The Nigerian Navy has commenced the process for the recruitment of suitably qualified Nigerian graduates through the Nigerian Navy Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 25. A statement today, Tuesday, by the Acting Director of Information, Navy Captain Suleman Dahun, said that the guidelines for the enlistment can be accessed on the Nigerian Navy Enlistment Portal www.joinnigeriannavy.com. The statement said that the portal will be opened from tomorrow, October 11 for interested candidates to apply online. It said that interested applicants must be Nigerians by birth and must possess a minimum of Second Class Upper Division for first-degree holders and Upper Credit for HND holders. The statement said that male applicants must not be less than 1.68 meters tall while female applicants must not be less than 1.65 metres in height. Said that applicants should be between 22 and 28 years by 31 January 2018, “except for Imams and Chaplains who should not exceed 30 years by 31 January 2018. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari and Oyo state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi
Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi has told President Muhammadu Buhari that politicians hijacked the Ibadan chieftaincy matter and turned it into a tussle that threatened the security of his state. Ajimobi, who spoke to newsmen shortly after a private audience with the President at the Presidential Villa, today, Tuesday, said: “I also mentioned the issue of security to the President. “Recall that Oyo state has been in the news because of the issue of Olubadan chieftaincy declaration. So I came to make him know that the Olubadan is my father. He is a younger brother to my own father and we have had a very long relationship, which has been father-son relationship. “I assured him that come rain, come shine, I will never depose the Olubadan because he is a father and a son does not depose his father. Even though he has done so many things that could be used to remove him, I will never remove him. We have to continue to show respect. “I also made him to realise that that particular chieftaincy declaration is being politicised. Politicians have hijacked it. Out of 11 council members, two of them are dead now and we have only nine remaining. It is only one that is not supporting it; and that one that is not supporting it is a politician. He wants to run after I leave office. So I believe that the Olubadan declaration issue is being hijacked by politicians. But let’s thank God that elders, stakeholders, and well-meaning Nigerians have intervened and I think reason will prevail. These are the things I have to let the president know.”[myad]
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed that inadequate budgetary profile has been responsible for the slow pace of Muhammadu Buhari government’s determination to build a modern economy. He said: “while the Federal Government on its part is determined to build a modern economy, its ability to do so is limited by the fact that its annual budgeted expenditure of seven trillion naira is only a small part of a multi trillion naira economy.” Professor Osinbajo, who spoke on a theme: “Opportunities, Productivity And Employment: Actualizing The Economic Recovery And Growth Plant” at the opening session of the 23rd Nigerian Economic Summit, held in Abuja, the nation’s capital, said that this is one of the reasons the government’s policy of partnering with the private sector is necessary. “It is at once a statement of the priority that we attach as a government to close collaboration between the government and the private sector and at the same time an opportunity for us all to engage in meaningful discussions on the economy. “The private sector is clearly the bigger contributor to the economy. It thus follows that the private sector must be enabled and encouraged to play its decisive role if our development efforts are to succeed.” Part of Vice President Osinbajo speech is reproduced here: First, the economy has now returned to the path of growth after a continuous slide from 2014. As is now well known, we exited recession in the second quarter of 2017 with a GDP growth rate of 0.55% while inflation has similarly declined continuously from its peak of about 18% in January 2017 to about 16% today. FOREX AVAILABILITY Second, last year there were concerns about the availability of foreign exchange and a rapidly deteriorating exchange rate. The situation has been turned around and stabilised. Foreign exchange reserves have risen to about $33 billion and end users have increased access to foreign exchange partly due to increased export earnings and remittances as well as the introduction of a dedicated transparent window for Investors and Exporters (NIFEX). The results have been encouraging as the inflows of capital in the second quarter of 2017 of about $1.8 billion were almost double the amount of $908 million imported in the first quarter of the year. OIL PRODUCTION RAMPED UP Third, another issue of great concern last year that has been resolved was the loss of a significant amount of oil production. At some stage last year, we were losing up to one million barrels a day of crude oil production but thanks to the series of engagements we had with stakeholders in the Niger Delta on the New Vision for that region, production has been restored to nearly 2 million barrels per day. At the same time, the debt overhang preventing required additional investments in the oil sector has been addressed through the plan to pay off Joint Venture cash call arrears. There is renewed confidence in the sector and we are already seeing significant investments. NEW POWER SECTOR INITIATIVES Fourth, for a variety of reasons including