Late Army Chief,Toaoreed Lagbaja Supported Our Fight Against Oil Theft-NNPCL

      Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

 

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd, has mourned the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja, saying he rendered monumental support to the company in the fight against pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the country.

 

 

 

He was also committed to the nation’s economic prosperity and development while alive, Olufemi O. Soneye,Chief Corporate Communications Officer,NNPC Ltd,said in a statement on Wednesday.

 

 

Soneye quoted the NNPC Limited,as condoling with the President Bola Tinubu,and the Nigerian Army on the  loss of a brilliant officer and a gentleman who served the nation with commitment and distinction.

 

 

 

The statement added:”Our prayers go to his immediate and extended families in their moments of grief, that God will grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and that He will grant his soul eternal repose in His Bosom”.

 

 

Makinde Pays Oyo Civil Servants ₦80,000 Minimum Wage

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

The Oyo State Government has approved a minimum wage of ₦80,000 for the State workforce.

 

 

 

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade,conveyed this in a statement on Wednesday.

 

 

 

According to him,the Technical Committee set up by the State Government recommended and got approval from Governor Seyi Makinde for the implementation of the new salary scale.

 

 

 

This new scale will be implemented as soon as the consequential adjustments process is completed by the committee which comprises government and labour top officials,he said in the statement.

 

 

 

He recalled that only last month, a Federal Government Agency, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in its latest employment statistics published for 2024, rated Oyo state as the most worker-friendly state in Southern Nigeria due to a significant decline in Oyo State unemployment rate.

 

 

 

He emphasized that Oyo State pays its workers salaries on the 25th of every month since Governor Makinde came into office in 2019.

 

 

 

He also said the governor started paying the previous ₦30,000 minimum wage from inception over four years ago, including consistent payment of pensions, gratuities and 13th month salary for both workers and pensioners alike.

 

 

 

He recalled that since November 2023, Governor Makinde has been paying ₦25,000 to its workers and ₦15,000 to its pensioners as a welfare wage award.

 

 

 

He noted that the Seyi Makinde’s administration started paying the wage award to cushion the effect of the Federal Government induced  fuel subsidy removal and has also been consistent with the payment for over a year even till date.

 

 

 

He reiterated that the governor has paid the backlog of gratuities from 2008-2015 for pensioners with increase in gratuity payment for Pensioners at both the Local Government Staff Pensions Board and those paid by the Ministry of Establishment and Training.

 

 

 

 

He added that the governor has also put back into payroll,pensioners whose names were removed by the immediate past administration and giving all pensioners annual Christmas/New Year Chicken Bonus.

 

 

 

NCDMB Advocates Annual FID Week To Boost Crude Oil Output

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

As part of the strategies to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production and enhance revenue accruing to the national treasury, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has advocated for one week in each year to be dedicated to signing final investment decisions (FIDs) on new oil and gas projects.

 

 

 

Its Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe made the proposal on Tuesday in his presentation at the 2024 African Oil Week, holding at Cape Town, South Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

Ogbe,in a statement said that the FID Week, if adopted,could be incorporated into the existing annual international oil and gas conferences and would feature international and indigenous operating companies.

 

 

 

 

 

He maintained that dedicating one week every year for FID signing could compel companies and relevant regulators to fast-track their processes to meet the deadline.

 

 

 

 

 

He also indicated that the proposal for an annual FID Week has already been broached to Special Adviser on Energy to President, Mrs. Olu Verheijen and the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and international operating companies and was being considered.

 

 

 

 

He was represented at the African Oil Week by the Director, Projects Certification and Authorization Division (PCAD) Engr. Abayomi Bamidele.

 

 

 

 

He said the proposal for an annual FID Week was geared to address the insufficient FIDs signed by the operating companies and the limited number of new projects being developed in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. These worrisome developments contributed to Nigeria’s dwindling crude oil production and the negative impact on revenue, he said.

 

 

 

 

 

He suggested that the Nigerian oil and gas industry needed to have at least one or two final investment decisions on major projects to be signed every year, to catalyze activity in the local service sector and the national economy and ultimately increase crude oil and gas production and revenue for the country.

 

 

 

 

Referring to the three Presidential Directives (PDs) rolled out by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2024, for the oil and gas industry, the NCDMB boss said the agency had complied fully with the directives as it relates to fast-tracking the contracting cycle and eliminating middlemen with no demonstrable capacity from participating in the oil and gas value chain.

 

 

 

 

The PDs included Presidential Directive on Local Content Compliance, Presidential Directive on Reduction of Petroleum Sector Contracting Cost and Timelines and Presidential Directive on Oil and Gas Companies (Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, etc)

 

 

 

Ogbe announced that NCDMB had applied the Presidential Directives in approving five oil and gas projects which are currently in the funnel.

 

 

 

He hinted that the expected production values of those projects are 1 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day and 350 million barrels of crude oil per day.

 

 

 

Speaking on strategies that would ensure sustainable local content development in African nations, the Executive Secretary stated that local content has to be promoted as a national agenda and supported by all institutions, businesses, decision makers, investors and citizens.

Oil Marketers To Court:Dangote Refinery’s Monopoly Unhealthy To Nigeria’s Economy

         Mohammed Shosanya

 

Three oil marketers,AYM Shafa Ltd, A. A. Rano Ltd and Matrix Petroleum Services Ltd, have told an Abuja Federal High Court,that the alleged move to monopolize the energy sector by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals is a recipe for disaster in the country.

 

 

 

 

They disclosed this in their replies to a suit filed by Dangote Petroleum against the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporaiton Limited (NNPCL) and others.

