All Posts in "Nigeria News"

Reps Demand Details Of Crude Production, Revenue By NUPRC

The House of Representatives on Tuesday demanded details of crude oil production from October 2021 to March, 2022, with a view to determining the revenue accrued to the Federation through Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The probe on the ‘Revenue Monitoring Exercise’ is at the instance of the Hon. James Faleke-led House Committee on Finance.
Of the total sum of N695.617 billion revenue realized by the commission for the period under review, the sums of N616.182 billion; N19.556 billion; N39.085 billion; N3.502 billion; N6.693 billion and N10.599 billion were generated from Oil Royalty, Gas Royalty, Gas Flared Penalty, Concession rentals, MISC Oil Revenue and Signature Bonus respectively.
According to the Commission’s document submitted to the Committee, the 24 contracts awarded from last quarter 2021 generated the sum of N55.438 million for renewal of contract for the provision of 20 Mbps internet bandwidth in the defunct DPR offices nationwide to VDT Communications Ltd on October 18, 2021; N20.464 million for procurement and installation of network & communication devices for DPR Calabar Field and N10.899 million for Akure Field Offices awarded to Zionchrome Int’l Nigeria Ltd on October 5, 2021.
Contract worth N49,921,250 was also awarded for engaging the service of consultant to facilitate Capacity Building on Upstream Petroleum Operations for relevant National Assembly Staff and Legislatives Aides for the NUPRC on the 24th December, 2021 awarded to Priceless Craft; N48.268 million contract to facilitate strategic engagement on budget and revenue for NUPRC awarded on the 24th December 2021 as well as N39.295 million contract for separation and reconfiguration of smart inspector (Formelo) mobility workforce application for NUPRC; N78.045 million for renewal of automated upstream system (AUS) for NUPRC; among others.
While responding to questions on the Fiscal Responsibility Commission’s activities, Mr. Bello Aliyu explained that from the N4 billion liabilities inherited from the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), it was scaled down to N1.7 billion which was taken over by the Commission.
“The Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Commission is a new agency. It is the name that is new. The name was added to our purview December last year. So, we now wrote to them a letter sometimes in March to inform them of their responsibilities to Fiscal Responsibilities Act 2007 and then to inform them that, the obligations of DPR which was their former name is now transferred to them and that liability for DPR that they are responsible for is N1,739,837,045.
“This we informed them sometimes in March. I think 29th of March,” he said.
Defending the NUPRC’s position, Mr. Babajide Fashina said: “Details of revenue sources is based on oil royalty, gas royalty, gas sales royalty, gas flaring penalty, concession rental, miscellaneous oil revenue and signature bonus and all these are paid into the generation account, the Commission does not maintain any account of it’s own.
“On the second one, which is the schedule of revenue collected, from October 2021 till February date, we have a total collection of N695,617,119.49. That was from October 2021 to February 2022.
“And the breakdown as shown, the oil royalty which was the large one, we have N616 billion, the gas royalty, N19 billion, had flare N39 billion, Concession rental, N3.5 billion then Miscellaneous oil revenue, N6.69 and all these have been paid int the Federation Account.
“From January to December 2021, we were able to generate about 2.7 trillion for the Federation,” he noted.
admin by — April 6, 2022 in News 0
FCCPC Confirms Existence Of 90 Online Lending Apps

There are about 70 to 90 online lending applications currently operated by various firms in Nigeria,according to  Executive Vice Chairman, Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera,
He announced this in Lagos during recent engagement with the media,where he also said some of the online apps were legitimate while others were operating illegally.
He added:“Not all the online loan applications are illegal. Some are completely illegitimate; some are legitimate but illegitimate in their approach to tracking debtors. We are against the illegitimate works”
He implored companies to be responsible and responsive to customer care services,adding that the government is more accessible and easier to find than private individuals because individuals want to make a profit.
He  said:“Government for all its inefficiencies is more accessible, easier to find than private individuals who just sell to make a profit.Industry must prioritise responsiveness and responsibility to their customers. Customers responsiveness is a core to business and FCCPC owes this as a responsibility.”
The media,he said,is a critical infrastructure in the constitution obligation of the government to protect the consumers’ interest.
Irukera  further said that one of the challenges in the telecommunication sector is transparency in billing.
admin by — April 4, 2022 in Nigeria News 0
Ramadan: Sanwo-Olu Urges Muslims To Pray for Peace In Nigeria

