All Posts in "Day: April 16, 2024"

FAAN Strategizes On Improved Airport Operations

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),is working on strategies to bring about innovations and upgrades that would lead to improvement in airport operations and management.

Mrs Obiageli Orah, Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN, disclosed this when she received the new executives of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos.

According to her, FAAN had gone through changes with the upgrade in the Directorate of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, creation of Special Duty and the Cargo Development Services, among others.

She explained that the changes were all geared toward meeting global standards in the management of airports under FAAN.

According to her, the vision of President Bola Tinubu is contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She reasoned that this underscored the vision of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), to create new directorates that would ensure that travellers are offered the best services across airports in the country.

She added:“FAAN has gone through tremendous changes in the past few months.We have added some new directorates to the existing ones; I will start with my directorate which is public affairs and consumer protection.

“It is relatively a new one because we had corporate affairs but now christened public affairs and consumer protection.

“We also added a directorate of cargo development and services which deals with everything regarding cargo and hajj operations.

“We also have a special duty directorate, one I will describe as an interventionist directorate that helps the agency intervene in any situation as the case may be,” she said.

According to her, the authority’s managing director and other directors are all poised to ensure Nigerians get the best.

She commended the minister’s vision for FAAN, noting that it would engender the desired growth and global competitiveness the industry strived to achieve.

Orah said that passengers passing through the airports deserved better, after paying taxes, buying tickets and all that.

“We feel and know that they deserve the best. So, that is why security, safety and comfort of all our passengers are paramount to our operations,” she said.

Orah also assured pilgrims that there would be changes in how FAAN handled hajj operations in the airports.

She said that a new system would be employed to ease movement of passengers and goods and address long queues that pilgrims experienced in the past.

The newly elected LAAC Chairman, Mr Suleiman Idris, who led the new team, pledged the support of the association in achieving the vision of the new administration.

He said that they would play their part in turning the fortunes of the country’s aviation industry around.

admin by — April 16, 2024 in Aviation 0
Alleged $6bn Mambilla Fraud:Agunloye Loses Bid To Seek AGF, NBA Intervention

Mohammed Shosanya

Justice Jude Onwueguzie of the Federal High Court Abuja,Monday, dismissed a motion raised by former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye challenging the powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to prosecute him.

A statement signed by EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale,quoted that Agunloye is facing trial for an alleged fraudulent award of contract of the Mambilla project to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion United States Dollars).

He said, “At the last adjournment, the former minister, through his lawyer, Adeola Adedipe SAN filed a motion arguing that the EFCC lacked both investigative and prosecutorial powers to prosecute him on the charges preferred against him.

“He also made a solemn application to the court to allow the participation of Amicus Curiae, also known as friends of the court during the hearing of the preliminary motion, suggesting notably, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA”.

At Monday’s sitting, Justice Onwueguzie ruled that the basis for the application was not necessary as the court was not a novice and the friends of the court were not parties in the matter.

According to him,the law was clear on matters to be prosecuted by the EFCC, citing Section 177 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“I have studied the issues to be considered in this matter by the defendant whether the motion ought to be charged by the EFCC. It is eminent to note that the learned counsels in this case before the court are seasoned counsels, issues of such should not arise.

“The court is not a novice, neither is it confused or in doubt on matters like this, so the intervention of friends of the court is not needed. Therefore the motion is hereby dismissed”, he said.

Justice Onwueguzie adjourned the matter to April 22, 2024 for hearing of preliminary motion.

admin by — April 16, 2024 in Law/Human Rights 0
Nigeria’s Gas Reserves Hit 209.26 Trillion Cubic Feet

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Monday disclosed the current status of the Nigerian crude oil and gas reserves.

At a press conference in Abuja,Engr Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission Chief Executive,states that the combined crude oil and condensate reserves stood at 37.50 billion barrels, while the Associated Gas and Non-Associated Gas reserves stood at 209.26 trillion Cubic feet as at January 1, 2024.

According to him,crude oil and condensate reserves stood at 31.56 billion barrels and 5.94 billion barrels respectively, amounting to a total of 37.50 billion barrels while associated gas and non-Associated gas reserves stood at 102.59 trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) and 106.67 TCF respectively, resulting in total gas reserves of 209.26 TCF at January 1, 2024.

He noted that the Reserves Life Index is 68.01 Years and 97.99 Years for Oil and Gas respectively.

He said,the press briefing tagged: ‘national annual petroleum reserves position as of 1st January 2024 and template for domestic crude oil supply obligation guidelines’ is consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy initiatives and incentives aimed at enhancing investment and productivity in the upstream oil and gas sector.

He disclosed that NUPRC has developed and unveiled a template to ensure seamless domestic crude oil supply obligation, stressing that the guidelines which has become functional covers all relevant areas of operations in the sector.

Areas which the template dealt with,he said,include Legal Framework, Procedure For Implementation of
Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligations (DCSO), Procedures for crude oil requirement and allocation, Payment Instrument, Currency of payment, logistics scheduling, Continuous obligation, Crude oil diversion, and Defaults,among others.

