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Tag: Jonathan

  • Jonathan may cancel N5.6b pipelines security contracts

    Jonathan may cancel N5.6b pipelines security contracts

    Nigeria’s oil  output falls  as theft soars

     

    Despite the controversial N5.6 billion pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to ex-Niger Delta militant leaders, oil thieves are in business and Nigeria’s production is falling.

    Production at the peak of militants’ activities in the Niger Delta was at its 1.3m barrels per day (bpd) all-time low.

    Output increased progressively – up to 2.7 barrels per day after the amnesty programme and the award of pipelines surveillance contracts.

    But following the recent sabotage, which led to shut-ins, production has dropped to 2.5m, thereby significantly reducing the country’s revenue.

    Now, President Goodluck Jonathan is said to be considering the cancellation of the contracts. There was no confirmation of the plan last night, however.

    Alleging crude theft, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at the weekend shut down the Imo River Trunkline in its Eastern operation, reducing production by 25,000 barrels daily.

    Several crude theft points were found on the facility.

    Agip, Total and others are also believed to be losing thousands of barrels daily to crude oil thieves “because beneficiaries of the contract have not been putting their houses in order”, said a source in the oil industry.

    Representatives of the major oil firms, who insisted on not being named, are of the opinion that Ateke, Asari, Dagogo and Egberi Papa failed to justify the N2bn contract they got for the Rivers pipeline.

    A Presidency source, who shares this view, hinted that the dismal performance of the ex-militants in Bayelsa and Rivers may have informed the unwillingness of President Jonathan to renew the contract.

    It was gathered that the president is unhappy that even “after sticking out his neck” to approve the contract and the controversial multibillion naira coastal security contract awarded to ex-militant Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), oil theft continues.

    A company, Oil Facilities Surveillance Limited (OFSL), incorporated by Ekpemupolo got the biggest contract to police the Delta State end of the pipelines.

    The contract is worth N3.6b.

    The Gbaramatu-born Tompolo enjoys the support and respect of over 60 per cent of former militants from Akwa Ibom State to Ondo State.

    The company owned by Mr. Victor Ebikabowei (a.k.a Boyloaf) got a N580m contract to take care of the pipelines in Bayelsa State.

    The Rivers State group of Alhaji Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo, Ateke Tom, Prince Ipalibo Gagogo Farah and Soboma Jackrich, got a N2 billion contract to work in Rivers State.

    Asari-Dokubo could not be reached for comments. But his spokesperson, Comrade Rex Anighoro, said: “On the surveillance contract, it is not an issue for Alhaji (Asari). Ateke Tom is the chairman of the company. Ipalibo Gagogo Farah is the Secretary and Alhaji Asari-Dokubo and Soboma Jackrich are members.”

    While maintaining that he was not speaking on behalf of the company, Anighoro said the best avenue to seek answers as to why the company is not executing the contract is the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), adding: “The contract was duly awarded by the NNPC to the beneficiaries who are qualified citizens. So, if there is a problem, those who awarded the contract should be asked about the bottleneck,” he added.

    However, failure to renew the contracts which are due for review next year, might lead to massive unemployment among the over 5,000 people, some of them ex-militants, in employment as a result of the contract.

    Keston Pondi of OFSL said the management of the company relies on its “goodwill and personal resources to continue to pay the huge wage bills”, adding: “We are getting close to a point where the company would be forced to lay off thousands of the youths.”

    He advised the Federal Government to think about the implication of throwing about 5,000 more youths into the streets without jobs. “If the contract is not renewed, we could be returning to the dark days because illegal bunkering and other crimes will escalate; it will spell doom and the country will be worse off,” he said.

  • Access to land for housing still a problem, says Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has said equitable access to land for housing development and adequacy of housing remains a challenge.

    Jonathan spoke at the opening of the Presidential Stakeholders’ Retreat on Housing and Urban Development held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said if this deficit is to be bridged, the country must continue to seek ways to provide affordable housing, especially to the no-income, low-income, lower-medium income, and the informal sector workers.

    The President said a variety of housing delivery schemes, including social housing, rental schemes, regeneration and housing cooperatives must be evaluated.

    “In June, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved both the National Housing Policy and the National Urban Development Policy, as the umbrella framework for a coordinated response to meeting the challenges in this sector.

    “I commend the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and all stakehokders who participated in the development of the two approved policies, for their remarkable efforts.

