By Adeyemi Adeleye

Sen. Ita Enang, a former presidential adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, says INEC must recognise outcome of the APC Akwa-Ibom governorship primaries conducted by the Austin Ekanem-led Executive.

Enang made this remark in a letter dated July 5 and addressed to the APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.

Enang was reacting to controversies and protests surrounding the May 26 APC governorship primaries and INECs report that the APC did not conduct any governorship election primary in Akwa Ibom.

The letter was titled:. Akwa Ibom APC Fruitless Primaries and No Candidates Challenge : Electoral Act 2022, Our Bigger Than the Law Posturing and Not INEC is Our Problem.

Enang urged the chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) to prevent a situation where the APC would have no candidates in the elections.

He explained that the National Assembly in the 2010 Electoral Act vested much powers as to congresses and conventions to choose candidates on political parties, expressing same to be the internal affairs of the respective political parties.

According to him, the 2022 Electoral Act confers monitoring and indeed more active functions and powers on the electoral management body (INEC) from their experiences in the actions of the management of the respective political parties in the conduct of party primaries and party affairs generally.

Enang said: The section 84 (1) says that nomination congress shall be monitored by INEC.

INEC did not monitor these purported congresses that produced the candidate in the Ntukepo led executive, and so cannot be obliged to file the products thereof.

INEC was at the Austin Ekanem led executive and duly monitored the Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly primaries according to law and therefore, only bound to accept, and file the candidates therefrom emerging.

Therefore, in accordance with sections 84 (5)(c) of the Electoral Act 2022 as Amended, it is the aspirant who emerged from the INEC monitored, senatorial, Reps and assembly primaries being winners of the primaries of the party and the aspirants name shall be forwarded to the commission as the candidate of the party.

He said the names forwarded to INEC were not the names of persons who emerged from valid primaries monitored by INEC and conducted by legitimate officials of the party.

The senator said the names sent were the ones conducted by the Ntukepo led club not monitored by INEC.

By failing or refusing to send the names of the aspirants who emerged from validly conducted primaries monitored by INEC, the party is latently declaring that it does not intend to sponsor candidates for the senatorial, house of representatives and house of assembly elections.

This is the law and INEC is bound to comply, he added.

He said that sections 84(13) prohibited INEC from including our candidate for the said legislative houses elections.

Enang added that even if INEC were to mistakenly or inadvertently include these candidates that emerged from invalid primaries, other political parties would sue INEC and such inclusion would be annulled.

Section 84(8) provides for the election of delegates to vote in primaries for legislative, gubernatorial and presidential elections.

It is therefore, important to determine which delegates voted at the purported Ntukepo led executives, he said.

He said the judgment recognising Ntukepo as chairman of the party related to the state executives and in fact chairmanship of the state executives, saying the Ward Congresses and Local Government Chapter Congresses were long concluded and therefore not in contention in the judgment.

Enang said, therefore, that the ward chairmen and officers, the local government chapter chairmen and officers under the Austin Ekanem led executive were not affected by the judgment.

He added: These are the leadership that legitimately elected INEC monitored delegates to the states congresses and National Convention.

Accordingly, only these delegates can, as INEC insisted, elect the governorship and presidential candidates as the various courts ordered at the national convention on June 7,at Abuja.

It is the list of these national delegates that emerged at the Austine Ekanem led wards and local government chapter led executives that INEC national headquarters produced during accreditation at International Conference Centre, Abuja, as the list they monitored at wards and chapter levels which they have at their office and their records, which any person can today apply and obtain a certified copy.

Afortiori, It is only the delegates list of the Austine led executive, under the law and in fact that can be used to elect gubernatorial, senatorial, house of representatives and house of assembly candidates.

He said the judgments that made Ntukepo the chairman, related to the office of the chairman and not the entire state executives, because it was the only office contended and adjudicated upon and not the entire state executive.

Enang said the candidates for the senatorial, house of representatives and house of assembly in the primaries monitored by INEC should be forwarded to INEC as candidates of the party.

According to him, the chairman and NWC should certify and forward to the party leaders in Akwa Ibom, the list of authentic and authenticated ward executives, local governments chapter executives and state executives who may have emerged from valid INEC monitored respective congresses at wards, chapter and state levels, to enable actors know who to deal through.

Enang said: If it appears too confusing, challenging, fraudulent, illegal, unworkable, confidence deficient, debasing, shamefully and incapable of leading to electoral success, the NEC and NWC should do the needful.

The party and members should please consider all the issues heretofore stated, and we will accept that INEC is not the problem but the Electoral Act, which must be complied with or we will not have candidates.

If the party decides to abandon and exclude Akwa Ibom in the filing of legislative candidates, who emerged from valid primaries known to law and INEC, insisting on rights only known to repealed Electoral Act 2010, we will not have rallying and vocal candidates in the various senatorial districts and constituencies who will be the rallying agents to garner votes for our presidential candidate.

Can we go into election with these incoherent clubs in the guise of executive which cannot get to draw a state theme for the campaigns?

Can the different tendencies mount the same podium to campaign for our candidate to produce result? The answer is in the negative.

Enang, who expressed the assurances of his loyalty to the party, promised to abide by the decision of the party whatever the pain I shall not port, but abide. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

============
Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Solomon Asowata

The Nigerian petroleum industry on Wednesday in Abuja held a night of tributes for the departed Dr Mohammed Barkindo, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Barkindo passed on in Abuja on Tuesday at the age of 63.

He was buried on Wednesday in Yola, Adamawa State, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Speaking at the ceremony which coincided with the 2022 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Award, Mr Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., said Barkindos demise was a shock to the industry.

Represented by Mr Adetunji Adeyemi, the Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC, Kyari prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Mr Mike Sangster, the Managing Director, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Ltd., said the loss was for the family, the country Nigeria, the oil and gas industry and the world at large.

Sangster who was represented by Mr Charles Ebereonwu, the Country Communications Manager, TotalEnergies Nigeria, described Barkindo as a humble and hardworking man who made enormous contributions to the oil and gas industry.

All we can do is to pray for the family for the fortitude to bear the loss and the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest, he said.

Also, Mr Rick Kennedy, the Chairman, Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), described Barkindo as a true giant of the industry.

Kennedy said the contributions of the departed global energy leader could not be overemphasised, adding that his death was a huge loss to the sector.

On his part, Mr Osagie Okunbor, the Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, said Barkindo was an iconic figure in the oil and gas industry whose death came as a very rude shock to stakeholders.

