The remains of the 12 soldiers killed by bandits in Bonta village, Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State last week, were yesterday buried at the Military Cemetery, Wurukum in Makurdi, Benue State.
Eleven soldiers and one officer, Captain Adeolu Adebayo, were killed while on peace mission to the troubled Bonta village in Benue State on Easter Monday.
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, promised to collaborate with security agencies to ensure that perpetrators of the act were brought to book.
“It is unfortunate that this incident took place. I want the Nigerian army, the families of the deceased and indeed all Nigerians to know that the attack on security personnel is an attack on all.
“This attack was unwarranted, it was not needed because all these patriotic soldiers were there to keep peace and that was why they were ambushed. Otherwise, we all know what soldiers can do and the capacity they have to defend themselves.”
Ortom also apologised to families of the slain soldiers in case he made uncomplimentary comments at the height of the crisis, saying his statements were based on information at his disposal then.
“As a leader, I needed to say something the people needed to hear, and as of that time that I made the comment that it was two soldiers that were missing; it was based on the information that was made available to me.
“But all the same, please I am sorry. It is the responsibility of this government to also join hands with the leadership of the army to see how we can support the bereaved families. May God rest their souls,” the governor said.
Among those present at the burial were the Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Maj. Gen. Adeyemi Yekini, the Commanding Officer, 72 Battalion, military personnel as well as family members of the deceased soldiers.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency has partnered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to enforce transparency in the deployment and administration of COVID -19 vaccines in Nigeria.
Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, who disclosed this in Abuja said this in a statement issued in Abuja,explained that the ICPC would track and monitor the deployment and use of COVID-19 vaccines across the country, with a focus on theft and embezzlement; service provision; vaccine availability; and advisory.
He said the collaborative effort was founded on ICPC’s three-fold mandate of enforcement, prevention, and public education and enlightenment to prohibit corrupt practices and other related offences.
He added: “The collaboration will ensure all appropriate anti-corruption, accountability, and transparency measures are established and sustained throughout the four phases of the COVID -19 vaccination campaigns.
“These measures are imperative, as any form of corruption in the COVID-19 vaccination effort of the Federal Government will inevitably undermine the response to the pandemic, deprive citizens of their right to vaccination, and ultimately derail the goal of achieving herd immunity.
“The ICPC will track and monitor the deployment and use of COVID -19 vaccines across the country, with a focus on four critical areas – theft and embezzlement; service provision; vaccine availability; and advisory.
“The NPHCDA, therefore, assures the public that those with intentions of perpetrating any unlawful acts in this regard, such as extortion, diversion of vaccines and/or funds meant for the vaccination, will be apprehended and would face the full wrath of the law.
“The general public is therefore encouraged to report any act of corruption in the vaccination process to NPHCDA or ICPC. COVID-19 vaccine protects you, your family, and your community! Get vaccinated!!”
Dangote Cement Plc has said yesterday that the price of its product per bag from the factory was between N2,450 in Obajana and Gboko, and N2,510 in Ibese, inclusive of VAT.
The clarification came against the backdrop recent insinuations that the company sells cement in Nigeria at significantly higher prices relative to other countries, particularly Ghana and Zambia.
Devakumar Edwin, Dangote’s Group Executive Director, Strategy, Portfolio Development & Capital Projects, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos.
He said while a bag of cement sells for an equivalent of $5.1, including VAT in Nigeria, it sells for $7.2 in Ghana and $5.95 in Zambia ex-factory, inclusive of all taxes.
He emphasized the need to distinguish Dangote’s ex-factory prices from prices at which retailers sell cement in the market.
He faulted the intentional misinformation or demarketing allegedly sponsored by some individuals to the effect that Dangote sells its cement at higher prices in Nigeria relative to other African countries at the expense of Nigerians.
He described the allegation as false, misleading, and unfounded, and challenged the media to conduct independent investigation into the price of cement in some other African countries, including Cameroun, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Zambia.
‘’To ensure that we meet local demand, we had to suspend exports from our recently commissioned export terminals, thereby foregoing dollar earnings.
‘’We also had to reactivate our 4.5m ton capacity Gboko Plant which was closed 4 years ago and run it at a higher cost all in a bid to guarantee that we meet demand and keep the price of Cement within control in the country.”
“Over the past 15 months, our production costs have gone up significantly. About 50% of our costs are linked to USD so the cost of critical components like: gas, gypsum, bags, and spare parts; has increased significantly due to devaluation of the Naira and VAT increase. ‘’Despite this, DCP has not increased ex-factory prices since December 2019 till date while prices of most other building materials have gone up significantly.
