the status of TBEA project and explored investment options and opportunities in mini and micro-grid solutions to enhance Nigeria’s power sector.
Tegbe said that the delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Nigerian consulate in Shanghai, engaging in productive discussions about trade and investment opportunities in the region.
The conversations, according to him, focused on facilitating growth in key areas and exploring ways of enhancing cooperation between the consulate’s trade mission and his office.
The delegation, he said, thereafter visited Yangshan Deep-Water Port, also known as Shanghai Port.
“This massive port, which is currently the largest in the world, was constructed by China Harbor Engineering Company, which also constructed the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Nigeria.
During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity of crossing the 35-kilometer bridge, specifically designed for the evacuation of men and materials from the port.
“This bridge is a testament to China’s impressive engineering capabilities,” he said.
Before leaving China, the delegation is expected to engage key players in Chinese economy in Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
This, according to the statement, is to facilitate and fast-track FOCAC project implementation through familiarisation and feedback sessions with the relevant participating companies.
“This visit is part of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote economic cooperation between the two countries.
“This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s economic growth and development, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, technology transfer and job creation,” Tegbe said.
Troops of the Nigerian Army have destroyed 23 illegal artisanal refineries and apprehended 25 suspected operators during an anti-bunkering operation conducted in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states.
An illegal refinery
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, spokesman for the Nigerian Army 6 Division in Port Harcourt, disclosed this development in a statement issued on Monday, January 20, 2025.
He revealed that soldiers also seized 14 boats used for transporting petroleum products and confiscated 45,000 litres of various adulterated petroleum products during the raids.
“The operations were conducted between Jan. 12 and Jan. 19 in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states,” he stated.
Danjuma reported that the operation began in Rivers, where troops intercepted a truck carrying over 15,000 litres of fake petroleum products.
“The tanker truck was impounded along the Eneka-Tank stretch of the East-West Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
“On the same day, troops deactivated seven illegal refining sites, seized four fibre boats, and recovered 12,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the Karakarma area of Degema LGA.
“Additionally, soldiers conducting anti-illegal bunkering operations in Bille, Degema LGA, destroyed two illegal refineries, three receivers, and three large metallic cooking pots filled with over 2,400 litres of products,” he said.
The division spokesman added that troops proceeded to Imo Riverside where they dismantled 13 illegal refining sites, 25 cooking drum pots, 24 receivers, and six metallic containers were destroyed with 7,000 litres of products recovered.
Other items seized included 7,000 litres of stolen products, several empty gallons, four hollow pipes, an unspecified number of motorcycles, and a boat used in the criminal enterprise.
According to Danjuma, troops impounded four boats and over 2,700 litres of stolen products in Oga-Ama, Buguma LGA, while a tugboat and a barge were seized around the Finima area of Bonny LGA.
“In Oshimili, Delta State, a sting operation was carried out, which resulted in the arrest of four suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) involved in the illegal bunkering of petroleum products.
“The suspects were caught conveying stolen products around the Abor community junction to Kwale in Ndokwa West LGA,” Danjuma added.
He further said that acting on intelligence, soldiers dismantled five dugout pits filled with an unspecified quantity of stolen petroleum products along the Yokri River in Burutu LGA.
According to him, troops also confiscated two Toyota Avalon vehicles carrying an unspecified quantity of illegally refined diesel along Okarki-Otuasega Road in Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa.
“The vehicles and petroleum products have been handled in accordance with our operational mandate,” Danjuma said.
A group comprising no fewer than 27 civil society organisations (CSOs) has called on the Nigeria Police to release detained environmental activist, Odey Oyama, and his six associates and cease all further hostile acts against their persons and legitimate campaigns.
Odey Oyama
In a statement made available to EnviroNews on Sunday, January 19, 2025, the group, coordinated by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), submitted that it “shall go to all legitimate lengths to enforce the right of Odey Oyama and his associates to advocate peacefully without any let or hindrance”.
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, environmental activist and director of the Rainforest Resource and Development Centre (RRDC), Mr. Odey Oyama, and six others were arrested by Police officers from the Ikom division of the Cross River State Police Command. He was reportedly taken from his Okuni home and driven to Calabar where he was kept incommunicado, without legal representation and without formal charges for at least 24 hours.
The were reportedly protesting the exploitation of Olulumo Effi rainforest in Cross River State. The arrests reportedly followed their “peaceful resistance” to deforestation activities by Chinese and local collaborators in the forest.
Odey Oyama is described as a resolute campaigner for the protection of the rainforest and biodiversity in Cross River State, a cause that has brought him in constant confrontation with illegal loggers who plunder the rich forest ecosystem of Cross River State.
