news
The Tank Farm/Satellite Town Saga:
……The True Story
The Festering story of the Satellite Town and Tank Farm are not getting abated, if the truth must be told. Banters and expansions on the raging matter were espoused by opposing parties on the issues, and the interesting conclusion is that both parties have now agreed on a Mutual and Consolidated Agreement to move on and make things Workable in the interest of Peace, Harmony and Progress.
Residents of a largely populated area in satellite town area of Lagos state, have cried out to the Lagos state Government to come out to their aid on the activities of Tank farm in their immediate vicinity.
The residents made up mainly of all the Estates, roads and close accessed through the old, worn-out, frail, rocky and gully road of the area linked to old Ojo Road, Wobbly Navy Road, and the uncharted shell-Abule Osun Road, with the broken steps and ridges and water collectors interior, are gathered here at the closest level of government.
They are bemoaning their state of desolation and now earnestly drawing the attention of the government to the very appalling and deplorable situation of their Community.
Their groves rise from the operation of a disparate group of over 50 Tank farms operated by 13 marketing Companies.
This ugly situation led to a massive protest by the residents who trooped out on Tuesday ,July 9, 2019 to condemn what they describe as unwarranted invasion of their community by the oil company. They therefore insisted that the operators should relocate their companies to another area as the current is becoming inhabitable due to environmental pollution ravaging the community.
According to the chairman, Satellite Town Forum, Mr. Michael Imitinl, all government agencies should plan well before approving location of facilities in areas to avoid ugly situation in future just like what is happening in the Niger Delta.
However, we also heared the side of Tank Farms via the secretary, Ijegun-Egba Tank Farms Owners/ Operators, Satellite Town, Lagos Barrister Eslist Eslist who explained, ‘What is essential is that, whatever we discussed at inception of the relationship is that both parties should adhere to the black and white of the deal.
We don’t have issue, their demand are roads, infrastructural deficit which civil construction are going on at Pioneer Road, the road will be fully rehabilitated. Before our company starts operation at Satellite Town, we have to pass through Marwa Road, every collapsed portion in that area has been rehabilitated by our Tank Farm is 3.8 km road beginning of Marwa Road down to the end is long term measure with expansion and the drainage. The issue of flooding whatever concerns the community also concerns us. We want to take water out of the Community down to the lagoon. Work is in progress and the engineer in charge is the Nigerian Army Construction Company . Eventually, whatever that is affecting the community in terms of drainage, water and flooding has been addressed. An expansion of the road is on going which will be completed soon. What we need from the community is cooperation in terms of relationship. As a corporate organization, enjoying good relationship with the community people is our priority.
We have had several meetings and the most important thing is whether the work we promised has commenced or not. Yes, it has commenced, and they are seeing it going on smoothly, and this is why we are appealing to the Community to be patient as the work goes on. We are on the job, and will not abandon the job half-way until it is finished beyond logical conclusion. Above this, our presence, whether you like it or not, has made this community a better one in the eyes of the external world, and we are even making moves to make satellite Town/ Ijegun Egba Community more attractive. It is only good for our Company, not the Hearken to the needs of the Community and we are ever ready to give them what they most desired as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. We have a cordial relationship with the Community, and it is only a foolish businessman that will operate in a hostile environment, especially when people around him are unhappy. They believe that Tank farm will turn the place into an economic zone, and the Government will be easily attracted to the Community. That is why the LASG has been sending their Interventional team to establish a fire- fighting unity in the Community, just as Tank Farms has established its own fire combating outfit, which can also serve the Community, in case of any unexpected fire outbreak.
We are not here illegally we are here Legitimately, and all Companies are duly approved and licensed by Government, so whatever we are doing here is backed by law, and we can only add value to the surrounding Communities by giving them what they lack, by way of Amenities.
On whatever there were prior meetings between firms and the Community, it was ascertained that several meeting were held between both parties and those meetings ended
in mutual agreement of how the company and the Community can move forward in terms of community development and Corporate Social Responsibility on the part of Tank Farm.
Also, the coordinator, Ijegun- Egba Tank farms owners and Operators Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed corroborated the earlier speaker.
He said, we have met with the Community severally, and we have briefed them on the work that is going on which they readily saw and identified. Actually, we are supposed to have started earlier than this, but because of the rain, we had to start in May, and hopefully, when the rain subsides, we should be through with the work by the end of September, all things being equal why the work has not been progressing is because of the weather; if not so the work should have been completed since but that is not an excuse for us. We can only hope that the Community will bear with us, even as they can see that work is going on steadily and in no time, they will begin to enjoy the goodies of the job.
