Connect with us

Headline

Opinion: Eraskorp, OMS, NNPC and Parable of The Talent

Published

on

By Orobosa Omo-Ojo
For days, I ponder on how to approach this topic, just then, I realised that the Parable of the Talents in the Holy Book of Mathew, provides a helpful framework to illustrate the media circus that has been on the road for a while now.
The Parable of the Talents is not about salvation or works righteousness, but about how we use our work to fulfil our earthly callings. It is about whole-life stewardship, or “Stewardship with a capital ‘S‘.”
The unfaithful steward in this parable did not so much waste the master’s money – he wasted an opportunity. As a result, he was judged wicked and lazy. We are responsible for what we do for God with what we have been given, and one day we will be held responsible.
‘Talent’ usually refers to ability, but in this parable, it is used as a measure for money. Greek sources state that one talent was equivalent to the money worth twenty years of labour done by a common person or helper.
This parable discusses the trusting nature of a master towards his servant and the responsibility of a servant towards his master. It also highlights the need for faithfulness and obedience, not only when the master is around, but also when he is not.
We are told a story of how a Chief Executive assigned responsibilities to his agents, while he was away on a trip. Upon his return, he assessed the productivity of each servants or if you like, the caretakers. He evaluated them according to their faithfulness and creativity in protecting his investment.
It is clear from the story that even the rich Pharisee was interested in making some profit from his investment. A gain indicated faithfulness on the part of the servants. And this gain could be possible, only if the servants play their caretakers role diligently. The measure of rewards was based on how each has handled his assignment. He judged two servants as having been “faithful” and rewarded them positively. The unfaithful servant got query and was not compensated.
According to theologians, another version of the parable of talents was provided by Eusebius of Caesarea from a “Gospel written in Hebrew script”. In that gospel, Eusebius wrote that, while the man who had hid the talent was rebuked for his wasteful approach to business. The man who had received two talents had invested and gained a return on his investment, the recipient of the five talents instead “wasted his master’s possessions and trust with harlots and flute-girls”. The Hebrew Gospel also revealed that this ‘prodigal man’ was sent into the darkness, and Eusebius expressly identified the darkness as being imprisonment.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) aptly fits the role of the rich Hebrew man in the ‘Parable of Talents’. It is the statutory responsibility of the company to manage Nigeria natural resources on behalf of the government. NNPC in turn, also employ the services of individuals and corporate entities to ensure service delivery. Bearing this truism in mind, Nigerians became curious and confused with the imbroglio that has trailed the award of contract for Trans Forcados Pipeline the security surveillance to the preferred company – Ocean Marine Solutions (OMS).
Unlike the characters in the ‘Parable of Talents’, three principal actors are in the ongoing ‘black gold’ thriller’ – Eraskorp, Ocean Marine Solutions and the NNPC. At the heart of the contest is the ‘Trans Forcados Pipeline’ (TFP) surveillance contract. According to the management of Eraskorp, the company was contracted by NNPC to provide security and surveillance services for the pipelines and the resources they convey, until recently when the contract was terminated by NNPC due to poor service delivery.
The corporation had stated in a press statement signed by Ndu Ughamadu, that the nation lost 11 million barrels of crude oil, worth $800 million, whilst the TFP was placed under the watch of Eraskorp when their contract subsisted. But in another release, Eraskorp dismissed NNPC claim as “redundant falsehood”, insisting that its effort was geared to making positive impacts in the Nigeria oil industry.
Eraskorp also challenged NNPC to provide Nigerians with cogent evidence of the “spurious claim”. The company then distanced itself from the responsibility of safeguarding the Trans Forcados Pipelines, just as it claimed that “a surveillance contractor cannot be held liable for production shut-ins due to technical hitches.
“The NNPC is fully aware that the so-called losses have nothing to do with the performance of our contract and is just a convenient excuse for their own misconduct”. The narratives so far, points to a situation of no going back, with the ‘fight-to-finish’ attitude of Eraskorp against the management of NNPC who they also accused of failing to follow due process in re-awarding the surveillance contract for the protection of TFP to OMS.
Several questions should be begging for answers from Eraskop and NNPC. Principal amongst which is the status of the former contract that was terminated – was there a determination clause, based on performance? Did Eraskorp deliver on its mandate to protect the TFP? Is it true that NNPC and Nigeria lost 11 million barrels oil worth $800 million under the watch of Eraskorp? Conversely, NNPC management had backed their claims with verifiable documents that the TFP was a major waste conduit during the period they contracted Eraskorp to protect the pipelines. The corporation was short of accusing Eraskorp of economic sabotage. Like the man who was given a single talent, in my opening story, Eraskorp management have safely distanced itself and laid the losses squarely on the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) division of NNPC. This attitude is completely wrong and negates against good business ethical values.
But how could this be? From the understanding of the workings in NNPC, the failure or inability of the O&M division is the primary reason why the Eraskorp was contracted to watch over the Trans Forcados Pipelines in the first instance and for this, the company admitted to have been paid $1.5 million each month. Eraskorp argument is merely an attempt by an inefficient contractor to evade responsibility.
By the way, NNPC decision to discontinue with Eraskorp and enter a new contract with a more technical oriented company is based on the “ Proof of Concept”, basically because OMS has successfully prevented oil thieves from bursting the Escravos-Warri and Bonny-Port Harcourt pipelines since they entered into surveillance agreement with company. This is the basis and justification for the use of “Proof of Concept” methodology for the re-award of the TFP surveillance contract to Ocean Marine Solutions, after the failure of Eraskorp to protect the TCP. Like the rich Hebrew merchant, NNPC can only reward her performing contractor, not the ‘servant’ that went frolicking and wasted his master’s trust with “harlots and flute-girls”. The ineffective servant was sent into the darkness, which has been interpreted by theologians as imprisonment. Today, the only place fit for economic saboteurs in Nigeria remains the prison.
But what may be the real reason for Eraskorp’s objection to the discontinuation of their TFP surveillance contract? Could this be because of their proclaimed “national interest”? Or, is the fight akin to the unnamed Hebrew woman who wanted the newborn child butchered, if she cannot claim ownership of the baby?
In economic disputes, the phrase – “splitting the baby” describes a compromise somewhere in the middle of the opposing parties’ (requested demands). The phrase comes from a dispute, where King Solomon faced a challenge where two women claimed the same infant child as theirs. Both women had given birth to a child in the same house and sadly, one of the babies died in sleep. The allegation was that the mother had switched the dead child for the living one, while the other mother slept. Solomon’s proposal was to cut the baby in half with a sword so that each could have half, as a solution to the dispute. However, when the real mother gave up her demand to save the child, Solomon knew who the mother was and handed the child to her.
The Trans Forcados Pipeline is Nigeria’s baby that needs to be protected from perilous attack from oil thieves and vandals. Eraskorp management must reconsider their present uncooperative stance with NNPC to prevent the continued loss of crude and revenue on the TFP. It is the responsibility of NNPC to select technical partners and vendors that they consider qualified to provide services to the corporation, including the TFP surveillance that is aimed at safeguarding the resources of Nigeria. A failure to do this, may amount to deliberate act of economic sabotage.