Okunbor said OPEC was able to overcome multiple crisis due to his outstanding leadership, adding that he made Nigeria and Nigerians proud on the global stage.

In his tribute, Mr Simbi Wabote, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, said Barkindo was a role model and someone worthy to be admired.

He was the icon of our time. His death is a great loss to Nigeria. God knows best. When our time is up, there is nothing we can do.

He has played his part and we can only continue from where he stopped, Wabote said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

===============
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

Bonds

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Federal Government is set to generate about N720 billion in the third quarter of 2022 from FGN Bonds.

This is according to FGN Bond Issuance Calendar For Third Quarter, 2022 as released by the Debt Management Office (DMO).

The calendar shows that the DMO will re-open nine previously issued FGN Bonds between July and September.

According to the calendar, on July 18, the DMO will re-open a 13 per cent, March 2025 FGN Bond valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion.

It has a maturity date of two years, eight months, with original 10-year tenor.

Also on July 18, the DMO will re-open a 12.5 per cent, April 2032 FGN Bond valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion.

It has nine years, nine months term-of-maturity; with 10-year original tenor.

The office will, again, re-open a 13 per cent, Jan. 2042 FGN Bond valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion on the same date.

It has 19 years, six months term-of-maturity, and an original tenor of 20-year.

On Aug. 15, the DMO will re-open the 13.53 per cent, March 2025 FGN Bond, valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion, with two years, seven months as term-of-maturity.

It has an original tenor of 10-year.

On the same date, it will re-open the 12.50 per cent, April 2032 FGN Bond, valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion; with term-of-maturity of nine years, eight months.

It has a 10-year original tenor.

Again, on Aug. 15, it will re-open the 13 per cent, 2042 FGN Bond, valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion; with 19 years, five months as term-of-maturity.

It has a 20-year original tenor.

The calendar also shows that, on Sept. 19, the DMO will again re-open the 13.53 percent, March 2025 FGN Bond, valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion.

It has two years, six months term-of-maturity and 10-year original tenor.

Again, on Sept 19, the DMO will re-open 12.50, April 2032 FGN Bond valued at between N70 billion and N80 billion, with nine years, seven months as term-of-maturity.

It has a 10-year original tenor (

On the same date, the office will, again, re-open the Jan. 2042 FGN Bond valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion; with 19 years, four months as term-of-maturity.

It has original tenor of 20-year.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Re-opening a Bond issue refers to issuing additional amounts of a previously issued Bond.

Re-opened Bonds have the same maturity date and interest rate as the original bonds, but they are sold on different dates and usually at a different price.

The DMO, however, said that the calendar was provisional and could be subject to change at short notice. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=====

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Obinna Unaeze

Borgu (Niger), July 6, 2022 (NAN) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), says it will support 369 farmers in Niger with inputs worth N78.4 million in the ongoing 2022 wet season farming.

Dr Fatima Aliyu, National Programme Coordinator (NPC) Federal Government/IFAD-VCDP, disclosed this on Wednesday in Borgu, Niger, during the inauguration of the 2022 wet season input distribution to the benefiting farmers.

Aliyu, represented by Dr Chika Unamma, Agriculture Production Advisor, VCDP, Abuja, said that the exercise was implemented under the VCDP-Additional Financing (AF).

We are spending N78.4 million for the 2022 wet season farming in Niger state but the emphasis is on the three local government areas of Borgu, Edati and Mokwa benefiting in the VCDP-AF.

A total of 369 farmers from Niger state will benefit in the rice and cassava VCDP, she said.

She said that for this years wet season farming, the VCDP would support the farmers with 369 hectares of land, adding that out of the figure, rice would be cultivated on 302 hectares, while cassava takes 67 hectares.

She said that in Borgu Local Government Area, 108 farmers would benefit in the programme which would gulp N16.5 million.

She urged the farmers to utilise the inputs to increase yields to boost food production, increase their wealth and improve their living standard.

Inaugurating the programme, Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, directed the state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to ensure that the benefitting farmers get the inputs.

Bello represented by Alhaji Yusuf Gunnu, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, eulogised the state government for counter-funding agriculture intervention programmes, including the VCDP in the state, hence, the huge successes recorded.

Similarly, Dr Mathew Ahmed, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC), said that among the three local governments, 108 farmers would benefit from Borgu, 113 from Edati and 148 from Mokwa.

Ahmed explained that each farmer would get four bags of NPK fertiliser, two bags of Urea fertilisers, one certified 25kg bag of rice seeds and one litre of herbicide.

He said each cassava farmer would be given 50 bundles of cassava cuttings with same number of NPKand Urea fertiliser and herbicide.

He said that the support was based on 50 per cent matching grant that would be paid by the beneficiaries, while the VCDP pays the balance of 50 per cent.

He said that before the farmers would access the inputs; they would pay 50 per cent of the worth and document same at the redemption centre.

He said that the programme was designed to achieve increase in yield, whereby the rice farmers yield would increase to 7.5 metric tons per hectare and the cassava farmer increase yields to 30 metric tons per hectare.

Ahmed said that the VCDP had set up a monitoring team to ensure that the farmers utilise the inputs judiciously.

Also, Alhaji Mohammed Dantoro, Emir of Borgu, who appreciated the Federal Government, the state and IFAD for the gesture, promising that the Emirate would ensure the farmers use the inputs for the purpose they were meant for.

Responding, Mrs Deborah Peter, one of the benefiting farmers who thanked the government and IFAD for the assistance, promised to utilise the inputs to benefit again.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IFAD-VCDP is a collaboration among Federal Government, IFAD and nine participating states of Anambra, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba and Ogun.

Rice and cassava farmers were included to benefit from VCDP-Additional Financing after the programme recorded huge success in all the participating states.

There are currently 33,200 VCDP farmers in Niger spread across the eight benefiting local government areas of Bida, Katcha, Kontagora, Shiroro, Edati, Borgu, Wushishi and Mokwa. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Aisha Cole

Two female passengers died after a boat mishap in Ikorodu, Lagos State on Wednesday, according to theLagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).

The General Manager, LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said in a statement thatthe boat submerged immediately after it departed the Ipakodo ferry terminal in Ikorodu, Lagos.

Emmanuel said that the 20-passenger ferry, namedR

By Emmanuella Anokam

Participants at the ongoing 2022 Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) conference have expressed grief on the sudden death of Dr Mohammad Barkindo, the Secretary-General, Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Barkindo passed away on Tuesday at 11 p.m. in Nigeria.

