The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • NNPC 2018 remittances to federation account hit N1.26tr

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it met its financial obligations to the Federation Account in 2018 by remitting N1.26 trillion as against the N1.22 trillion projected in the 2018 budget, recording a surplus of N41billion.

    Managing Director of NNPC Capital, Mr. Godwin Okonkwo, made this submission when he represented the Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru during a presentation to the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on the Investigation of the Non-Remittances of Funds to the Federation Account by the corporation between July 2017 and December 2018 at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

    A release by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, on Tuesday quoted the GMD as saying that though 2.3million barrels per day (mbpd) was proposed in the 2018 budget, national daily production for the period under review oscillated between 1.9mbpd to 1.89mbpd.

    Baru listed the two sources of inflows into the Federation Account from the NNPC to include equity crude oil sales less cost of recovery from the Joint Venture cash call arrears and domestic crude less cost recovery, adding that the JV cash call arrears were being efficiently managed now to ensure steady inflows to the Federation Account.

    He was quoted as saying that “The current management of NNPC ensures that it contributes to the cost of the production of crude oil and gas in the upstream sector to avoid a repeat of the mistakes of the past. If we had made cash call payments in the past, the arrears that we are liquidating now would not have arisen. The current situation creates a win-win scenario for the country. The NNPC is strategically saving for the rainy day to make a better future for all of us by liquidating the arrears.”

    He noted that the corporation on a regular and sustained basis balanced up with the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and the JV cash calls in order to make sure that the future generations do not suffer from the legacy debt.

    Read Also: Tension in NNPC over postings, fresh recruitment

    The NNPC Capital MD dismissed the allegations by Commissioners of Finance of under remittances by the Corporation, adding that the NNPC was a going business concern that met financial obligations to its various stakeholders.

    Dr. Baru stated that investment in the Oil and Gas Industry took time to mature, adding that if the NNPC failed in its obligation to invest in the sector, there would be nothing to share by the various tiers of government.

    Responding to a question on whether the NNPC 2018 audited account was ready, Dr. Baru stated that the 2018 audited account would be ready next month, adding that NNPC had cleared its backlog of unaudited account. He attributed the delay to some Joint Venture partners that were being awaited to turn in their budget performance for the 2018 budget circle to be completed.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema Wilfred, praised the NNPC for responding to all the issues raised, stressing that the interface would go a long way to putting to rest allegations of non-remittances of funds against the NNPC.

  • 2 LAUTECH students die in auto crash

    Tragedy struck at the ancient city of Ogbomoso as no fewer than two students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso on Tuesday lost their lives in a ghastly auto mishap that occurred in the early hours of on Tuesday.

    It was gathered that five of the students of the institution were involved in the accident that occurred along Aroje road, opposite Bovas Petroleum station, Ogbomoso.

    Those who were involved included two of the students simply identified as Seun also known as Young Prof in 400 level and Dr. Sleem, 400 level.

    The duo died on the spot.

    Sympathisers including students and security agents thronged the scene with deep sorrow, as some wept profusely over the unfortunate loss of human lives.

    Others are a 400 level student identified as, Hon. Yusluv, another student identified as Yunus who is in 500 level and Mayor Timmy [Graduating class].

    It was further learnt that Yunus is still in a state of comma in the hospital, while other remaining students were receiving treatment at the hospital.

    The cause of the accident was unknown, however, some eyewitnesses attributed it to over-speeding and dangerous overtaking.

    The institution, while confirming the death of the students, described it as devastating and tragic.

    Read Also: Three die as heap of sand trap 6 teenagers in Kano

    LAUTECH Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Olufisayo Ologunde, while speaking on the sad occurrence, prayed to God to give the entire University community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    The VC in a statement said that he was personally involved in the efforts at rescuing the students.

    The statement reads “Vice- Chancellor, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Professor Michael Olufisayo Ologunde, has described as devastating, the death of some students of the Institution in an early morning auto accident around Aroje area of the city.

    “Professor Ologunde who was personally involved in efforts at recovering the remains of the dead students prayed that the Lord repose their souls and grant their parents and the entire University community the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

    “He has also directed that the University ambulance be deployed to the scene to convey their remains, ordering functionaries to abandon whatever other duties to ensure that the corpses are recovered for necessary steps ahead of their burial”.

  • FG approves N25bn earned academic allowances for ASUU members

    The Federal Government on Tuesday said it has approved additional N25 billion payment for Earned Academic Allowances for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

    It was learnt that the money is a part payment contained in the Memorandum of Action the Union signed with the government.

    The government said the N25 billion was aside the N20 billion that was released last year to public universities in the country.

    Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu broke the news at his valedictory press conference as a minister on Tuesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Adamu was joined by Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah and Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed at the briefing.

