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  • Fed Govt, Labour minimum wage talks deadlocked

    The minimum wage battle is far from being over, despite the signing of the bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have not agreed on the implementation of the wage structure.

    Workers on levels 01-06 will automatically enjoy the N30, 000 minimum wage, but the Federal Government is yet to accede to Labour’s demands for workers from levels 07-17 and above.

    A fresh negotiation, which was held yesterday in Abuja, got stuck as both parties failed to agree on wage percentage.

    The deadlock  has also delayed the payment of the N30,000 to junior workers in the Federal Civil Service.

    But workers in the 36 states have to wait a little longer to benefit from the new wage because the outcome of national negotiation will serve as a template for  bargaining with governors.

    The two parties have, however, decided to reconvene for talks on August 14 and 15.

    The Federal Government only asked labour to come with “an open mind”  to the next meeting.

    President Muhammadu Buhari on April 18, 2019 assented to the new National Minimum Wage Bill.

    Barely four months after, the implementation of the wage policy has been stalled because the government and labour could not reach a compromise at the negotiation table.

    Investigation by The Nation revealed that  the Federal Government and labour’s Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council resumed negotiation behind closed doors for about four hours yesterday in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

    The government’s 10-man team was led by a Permanent Secretary in OSGF, Adekunle Lawal. Labour’s 10 negotiating leaders were headed by Comrade Simon Achebe, who is the acting chairman of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council.

    Read Also: New Minimum wage: Katsina to engage state NLC

    It was gathered that the basic disagreement centred on the percentage of wage increase for workers on levels 07-17.

    Labour insisted on  29% wage increase for those on levels 07 to 14 and 24% for top civil servants on levels 15-17.

    The government’s team insisted on 9.5% to 10% for workers on levels 7-14 and 5% to 5.5% for levels 15 to 17.

    A source, who who pleaded not to be named, said: “Again, the negotiation by the two parties was not far-reaching at all. Labour only made 1% concession from 30% increase for levels 07 to 14 to 29%. Also, it shifted from its demand for 25% wage increase for workers from levels 15- 17 to 24%.

    “The Federal Government stuck to its offers of 9.5% to 10% for workers on levels 7-14 and 5% to 5.5% for levels 15 to 17.

    “After about four hours, there was no headway. The government’s team advised labour to “come with an open mind” to the next meeting.

    “The meeting was deadlocked. The two parties will reconvene on August 14 and 15 for resumption of negotiation.”

    Asked of what becomes of the negotiation at the state level, a labour source said: “Nothing concrete can be done now because the outcome of the talks at the federal level will serve as a template for negotiation in the 36 states.

    “It is after the conclusion of our negotiation that the Joint Negotiating Council in each state will have to open discussions with state governors on percentage increase across board.

    “labour has directed its state chapters to await the final outcome with the Federal Government before beginning talks with state governments. So, no implementation of minimum wage yet in the 36 states.”

    Workers on levels 01-06 at the Federal Level have not been paid the new wage.

    “Junior workers with the Federal Government have not been paid N30, 000 minimum wage, “a member of the negotiating council said.

    Item 34 of the Second Schedule gives the National Assembly powers to “prescribe a national minimum wage for the Federation or any part thereof.”

    The struggle for a new minimum wage has been a major issue since 1978.

    The past minimum wages are: N125 (1981) by ex-President Shehu Shagari; N250 (1989/1990) by ex-President Ibrahim Babangida; N3, 000 (1998) by ex-Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; N5, 500(2000) by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; and N18, 000 (2011) by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the N30,000 minimum wage.

    The Labour Act of 2004 states that any establishment which employs fewer than 50 workers does not have by abide to the National minimum wage.

  • Drones, CCTVs to fight insecurity in Southwest

    STATES have won their battle for more muscle to tackle insecurity.

    They are to be licensed to use drones for monitoring forests and other hideouts of criminals in their domains.

    President Muhammadu Buhari broke the news on Wednesday to Southwest monarchs who were at the State House in Abuja for talks on how to restore security in their region.

    He assured the traditional rulers, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, that his administration was doing everything possible to tackle security challenges.