shortage of gas, limitations in transmission capacity and financing constraints, power supply was in the region of about 3000MW. We tackled these issues and although still vastly inadequate, power supply has moved up to 7000MW. We are at the moment dealing with the constraints in distribution, with two notable policy interventions. The National Electricity Regulatory Commission in August issued the eligible customer directives and will this month issue directives on independent metering. The eligible customer regime allows a willing-seller/willing-buyer arrangement in the sale of power. While the independent metering directive allows independent entities aside from registered power distribution companies to sell and install meters to customers and be paid directly as collections are made from metered customers. This will break the distribution gridlock and there is good cause to believe that we will achieve the 10,000MW envisaged in the ERGP. TAKE-OFF OF THE AGRICULTURAL DIVERSIFACTION OF THE ECONOMY & IT’S MANY BENEFITS Fifth, we undertook to begin the process of diversifying the economy leading with the agricultural sector. Agriculture has created a large number of jobs and is an important source of raw materials and means of generating foreign exchange. The Anchor Borrowers Programme launched by the President in 2015 has benefitted up to 200,000 small scale farmers and attracted investments of up to N43.92 billion from participating institutions. What is particularly encouraging is that we are moving steadily towards self-sufficiency in rice and also scaling up in eight other commodities and produce that are vital for food security but which can also be exported. The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative has resuscitated 11 blending plants with a capacity of 2.1 million metric tons with the product being sold to farmers at N5,500 without subsidy and far less than prevailing market prices. But the best news is the enthusiastic response of the private sector. Wacot opened its 120,000 metric tons parboiled rice plant in Kebbi in August. Indorama opened its 1.5 million metric tons fertilizer plant, while Dangote announced its investments in 1 million metric tons of rice mills. REVITALIZATION OF THE RAILWAY SECTOR Sixth, this time last year we had promised to take steps to revitalize the railway sector. The now concessioned narrow gauge railway will soon come into full operation and help to redress the high cost of freight especially of food items. I also had the distinct pleasure of kicking-off the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan segment of the Lagos-Kano standard gauge railway line earlier this year. CLOSER GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS CONSULTATIONS The seventh issue is the complaint made at last year’s National Economic Summit about lack of consultations with the private sector. We refuted this then but of course it can certainly no longer be said to be the case. The Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council which I chair and consisting, as it does, of leaders of the public and private sector is an excellent example of government-business cooperation and is contributing through various recommendations to addressing the challenges facing the manufacturing sector. Moreover, we have now had several sessions of the Presidential Quarterly Business Forum which enable an exchange of views between the Federal Government and the organised private sector. The last meeting had a very useful interaction between the private sector and heads of regulatory agencies on how to improve the business environment. EASE OF DOING BUSINESS REFORMS This leads me to the eight area which is our efforts to improve the business environment. The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC introduced reforms under a 60-day national action plan focused on eight areas that make it easier to register businesses, obtain construction permits, get credit, pay taxes, get electricity, trade across borders, facilitate entry and exit of people and register property. The evidence coming from the business community itself is that these changes are becoming manifest such as the electronic visa on arrival process and faster business registration. The second national action plan which will bring about similar results was launched at the beginning of this month. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS IN SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES Ninth, this time last year most of our social investment programmes were framed around promises. This has of course since changed. The N-Power programme for unemployed graduates has employed 200,000 young people with another 300,000 set to be recruited. With regard to the Home Grown School Feeding Programme about 3 million children across 14 States are participating in the programme with the numbers expected to ramp up as it begins to cover 21 States in this new academic session. The GEEP programme which gives credit to MSME’s is also growing quite rapidly. MSMES CLINICS IN 10 STATES The challenges and obstacles facing MSMEs is the tenth area in which progress has been made since the last National Economic Summit. We have addressed the regulatory and financial challenges facing this crucial set of actors through a number of actions. The National MSME Clinics taking place across some states in a systematic manner has helped several thousand MSMEs to engage with regulators regarding processes such as business and product registration, access to finance and export requirements amongst others. In addition, an Executive Order promoting local content in government procurement has been issued intended to give preference to Nigerian small businesses in specific sectors. One of the critical things that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has proposed to us in support of the local content initiative is what they described as ‘margins of preference’ for local content goods. In order words, what they are saying is that if you prefer locally made goods then you must take care of the problems that local content goods have, in order words, they are usually more expensive than the imported goods, so you have to take care of that by what they call ‘margins of preference.’ So, we are looking at that proposal and we are looking at the percentage for procurement purposes. But we do agree with the principle that if we are going to promote local content goods then we must find ways of preferring them to imported ones and we think that the margins of preference is a sensible way to do so. These ten issues are not the complete picture of what has been done but rather an indication of responses to issues raised here last year. The Buhari Administration remains focused on implementing the ERGP and our actions thus far are just the beginning of changes required to turn the economy around. The key thing is that issues of concern raised in this forum have been systematically addressed and we are committed in doing so and we want to continue to work on some of the other lingering concerns. We are concerned as most of you are, with the very high interest rates and of course most of that have to do with government borrowing. Since the evidence points to a crowding out of the private sector, the Federal Government is reducing its demand for domestic paper and will seek to refinance maturing domestic debt with longer tenor and cheaper external borrowing. Meanwhile, intervention funds will continue to be made available through the Bank of Industry, and repositioned NEXIM & Bank of Agriculture and the newly established Development Bank of Nigeria. Going forward, the Federal Government will continue to sustain the dialogue with the private sector most notably through this National Economic Summit but also through the Presidential Quarterly Business Forum, and various sectoral bodies. We count on the continued engagement of the private sector to support the economic policies of this administration and I look forward with anticipation to receiving the outcomes of this 23rd National Economic Summit.[myad]
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has said that the State Government is in full support of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on the issues of devolution of powers and the entrenchment of true federalism. Governor Ambode, who spoke today, Tuesday, at the Fourth Quarter, 2017 Town Hall Meeting, the 9th in the series, held at the SUBEB Proposed Permanent Site in Kosofe Local Government, said that the clamour across the country for restructuring is not out of place as the current political structure was seriously hindering Nigeria’s development. Tinubu, at a forum held in Lagos recently, backed the calls for devolution of powers and the need for the nation to truly adopt the practice of true federalism, submitting that it was the surest way to correct the nation’s power imbalance and quell the agitations for secession. The Governor, while responding to a question raised by a resident on calls for true federalism said: “I support true federalism; I support all the issues raised by Asiwaju; we are on the same page. That is the page of APC; that is where we are and that is what we are committed to. Like I have always said, we need to deal with issues that relate to devolution of powers. Like somebody said, if I have more resources, all these items that you are coming to raise here, once you raise it, I will just say done. I need more money. So, why should somebody be saying they are the ones in charge of inland waterways when the waterways is transporting my own people and my own services and when there is a law about it.” Governor Ambode asked why despite the existence of Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law enacted by the Lagos State House of Assembly, there were still attempts from the central government to regulate hotels and entertainment centres in the State, a situation he said was an anomaly that should be addressed accordingly. “We enact a law and somebody says he wants to do another law that regulates hotels inside Lagos. Is it not because of the roads that they put hotel there? That is what devolution of power is saying. If these things are on residual list, let Local Government and States deal with them. That is all that we are asking for. It’s not that we will generate Value Added Tax (VAT) here and somebody will be sharing 50 per cent of the VAT somewhere else. “So, obviously that is the whole idea behind this agitation for true federalism, devolution of powers and the need to use it to liberate ourselves so that we can get more prosperous; so that our people can be more comfortable and it is all about the welfare of our people. Our people have said that we should do this work and we must be able to speak on your behalf on the things that really matter to all of you.” The governor said that the last four months of the year, popularly called the Ember months, usually spring up security challenges, and charged Traditional Rulers and community leaders in the State to join hands with the State Government to wage a total war against all forms of crimes as well as drug abuse in their various communities. He said that his administration will not relent in its efforts towards reducing the menace, adding however that concerted efforts from the traditional rulers and community leaders, who are closest to the people, were very pivotal to achieving the desired result. “We are in October and