Wednesday, 14 January 2015

Photos: GEJ commissions cenotaph for soldiers killed by BH since 2011


President Jonathan today commissioned a cenotaph in Abuja in remembrance of military men and women who were killed in the North East while fighting Boko Haram militants from 2011 to 2014. The cenotaph, an empty tomb built to honor a group of people whose bodies are elsewhere, was built at the National Military cemetry in Abuja. Another pis after the cut...











Oil Production May Rise By 297,000 Barrels Per Day In 2 Yrs - NAPIMS

By Sulaimon Salau



BARRING any unforeseen circumstance, Nigeria's oil production capacity may increase by about 297,000 barrels per day (bpd) between now and 2017, going by indications from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).



The nation, which at present produces about 2,037 million barrels per day (bpd), is expected to get additional 40,000bpd in 2015, 57,000bpd in 2016 and 200,000bpd in 2017 (totalling 297,000bpd) from new projects from the oil multinationals like ExxonMobil and Total.



The Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), an arm of the NNPC, Jonathan Okehs, in a New Year goodwill message to members of staff, and obtained by The Guardian yesterday, said despite the dire security situation in the Chad Basin area, NAPIMS, through Frontier Exploration Services (FES), has continued to explore the frontier areas of Nigeria to increase oil and gas reserves.



He also raised optimism that the domestic gas market will record tremendous growth, as gas supply is expected to increase to over 80 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) by the first quarter of 2015.



He said: "NAPIMS has also continued to explore for new opportunities to increase our reserve base and daily production. Under the Production Sharing Contract (PSC), new green fields were discovered by some of our Partners like Newcross in OPL 283 while some others have already commenced production. Other projects such as Ofon Phase 2 are near completion with expected production of 40,000 bpd by Q4 of 2015.



"In July 2014, we commissioned the multi-billion dollar Escravos Gas-to-liquid (EGTC) plant. This created over 1,500 jobs with about $4 billion projected income to the economy. In August 2014, the multi-billion dollar Bonga North Deepwater Project dropped its first oil and has added 50,000bpd to our national crude production."



In pursuit of the Federal Government's gas to power agenda, Okehs said the corporation has maintained gas supply of three billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd) to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and between 750-800mmscfd to the domestic market.



"We also ensured the supply of gas to Independent Power Plants thus supporting stable power supply to Nigerians and reducing gas flares. The latest gas project, the Alakiri AG solution, being developed by SPDC joint venture is currently supplying 45mmscfd to the domestic market and will increase to over 80mmscfd by the first quarter of 2015," he added.

http://ift.tt/1BrRXzo


Cholera Kills 20 In Rivers – Commissioner

The Commissioner for Health in Rivers, Dr Sampson Parker, on Wednesday said that cholera outbreak in 11 communities in the state had claimed 20 lives.



Parker told newsmen in Port Harcourt after visiting the affected communities in Andoni Local Government Area that the outbreak was reported on Jan. 5.



“So far, 171 cases have been recorded with 20 deaths in the outbreak which was reported on January 5.



“The Local Government Area Rapid Response Team with State Emergency Response Team, have responded swiftly,” he said.



Parker also said two treatment centres had been opened in the affected communities to manage cases and advised affected people to access the centres.



“Emergency drugs and rehydration fluids have been provided for the management of cases,” he added.



Parker said the situation was pathetic and unbelievable but that the outbreak was under control as government had provided portable drinking water to the affected communities.



“What I have seen is pathetic and unbelievable. Our duty is to intervene quickly so that we do not lose more lives.



“I will say that the outbreak is under control now. All we need to do now is to treat the affected ones and to prevent further occurrences. We will continue to deploy to treat the affected ones.



“Government is also sending portable drinking water to the affected communities,” he said.



Dr Akinloye Makinde, Chief Consultant Epidemiologist, Federal Ministry of Health, said the ministry sent him to assess the situation.



“The Federal Government is donating drugs and test kits to the State Government to deploy to places in need,” he said.



Dr Sylvester Malemi, World Health Organisation Coordinator for Rivers, said it would provide technical support to Rivers to check the outbreak.



“We are here to investigate the outbreak, confirm that there is actually cholera, mobilise resources from partners, federal and state ministries of health to stop the outbreak,” he said.



He advised the people to boil their water before drinking and maintain good hygiene.

http://ift.tt/1BrRXzh