The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • ‘Dangote Refinery will have transformative impact’

    ‘Dangote Refinery will have transformative impact’

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Nigeria Employers Consultative Assembly (NECA) have congratulated the Dangote Group on the completion and commissioning of its petroleum refinery located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

    The refinery, which is situated on land spanning approximately 2,635 hectares, is the world’s largest single train 650,000 barrels per day petroleum refinery with a 9000 KTPA polypropylene plant ever built.

    MAN Director General Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in a statement on Thursday, described the feat as “gratifying,” noting that the Refinery can meet 100 per cent of Nigeria’s requirement for all refined products (gasoline, 57 million litres per day; diesel, 27 million litres per day; kerosene, 11 million litres per day and aviation Jet AI, 9 million litres per day) and also have a surplus of each of these products for export.

    “Therefore, the coming onboard of the Dangote Refinery promises to bring to pleasant end, the nightmare of long queues at petrol filling station and the disruption of social and economic activities that come with it,” the statement.

    Also, the Nigeria Employers” Consultative Association (NECA) said the planned inauguration of Dangote Refinery was a succour to a nation in dire need of industrial renaissance.

    Director-General, Nigeria Employers” Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde yesterday said with the petroleum refinery and petrochemical plant as well as the fertilizer plant housed in Nigeria, it invariably implies that there would be no more importation of petroleum products.

    “Rather, there will be export of finished products, availability of petroleum products, thus, putting an end to long queues and scarcity of petroleum products.

    “A significant plus of this feat will be the attraction of foreign capital investments that the country desperately needs, ” Oyerinde said.

    Ajayi-Kadir also said the Refinery, when fully operational, is expected to generate $10 billion from the export of refined petroleum products and save Nigeria an estimated $10 billion in foreign exchange.

    He added that with state-of-the-art technology, the refinery was designed to produce with 100 per cent Nigerian crude with the flexibility to process other crudes from Africa, Middle East, and US light oil.

    The refinery also has a self-sufficient marine facility with the ability for freight optimization. With the largest single order of five (5) SPMs anywhere in the world, diesel & gasoline products from the refinery will conform to Euro V specifications.

    “The refinery design complies with the World Bank, US EPA, European emission standards, and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent standards,” Ajayi-Kadir stated.

    He, however, said that to cushion the potential impact of increase in mean sea level due to global warming, the company took appropriate measures using the world’s largest, 2nd and 10th largest dredgers to elevate the sea height by 1.5 metres.

    “Dangote Group is one of the few companies in the world executing a Petroleum Refinery and a Petrochemical complex directly as an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor. Globally, apart from three companies, no individual owner has done the complete EPC Contract for a Petroleum Refinery,” Ajayi-Kadir pointed out

    He said on employment, the Refinery offers the highest number of employees by any private company, including 100,000 indirect employments at retail outlets; 26,716 filling stations and 129 depots in Nigeria.

    “Quite interestingly, the16,000 trucks for transport will create additional jobs and, in the process, the company has trained over 400 artisans selected from host communities in the areas of masonry, carpentry, AC electricians, plumbing, welders, iron-benders and auto mechanics,” the MAN boss stated.

    Concluding, he said: “For all the determination and trail blazing zeal to bring this dream into reality, we congratulate the President/CEO of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on the occasion of the official commissioning of this pride-of-Africa birthed-in-Nigeria project.”

    Oyerinde said that the multiplier effect of its target 135,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians and displacement of plastics imports in the fiscal space were a part of the economic springboard the refinery would bring to the Nigerian economy.

    He said, in addition, that it would lead to skills transfer and technology acquisition opportunities with beneficial impacts on the downstream sector.

    “This refinery in a sum, is one edifice that will turbo-charge the engine of the Nigerian economy.

    “It will also unstrap the strings holding the development of the economy and wade off external and domestic headwinds against efficacies of fiscal and monetary instruments, ” he said.

    Oyerinde said also that the refinery, with 60 per cent of the production capacity, could meet the entire consumption needs of the country.

    He said that the other 40 per cent would be exported, generating a huge amount of foreign exchange.

    According to him, this in no small measure, will impact positively on the country’s balance of payment.

    “We call on government and other stakeholders to pay more attention to creating an enabling environment for organised businesses to thrive so that we have more private sector investment to reengineer the nation’s economy, ” Oyerinde said.

  • LG poll or LG heist?

    LG poll or LG heist?

    Outgoing Abia State administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is said to be bent on conducting a local government election before leaving office on 29th May. Speculations were that the election could hold this weekend or in the course of next week, just days before handover to a new administration that happens to be from a different political party. Governor Ikpeazu is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while his incoming successor, Dr. Alex Otti, is of the Labour Party (LP).

