Mohammed Shosanya

The Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA) has clamped down on third party agents and other advertising practitioners for non compliance and refusal to pay advert bills to the state government purse.

The Director-General, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), Mr. Oludolapo Eso-Ajanaku,disclosed this on Wednesay, after leading an enforcement exercise within Ibadan metropolis.

He stated that the state government is being owed over Six Hundred and fifty million naira (N650M) in revenue default from these advertising practitioners over the period in view.

Mr. Oludolapo said the decisive action was as a result of an extensive debt profile that has continued to grow, despite repeated encouragement and ample opportunities provided by OYSAA to third–party practitioners to reconcile their accounts and reduce their debt profile.

He added that despite the compassion and generosity shown by the State government over an extended period, it has become obvious that the current level of non-compliance can no longer be sustained.

He said: “This enforcement initiative is not only about addressing the current financial discrepancies but also about setting a precedent for accountability and compliance within the Oyo State”, adding that, the ongoing non-compliance has reached a point where it jeopardizes the expansion of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Oyo State”.

He urged all third-party practitioners within the state to promptly address their debts to avoid potential disruptions to their operations, stressing that, the agency reserves the right to approve, terminate, or revoke its engagement with any individual or organization at any point in time if they default in their roles and obligations to the agency.

Mohammed Shosanya

The federal government has revoked 924 dormant licenses covering exploration, mining, small-scale mining, and quarrying.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake,disclosed this at a press conference on Wednesday.

According to him,the revocation followed due process, with adequate notice given to all concerned parties as stipulated in the official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, No. 227, published on December 27, 2023.

Of the 963 licensees notified of the impending revocation, only 39 took immediate action or provided convincing reasons for the dormancy of their licenses,Dr. Alake said.

He said,consequently, 928 licenses were revoked, comprising 528 exploration licenses, 20 mining leases, 101 quarry licenses, and 273 Small Scale Mining Licenses (SSML).

He emphasized that the revocation aligns with the government’s commitment to enforcing the “Use it or Lose it” policy entrenched in mining guidelines.

He added:”Investors worldwide are now free to apply for any affected Cadastral Units on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. This decision aims to sanitize the licensing system and penalize those who treat the sector as a mere commodity.”

He announced fines for the different categories of revoked licenses. Revoked Mining Licenses incur a fine of N10 million, N7.5 million for Small Scale Mining Licenses (SSML), and N5 million for Exploration Licenses (EL).

Licensees have 30 days to pay the fines to qualify for consideration,he said.

Besides,Dr. Alake warned against license racketeering and speculative practices, affirming the government’s zero-tolerance stance on such activities. He urged investors to swiftly initiate projects upon obtaining licenses, emphasizing Nigeria’s readiness to welcome serious investors who create employment opportunities.

Mohammed Shosanya

Employees of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (Heritage Energy) made charity visits to two orphanages in Lagos recently.

The workers, who made donations to the orphanages, explained that the donations were made in keeping with the Company’s tradition of Care for the less privileged in the society.

The team led by Kayode Adeboye, Manager, Corporate Communications,visited the Red Cross Orphanage home in Mokoko area of Yaba and Modupe Cole orphanage home in Akoka, Yaba respectively.

At the Red Cross Orphanage, Yaba, the team was welcomed by Mrs. Caroline Olalu, the Matron for the Orphanage.

Speaking,the team leader, Mr. Kayode Adeboye, commended the personnel of the home for their untiring and unwavering commitment to caring for the less privileged in the society.

He said the visit and donation were in keeping with Heritage Energy’s values, a way of giving back to society as well as hope to those challenged by circumstances.

The matron appreciated the Heritage Energy Team for the donations.

“Thanks for remembering us,” she said. While appreciating the team, she gave a brief background of the orphanage. “Here, we take care of abandoned children, motherless babies, orphans as well as wards of the state from the Social Welfare Ministry” she explained.

At the Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment home, the Heritage Team, which was received by Mrs Oyeniran Abosede Iyabowale, was inspired by the rare show of commitment by the professional teachers and minders to children who are differently enabled.

She thanked the employees for taking time out to visit her organisation. She reiterated her team’s determination to continue to care for the challenged children to the best of their ability and called upon other corporate bodies as well as their employees to continuously provide succour to the home.

Kayode Adeboye, on behalf of the Heritage Energy Team, promised not to relent in providing support to special homes that are dedicated to helping humanity such as the Modupe Cole Memorial home.