Hon. Orobosa Omo-Ojo, JP is Journalist and a former Commissioner for Oil and Gas writes from Lagos

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Headline

Abuja is Safe, Peaceful, FG Counters US Security Alert

Published

on

By

The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that there is no security threat within its capital city, Abuja.

The Nigerian government stated this on Monday in response to an advisory by the United States’ Mission in Nigeria warning all Americans to stay away from all military and government facilities in Abuja.

“Due to increased security concerns arising from current global developments, U.S. Mission Nigeria informs U.S. citizens that all U.S.

“Embassy employees and their families are prohibited from non-official travel to a Nigerian military site or other government venue in Abuja at this time,” the mission had stated.

In its response, the Nigerian government maintained that Abuja remained safe for citizens and visitors alike.

In a statement, Nigeria’s Information Minister Mohammed Idris said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken note of the latest security advisory issued by the Embassy of the United States, restricting its staff and their families from non-official travel to military sites or other government facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

“While the Federal government recognizes and respects the right of foreign missions, including the U.S. Embassy, to issue travel advisories to their citizens, it is important to state categorically that Abuja remains safe for citizens, residents, and visitors alike.

“Nigeria’s security agencies are working around the clock to ensure the continued safety and protection of all residents of the FCT and across the country. The current security architecture in Abuja has not only been proactive but has also recorded significant successes in detecting, preventing, and neutralizing threats.”

“We understand that the U.S. advisory is based on general global developments and does not reflect any imminent or specific threat within the FCT. However, we reiterate to all diplomatic missions, investors, development partners, and the general public that there is no cause for alarm.

“The Federal Government wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the safety of all residents and to maintaining Abuja’s reputation as one of the most secure capitals in the world. Our security and intelligence agencies are monitoring developments across the country and are fully prepared to respond decisively to any threat.

