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NLNG Settles With NIMASA, To Resume Gas Export

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12 years ago

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The Management of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has concluded plans to deliver liquefied natural gas to major export terminals in Spain, Italy, France and Turkey this week.

This followed the out-of court settlement concluded with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over the payment of about $140 million outstanding taxes and levies last week.

Investigations showed that NIMASA, which detained NLNG vessels, has already released them to start operations.

The planned export is expected to boost global supply as the Bonny-based plant remains the second largest liquefaction site after Ras Laffan in Qatar.

NLNG General Manager, External Relations, Mr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, who confirmed the development, stated that NLNG would pay outstanding sums to NIMASA in return for the immediate release of its vessels.

He said: “The payment has already been made and the NIMASA blockade consequently lifted as at about 10am (Saturday). Furthermore, NLNG agreed to discontinue all its contempt proceedings against all the parties.

“The Federal High Court (FHC) upheld its jurisdiction that was challenged by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as well as Global West (GW) and NIMASA in the suit filed by NLNG seeking an interpretation of the NLNG Act and the legality of taxes being demanded by NIMASA.”

The commencement of export is expected to generate foreign exchange to major shareholders, including the Federal Government, which has 49 per cent equity through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

Others such as Shell Gas BV, Total LNG Nigeria Limited, Eni International and N.V.S.arl that have 25.6per cent, 15 per cent and 10.4per cent will also benefit from the export.

The dispute started on May 31, this year when NIMASA blocked access to the nation’s major loading terminals at Bonny Island, following alleged refusal of NLNG Limited to pay appropriate taxes and levies.

Reacting, the NLNG argued that its action was guided by the provisions of the Nigeria LNG (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantees and Assurances) Act, which exempts it from such levies and charges.

L-R: Deputy Director, Capacity Building, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Mrs Jumoke Obasa; Director-general, Nigeria Employment Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Segun Oshinowo; Principal Consultant, Consultants & Associates Ltd, Mrs Grace Awosika; Fellow of the NIM, Mrs Kemisola Jiboye and Representative of the NIM President, Mrs Lucy Newman, during a Women in Management and Leadership Conference in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Deputy Director, Capacity Building, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Mrs Jumoke Obasa; Director-general, Nigeria Employment Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Segun Oshinowo; Principal Consultant, Consultants & Associates Ltd, Mrs Grace Awosika; Fellow of the NIM, Mrs Kemisola Jiboye and Representative of the NIM President, Mrs Lucy Newman, during a Women in Management and Leadership Conference in Lagos, yesterday.

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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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2 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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2 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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2 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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