    With the Ooni were: the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Ogunmade, the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Saliyu Momoh and the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju.

    There were also the Alake of Egba, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Adewale, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Iyiola Matanmi and the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Oba  Adewale Shotobi

    The President said the Federal Government would continue to partner with states in kitting the police.

    Buhari said: “Working with the state governments, we intend to beef up the equipping of the police force with advanced technology and equipment that can facilitate the work of the security agencies.”

    The President disclosed that he would be issuing directives to the appropriate federal authorities to speedily approve licensing for state governments requesting the use of drones to monitor forests and other criminal hideouts.

    “We also intend to install CCTVs (Close Circuit Televisions) on highways and other strategic locations so that activities in some of those hidden places can be exposed, more effectively monitored and open to actionable review,” he said.

    According to the President, the Federal Government will continue to do everything necessary to protect the lives of all Nigerians and ensure that every Nigerian in every state is safe, and that all citizens can live in peace and harmony, regardless of ethnicity, religion or region.

    He said: “As a government, we remain committed to the ideals of our democracy, particularly entrenching the rule of law and the sanctity of life.

    “We will enforce the law, prosecute law breakers and secure an atmosphere of tranquility for all Nigerians wherever they choose to live and also protect our communities from all forms of crimes.

    “This is both in our interests as an administration and the interests of the people who voted us into office. We need security to deliver on our many programmes to the people. There can be no prosperity if there is no security.

    Read Also: How to rescue Southwest from criminals, by Omatseye

    “This is not only a message of hope but a call to action to all of us as we seek ways to secure our country.

    “On our part, as the Federal Government, we are ready to deal decisively with anyone that is fomenting this spate of criminal activities by every means necessary.

    “We intend to deal severely with those evil Nigerians inciting violence for political ends.”

    Speaking after the meeting with the President, Oba Ogunwusi confirmed that drones and CCTVs would soon be deployed in the Southwest to boost security.

    The royal father told reporters that the President has agreed to fast-track the monitoring of the forests in the region with the use of modern technology.

    He also said CCTVs would be mounted on the highways in the region.

    Oba Ogunwusi said: “Another milestone we achieved is that Mr. President will fast-track very rapid monitoring of our forests by using the technology of modern standard, the drones. The various security agencies will rally round the Inspector-General (IG) and see how it can be properly deployed.

    “Another thing is that they will install CCTV along our highways. The IGP said they are very aggressive about clearing our highways now.

    “We believe that with all these, there will be a reduction in the tension in the Southwest because the Southwest is very sensitive in Nigeria.

    “We don’t pray for crisis or war or uprising because it will snowball into a lot of things; that is why we are all represented from the six states that make up Southwesten Nigeria.

    “We thank God that Mr.  President is listening and so far so good, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”

    When asked if the monitoring of the CCTV was factored into the discussion, he said: “Absolutely. This time around, it is a fruitful interactive session. It is not the normal let’s talk the talk; we are talking the work and we are going to walk the talk.

    “Because we as traditional rulers we know our people, we know the good, the bad and ugly, and that is why the government is taking it to another level by involving us directly on how to implement their initiatives.”

    Police chief Mohammed Adamu and other key security heads were at the closed doors meeting with the President.

    According to the Ooni, policemen and officers will be recruited among indigenes and residents of the various communities in the region.

    According to him, there will be restructuring of the country’s security architecture.

    Oba Ogunwusi said: “Today, the Inspector General of Police was present and the entire security architecture will be restructured; we are very happy about that.

    “We were also told about community policing, so the policemen will be recruited from the community, those that were born there, brought up there and they won’t be able to move them around.

    “So, we can use that strategy to avert a lot of tension going around the Southwest in particular now. We were able to achieve that milestone.”

    He, however, warned that it will be wrong to allow politicians hijack the community policing.

    The Oba said: “If they want to start community policing and they give it to politicians, it is not going to work per say; that is why they are involving us. Because, we know the people that are born within our community; we know how to recommend them for this kind of employment; we know the good ones that will be willing to serve their community.

    “So, by virtue of doing that, we will have crime reduction in our communities because every community has its own peculiarity.

