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Poor Implementation Of Audit Reports, Bane Of Extractive Sector – Mitee

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Poor implementation of
independent audit reports in oil and gas sector is hampering prudent management of the extractive sub-sector’s revenue, Mr Ledum Mitee has said.
Mitee, who is the Chairman of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) National Stakeholders Working Group, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja.
The statement, signed by NEITI’s Director of Communications, Mr Orji Ogbonnaya,  and made available to journalists said that Mitee spoke at a workshop organised by NEITI in Lagos.
He said that the workshop marked the commencement of NEITI’s comprehensive audit of the oil and gas sector activities in 2012.
“If NEITI reports were given the attention they deserved, such issues as confirmation remittances of funds to the Federation Account will not be a subject of controversy,’’ Mitee said.
According to him, the current controversy over allegation of unremitted funds should underscore the need by all relevant agencies to give NEITI audit recommendations the deserved seriousness and support.
He said that with adequate funding and support, the data collection processes of NEITI would be automated, adding that it would enable the organisation to get real time data which could be resorted to in time of controversy.
“A properly resourced NEITI whose audit recommendations are promptly addressed remains vital not only to our economic wellbeing, but enable the citizens derive needed benefits from our extractive resources,’’ Mitee said.
He said that in auditing the oil and gas sector, NEITI was providing critical and reliable information required for the massive reforms in the sector.
He said that the audit was being done at a time when the issues of transparency and accountability were attracting increasing attention in the country.
“It is the first audit that could be conducted under the new set of NEITI requirement and standards that were approved in May, 2013.
“It is coming at a time in our national history that the nation is embroiled in a very unfortunate allegation of non-remittance of oil revenues to the Federation Account,’’ he said.
Mitee said that the remittances controversy would not have arisen had relevant government agencies and institutions taken NEITI recommendations seriously.
He said the workshop would expose all the 88 oil and gas companies in the country and more than 24 agencies covered by the audit to information and data NEITI required for the audit.
“Specifically, this audit will establish the quantities of hydrocarbons produced, exported or imported, and how the licensing processes and agreements were reached and implemented between government agencies and the companies,’’ he explained.
Mitte also said the exercise would examine and validate accuracy of royalties, tax payments, product importation, fuel subsidy management, measurement processes and pricing of federation equity crude.
According to him, it will also check remittances of funds due to government to the Federation Account, among others.
Mitee said that the audit would cover key areas as hydrocarbon flows, volumetric analysis and technical assessment of hydrocarbons streams and examination of procedural system.
“The audit involves data reconciliation, aggregate reporting of hydrocarbons produced and computation of financial implications as well as value analysis during the period under review,’’ he said.
Representatives of 88 companies and government agencies including Shell, Chevron, Mobil, Agip, NNPC, CBN, FIRS, DPR and Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation participated at the workshop.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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