Barkindo, whose tenure as the OPEC Secretary-General ends July 31, was in Nigeria to attend the ongoing Nigerian Oil and Gas conference in Abuja, holding from July 4 to July 7.

NAN reports that the ambience at the conference venue is low and solemn, while participants are moody over the loss of what they described as a great asset to the nation.

Some oil and gas industrys experts, stakeholders and participants expressed shock and pain over his demise.

Mr Olabode Sowunmi, the Senior Legislative Aide, Gas and Power to the Senate President said it was an exceedingly great loss to the energy industry at large and Nigeria in particular.

This world is a stage and we are mere actors. We pray that his soul rest in peace, he said.

Mr Tony Ukpo, the Assistant Director, Public Affairs Unit, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said it was a sad moment for industry stakeholders, Nigeria and the world.

He was a perfect gentleman; we were with him yesterday, in fact, he died in active service, he will be missed fondly by everybody, he said.

Mr Krishan Yadav, IER Business Development, Vertiville Energy expressed shock, saying the global industry community, including his country, India would miss the great professional.

Dr Iyang Iyang, the Managing Director, UTS Consultancy Ltd. expressed sadness that the nation has lost a great man.

But we cannot query God rather we have to accept it because he believes it is Gods appointed time for his death.

My Sylvester Edet, the General Manger, UTS, described him as an irreplaceable gentleman and expert, adding that it was saddening, a big loss for the industry and nation at large.

Also speaking, Mr Micheal Adeagbo, an Engineer with Clerke Energy, described the death as pathetic, adding that nothing could be done than to pray for his family and wished his legacies would live on.

Alhaji Mohammed Danzaki, the President, Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) said the news was sad and also prayed God to accept his soul.

NAN reports that OPEC secretariat has described him as the much loved leader of the secretariat, adding that his passing is a profound loss to the entire OPEC family, oil and gas industry and international community.

Barkindo earlier on Tuesday visited President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, where he was hailed by the president for being a worthy ambassador to Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=========
Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) had introduced incentives to grow reserves.

The commission also said that the aim of the Act was to increase Nigerias daily production towards attaining 40 billion barrels and 220TCF of oil and gas reserves.

It said the incentives would also enable the country attain production target of three million barrel per day (3mb/d).

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission Chief Executive (CCE) NUPRC, spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the ongoing 21st Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, tagged Funding the Nigerian Energy Mix for Sustainable Economic Growth.

Komolafe spoke on Providing Regulatory Oversight in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) Era.

He said that Nigerians craved a legal regulatory framework for the oil and gas industry, one robust enough to effectively regulate the sector for optimum productivity and efficiency.

Komolafe thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ninth Assembly for the PIA passage.

He said it provided for administrative, institutional governance, attractive fiscal regimes, mechanisms for improved environment and peaceful co-existence between operators and host communities.

According to him the act empowers the commission on technical and commercial regulation of the Upstream Petroleum activities in a manner to ensure sustainable hydrocarbon exploration and production at optimum cost.

He said the act also dealt on issues of environmental remediation, decommissioning, and abandonment, and setting up of Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).

Komolafe said that the sixth schedule of the act provided for production allowance wherein performance in terms of production milestone was rewarded.

He said it introduced a mandatory Decommissioning and Abandonment Fund prescribed under Section 232 and 233, adoption of Grid System for Acreages under Section 69, HCDT under Chapter three which replaced MOUs and GMOUs.

These, he said were aimed at achieving operational efficiency, higher productivity, cost optimisation, cleaner and safe upstream environment.

According to him, the PIA 2021 under Chapter four and the seventh schedule provided attractive fiscal terms for the Petroleum Industry which included Progressive royalty rates compared to pre-PIA royalty rates for all terrains.

Others, he included are Reduced Royalties (to 2.5 per cent) for gas produced and utilised locally, introduction of hydrocarbon tax and company income tax that are cumulatively lower than Petroleum Profit Tax Pre-PIA

Zero hydrocarbon tax for deep offshore operations, consolidated taxation on lease- and company-basis and other fiscal incentives.

These sweeping reforms are geared toward creating additional opportunities for new investments and higher revenue for both government and investors, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=============
Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By AbdulFatai Beki

The Kwara House of Assembly on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of five commissioner nominees submitted by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The confirmation of the nominees was sequel to their thorough screening at the Committee of Whole at the plenary.

The newly confirmed commissioners are Afeez Abolore Alabi from Ilorin East; Adenike Afolabi Oshatimehin Ifelodun; Wahab Femi Agbaje Offa; Gidado Lateef Alakawa Asa; and Ibrahim Akaje Ilorin West.

The Speaker, Mr Yakuhu Danladi, thereafter directed the Clerk of the House, Hajia Haleemah Kperogi, to communicate the notice of the confirmation to the governor.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the confirmed commissioners are expected to replace some cabinet members who resigned their appointments recently to pursue political ambitions.

Also during Tuesdays plenary, the suspension of the lawmaker representing Ilorin-South Constituency, Mr Raheem Jimoh-Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was lifted.

The suspension of Agboola was lifted following an apology letter written to the House by the suspended lawmaker and read by the Speaker during the plenary.

The speaker directed that Agboola be ushered into the hallowed Chamber to resume in the legislative business.

NAN recalls that the lawmaker was suspended by the House in January 2022, after he was disallowed to attend the presentation of the 2022 Appropriation Bill by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Agboola, while speaking with NAN on the lifting of his suspension, confirmed that he wrote an apology letter to the Speaker to allow peace reign in his constituency in particular and the state at large.

I am one voice out of the majority and for peace and harmony of the state to continue to prevail and desired development to my constituency, l have to make amend with them, the lawmaker said.

The people of my constituency should beef up as we prepare for another elections by acquiring their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote credible leaders, Agboola added. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and The Albino Foundation (TAF)
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and other
marginalised groups in the society.

The National President of NAWOJ, Mrs Ladi Bala, said during the signing of the legal documents on Tuesday in Abuja,
that the MoU would give more visibility to issues affecting PWDs and other vulnerable groups in the country.

Bala says journalists are critical stakeholders in advancing the cause of governance, hence will use their platforms to
create space that will highlight and bring necessary changes on issues affecting PWDs.

He added that our role is to create visibility on their issues and we also need to galvanise the society to see them
as normal human beings with equal rights.

They should not be looked down on, their rights should not be trampled upon and their dignity should be upheld.