    Recent reports cited Abia stakeholders counselling against the proposed council poll, saying it would be wasteful and futile since the incoming administration will almost certainly sack the councils soon after assuming office. Opposition parties have already indicated they would boycott the election, meaning it will be a rollercoaster for candidates of the governor’s party, the PDP. It requires no skill in punditry to project that the incoming administration will not recognise the winners and will likely pull the rug from beneath them at the earliest opportunity – thus creating a political crisis  because the councils, having been elected, are likely to challenge the sleight of hand to the limit possible in the courts. Besides, an interested party has already obtained a court injunction restraining Ikpeazu’s administration from going ahead with conducting the poll.

    Stakeholders, among them a self-professing Abia State Elders Consultative Forum, were reported questioning why huge resources typically involved in conducting elections would be squandered on an exercise that ab initio is ill-fated, more so when there are other commitments of government crying to be funded, like unpaid salaries of workers for which reason labour in Abia is at daggers drawn with the state government. Other critics alleged it all had to do with the money to be splashed on conducting the poll that would be sourced from local government allocations.

    But the state government stoutly defended the proposed poll. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Eze Chikamnayo, argued that it had long been scheduled and the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) had in January released a timetable, only that the schedule was shifted because of the 2023 polls. On the likelihood of the councils being sacked, he said he expected the incoming administration to respect democratic institutions. And reminded there’s a court injunction against conducting the poll, his response was that ABSIEC and the Abia government would do whatever is necessary within the law as it affects court orders.

    But why would the Ikpeazu administration commit the state’s scarce resources to an election that portends disability in conduct, outcome and future prospect? It is not an election justifiable by any stretch of argument other than hidden rewards being eyed. A venture can’t be more doomed!

  • Assessing Lekki Deep Seaport’s economic potential

    Assessing Lekki Deep Seaport’s economic potential

    • By : Cornelius Gabriel And Fehintoluwa Ajayi

    Nigeria’s largest and West Africa’s biggest seaport, the Lekki Deep Seaport, located at the centre of the Lagos Free Zone, was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 23. It is the first fully-automated port equipped with Super Post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes and Rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes.

    The port will accommodate vessels transporting about 15,000 containers. It is well equipped with highly sophisticated 13 quay cranes for a capacity of 2.5 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) on a 1.2-kilometre quay with a depth of 16 meters.

    The port has three terminals, which are the container terminal, the liquid terminal and the dry bulk terminal. It is perfectly situated to serve as the West African country of Nigeria’s entry point.

    The Lekki Port is poised to become the most advanced and deepest seaport in West Africa, offering vital support to the region’s growing commercial operations in Lagos State, Nigeria, and beyond. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the port will operate in line with international standards, ensuring highly sophisticated services for its users.

    Port congestion is a persistent issue in Apapa Wharf, Lagos. Several factors, such as trade imbalance, inadequate technology implementation, lack of 24-hour port operations, manual cargo inspection by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), low-capacity utiliSation by terminals, port congestion resulting from public holidays, and short working hours, have all contributed to the severe gridlock of trucks within the ports and cargo congestion at terminals. Currently, cargo ships wait up to a month offshore before discharging their cargo in Lagos.

    Nigeria’s neighbouring countries have also taken advantage of the country’s maritime sector’s weaknesses to claim transhipment hub status. This is because they are gradually constructing seaports with modern amenities and infrastructure that can handle larger ships carrying cargo headed towards Nigeria.

    As a result, landlocked nations like Chad and the Republic of Niger, which previously used Nigeria’s ports as transit hubs for their shipments, have switched to Ghana, Togo, the Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon. This cargo diversion has cost Nigeria billions of Naira yearly. In the same vein, investors also avoid Nigeria’s port to invest somewhere else.

    Nigeria’s lack of adequate seaports has caused it to gradually lose its position as the maritime hub of West Africa.

    The multipurpose ultra-modern Lekki Deep Seaport holds the promise of finally addressing the challenges that have held back Nigeria’s maritime sector. It is expected that these issues, which have impeded progress in the industry, will eventually become a thing of the past.

    Why the port is needed

    An effective maritime transport system is crucial to the growth of a country’s market, particularly the international trade market. This is where the Lekki Deep Sea Port comes in. With its highest terminal capacity, the port would alter the economic landscape of Nigeria and all of West Africa.

    One of the competitive advantages of the Lekki port is its capacity to receive larger vessels and unload ships twice as quickly. This feature would reduce port congestion and minimize the maximum duration a vessel stays in the port, leading to cost savings for importers and exporters. The port can berth vessels that are four times the size of vessels currently berthing at Apapa and Tin Can Island Port, making it a game-changing infrastructure in Nigeria and West Africa.