    “So, what government is doing now is a different ball game entirely in Nigeria, it’s never been done before. So we should all work, cooperate with the government and see how they will implement them.

    “Because the problem has been if you take police officers to the North, within six months they will shift them to another place in the South. They are not domiciled there and so any time they get there, they depend on the vigilantes, community heads, the Mogagis, the Baales, and all the districts heads, so why can’t you give the jobs to the families of the Mogagis, the Baales, and all the districts heads?

    “So, it is a different rejigging and I can assure you the government is very serious now.”

    Oba Ogunwusi stressed that any identified bad Fulani must leave the Southwest. He was apparently referring to the call by some groups that Fulani should leave the Southwest. The Ooni attributed the call to the growing tension in the region.

    He said: “Well, it’s because of the tension but this time around the traditional rulers have arrived at a resolution to ensure that will not happen. It is the bad ones that should be focused on.

    “We all live in Nigeria; it is the bad ones that have come in from different borders that are porous, those are the ones we will focus on to separate the corn from wheat.

    “We are saying it is the bad ones that should leave, the bad ones can never stay. Even, Mr. President is with us on that. Even the Fulani clan does not want the bad ones to spoil their name. So, many people are hiding under Fulani to do evil now, so the bad ones must go.”

  • Lagos mulls facility managers’ engagement

    To promote the wellbeing of occupiers of government-owned housing estates, the Lagos State Government is to engage facility managers for the maintenance of the estates.

    Speaking at a meeting with the representatives of the estates, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Wasiu Akewusola, said “Lagos State Government was committed to promoting a conducive, decent and healthy environment in the estates, hence, the policy of appointment of  facility managers will be fully implemented by the state.”

    In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of ministry, Adeola Salako, tAkewusola said the facility managers will arrange for security personnel, refuse disposal, lighting of street lights and cleaning and sanitation of jointly owned facilities and liaisqase regularly with the government on the  state of the facilities.

    Akewusola  said: “Facility management is critical in ensuring that the infrastructural facilities in the estates work perfectly and constantly; and that  information that is required for prompt intervention is promptly received by government.”

    He said the engagement of facility managers does not erode the powers  of the  executives of the residents associations but rather complement their efforts in promoting the  interests of their members.

    He said: ” Service level agreements based on the services to be provided will be  prepared by the representatives of the housing estates.

    ‘’This policy was laid down several years ago was initiated to curb the culture of neglect of common facilities and  reduce rate of depreciation of  many of the government owned housing estates” she said.

    Responding, the representatives of the housing estates  requested for a fair  consideration of their rights and privileges  in the  choice of facility managers,  sought for  prompt governmental interventions in providing solutions to their infrastructural challenges while plegding to support the state in ensuring that the government owned estates are functional and habitable.

  • How to stop building collapse, by ex-CBN Deputy Governor

    Former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor, Mr Obadiah Mailafia has called for the adoption of an industry standard in the built environment  sector to address incessant building collapse in the country.

    Mailafia stated this in Abuja during the 13th Abuja International Housing Show award with the theme: Driving Sustainable Housing Finance Models in the midst of Global Uncertainty, which ended yesterday.

    He said the country had made  progress in the building sector but needed to do more to prevent building collapse.

    Mailafia said industry standards are a set of criteria within an industry relating to the standard functioning and carrying out of operations in their respective fields of production.

    He said it was high time the country began the building of a Nigerian ideal home that reflects its culture and identify.

    Mailafia urged the Federal Government to fashion out strategies that would ensure that every home has a solar system. He added that if solar was made available in every home  problems, such as joblessness and lack of electricity, would be solved.

    Former Minister of State, Health, Gabriel Aduku called on Nigerians to have a change of attitude to move the country forward and achieve better things.

    Aduku said that if things were done as expected, the country would be exporting artisans with the attendant effect of creating jobs.

    On transportation, he advised that River Niger should be utilised to its full potential to improve the transportation system.

    Coordinator of the show Festus Adebayo said the government had shown interest in improving the housing sector through various policies and programmes.

    Adebayo said it was time for action, adding that “we have been talking, doing lots of advocacies so we need action now”.