We are concerned about that and because we have the platform and as part of our constitutional responsilities as watchdog
of the society, we decided to build the capacity of journalists nationwide to understand issues on PWDs.

This is because when they understand it better, they will be able to craft their messages in such a manner that it will elicit
the kind of response from the members of the society.

We should conscientise the society and mobilise them to give the necessary support to these people, give them their space
and their rights must be respected and their dignity upheld, she said.

According to her, the association has over 15,000 members nationwide; hence it will highlight issues of PWDs on their media spaces.

She, however, explained that inadequate funding had been a bane in achieving some of its goals, and urged development partners
and other stakeholders to support the organisation.

Mr Jake Epelle, the Founder of TAF, said the MoU was apt, as it would further highlight issues affecting PWDs and ensure
full implementation of the Disability Act.

Epelle added that the newly inaugurated members of the Journalists for Disability Inclusion would ensure increased
visibility on inclusion for marginalised members of the society.

Esme Stuart, Programme Manager on Gender and Human Rights, European Union (EU), reiterated the commitment of the commission
to ensure the rights of PWDs were respected.

She said disability rights are key priority and the EU has a disability rights inclusion strategy that focuses not only on our programme
but ensures disability inclusion in our organisation.

Todays signing of MoU brings in two key priorities for the EU, including womens rights, gender equality and the rights of PWDs.

We are working to make it more inclusive, not only because it is a human rights but we believe it makes the society better and
more inclusive.

Mr Chris Isiguzo, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the MoU would enable the media to
prioritise issues affecting PWDs like the disability act and its level of implementation.

He said now the media will begin to talk about PWDs because we are talking about a group of persons that cannot talk for themselves.

Now the media will become their voice and begin to talk about issues that concern them and these are the primary essence of the
partnership between NAWOJ and The Albino Foundation.

NAWOJ will begin to galvanise support from the media community, affiliate organisations so that the essence of this partnership
will not be lost. (NAN)( www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government on Tuesday underscored the importance of capacity building in the growth and development of the countrys maritime industry.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki said this at the 16th International Maritime Seminar for Judges held in Abuja.

It is a common knowledge that most of our maritime transportation is conducted by foreign ship owners.

Thereby limiting the economic benefits accruable to the nation and the sub-region in areas such as creation of jobs, freight and insurance earnings etc.

It is in the above regard that the development of a national fleet becomes imperative.

The present administration is looking into ways of encouraging the establishment of a private sector-driven national shipping line to ensure maximum exploitation of the potential in our maritime industry.

A Ministerial Committee has been working on this important initiative and I look forward to having their concrete recommendations for immediate implementation., Saraki said.

Represented by the Director of Procurement in the ministry, Mr Hussein Adamu, Saraki said the government was ready to implement various initiatives on the ease of doing business, including in the maritime sector in order to open up all the potential of the Nigerian business environment.

May I reiterate the commitment of the Nigerian government towards the implementation of various initiatives on the ease of doing business, including in the maritime sector in order to open up all the potential of the Nigerian business environment.

I am also pleased to state that following the recommendations of the Nigerian Shippers Councils communiques, the government has geared up efforts to sanitise and foster global best practices in port operations.

And in this regard has developed a working document called the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) and constituted an Inter-Agency Task Team led by the Nigerian Shippers Council for its implementation.

The NPPM reflects the internationally acceptable processes in port operations by spelling out a step-by-step processes and specific roles of government agencies and private operators at all levels in the port.

The process of ensuring the gazzetting of the Process Manual in order to give it the requisite regulatory teeth is ongoing.

. That step will further complement the critical role of the Nigerian Shippers Council as the Port Economic Regulator in our jurisdiction.

According to him, government will continue to support the NSC in this role in order to ensure the smooth, effective and successful implementation of the mandate given to it.

The Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Justice Bode Vivour said the seminar provided a specialised form for the judicial officers to be equipped with requisite skills and knowledge as a means to an efficient and effective judicial resolution of maritime cases.

He said:The judiciary as we all know, is the lifeline of democratic societies. The need to strengthen our respective judiciary cannot be overemphasised.

A strong and independent judiciary, which practices international best standards, promote stability, protects rights, and guarantees fair and expeditious outcomes.

Judiciarys importance pertains to the political and social life of the people and acts as a catalyst for economic change and development of a nation.

An effective judicial system is a key pillar of an efficient economy and plays a vital role in a nations economic performance.

According to him, a strong and independent judiciary which decisions are rendered fairly transparently within reasonable time limits and in accordance with international recognises norms, encourages foreign as well as local private sector investment.

The three days seminar was attended by Chief Justices of Sierra leone, Ghana, Kenya and the Gambia who gave their goodwill messages.

Others who were in attendance included stakeholders in the maritime and judiciary sector.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) says it is collaborating with the World bank, European Investment Bank, development agencies and stakeholders to upgrade the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) to a principal legislation.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner (NC) of NDPB disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja while recounting the achievements of the bureau.

The NDPR, established in January 2019, was signed by Prof. Isa Pantami as the then Director- General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The NDPR came as a subsidiary legislation and fallout of the NITDA Act of 2007; the agency is backed by law to create subsidiary legislations as potent as the Act.

He recalled that licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) were engaged, awareness done and implementation strategy developed to ensure building data protection ecosystem that played a major role in boosting the economy.

We are working with the subsidiary legislation to make it a principal legislation.

We are working with World Bank, European Investment Bank and different development agencies expecting to have a policy dialogue where we are going to take input from all stakeholders based on the NDPR.

We are going to be asking questions about the NDPR, mirroring the issues why it was not assented to by the President in 2019.

We are trying to aggregate all these inputs to form a position of what to present as the principal legislation.

If we have that, in terms of enforcement and more powers to the bureau, that will to a large extent give us powers to do our work, Olatunji said.

In developing a good structure for the bureau, Olatunji said that the bureau had set up a committee to develop a roadmap for general data protection in the country.

According to him, the team has worked for more than two months now, hoping to have a clear roadmap for data protection in Nigeria.

Responding to the Data Protection Bill of 2020, for the establishment of Data Protection Commission, Olatunji said that the bureau was the same and is the supervisory data protection organisation in Nigeria.

The bureau is the commission now, what we are doing is to align what we are already doing with the bill and have a law.

Mr President has the power to set up structures to implement the objectives of the government and this is not the first agency that has been set up while the bill is still being processed.

The most important thing is that we now have an organisation that will be in the front lines to ensure that the bill scales through.

