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132 Firms Bid For NNPC’s Crude Sales Contract
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), yesterday, opened the 2019 Direct Sale of Crude Oil and Direct Purchase (DSDP) to its local and international business partners, and potential off-takers and suppliers with 132 organisations indicating interest.
The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, who set the process in motion, said the essence of the bidding was to ensure reputable qualified companies were engaged.
The 132 companies are bidding for about 14 billion liters of products under the DSDP scheme.
Baru explained that the process was to ensure that the selection of off-takers aligned with transparent and accountable procedures in compliance with the Public Procurement and Nigerian Content Acts.
“The third public bid opening ceremony for the DSDP tenders is fully in line.
“The DSDP scheme was introduced in 2016 with efficient and cost effective systems and processes to plug the value eroding loopholes of the January, 2015 OPC contracts.
“Since the inception of the DSDP scheme in 2016 until March, 2019, about 29.5million metric tons (39.6 billion liters) of petroleum products have been supplied under the scheme representing over 90 per cent of the national requirement.
“Through a transparent competitive bidding and evaluation process, the scheme has enlisted a robust supplier mix comprising of the big international players and strong Nigerian downstream companies for supply flexibility and local capacity development,” Baru said.
According to him, the scheme has over the years, ensured significant reduction in product demurrage cost in the range of 84 per cent and cost savings of about $2.2 billion.
He assured the bidders that all the bids would be given fair consideration.
The Group General Manager (GGM), Crude Oil Marketing Division, NNPC, Mele Kyari, said the bid process was open to all to optimise local participation.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, disclosed that it has saved $2.2 billion since the introduction of the Direct Sales, Direct Purchase scheme, DSDP.
The DSDP scheme involves the NNPC allocating certain volume of crude oil to the successful companies, while the companies are required to bring in equivalent value of different petroleum products to the country.
Speaking at the DSDP bid opening ceremony in Abuja, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, also disclosed that the agreement the NNPC was looking to enter into with the successful companies would involve about 14 billion litres of petroleum products per annum.
He stated that over the years, through a transparent competitive bidding and evaluation process, the DSDP scheme had enlisted a robust supplier mix, comprising big international players and strong Nigerian downstream companies for supply flexibility and local capacity development.
Baru said, “The scheme prides itself with a competitive pricing framework, that is lower than the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, benchmark, which over the years has ensured significant reduction in product demurrage cost in the range of 84 per cent and cost savings of about $2.2 billion.”
He added that 132 bids were received for the 2019/2020 programme, noting that the DSDP marks a milestone that aimed to maximise Nigeria’s crude oil for the benefit of all Nigerians. He stated that the programme was designed to plug loopholes recorded in previous Offshore Processing Arrangement deals, explaining that reputable and qualified companies would be engaged for the scheme.
According to Baru, credible, tested and compliant offtakers would be engaged for the scheme, as well as strong Nigerian downstream companies to ensure steady supply of petroleum products and also develop their capacity.
Also speaking, Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, disclosed that the key objective was to eliminate corruption, adding that corruption cannot be eliminated without putting in place measured to eliminate opacity. He said, “We are trying to ensure that out processes are open to all the DSDP is an intervention 6to ensure unfettered supply of petroleum products.”
He said the scheme would ensure optimal value for Nigeria’s crude oil, ensure cost saving and also guarantee that it’s processes can be validated.
He noted that each of the partners must be able to demonstrate financial capacity to a minimum of $72 million as well as cognate experience in crude oil marketing and petroleum products import. He added that the NNPC, “would do its best efforts to conduct its own internal estimates, setting up minimum price levels.
This is not a highest or lowest bidder tender, because we know some prices are not realistic. “We want to ensure best value, secure products supply, encourage local participation and grow capacity of indigenous companies. These are the aims of the programme. The companies are expected to pay taxes to government, while we would get best and fair prices.”
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.