    “ We cannot but recognise this important step, bearing in mind that prior to the approval, the housing and urban development sector operated without enabling policy instruments that would positively harness the potentialities of the sector.

    “These policies are to be translated into action through a road map for the housing and urban development sector.

    “The road map will address the challenges of achieving a housing revolution in our nation.

    “It will also provide the pathway for transforming our cities into livable and functional human settlements.”

    Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ms. Ama Pepple and her Finance counterpart, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said to avert a housing crisis, the country requires one million housing units yearly for the next eight years.

     

  • We will revolutionalise Nigeria’s housing sector – Jonathan

    We will revolutionalise Nigeria’s housing sector – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday said the present administration would revolutionalise the country’s housing sector to make houses accessible to Nigerians irrespective of their socio-economic status.

    Jonathan stated this at a one-day Presidential Stakeholders’ Retreat at the Presidential Banquet hall, Abuja.

    He said already, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved National Housing Policy and National Urban Development Policy in June to facilitate speedy transformation of the housing sector.

    “These policies are to be translated into action through a roadmap for the housing and urban development sector.

    “The roadmap will address the challenges of achieving a housing revolution in our nation within the shortest possible time. It will also provide the path way for transforming our cities into livable and functional human settlements.

    “This retreat will provide us with such opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the revitalisation of the housing and urban development sector.

    “We believe that through the pooling of resources and talents, we can meaningfully address the impediments to the growth of the sector,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the president as saying at the retreat.

    He noted that inequitable access to land for housing development, inadequacy of housing in view of the national housing deficit estimated at about 16 to 17 million units had remained a critical challenge to all stakeholders in the sector.

    “If the deficit is to be bridged, we must continue to seek ways to provide affordable housing, especially to non-income, low income, lower middle income and the informal sector worker.

    “A variety of housing delivery scheme, including social housing, rental schemes, regeneration and housing corporations must be evaluated,” he added.

    Jonathan, therefore, challenged the participants to devise means of meeting the global benchmarks in housing, building standard, proper land use, and space standard as well as the institutionalization of a vibrant mortgage system, based on long-term repayment terms.

     

  • Bayelsa, Rivers Oil Wells Row: Jonathan’s fresh peace move suffers setback

    Bayelsa, Rivers Oil Wells Row: Jonathan’s fresh peace move suffers setback

    • Amaechi’s absence forces President to shift peace meeting
    • Rivers State gets N17.5b refund from two oil fields

     

    A fresh move by President Goodluck Jonathan to resolve the row between Bayelsa and Rivers states over the Soku/Oluasiri oil wells suffered a setback Friday due to the absence of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    The expanded peace session was expected to involve Amaechi, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and all relevant parties to the dispute.

    While the two states bicker, a letter to the Accountant-General of the Federation by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has confirmed that about N17.5billion has been refunded to Rivers State being revenue due the state from Nda and Okwori oil fields from 2007 to date.

    The oil fields are part of the Soku/Oluasiri oil wells in dispute.

    The letter from RMAFC indicates that refund to any aggrieved state, including Bayelsa State, is a normal practice once a proper boundary demarcation has been established between disputing states by both the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation(OSGF).

    The Friday meeting was to be a follow-up to a similar audience which the President had with Kalabri leaders and the Rivers State Government penultimate Friday.

    It was, however, gathered that Amaechi, who had officially travelled out of the country, delegated his deputy, Mr. Tele Ikuru, and other stakeholders to attend.

    But the Presidency is insisting on the presence of Amaechi in order to ensure true reconciliation of the two parties

    As at press time, Governor Seriake Dickson was still hanging around in Abuja for his colleague from Rivers State to arrive.

    Reliable sources who spoke in confidence said the meeting was fixed for 6.00 pm on Friday with the President suspending some engagements to facilitate the peace talks.

    When it became obvious that Amaechi would not make it, the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Ogiadhome, wrote a letter to the governor shifting the session.

    A reliable Rivers State Government official said: “Governor Amaechi is interested in the resolution of the crisis. He actually travelled abroad for some engagements.

    “Apparently aware that the Rivers State governor was not in town, the Presidency on November 8 postponed the peace meeting scheduled for November 9. The government wanted Amaechi and Dickson to sit and resolve the dispute.

    “It is not true that Governor Amaechi avoided or shunned any meeting at the Villa. He has no basis to do so.