    The competitive advantage the port has is its capacity to receive larger vessels and unload ships twice as quickly, thereby minimizing the maximum duration a vessel stays in the port and the accrued expenses for importers and exporters.

    The Lekki port has the potential to put Nigeria in a position to realize its full economic leadership potential under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA). This agreement aims to create a single market for goods and services, facilitate the free movement of people and investments, and accelerate economic integration in Africa.

    The Lekki port would strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional maritime hub and facilitate numerous connected industries. Not only is it a game-changing infrastructure in Nigeria and West Africa, but it would create over 150,000 direct and indirect job opportunities.

    Not only is the Lekki port a game changer for the Nigerian economy, but it would also create over 150,000 direct and indirect job opportunities. It would be a huge revenue earner for the country through duties, taxes, and royalties, thereby also increasing our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    In addition, the Lekki port would greatly increase the container throughput capacity of the western Nigerian port complex. Throughput capacity reflects the amount of cargo or the number of vessels the port handles over time. This would promote infrastructure development in Africa through the construction of highways, railways, and aviation networks.

    The Lekki port would give room for more local and foreign participation, thereby creating more economic gain for both the state and the individual players in the Maritime Industry. Furthermore, effective global cooperation and collaboration could assist Nigeria in bridging its infrastructural gap. It will greatly increase the container throughput capacity of the western Nigerian port complex (throughput capacity reflects the amount of cargo or number of vessels the port handles over time).

    Lastly, the Lekki Deep Seaport would facilitate infrastructure development not just in Nigeria, but also in Africa, through the construction of highways, railways, and aviation networks. This would not only promote trade and commerce within the region but also attract more local and foreign investors, resulting in more economic gains for the state and individual players in the Maritime Industry.

    Investment opportunities

    With respect to investment opportunities, the Lekki port is critical for the economic growth of the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), as it would aid the massive industrial and petrochemical complex being embarked on in the Northern and Southern quadrants of the zone with a total investment of more than $20 billion over the next three years.

    The LFTZ is a multi-purpose facility with industrial, manufacturing, residential and tourism zones. Investors are incentivized to keep 100% ownership and capital because profit and dividends can be repatriated. Tax breaks, license waivers, and a variety of other concessions and benefits are available to LFTZ investors. The port would help bolster the LFTZ’s position as the next frontier for investment in Nigeria, attracting more foreign direct investment to Lagos State and Nigeria.

    Ultimately, the emergence of trade, commerce and investment will result in an industrial revolution in the Real estate sector. As a result, both real estate developers and foreign investors may benefit from direct and indirect investment opportunities.

    Conclusion

    The Lekki Deep Seaport is a strategic and timely intervention that will address challenges faced in the Nigerian Maritime Industry. Its potential impact cannot be overemphasized, and stakeholders should take advantage of the opportunities it presents. As the port commences operations, it holds the promise of creating a conducive environment for increased economic gains. It is expected to benefit both the state and individual stakeholders in the industry, as it will lead to the decongestion of other ports, thereby increasing operational efficiency and enhancing profitability.

    • Gabriel and Ajayi are commercial and maritime law experts with Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL).
  • NNPCL pays $3.8b JV cash call

    NNPCL pays $3.8b JV cash call

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has cleared the $3.8 billion cash call indebtedness to its Joint Venture (JV) partners.

    NNPC Ltd Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Mr. Bala Wunti gave the information at the ongoing fourth Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair holding in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    According to him, the NNPC Ltd. leveraged its financial autonomy derived from the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to chart a payment plan for the cash call debt.

    As a result of the clean sheet, the NNPC Ltd and its partners stated their resolve to increase national production output.

     Wunti said: “We have seen the worst, lessons have been learnt, and the solutions are being institutionalised to ensure we never see a repeat.”

    He explained that the enactment of the PIA in 2021 and its implementation effectively ended the fiscal uncertainties and empowered the newly established institutions to discharge their mandates effectively.

    A major talking point in the industry has been the remarkable achievement by NNPC Ltd. through NUIMS to clear huge backlogs of cash call debt of over $3.8 billion  owed to Joint Venture (JV) partners.

    This, he added, re-energised the JVs to recalibrate their focus towards sustaining production and increasing their spending to procure the necessary services required to do so.

    He explained further that the response to the security challenges was deploying the industry-wide security architecture.

    According to him, the NNPC Ltd got presidential nod to rally stakeholders to implement a holistic hydrocarbon infrastructure security architecture to tackle the issue of crude oil theft and vandalism of oil and gas assets.

    As designed and operationalised, he said the architecture comprises Government Security and Intelligence Agencies (GSIAs) supported by Private Security Contractors (PSCs) drawn from the Host Communities with vast knowledge of the terrains and the communities.