we are going to December, naturally, when it gets to the ember months, somehow traditionally, crime rate go up but in the last two years, we have been able to reduce crime rate when it is coming to December. “I want to appeal to all our traditional rulers and other community leaders; there is a need for us to support the Neighborhood Safety Corps. Also our volunteers and the people should now be more vigilant and then cooperate with our security agencies to maintain law and order. I want to reduce the crime rate to the barest minimum and I know that we are going to engage a lot of our youths in end of the year activities to make sure that peace continue to reign in Lagos.” Ambode implored various Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to increase their awareness campaign on the dangers of drug abuse, saying that there was an urgent need for them to also join the fight against all forms of domestic and sexual violence. “Like people already know, we are at the forefront of fighting drugs, sexual abuse and violence against women and children, we will not relent in fighting these menace in the society. I believe strongly this is the time to talk to our children; I believe strongly this is the time to talk to our wards and even those who are around us that this time around, the State Government is ready to fight crime in all its ramifications.” The Governor commended residents for their continuous support to his administration, saying that it had gone a long way in driving the various infrastructural development programmes implemented by the State Government. He particularly commended the efforts of some community associations who have taken the initiative to start up projects in their vicinity, assuring that aside recognition from the State Government, his administration would ensure that such projects would be supported to ensure realisation. Governor Ambode tasked chairmen of the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas to look into the welfare of persons living with disabilities and the elderly, saying that the all inclusive mantra of his administration must be felt in every part of the State. The Governor, who reeled out some of the major projects embarked on by his administration in the last quarter which include commencement of the reconstruction of Oshodi International Airport Road, construction of Pen Cinema Flyover, opening of the DNA Centre, appealed to residents on inconveniences being experienced as a result of ongoing projects and assured that they would be completed on schedule. He said that the State Government was deeply concerned about the traffic situation in Apapa area in recent times, saying that efforts would be put in place to address it, just as he said that 43 major link roads affected by rain would be rehabilitated before the end of the year. [myad]
Nigeria Police Force has made it clear that a few policemen who protested in Kaduna today, Monday, were not complaining about none payment of their salaries as was published in some of the media, with caption: “Nigeria Police Force Personnel Protest Non-payment of Salaries.” Making the clarification in a statement in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh O. Moshood said that no policeman is being owed salary as salaries of Police Personnel across ranks throughout the Thirty Six (36) States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and all other Police Formations are being paid as at when due and on time.
“Few Policemen who went on inquiry to the Mechanized Salary Section (MSS) in Kaduna State Police Command over complaint of Under-payment, Omission of their names on the Salary Payroll as a result of the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) handled by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, were immediately attended to and addressed by the Officer in Charge of the Mechanized Salary Section (MSS), Kaduna State Command in the early hours of today that their problems have been taken up by the Force Headquarters with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. “However, some challenges such as Under-payment, Omission of names on payroll, Non-payment and Over-payment of some Police Personnel experienced in the Eight State Commands that have been enrolled on the platform of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in the payment of August and September 2017 Salary have been taken up with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and it’s being promptly addressed.” Jimoh said that the protesting policemen have since returned to their duty posts, insisting that no Policeman went on rampage as reported in the media in Kaduna State or anywhere else in the Country. “Members of the Public are hereby enjoined not to panic but go about their lawful duties and other responsibilities without fear or apprehension. No Policeman protested in Kaduna State or any other State of the Country because of none payment of salary. “While the Nigeria Police Force is assuring the media of continuous supports and cooperation, they are implored to always verify facts before publishing in order not to cause panic, tension and misinformation in the minds of the Public. “The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organization and will not allow any situation to degenerate into disturbance of Public Peace and breakdown of Law and Order anywhere in the Country. “ [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has described the former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt. General Victor Malu, who died today in a hospital in Egypt, as an icon of professionalism, bravery and discipline, attributes which he said the deceased demonstrated throughout his national and international military assignments.