    The minister said all universities in the country have benefitted from the N20 billion released last year by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government.

    He said the Buhari administration inherited an unimplementable agreement of N1.3 trillion when it assumed office in 2015.

    Adamu said: “Let me inform you that the federal government has just approved an additional N25 billion to be shared to beneficiary institutions directly. Last year, the federal government released N20 billion directly to universities. As I speak, all universities have got their share of the N20 billion.

    “The sad news is that the N200 billion that was released to the Central Bank of Nigeria since 2013 for the universities has not been fully accessed. In specific terms, all the 73 public varsities have accessed the 1st tranche of 50 percent of the N200 billion.

    “For the second tranche of 40 percent, only 56 institutions have been able to access their funds. The last 10 percent representing the third tranche of the N200 billion has not been accessed at all.

    Adamu, in his Education for Change: Our stewardship in the last four years, address, said the government invested N1.338 trillion on the sector in the last four years.

    Read Also: FG shuts four foreign missions

    Adamu said: “In spite of the economic downturn, we have done well in terms of investment in capital expenditure. The UBEC interventions in states have recorded a total of N350 billion, while TETFund and NEED Assessment interventions have recorded N857 billion with the main ministry and other agencies recording N86 billion, totalling N1.338 trillion in the last four years.

    “This is aside from the N25 billion just approved for public universities. These figures have nothing to do with personnel and overhead cost in the education sector, which are also well over a trillion naira.

    “Private sector investment in the education sector from the basic, secondary and tertiary levels far outweigh government investment. Our aggregate expenditure in the education sector (public and private) therefore exceeds the much touted 20 percent of our national budget. We are poised to do more.

    He said the administration has laid a good foundation for dealing with the challenges posed by the out-of-school children phenomenon and the huge number of adult illiterates.

    “If we continue on this path, in the next ten years, Nigeria’s challenges in this twin direction I’ll be confined to the dust in of history.

    “On basic, secondary and tertiary education, we shall continue on the path of infrastructural and manpower development, increasing carrying capacity and creating unfettered access to all levels of our education for our young people.,” the minister added.

    ASUU president. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the N25 billion was supposed to be released by government to its members in March this year as part of the MoA it signed with the union.

    He said he could not confirm if members of the union had received the funds or not.

    The. ASUU president said the N20 billion that has been fully accessed by its members was for revitalisation of universities in the country.

    “I can’t confirm if the money has been released to our members. We still have issues with the money.

    “The N25 billion is part of the Earned Academic Allowances for our members. It is a part payment. We have been chasing that money to be released to us. The money was supposed to be released in March 28 this year but the government released only N20 billion leaving a balance of N5 billion.

    “The balance is supposed to be mainstreamed into 2019 budget,” he added.

  • Updated: Judge’s absence stalls trial of Fayose

    The absence of Justice Mojisola Olatoregun Tuesday stalled the trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The judge is said to have gone on an official assignment.

    She had informed parties ahead about her absence.

    The case was also stalled on May 14 due to the absence of prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

    The last proceeding was on May 10 during which Jacobs sought for time to decide on whether to continue leading his witness in evidence.

    The court heard that day that a former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) authorised the transfer of N2.2billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to former minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.

    Read Also: EFCC counsel’s absence stalls Fayose’s N1.2b, $5m fraud trial

    Fayose is on trial for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million allegedly stolen from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through Obanikoro.

    A stir was caused when a prosecution witness, Mr Adewale Aladegbola, claimed that he was asked to lie by his superior.

    The witness, a bullion van driver, claimed he was asked to lie that he moved money for Fayose.

    He said the bank’s two bullion vans were broken down the day it was alleged that the money was moved.

    Jacobs said: “My Lord, from indications I am getting from responses from this witness, it looks as if this witness might become hostile as he is making statements absent from his extra-judicial statement in the proof of evidence,” he said.

    The SAN said he needed time to consider the nature of application to be made in the circumstance.

    But he was absent on the day the case was to come up.

    A new date, June 10, has been fixed for continuation of trial.

  • EFCC arrests Kwara Assembly clerk over alleged N400m severance pay

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating alleged illegal payment of about N400 million to some members of the Kwara state House of Assembly, it was gathered.

    Accordingly, the anti-graft body is quizzing Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Sola Gold and the Clerk of the state House of Assembly, Kperogi Halimat Jummai over the alleged payment.

    EFCC source maintained that the payment did not follow due process.

    It was gathered that all the 24 lawmakers were two weeks ago paid the sum of N400 million severance package, when their tenure is yet to expire.

    The petitioner said even though the lawmakers and members of the state executive council are entitled to severance package, it is the next administration that is supposed to pay the money, a source at the EFCC has said.

