Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources

By Solomon Asowata

The Federal Government has begun the feasibility study for the construction of a shipyard on Brass Island in Bayelsa.

The Minister of State for Petrolem Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, confirmed the development in a statement posted on the Twitter account of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Saturday.

Sylva said that the feasibility study would cater for the maintenance and repair services of cargo vessels, oil tankers and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers.

He said it would be executed by China Harbour Engineering Company, which had carried out similar projects across the globe as well as in Nigeria.

According to him, the feasibility study will be funded by the NCDMB as part of its overarching mandate to domicile key oil and gas industry infrastructure and increase retention of industry spend.

The scope of the feasibility study includes geotechnical and bathymetric surveys, conducting a market study and ascertaining an optimal construction scale.

It also includes developing technical proposal and construction plan and estimation of the required investment to bring the project into reality, he said.

The minister noted that the high traffic of vessels in and out of Nigeria provided huge opportunity to retain substantial value in-country through the provision of dry-dock services.

He said that the shipyard project would further develop and harness the nations position in the oil and gas value chain and linkage to other sectors of the economy.

On shipyard prospects, Sylva said that the Nigeria LNGs Train 7 project was expected to increase the companys LNG capacity from 22MTPA to 30MTPA.

He said this would induce the acquisition of additional LNG carriers to the existing ones, all of which would need maintenance and servicing.

The minister added that the project would also benefit from the upcoming Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) implementation as Nigeria could serve as hub for ship-building and repairs.

He expressed confidence that the outcome of the feasibility study and subsequent construction and operation of the shipyard would create employment opportunities and contribute to poverty reduction.

Mr Simbi Wabote, NCDMB Executive Secretary, said that the Brass Shipyard and other ongoing efforts to catalyse manufacturing would help the board achieve the target of 70 per cent Nigerian Content by 2027.

Wabote confirmed that the project was driven by the NCDMB in conjunction with NLNG as a Capacity Development Initiative (CDI) on the back of the Train 7 Project.

He noted that Nigeria has a long coastline of 853 kilometers and navigable inland waterways of 3,000 kilometers, which offer immense potential for maritime sector development, stressing that Brass coastline, was very close to the Atlantic Ocean.

Wabote disclosed that there are over 20,000 ships working for the oil and gas sector in Nigerian waters and the annual spend was overmillion in the upstream sector.

He said the oil sector spent 3.047 billion dollars on marine vessels between 2014 and 2018 while 73 per cent of the total amount spent went to crew boats, security vessels, diving support vessels and fast supply intervention vessels.

He said that most of the vessels operating in the oil industry were taken to Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroun and other countries for dry docking because Nigerias local dry docks were built many years ago and no longer provide the required services.

He added that the projects schedule indicated that the site work would be executed within six months while feasibility study would be completed in four months. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rotary Club donates food items to Abuja community

By Franca Ofili

The Rotary Club of Wuse Central on Saturday planted trees in Sani Abacha way, Wuse to mitigate the impact of climate change inthe Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Mr Gabriel Nkup, President of the club at the planting campaign in Abuja, said the trees would help address the scourge and cool the planet by sucking in harmful carbon dioxide to release oxygen into the atmosphere.

He said that planting trees could be the cheapest and most effective way of mitigating the current crisis facing the planet.

Nkup said that the club would monitor and maintain the trees to achieve its objective.

In the past, FCT has few trees but now it has improved and people are enjoying the atmosphere, he said.

Hajiya Riskat Abdulaziz, Director, Parks and Tree Maintenance Development of Parks and Creation of the FCT, said that trees are very important to human existence.

Abdulaziz said that planting of trees encourage biodiversity and helps in mitigating the effects of climate change

The problem we are facing today is crises of climate change so we are encouraged to plant more trees to make the environment green, she said.

Abdulaziz called on rotarians to endeavour to maintain any tree they planted to achieve its goals.

She said that the department had been sensitising Nigerians on the importance of tree planting.

She called on Nigerians to cultivate the habit of tree planting to make the environment conducive.