In recent times, Odey Oyama has been engaged in a fierce campaign against Chinese business concerns working with indigenous collaborators who are logging the Effi Rainforest, a trend that has resulted in massive deforestation, dissipation of wildlife and loss of biodiversity.
According to the group, Oyama has up till now not been formerly charged with any wrongdoing.
The activists criticised the Nigeria Police, saying that it has once again demonstrated flagrant disregard for due process and their role in stifling dissenting voices, especially when vested business interests are at stake. In this instance, Odey Oyama a conscientious objector to the destruction of the environment, rather than enjoy the protection of the government, is being systematically persecuted, added the campaigners.
They added: “As civil society organisations and activists in Nigeria, we are familiar with the selfless campaigns of Odey Oyama that have earned him national and international recognition and have helped to preserve the ecological heritage of Cross River State. We are therefore alarmed that rather than support the efforts of Oyama and other campaigners like him to check the illegal destruction of the Cross River forests, the Police is complicit in weakening his resolve and repressing him. It is even more alarming that he was arrested and detained without formal charges against all extant Nigeria and international laws.
“We are also concerned that this latest arrest is symbolic of the growing intolerance of the government towards the legitimate activities of civil society organisations. In Cross River State in particular, we have witnessed a pattern of arrest and detention of journalists and activists with the flimsiest excuses, but covertly to stifle democratic dissent. We are worried that the civic space is shrinking at an accelerated rate in the state, and the Police is highly complicit in this deteriorating trend.”
In another statement, Missang Oyama, a family member, described the activist’s detention as an act against his efforts to “defend the sanctity of our land against the greed of Chinese invaders and their despicable and mindless local collaborators”.
“Their only crime was standing up for the Olulumo forest, a treasure that should be preserved for generations yet unborn,” the statement reads.
“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Prince Odey Oyama and all others unlawfully detained.”
In April 2024, Odey Oyama raised alarms over alleged deforestation and illegal exploitation by unidentified Chinese nationals, purportedly working in collaboration with locals.
He described the rainforest as a sanctuary for biodiversity and a vital resource for local communities, now under threat from indiscriminate deforestation.
“The exploitation of the Effi Pristine Rainforest by these entities is resulting in wanton destruction, indiscriminate deforestation, and irreversible damage to the delicate ecosystem. Immediate action is imperative to prevent further devastation,” the activist wrote.
“RRDC condemns the complicity of community elites and the silence surrounding this ecological plunder. We urge community leaders to break their silence and join efforts to protect our shared heritage.
“Efforts to uncover the truth behind these nefarious activities have been met with resistance and secrecy, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention.
“We therefore call upon the local government, the Cross River state government, and the federal government of Nigeria to invoke the necessary measures to halt the destruction of Effi Pristine Rainforest and hold perpetrators accountable.
“It is imperative that immediate action is taken to restore and preserve the Effi Pristine Rainforest for future generations, reaffirming our commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development.
“We implore government authorities to act swiftly to avert this ecological crisis and safeguard the Effi Pristine Rainforest for the benefit of present and future generations.”
Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) and international energy companies TotalEnergies, Eni, OMV, Repsol and Nabors, outlined key exploration milestones and strategies to advance oil and gas production in Libya at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2025 on Saturday, January 18.
TotalEnergies
Among the key developments highlighted were TotalEnergies’ recent onshore exploration project and promising exploration opportunities in the Sirte and Murzuq basins.
“With 40% of Africa’s reserves, Libya remains largely untapped,” said Julien Pouget, Senior Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at TotalEnergies.
Pouget shared TotalEnergies’ plans for 2025, including the completion of an onshore exploration project and new exploration in the Waha and Sharara fields.
“We expect results next week,” he added.
Luca Vignati, Upstream Director at Eni, echoed optimism for Libya’s potential and outlined the company’s ongoing investment initiatives in the country. “We are launching three exploration plays – shallow, deepwater and ultra-deep offshore. No other country offers such opportunities,” Vignati stated.
He also highlighted the company’s investments in gas projects, including over $10 billion for the Greenstream gas pipeline and a CO2 capture and storage plant in Mellitah.
Repsol affirmed its commitment to advancing exploration in Libya, focusing on overcoming industry challenges and achieving significant production milestones.
“Over the past decade, Libya has made remarkable efforts to fight natural field decline and encourage exploration,” said Francisco Gea, Executive Managing Director, Exploration & Production at Repsol. “We have reached 340,000 barrels per day. The two million target is within reach, and as international companies, we have the responsibility to bring capacity and technology.”
“Innovation is key to maximising production and accelerating exploration. By deploying cutting-edge solutions, Nabors can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and ensure safer operations,” added Travis Purvis, Senior Vice President of Global Drilling Operations at Nabors.