    “More worrisome is the issue of furniture allowance running to hundreds of millions of naira according to the petitioner which they wanted it pay along with severance package,” the petitioner added.

    Speaker of the Assembly Dr Ali Ahmed had in a letter with Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, confirmed that the lawmakers are entitled to severance package at the end of their tenure on June 7th this year.

    The letter reads that “in accordance with the provisions of the revenue mobilization, allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) honourable members are entitled to 200 percent of their annual basic salaries as their severance gratuity allowance at the end of their tenure of office.”

    The clerk of the house, Halimat Jummai Kperogi confirmed that the lawmakers had received their severance package.

    She was said to have told the operatives of the EFCC that Governor Ahmed approved the payment of the package.

    Read Also: EFCC: beware of 5th columnists, Okorocha replies Magu

    Kperogi said “in a meeting of the principal officers of the Kwara House of Assembly wherein I was scheduled to be the secretary, held on May 8th, 2019, issue of severance gratuity to the honourable members was raised, the principal officers were informed that the state government has approved the payment of the severance gratuity.”

    “At the meeting, I informed the house that the governor had approved the payment. I added that members were expected to be paid after the expiration of their tenure of office. The house debated it and they overruled me.”

    Alhaji Gold on the other hand wrote and sought for the approval of the severance gratuity and furniture allowances amounting to about N300 million for some members of the state executive council.

    Gold, in a letter to the governor dated May 8th, 2019 said “your Excellency, by virtue of the provisions of Kwara state remuneration of political and public office holders laws, certain category of political and public office holders are entitled to severance and furniture allowances of their basic salaries respectively upon
    successful completion of tenure.”

    Alhaji Gold said that while the lawmakers had received their monies, members of the state executive council are yet to receive their gratuity.

  • Primary, secondary health centers have collapsed, says Minister

    The Federal Government on Tuesday said that primary and secondary healthcare centers in the country have collapsed.

    Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, stated this on the floor of the Senate.

    He also listed 14 states that failed to indicate interest in the basic healthcare provision fund created to enhance primary healthcare services.

    The minister was invited to brief the Senate on the poor state of teaching hospitals in the country.

    He told the lawmakers that the collapse of primary and secondary healthcare centers in the country is responsible for avoidable pressure on the teaching hospitals.

    Nigerians, he said, have lost confidence in primary and secondary healthcare centers due to their collapse.

    He said that teaching hospitals were not expected to treat malaria as is the care but to handle complicated health challenges.

    The minister stressed the need for the country to invest in primary health centers to function effectively to dissuade people from going to teaching hospitals.

    The minister named the 14 states that were yet to key into the basic healthcare provision fund initiative to include Kebbi, Jigawa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Gombe, Rivers, Borno, Zamfara, Ondo, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Ogun and Sokoto.

    He described the approval of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund as a game changer in the health sector.

    Adewole who noted that the States have literally abandoned healthcare such that everything is handled by the Federal Government insisted that “we cannot succeed with this.”

    He noted 22 other states have complied with the conditions required to benefit from the scheme.

    Read Also: Three illegal hospitals shut down in Enugu

    Adewole said: “We have through your (National Assembly) support some funds. You approved it to enable us provide healthcare basic fund. It is a game changer. We have spent almost a year developing the guideline and over the last weeks we have started a rollout and as at the last count, 22 states have registered for the basic healthcare provision fund.

    “What we have done with the fund is to structure it in a way that money will flow from the Central Bank to the primary healthcare facilities bypassing all obstacles.

    “Last week, we succeeded in moving out funds from the Central Bank to the agencies and from the agencies, it will go to the primary healthcare.

    “As of today, 14 states are yet to show interest in the basic health care provision fund and because senators represent the entire country, I want to quickly seek your permission to tell you the states. It is unfortunate because this is a game changer.

    Continue on Page 2

  • CP orders arrest of keke operators with tinted glasses

    Anambra state commissioner of Police Mustapha Dandaura has ordered the arrest of commercial shuttle buses or tricycle operators with tinted glasses or curtains in the state.

    The CP who gave the order on Tuesday in a statement in Awka, also ordered that such vehicles or tricycles be impounded.

    He further asked residents of the state to avoid patronizing them in order not to fall victims of their nefarious activities.

    He said, “Information at the disposal of the Anambra State Police Command revealed that hoodlums in the State are using commercial vehicles especially shuttle buses and KEKE NAPEP with tinted glasses and thick curtains (which shield their interiors) in Awka, Onitsha, Ekwulobia, Oko and other densely populated areas to rob unsuspecting passengers and dispose them of their valuables without being detected by the law enforcement agencies.