Another issue is that of misplacement of trust among the various parties involved. Many meetings were called and invitation sent to the community to address the main issue, only for the Community to renege and give them their own condition, which was to come and meet them at their own behest, with express permission and approval from their directors. They are however waiting for another meeting that can be mutually fixed and issues settled amicably. As for the Tank Farm, they have been job opportunities for the community, and this will not stop because as long as the inhabitants are gainfully employed, the Tank farms will also be greatly rewarded by what the people are giving back to them. So it is a gain-gain situation for the two parties. Tank farms and satellite town entities. Good enough, all the Tank farms have now come together as one body to come as a positive Form in aid of the Community, and this is a good signal for good things to come which include,
medical facility, education, social amenities that will further raise the standard of the satellite town Community. This will be coming as a collective responsibility of the Tank farmers and the host Community.
Nigeria, Japan seal deals to boost mining investment
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has said any company that invests in Nigeria’s solid mineral sector will record good returns on its investment.
The minister described the nation’s mining sectors as highly profitable.
Alake said this in an audience with officials of the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Trade and Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan.
Following the minister’s meetings, Nigeria and Japan expressed their readiness to align investment plans to unlock Nigeria’s vast mineral resources.
Alake assured Japanese investors that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms, including subsidy removal, a stabilised exchange rate, and major rail, road, and waterway projects, have created a more enabling environment for businesses.
“In terms of economies of scale, producing and processing the critical minerals you need in Nigeria is cheaper and more profitable as the costs of production are lower,” he said.
The minister noted that recent electricity sector reforms would enable industries to generate and manage their own power supply.
He also assured Japanese mining companies of benefiting from tax holidays and duty waivers on equipment, while urging them to invest in local processing of minerals before export, in line with Nigeria’s value-addition policy.
The meetings also featured the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company (NSMC), represented by its CEO, Martins Imonitie. The NSMC, designed to take equity stakes in mining projects, is expected to serve as a trusted partner to strengthen investor confidence.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by Alake’s Special Adviser on Media, Kehinde Bamigbetan, said the meetings focused on attracting Japanese mining companies into Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
According to the statement, the President of JOGMEC, Mr. Michio Daito, acknowledged Nigeria’s rich mineral deposits but stressed the need for more clarity on economic conditions before Japanese firms commit to large-scale investments.
Daito noted that some issues, such as power supply, tax incentives, labour, free trade zones, and infrastructure are critical to reducing investment risks.
Explaining that Japanese mining firms rely on JOGMEC to make investment decisions in foreign countries, the organisation’s president sought to have information on the state of infrastructure in Nigeria that supports mining.
Earlier engagements with Japanese trading giants, Mitsubishi Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, and Mitsui & Company, had signaled growing interest in Nigeria’s mining industry, with final commitments expected after JOGMEC’s approval.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to strengthen technical exchanges and foster direct collaboration between JOGMEC and NSMC to accelerate concrete investment outcomes.
The rise of Nigeria to its rightful place in the comity of nations has begun, the president declared yesterday.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assured Nigerians in the Diaspora that the country’s economy is stabilizing, opportunities are expanding, and reforms are yielding visible results.
He spoke during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in Japan.
The session was held on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).
The President said his administration is determined to reverse negative trends and make the country a land of prosperity for its citizens at home and abroad.
“All I want to do is assure you that things are stable, the economy is stabilized, the opportunity is immense, people are coming back, we are reversing the medical tourism in every way that we could, and I can give you the assurance we are seeing the beginning of Nigeria rising,” Tinubu said to an applause.
He reminded the Diaspora audience that while it is a personal right to remain abroad, the nation still depends on their input to achieve its developmental aspirations.
He said government’s priority is to create an environment where every citizen, home or abroad, can feel the positive impact of change.
“I am happy to listen to you for whatever. Happy to report to you that many of our people are coming back home. Yes, for economic reasons, some people might decide to stay away, it’s a fundamental right of the individual, but for the economic growth and opportunity that is available in Nigeria, don’t stay away. Your contribution is very much needed. If you stay away, who will build it?” the President asked.
Tinubu emphasized that his government is committed to creating an environment where every Nigerian can thrive, noting that governance is about “thinking and doing,” promoting unity, stability, and progress.