Bashir Garea, Technical Advisor to the Chairman of the NOC, highlighted the country’s immense oil and gas potential. “We have 48 billion barrels of discovered but unexploited oil, with total potential estimated at 90 billion barrels, especially offshore,” he said.
He also pointed to Libya’s sizable gas reserves, noting, “Libya has 122 trillion cubic feet of gas yet to be developed. To unlock this potential, we need more investors and new technology, particularly for brownfield revitalisation.”
“Our strategy spans the entire value chain. Strengthening infrastructure is essential to maximising production and efficiency,” said Hisham Najah, General Manager of the NOC’s Investment & Owners Committees Department.
NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber and session moderator, underlined Libya as a prime destination for foreign investment: “Libya is at the cusp of a new energy era. The time for bold investments and strategic partnerships is now.”
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has made a significant and commendable decision to absorb a substantial portion of rising global oil prices, ensuring that Nigerians continue to benefit from stable fuel costs despite a surge in international crude prices.
Dangote Refinery
Africa’s first private refinery, which disclosed this in a statement by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said the move underscores its commitment to the Nigerian people.
Dangote Refinery recently announced an increase in its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N899.50 to N950 per litre. However, the company clarified that the price hike is a direct reflection of a spike in global crude oil prices, which recently surged from $70 to $82 per barrel.
It noted that while the cost of crude oil on the global market rose by 15%, Dangote Refinery decided to absorb a significant portion of these rising expenses to shield Nigerian consumers from the full brunt of the global price surge. As a result, the ex-depot price increase remains at 5%, considerably lower than the price hikes experienced in other global markets.
“We wish to clarify that the recent adjustment in our ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) is directly related to the significant increase in global crude oil prices. As crude remains the primary input in the production of PMS, any fluctuation in its international price inevitably impacts the cost of the finished product. At Dangote Petroleum Refinery, we recognise the critical importance of affordable fuel for all Nigerians, and we remain committed to offering the best value with guaranteed quality to our customers.
“While we have made a 5% adjustment to our ex-depot price from N899.50 to N950 per litre, it is important to note that this increase is considerably lower than the 15% rise in global crude oil prices, which has seen Brent Crude rise from $70 to $82 in a matter of days, in addition to the premium for Nigerian crude (approximately $3 per barrel) in international markets. Furthermore, Dangote Refinery has maintained the Single-Point Mooring (SPM) ex-vessel price at N895 per litre,” it said.
The company also said it kept the Single-Point Mooring (SPM) ex-vessel price stable at N895 per litre while absorbing the increased logistics cost to ensure that its PMS are sold at a uniform price across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, ensuring that no region is left to bear the full weight of the global oil price fluctuations.
The statement added that had the refinery not intervened, Nigerians could have been facing an eye-watering increase, with petrol prices potentially climbing to as high as N1,150 or even N1,200 per litre, further compounding the woes of millions of Nigerians already grappling with inflation and economic hardship.
“All our partners, including Ardova, Heyden, and MRS Holdings, will offer petrol to Nigerians at a retail price of N970 per litre nationwide. We have absorbed the increased logistics costs to guarantee uniform pricing across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Dangote Refinery has absorbed approximately 50% of the cost increases in the international oil market. This is due to our unwavering commitment to quality and affordability, as well as the ownership of the refinery by Nigerians, which remain central to our mission. If Dangote Refinery were to pass on the entire increase in the price of crude oil to the market, the retail price of PMS would be approximately N1,150 to N1,200 per litre in some locations, compared to the current price of N970 per litre,” he said.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery emphasised that this move reflects its deep commitment to the Nigerian people and its mission to ensure access to affordable, high-quality fuel. The company, which is wholly Nigerian-owned, prides itself on prioritising national interests, even at the expense of short-term profits.
Furthermore, the refinery has committed to maintaining transparency with the public, promising to publish its ex-depot, ex-vessel, and pump prices on a weekly basis. This ensures that consumers remain well-informed and protected from potential price exploitation.
The Refinery also expressed its gratitude to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its continued support, particularly through initiatives like the Naira for Crude scheme, which has allowed Nigeria to maintain consistent access to petrol while mitigating the pressures of global price volatility.
“We would like to express our gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the introduction of the visionary Naira for Crude Initiative. This groundbreaking initiative has enabled consistent access to high-quality PMS for all Nigerians, while also insulating the Nigerian consumers from the volatility of the global oil market,” it said.
As the global oil market continues to face uncertainty, Dangote’s decision to absorb these costs ensures that Nigeria remains shielded from the worst impacts of rising oil prices, safeguarding the interests of Nigerian consumers.