The NDPB is now the champion of the Data Privacy Protection Bill which we will soon take to the national assembly to drive the process, he said.

Olatunji decried that the 2022 annual budget had already been passed before the launch of the NDPB, which was challenging the implementation of its activities, among other challenges.

He, however, said that the Federal Government with an alternative funding plan, approved that the Nigeria Communications Commission, NITDA and the National Identity Management Commission fund the bureau for two years.

NITDA provided the physical office, furnished it, provided 12 staff and paid their salaries.

In implementing activities that we need to do, we are still having that (funding) challenge.

Looking at the issue of data protection, it is huge, the issue of compliance, investigation with 12 staff members, 10 Police investigation team, it is still not enough to do proper enforcement.

We are working with over 200 million people and land mass of over 923,000 square kilometres, 36 states and the FCT and 774 local governments, that is huge, the Commissioner said.

He further said that achieving the mandate of the bureau required more manpower, workers with sound knowledge of data privacy, protection and infrastructure.

According to him, part of what we are working on too is our condition of service which is almost ready.

By the time we have that and we have money, we will engage experts that will assist us achieve our mandates.

NAN reports that the NDPB was launched in February, following the approval by President Muhammadu Buhari, with the mandate to implement the NDPR and other data privacy issues.

The NDPR was under the purview of the NITDA, hence the creation of the bureau. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abubakar Ahmed/Donald Ugwu

Source: NAN News

By Maureen Okon

The Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, on Tuesday in Abuja said that access to digital, ground-truth data would increase the electrification planning rate in Nigeria.

The minister said this at the official inauguration of the upgrade of Nigeria Sustainable Energy for All (Nigeria SE4ALL) platform version 3.0 (https://nigeriase4all.gov.ng), with extended datasets from field data collection and brand new web apps.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is under the Nigeria Energy Support Programme which is a technical assistance programme.

It is also co-founded by the European Union (EU), BMZ, and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Gmbh in collaboration Federal Ministry Power.

Aliyu, speaking at the cutting of the ribbon ceremony of the new web platform, said that access to digital, ground true data is key to increase the electrification rate in Nigeria.

That is why the ministry under the umbrella of the nationwide SE4ALL initiative has developed this platform, which will serve as the go-to platform for data-driven electrification planning to achieve Nigerias Vision 30:30:30, he said.

Ms Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Green and Digital Economy at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, speaking at the event, said the delegation was delighted about the website.

The EU is happy to have supported the government to develop the new Nigeria SE4ALL web platform.

The collected data and the new tools would be used to serve as pre-feasibility for private sector investment, allow development of policies and frameworks as well as monitoring policy target.

Mr Martin Huth, the Charg daffaires of the German Embassy to Nigeria, highlighted the importance of the platform for the energy sector in improving the energy sector.

These interactive platform with intuitive web apps will greatly assist the Nigerian Government in improving the regulatory framework for the set targets of electrifying Nigerians.

Also, it will provide the private sector with necessary information for the business plans for investments, he said.

Mr Abubabar Ali-Dapshima, Acting Director, Renewable Energy and Rural Power Access Department for the Ministry of Power, said the platform launched provided the availability of primary and empirical data for key investors.

He added that the investors that were in the Mini-grid, renewable energy, energy efficiency sub-sectors of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) would gain access.

NAN reports that the inauguration presented lessons and insights from stakeholders, the private sector, companies, industry association, ministry of power, the World Bank Group, and donor organisations on the new platform and introduced new features.

Mr Duke Benjamin, Head of Programme, NESP, said that Nigeria SE4ALL project team had carried out further special projects on field data collection including energy supply assessment.

Also on off-grid settlement surveys, and mobile mapping of grid network, in collaboration with national partners, he said.

NAN further reports that the high point of the event was the demonstration of the collected data and data collection methods including the demonstrations of the mobile mapping device Trimble MX.

It is a vehicle-mounted imaging system enabling fast and productive capture of road, infrastructure and city environmental data.

It captures 360-degree, geo-referenced images with highway speeds to vastly reduce project operating cost whilst improving public safety. (NAN)

===========

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu has promised to pay all outstanding liabilities owned to contractors who have completed various contracts awarded by the immediate past administration of the council.

Mr Kingsley Madaki, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs to AMAC Chairman, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said Maikalangu, gave the assurance while addressing aggrieved contractors yet to be paid for jobs executed for the past administration.

The chairman, who appealed to the contractors to exercise patience, however, disclosed that despite the challenges of funding, the administration had paid one month salary owned by past administration.

Maikalangu, who attributed the delay in payments to dwindling Internal Revenue Generation (IGR) and expected funds from the Federal Government, expressed optimism that the contractors would be paid as soon as possible.

It will be unfair for your money to be tied down somewhere for number of years. As you all know, this is a new administration. I resumed office on the June 14.

So, I felt that we should invite all the contractors owned by the previous administration to know ourselves. You have worked for the council and you deserve your payment.

I want you to have it at the back of your mind that very soon, we will call you on a proper inspection of all the projects you said you have have completed. We are going to focus on projects that have reached 100 per cent completion.

Let the truth be told, we may not pay all. Dont expect us to perform magic, because all the necessary findings must be done before any payment.

Most of the debts are traced to 2016 to 2019. Government is a continuum, we want to assure you that we will gradually pay it.

The AMAC boss disclosed that the council was making serious efforts to get the expected funds from the Federal Government.

We will also ensure that we scale up our Internal Revenue Generation (IGR) to enable us offset our liabilities. I want to assure you that all our contractors will be paid soon, he said.

While thanking the chairman on his promises to offset the debt owned by the previous administration, Mr Bello Shafiw, the Managing Director of Christal Love and Tina Nigeria Ltd., said the audience given by the new council chairman was a huge step in the right direction.

With this kind of chairman in the leadership of the council, the residents should be rest assured that things will work well for good.

We didnt expect you to call us or have any interest in paying a debt he didnt acquire. Most of us have lost hope since, but with this assurance we have gotten here today, our hope is revived already.

Some of us are being owed for years after the completion of jobs. We have been asking and nobody answered us but thank God for the answer we have gotten from this present administration. (NAN)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Jacinta Nwachukwu
The Nigerian Army Officer Wives Association (NAOWA) has underscored the need for women in the Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) camps to observe family planning for improved family life.

Members of NAOWA expressed the concern when they visited some women in Durumi IDPs camp, in Abuja on Monday with some relief materials to commemorate the 2022 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

According to them, family planning is central to gender equality and womens empowerment is a key factor in reducing poverty.