Lagos Governor,Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged Nigerian  Muslims  to use the ongoing Ramadan period to pray for the country so that peace can reign.
Sanwo-Olu,who gave the charge at the Annual State House Ramadan Tasfir for  2022 ,said it is only in the atmosphere of peace that the nation can witness development.
He was represented at the event by his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
 He added that Muslims should pray to prevent  Satan from  taking over the land as anti-social vices such as kidnapping, killing and many more are on the increase in the country.
He said: “I implore all Muslims to pray for this country so that we have peace. And that the spirit of shai’tan does not take over our land. All these killings, kidnapping, banditry and so on, we have to pray that Almighty Allah takes control of our country and bring back peace and happiness because without it nothing can happen. So, we have to pray for peace”
He suggested that in tackling the myriad of challenges facing the country, particularly insecurity, Nigerians need to seek intervention from all spheres and ensure that they do their best to restore peace and bring back humanity that the nation is known for.
In his remarks,Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, Commissioner for Home Affairs, said the current administration has kept the tradition of identifying with religion as a great partner in governance.
He enjoined all Muslim faithful to commit Lagos State and the Country at large into the hands of God as they pray throughout Ramadan.
He also urged all Muslim to avail themselves the training and serenity that Ramadan affords to cleanse their hearts, enrich their souls with virtues and dedicate themselves to the good of humanity and development of the nation.
In his lecture titled “Building the society upon the principles and teaching of Ramadan, Professor Ahmed Adedeji of the Department of Pharmacology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, stated that the oneness and goodness to one another exhibited by Islamic faithful during the month of Ramadan should be harnessed for the development of the nation.
He further urged clerics to be more involved in governance, adding that religious leaders should support the government through picking areas of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda set by the government and ensuring proper advocacy.
admin by — April 4, 2022 in News 0
Group Seeks End To Cultism, Ritual Killings In Ogun  

The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA), has urged the Ogun State Commissioner of Police to ensure the eradication of cultism, ritual killings in the state.
The group made the appeal in a  petition signed by  its Executive Director, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak.
The group advocated  prosecution of Ogun State Ex-Commissioner For Environment, Abiodun Abudu Balogun.
It also noted the growing demands of Nigerians, especially from Ogun State, to ensure improved security and ensure total eradication of all acts that encourage ritual killings and other crimes in Ogun State.
It  added: “Since our recent weekly radio programme ‘Lane-Ofin’ (Rule of Law) on Bond FM 92.9, Radio Nigeria, we have received several information and suggestions around the recent killings of a young girl, Sofia, by some teenagers.It is widely suggested that the police should not be fooled by the claim of facebook guide to the ritual killing as claimed by the accused, rather the police should intensify effort to fish out their godfathers, who the accused are trying to protect.
“Similarly, there are demands that all impending matters around similar allegations should be made public, including the outcome of police investigation and conclusion on alleged ‘rape/ritual’ scandal of former Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abudu Balogun.It is believed that it is only transparency in police activities that can restore people’s confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
“The most recent report of couples that were caught with human parts as reportedly arrested at Kenta Divisional Headquarters shows that Ogun State is gradually becoming truly unsafe as reported to us and this requires quick action.We look forward to your positive response and thank you for your unflinching support to the human rights cause.”
admin by — April 4, 2022 in News 0
FG Compels Telcos To Stop  Outgoing Calls On Unlinked Lines