In a tribute he paid to the late General today, Monday, President Buhari also described the deceased as a very distinguished and professional colleague, who demonstrated incredible courage and leadership, including during very turbulent times in Liberia.
The President recalled the great roles General Malu played as Force Commander of the ECOMOG peace-keeping troops in Liberia from 1996 to 1998, adding that he would be fondly remembered for his dedication and commitment as a military officer.
He said that General Malu’s numerous landmark contributions to Nigeria’s unity and development will remain fresh in the memory of those who knew him even as he called on his bereaved family, friends and associates to honour Malu’s memory by upholding his invaluable sacrifices for a peaceful and united Nigeria.
Lt. General Victor Malu died today, Monday, in a Cairo, Egypt hospital where he had travelled to about two weeks ago for medical check-up. He was said to have died in the early hours of today, Monday at the age of 70. The former ECOMOG Commander (Peace Keeping Force), from August 1996 to January 1998 was Chief of Army Staff during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration from May 1999 to April 2001. He chaired the Military Tribunal that tried the former Chief of General Staff, and Vice Chairman, Armed Forces Ruling Council, Gen. Oladipo Diya and others over the alleged failed coup plot against the then Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha. [myad]
“Some months ago, I invited Nnamdi Kanu to my house and we met for three hours, I told him clearly that both in my personal capacity and as President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, that though there are structural imbalances and lots of injustices in Nigeria, I will never support any action that will lead to the shedding of blood in Igboland. No nation in history has survived two civil wars.
“I saw the Biafran war with my two eyes. My father was Minister for Local Government in the Eastern Regional Government of Dr. Michael Okpara but I fought on the front lines. I was a full lieutenant in the Biafran army. I fought in Ore. I fought in Orlu. I fought in Enugu. I fought in the Bafran School of Infantry. I worked for several months at the Biafran Airport in Uli.
“I told Kanu that war is not an option. I made that point clearly to him. I also told him to tone down his language. He should stop abusing the President of the country and stop calling Nigeria a zoo. A zoo is where wild animals are kept. If you say Nigeria is a zoo, it then means all of us are animals. Even if you don’t like the President as a person, you must respect the office he occupies. I told him to stop abusing our governors. In particular, I told him to stop abusing the Imo State Governor by calling him Okoroawusa and questioning his paternity, except you have the result of DNA test which proved that his father didn’t give birth to him. By questioning his paternity, you are indirectly abusing our wives and mothers. That is unacceptable. I told him to stop calling the President a pedophile. That is wrong and I won’t condone that. My own mum had her first child at the age of 13. In the olden days, once a girl attains puberty in Igboland, forms a breast and starts menstruating, she is ripe for marriage. So you are indirectly abusing the culture of our people.
“Instead of talking tough and threatening fire and brimstone, let’s work together and push for a restructured Nigeria. Let’s sit down and talk with Abuja. If we form a common and united front, the Federal Government will listen to us.
“Abusing the President will not give us Biafra. Abusing other tribes and calling them names will not give us Biafra. Telling Igbos to stop attending churches with Yoruba pastors will not give us Biafra. It will rather widen the gaps between us and these other people who themselves are victims of the injustices in Nigeria. It will annoy them and they will abandon us. We can’t push this alone. We need the support of our neighbours. By abusing and threatening others, you put the lives of our people who live there in danger.” [myad]
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has clarified that there is no monetary value attached to the contract which the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, complained about in his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari last week.
