Rivers COMPOL, DPR back Energy Commissioner
In line with the new vision of co-operation for optimal services in the oil and gas sector in Rivers State, the Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Dr. Dawari George, has received assurances that the necessary laws on monitoring and prosecution of those who hoard petroleum products would be put to good effect.
Outlining the state's new direction earlier during a continuation of his inspection and familiarisation visits to stakeholders in the sector, Dr. George had noted that collaboration with the Rivers State Police command has been vital in the prosecution of the activities of the Task Force on Petroleum, one of the legal creations of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, indicating that the scope of the task force's operations would soon be enlarged.
The Energy Commissioner also expressed appreciation to the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Bala Hassan, for the support of the police in the ministry's quest to stop illegal sale of petroleum products, especially with jerry cans and at fuel/kerosene dumps, pointing out that some arrests were also made within the past few weeks.
At the offices of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, the Zonal Manager, Mr. Uche Obidiegwu and DPR Zonal Operations Manager, Mrs. Onyebuchi C. Sibeudu, both assured the state Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources that areas of mutual co-operation would be maximised, while ensuring that petroleum products are not hoarded by marketers in the state in order to have better and more memorable end-of-year festivities.
In his speech, Dr. Dawari George had remarked that “as federal agencies, we will like to partner with you in our desire to ensure that the oil and gas industry is monitored and operated effectively. We, as the host state, will play active complementary roles”, adding that, there are areas that require restructuring for better service delivery.
He said the state would need the guidance and assistance of DPR to realise its dream of the Rivers Refinery project at Ndoni, hinting that there would soon be an inspection visit to the state from the head office of the Directorate in Abuja.
Speaking variously in their responses to the visits of the Energy Commissioner and the top staffers of the ministry, the state Commissioner for Police, Mr. Bala Hassan, like the NNPC Zonal Manager and the Zonal Operations Controller of DPR, all pledged co-operation and alertness to their assigned responsibilities, stating that success in the joint mission would improve the economic prosperity of the state in a more peaceful atmosphere.
