Business
FG To Deliver FIDs On Four Projects …Approves $5.3bn For Ibadan – Kano Rail Project

The Federal Government has promised to deliver Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) on at least four key projects within the nation’s oil and gas industry by the end of last quarter of 2019.
President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed this during the ongoing 24th World Energy Congress (WEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates last Tuesday.
Buhari said his vision was to bequeath a vibrant petroleum industry that would guarantee long term strategic investments and prosperity for Nigerians.
“My plan is to ensure that during my tenure, four Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) are taken.
“I am sure that within the next quarter, we should be able to conclude on some of these FIDs so as to grow the industry,” he said.
The president identified gas development as part of government priority to fast-track the industrialisation drive of the country.
“As you are aware, we are focusing on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline project which will address some of our power issues and encourage the setting up of local industries and businesses along different areas in Nigeria,” he said.
The president also shed more light on the imperative of rehabilitating the nation’s refineries, saying that it was unsustainable for Nigeria to continue to import petroleum products.
He said that while private investment in the refining sector was encouraged, government should focus more on the repair of its existing refineries.
“People are talking about modular refineries, we know that modular refineries are part of the solution but they can only be part of the solution and not the solution.
“So, we are going to try to encourage modular refineries but before that, we are going to really focus on repairing the existing refineries to ensure that we are back on stream very shortly.”
Describing crude oil theft as “intractable”, Buhari said government was looking at practicable solutions to the menace.
He said government was also looking at the issue of reducing the cost of production, through robust engagement with the International Oil Companies (IOCs) toward getting the best value for all stakeholders.
According to him, Nigeria needs to lend its voice to global energy fora as they remain some of the best platforms where major decisions that impact on the global energy landscape are taken.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has approved 5.3 billion dollars for the Ibadan-Kano standard gauge rail project.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by his media aide, Mr Israel Ibeleme after the 3rd Maritime Stakeholders Interactive Forum held in Lagos.
“Yesterday, we got approval to complete the 5.3billion dollar Ibadan to Kano rail project and we have also applied for funding to commence coastal rail for the Port-Harcourt to Warri segment,” he said.
Amaechi explained that the Minister of Transportation, State, Gbemisola Saraki, has been assigned the responsibilities of overseeing all the maritime agencies.
He will be focusing on the railway sector.
“In my first term as minister, I completely abandoned the maritime sector to the Heads of agencies.
“This time around that would not be happening again as I have instructed that the Minister of Transportation for State should personally supervise the maritime agencies, while I just oversee what is happening.
“There are two things that I have discussed with President Muhammadu Buhari that I will be focusing on in this second term as a minister and they are maritime security and the Single Window project.
“I have assured government that by the end of 2020, we should have the Single Window at our maritime sector.”
The Tide reports that President Muhammadu Buhari directed the establishment of the single window platform that would integrate all government agencies at all the entry points into the country to promote trade and boost security.
Business
Shettima Assures Fraternal Bond Between Executive, Legislature
Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians of continued fraternal bond between the executive and the legislative arms of government.
Shettima gave the assurance when he declared open a two-day retreat for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly (NASS) in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom last Friday.
The vice president said that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
Shettima also assured the leadership of the National Assembly of Tinubu’s avowed commitment to entrenching democratic ideals and values through collaborative partnership with all arms of government.
He said the unrivalled democratic credentials of Tinubu, which include legislative experience, would continue to rub off on his governance style.
This, he said especially as it borders on respect of the rule of law, adherence to separation of powers as well as deference for constitutional rights.
Shettima described the composition of the Federal Government as well as the leadership of the National Assembly as historical, unique and a major pathway to Nigeria’s unprecedented development.
This, he said, was more so that the expectations of Nigerians would be met regardless of the present challenges.
“For the first time in our history, all the elected heads of our branches of government are produced by the hallowed halls of the National Assembly.
“For the first time in our history, the heart of the executive branch of our government is serviced by the alumni of the National Assembly.
“Both the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President are proud alumni of the National Assembly. The Secretary to the Federal Government is one of us.
“We cannot, therefore, afford to go to war. Not because we are going to overlook each other’s transgressions, but because you are going to engage with those who know the gravity of your work and would never take you for granted.”
He said given the composition of the National Assembly, it has become emphatic that ranks are closed in the bid to give unprecedented service delivery and democratic pact to the Nigerian people.
“There’s no place in this country where you can find a fraternal bond as enduring as the ones that bind the members of the National Assembly.
“From converging on Abuja to water the dreams, debate the needs, and mitigate the fears of this diverse nation, we have forged friendships that defy the stereotypes of our differences.
“Term after term, election after election, old and new members return and exit, but the burden of managing a diverse nation has ensured that we cannot afford to tread the path of divisions.”
He further reiterated the need for national cohesion, saying it has become non-negotiable if the country’s potential must be fully harnessed and tapped for prosperity and generality of all Nigerians.
“You have a President and a Vice President who are one of you and recognise the sacrifices you make.
“President Tinubu has, with utter certainty, reassured us that we are not in government to go to war with the National Assembly. We are here to collaborate and march towards shared values.
“Governance is a collective responsibility, not a personal endeavour. Our most significant achievements were attained through cooperation and harmony.
“This is what we seek from you because we are brothers and sisters in pursuit of a country that serves all of us.
Shettima described the NASS as a complete spectrum of human experience.
“This is where you will witness eloquent testimonies of your colleagues in defence of reason.
“This is where you will witness profound debates that will dismantle your age-long assumptions. But, in the end, you will realise we are all bound by our fidelity to the ideals of democracy.”