In a detailed statement today, Monday, signed by NNPC’s Group General Manager in charge of Group Public Affairs Division, Ndu Ughamadu, the company said: “it is therefore inappropriate to attach arbitrary values to the shortlists with the aim of classifying the transactions as contracts above NNPC Tenders Board limit. They are merely the shortlisting of prospective off-takers of crude oil and suppliers of petroleum products under agreed terms. “These transactions were not required to be presented as contracts to the Board of NNPC and, of course, the monetary value of any crude oil eventually lifted by any of the companies goes straight into the federation account and not to the company. Insisting that due process was followed as the consent of the minister is not needed in the award of the contracts which he complained about, the NNPC stressed that the substance of the allegations made by Kachikwu in a letter to the President dated 30th of August 2017, was that a number of “major contracts were never reviewed or discussed with me (Kachikwu) and the NNPC Board”, adding that the law and the rules do not require a review or discussion with the Minister of State or the NNPC board on contractual matters. “It should be noted that for both the Crude Term Contract and the Direct Sale and Direct Purchase (DSDP) agreements, there are no specific values attached to each transaction to warrant the values of $10billion and $5billion respectively placed on them in the claim of Dr. Kachikwu. “Furthermore, contrary to the assertion of Dr. Kachikwu that he was never involved in the 2017/2018 contracting process for the Crude Oil Term Contracts, Dr. Kachikwu was in fact expressly consulted by the GMD and his recommendations were taken into account in following the laid down procedure. Thus, for him to turn around and claim that “…these major contracts were never reviewed or discussed with me…” is most unfortunate, to say the least.” The minister had alleged insubordination and humiliation by Maikanti Baru, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, in a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari, who doubles as the minister of petroleum. He also claimed in the memo that contracts worth $26 billion were awarded by the NNPC without his knowledge or approval by the governing board of the corporation. The Full text of the NNPC statement in response to minister Kachikwu is as follows:
RE: ALLEGATIONS OF LACK OF ADHERENCE TO DUE PROCESS IN NNPC CONTRACT AWARDS Following the publication of alleged lack of adherence to due process in the award of NNPC contracts, the President ordered the Group Managing Director (GMD) and Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to consider and respond expeditiously to the allegations. The substance of the allegations made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, in a letter to the President, dated 30th of August 2017, is that a number of “major contracts were never reviewed or discussed with me (sic) the NNPC Board.” It is important to note from the outset that the law and the rules do not require a review or discussion with the Minister of State or the NNPC Board on contractual matters. What is required is the processing and approval of contracts by the NNPC Tenders Board, the President in his executive capacity or as Minister of Petroleum, or the Federal Executive Council (FEC), as the case may be. There are therefore situations where all that is required is the approval of the NNPC Tenders Board while, in other cases, based on the threshold, the award must be submitted for presidential approval. Likewise, in some instances it is FEC approval that is required. It should be noted that for both the Crude Term Contract and the Direct Sale and Direct Purchase (DSDP) agreements, there are no specific values attached to each transaction to warrant the values of $10billion and $5billion respectively placed on them in the claim of Dr. Kachikwu. It is therefore inappropriate to attach arbitrary values to the shortlists with the aim of classifying the transactions as contracts above NNPC Tenders Board limit. They are merely the shortlisting of prospective off-takers of crude oil and suppliers of petroleum products under agreed terms. These transactions were not required to be presented as contracts to the Board of NNPC and, of course, the monetary value of any crude oil eventually lifted by any of the companies goes straight into the federation account and not to the company. Furthermore, contrary to the assertion of Dr. Kachikwu that he was never involved in the 2017/2018 contracting process for the Crude Oil Term Contracts, Dr. Kachikwu was in fact expressly consulted by the GMD and his recommendations were taken into account in following through the laid down procedure. Thus, for him to turn around and claim that “…these major contracts were never reviewed or discussed with me…” is most unfortunate, to say the least. THE NNPC CONTRACTING PROCESS The contracting process in NNPC is governed by the following: i. Provisions of the NNPC Act ii. The Public Procurement Act, 2007 (PPA) iii. Procurement method and thresholds of application and the composition of Tenders Board as provided by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Circular reference no. SGF/OP/1/S.3/VIII/57, dated 11th March, 2009. iv. NNPC Delegation of Authority Guide v. Supply Chain Management Policy & Procedure documents vi. NNPC Ethics Guide Approving Authority for Contracts The SGF Circular (iii above) on procurement threshold provided the following authority limits for NNPC transactions as well as the composition of the NNPC Tenders Board: Table 1: Financial Authority Threshold (SGF Circular (iii) above) Approving Authority/No Objection to AwardSpecial Works (NNPC)BPP issues “No objection to award”/FEC approvesN2.70 billion (USD 20M) and above NPC Tenders BoardUp to N2.7 billion (USD20M) Table 2: Composition of Tenders Board (SGF Circular (iii) above) MinistryChairmanPermanent SecretaryMembersHeads of DepartmentsParastatalsChairmanChief ExecutiveMembersHeads of Departments NNPC had cause to clarify severally from Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) as to the composition of NNPC Tenders Board and the role of NNPC Board appointed by Government. The following clarifications were made. a. The BPP expressly clarified that NNPC Tenders Board (NTB) is NOT the same as NNPC Board. The governing board (NNPC Board) is responsible for approval of work programmes, corporate plans and budgets, while the NTB is responsible for approval of day-to-day procurement implementation. b. BPP referred to the SGF circular for the composition of the NTB to compose of the Accounting Officer (GMD NNPC) as the Chairman, with Heads of Department (GEDs) as members with the Head of procurement (GGM SCM) serving as the Secretary of the NNPC Tenders Board. The above clarifications of the provisions of the procurement process show that approvals reside within the NTB and where thresholds are exceeded, the NNPC refers to FEC for approval. Therefore, the NNPC Board has no role in contracts approval process as advised by BPP. As can be seen, all these clarifications were sought and obtained prior to August, 2015 and were implemented by Dr. Kachikwu as the GMD of NNPC. Dr. Kachikwu also constituted the first NNPC Tenders Board on 8th September, 2015 and continued to chair it until his exit in June, 2016. Typical NNPC Contracting Process 1. Approval of project proposal and contracting strategy by NTB. 2. Placement of adverts for expression of interest in electronic and print media. 3. Soliciting for tender (Technical and Commercial) 4. Tender evaluation 5. Tender approval by NTB for contracts within its threshold; otherwise 6. Obtain BPP certificate of no objection before presentation to FEC. 7. Present to FEC for approval. All Contracts in NNPC follow the above procedure. SPECIFIC CONTRACTS MENTIONED IN THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PETROLEUM RESOURCES’ (HMSPR) LETTER TO MR. PRESIDENT 1. Crude Oil Term Contract (COTC)- valued at over $10bn It is important to state that the COTC is not a contract for procurement of goods, works or services; rather it is simply a list of approved off-takers of Nigerian crude oil of all grades. This list does not carry any value, but simply state the terms and conditions for the lifting. It is therefore inappropriate to attach a value to it with the aim of classifying it as contract above Management limit. In arriving at the off-takers list for 2017/2018 COTC, the following steps were followed: a. Adverts were placed in National and International print media on Monday, 17th October, 2016. b. The bids were publicly opened in the presence of all stakeholders (NIETI, DPR, BPP, Civil Society Organisations, NNPC SCM Division and the press as well as live broadcasts by the NTA and other TV stations). c. Detailed evaluation was carried out and the short list of the successful off-takers was presented to the approving authority (Mr. President) for consideration and approval. d. Thereafter, NNPC published the list of the successful off-takers in newspapers and NNPC’s official website. This has been the standard procedure and it is the same process adopted during the 2016/2017 COTC when the HMSPR was the GMD. In conclusion, due process has been fully followed in the shortlisting of the off-takers of the Nigerian crude oil for the current term 2017/2018. 