    He advised the incoming Minister of Housing to focus more on formation of policies rather than building houses.

    “The new Minister needs to work with private sector in providing houses, liaise with state governors in providing access to land for private developers and getting the House of Assembly to pass bills relating to housing,” he said.

    Adebayo said all the resolutions reached at the three-day show would be forwarded to the government for consideration and possible implementation.

  • NTIC: Reward for Hard Work

    In Nigeria, a lot has been said about the quality of education not meeting up to standard compared to other climes in Africa.  A couple of reasons were adduced for this. Some said it was a result of leadership failure, and some also said maybe quality education is not a priority for us as a people.

    I have always disagreed with the school of thought that stated that quality education is not a priority for us as a people and this is as a result of learning of a school that has devoted enormous resources and time towards ensuring Nigerian students are exposed to the best teaching models to make them well-rounded individuals that would do the country proud.

    That institution is the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC), whose slogan is “The right environment for learning.”  I could not agree less with the NTIC brand of education because from 1998 when it opened shop in Abuja, Nigeria, it has been a case of consistency and tremendous growth.

    From a rented two-bedroom apartment in Abuja, the NTIC today has presence in six states in Nigeria with 16 schools in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Yobe, Lagos and Ogun. For 21 years, the NTIC has been contributing to the growth of the educational sector in Nigeria, and the results are evident with the exploits of its students in their chosen endeavours.

    The teaching model of the NTIC is hinged on a two-pronged approach – quality education, and good morals. This accounts for why the NTIC student exudes an aura of humility and focus.  Abdullahi Shaubu Maje, one of the top 10 candidates in the 2019 Unified Tertiary Institution Examinations (UTME) with a score of 342, and a student of the NTIC Yobe State, confirmed this.

    For Maje, the NTIC is a great institution that not only provides qualitative education but also teaches the sense of humanity, love, and brotherhood. The teachers are easy-going, passionate individuals who do not see teaching as a job but rather a sacred duty to be fulfilled. “I like the teaching model of NTIC because it is very interactive. More so, it encourages students to be creative and apply the theories learned in the classroom to the world.”

    “My teachers encourage me by explaining complex topics. Also, they make me believe I have great potential, and I am capable of achieving great things.”

    Another vivid example of what the NTIC brand represents is Al-Amin Bugaje, a product of NTIC.

    Bugaje was the overall best graduating student of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in 2017 with a CGPA of 4.93 in Electrical Engineering.

    Bugaje was on full scholarship all through his stay at NTIC because he performed brilliantly at the entrance examination.

    He said: “At the NTIC, we were always told that success does not come to you; you go for it. And those words resonate in our consciousness. When you see an ex-student of the NTIC doing well, do not be surprised because we have been well-groomed academically, morally and as well as well-equipped through exposures in the form of international Olympiad competitions and other competitions.”

    Perhaps this explains why many have said NTIC has a penchant for identifying and nurturing talents, including the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, who said the NTIC has shown significant commitment to the growth of the Nigerian Educational space with the quality of teaching in its schools.

    “The NTIC would feature as the leaders of those contributing to the development of the educational sector in Nigeria by identifying and promoting talents, as well as exposing them to international competitions and these are competitions in International Olympiad and Mathematics.  Indeed the contributions of the NTIC have helped in demystifying mathematics as a subject due to their enduring partnership with the National Mathematical Centre.”

    For the management of the NTIC, teaching is not a profession, but a strong commitment to impact knowledge.  Managing director of the NTIC, Mr Feyzullah Bilgin, said NTIC’s success story is a result of a firm conviction to produce academically and morally sound individuals to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and contribute to her growth and development.

    “The management essentially cautions teachers to offer extra classes to students in case he/she needs more explanation on a particular subject or topic; provides guideline and internet access for researches, and creates academic interaction between students for more exposure.

    “With students from around 26 nationalities and, faculties from 11 countries, the NTIC community is diverse, dynamic and multicultural. NTIC is also proud to have an alumni network from the United States of America to the United Kingdom, as well as Malaysia and Turkey.”