The Federal Government has directed all telecommunication operators to bar outgoing calls on unlinked lines with effect from today
A statement on Monday jointly issued by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Mr.Kayode Adegoke, Head, Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission(NIMC) communicated the directive of the Federal Government.
It disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the implementation of the Policy with effect from the 4th of April, 2022.
It added:”Consequently, the Federal Government has directed all Telcos to strictly enforce the Policy on all SIMs issued (existing and new) in Nigeria.Outgoing calls will subsequently be barred for telephone lines that have not complied with the NIN-SIM linkage Policy from the 4th  of April, 2022.
“Subscribers of such lines are hereby advised to link their SIMs to their NINs before the Telcos can lift the restriction on their lines. Affected individuals are hereby advised to register for their NINs at designated centers and thereafter link the NINs to their SIMs through the channels provided by NIMC and the Telcos, including the NIMC mobile App,” according to the statement.
It  commended Nigerians and Legal Residents for their support during the exercise to link the National Identification Number (NIN) to the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM).
“On behalf of the Federal Government, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has commended Nigerians and Legal Residents for their support during the exercise to link the National Identification Number (NIN) to the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM).
“As of date, over 125 Million SIMs have had their NINs submitted for immediate linkage, verification and authentication. Similarly, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued over 78 million unique NINs till date.
The statement explained that the Federal Government also took into consideration the passionate appeals by several bodies- Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Civil Societies, Professional Bodies and a host of others – for the extension of the deadlines in the past.
“Accordingly, Mr. President graciously approved the many requests to extend deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage.
“At this point however, Government has determined that the NIN-SIM Policy implementation can proceed, as machinery has already been put in place to ensure compliance by citizens and legal residents.
“The implementation impacts on Government’s strategic planning, particularly in the areas of security and socio-economic projections.
“Professor Pantami specially appreciates President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for his tremendous support.
“He also commends the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz along with their Management and Staff, as well as other notable bodies whose efforts have seen to the monumental success of the exercise”.
The statement urged Nigerians and legal residents to visit NIN registration centres for the enrollment and issuance of valid NINs.
admin by — April 4, 2022 in News 0
NNPC, Navy,Step Up Fight Against  Oil Theft

The Nigeria Navy has launched a special operation to stop oil thieves from further sabotaging the nation’s oil and gas installations.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo,who  spoke at the launch of the operation, codenamed “Dakatar Da Barawo”,blamed the nation’s economic downturn on attacks on oil and gas facilities by saboteurs.
According to him,about 40 warships, 200 gunboats, five helicopters and its Special Boat Service (Special Forces) and several other units would participate in the three months operation.
He added:“Operation Dakatar Da Barawo in collaboration with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will identify where the problem (breach on pipelines) is.
“Secondly, we will track the oil thieves and secure the pipelines for economic prosperity of the country.The NNPC is concerned by the reports in the past few months of massive theft of petroleum products purportedly from the pipeline to (illicit) vessels resulting in huge revenue losses,” Gambo said.
He also said the navy under his command was fully committed to eliminating all acts of criminalities in Nigeria’s maritime environment and the Gulf of Guinea.
“We will use this operation to dominate the nation’s backwaters through aggressive and intelligence driven patrols.The operation will be used to monitor pipelines; block identified strategic estuaries, with focus to preventing the conveyance of stolen crude oil from inshore to sea.
“The navy will also maintain a credible presence along the coastline of areas prone to crude oil theft,” Gambo added.
He said that navy Special Forces aided by aerial surveillance would conduct clearance operations to curb oil theft and illicit dealings in petroleum products in the country.
Gambo said the newly acquired Falcon Eye system had further enhanced the navy’s regional maritime domain awareness capability.
Speaking, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr Mele Kyari, said the rising oil theft and illegal oil bunkering had affected the operations of the NNPC.
He said the Federal Government was worried over the escalating scale of attacks on critical oil and gas installations.
“To this end, NNPC reached out to the Nigerian Navy to conduct this special operation to bring this menace to the barest minimum.
We are open to supporting the navy in any way possible to make sure that this operation is successful to end the monumental revenue losses from activities of oil thieves,” he said.
admin by — April 2, 2022 in News 0
Fish Out Olarenwaju’s Attackers, CHRICED Urges Law Enforcement Agents