He urged Nigerians abroad to remain good ambassadors of their country and to reflect positively on its image, stressing that “poor comments and negative reflections will not help the growth of Nigeria.”
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, who also addressed the gathering, highlighted the bold reforms undertaken by the Tinubu administration since its first day in office.
He recalled that the World Trade Organization’s Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had recently commended Nigeria’s policy direction, describing the reforms as the foundation of future growth.
According to him, we have a President who is undoubted, who is focused, and who is pursuing the reforms that our country deserves.
Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), reported that Nigeria is now witnessing accelerated technology transfer as a direct result of presidential policies.
He said that more than 1,000 applications had been received globally for investment in Nigeria’s technology and industrial sectors, with over $2 billion already committed and factories set to be established in partnership with Japanese firms.
From the private sector, Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, praised the administration’s economic reforms, especially the liberalization of the exchange rate and removal of fuel subsidies.
He said these decisions had improved government revenues, boosted foreign investment, and spurred growth across sectors ranging from oil and gas to mining, telecommunications, and small enterprises.
“We’ve never experienced the closeness with government as we do today,” he remarked.
Also, Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Tokyo, hailed the contributions of Nigerians in Japan, particularly academics and professionals excelling in various fields.
She acknowledged the challenges posed by a few nationals in breach of immigration laws.
She described the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen bonds with the Diaspora community under Nigeria’s new foreign policy thrust.
The President of the Nigerian Union in Japan, Emeka Egbogota, welcomed Tinubu to the “Land of the Rising Sun” on behalf of the community, describing his presence at TICAD9 as a source of pride and unity.
He praised the President’s vision for a prosperous Nigeria driven by technology, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth, pledging the community’s support for his administration’s agenda.
The interactive meeting ended with a renewed sense of partnership between the government and its citizens abroad, with President Tinubu reiterating his commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian has a role to play in the unfolding story of the country’s progress.
The Department of State Services (DSS) and Police have arrested a suspected People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agent, Shehu Fantagi, with about N30 million allegedly earmarked for vote-buying ahead of today’s by-elections in Kaduna State.
Fatangi was picked up on Friday evening at a hotel in the Kaduna metropolis, where he was said to be coordinating the distribution of the funds meant to influence voters in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency election.
Reliable security sources confirmed that the suspect was caught in possession of cash running into tens of millions, allegedly intended to compromise the integrity of the polls.
The Kaduna State Police Command also confirmed the arrest.
Its spokesman DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement on Saturday said: “In a sustained and collaborative effort by security agencies to ensure that the forthcoming by-elections in Kaduna State are conducted peacefully and without interference from criminal elements, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with the Department of State Services (DSS) have successfully apprehended vote buyer in Kaduna.”
According to him: “At about 0330hrs of today, arrested one Shehu Aliyu Patangi at a popular hotel located along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis and recovered a total cash sum of Twenty-Five Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Three Thousand Naira (₦25,963,000) from the suspects, believed to be earmarked for the purpose of inducing voters to compromise the electoral process.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had planned to use the said amount to bribe eligible voters. On interrogation the suspect confessed to the crime and pleaded for leniency.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP RABIU MUHAMMAD psc, mni, expresses appreciation to the other sister agencies for the synergy and swift collaborative action. He warns, in the strongest terms, that anyone, regardless of status, found attempting to undermine the electoral process will face the full wrath of the law.
“The Kaduna State Police Command reassures residents of its commitment to providing maximum security before, during and after the elections, and calls on the good people of Kaduna State to go out and exercise their franchise peacefully and lawfully without fear or intimidation.”
-
news5 years agoUPDATE: #ENDSARS: CCTV footage of Lekki shootings intact – Says Sanwo – Olu
-
lifestyle5 years agoFormer Miss World: Mixed reactions trail Agbani Darego’s looks
-
health4 years agoChairman Agege LG, Ganiyu Egunjobi Receives Covid-19 Vaccines
-
lifestyle4 years agoObateru: Celebrating a Quintessential PR Man at 60
-
health5 years agoUPDATE : Nigeria Records 790 new cases of COVID-19
-
health5 years agoBREAKING: Nigeria confirms 663 new cases of COVID-19
-
news3 months agoBREAKING: Tinubu swears in new NNPCL Board
-
entertainment7 months agoAshny Set for Valentine Special and new Album ‘ Femme Fatale’