 

 

 

 

In their response,the defendants told the court that they are well qualified and entitled to be issued import licence by the 1st Defendant to import petroleum products in Nigeria within the meaning of Section 317(9) of the Petroleum Industry Act.

 

 

 

They added that vesting the plaintiff with the power of monopoly in Nigeria’s petroleum industry as it seeks vide the instant suit, will kill competitive pricing of petroleum products in the country, further deteriorate Nigeria’s critically ailing economy and unleash untold hardship on Nigerians, all of which constitute a recipe for disaster in the polity”.

 

 

 

 

They also said that if the country puts all her energy eggs in one basket by stopping importation of petroleum products and allowing the Plaintiff to be the sole producer and supplier of petroleum products in Nigeria, with liberty to determine the prices at which it supplies the products, the prices of petroleum products in Nigeria will continue to rise and energy security will elude Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

They added:”That if Nigeria puts all her energy eggs in one basket by stopping importation of petroleum products and allowing the Plaintiff to be the sole producer and supplier of petroleum products in Nigeria, with liberty to determine the prices at which it supplies the products, the prices of petroleum products in Nigeria will continue to rise and energy security will elude Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

“That amidst the glaring absence of any credible and demonstrable proof that the plaintiff refines and supplies adequate petroleum products for the daily use/consumption of Nigerians, giving the Plaintiff judicial imprimatur to be the sole supplier of refined petroleum products to Nigerians, thereby encouraging monopoly in a major aspect of Nigeria’s oil industry, is a recipe for disaster in Nigeria’s energy sector.

 

 

 

“That in the event of any breakdown in or obstruction to the production chain of the plaintiff which stops it from producing, Nigeria will be thrown into energy crises as Nigeria does not have the reserves that would last it for the at least 30 days that it would need to order, pay for, freight and import refined products into tanks in Nigeria”.

 

 

 

 

They also told the court that granting the reliefs sought by the Plaintiff which solely aim at making the Plaintiff a monopolist in Nigeria’s petroleum sector is a design to leave Nigeria and Nigerians at the mercy of the Plaintiff with respect to availability and cost of purchasing petroleum products in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

They said they are fully qualified for the issuance of the import licences issued to them by the first defendant, as they duly met all the legal requirements for the issuance of such import licences, before same were issued to them. 

 

 

 

 

They said:”The import licences lawfully and validly issued to the Defendants did not in any way whatsoever, cripple the Plaintiff’s business or its refinery.

 

 

 

 

“The import licences issued to the Defendants by the 1st Defendant are in line with the provisions of Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 and other relevant laws, the oil marketing firms told the court.

 

 

 

In the suit number: FHC/CS/ABM/1324/2024, the oil marketers told the court that the plaintiff does not produce adequate petroleum products for the daily consumption of Nigerians, adding that there is nothing before the court to prove the contrary.

 

 

 

 

The plaintiff had on September 6, 2024, sued the Nigeria Midstream And Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporaiton Limited (NNPCL), and some oil marketers, praying the court to declare that NMDPRA is in violation of Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act by issuing licenses for the importation of petroleum products.

 

 

 

 

 

The plaintiff stated that such licenses should only be issued in circumstances where there is a petroleum product shortfall.

 

 

 

The plaintiff prayed the court to declare that NMDPRA is in violation of its statutory responsibilities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for not encouraging local refineries such as Dangote Refinery.

 

 

BEOL Takes Over Power Distribution In Ondo

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau(OSERB) has licenced BEDC Electricity Ondo Limited(BEOL) to take over power distribution and retail in the state.

 

 

 

BEDC Electricity Plc was in charge of power distribution and retail in Ondo State before the constitutional amendment that allows state governments to take charge of their individual states on the power distribution and retail.

 

 

 

 

 

BEOL was licenced on Wednesday by Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau(OSERB) and the licence was presented to Mr. Olumide Atilola, who led the management of the BEDC to the event.

 

 

 

 

Presenting the licence to BEOL officials in his office at Alagbaka, Akure, the Coordinator of Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau, Engr. Stephen Bolawole,said the licencing was in line with the new constitutional requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

He said NERC had earlier written to OSERB to take full control of the electricity market in Ondo State starting from October 22, 2024.

 

 

 

 

BEDC’s Managing Director was represented at the occasion by Regional Head, Akure, Regional Head Ondo, Regional Technical, Ondo, Regional Technical, Akure, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineering, Engr Samuel Folorunso, License Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria(LECAN) among others.

 

 

 

 

Engr. Bolawole said: “With the licencing of BEOL,the people of Ondo State shall henceforth communicate with OSERB and no longer BEDC PLC or NERC.”

 

 

 

 

Lagbaja:Tinubu Postpones FEC Meeting

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

President Bola Tinubu, has ordered rescheduling of the Federal Executive Council meeting till another date to be announced.

 

The council meeting was postponed in honour of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, who passed away on Tuesday night.

 

 

 

 

General Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff from June 19, 2023, till his death on November 5, 2024.

 

 

 

 

President Tinubu also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide for seven days in honour of the departed general.

 

 

 

Earlier today,President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Lagbaja family and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

 

 

He wished Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honoured his significant contributions to the nation.

 

 

Chief of Army Staff,Gen.Taoreed Lagbaja Dies

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

The presidency has  confirmed the Passing of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.

 

 

 

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy confirmed the latest development on Wednesday morning.

 

 

 

According to Onanuga, the President Bola Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.

 

 

He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.

 

 

 

Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.

 

 

 

His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.

 

 

 

Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.

 

 

 

He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.

 

 

An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.

 

 

 

Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.

 

 

 

President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.