    The security operations are monitored and coordinated from a central command and coordination centre that leverages state-of-the-art technology to detect illegal activities and escalate to the front line for swift response in a timely, cost-efficient and effective manner.

    Barely 14 months after the initiative’s launch geared towards detecting infractions, deterring, responding, and recovering, Wunti said the results have been remarkable.

    To address the upstream production cost, he stated that the Nigerian Upstream Cost Optimisation Program (NUCOP) was launched to bring synergy amongst upstream payers in the country to drive down costs.

    “Progress has been recorded with improvements in the contracting cycle and co-sharing of services amongst upstream operators,” he added.

    Wunti stated that the drive to broaden local content and develop capacity in the upstream industry is non-negotiable.

    He urged all stakeholders not to relent as the opportunities abound, and many more are lined up with an expected uptake in drilling activities, demand for line pipes, and consumables essential for growing production output.

    Wunti said economic and social benefits will accrue to the nation for every incremental barrel of production as the industry is central to our economy.

    He said the settlement of the cash call debt burden has restored allegiance to the partners.

    Besides, he said a firm industry-wide security arrangement is in place, as well as the resolve to drive down the cost of production; noting that the focus has shifted towards consolidating on gains to raise production output to 1.8 million barrels per day in July 2023 and spur growth to achieve a target of 2 million barrels per day by December 2023.

    This, he added, represents massive opportunities for all stakeholder, noting that direct and indirect jobs will be created, contractors and suppliers will get busier and the benefits will transcend beyond the industry to other sectors of the economy.

    NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, urged stakeholders to join the corporation in growing crude oil and had production.

    He said with the coming on stream of Dangote Refineries next week, the NNPC will be supplying 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day to Dangote.

    Kyari said: “We want to address the energy challenges so that industrialisation can come to the country. 48 per vent of all revenue that comes to government comes from the oil and gas sector and we are in a very good position to support the growth of the economy.

    “We want to address the energy challenges so that industrialization can come to the country. 48 per vent of all revenue that comes to government comes from the oil and gas sector and we are in a very good position to support the growth of the economy.”

  • Ortom names road after Gideon Orkar

    Ortom names road after Gideon Orkar

    Thirty-Three years after his involvement in a failed military putsch, the late Major Gideon Orkar has been immortalised by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

    The governor named a major road in Makurdi after the key actor in the botched 1990 coup.

    Orkar was executed by firing squad after he was found guilty as charged by the military regime of former President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

    The insurrection led by the Benue-born soldier was crushed by troops loyal to Gen. Babangida.

    The late Major hailed from Apir, Makurdi Local Government Area.

    In broadcast aired on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Okar exercised four northern states from Nigeria.

    Orkar’s elder brother, Professor John Okar, who was at the inauguration of the road, said the same injustice his bother complained about in the coup broadcast 33 years ago still persists.

    According to him, naming the road after the late Major would remind the federal government to address the injustice.

    Prof Okar told The Nation in a chat that the family was  happy with the immortalisation of their late brother by governor.

  • Tribunal reserves rulings on applications seeking dismissal of APM’s petition

    Tribunal reserves rulings on applications seeking dismissal of APM’s petition

    The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has reserved rulings on applications to dismiss a petition by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

    The party is challenging the competence of the Bola Tinubu-Kashim Shettima ticket in the February 25 poll.

    The applications are by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu, Shettma and Ibrahim Masari.

    Masari was nominated by the APC as the ‘placeholder’ before Shettima was picked as Tinubu’s running-mate.

    APM is contending that the pre-poll procedure was wrong.

    It is praying the court to hold that the concept of ‘placeholder’ is unknown to law and that Tinubu, in effect, had no running mate.

    APM’s lawyer, Shehu Abubakar, argued that the applications by the respondents are without merit and should be dismissed.

    The court adjourned further pre-hearing session in respect of the APM petition till Monday.

    It also reserved ruling till a later date on the application by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a live telecast of proceedings.

    Justice Tsammani made the announcement a moment ago after the court took arguments from lawyers to parties in the case.

    The petitioners’ lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), prayed the court to grant his clients’ request, arguing that it was necessary to televise the proceedings to enable members of the public to witness the proceedings.

    Uche, who said the case was of monumental national importance, argued that it was wrong for the respondents to liken their request to an attempt to recreate the “Big Brother Naija” programme.

    He argued that the fact such prayer had not been granted before did not mean that it could not be granted, noting that the nation benefited when the Oputa Panel proceedings were aired live.

    Responding, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) for INEC, Woke Olanipekun (SAN) for Tinubu and Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for the APC described the application as ridiculous and intended to trivialise the court’s business.