‘’We have only adjusted our transport rates to account for higher costs of diesel, spare parts, tyres, and truck replacement. Still, we charge our customers only N300 – 350 per bag for deliveries within a 1,200km radius.We have been responsible enough not to even attempt to cash in on the recent rise in demand to increase prices so far’’, Devakumar said.
NICON Insurance Plc, AIICO Insurance and others insurance companies have fallen in the Senate trap over failure to remit N17.4 billion Pension Fund to Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has summoned NICON Insurance Plc, AIICO Insurance and others insurance companies,to appear before it next Thursday .
The action followed the 2016 report of the Auditor General, which unraveled the non-remittamce of N17.4 billion Pension Fund.
Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, the Executive Secretary of PTAD,took the Senate Committee that PTAD took over the Assets and Liabilities of Defunct Pension offices without a formal handing over .
She said: “On taking over, the Directorates wrote all Underwriters to make returns and remit whatever amount is in their custody into a CBN dedicated account. Some of the underwriters responded to the request while some did not.
“The bank certificate of balances, accounting statements, three years financial statements and policy files requested by the federal Auditor were not handed over to PTAD at the time of consolidation .
“It is worthy to note that the amount stated N17.4 billion comprised of cash, securities and properties from the nine Insurance Underwriters as a result of the letter PTAD sent to them. These figure represent the claims by the underwriters with regards their indebtedness.
“In order to ascertain the true position of legacy funds in custody of underwriters, the Directorate appointed a consultant in 2018 who carried out forensic audit of 9 out of 12 of the insurance underwriters and produced final report on the recovery if the legacy funds and assets for PTAD.
“The insurance companies bare presently disputing the report of the Forensic Audit and some of them are presently subjects of litigation.”
The three insurance companies, who are in Court with PTAD are Standard Life Alliance Assurance, NICON Insurance and Niger Insurance.
Others that are not in court with PTAD are AIICO Insurance, Custodian Life Assurance LTD, Nigerian Life & Provident Company LTD, Custodian Life Assurance, African Alliance, LASSACO Assurance Plc.
They are all expected to appear before the Committee by next week Thursday based on the resolution of the Committee chaired by Senator Mathew Urhoghide.
The Auditor- General Report had said: “Returns on pension funds totalling N17.4 billion forwarded by the underwriters were not accompanied by the following documents: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Bank Certificate of balances as at the close of accounts. Accounting Statement showing the following: (a) (b) (c) Actuarial Value of Assets: Valuation of Assets at the lowest cost. Actuarial surplus: Excess of Assets over Liabilities Actuarial Liabilities/deficiency: Excess of Liabilities over Assets A minimum of 3 years Annual Financial statements. Major Policy files and associated investment ledgers, if any.
“The submission of the above mentioned records/documents will facilitate the perusal of their claims and reveal the fairness and transparent position as at close of business before PTAD took over.”
The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has urged the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) to condunct proper clean-up of the Ekole River and environment polluted by the oil spill from its facility in Bayelsa State.
The incident occurred on March 31 from the SPDC’s manifold at Otuokpoti and impacted communities in the Ogbia and Yenagoa Local Government Areas of the state along the Ekole River.
ERA/FoEN in its field report released by Alagoa Morris, Head of Field Operations, Bayelsa State Office, implored the SPDC to embark on a comprehensive remediation of the river and the devastated flora and fauna, while preventing fire outbreak at the spill site.
He emphasized that the people of the areas had the right to a general satisfactory environment favourable to their development as enshrined under Article 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
He further advised that the Joint Investigation Visit to be conducted on the incident “should be devoid of the usual industry politics of predetermined results to be forced into the JIV.”
He added: “Shell should carry out proper clean-up of all impacted environment along the Ekole River and around the spill site promptly, no matter the cause of spill.
“All stakeholders, including community representatives in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), should be given a copy of the signed JIV Report at the site in line with industry practice. There is need for relief materials for victims along the Ekole River, no matter the cause of spill. The innocent must not suffer for the crime of others, where any such spill is declared to be caused by third party.
“Shell should take full responsibility of protection of its facilities. This is even more so as there are revelations that some unscrupulous Shell staff and contractors sponsor third-party interference oil spills.”
He described as unacceptable a situation whereby industry regulators and facility owners were taking photographs at the spill site and community representatives were prevented from doing same.
Society for Watchdog on Non-Governmental Organization and Good Governance (SWOGG),has urged the police to launch an investigation into a case of identity theft by social media influencer, Japheth Omojuwa, who allegedly listed former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, as a Director in the company.
The group said the act constitutes a crime against the Nigerian law and must be thoroughly investigated to serve as deterrent measure to future occurence.
It also said that the action by Omojuwa is a cyber offence that involves the provision of false information against a high-ranking Nigerian with intent to public ridicule.