The wife of the Military Secretary, Mrs Maryam Abdussalam, said that the association would engage some medical doctors who would educate the women in IDPs camps on effective family planning.

Abdussalam said that controlling the number of children individuals or couples have as well asspacing and timing of their births would help for proper family management.

We see a lot of children that are being born here and there is no place for recreational activities for them.

I am going through some emotions seeing the children and the women here; honestly there are a lot that needs to be done.

We are going to involve some doctors, or corps members to come here and talk to them on what to do, she said.

Earlier, Mrs Asmau Garba the Coordinator, NAOWA, said that the association was built on the principles and norms of Nigerian Army with its motto: Unity and Charity.

On this occasion of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2022, we strive to exemplify this by reaching out to less privileged within and outside our environs.

Durumi Internally Displaced Persons Camp has been chosen as the reach out location for the less-privileged to commemorate the day.

To this end, the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association Army Headquarters Garrison is using this medium to empathise with you and extend our hands of fellowship, Garba said.

She said that this was to also encourage the women not to give up on themselves.

On behalf of the women, Mrs Liyatu Ayuba, Women leader, IDPs camp Durumi, appreciated the leadership of NAOWA and her team for the kind gesture.

Ayuba, who is also a traditional birth attendant, while appreciating God for their lives said that she had helped the women to deliver about 218 children in the camp.

She said that they have spent about nine years in the camp.

We have 13 groups and we are 300 in all. We are just managing our lives because we are not in our homes, our children dont go to good schools because of our condition.

We are very happy because of the women organisation that came to our camp today.

We are happy because we have been thinking of the Sallah celebration and how to celebrate it without food but here they have brought enough food to us, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association donated about 30 bags of rice and other food items including toiletries to the women in the IDPs camp.(NAN)()

==========
Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria on Monday called on women, youths and Persons With Disabilities(PWDs) to participate actively in the electoral processes ahead of the general elections in 2023.

The Project Leader of FIDA Nigeria, Ms. Esther Ikenye, made the call at the community sensitisation for Gwarko and Kutunku communities in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.

Ikenye in her speech during the sensitisation which was supported by Action Aid, said there was the need for more women, youths, PWDs to be more involved in political activities.

Women have always been at the background in key governance, even though we make the highest number in Nigerias population.

The Gender Responsive Bill suffered a set back on the floor of the legislative house; we are trying to see how more women, youths and PWDs will be part of electoral process and in governance.

We are not competing with anyone but the women, youth, PWDs should be given a chance to contribute and be part of the electoral process, Ikenye said.

She also called on women, youths and PWDs to make use of the extended continuous voter registration opportunity to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) .

The purpose of the sensitisation is to educate them on continue voter registration and key provisions under the Electoral Act.

And to promote the inclusion of women, youths and PWD in key electoral and governance processes across the FCT ahead of the 2023 general elections, Ikenye said.

She said that the simplified version of the Electoral Act was given to members of the communities for them to enhance their knowledge on voters education and their rights.

Ikenye, however, advised women, youths and PWD to ensure they exercised their franchise in line with the nations constitution.

She further advised them against double registration, saying it is punishable in the Electoral Act with a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for not more than a year.

She said FIDA had previously been in six communities across three area councils in the FCT, adding that this was the second phase of the project.

The Project Officer of FIDA Nigeria, Mr Abu Ayuba advised Nigerians to resist all forms of vote buying during elections.

He said they should not allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians, rather they should abide by the requirements by INEC.

The Programme Officer of FIDA Nigeria, Mrs Chioma Okoye-Chukwuma said the programme was to encourage and strengthen the capacities of young persons and women on campaign strategies policy and participation in leadership positions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FIDA Nigeria as a resource partner under the Action Aid Elections, work under Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) programme.

The aim is to implement the innovation campaign omponent for inclusion of women and young people in political and governance processes (WE-YOU Pro) in FCT.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Editted by AbdulFatai BEKI/GRACE YUSSUF

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the German Development Commission (GIZ) have urged West African journalists to create awareness on the many trade benefits in the sub-region.

They made the call on Monday at the opening of the Five-Day Capacity building training for some West African journalists in Lagos, noting that the media plays a critical role in promoting trade initiatives in the region.

Mr Kolawole Sofola, Director, Trade, ECOWAS Commission, said that Africa and the ECOWAS have developed a lot of initiatives like the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) to boost trade opportunities.

Sofola, however, noted that many citizens of the region were, however, have little knowledge of the benefits of these opportunities which sought to create a new era of economic transformation in the continent.

In spite of the numerous trade agreements signed by African countries, there are number of factors that continue to keep the continent in marginal world trade among which is our lack of productive capacity.

These include our limited trade infrastructure, the high cost of trading across borders, as well as the lack of awareness of trade benefits and also a large volume of informal trade.

The media plays a key role in educating and informing the public on the latest development, also helps provide opinions and monitor government actions to also hold them accountable, he said.

According to him, it is very much your role to make sure that government develops its policies, it is implemented and also the citizens are aware of what is happening.

The objective of this training is to allow media to contribute to the facilitation of cross-border and international trade by reporting and providing critical information on trade issues in the region.

Promoting and facilitating multi-stakeholders dialogue including both the public and private on issues related to trade policies, and trade agreements.

And creating platforms for consultations between stakeholders along particular key corridors, Sofola said.

Mr Bernard Tayoh, Head of Component, GIZ Trade Facilitation West African Programme said that the workshop aimed at building the capacity of West/African journalists on existing trade protocols and initiatives of the ECOWAS region.

Tayoh said that the training will also strengthen the reportage of the journalists who play key advocacy role in the reform of trade initiatives in the West African region.

He said that the Trade Facilitation West African (TFWA) Programme under which the training is conducted is geared at improving the free movement of goods and services in the region.

This, he said, includes improving corridor efficiency, focusing of key trade corridors in the region.

With new protocols coming up both in the region and in the continent, including under the AFCTA we deem it necessarily to build the capacity of CSOs and journalists to understand the implication of these measures.

For them to be able to play a key role to ensure those private sectors are able to take advantage of all the opportunities that are created by the new protocols, Tayoh said.

Dr Ken Ukaoha, Director-General, West African Institute for Trade and Agriculture Development (WAITAD), asked journalists as agenda setters to make economic reportage a priority.

Ukaoha said that all sector of humanity would be greatly improved when more attention is given to economy and trade reportage.