    The NTIC has also done tremendously in the area of exposing its students to International Olympiad Competitions that have resulted in over 350 medals for Nigeria. Feyzullah also said the reason behind the active participation of its students in International Competitions is to give exposure that would help them compete favourably wherever they find themselves.

    “When they attend these competitions, they are not just students of the NTIC, but representatives of Nigeria and this has been a source of joy for us at the NTIC to be able to fly the Nigerian flag in the international arena,” he said.

    The success story of the NTIC today is the reward for hard work, and it is hoped that the tempo is sustained in the overall interest of Nigeria. The NTIC brand is indeed one to reckon with in terms of the provision of quality education in Nigeria.

     

    Joshua Ocheja writes from Lagos

  • Ministers: Old wine in new bottle

    SIR: I don’t want to start this piece with the issue of exclusion of young people below the age of 35 years and women. Dwelling on this will add more salt to the injury and of course space will not permit me to do so. President Buhari had publicly promised Nigerians that he would include more youths and women in his Next Level administration, but the list submitted to the National Assembly is a disappointment. Surprisingly, the absence of youths from his nominees shocked many Nigerians and sent a wrong signal to even the author of this article.

    Since his inauguration on May 29, Nigerians have been anxious to see who would make the list of his ministerial nominees to enable them assess their qualities and credibility; whether the over echoed Next Level agenda is realistic or not.  Though, it was not a surprise for President Buhari to spend 56 days before releasing the list of the nominees, as it took him six months to form his cabinet in 2015, many Nigerians had given him knocks over this in the first tenure, particularly on selection of ministers who handled the economy, security, youth and other sensitive appointments. At the end of the exercise, he admitted that he did not know most of his appointees at the time.

    This time around, President Muhammadu Buhari, assured Nigerians that he would only appoint people he knew. Ordinarily, looking at the abysmal performance of the last batch of Buhari’s ministers and the barrage of criticisms the government received, many Nigerians thought the status quo would be changed. Of course, the Buhari administration wants to address the myriad of problems that have become cog in the wheel of Nigeria’s development, and hence requires capable hands. There are urgent needs for trained technocrats who are armed with technical know-how to revive the economy, security and other major sectors. However, the new ministers      fall short of standard and may likely not deliver the much-talked “Next Level Agenda. Many political observers are visibly shocked and surprised on how Buhari could opt for people who have questionable characters. The appointment of some former governors and senators who have milked their states dry and are under the investigation of anti-corruption agencies raise the credibility question. How can Buhari who abhors corruption nominate some politicians who are corrupt?

    Also, Nigerians have been reacting to the list of ministerial nominees especially with the return of some ministers who are elderly and performed woefully in their first tenure. Some of them are politician that have been disconnected with their communities’ due to corruption. Previous administrations had tried and brought technocrats that performed wonderfully in their portfolios such as Nasir El-Rufai, Oby Ezekwesili, Shamsuddeen, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, late Professor Dora Akunyili and others. Though many Nigerians are of the believed or opinion that the like of Ali Pantami, Festus keyamo and Sharon Ikeazor are brilliant and would likely shine in the Buhari second term. It is believed that these people are younger and have fresh ideas to drive the Next Level agenda of the present government.

    Moreover, the way and manner with which the list was submitted without portfolios has robbed the policy analysts or experts the opportunity to know how the ministers will drive the policies direction of the government. With the increase of the number of ministers, the ministry of power, housing and works needs to be split and assigned to the people that have good performance record to foster development. The education is system is rotten, security is one step forward and three backward, corruption is everywhere and it indicates that the Ministry of Justice has performed below expectation. There are reported cases of human rights abuses both at home and abroad. These require fresh ideas to turn things around in the country.

    In all this,  The President should take the lead as he is the one who knows the way and should define new directions and show his team the way. Remember, it is time to implement the Next Level in both the concept and practice. By so doing, the potentialities of Nigeria will be fully harnessed to bring socio-economic development to the country.

     

    • Idris Mohammed is a public affairs commentator and he tweets via @idpyar

  • Stop toying with our future, Mapoly students warn club

    Students’ of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY), have warned members of the Abeokuta Club to desist from playing politics with their future.

