News
FG Withdraws N1.9trn From ECA To August Revenue Shortfall
R-L: Mrs. C.N. Nwokocha, Deputy Director Maritime Labour Department NIMASA, Mr. Peter Mgbemena representing the DG/CEO of NIMASA, Mr. Anthony Ogadi, Coordinator Eastern Zone of NIMASA and Mr. Charles Wame, MD Charkin Maritime & Offshore Training Centre at the celebration of the Day of the Seafarer organised by NIMASA in Calabar recently.
The Federal Government withdrew a total sum of N1.99trillion from the Excess Crude Account within the 2013 fiscal year, documents obtained from the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) have revealed.
The BOF in its 2013 consolidated budget implementation report jointly signed by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Director-General, BOF, Dr. Bright Okogu said the amount was used to settle various obligations of the Federal Government owing to its inability to meet revenue targets.
The withdrawals for 2013 are marginally lower than the N2.07trillion taken in the 2012 period by N800million or 3.86 per cent.
It said while N1.99trillion was the total outflows from the ECA, the government was able to ensure that within the 2013 period, the sum of N855.41million was transferred into the account.
However, the total inflow for 2013 was lower than the N2.30trillion received in 2012 by N1.29trillion or 56.19 per cent.
The report, a copy of which was obtained exclusively by our correspondent said, “The ECA was set up to serve as a stabilization and savings account. Inflows into the ECA in the fourth quarter of 2013 amounted to N156.03billion.
“The inflow into this account in the fourth quarter was lower than the N181.34billion and N474.8billion recorded in the third quarter of 2013 and fourth quarter of 2012 by N25.31billion and N318.77billion respectively.
“Similarly, the total inflow for 2013 was lower than the N2.30trillion received in 2012 by N1.297trillion (or 56.19 per cent).
“A total of N510.98billion was withdrawn from the account in the fourth quarter of 2013 to bring the cumulative drawdown from the account as at 31st December 2013 to N1.99trillion.
“The report said of the N1.99trillion withdrawn in 2013 from the ECA, the sum of N1.08trillion was used to augment statutory revenue to the three tiers of government, while N505billion was used to settle payment of petroleum product subsidy.
It added that the balance of N405.6billion was transferred into the special intervention fund.
Giving a breakdown of how the N1.08trillion revenue was augmented among the three tiers of government, the report said the sum of N485.02billion was withdrawn in the first quarter of 2013.
For the second, third and fourth quarters, the report put the augmentation made to the three tiers of government at N434.82billion, N12.02billion and N154.75billion in that order, respectively.
On how the payment for petroleum subsidy was made, it stated that N50billion was paid to oil marketers in the first quarter while second, third and fourth quarters had N110billion, N110billion and N235billion, respectively.
For transfers into the special intervention fund, the report said the sum of N71.1billion was moved into the account in the first quarter while N106.65billion, N106.65billion and N121.23billion were paid into the account in the second, third and fourth quarters in that order.
The nation experienced huge revenue shortfall within the 2013 fiscal year which saw the ECA experiencing massive withdrawals by the government in order to augment the depletion in revenue.
For instance, crude oil sales which accounts for about 90 per cent of government revenue recorded a decline of N1.43trillion of 33.69 per cent from N4.24trillion in 2012 to N2.81trillion in 2013.
Similarly, findings revealed that gas sales of N255.12billion and rent of N180million fell below their corresponding annual projections of N359.58billion and N880million by N104.46billion (29.05 per cent) and N0.70billion (or 79.67 per cent).
The drop in crude oil revenue, according to the BOF was due to massive crude oil theft, illegal bunkering pipeline vandalism which persisted during the period under review.
Similarly, the non oil revenue receipts recorded huge decline of N637.93billion (or 22.37 per cent) to N2.21trillion as at December 31, 2013, below the annual projected estimate of N2.85trillion.
For instance, Value Added Tax of N795.60billion, Company Income Tax of N985.52billion and Customs and Excise Duties of N432.64billion all fell short by N149.68billion (or 15.83 per cent), N6.52billion (or 0.66 per cent) and N360.31billion (or 45.44 per cent) when compared with their annual projections of N945.28billion, N992.04billion and N792.95billion.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi