All Posts in "Day: December 2, 2022"

NNPC/CNL JV Gets $1.4bn Financing For Infill Drilling Program

Chevron Nigeria Limited (“CNL”), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (“NNPC”) and CNL (“NNPC/CNL JV”) has confirmed that $1.4 billion financing has been secured to fund the NNPC/CNL JV infill drilling program (“Project”) between 2022 to 2026.

The financing arrangement was executed on Wednesday November 30, 2022,a statement by the company’s General Manager,Policy,Government and Public Affairs,
E.O. Brikinn said.

According to the statement,the project includes the drilling of 37 wells in the offshore and onshore Escravos area,adding that it will help to monetize reserves and increase production by arresting decline and supporting domestic gas supply.

The project,the statement said,is in alignment with the NNPC/CNL JV’s lower carbon ambitions and helps support a lower carbon future through increased gas resources for commercialization.

It added:”The NNPC/CNL JV recognizes the strategic imperative to supplement funding of the NNPC/CNL JV operations to enable high impact projects that can deliver near term production. The NNPC/CNL JV is one of the largest producers and investors in Nigeria.

“CNL has operated in Nigeria for more than 60 years and we are committed to supporting the country in developing its energy resources for the benefit of its people. CNL puts people at the center of the energy conversation because it understands that the well-being of people everywhere depends on energy – energy that is affordable, reliable, and ever cleaner to enable human progress.”

admin by — December 2, 2022 in Oil&Gas 0
Why CBN Should Investigate Exploitation In Nigeria’s Financial Sector -ASSBIFI

The Association of Senior Staff of Banks. Insurance and Financial Institution (ASSBIFI) has implored the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and other supervisory bodies to conduct more extensive analysis on the consequential suffering and exploitation caused by unfair labour practices being perpetuated by new investors in the country.

Out-going President of the union. Comrade Oyinkanola Olasanoye, who said this at the 11th Triennial National Delegates Conference in Ogere Resort. Ogere Remo in Ogun State, said this has become worrisome considering the increasing number of jobs losses occasioned by the deliberate breaches and violation of national and international labour standard and best practices by the new investors.

She said the sector cannot afford to waste his best minds under the guise of cheap labour.

” We cannot continue sending our best hands into the labour market just because we want to replace them with cheap labour. We likewise request that at mergers, acquisitions or sale or bail out of institutions,extensive and comprehensive investigations and interrogation should be inducted, while the status and validity of such institutions be made public.

“Today. we all know that our best hands In the industry have relocated to Europe and America, while those left behind are either getting prepared to leave or are working under unfair labour conditions. Unempirical but reliable reports show that the financial sec-tor – and most particularly the insurance sector is being taken over by indigenous and foreign money bags that are not committed, lack the experience and skills to sustain develop and grow the sector in the way of evolving global trends. Brain drain has just begun”,she said.

She explained that part of the policy challenges faced in the country today has been how to protect and maintain essential economic activities and public services such as food production, health service and social care.

She added: Today we are living witnesses of the political.social and economic realities of our country. There is insecurity everywhere. poverty is on the increase. our naira is on a free fall. workers are the most hit. Yet. we expect workers to earn less than what is needed for a socially acceptable living standard. Wages should be adjusted according to the cost of living the workers face.We advise the frequency of social dialogue and collective bargaining be accelerated in an inflationary period as this.

“Workers have proved that they are a major factor that promotes and impede the resilience of the provision of the essential services during economic crisis and its anticipated shocks now and in future. We must be equipped enough to remain relevant in the sector and be able to prevent an outright collapse of the economy. that goes to explain the theme of the conference “Building a resilient economy: The role of the trade Union”.

She spoke on the lingering crisis in the Trade Union Congress,saying:” We want to clearly state that ASSBIFI did not factionalise the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and will not violate laid down rules and regulations binding members of the Congress.

“But it should be known and early too, that ASSBIFI will not by any stretch of imagination submit to injustice or subjugation of any form or shape. As we defend workers’ rights and privileges so also we are open to relationship but based on justice , equity, good conscience and integrity”.

admin by — December 2, 2022 in Labour/Human Resources 0
NJC Probes 15 Judges Over Alleged Misconduct

The National Judicial Council has set up 15 probe panels to investigate alleged official misconduct of 15 judges of the federal and state high courts.

The probe panels are to determine the culpability of the Judicial officers in the various petitions filed against them by individuals and corporate bodies,a statement by NJC Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye said.

The statement confirmed that the decision to investigate the alleged erring Judges was taken at the Council’s 99th meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

NJC said the decision to investigate the judges is sequel to the submission of recommendations of three Preliminary Complaint Assessment Committees which considered 66 petitions forwarded to them by the council from all over the Federation.

The NJC did not name judges to be probed, their divisions and specific nature of their alleged offences.

It stated that it dismissed petitions against 51 judicial officers of the federal and state high courts for either lack of merit, being subjudice, or being matters for appeal or that the concerned Judge have retired from service.

Besides, Mr Oye explained that the council was formally presented with the reviewed judicial information technology policy which established the general requirements and responsibilities for the Nigerian Judiciary systems and information.

“The policy provides for guidance of Courts and Judicial Bodies in protecting Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA) of judiciary function and process.

“It also stipulates guidance for acceptable use of system, services and technologies as well as provisions for secure storage of judicial data and recovery processes in the event of emergencies or distress.

“Similarly, It further provides guidelines and incident management policies including Data Centre deployment and use policies.
“The scope is intended for all Courts and Judicial Bodies in Nigeria including staff of the Nigerian judiciary, employed or contracted to any Judicial Body handling information that is generated, received, stored, transmitted, or printed.

“It encompasses all personal or Judiciary identifiable data held in their Courts and judicial bodies’ systems and process including supporting mechanisms and technologies for managing such data at rest or in transit.All staff are expected to comply with the policy and associated standard protocols and procedures that have been put in place to support the document.

“The policy is applicable to all Courts unit, departments of all judicial bodies in the Nigerian Judiciary.Reports from standing and ad-hoc Committees of the Council were also presented at the Meeting as well as notifications of retirement of 16 Judges and notification of death of a Judge from the federal and state high courts”, the statement further said.

admin by — December 2, 2022 in News 0
Reverse Fuel Hike, Labour Tells FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), have implored the Federal government to take immediate action to reverse the current hiked price of fuel N240.

The suggestion was conveyed in a joint statement signed by NLC and TUC Presidents, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and Comrade Festus Osifo.

They described the ongoing price hike of fuel as unnecessary, crippling and pain-inducing to Nigerians, whom they said are already suffering beyond measure because of government policies.

The Labour Centres are seriously bewildered and disturbed by the persistent shortage and uncontrollable prices that players in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry are meeting out to Nigerians.

The statement added:“The persistent shortages of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol in the country has become a source of pain to the Nigerian people.It has led not just to long avoidable queues, adulteration of the product by the unscrupulous elements, exploitation of the consumers, turning fuel stations to traffic menace.

“All these have tragic consequences for the Nigerian people and debilitating effects on the health of the economy which itself is not in a good state.”

“We are reliably informed that the shortage is deliberately fostered by players in the downstream sector in other to hike the price far above the government-approved threshold. It is an added problem when non-state actors begin to arrogate to themselves the power to determine the price of a litre of fuel far above the rate pegged by the government in the current subsidy regime.

“The Nigerian people and taxpayers currently expense several trillions of Naira annually to subsidize petrol. The same people cannot be exploited and made to pay over N240 per litre when the current ex-depot price is currently fixed at N l 48.19k per litre. The opportunity cost of the subsidy payment is enormous and yet the benefit of the subsidy regime is gradually been eroded.

“No country develops when its people are subjected to perennial hardship and its industries are shackled by unnecessary chains of miseries.

“It is more disturbing that the government is equally demonstrating a high level of culpability in the unwholesome situation by its silence and unwillingness to frontally and publicly address the harrowing experiences of Nigeria in the current situation because no concerned and responsive government will bury its head in the sands like the proverbial ostrich while the citizens are being brutally exploited.

“For the records, no private individual or companies are importing a litre of PMS into this Country, all Products are imported by the government and there is no record whatsoever that the agency of government min is importing the products has added a kobo to the price it sells the Products to the Marketers. Then who is benefiting from this racketeering?

“We are strongly worried that leaving our energy security and sovereignty in the hands of unscrupulous capitalists and their collaborators will further plunge this nation into the economic abyss we are working hard to avoid.”

They urged the federal government an end to the avoidable, unnecessary, crippling and pain-inducing fuel shortages and unapproved price hikes of up to N240 in the country,adding that the excuse is good enough to cripple the country.

If there are challenges, they should be fixed; we have a government in power to fix challenges not to make excuses,they also said

They added:“Organised Labour are ready and willing to engage the Federal Government and assist in all ways possible to overcome the country’s present challenges. But we caution it not to take either the Labour Movement nor the Nigerian people for granted as it seems to be manifestly doing on various crucial national issues”

admin by — December 2, 2022 in Labour/Human Resources 0
Lawmaker Tasks Association On Community Development

The lawmaker, representing Epe Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Mr Olawale Tasir Raji tasked members of the ‘Club Seventies Epe’ (CSE) to take their rightful positions in the leadership and development of the community

Raji gave the advise during his courtesy visit to the Club in Epe,where he also commendes the members of the Club for their immense contributions to the growth and development of Epe .

He identified some basic problems confronting the Division and his efforts towards proffering solutions through employment generation, infrastructural development and counselling against social vices.

He further admonished members to shun unnecessary pettiness,self centeredness and jealousy in their quest to positively shape the club and add value to the community.

He added:”All of us cannot progress at the same pace and at the same time but those that got up the ladder first should remember to lift up others below the ladder’

He emphasized the need for the club members to channel their energies positively.

He said that good character and integrity were some things needed to excel, urging the Club to set goals, focus on them,as well as make discipline their watchword.

Raji,while speaking on his political career and several interventions in terms of developmental projects listed part of his achievements as construction of blocks of classrooms in primary and secondary schools all over Epe Local Government and payment of monthly stipends to the Senior (Elderly) citizens in Epe.

Others include;construction of market stalls and lock up shops, provision of employment for Epe indigenes, construction of Primary Health Care Centres in strategic locations in Epe Local Government and Rural Electrification Project and provision of transformers among others

In his remarks, the President of the Club, Mr Hassan Nojeem Adelaja,appreciates the lawmaker for the rare privilege and honour he accorded the club with his visit .

He added that the lawmaker did well in facilitating employments for the youths especially the mass recruitment of graduates into the Lagos State Civil Service and his unrelenting efforts of supporting Epe community and its indigenes.

admin by — December 2, 2022 in Politics 0
Alleged Offensive Tweet:Aisha Buhari Withdraws Case Against Varsity Student

Wife of the Nigerian President, Aisha Buhari Friday,stopped her case against Aminu Adamu, a student of the Federal University, Dutse, who was arrested for trolling her on Twitter.

He was remanded in the Suleja correctional facility in Niger State on Tuesday after he was charged to court by the police, according to his lawyer, C.K Agu.

The lawyer Mr Agu told BBC Hausa on Friday that the wife of the President has withdrawn the case against the student.

Mr Adamu, a final year student, tweeted a photo of Mrs Buhari with a caption in Hausa which translates to: “Mama is feeding fat on poor people’s money.”

admin by — December 2, 2022 in News 0
Don’t Blame Us For Fuel Scarcity-IPMAN

The Independents Petroleum Marketers Association Of Nigeria (IPMAN) has explained its roles in the current fuel scarcity that has grounded economic activities in the country.

Alhaji Bukola Mutiu, the IPMAN chairman for Ibadan depot,who spoke with journalists on Friday in Ibadan after meeting with stakeholders on the way forward,insisted that Nigerians should not blame members of independent marketers for the current fuel scarcity in the country.

He added:” Today we are having joint meeting with the NLC state Exco, IPMAN Exco, NUPENG Exco in Ibadan depot on the current situation of fuel in the country, especially in Oyo and Osun state.

“We want the masses to understand that fuel crisis is not emanated from our own end here or from any member of independent marketers, we are having shortage of supply from NNPC, I mean we have been denied of having direct payment to NNPC remita portal that we normally requested and pay, for over six months now non of the existing marketing companies that duly licensed with NNPC are been given authority to pay.So that implies that we did not have fuel at NNPC Ibadan here since the begining of this year, we have not loaded a liter out of this Apata depot here in Ibadan, and we have five depots in the south west and none of them is working at present.

“We have to be going to private depot to buy fuel from private depot owners and that we have been buying at exorbitant prices ranging from N220, N212 per liter without trucks expenses and to the level of buying at the rate of N220; N222 per liter as at the close of work yesterday and if you add N30 transportation to Ibadan for example from Lagos to Ibadan and total cost of transport on a litre from Lagos to Ibadan is N30 that means that we are getting the fuel to our various stations beyond N260, N255 per liter before we now have other expenses to run stations and other expenses.”

Speaking on possibility of the fuel scarcity coming to an end soon, the IPMAN chairman said, “I cannot say there is end in sight because I’m not an insider at NNPC and I’m not an NNPC official, it is whatever they give us that we will buy, so it’s only NNPC officials that can give us any clue on when the scarcity is going to come to an end.