    They added that the court has met the constitutional requirement by making sufficient arrangements for the public to follow the proceedings by allowing a large media presence and providing huge television screens in the court’s foyer.

    Mahmoud said the impression being created by the petitioners was that the proceedings were not already being conducted in public unless it was televised.

    Mahmoud faulted the petitioners for equating live streaming of court proceedings with live broadcast, noting that while the former is controlled, the latter cannot be controlled.

    Olanipekun argued that granting such a request would be to the detriment of the court, its officials and lawyers, who would be exposed to undue pressure and danger

    He said: “It is very strange and intriguing that this application was brought. This is not a stadium; this is not a crusade ground. It is not a theatre and not a film house. We are not here for a circus.

    “What else do the petitioners want? With the array of media houses already accommodated in the court, with special space provided for them to freely operate and sit comfortably, the petitioners can not say the proceedings are not in public,” he said.

    Olanipekun cautioned against unnecessary comparison, noting that even in the United Kingdom and other developed societies, live coverage of court proceedings is not at large.

    Fagbemi likened the application to an attempt by the petitioners to recreate the “Big Brother Naija” programme, arguing that the court should reject the move by Atiku and the PDP to trivialize its activities.

    He added: “The court has already adopted trial in public. A viewing gallery has also been provided for public viewing of the proceedings. It will amount to opening the floodgate to accede to the petitioner’s request.”

    He warned that other election tribunals would be bombarded with similar applications should the court grant the prayer by Atiku and his party.

    “In jurisdictions that allow the broadcasting and live streaming, evidential live issues are excluded, like when witnesses are giving evidence.”

    “Under our electoral jurisprudence, names of witnesses are not revealed. This practice is meant to protect the identity of such witnesses. These cannot be possible where proceedings are televised live,” he said.

    Fagbemi noted that while members of the public have not complained that they are not aware of what is happening in the court, the petitioners have not shown the injury they will suffer if the proceedings are not aired live.

    He added that Uche’s claim that airing the proceedings live will make lawyers conduct themselves properly, was dangerous because such external scrutiny from the public could be extended to the judges.

    Earlier, Uche told the court that lawyers to parties met and agreed that duly certified documents from INEC will not be objected to when tendered, while others will be objected to at the point of tendering, but with the reasons indicated at the point of filing final written addresses.

    Mahmoud, Olanipekun and Fagbemi confirmed the agreement as related by the petitioner’s lawyer.

    The court adjourned further pre-hearing session in the petition till today during which parties are to agree on the number of witnesses to be called, and time to be allocated to each witness to testify and be cross-examined, among others.

  • Incoming governors target higher revenue

    Incoming governors target higher revenue

    Some incoming governors have given insight into how they intend to make their states economically buoyant during their tenure.

    Apart from raising   Internally Generated Revenue(IGR), they said they would provide conducive environments by paying attention to security. 

    The governors-elect, who will on May 29 be inaugurated, also expressed concern over the nation’s rising debt burden.

    Those who spoke yesterday at the end of a three-day induction of  re-elected and newly elected governors in Abuja  are  Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Dikko Radda(Katsina), Hyacinth Alia (Benue) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), 

    The induction was organised by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) with the support of the Premium Trust Bank (PTB). 

    Mutfwang and Radda specifically dwelt on creating wealth and diversifying the economies of their states while Alia harped on security. Governor Mohammed, a re-elected governor, was more concerned with the nation’s debt.

    Mutfwang said he will diversify Plateau’s economy and ensure effectiveness in all the productive sectors in the state.

    He said: “We will ensure that our people come out of poverty and begin to create wealth so that we can be able to pay more taxes and improve our internally generated revenue (IGR). And then, from there we can be able to reduce our debts.”

    Wutfwang advised that governors, as members of the National Economic Council (NEC),  should collaborate with the Federal Government to come up with the right policies that will aid the reversal of the nation’s current debt situation.

    “Reversing debt is not rocket science. You have to create wealth, you have to add more money to be able to pay your debts. So, we must look at ways and means of creating wealth as a nation.”

    Radda said he would study the debt profile of Katsina State and work on how to restructure existing loans.

    “If we do so,  it will allow us some leverage to be able to do some developmental programmes,” he said, adding that his administration will also pay attention to security. 

    His words: “We have a very serious security issue, which we need a lot of resources to confront. And then, I think the most important thing that we need to do is to look at the whole financial situation of the state.

    “We will look at the debt profile of the state and try to see how we can restructure it to allow us to meet some of our other obligations to the people.” 

    Alia said he plans to focus on security, but will not be propagandist about it, saying that he intends to take the  issue of security seriously even when a  number of things have not  been put in place.

    He said he will engage all relevant stakeholders to address the security challenge to ensure that the state becomes conducive for other activities, particularly production and other commercial activities.

