The Federal Government granted a total of N23.493 billion as waivers and exemptions to energy firms and for energy-related activities in the year 2013.

Last year’s admission by Senator Magnus Abe that the continued delay in passing the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, is on account of extraneous factors beyond the control of Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber, gave many Nigerians quite a scare.

Following the recent appointments made by President Goodluck Jonathan of new members into the board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, ex-militants in the third phase of the federal government amnesty programme had pledged their support to work with them.

After waiting for over four decades to get their community linked to the rest of the country by road, the people of the coast city of Nembe in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State a week ago, had cause to celebrate when the state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah made history as the first public office holder to visit the ancient kingdom in a four wheel vehicle.

While shipping operators in the maritime sector are battling with high interest rate for loans collected from banks and failed promises for assistance in that regards from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), their counterparts in the oil and gas sector are benefiting from a scheme by the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), to aid them to easily acquire vessels.