“What I know is that if they want this to end with immediate effect they can do it, we have means of paying into NNPC portal, they should open all those portals for marketers payment, so we can pay in directly into their portal as marketers, and the security agents that suppose to monitor who and who loaded will have the information at their disposals and we will sell to the masses at the correct prices that we normally sell.

“As at now, we are buying at very exorbitant prices that we cannot sell at the government regulated price and government is there at the private depots that we are buying from they should checkmate them.

“The only promise we can make, as a marketers and chairman of the stakeholders here in Ibadan which comprises IMB, PTD and IPMAN is that we will work hard in getting fuel available to the masses at the prevailing prices from Lagos. Bukola said.
Also speaking,Comrade Olukayode Martins the state NLC Chairman, said:”We read on the paper that the chanel which this fuel pass across to the country is so much cumbersome, they’ve made it so difficult for the marketers to access this fuel.The NNPC should do whatever they need to do because of the masses, maybe they need to stop the channel so we can have it at our various disposals.

“I also want to enjoin the masses,especially in Oyo state,to please calm down because the atmosphere is tense already, they should be peaceful at this hour of the day and I believe with God on our side, we will get to the root of this matter.” Olukayode said.

admin by — December 2, 2022 in Oil&Gas 0
How Senator Bassey Bagged 42 Years Imprisonment For Money Laundering -EFCC

Albert Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom North East at the National Assembly was Thursday convicted and sentenced to 42 years imprisonment by Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

Spokesman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, said the court found the lawmaker guilty of six-count of money laundering preferred against him by the EFCC.

Senator Bassey was prosecuted by the anti-graft agency on allegation of receiving vehicle valued at N204 million as bribe from companies linked to one Olajide Omokore, a contractor who executed a N3billion contract for the Government of Akwa Ibom State whilst Senator Bassey was Commissioner for finance and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee.

The offence contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and is punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

One of the charges against the senator reads, “That you, Albert Bassey, whilst being the Commissioner for Finance, Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, IMDLCC sometime in December 2012, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly took possession of a vehicle (Infinity QX 56 BP) valued at N45,000,000.00 at the instance of one Olajide Jones Omokore (whose companies had contracts with Akwa Ibom State Government at that material time), when you reasonably ought to have known that the said vehicle formed part of proceed of unlawful activity (to wit: corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

When he was arraigned, the senator pleaded not guilty to the charges setting the stage for his full trial. In the course of trial EFCC called several witnesses and tendered documents that were admitted in evidence as exhibits.

One of the witnesses, Ngunan Kakwagh, an investigator with the EFCC revealed how Olajide Omokore, a contractor, bought vehicles for Senator Albert after receiving N3bn contracts when he was Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State.

Kakwagh, informed the court that the anti-graft agency traced about N3bn payments from the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, to the accounts of Canwod Dredging Company Limited, Bay Atlantic Limited, Sahel Engineering, Power Nigeria Limited and Network Services Nigeria Limited – all linked to Omokore.

“My team further traced money from Omokore’s company account to the account of Skymit Limited, and when we invited Skymit to tell us the reasons for the money, we were told that it was for the purchase of vehicles.So, my investigation revealed that the accused, while he was the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, Omokore and his companies received monies from the Akwa Ibom State Government and the IMDLCC.

“Also, Omokore bought cars from Skymit Limited for the accused”, the witness added.

The vehicles include Infinity QX 56 BP, valued at N45million; Toyota Land Cruiser V8 BP, valued at N40million; Range Rover, valued at N40million; Toyota Hiace, High Roof, valued at N27million; Toyota Hiace High Roof, valued at N16million and Toyota Hilux 4×4, valued at N36million.

The court on May 5th, 2022 closed the case of the defence following the failure of the lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi to continue the trial of the serving senator.

In his verdict on Thursday,Justice Okeke held that the court was satisfied that the prosecution had proved the case against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt and convicted him as charged.

Justice Okeke sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on each of the six counts. The judge also ordered the convicted Senator to restitute a total sum of N204million through the EFCC.

According to the court, the restitution will be the condition for his release after serving out the jail term.

admin by — December 2, 2022 in News 0
176m Nigerians Live In Dirty Environment -Report

Clean Up Nigeria (CUN), an international non governmental organization (NGO), Thursday says over 176.3 million Nigerians are living in unclean environment.