This training is long overdue, looking at new instruments on trade, also at key issues that are coming out within the region as well as Member States, looking at also specifically on what we tend to benefit and what we are losing on trade.

Also looking at the fact that major newspapers in Member states, trade and economic issues hardly come to the front burner.

And, it appears that politics have taken over major chunk of activities. And if they are people who should reinvent, rediscover where we should be as a region, Ukaoha said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the TFWA programme is a multi-donor programme funded by the EU, U.S Germany, EU and the Netherlands and co-implemented by GIZ and the World Bank Group. (NAN) ()

======

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Edith Ike-Eboh and Emmanuel Afonne

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) started its weekly activities with a resolve to quickly end the incessant queues at various filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

By this resolution, the company in collaboration with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) stepped up the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the FCT from 70 to 140 trucks to combat the lingering fuel queues.

Speaking to newsmen during an inspection tour of filling stations in Abuja, NNPCs Group Executive Director, Downstream, Mr Yemi Adetunji, explained that there were enough petrol in the nations strategic reserve to last 32 days.

We have 1.9billion litres of PMS that can last for 32 day. NNPC is making every effort to ensure energy security for the country.

We have sorted out Lagos. We are working with all relevant stakeholders to bring the situation in Abuja under control; normalcy will be restored in the next few days.

Speaking earlier, the CEO of the NMDPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed, said that the improvement in the supply of products from an average of 70 to 140 trucks was made possible by the Presidential approval of a 10 freight rate discount increase to petroleum products transporters as part of solutions to the fuel supply challenge.

He charged marketers to play by the rules as NMDPRA would not hesitate to sanction anyone found to be involved in underhand practices.

We are doing everything to bring the situation to normal. We also want to state that there is no increase in the pump price of PMS, and any such sharp practice will be sanctioned accordingly by the Authority, he said.

The tour of the filling stations was to monitor developments and ensure compliance.

In another development, Major stakeholders in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry have suggested ways to mitigate the continuous rise in prices of diesel and cooking gas in Nigeria.

Among the stakeholders who spoke at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Joint Committees on Downstream and Gas Resources in Abuja were the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed and the Group Managing Director/CEO of NNPC Ltd, Malam Mele Kyari.

Leaders of Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association Of Nigeria (IPMAN), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) Gas Marketers Association, among others, were also in attendance.

Fielding questions from members of the committee, Ahmed said that the current geopolitical crisis in Ukraine and Russia had affected the global crude oil supply resulting in the increase of petroleum products prices across the globe.

Ahmed said that the rise in the prices of petroleum products was a global phenomenon and not a local problem peculiar to Nigeria.

He added that the landing cost of petroleum product was also a major factor affecting the price of petroleum products.

We need to see what can be done to alleviate the suffering of the people.

If our refineries come back on stream and make foreign exchange available at the official rate of N400 per dollar, things will definitely improve.

We also need to address the issue of vandalism, he said.

On his part, the GMD/CEO of NNPC Ltd., Malam Mele Kyari, said the only way to tackle the rising price of diesel and cooking gas was to increase the production of crude oil.

Kyari said that acts of vandalism of oil facilities have been responsible for the decline in production which in turn was responsible for the unavailability of foreign exchange.

He disclosed that 27,000 barrels were lost in a recent attack on one of the companys facilities.

According to him, besides the Russia-Ukraine war which is affecting the supply of products across the world, most major oil companies are also shutting down in keeping with global emphasis on the shift from fossil fuels over environmental concerns.

No one can guarantee stability of petroleum products supply; the world has never seen this kind of uncertainty. Today, countries are stockpiling products.

Shortly before COVID-19, the world was already facing shortfall of 3 million barrel of supply of oil but with the ongoing intervention, by the end of July we will restore production to a level that is reasonable.

The Chairman, House Committee on Downstream, Rep. Abdullahi Gaya, said that there was need to find solution to the high cost of diesel and cooking gas in order to alleviate the hardship on Nigerians.

Some of the lawmakers said that although Kyari and Ahmed candidly presented the worrisome situation the industry was faced with, they, nevertheless unanimously expressed confidence in their ability to bring the situation under control.

The stakeholders present at the hearing include the Independent marketers, suggested a short, medium and long term solutions to combat the challenges.

They also pledged to work with the NNPC and the regulatory agency to redress the situation.

Meanwhile, the Management of NNPC Ltd. sensitised members of staff to the challenges and opportunities inherent in the transition from a corporation to a limited liability company.

This was in continuation of its stakeholders engagement to achieve a smooth transition.

The NNPC GMD/CEO, Kyari, said at a town hall meeting which held at the NNPC Towers, that it was imperative for all staff to embrace the change with courage and look beyond the temporary discomfort to the huge opportunities that lie ahead of the new NNPC.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the courage to have signed the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) into law, pointing out that the lack of effective regulatory framework and unbridled government interference were responsible for NNPCs losses in the past.

NNPC is now free of burden.

Nigerians are looking up to us, they expect NNPC to lead the way in making profit and adding value for the benefit of the over 200 million stakeholders.

Kyari said that given the volume of the Companys assets that was signed and transferred officially on July 1, 2022, by the Ministers of Petroleum Resources and Finance respectively, the new NNPC would be the most capitalised company in Africa and would be poised to announce its first Initial Public Offer (IPO) in the next three years.

He also informed that the companys financial statement for the year 2021 would be better than that of year 2020 when NNPC reported a profit after tax of 287 billion naira.

In her remarks, the Chairman of the NNPC Ltd., Sen. Margery Chuba-Okadigbo, assured of the Boards continuous support towards the realisation of the goals of the new NNPC Ltd., while encouraging members of staff to imbibe the concepts of dynamism and creativity required for global competitiveness.

She said that deducing from her experience at the helm of the NNPC Board, she had conviction to endorse the GMDs policies on transparency and accountability, noting that the company as envisioned by the PIA can only achieve its objectives through firm commitment to excellence on the part of the entire workforce.

Also in the week under review, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) concluded the marginal oil fields bid rounds kick-started in the year 2020 with the award of Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) to 161 successful companies.

The commission also officially unveiled the Host Communities Development Regulations and model PPLs.

Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, said that the presentation of the Licences was part of the implementation of the PIA 2021.

He also noted that the category was being handled for the first time.

The minister who commended the management and staff of the NUPRC for ensuring the successful completion of the process, described the conclusion of the process as a giant milestone for the administration.

