Oil bunkering, threat to national economy

LAGOS, July 25 -- Governor James Ibori of Delta State in Asaba, observed that oil bunkering had become a threat to the national economy and urged the Nigeria Navy to mobilise its striking power to drastically reduce the scourge.

Ibori dropped the hints when the out-going Commanding Officer, NNS Umalokun, Navy Captain John Kpokpogri, paid him a farewell visit at the Government House, Asaba.

Beside commending Kpokpogri for confronting the issue with all deserved seriousness, Ibori urged the in-coming commander to start from where his predecessor stopped.

He also reminded the commanding officer of the complex nature of the state and urged him to understand and appreciate the complexities in his dealings with the people of the state.

Ibori urged him to use his wealth of experience as well as ensuring that peace reigned in the riverine areas of the state.

He gave kudos to Kpokpogri for his ingenuity in maintaining law and order and for also being useful to the government of the state, adding that his team work spirit was unequalled and urged him success in his future endeavours.

Kpokpogri pointed out that his successor, Navy Captain Sylvester Umosen understood the enormity of security problems in the state.

He said the new officer would start on a sound fooling and expressed the hope that the state government would extend the same level of co-operation accorded him to his successor.

Umosen promised to do his best and work together with the state government to combat oil bunkering. - This Day

http://www.africast.com/article.cfm?newsID=20176

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), July 25, 2001

Answers

Ok, would some expert let me know what 'bunkering' is and why this could be a threat to a nations security? Sounds pretty serious if they want to mobilize the navy for it.

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), July 25, 2001.

I know citizens would poke holes in above ground pipelines so they could take home buckets of gas but how the navy is supposed to help with a landlocked problem I have no idea. Its odd they wouldn't explain bunkering in the article, as if that was a common knowledge term.

-- Guy Daley (guydaley1@netzero.net), July 25, 2001.

After a little thought, I presume it is about storing oil offshore in tankers.

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), July 25, 2001.

But why would storing oil in offshore tankers be a threat to national security so serious as to earn Navy attention? There's something missing here, I think. Is the story a translation from another language or from an "insider" service where the readers would normally be expected to know a special jargonish meaning for bunkering?

-- Cash (Cash@andcarry.com), July 26, 2001.

Five Naval Ships for Reactivation

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July 11, 2001 Posted to the web July 11, 2001

Kingsley Omonobi & Chioma Ogwalonye Lagos

Five warships in the Nigerian Navy inventory including NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, NNS Nyam and the Frigate, NNS Ambe will be seaworthy by December after undergoing retrofitting, naval authorities said yesterday.

Already three of the ships, NNS Ekun, NNS Lana and NNS Yola currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Naval Dockyard Apapa have been programmed for completion in two weeks time.

Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ekpeyong Ekpo who made this known after a tour of platforms under his command yesterday noted that the reactivation of the warships was being undertaken in spite of the tight budgetary constraints because the Navy was bent on going back to sea.

Besides, he pointed out that the Navy planned to take on the hydra- headed problem of piracy, smuggling and illegal bunkering as well hostage taking of oil flow stations headlong, hence the retrofitting.

He said: "It is worrisome to note that incidents of piracy have been on the increase for the key reason that there is limited Naval presence at sea.

"That is why we are making efforts to get our ships under way. In the interim, Olokun is organising a duty guard boat as a quick response to incidents of piracy."

Emphasising the importance of discipline in the force, the FOC said, "Discipline is the bedrock of the military profession. You are expected to maintain a higher standard of discipline in the discharge of your duties."

"The involvement of Naval personnel in illegal activities will not be condoned. Such unauthorised duties have continued to dent the image of the service. Your turnout and conduct in public as well as contributions in terms of aid to civil power must be enhanced.

"To check the rampant cases of personnel going ashore randomly, the command is introducing liberty cards for junior ratings while officers of the day (OODs) will henceforth inspect the ratings.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200107110120.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), July 26, 2001.