    “As a matter of fact, the President through the Chief of Staff, Ogiadhome, wrote a letter which was submitted at the Rivers Liaison Office in Abuja on November 8 for onward transmission to the governor. He said the President mandated him to shift the peace meeting slated for November 9.”

    “In the letter, the Chief of Staff also indicated that “a new date will be communicated.”

    A letter RMC/O &G/34/VOL. II/263 from RMAFC to the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. J.O. Otunla, confirmed the refund to Rivers State by seven oil producing states.

    Although the letter was dated January 17, 2012, it has thrown more insight into the crisis of confidence between the two states.

    The letter reads: “I write to inform you that the Rivers State Government in a letter Ref. No. COM/FIN/T/01 of 3rd October 2011 requested for the payment of all the 13 per cent derivation revenue due to the state from Nda and Okwori oil fields from 2007 to date.

    “The commission examined the request and confirmed that Okwori and Nda oil fields belong to Rivers State based on the Report of the Inter-Agency Committee on the attribution of offshore oilfields to Littoral states, 2008 and submissions by National Boundary Commission (NBC) and Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation(OSGF).

    “Furthermore, the 13 per cent derivation proceed from the two oil fields were shared amongst all the oil producing states from April 2009 to June 2010, while Akwa Ibom State exclusively enjoyed the proceed from Okwori oil field from July to August, 2010 and from July 2010 to January 2011 in the case of Nda oil field.

    “It is to be noted that the Rivers State Government has since September 2010 and February 2011 been receiving its due share of 13 per cent derivation proceed from Okwori and Nda fields respectively.

    “Consequently, the commission after considering the request from the Rivers State Government and the submission from both the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation(OSGF), approved that Rivers State should be refunded the sum of N17,566, 394,965.18b by all the oil producing states being accrued 13 per cent derivation fund from April 2009 to January 2011.

    “The amount to be refunded by each state is as follows: Abia (N226,253,896.74); Akwa Ibom (N9, 567,732,283.95); Bayelsa (N2 071, 164,678.46); Delta (N4, 142, 271,632.95); Edo ( N305,693,768.40); Imo (N260,733,722.65); Ondo (N952,544,973.05).”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Jonathan lauds Oritsejafor on 40th anniversary

    Jonathan lauds Oritsejafor on 40th anniversary

    •CAN president gets private jet gift from church

    President Goodluck Jonathan has asked Nigerians to be steadfast in prayers and seek strengths in the country’s diversity, despite the numerous challenges confronting the nation.

    Jonathan spoke yesterday in Warri as special guest during the 40th anniversary of the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and founder of Word of God Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on the pulpit which also coincided with his birthday.

    The CAN President during the occasion also joined the league of clergymen who own private jets. He now has a 10-Seater Bombardier/Challenger 601 Aircraft.

    According to him, the country would overcome her challenges if the people could draw positively on their areas of strengths.

    The President, who attended the programme till the end, also extolled the virtues of Oritsejafor, stressing that since he started his ministration 40 years ago, he had stayed on course and remained to his calling.

    Apart from being a shining example of priesthood, the President stated that Oritsejafor had spent his four decades on the pulpit propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ, building bridges and serving as an interface across the religious divide.

    He said: “40 years in the service of God Almighty is a remarkable feat achievable only through the grace of God. Pastor Ayo is a respected national Christian, visionary leader, a great man of faith that preaches the word of God pleasantly. I also thank the Lord for giving him as a gift to the generation of Nigerians.

    “I can say without any equivocation that Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, from the very humble beginning about 1972, has moved from strength to strength. Today, he is a Christian visionary leader who preaches the word of God clearly and eloquently as a good shepherd, a man of vision who has served as an interface across the religious divides.

    “He has earned his respect among his peers and this explains why he is holding the two very important positions in Christendom in Nigeria as a President of Christian Association of Nigeria and President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

    “You will continue to be a source of inspiration to many people in many years to come. When he started this ministry many years ago, Nigeria was just emerging from the anguish of civil war. Although, today we are enjoying the benefits of democracy, we still need to overcome our challenges. We must seek strength from our diversity.”

    Oritsejafor said if Nigeria must reclaim its lost glory and be great again, all Nigerians must be ready to put the nation first and be ready to make sacrifices.

    He said rather than dwelling on the things that are capable of dividing the country, he admonished the people to begin to do thinsg that would impact positively on the lives of the people.