“We ask that the Nigerian Police should cast its attention to this developing story and particularly unearth why the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) would register a company with false information and without due diligence,” SWOGG maintained.
It added that “it is unfortunate that Mr Omojuwa’s company is mentioned as a crony in an international image laundering campaign in support of an individual under criminal investigation. It is pertinent that we refrain from commenting on this particular allegation until the conclusion of investigations on the matter.
However, we intend to put Nigerians on the alert about the necessity of cross-checking information put out by the so-called social media influential figures.”
Senator Hope Uzodinma,the Governor of Imo State, has commended Shell Petroleum Development Company’s (SPDC) commitment to the development of infrastructure and human capital in communities hosting the Assa North Gas Development Project in the state.
He also endorsed the gas project’s Cluster Development Board’s (CDB) employment of community contractors.
He spoke recently through the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ikay Njoku, at a ceremony by the CDBs to present cheques to community contractors for the third milestone for the over N360 million social investment projects designed to benefit people of the host communities.
“I commend the Assa North and Ohaji Egbema Cluster Development Boards as well as their community contractors for doing good jobs
so far. The Imo State Government will continue to monitor project execution to ensure that contractors do not lower the quality and standard of the jobs. We will have zero tolerance for corruption,”, he said.
Chairman of Assa North CDB, Mr. Godswill Uzomba Uho, and his counterpart for the Ohaji/Egbema CDB, Mr. Casmir Ekeruo, pledged to “continue to monitor the community contractors to ensure that the right standards are maintained for their people”.
SPDC’s External Relations Manager, Projects and Opportunities, Dr Banji Adekoya, emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting projects that increase the capacity of our communities to deliver credible projects.”
Adekoya, represented by SPDC’s Community Interface and Social Performance Adviser, Mr. Victor Alimele, said, “The gas development project in Imo State is one of the priority projects of the Federal Government of Nigeria because its development will help the government deliver on its ambition to provide enough gas for domestic consumption, power generation and gas-based ammonia and urea fertilizers for farmers.”
“The Assa North Gas Development Project will be a major game-changer in our country’s quest for energy sufficiency and economic growth and, once again, it emphasizes Shell’s unshaken commitment to Nigeria both now and in the future,” he said.
“The project has the potential to be one of the largest domestic gas projects in the country when completed”, Adekoya added. When completed the Assa North Gas project will produce 600 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mscf/d) from its upstream facilities and process 300mscf/d from the SPDC gas facility under construction to boost domestic gas supply for power generation and general industrialization.
To benefit the local communities, SPDC has a deliberate Nigerian and Community Content Strategy embedded in the projects’ operations to create vast opportunities for Nigerian firms in Engineering, Procurement and Construction contracts; immense employment and sub-contracting opportunities for workers and local contractors in the project area; as well as opportunities for capacity development initiatives, knowledge transfer and human capital development, Adekoya said.
The Nigerian Army and Attorney General of the Federation on Monday, criticized some provisions in the proposed National Human Rights Commission Repeal and Re – enactment Bill 2020.
They spoke during presentations at the one day public hearing held by the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Atttahiru represented by the Director of Legal Services, Brigadier General MU Wambai, who frowned at some of the provisions, pointed out that it was wrong for drafters of the Bill to have excluded the Army, Navy, Airforce, Police and DSS from the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission.
According to the Army, “Section 2(2)(b) of the bill listed the composition of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission and at paragraph (b) (i) – (iii) ex – officio members were listed with the exclusion of the Armed Forces , Nigeria Police Force, DSS and other Security agencies.
“Any mention of stakeholders on human rights in Nigeria would be incomplete without the Armed Forces and the Police because often times, they receive the bout of litigations in courts over alleged human Rights violations.”
Atttahiru also faulted Section 5 ( j) of the bill, which seeks to empower the commission to make appropriate determination on complaints brought before it as may deemed necessary in each circumstance .
“This raises jurisprudential question as to whether the Commission is seised of judicial powers since it could investigate and determine complaints.
“It would also amount to travesty of justice if the investigating body determines the complaints and make same enforceable as it is a principle of justice that no man shall be a judge in his own case.
“It is also against the letters and spirit of section 36(1) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantees right to fair hearing before an impartial tribunal or body,” he said.
In his presentation, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, represented by Anthony Abah, said Section 5 paragraph k should be expunged for giving the Commission powers that clash with those of Law Reform Commission.
He maintained that it was wrong to seek power for issuance of warrant of arrest for the Commission.
According to him,the constitution has entrusted that power with courts of competent jurisdiction, even as he faulted section 15(2b) of the Bill empowering the Commission to get funds from multinational agencies.
He added that multinationals “are already over taxed and the commission should have no link with them.”
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr Anthony Ojukwu, Professor of law, Ademola Popoola and others, sought for Judicial Power for the Commission.
Ojukwu supported the provisions of the bill seeking to empower the commission with judicial powers of giving declarative awards like the High Courts.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), explained that there was need to widen the scope of funding for the Commission for impartial and independent operations.
Oyo State Government has hinted that it would make culture a major contributor to its revenue base.
Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun,the state’s Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism,who disclosed this first Omituntun Cultural-Tourism Festival which held at the Cultural Center, Ibadan,explained that the occasion was conceived to promote the uncommon cultural potentials inherent in the Yoruba tradition.
He added that with the array of cultural potentials that were showcased at the event, it was clear that culture can add value to the revenue base of the state.
“It is very clear, even to those that have been doubting that Oyo State posses the best of cultural potentials, the present administration will make good use of this opportunity and transform it into a revenue-generating machine.
“We assure you that the present administration, under the able leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde will continue to promote our culture and tourism and as well use the avenue to generate, not just money, but employment opportunities.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams implored Oyo State government to give more support to cultural promotion.
He encouraged parents and guardians to make it a matter of duty to encourage their wards to speak Yoruba language at home and also greet elders in line with Yoruba tradition.
“This event is not just about Oyo State but other states in the Yoruba kingdom that now give less value to tradition and customs, we must keep this pace up and fortunately, those that are in the saddles of governance have recognized the efforts of the stakeholders in culture and tourism sectors in the State, all that is needed is to add more support.
“I believe next year’s edition of this festival will be more profound and colorful, I use this occasion to appreciate the governor, once more.”
IPMAN Executive during visit to OPAC Refineries in Deita
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria(IPMAN),has emphasized the need for the Federal Government to allow Nigerians run refining business in the country.
Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo,the president of the marketers,disclosed this when he led the executive officers of the association on
facility tour of the OPAC modular refineries in Kwale, Delta State
He affirmed IPMAN’s support for local refining in Nigeria.
He said: “We are now beginning to have the belief that Nigerians can solve their problems, this 10’000 barrels capacity per day by OPAC has shown that there is no other way than to allow the business of refining to be run by Nigerians.
“The management of OPAC Refineries has displayed a lot of uncommon innovation into the management of the refinery. With what we are seeing today, we are very happy and proud that this country has a wonderful future where our refining will be done locally. It will save us a lot of money and a lot of stress.
“Having been very satisfied with what we have seen so far, I want to assure you that IPMAN is set to automatically become a major off-taker of products from OPAC Refineries. We make this commitment with firm confidence that our partnership with OPAC refineries will bring about greater improvement and progress in the oil and gas industry”
Mr. Momoh Jimah Oyarekhua,the Chairman of OPAC Refineries, said that his company, being one of the local set-up and indigenous refining company in Nigeria, is determined to continue its drive to provide a quick and better alternative to petroleum products supply and ease the pressure on the foreign exchange due to overdependence on import for finished products.
Willy Awili,the Project Coordinator of OPAC Refineries ,said :“On behalf of management and the entire leadership of OPAC refineries here in Kwale, we want to express our profound gratitude to IPMAN for having been a crucial stakeholder in the oil and gas Industry, we thank the executive of IPMAN for coming to Kwale, and it has shown that as Nigerians we are having the mind of true Nigerians, which is to lift Nigeria for the good of us all through support for indigenous businesses”
OPAC Refineries management during the tour hinted that it has the technology for gas reuse which is designed in such a way that the residual gas from the refinery unit is channeled back into the system as fuel for the burner, making the unit resource-efficient. It noted that the modular refinery maintains high safety standards with equipment, fittings, and connection pipelines with temperatures higher than 50°C thoroughly insulated
OPAC Refineries is a critical component of OMSA Pillar Astex Company Limited; the business vehicle is a consortium of OMSA Integrated Services Limited, Pillar Refining Company Limited, and Astex General Trading FZE Limited.
OPAC refineries produce multiple primary products which include Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Light Fuel Oil (LFO), Naphtha – source for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Kerosene (or ATK. These products are in high demand locally and globally and are produced according to international specifications. OPAC plants are built to function at climate conditions way beyond the range obtainable in any part of Nigeria and while producing excellent yield results.
The project was conceptualized in 2017 with installation already completed, and currently at the plant commissioning phase. OPAC Refinery is designed to produce according to the best international standards and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) standards (API, ASME, ASTM, and BS).
The refinery has commenced an expansion plan which is at a design phase and which will allow the company to produce Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Jet fuels, and also increase its production capacity to yield larger volumes, thereby enabling them to reach new regional markets at a faster and globally competitive scale.