    The Students’ Union body is telling members of the club not to be a clog in the wheels of  Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun’s plans to restore the 40-year-old institution to status quo by reversing its upgrade to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUSTECH), as done by his predecessor.

    In a statement made available to CAMPUSLIFE, MAPOLY  Students’ Union President Samson Omoniyi expressed displeasure at the club’s position on MAUSTECH and MAPOLY.

    Omoniyi accused members of the club, led by its president Tokunbo Odebunmi of politicising the issues surrounding the two institutions.

    CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the club issued a statement where it urged Governor Abiodun not to reverse the law that created MAUSTECH. The club reportedly accused the governor of working against the interest of the Egba, which, according to them, did not have a university.

    “We wish to express our displeasure towards the position of members and leadership of Abeokuta Club, which we strongly believe consists of intellectuals. However, we consider their actions as an attempt to politicise the good intention of the state government,” Omoniyi said.

    He continued: “We want to state in clear terms that if the members of Abeokuta Club or any other group refuse to stop playing politics with our school, academics and life, we won’t hesitate to take them on.

    “The plan by the governor to restore and retain MAPOLY is the best decision and the greatest display of fairness by the governor in the general interest of the state.

    “We believe that democracy can only be strengthened when stakeholders are not biased along religion and ethnic lines in their analysis of issues bordering on national development. Sentiments will only weaken our democracy.

    “It is so saddening that a group that failed to lend a voice when the creation and conversion of these institutions, in a mess, now clamours for the retaining of MAUSTECH at the expense of 40-year-old MAPOLY. It will amount to foolishness to kill a 40-year-old king because a prince was born.”

    “It should be recalled that the motives behind the creation and conversion of Ogun State Polytechnic, MAPOLY and MAUSTECH contributed to the brouhaha that rocked the process which adversely affected academic activities of the institution and the economic fortune of the region.”

    The Student Union stated that MAPOLY students have suffered enough over the fate of the institution.

    “We have suffered enough from the confusion that emanated from the creation and conversion process. We cannot afford to experience such again.

    “MAPOLY, our heritage, must be sustained, strengthened and transformed to improve its quality.

    “We want to commend Governor Abiodun for his swift response to every issue that affects MAPOLY and the education system in general. We also look forward to his intervention on the bad state of the road that links the school’s gate from Iyana-Oloke junction,” the students concluded.

  • Zola, OVH partner to deepen renewable energy usage

    Zola Electric, solar energy solutions provider, has entered into partnership with OVH Energy, licencee of the leading indigenous oil and gas downstream company – Oando retail brand in Nigeria – as part of its efforts to provide more Nigerians with access to clean 24 hours power.

    Zola Chief Executive Officer, Bill Lenihan, at a meeting between the parties in Lagos, to seal the partnership, stated that the collaboration was consistent with Zola’s plan to make access to renewable energy products easier across the country.

    Lenihan said the partnership offers Zola Electric access to OVH Energy’s over 385 filling stations across Nigeria, a strong platform to reach millions of homes and businesses with its advanced solar power solutions. This is in line with its mission to deliver clean 24 hours power, anywhere, he added.

    “Beyond making the lives of Nigerians easier and more comfortable through better access to our efficient solar energy solutions, this partnership means Zola would also be driving more economic growth as we improve business productivity across the country,” Lenihan said.

    The Managing Director, Zola Electric Nigeria, Abdallah Khamis, explained that Zola remains committed to meeting the energy needs of consumers regardless of their economic status. “It is a great delight to be a part of this partnership which we believe is bound to reinforce our commitment to address the energy needs confronting Nigerians. We believe this collaboration is a clear demonstration of our strong resolve to meeting the energy needs of Nigerians,” he said.

    The Chief Executive Officer, OVH Energy, Huub Stokman, said the partnership is a huge step toward the expansion of its non-fuel revenue base, expanding its product offering beyond fuel, lubricant and gas related products and services to now include renewable energy solutions by Zola.

    “We believe this collaboration has a huge potential of promoting and growing our business. Beyond this, we are confident that this partnership would help push the innovative solar solutions of Zola to meet the energy needs of Nigerians,” he added.