Earlier, President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said that the retreat was the beginning of the rejuvenation and a time of reflection and deliberate planning that would determine the direction of legislative efforts.
“We have a huge responsibility as the National Assembly leaders, as the guardians of democracy, it is our responsibility to set the legislative agenda, make sure that our venerable institution runs smoothly.
“Our neighbours are watching us, and they turn to us for leadership and action. We therefore have a chance to establish a strong future direction during this retreat, which is more than just a gathering of leaders.”
Also, the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, thanked Tinubu for his continued support and deepened respect for legislative independence and harmony.
He said the institute remained committed to working with the 10th NASS in improving legislative governance.
Notable guests at the event include Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, former Senate Presidents Ayim Pius Ayim, David Mark, Ken Nnamani and Ahmed Lawan.
Others were the Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Germany, Mr Johnnes Lehne and all Principal leaders of the National Assembly.
Business
Consumers Decry Grid Collapse, Allege Sabotage
The Nigerian Power Consumers Forum (NPCF) has condemned the spate of disturbances on the national electricity grid and the recent fire incidents around power transmission infrastructure.
NPCF’s convener, Michael Okoh, raised the concern in a statement issued in Abuja, recently.
This came few days after the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced that for over 400 days, the grid had been relatively stable.
“From independent assessment, which started last year and up to this year, the forum was able to confirm the various initiatives TCN deployed to stabilise the grid, including the use of Internet of Things and the deployment of the stop gap system as a placeholder for a smart grid system”, Okoh stated.
He added, “but unfortunately, just after the pronouncement on the efforts of TCN on grid stability, the power sector has recorded at least two system collapses in succession, all caused by a fire incident in the BirninKebbi transmission substation and line snap along the 330kV Jebba – Kainji transmission line.
“These have caused nationwide outages which the NPCF believes is to bring the management of TCN into disrepute”.
He said the forum confirmed that the TCN had been maintaining its grid efficiently for 421 days and the grid was looped in some places.
“This rules out the lack of capacity on the part of the company. We are therefore pointing to cases of sabotage by hoodlums who may not mean well for the country”, Okoh stated.
He said this was not the first time critical national infrastructures had been sabotaged as every day cases abound of oil theft, rupturing of pipelines or hacking of power transmission towers, of which he said more than 20 of such cases were reported by TCN in the last 12 months.
Okoh continued that “the fire incident at the BirninKebbi transmission substation switchyard is more of a sabotage on the national grid systems.
“According to power engineers who have over three decades of experience, they believe that technically, there is no way two power transformers separated by a reasonable distance from each other will be engulfed by fire simultaneously”.
Business
Nipco Gas Commissions CNG Facility In A’Ibom
Nipco Gas Limited has announced its commissioning of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facility in Oron, AkwaIbom State.
According to the company, the facility would support auto CNG requirements for Daughter-Booster Stations in the South-South part of Nigeria.
NIPCO Gas also said it was expanding its CNG Stations footprint across Nigeria in partnership with NNPC Limited.
At present, NIPCO Gas Limited adeptly oversees a network of 14 operational Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations strategically located across Nigeria.
It has accomplished the seamless conversion of over 7,000 vehicles to operate on CNG.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had announced on August 3, 2023, that it had signed a strategic partnership with NIPCO Gas Limited to facilitate the establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations nationwide.
According to NNPCL, the primary objective of the collaboration was to expand the existing CNG infrastructure, ensuring greater accessibility to CNG and accelerating the adoption of this cost-effective and environmentally friendly fuel for buses, cars, and KekeNapeps.
The shift from petrol would bring about a substantial reduction in transportation costs, thereby fostering sustainable growth within the national economy, according to NNPCL.
Shortly after signing a CNG agreement with the NNPCL, Nipco Gas Limited said it would remain fully committed to fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to the partnership insisting that the fuel subsidy removal and the decision to use CNG as an alternative fuel would strengthen the country’s economy.
The partnership was expected to facilitate the following 35 cutting-edge CNG stations: establishment of three flagship Mother stations, which would have the capacity to cater for the needs of over 200,000 vehicles daily, making a significant dent in automobile fuel expenses and transportation costs for the Nigerian populace.
Note that the initial phase would facilitate 21 CNG stations to support intra-city transportation, to be operational by Q1/2024.
With the second phase to facilitate 35 CNG stations to boost inter-city transportation and to be operational by late 2024, an additional 56 CNG stations would be deployed by NNPC Retail nationwide.
It would be recalled that in August 2023, Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI). This visionary initiative sets its sights on a comprehensive transformation of the country’s transportation sector.
Its primary objectives include the introduction of over 11,500 new vehicles equipped to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and the facilitation of the conversion of a remarkable 55,000 existing petrol-dependent vehicles to CNG.
-
Politics4 days ago
Ondo Assembly Moves To Impeach Dep Gov
-
Agriculture4 days ago
Experts Chide Residents On Embracing Urban Farming
-
Sports24 hours ago
Navy To Sponsor Team In NPL
-
News4 days ago
Come Back Home, Tinubu Begs Nigerians In US …Says Nigerians Have No Reasons To Be Poor
-
Opinion4 days ago
Southeast: Epicentre Of Insecurity?
-
Rivers1 day ago
Methodist Prelate Advocates For Nation’s Moribund Industries
-
News23 hours ago
333m Children Live In Abject Poverty Globally
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
NDDC Initiates Plan For Job Creation In Oil Producing Region