    The CAN President said, “If Nigeria must reclaim her destiny, then everybody must be ready to make sacrifices. We must be prepared to inconvenience ourselves; we must be prepared to forget about ourselves and put Nigeria first. We must begin to do things that will make positive impact on the lives of our people. Nigeria is great and our sacrifices will bring out the greatness of the great nation.”

    During the service it was announced to the congregation that Oritsejafor has joined the league of pastors with private jets in the country. Others who have been in the league before him include David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, Enoch Adejare Adeboye of The Redeemed Christian Church of God 2nd Bishop Mike Okonkwo of the Reedemed Evangelical Mission (TREM).

    Oritsejafor’s jet, marked N431CB, was said to have been manufactured in the United States, the announcement elicited loud ovation and applause from the congregation.

    The luxurious and spacious cabin of the Bombardier/Challenger 601 is perfect to conduct meetings or simply relax.

    Although the cost of the aircraft was not disclosed, an updated version of the 1994 series is said to cost $4.9m.

    The jubilant congregation spent over 15 minutes congratulating one another while the recipient did not make any comment on the jet said to have been purchased for him by the Church.

     

  • Jonathan greets new Archbishop of Canterbury

    PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Justin Welby, on his appointment as the Archbishop of Canterbury and Head of the Anglican Communion worldwide.

    In a congratulatory letter to Welby signed by his media aide, Dr Reuben Abati, Jonathan said that he was confident the new Archbishop with his inspiring antecedents will achieve astounding success.

    The statement reads: “On behalf of my family, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to express warm felicitations to you on your appointment as the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

    “Your elevation to the position of headship of the Anglican Communion worldwide, at a time of great challenges for the international community and the Church of Christ, is evidently richly deserved.

    “I am confident that, given your inspiring antecedents, you will make an astounding success of this divine assignment.

    “You can be assured of the prayers and steadfast support of my government and the body of Christ in Nigeria as you assume your exalted office.”

     

  • Jonathan, Lamido’s new bond

    Jonathan, Lamido’s new bond

    For the people of Jigawa State, the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan raises hope for better things to come. Between November 5 and 6, the President left the rigours of work in Aso Rock for Jigawa to celebrate the achievements of Governor Sule Lamido, who has been making outstanding efforts to lift Jigawa up to envisaged status of the “New World.”

    It was, indeed, a warm reception for the President as the people of Jigawa came out en masse, with joy to receive Jonathan who Lamido described as a dynamic and exceptional leader.

    The President’s first point of call was Hadejia Emirate where a colourful Durba was organised for him by the Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Maje, who expressed joy over the president’s visit to his emirate and thanked him for all the federal government’s  projects cited in the state. The Emir who presented a white horse to the President, called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to rehabilitate the Kano-Jahun- Hadejia Road for easy vehicular movement.

    The President also had meetings with Jigawa stakeholders at the Government House where he assured them that his administration will always partner with the state government to ensure that Jigawa get the desired development. Among the requests made by the people of Jigawa State include facilities for flood control, erosion and the need for Green Belt along Jigawa borders. The Jigawa stakeholders urged the Federal Government to pursue the Green Belt project for northern borders with vigour, noting that Jigawa should be given special attention since it has proved to be the most exposed state in this regard. They are of the opinion that the Green Belt policy, if adequately realised, will complement the Jigawa State government’s afforestation programme.

    They also reminded the President of the need for improved water supply in Dutse and to order the rehabilitation of federal roads in Gaya-Kafin Hausa-Katagun-Ganawa, Kwanar Dumawa-Kanya Babba-Babura-Niger border and Kano-Gumel-Maigatari-Niger Border. The stakeholders also stressed the need for the completion of Hadejia Valley Irrigation project and the establishment of a Federal College of Education in Jigawa.

    The President was full of excitement when he saw the newly constructed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Fanisau, named after former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, whose government established the NYSC scheme. In his address before commissioning the camp, Jonathan dramatically called two corps members and asked them their feelings about the new camp—and their remarks which was full of praises for Governor Sule Lamido stimulated the crowd. According to the President, the Jigawa NYSC Camp ranks among the best out of the 15 permanent camps in the country so far. He used the opportunity to urge state governments, which have not been able to build permanent camps for the NYSC programme, to do so.