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), has condemned the recent attack on the home of frontline anti-corruption activist Olarenwaju Suraj by armed assailants.
The  group urged law enforcement agencies  to investigate the criminal invasion of this law-abiding citizen’s home as soon as possible and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Five armed men allegedly broke into Suraj’s home on Tuesday and subjected him and his wife to verbal threats and severe beatings.
 The attackers carted valuables such as phones, laptops, and a car.
The attack is coming on the heels of the malicious prosecution and harassment of Mr. Suraj for opening the can of worms over the Malabu deal, which named former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, as a beneficiary.
The group said the attack highlights the level of threat that anti-corruption activists face, as well as the lengths to which desperate elements will go to silence those who muster the courage to demand accountability, particularly in the use of public resources.
 It’s odd that out of the estate’s over 200 houses, only Suraj’s house was targeted for the heinous attack by the hoodlums,the group said in a statement signed by its executive director,Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi.
The statement said  that if such criminal acts go unchallenged and uninvestigated, the perpetrators will become even more emboldened and will continue to target innocent citizens.
The statement said:” As always, CHRICED expresses its support for Comrade Suraj and his colleagues at HEDA. There is no doubt that this latest assault is intended to intimidate and silence the activist and all those working with him. As a result, CHRICED, therefore, calls on Suraj not to be discouraged by this incident, but to keep up the good fight to vanquish corruption and its destructive effects on the lives of all Nigerians.
“Importantly, the attack on the activist highlights the current government’s lax attitude toward protecting whistleblowers and other citizens who support the anti-corruption campaign. It is unfortunate that those who make patriotic efforts to combat corruption are either mocked or persecuted, as has been the case with Comrade Suraj. Such a stance by the government gives the go-ahead for corrupt and desperate elements to target those involved in exposing corruption. This attitude runs contrary to the constitutionally-sanctioned mandate given to the state, that it must abolish all forms of corrupt practices.
” Unfortunately, the state is failing in this regard, leaving dedicated activists vulnerable. CHRICED, on the other hand, prays that the Almighty Creator, who is the giver of justice, will continue to guide and protect all patriots who insist on exposing corruption, despite the risks involved”.
admin by — April 2, 2022 in News 0
Minister Tasks FIRS On Increased Revenue Generation

Prince Clem Agba, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning,has tasked Federal Inland Revenue Service to do more in revenue collection to boost financial profile of the Federal Government.
He  spoke at a management retreat organised by the FIRS in Lagos with the theme: “Consolidating on the Gains of the FIRS Reforms: 2019 to Date,”
He said: “The reward for hard work is more work” and like Oliver Twist, Nigerians are asking that “you do more; the government is asking that you do more, and I am asking that you do more.I assure you of the government’s unflinching support as you make taxation the mainstay of government’s funding.”
He commended  the service for achieving its revenue target for the year 2021, with over 100% revenue target and crossing N6.405 trillion tax revenue threshold for the first time in the revenue history of the country.
 The thrilling aspect of the achievement,he said, lies in the fact that almost 70% of the collection came from non-oil sources,he said.
He thus commended the board, management and staff of the Service for supporting the economic growth initiative of the government, positing that the ability of the Service to bring innovations into tax administration which had boosted government revenues and enhanced ease of doing business in Nigeria was worthy of commendation.
He reminded Nigerians that the development of the country was a sacred and civic responsibility of everyone.
The minister emphasized  that every aspect of the national development – security, infrastructure, social services, business-enabled environment, depended on the national budget and the ability of the government to provide these itself depended on available revenue.
“The onerous task of generating the required revenue rests squarely on the shoulders of the FIRS,” he said.
Agba said the revenue profile of the government had been seriously challenged in recent times due to multiple factors.
According to him, “Given that resources are relatively low compared to the huge responsibilities of the government, concerted efforts are required at this juncture to prioritize government expenditure as well as place emphasis on resource mobilization.
“In this context, the task of improving Nigeria’s tax revenue collection and funding position is urgent and it is a task that must be done without fail.
“Recent happenings in the global economy is compelling nations to shift from dependence on resource wealth, particularly hydrocarbons to more innovative sources for revenue mobilisation.
“As the campaign for cleaner energy gains momentum and widespread support, it is resulting in lower new investments in exploration and production activities in the upstream petroleum industry.
“For instance, aggregate investment declined from $525bn in 2019 to $341bn in 2021 while investment in wind, solar and other renewable sources is soaring.”
admin by — April 2, 2022 in News 0
Buhari Okays Re-appointment of Abba Bello, Others 

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-appointment of the Managing Director of Nigerian Export Import Bank NEXIM, Mr Abba Abubakar Bello, and other executive management staff of the bank.
 His action follows the fact that the members of the current management of the bank were appointed on 10th April, 2017 and their first five-year term is due to expire on 9th April, 2022.
The Special Adviser, Media & Communications to the Honourable Minister of Finance, Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, conveyed the reappointment in a statement.
The re-appointment comprises Abba Bello, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bala Bello, Executive Director (Corporate Services), and Stella Erhuvwu Okotete, Executive Director (Business Development).
The statement said: “Section 11(4) of the NEXIM Bank Act specifies that the Managing Director and the Executive Directors shall hold office for a period of five years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for a further period of five years.
“Accordingly, as the expiration of the first term drew near, it became necessary to appraise their performance since assumption of duties across the core mandate areas of the bank for the purpose of their re-appointment or otherwise.
“The outcome of the appraisal revealed that the current management team with the support of the board has performed as well as exemplified by key achievements.
“Evidently, the operating profit, previously in the negative (N8.030billion) at the inception of the current management, has increased to N3.825billion in 2021, and there is an improvement in returns on capital earnings from -15.31 in 2016 to 2.72 in 2021.
“There is a reduction in non-performing loans from 94% in 2017 to 29% as at December, 2021, and there is an increase in the total assets of the bank by approximately N136.132billion or about 222% from inception of the current management in 2017 to 31st December, 2021.
“There is an enhanced liquidity position of the bank through additional funding totallingN103.755billion from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), N3.936billion from Federal Ministry of Finance, US$50million from the Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB) and US$25million from the African Export-Import Bank.
“The NEXIM has also made high growth in recoveries from N40.780million in 2016, preceding the current management to an annual average recovery of N1.243billion between 2017 and 2020 and a total collection of N11.903billion for the five-year period.
The bank has made the disbursement of a total sum of N144billion in loans to export-oriented entities in the non-oil sector while accounting for approximately US$375million as export proceeds within the period under review.
“The NEXIM bank has been ranked among the best three Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and best five public institutions surveyed based on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Anti-corruption Assessment Criteria”.
admin by — April 2, 2022 in News 0
LASTMA  Boss To Officers: Stop Assaulting Motorists

Mr Bolaji Oreagba, General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authourity (LASTMA), has told officers of the agency to desist from assaulting motorists in the state.
He advised  officers of the agency to make decorum and civility  their watchwords while discharging their duties on the road.
He spoke in his office against the backdrop
 of a video trending online where a LASTMA officer, Alabi Olanipekun was seen to have assaulted an alleged traffic offender within the  vicinity  of the agency at Ilasan, while trying to prevent him from making a video.
At a meeting with the complainant, Edenze Daniel Uchenna,the agency’s boss  assured  him that the officer would face disciplinary action in line with  the extant rules and regulations of the civil service.
He said henceforth any official found to have acted unprofessionally in the discharge of his duties would   face the music,because such action negates the training and retraining invested in them by the State Government.
Oreagba tasked  road users to always abide by the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 in order to move the state to greater height.
  Edenze commended the agency’s boss for the gesture, noting  that he was not well informed that he could obtain redress easily from LASTMA.
admin by — April 1, 2022 in News 0