The implementation of the PIA 2021 is in top gear. Consequently, the new awardees should note that their assets will be fully governed by the provisions of the PIA 2021.

As you develop your assets with the special purpose vehicles (SPVs), ensure that good oilfield practice is employed, environmental considerations and community stakeholders management are not neglected.

It is my strong belief that the awardees will take advantage of the current attractive oil prices to bring these fields into full production within a short period to increase production, grow reserves and reduce cost of production.

The onboarding of new oil and gas players in the petroleum sector is part of this governments policy to encourage more indigenous participation in our petroleum operations, Sylva said.

He added that the development would boost activities in the oil and gas sector, increase production output and create additional employment opportunities for Nigerians.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, said that the Marginal Field Bid Round was one of the major tasks inherited by the commission on its inauguration in 2021.

He listed some of the constraints that caused the delay in the conclusion of the exercise to include, the interruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, partial payment of Signature Bonuses by some awardees, and the unwillingness of some co-awardees to work together in forming SPVs for field development.

Recounting the history of the marginal fields award initiative, Komolafe said that the process which began in 1999 was borne out of the need to entrench the indigenisation policy of the Federal Government in the upstream sector.

He also said that the aim was to boost local content, stressing that since its inception, a total of 30 fields had been awarded with 17 currently producing.

He disclosed that the 2020 Marginal Field Bid Round exercise raked in revenue of about 200 million naira and 7 million dollars into the Federal Government coffers.

Komolafe added that the conclusion of the 2020 Marginal Fields Bid Round brought to an end the era of Marginal Field awards as stipulated by the PIA.

Section 94 (9) of the Act states that no new marginal field shall be declared under this Act.

Accordingly, the minister shall now award PPL on undeveloped fields following an open, fair, transparent, competitive, and non-discriminatory bidding process in line with Sections 73 and 74 of the Act.

He urged the winner of the marginal fields to take advantage of the current market realities and quickly bring their fields to production, stressing that Nigeria was not benefiting much from the upswing in crude oil prices because of production disruptions occasioned by sabotage, theft, and other operational challenges.

A total of 57 marginal fields were presented in the 2020 bid round out of which 41 were fully paid for and 37 fields were issued with the PPL, having satisfied all conditions for award.

Out of the 665 firms that expressed interest in the exercise, 161 emerged as potential awardees.

Some of the successful companies that received their licences include: Ardova Plc, Matrix Energy Ltd., Sun Trust Oil Company Limited, Deep Offshore Integrated Service Ltd., Island Energy Ltd., Sigmund Oil Field Ltd., and Shafa Exploration and Production Company Ltd., among others.

Still in the week, NNPC Ltd. said it was committed to fast-tracking efforts to identify new gas resources and develop existing ones amidst current global yearning for cleaner fuels.

NNPC also said it was making efforts to identify new gas resources to boost revenues for investment in other sectors of the economy as part of its preparation for the global energy transition.

The NNPC GMD/CEO, Malam Mele Kyari, stated this in a keynote address at the First E

National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has urged pilgrims to cooperate with national and state officials to get the best from the various modifications in the conduct of this years Hajj.

NAHCON Deputy Coordinator for Makkah, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, stated this during an on-the-spot assessment of Muna, Arafat, Muzdalifa and Jamrat Holy sites in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday.

He said that the officials had been working with different service providers assigned to Nigeria to schedule movements of pilgrims during the three-day stay in the Holy sites.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Holy sites, which are core rituals in the performance of Hajj, are the locations where all the pilgrims from across the globe will camp for the four days and be performing the same act simultaneously.

NAN also reports that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah introduced the movement to reduce incidences of getting lost and overcrowding as well as avoiding fatalities among pilgrims.

It reduced the number of pilgrims going for the stoning of the devil at Jamrat from 250 to 90 at a time from each state.

It also scheduled the time that buses would convey the pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifa for staying some part of the night.

Similarly, to ensure better control, the Saudi authorities also introduced a fine of 50,000 riyals (about N11.5 million) and six months imprisonment for anyone doing the Hajj without permission.

Shutti said that NAHCON would ensure that pilgrims were given the best service in the Holy sites.

For the past three weeks, the Saudi authorities have been working on these sites and today, you can see the difference, even from when we visited last week Monday.

The sleeping spaces are ready; the toilets have been modernised, while the air conditioning system is also working.

Nigerian pilgrims have been allocated service areas from one to 18. One to 14 is allocated to states pilgrims while four is for private tour operators to camp their pilgrims.

NAHCON will ensure that pilgrims perform their religious rites comfortably, he said.

Similarly, Head of NAHCON Medical mission in Madina, Dr Hamidu Liman, has urged pilgrims to keep fit for the five-day stay at the Holy sites and beyond.

He urged them to take time out of their spiritual exercise to rest and eat good food in order to maintain good health.

The Hajj rites, as you know, are very tedious and rigorous exercise. We are here for Ibadat and we must do it, but as much as possible, we must find time in-between to rest and eat good food, he said. (NAN)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani/Wale Sadeeq

Source: NAN News

The latest outbreak of the Ebola disease in Congo has officially been declared over, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday.

The organisation said that the outbreak affected the north-western quateur province, with the first case recorded there on April 23.

It said that in total, there were four confirmed cases and one suspected case, all patients died of the disease.

In a previous outbreak in the province between June and November 2020, a total of 130 cases were detected and 55 people died.

However, the latest outbreak was the 14th recorded in the country of 90 million since 1976.

Between 2014 and 2016, the largest-ever outbreak of the disease took place in West Africa with more than 11,000 deaths.

Ebola infection often leads to high fever and internal bleeding, and is life-threatening. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Halima Sheji/Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Monday promised to ease economic and financial sanctions on Mali.

Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, made the announcement at the closing press conference of the 61st Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Accra.

According to Brou, Malian authorities have taken steps in passing the electoral accord and in setting up a monitoring mechanism for transition.

He said that the authorities had also taken steps to prepare a new constitution for the country.

He said that Malis transition would end in March 2024 in a framework of a 24-month transition period.

Brou said that ECOWAS decided to lift all the economic and financial sanctions imposed on Jan. 9.

That means, essentially, the closure of the border, the freezing of financial assets.

Those sanctions are lifted, he said, adding that ambassadors of ECOWAS member-states to Mali would return to Mali.

However, as the process needs to be monitored, the heads of state decided to maintain individual sanctions and maintain suspension of Mali from the organs of ECOWAS institutions, he said.(Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng )

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed/Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Source: NAN News