Abdulaziz advised that the Federal Government should find a way to empower people that were into firewood business in order to stop the cutting of trees.

Also, Mrs Amaka Ibezimako, President, Rotary Club Abuja Prestige, said that the members came out in numbers to plant trees because of the clubs resolve to support the environmental rekindling.

Ibezimako said that Rotary International recently expanded its areas of focus to accommodate what is now called Supporting the Environment to mitigate the climate change impact on society.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joy Odigie

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare the 11 has called on political parties participating in the Edo 2020 election to go about their campaigns peacefully.

The Royal Majesty made the call when he received a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on a courtesy visit at his Palace in Benin on Saturday.

The APC delegation, led by Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni, was in Benin for the official flag-off of the partys campaign for its Edo 2020 Gubernatorial candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The Oba said the Palace had not been happy with the recent happenings in the state.

He called on everyone in the state to pray for a peaceful Edo election.

There is nothing as powerful as prayers.

As you go about your campaign, go about it peacefully and without bitterness, the monarch said.

Oba Ewuare also reiterated that he remained non-partisan and had never supported any political candidate.

He said, We remain non-partisan because of the laid down rules of our ancestors; we must be fathers to all.

We see every candidate as our child and we pray for everybody. It is wiser to leave the fate of the election to God.

I am not against any candidate; I have never been for or against any candidate but when the people have chosen via the election, we will pray for him to succeed in office.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Yobe Governor and Chairman, APC National Caretaker Committee, said the visit was to present the Edo 2020 APC governorship candidate to the royal majesty for his blessings.

Buni was optimistic that APC would reclaim the state come Sept. 19. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Abiodun Esan

The Kwara State Government has received N100 million grant from the World Bank to assist the state to strengthen its management of the coronavirus pandemic.

Spokesman for the states Technical Committee on COVID-19, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, said in a statement in Ilorin on Saturday that the grant was sourced through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

He said that the grant was part of the ongoing World Bank-assisted Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement (REDISSE) project.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that REDISE is coordinated by the NCDC to bridge funding gap at the state level for the implementation of the COVID-19 response and incidence action plan.

Ajakaye said that Kwara was one of the first few states in the country to receive the fund after it was certified fit for the financial support on account of its COVID-19 efforts.

The REDISSE project is to implement critical and time-sensitive priority activities related to the pandemic.

The COVID-19 Response Fund for states will cover the priority activities in areas such as training, workshops, meetings, seminar, procurement of goods, services, operating costs and consultancy services.

The statement added that the funds were meant for activities in the approved Incident Action Plan.

Kwara State is one of the few states that have met the criteria laid down by the NCDC and World Bank. This has triggered the disbursement of N100 million to the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

o commemorate the World Mask Week, by sensitising all citizens to the need to wear face mask.

In his response, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, expressed happiness over the Organisation of the awareness campaign.

Source: NAN News

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

By Kingsley Okoye

The Senate says it received the cheering news that President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the repealed and re-enacted Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

Spokesperson of the Senate, Sen.Ajibola Basiru (APC Osun), in a statement in Abuja on Saturday said Buharis assent of the CAMA bill had completed the final stage for the enactment of the Act, repealing and replacing the 30-year-old legislation.

He said assent to the bill had further demonstrated the cordial relationship between the National Assembly and the Presidency.

Basiru said assent to bill was also a validation of the efforts of the National Assembly in providing the needed legislative interventions for the resuscitation of the nations economy.

The amendment as passed by the Senate and House of Representatives was to strengthen the legal framework for the incorporation of companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, registration of business names, incorporation of trustees of certain communities, bodies, associations.

It is to also address incidental matters, several corporate legal innovations, geared toward enhancing ease of doing business in Nigeria.

It is not in doubt that the provisions of the repealed Act had become very obsolete.

It therefore could not effectively address challenges being faced by companies and incorporated trustees such as business rescue for insolvent companies and the merger of Incorporated Trustees for associations that share similar aims and objectives.

Basiru said it was gratifying to note that the new Act provides for innovative processes and procedures to ease the operations of companies.

