News
NLNG Nets $10bn
Former Head, Interim National Government, Chief Ernest
Shonekan, has stressed the need for the Federal Government to, as a matter of
urgency accelerate the implementation of the seventh train of the multibillion
naira Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project, in Bonny, Rivers State.
Speaking to newsmen during a one-day visit to the NLNG plant
in Bonny, last Tuesday, Shonekan, who lauded the company for substantially
achieving the dreams for its establishment, said though the $10billion revenue
generated from gas sales from the plant last year was heart-warming, the
poverty level in the country has necessitated the need for more money to solve
the development challenges of the nation.
He argued that the take-off of train seven gas project would
reduce gas flaring in the Niger Delta, adding “the fact that the country still
flares gas is unacceptable in today’s world as it is not only injurious to the
health and environment but for the fact that the nation’s money is literally
poured into flames.”
According to him, “Nigeria is still a poor country; our
government and compatriots will be very grateful if you bring in more money.
Revenue of $10billion is heart-warming, but our poverty is such that we thirst
for even more revenue to solve our developmental problems, especially to
replace our decaying infrastructure and to make investments that will create
more jobs.
“That Nigeria is still flaring gas is an unacceptable fact
in today’s world, not only from a health and environmental perspective but
perpetrators are burning cash. Again, as a former captain of this nation, it is
painful that our country still leaves value on the table and walks away to
literally pour money into flames by flaring gas,” he said.
The Tide reports that Shonekan had expressed lack of
political will on the part of government to take decisions that could fast
track the commencement of work on the new train, saying that this has placed
many disadvantages on the NLNG as it has lost its prime position as a leading
LNG facility to Qatar and Australia.
According to him, these countries have moved their output
from 20 million metric tonnes range to 80 and 81 million metric tonnes,
respectively, while NLNG is stuck at 22 million metric tonnes, even as the
nation’s gas reserves are more than twice theirs.
He also pointed out that the nation’s LNG market share has
dropped from 10 per cent to seven per cent, with a serious threat for further
erosion to its market share if something is not done fast to remedy the
situation.
Also speaking, NLNG Board Chairman, Dr Osobonye LongJohn,
expressed worry over the drop in the company’s market share, saying that it was
as a result of increasing competition.
“We appeal to the government to give approval for the
take-off of the seventh train to enable NLNG recapture more market, and enhance
the revenue capacity of the company,” The Tide quotes LongJohn as saying.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.