    Governor Mohammed, a re-elected governor,   urged the federal and state government to take a closer look at the management of the country’s economy. 

    Reacting to the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s warning on the nation’s debt profile, Mohammed that it was incumbent on the World Bank to intervene when necessary.

    He said: “I wonder what the World Bank is doing. Apart from giving us grants and assistance in State Fiscal Transparency,  they should be able to raise a red flag by telling the managers of our economy that we cannot continue to borrow endlessly.

    The Chief Executive Officer of  PTB, Emmanuel Emefienim, who spoke on the sidelines of the event, gave expert advice on how best to fast-track development at the state level.

    Emefienim, who cautioned the governors against depending too much on federal allocation, urged them to evolve ways to improve their states’ IGR. 

    He said: “They (governors) should come up with innovative ways of raising IGR that they can use to drive development in their states.

    “The moment you are less dependent  on the centre, the more you have the capacity to do more for your people and once that is done, infrastructural development will take place, and you will deliver more dividends of democracy to the betterment of the people.”

  • Transition Council rolls out Tinubu, Shettima inauguration programme

    Transition Council rolls out Tinubu, Shettima inauguration programme

    • President-elect, vice president-elect to get GCFR, GCON awards May 25
    • Many foreign heads of state expected •Kenyatta to deliver lecture
    • Steer clear of Eagle Square, NSA warns trouble makers

    The Presidential Transition Council (PTC) yesterday rolled out a programme for the inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as President and Vice President on May 29.

    Tinubu will take office as the 5th president of the fourth republic and Nigeria’s 16th leader since independence.

    The president-elect will be conferred with the highest national award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and vice president-elect will get second highest national award the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday ahead of their oaths taking four days later.

    Chairman of the Council and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said many foreign heads of state have been invited and expected to attend.

    Speaking to reporters at Aso Villa, the PTC chair said the theme of Tinubu’s and Shettima’s inauguration as the 16th President and Vice President will be: ”Nigeria: better together.”

    Pre-inauguration events include a regimental dinner in honour of the Commander in Chief on Tuesday at the Armed Forces Officers Mess at 7pm, and a valedictory Federal Executive Council meeting at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, the next day.

    After their investiture with the national honours on Thursday, Tinubu and Shettima will receive the transition documents at the State House Conference Centre at 10am. 

    On Friday, there will be a public lecture and 

    Jumaat prayer at the National Mosque at 10am and 1:30pm.

    The inauguration lecture on the topic: Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development by former Kenyan President, Uhuru M. Kenyatta, will hold at the International Conference Centre on Saturday at 10am.

    Also on Saturday, there will be a children’s day programme involving a parade and a party at the Old Parade Ground 10am and at the State House Conference Centre at 2pm.

    On Sunday, an inter-denominational church service will hold at the National Christian Centre at 10 am, followed by the inauguration dinner/gala night at the State House Conference Centre at 7pm.

    The main event – the inauguration parade/swearing-in, will take place on May 29, at Eagle Square, at 10am. 

    There will be a post-inauguration luncheon at the State House Banquet Hall at 1:30 pm.

    It will be strictly for the President and his brother presidents, heads of government and his guests.

    Mustapha said all events will be broadcast live and streamed on various social media platforms.

    He said invitations have been sent to the presidents and heads of government as well as heads of international organisations. 

    “Many of these invitees have confirmed attendance in person,” the SGF said.

    He described the handover as historic for Nigeria, urging citizens to embrace it as “a moment made for togetherness, unity, peace and progress”. 

    The SGF said adequate security arrangements have been made and restated that nothing would stop the inauguration.

    He retreated that inauguration would hold without a doubt.

    “Our Constitution and Electoral Act have dealt with that. Our laws are sacrosanct.”

    The SGF added that President Buhari has directed all relevant government institutions to cooperate with and support the transition process through engagement with the President-elect’s team. 

    “It is for this reason that President Buhari among other things, approved the inclusion of the team as part of the Federal Government delegation to the World Bank/IMF Spring meetings in Washington DC in April,” Mustapha said.

    National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno (retd), said the committee has concluded arrangements for the accreditation and issuance of passes and identity documents for all security agents. 

    He advised those that have no business around the vicinity to steer clear.

    Munguno said: “My only advice is that if you have no business in security, you need not be near the vicinity of the programme, especially on the Inauguration Day. 

    “We do not envisage anything that will be adverse. So, I urge everybody to be calm.”

  • Matawalle under probe for N70b contracts, says EFCC

    Matawalle under probe for N70b contracts, says EFCC

    • Ex-power minister still in custody
    • Step down for probe, coalition tells Bawa

    Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle is under probe for mismanaging N70 billion, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday.