“We encourage citizens to conduct their lawful activities without fear, while also remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities,” the minister added.

Meanwhile, the US State Department has issued a “worldwide caution” for Americans, saying the conflict in the Middle East could put those traveling or living abroad at an increased security risk.

“The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East. There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad,” the State Department’s security alert said.

Continue Reading

Headline

Trump Confirms US Bombing of Iran’s Nuclear Sites, Warns Against Attempt to Retaliate

Published

on

By

U.S. President, Donald Trump, has disclosed that the United States has carried out “very successful attack” on three nuclear sites in Iran namely Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.

President Trump disclosed this via Truth Social while warning that “any retaliation by Iran against the United States of America will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight”.

Trump in posts on the social media platform on Saturday described the attack on the Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites as historic for the USA, Israel and the world, adding that Iran must now agree to end the war.

“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.

“All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.

“Congratulations to our great American warriors. There is not another military in the world that could have done this. Now is the time for peace,” Trump wrote.

Sources said the United States Air Force used 6 Northrop B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to drop 12 bunker-buster bombs, that is 360,000 lbs, on the Fordow Nuclear Facility, obliterating the entire nuclear capability.

This is coming after hostilities broke out between Israel and Iran on June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

The Israel versus Iran crisis has led to fatalities running into hundreds as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, on Saturday, warned that the U.S. participation in Israel’s ongoing attacks on Iran would be “very unfortunate” and “extremely dangerous for everyone.”

Also, the United Nations’ Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had warned that the ongoing violent conflict between Iran and Israel is “a fire no one can control” and risks spiraling out of control.

Meanwhile, the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had earlier released the most alarming update on the ongoing Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, on Friday, warned the UN Security Council that Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities were degrading critical safety systems and placing millions at potential radiological risk.

Grossi said at Natanz, the destruction of electricity infrastructure and direct strikes on enrichment halls had led to internal contamination.

Grossi said while no radiological release has been detected outside the facility, warned that uranium compounds now posed significant health hazards within.

At Isfahan, the UN nuclear watchdog boss said multiple buildings including a uranium conversion plant and a metal processing facility, were hit.

At Arak’s Khondab reactor site, he said that damage was sustained, though the facility was not operational.

The greatest risk, however, he said, is the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, which remains operational.

Grossi warned that a direct strike “could result in a high release of radioactivity to the environment.”

He stressed that even a disruption of its external power supply could lead to a core meltdown.

In the worst-case scenario, radiation would affect populations hundreds of kilometres away and require mass evacuations, he warned.

Grossi also warned against any attack on the Tehran Nuclear Research Reactor, which could endanger millions in the capital.

“Nuclear facilities and material must not be shrouded by the fog of war,” he said. We must maintain communication, transparency and restraint,” the IAEA chief stressed.

Grossi pledged that the IAEA would continue to monitor and report on nuclear safety conditions in Iran and reiterated his readiness to mediate.

He stressed that the agency “can guarantee, through a watertight inspections system,” that nuclear weapons will not be developed in Iran, urging dialogue.

“The alternative is a protracted conflict and a looming nuclear threat that would erode the global non-proliferation regime,” he stressed.

Continue Reading

Headline

Adeleke Rejoices with Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Akanbi at 58

Published

on

By

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has rejoiced with the Paramount ruler of Iwoland, HIM Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, on the occasion of his 58th birthday, lauding the foremost traditional ruler’s passionate commitment to uplifting humanity.

A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Olawale Rasheed rveals tgat the Governor acknowledges Oba Akanbi’s exceptional sense of dedication to the advancement of Iwoland, utilising contacts and his God-given resources to facilitate developments, praising him for leading the charge for the remarkable transformation that Iwoland is experiencing under his reign.

The Governor commends the frontline monarch for the shared vision for growth and impactful governance, hailing him as a model for purposeful leadership given the monumental progress that Iwoland is recording under this rulership.

“I rejoice with His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, on the occasion of his birthday. Oba Akanbi is a visionary leader and his steadfast pursuit of a virile and prosperous Iwoland is truly inspiring,” the Governor was quoted in a congratulatory message.

“On this day, I honour Kabiyesi’s exceptional contributions to the promotion of our tradition and the endearing effort in fostering peace and harmony in Iwoland and Osun state as a whole.

“It is my prayer that Kabiyesi’s new age brings him more joy and abundant blessings. I also beseech God Almighty to give him more grace to continue his life of service and impact.”

Continue Reading

Trending