This was contained in its Performance indicators from iDecember 2021 to November 2022 studies.

The group also named Akwa Ibom state as the cleanest states in Nigeria.

According to the CUN, report, Akwa Ibom state scored 54% to emerged the most clean state in Nigeria followed by Ebonyi and Bauchi states respectively.

At a press conference in Abuja,the founder of Clean-up Nigeria Prince Ene Baba Owoh Jr. stated that there is need to encourage alternative actions on personal hygiene/sanitation in order to ensure a cleaner, healthier and safer Nigeria for all and in the end make the world a better place to live.

According to him, their organisation’s statistical data indicates that 32 out of 36 States including the rest of FCT, are rated as unclean States.

He added:”Performance indicators from our studies shows that over 176.3million Nigerians in 2022 are living in unclean environment, compared to 172 million in 2021.

“There have been no increase in the number of States with sanitary landfills beside Lagos, Oyo, Abuja and Bauchi while the remaining 34 States operate open dumping. This development is not only alarming but clearly indicate lack of seriousness by government at levels to key into the global best practices of waste modernization with related benefit.

“As our graphic chart statistics on monitoring and evaluation of the states have shown only 7 States (Akwa Ibom, Abuja, Cross River, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Lagos and Kaduna) who scored above 10% out of the 30% on the streets/roads cleanliness indicators have clean roads in the country.

“It is imperative to know that the year 2022 study has the input of 70% satellite monitoring with the applied performance indicators early stated to score across board the ratings of States and Cities on their Cleanliness
Performance.

“As our graphic chart statistics on monitoring/evaluation of the States have shown only 7 States (Akwa Ibom, Abuja, Cross River, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Lagos and Kaduna) who scored above 10% out of the 30% on the streets/roads cleanliness indicators have clean roads in the country.

“On personal hygiene and sanitation only four States (Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Cross River and Abuja City) scored above 4% of the 15% and can be said to come close to possession of good personal hygiene and sanitation practices in the country.

“Interestingly, the practice of open defecation in all the thirty six 36 States of the Federation and FCT has reduce from 34% in 2021 to 28% in 2022. Nigeria, nevertheless Nigeria still remains the number one country in the world that leads in open defecation since 2018 to 2022..”

He implored government and corporate bodies to continue to render more assistance the non-governmental organization’s like CUN both within and outside the country that will help ameliorate the sufferings of IDP and preventive measures that would have averted.

In his remark, Ebonyi Commissioner of Environment Richard appreciated the the clean up Nigeria for the diligent work that will take Nigeria to better height.

He implored government at all level not to relent in creation of awareness to general public to make our environment a better and a saver place for all.

admin by — December 2, 2022 in Environment 0
Ngozi Fulani: Buckingham Palace May Consider More Inquiry Over Racial Remarks

More inquisition is looming over alleged racial slur meted out to a visitor, Ngozi Fulani, at the Royal Palace, In the UK, despite what appears to be a strong measure taken against the errant official.

According to the statement made by the spokespers, the royal aide who made the racist comment has since left her role after making “unacceptable and deeply regrettable” comments about race and nationality, Buckingham Palace officially says.

Fulani, a social worker, had attended the grand reception hosted by King Charles’s wife Camilla, the queen consort, on Tuesday November 29, at Buckingham palace.

“We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes.All members of the Household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times,” the palace spokesman said.

The guest, Fulani, was born in Britain and works for a domestic abuse support group.

She had tweeted that few minutes after her arrival at the British palace, the royal aide repeatedly asked her: “What part of Africa are you from?” and it gave her anxiety. She wrote that the experience gave her a “mixed feeling” which made the “rest of the event a blur.”

The incident happened at the ‘Violence Against Women And Girls’ reception in the palace and had guests like Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska, Belgium’s Queen Mathilde and Jordan’s Queen Rania in attendance.

Reacting to the tweet, the spokesperson in a statement said the incident is unacceptable and deeply regretted.

“We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details. In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made.”

The spokesperson further stated that attempts are being made to ameliorate the situation which has since sparked diverse reactions on Twitter.

Reports also has it that the individual concerned wanted to apologize for the hurt caused and had stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect.

Neither Fulani nor the palace identified the aide in question, with the spokesperson saying the individual would not be offering any comment.

Although, reports have it that British media has identified the aide as Lady Susan Hussey, 83-year-old godmother of Charles’s son and heir Prince William, but it has not been affirmed by the royal family.

admin by — December 2, 2022 in News 0