    The agency explained that its action is the reason for the outburst of the governor against it and Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa. 

    It said the N70 billion was sourced as a loan from an old-generation bank purportedly for the execution of projects which were never done.

    The EFCC  stated this at a news conference by its Director of Media and Publicity,  Osita Nwajah in Abuja.

    Matawalle had in a response on Wednesday to a letter by the EFCC on its probe of some governors wondered why the exercise should be selective.

    He asked the anti-graft agency to  also invite  “officers of the Presidency and members of the Federal Executive Council.”

    Besides, the outgoing governor demanded that  Bawa should “surrender” himself for investigation.

    “He (Bawa) needs to explain among others, how seized assets by the EFCC are being sold without adherence to due process,” the governor added.

    Also yesterday, the Coalition of Anti-corruption Organisations requested that the EFCC chairman should step aside to allow for investigation into alleged corruption against him.

    But at the news conference by Nwajah, the anti-graft agency claimed that it found out that more than 100 companies received part of the N70 billion loan with no evidence of service rendered to the Zamfara State.

    It added that an Abuja property developer collected N6 billion on an N10 billion contract without rendering any verifiable service. 

    The agency also said that an investigation revealed that another contractor collected over N3 billion for the supply of medical equipment. Payment of N400 million out of the N3 billion was traced to a Bureau de Change operator.

    According to the EFCC, one of the beneficiary firms refunded N300 million.

    It said Matawalle’s attack on the agency was a case of corruption fighting back.

    The EFCC asked Nigerians to expect more of such wild allegations as  Matawalle’s from others facing investigations..

    The commission said  Matawalle had not been arrested because he still enjoys immunity provided by the 1999 Constitution as a governor.

    It said: “It is intriguing that Matawalle would want to take on the role of a supervisor, who tells the EFCC whom to investigate. Is this a case of a ’thief’’ saying he must not be touched until other ’thieves’ are caught?

    “Unfortunately, it is not within Matawalle’s remit to dictate to the EFCC whom to arrest, when and where. Suspects in the custody of the commission cut across all sectors and social classes.

    “The qualification to get a space in the commission’s detention facility is to commit a crime. It does not matter whether you are a priest, Imam, Governor or minister. Currently, a former Minister of Power is in the custody of the EFCC over an N22 billion corruption allegation. That conveniently did not attract Matawalle’s attention.

    “Of course, these shenanigans are not strange. They appear to play out in cycles, particularly when the nation is in political transition.

    “Virtually all the predecessors of the incumbent EFCC chairman suffered similar indignity in the hands of politically-exposed persons under investigation for corruption. Who among the former chairmen of the commission was not accused of pilfering recovered assets?

    “The commission would like to put the nation on notice to expect more of the kind of wild allegations made by Matawalle as those at the receiving end of EFCC’s investigations, fight viciously back.

    “But the real issue with Matawalle is that he is being investigated by the EFCC, over allegation of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70billion.

    “The money which was sourced as loan from an old generation bank purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.

    “The commission’s investigations so far revealed that more than 100 companies have received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state.”

    Revealing that it that had interrogated some contractors, the commission also provided insights into a few preliminary findings.

    It said: “Some of the contractors who had been invited and quizzed by the commission, made startling revelations on how they were allegedly compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting the same to United States Dollars.

    “They confirmed that they did not render any service to Zamafara State but were allegedly directed to convert the monies paid to them into United States Dollars and return to the state governor through some of his commissioners, notably the commissioners in charge of Finance and Local Government Affairs.

    “One of the contractors, a popular Abuja property developer, collected N6 billion on an N10 billion contract without rendering any service to Zamfara State.

    “Another contractor collected over N3 billion for a contract for the supply of medical equipment but the Commission traced a payment of N400 million from his account to a Bureau de Change operator. The contractor confessed the payment was to procure the dollar equivalent allegedly for the state governor.

    “As part of the extensive investigation of contracts awarded by the Matawalle administration, especially for phantom projects in the local government areas, the commission has recovered a sum of N300 million from a company. The funds were traced to the Zamafara Investment Company.

    “The EFCC investigation is the source of anxiety in Government House, Gusau, with the governor in mortal dread of his fate once he steps down as governor on May 29.

    “In Nigeria, state governors and their deputies enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution while in office, a reason the EFCC has yet to arrest Governor Matawalle.” 

    It stated that contrary to  Matawalle’s claims, the EFCC supervised an asset disposal exercise that was widely acclaimed as the most transparent in the country’s history.

    “Proceeds of the open and transparent exercise have since been remitted into the coffers of the Federal Government, and are being deployed in the provision of infrastructure for Nigerians.