    Read Also: Police dismiss rumour about vulture signalling impending Boko Haram attack

    “In view of the foregoing, the Commissioner of Police CP Mustapha Dandaura has ordered with immediate effect, the arrest of any commercial vehicle especially shuttle bus driver or Keke riders found operating with tinted glasses or curtains in the State and such vehicles/Keke be impounded by the Police.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Command will commence intensive stop and search Operations to enforce this order to the letter.”

  • Navy seizes N8m worth of smuggled rice from Cameroon, arrests three

    Men of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory have arrested three suspects with 455 bags of smuggled parboiled rice worth N8 million along the Calabar channel.

    Commander, NNS Victory, Commodore Vincent Okeke, who handed over the suspects and rice to the Nigeria Customs Service at their jetty in Calabar on Tuesday said they came in from Cameroon.

    “The street value of the rice is about N8m. But like I said during the previous hand over, the value is not so significant. Put side by side the impact of smuggling on our economy, you will know that we should not focus on the value of rice. We should focus on the impact of smuggling on our economy, impact on unemployment, impact on the revenue that is supposed to accrue to the Federal Government.

    “The Naval Staff has directed that we should strengthen our anti-smuggling efforts. That is what we are doing now. The message to the smugglers is that we won’t give up. We will get them arrested, hand them over to customs and they will most likely end up in prison custody.

    Read Also: Navy arrests Ghanaian, eight Beninoise for alleged oil theft

    “Since my resumption, there has not been any challenge. The Chief of Naval Staff has provided us with enabling logistics for our operations. The motivation for the smugglers is pecuniary gains. It can’t be more than that. They bring it at reduced cost and make profit. The arrest we have made has been traced to a particular name, one Mr. Emmanuel, a hotelier at Uyo. I want to believe that the Customs will track and apprehend him. We are making efforts not only to ensure reduction of crime in the maritime domain but also total elimination of crime,” Okeke said.

    Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Eastern Marine Command, Johnson Gabriel, who laughed the Navy for good working relations said they were also intensifying efforts to check the menace of smuggling.

     

  • Court strikes out suit seeking to stop Ihedioha’s inauguration

    A Federal High Court sitting in Owerri the Imo State capital on Tuesday struck out a suit seeking to stop the inauguration of the Imo state governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha on May 29.

    The presiding Judge, Justice, PA Rimgim, said that the plaintiff, Clifford Eze, who was the governorship candidate of the Democratic Alternative (DA) during the governorship election in the state had no legal right to approach a regular Court for a post-election matter.

    He ruled that the Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

    The judge thereafter awarded a N5 million cost against the plaintiff.

    Reacting, one of the defense counsels, Emeka Ihejirika, said that apart from lack of jurisdiction, court processes were also abused by the plaintiffs.

    Read Also: Dasuki Gate: Court admits Metuh’s account of N400m expenditure in evidence

    According to Ihejirika” it is a primary knowledge that the regular court does not entertain post-election matters. The plaintiffs are already at the tribunal and the same things they brought up for argument at the tribunal are the same things they brought to the regular court.”

    “Apart from the federal high court lacking the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, it was an abuse of court processes. That was why the court slammed a N5m cost against the plaintiffs. It is as simple as that.”

    The governor-elect, in his reaction, described the judgment as victory for the people of the state.

    Ihedioha who spoke through his media aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu, said that he was ready to work with everybody including the plaintiffs and members of the opposition parties to move the state forward from May 29.

  • Court sentences 8 drivers to 3 months in prison for driving unpainted taxi

    A Karmo Grade I Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced eight Abuja unpainted taxi drivers to three months in prison each for using unpainted taxis and obstructing traffic.

    Inuwa Maiwada, sentenced Peter Ani,40; Anyebe Sunday,37; Chidi Npuzu,32; Obinna Wande, Mathew Ugwu 22; Nnamdi Ndubisi 41, Evis Monko 38, and Edward Joseph, 36, after they pleaded guilty to the charge.

    Maiwada sentenced the convicts on six counts contrary to sections 43, 6(f) , 7 (1), 56, 39(3), and 17(1) of the Road Traffic Regulations, of Nigeria.

    The judge, however, gave the convicts an option to pay N2,000 fine each.

    “In default of the payment, the convicts will serve three months in prison,’’ the judge added.

    Read Also: Dasuki Gate: Court admits Metuh’s account of N400m expenditure in evidence

    Maiwada warned the convicts to desist from committing crime and to be good citizen after serving his punishment.

    The prosecutor,Ijeoma Ukagha, had told the court that the convicts were arrested by traffic officers attached to Karmo Police Station.

    Ukagha said the incident occurred along Karmo road on the same date.

    She explained that the convicts willfully drove their unpainted taxi, pinking and dropping passenger in an unauthorized place and hindered the free flow of traffic.

    Ijeoma added that the convicts drove their unpainted taxi without licence and vehicle particulars.