He listed such innovations operations to include introducion of statements of compliance, replacing authorised share capital with minimum share capital to reduce costs of incorporating companies.

Others are providing for electronic filing, electronic share transfers, e-meetings, remote general meetings for private companies in response to the disruptions to close contact physical meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Others, according to him, are the disclosure of persons with significant control of companies in a register of beneficial owners to enhance corporate accountability and transparency.

Besides the CAMA, he noted that Senate had demonstrated commitment to legislative interventions to reposition the Nigerian economy, particularly to cushion the disruptions occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

It has recently passed a new Banks and Other Financial Institutions Bill, Railways Bill, Police Bill amongst other legislations waiting concurrence by the House of Representatives and assent by MrPresident.

He said the Senate and ultimately the 9th National Assembly would continue in line with its constitutional mandate to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation.

Basiru added that the Senate would also continue to accord the executive necessary legislative cooperation that would promote and sustain the wellbeing and security of the citizenry and prosperity of Nigeria.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rotary organises free hepatitis, liver screening for Abuja community

By Ruth Oketunde

The Rotary Club of Abuja, District 9125, on Saturday, organised free hepatitis B and C screening as well as Liver Scan for residents of Piwoyi, a suburb located on the airport road, Abuja.

The event which was organised in partnership with Silver Cross Hospital, Abuja, was part of activities to mark this years World Hepatitis Day, which was commemorated on July 28.

Dr Patrick Ezie, President, Rotary Club of Abuja Federal, said it was important to raise awareness of the dangers of Hepatitis and how people can prevent themselves from contracting it.

We are in an era where we are battling with the Coronavirus pandemic and if someone has other infections in his or her system, Covid-19 makes it worse.

We organised this outreach today to make the people of this community become aware of Hepatitis and how deadly and highly infectious it is, especially Hepatitis B and C.

We are also going to inform them on how to prevent themselves from contracting Hepatitis and for those who are negative, we will be giving them immunization, because that is the only way they can remain negative.

We will also be conducting Liver Scan services because we believe that as a consequence of long standing Hepatitis, patients with this ailment can develop Liver cancer.

So once we detect that in a patient, we are going to refer them to our partner hospital immediately, so that they can start early treatment, he said.

Ezie added that the club would continue to support governments effort in providing routine health screenings for various communities in the country.

Mr Effiom Bassey, Manager, Silver Cross Hospital, said it was important for people to practice personal hygiene and prevent themselves from contracting Hepatitis.

This ailment can be contracted through body fluids like sweats as well as engaging with multiple sexual partners, he said.

A beneficiary, Mrs Caroline Asemah, appreciated the club for bringing the awareness and screening exercise to the community.

She also advised other members of the community to participate in the free test, so that they can know their health status. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

World Bank

By Temitope Ponle

World Bank has approved .28 million financing to help Nigeria prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 with specific focus on state level responses.

According to a statement from the bank on Friday, the amount includes million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) and .28 million grant from the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility.

It stated that the Federal Government would provide grants to thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project (CoPREP).

It added that the project would serve as immediate support to break the chain of COVID-19 local transmission and limit the spread of coronavirus through containment and mitigation strategies.

Mr Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria said: Nigeria has ramped up its efforts to contain the COVID -19 outbreak, but more needs to be done at the state level, which are at the frontline of the response.

The project will provide the states with much needed direct technical and fiscal support to strengthen their position in combating the pandemic.

Chaudhuri added that the project would finance federal procurements of medical equipment, laboratory tests and medicines to be distributed to the states based on their needs.

He also said that the project complemented the Second Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project (REDISSE II) which was already providing short-term emergency support to implement national and state Incident Action Plans.

Furthermore, he said that all 36 states had incident action plans cleared by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and funds had been disbursed to 23 states.

According to the World Bank, CoPREP would finance further support to all states and the FCT through the NCDC to implement their COVID-19 Incident Action Plans.

Specifically, this includes: the operationalisation of 37 Emergency Operations Centers; training of 30,000 healthcare workers in infection prevention and control; support for emergency prioritised water sanitation and hygiene activities; and strengthening of risk assessment and community and event-based surveillance.

Others are: provision of on-time data to inform the response and mitigation activities; additional support to laboratories for early detection and confirmation; equipping and renovating isolation and treatment centers including community support centers; and improving in patient transfer systems through financing of ambulances and training as needed.

It further stated that grants to states would be conditional on states adopting COVID-19 response strategies in line with the Federal Government guidelines and strategies.

CoPREP will enhance the institutional and operational capacity for disease detection through provision of technical expertise, coordination support, detection, diagnosis and case management efforts in all states and the FCT as per the WHO guidelines in the Strategic Response Plan.

It will also help the government mobilise surge response capacity through trained and well-equipped frontline healthcare workers and strengthen the public health care network for future health emergencies.

Source: NAN News

Fumigation

By Hajara Leman

Gombe State Government has begun the fumigation of 2,021 secondary schools across the state ahead of their reopening for the students in exit classes.

The schools are expected to reopen on Monday, Aug.10 for students in terminal classes after they had been closed some months ago due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Commissioner for Environment and Forest Resources, Dr Hussaina Goje, on Friday said that 50 members of staff of Gombe State Environmental Protection Agency (GOSEPA) would participate in the exercise.

Goje represented by Malam Sani Jauro, the Director of Planning in the ministry, said that out of the 2, 021 schools, 154 are Senior Secondary Schools , 347 are Junior Secondary Schools and 1,520 are Primary schools.

The commissioner said that the chemical the officials would apply would be environmentally friendly and not harmful to human beings.

In his address, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Habu Dahiru, said that the exercise was part of the measures put in place to combat COVID-19 as well as the preparation for schools opening after four months of closure.

According to him, disinfecting the schools will guarantee the safety of the children, prevent them from contracting the virus from objects and other possible places.

Dahiru said that they would ensure that all the schools were fumigated before the government announces the resumption date for the rest of the students who are not in the exist classes.

He called on the principals and head teachers of the schools to give the necessary supports needed to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise began with the Government Senior Science Secondary School, Gombe and, subsequently , to Government Girls College, Doma.

The commissioner also visited the Cooperative Finance Agency (CFA),who supplies foodstuffs to the secondary schools in the state , and directed them to supply food stuffs to the 20 schools operating boarding facilities across the state.

Source: NAN News

NSE

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Activities on the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) maintained a bullish posture on Friday with the market indicators appreciating further by 0.45 per cent.

Specifically, the All-Share Index rose by 111.06 points or 0.45 per cent to close at 25,041.40 compared with 24,930.34 achieved on Thursday.

Also, the market capitalisation inched higher by N58 billion or 0.45 per cent to close at N13.063 trillion against N13.005 trillion on Thursday.

A breakdown of the price movement chart shows that Value Fund recorded the highest gain to lead the gainers chart with N10.30 to close at N113.50 per share.

Okomu Oil trailed with N2.05 to close at N77 while GTBank rose by 60k to close at N24.35 per share.

Guinness also gained 60k to close at N14.10 while Dangote Sugar rose by 40k to close at N11.90 per share.

On the other hand, UACN led the losers chart, dropping by 65k to close at N6.20 per share.

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance lost 4k to close at 41k while AIICO Insurance dipped 3k to close at 90k per share.

Jaiz Bank dropped 2k to close at 57k, while Transcorp dipped 1k to close at 61k per share.

In all, a total of 167.14 million shares valued at N2.01 billion were exchanged by investors in 4,036 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 173.75 million shares worth N2.13 billion traded in 3,646 deals on Thursday.

GTBank was the toast of investors, accounting for 27.17 million shares valued at N657.61 million.

FBN Holdings came second with 22.96 million shares worth N116.87 million, while Sterling Bank sold 12.64 million shares valued at N15.09 million.

Zenith Bank accounted for 11.34 million shares worth N191.5 million, while Lafarge Africa transacted 10.77 million shares valued at N126.58 million.

Source: NAN News