    “The issue is also not about a plea bargain. Indeed, it is hypocritical for Matawalle to rile a process for which he has been a beneficiary. A plea bargain is a practice established by law, and the commission has never gone outside of the law in the application of this principle.

    “If Matawalle has any evidence of abuse of plea bargain process, he is at liberty to make the disclosure,” the anti-graft agency said.

    Coalition wants  Buhari to sack   Bawa

    The  Coalition of Anti-corruption Organisations (COACOS) has called for the removal of Bawa by  President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The group also urged the President to commission an enquiry into the activities of the anti-graft body under Bawa.  

    CAO called for an immediate overhauling of the agency, adding that the National Assembly should also be lobbied to amend the EFCC Act to make the structure less prone to high-handedness and make its chairman answerable to the law of the land.

    According to the coalition, Bawa should not be re-appointed for another term.

    An official of the coalition, Olufemi Lawson, told reporters in Lagos that the EFCC has not lived up to expectations.

    He said the anti-graft agency has on some occasions violated court orders, adding that it is contrary to the principles of democracy.

    Lawson also alleged that EFCC was partial, saying that it only selectively invited targeted outgoing governors for investigation.

  • Bolanle Raheem: Vandi denies shooting victim

    Bolanle Raheem: Vandi denies shooting victim

    Drambi vandi, the suspended Assistant Superintendent of Police, who allegedly killed a Lagos-based lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, last December 25, has testified in his defence, denying shooting the victim.

    Vandi, who opened his defense before Justice Ibironke Harrison, of a Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Wednesday, was led in evidence by Jude Ugwu, his lawyer.

    In his testimony, the defendant said he headed the patrol team of three officers, who manned Ajah Underbridge for stop and search operations on the day of the incident.

    According to him, some guys in the area were throwing bangers (knockouts) and when he went to meet them to stop the noise, the deceased’s sister accosted him and accused him of shooting her sister.

    He said: “Our team was positioned behind the BRT Park. Some guys were shooting knockouts (Bangers) and they were throwing it on the road. So, I went to meet them to stop because some people parked their cars there but they told me that they were enjoying Christmas.

    “I left them and went back to see how my men were doing, and I met a car parked, but I didn’t hit them. The guys started throwing the bangers to the road again.

    “On my way to go and stop them, I saw a man and a woman moving down to meet me. Immediately, the woman held me saying that a policeman has killed her sister. “I raised my gun up to prevent accidental discharge, then, I said okay, let’s go and see the person.

    “I confirmed that there was somebody who is in need of help, but I didn’t see exhibits, such as glass or whatever. I now looked back for my men at that point, but couldn’t see them. I decided that we should take the woman to the hospital and then he asked that the man who was driving should call the woman who was holding him.

    “The man who was the husband of the wounded woman, left to call the woman but couldn’t find her. So, we left for the hospital. When we got there, I saw my friend, Inspector James, who asked me why I was half naked.

    “I told him that a woman held my shirt. Inspector James said, okay let’s go to the station so you can change but I said no, that I want to see what happened to this woman.

    “Inspector James then said he has an extra polo and gave it to me. Then we started hearing the voice of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) outside. The DPO asked me to bring my gun, and I asked why? But the DPO asked that is he not my superior?

    “So, I gave the gun to him. He then told me to join them in the police van and we went back to the station. There, I wrote my statement.

    “The DPO asked the armourer to bring the guns. Only one was brought and the DPO asked for the magazine. One was brought and the DPO asked that it should be counted, it had 16 ammunition.

    “The DPO said he heard that the gun I took had 25 ammunition in it, so where is it? The armourer went to bring another magazine this time and when it was counted, it had 26. So, the DPO asked that he should remove three from it. At this point, the DPO was already angry at the armourer for bringing the wrong magazine. So, the armourer removed three out of the 26 ammunition that was in the magazine.”

    Defense counsel, Ugwu asked the defendant for the standard procedure of how a police officer can be disarmed.

    Vandi replied: “There must be witnesses who would count the ammunition. If it’s complete, the witnesses will sign but if otherwise, they will hand them over to the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), who will now invite the officer to count and ask what he used the ammunition for. After writing a statement, the ammunition will not go back to the armourer, it will be given to the exhibit keeper for further investigation.”

    The defendant also denied that bullets were missing from his rifle, saying that at the time his gun was collected from him, it was intact.

    The court adjourned till May 31, to conclude hearing the defendant’s evidence.

    The Lagos State Government had alleged that the defendant shot and killed the 41-year-old pregnant lawyer while she was returning from a Christmas Day church service at Ajah.

    Subsequently, he was arraigned in January; days after the Police Service Commission approved his immediate suspension.

    At the last sitting in April, Justice Harrison dismissed the ‘no case submission’ filed by the defendant, and ordered him to open his defence.