According to him,the NUPRC, as the industry regulator has since inception been working to achieve fundamental goals which are in line with the President’s aspirations through diligent operationalisation of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 and implementation of the Regulatory Action Plan 2024 and near term.

He added:”Let me reiterate that the Commission is committed to improving the country’s oil and gas reserves as well as the successful completion of all strategic initiatives that would enhance the sector’s productivity including the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Plan (NGFCP), which will drive the attainment of Nigeria’s pledge to end routine gas flaring within this decade and contribute to the reduction of global emissions, and the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation (DCSO), to meet demands of local refineries.

“In view of this, I am pleased to present to you an overview of the nation’s oil, condensate, associated gas, and non-associated gas reserves as of January Ist, 2024, as follows:

“Crude Oil and Condensate reserves stand at 31.56 Billion Barrels and 5.94 Billion Barrels respectively, amounting to a total of 37.50 Billion Barrels

“Associated Gas and Non-Associated Gas reserves stand at 102.59 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) and 106.67 TCF respectively, resulting in total Gas reserves of 209.26 TCF.

“The Reserves Life Index is 68.01 Years and 97.99 Years for Oil and Gas respectively. Positive gross addition to oil and gas reserves of 1.087 Billion Barrels and 2.573 Trilllon Cubic Feet respectively was recorded.

“In view of the above, and in furtherance of the provisions of Chapter 1, Part Ill, Section 7 (g). (i). (j). (k). (m). (q). (r) and other powers enabling me in this respect, | declare the Total Oil and Condensate reserves of 37.50 Billion Barrels and Total Gas reserves of 209.26 Trillion Cubic Feet as the official National Petroleum Reserves Position as of 1st January 2024” .

admin by — April 16, 2024 in Oil&Gas 0
Collapse: TCN Restores Grid,Explains Reason For Incident

Mohammed Shosanya

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN),has restored the national grid which collapsed early Monday morning.

Ndidi Mbah,General Manager, Public Affairs,conveyed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja Monday afternoon.

She said,the grid hitch was as result of a fire incident at the Afam power generating station.

She added:”At 02:41Hrs today, 15th April 2024, a fire erupted at the Afam V 330kV bus bar coupler, leading to the tripping of units at Afam III and Afam VI. This resulted in a sudden generation loss of 25MW and 305MW respectively, destabilizing the grid and causing a partial collapse.

“During the incident, the Ibom Power plant was isolated from the grid and was supplying parts of the Port Harcourt Region. This further minimized the effect of the system disturbance. TCN confirms that the affected section of the grid has been fully restored and stabilized.

“TCN reaffirms its commitment to enhancing the resilience and reliability of the national grid and pledges to continue investing in measures aimed at strengthening the grid infrastructure”.

admin by — April 16, 2024 in Power 0
Isale Eko Descendants Union Chairman Seeks Comprehensive Reset Of Lagos Island CBD

Mohammed Shosanya

The Chairman of the Isale Eko Descendants Union, IDU, Mr Adeniji Kazeem SAN,has commiserated with the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu,the people of Lagos Island and all those affected by the massive loss of personal property and buildings following the fire incident that struck the popular Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island last week.

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Kazeem, who made the remark on Sunday,when he and members of the Union visited the site of the Fire incident to have first-hand observation of the extent of damage, commended the efforts of Governor Sanwo-Olu in addressing the aftermath of the fire by ordering the clearing of shanties and unauthorized structures in the area.

He expressed optimism that these measures would pave way for a return to normalcy and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

He emphasized the import of preventing such disasters from occurring in the future, the chairman said the aftermath of the fire has laid bare the urgent need for a comprehensive reset in the Lagos Island central business district.

Emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive reset of the Lagos Island Central Business District, he said the Union is advocating for improved fire safety measures, better infrastructure, and stricter enforcement of regulations to prevent future disasters.

According to him, the fire at the Dosunmu Market is a wake-up call for authorities to address the underlying issues that have contributed to the frequent outbreaks of fires in the metropolis.

“As we reflect on the devastating impact of the fire at Dosunmu Market, let us remember the resilience and strength of the community. Let us stand in solidarity with those affected and support efforts to rebuild and reset the CBD. Together, we can create a safer, more vibrant, and prosperous future for all,” Kazeem said.

He highlighted the readiness of the Isale Eko Descendants Union to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders in the restoration and revitalization of the community.

“As Chairman of the Isale Eko Descendants Union, I affirm our unwavering commitment to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders in the restoration and revitalization of our community. Our collective goal is to transform Lagos Island into a livable, thriving hub that we can all take pride in. By working together, we can rebuild, rejuvenate, and ensure a brighter future for future generations.

“In the face of adversity, let us stand united, determined to turn challenges into opportunities and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow for Dosunmu Market and all its residents,” Kazeem submitted.

admin by — April 16, 2024 in News 0