    The camp, which cost about N800 million, was built with state-of-the-art facilities. It has an administrative block with fully furnished offices, 31 staff quarters, asphalt-paved access roads with street lights, standard athletic ground, two hostels for male and female corps members consisting of 16 blocks each, class rooms, boreholes, lock-up shops, eatery halls, 200KVA standby generator, standard athletic track, football pitch, basket and volley ball fields.

    From the NYSC Camp, Jonathan proceeded to lay the foundation for the Dutse International Airport in Gidan Bawa, estimated to cost N5 billion. Another gigantic project commissioned by the President is the newly built Ahmadu Bello state secretariat at the cost of N9.5 billion.

    Mr. President described the secretariat as a monumental structure, adding that it showed the zeal of Governor Sule Lamido to ensure smooth running of government activities. According to him, Lamido is among the governors who have made significant performance, noting that the Federal Government will continue to do what is expected, so that Sule Lamido can accomplish his ambition of taking Jigawa State to greater heights.

    Jonathan who also spoke on the need for peace and order in the country, described the rampant killings in the country as primitive, saying that some people take as a hobby killing innocent citizens and destroying properties, pointing out that those who indulge in such dastardly acts and their sponsors are uncivilized.

  • Jonathan congratulates Archbishop of Canterbury

    Jonathan congratulates Archbishop of Canterbury

     

    President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Bishop of Durham, Rt. Rev. Justin Welby, on his appointment as the Archbishop of Canterbury and Head of the Anglican Communion worldwide.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in Abuja on Saturday.

    The statement noted that the message was contained in a congratulatory letter to the Archbishop.

    In the letter, the president said he was confident that with Welby’s “inspiring antecedents, he will achieve astounding success in the new assignment, given at a time of great challenges for the Anglican Church.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to express warm felicitations to you on your appointment as the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

    “Your elevation to the position of headship of the Anglican Communion worldwide, at a time of great challenges for the international community and the Church of Christ, is evidently richly deserved.

    “I am confident that given your inspiring antecedents, you will make an astounding success of this divine assignment.

    “You can be assured of the prayers and steadfast support of my government and the body of Christ in Nigeria as you assume your exalted office,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the president as saying in the letter.

     

  • Jonathan commiserates with Harriman’s family

    President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the family of the renowned surveyor, industrialist, philanthropist and political leader, Chief Hope Harriman, who passed away earlier this week in the United States.

    President Jonathan, according to a statement signed by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati , noted that Chief Harriman lived an exemplary and fulfilled life.

    The President said the late Chief Harriman will always be remembered in his professional field of surveying and estate management where he built his practice into a glowing reference point for others and became in the process, a role model and mentor for younger Nigerians.

    He prayed that God Almighty will grant Harriman’s soul eternal rest.

     

     

  • Jonathan hails Obama’s re-election

    Jonathan hails Obama’s re-election

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday congratulated Mr. Barrack Obama on his re-election as United States President, saying the victory was a huge reward for the U.S leader’s impressive performance in office.

    President Obama on Tuesday defeated his Republican Party challenger, Mitt Romney, in the U.S presidential election after securing the mandatory 270 votes in the electoral college.

    In a statement signed by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati,  President Jonathan described Obama’s victory in the keenly contested presidential race as an endorsement by U.S citizens of his leadership, progressive world view and the very good work he has done in the last four years.

    The statement reads:

    “On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan heartily congratulates President Barrack Obama on his success in winning re-election in Tuesday’s presidential elections in the United States.

    “President Jonathan welcomes President Obama’s victory in an intensely fought presidential race as an endorsement by the good people of United States of his leadership, progressive world view and the very good work he has done in the past four years towards ending global economic depression and fostering global peace and security.

    “Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union enjoyed very cordial and productive relations with the Obama Administration in his first term; President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to build on Nigeria’s and Africa’s developmental collaboration with the United States in the next four years.

    “The President looks forward in particular to the further strengthening of U.S-Nigeria bilateral relations and the U.S-Nigeria Bi-National Commission which was established in President Obama’s first term as the primary platform for the promotion of greater trade and economic cooperation between both countries as well as bilateral collaboration in other areas.

    “He also hopes that the millions of people across the world, especially those in developing nations who watched the beauty and strength of democracy unfold in the United States presidential elections yesterday will come to a greater and better appreciation of democracy as the key to building peaceful, stable and progressive societies.

    “The President wishes President Obama continued good health and God’s blessings and guidance as he prepares for his inauguration in January for a second term in office as the President of the United States of America.”