    Stokman commended Zola Electric for offering itself as a solution provider in tackling the challenge associated with access to clean, reliable energy.

  • Oil soars to $65 on huge inventory draw

    A day after another bullish oil inventory estimate from the American Petroleum Institute (API), the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported another solid decline in inventories, which added fuel to  price rally yesterday.

    Brent crude traded at $65.09 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) tarded at $58.39 a barrel, both up from previuos day’s close.

    Nigeria’s N8.91 trillion Appropriation Act 2019 was hinged on an estimated oil daily production of 2.3 million barrels; oil price benchmark of $60 per barrel and an exchange rate of N305 to the dollar.

    The Senate had jerked up the budget by N80 billion, up from the N8.83 trillion presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to lawmakers last year.

    The EIA said crude oil inventories had shed 8.5 million barrels in the week to July 26, to a total 436.5 million barrels, which was at the five-year average for this time of the year.

    This compares with a 10.8-million-barrel inventory draw a week previously that helped WTI move a lot closer to the $60 mark in combination with other factors, chief among them geopolitical concerns focused on the Middle East.

    Analysts had expected the EIA to report an inventory decline of 1.82 million barrels for the week to July 26.

    The EIA went on to report a 1.8-million-barrel decline in gasoline inventories for last week. This compares with a 200,000-barrel decline in inventories a week earlier.

    In distillate fuels, the authority reported a 900,000-barrel fall, which compared with an increase of 600,000 bpd a week earlier.

    In production, the EIA reported an average gasoline production rate of 10.4 million bpd for last week, up from 10.1 million bpd a week before that. Distillate fuel production averaged 5.2 million bpd, slightly down on a week earlier.

    Refineries processed a total of 17 million barrels daily last week, unchanged on a week earlier.

    Oil prices have been trending higher over the past week or so mainly on the back of updates from the Middle East that suggest tensions between the West and Iran are not going away anytime soon. The latest, out yesterday, was a statement by the commander of Iran’s Navy that it will hold joint military drills with the Russian Navy in the Persian Gulf.

    The announcement comes as the United Kingdom (UK) seeks to create a united European fleet to send to the Gulf to guard vessels from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after the latter seized British-flagged Stena Impero earlier this month.

  • I’ll revive Kogi economy in four years – Melaye

    Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, on Wednesday, pledged to revive the state economy and bring it to an enviable height within four years.

    Melaye disclosed this at a media interactive organised by the Kogi State council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for governorship aspirants, at the NUJ Press Centre, Lokoja.

    Melaye, a governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the state was blessed with abundant resources but regretted the pervading poverty and penury owing to maladministration and widespread corruption.

    While noting that countries now depended on ideas to revolutionise their economies, he promised that Kogi, under his watch, would not depend on handouts in form of monthly allocations from the Federation Account to survive.

    Melaye, who is the Senate committee chairman on aviation, said he would revolutionise agriculture and transform the abundant mineral resources in the state into tangible products that would earn the state good income.

    He said that through ideas, galvanised and harmonised by quality leadership, Singapore was transformed from a Third World country to an economically-advanced nation, while Dubai became a high income generating city in United Arab Emirate.

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    “In four years, we will revive the economy of Kogi and the state will become the envy of others. I have gone round the world and I am sure that I have the necessary capacity and exposure to achieve this.

    “I am talking about Kogi State and the generations yet unborn. Let us have public nursery schools, develop education, health and other core sectors to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, and restore the middle class.

    “The paradox of Kogi is that in spite of our abundance, we are poor. Kogi is too rich to be poor. We have to prepare our youths for the future through ICT. Today, ideas have overtaken oil.

    “We are focused and intellectually mobile with vision and mission to drive the process.

    “I will operate Kogi like an independent country. Kogi occupies 30,354 square kilometres of land, with a population of about 4.7 million people,” he said.

    The senator, who disclosed that he would contest the presidency of Nigeria in the next eight years, stressed that his governorship aspiration was divine.

    “I am an emissary sent to emancipate the people of Kogi State from economic cowards and financial scavengers,” he declared.

    NAN