2. The Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP) Contract- valued at over $5bn Like the COTC, the DSDP is not a contract for any procurement of goods, works or services, rather it is simply a list of off-takers of crude oil and suppliers of petroleum products of equivalent value. This list does not carry any value, but simply state the terms and conditions for the lifting and supply of petroleum products. It is therefore mischievous to classify it as contract and attach a value to it that is above Management’s limit. In arriving at the off-takers list for 2017/2018 DSDP, the following steps were followed: a. Work plans and execution strategy for the DSDP was granted by the approving authority (Mr. President). b. Adverts were placed in National and International print media and NNPC website on Thursday, 22nd December, 2016. c. The bids were publicly opened in the presence of all stakeholders (NIETI, DPR, BPP, Civil Society Organisations, NNPC’s SCM Division and the press as well as live broadcast by the NTA and some TV stations). d. Detailed evaluation was carried out and the short list of the successful off-takers was presented to the approving authority (Mr. President) for consideration and approval. This has been the standard procedure and it is the same process adopted during the 2016/2017 DSDP when the HMSPR was the GMD. In conclusion, it has been confirmed that due process has been followed in arriving at the shortlist of the DSDP partners for the 2017/2018 cycle. 3. The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Contract The AKK Gas pipeline project is a contractor financed contract. The process adopted for this contract is as follows: 1. Approval of project proposal and contracting strategy was given by NTB. 2. Placement of adverts for expression of interest in some National and International print media and NNPC’s website. 3. Expression of interest for pre-qualification received and evaluated. 4. Technical and Commercial tenders issued and evaluated 5. NTB considered and endorsed tender evaluation result for FEC approval since this contract is above NTB’s threshold subject to obtaining the following certificates of no objections: a. BPP certificate of no objection (obtained). b. Certificate of no objection from Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) (obtained). c. Certificate of no objection from Nigerian Content Monitoring & Development Board (NCMDB) (being awaited) BPP and ICRC certificates have been obtained, while that of NCDMB is being awaited after which the contract will be presented to FEC for consideration and approval. Thus, due process is being followed in the processing of this contract. 4. Various Financing Arrangements Considered with IOCs The financing arrangements reported as contracts are part of the process of exiting Cash Call approved by the FEC. It entails negotiations with JV Partners on alternative funding of some selected projects through third-party financing to bridge the funding gap associated with Federal Government’s inability to meet its cash call contributions. The third-party financing option emanates from the appropriation act provisions that allow sourcing of financing outside regular cash call contributions. Upon approval of the calendar year’s operating budget, the NNPC in conjunction with its JV partners commence the necessary process for accessing financing to bridge the funding gap. Section 8 sub-sections (1) and (4) of the NNPC Act CAP N123 requires that all NNPC borrowings must be approved by Mr. President. Specifically, it provides that: (1) Subject to the other provisions of this section, the Corporation may, from time to time, borrow by overdraft or otherwise howsoever such sums as it may require in the exercise of its functions under this Act. (4) Where any sum required aforesaid – a) Is to be in currency other than Naira; and b) Is to be borrowed by the Corporation otherwise than temporarily, c) The Corporation shall not borrow the sum without the prior approval of the President. Due Process: 1. NAPIMS and JV partner identify bankable projects that require financing and sends to NNPC Corporate Finance to assist in procuring financing. 2. Constitution of Joint Financing Team (JFT) between NNPC and the JV Partner. 3. JFT NNPC invites Request For Proposals (RFPs) from Financial Institutions. 4. Submitted RFPs are evaluated and beauty parade conducted to determine most cost-efficient proposal. 5. Negotiated Financing Strategy, Term-sheets, Structures and pricing are presented for NNPC Management’s (NTB) approvals. 6. NNPC presents the renegotiated terms for approval of Mr. President. 7. NNPC executes the resultant Agreement. Financings taken under this Administration: Approx. $3bn are as follows: All established due process as enumerated above has been observed leading to the securing of financing for the following projects in 2016/2017: SN PROJECTAmount (US$mn)APPROVALS· LOAN EXECUTED http://ift.tt/2gorw9t JV Project Cheetah1,200.0016/04/15 01/09/15 Dr. E. I. Kachikwu2. NNPC/CNL JV Project Falcon780.00 26/04/17 31/07/17 Dr. M. K. Baru3. NNPC/SPDC JV Project Santolina1,000.00 26/04/17 10/07/17 Dr. M. K. BaruTOTAL2,980.00 These are not procurement projects as described by the PPA, 2007. However, all established due processes as enumerated above were followed. The NPDC Integrity Upgrade and Development Projects All the NPDC procurement contracts were subjected to the approved procurement procedures as described in respect of the AKK Gas Pipeline project above. There were no breaches of any extant procurement processes. For the benefit of doubt, it is confirmed that there is no single NPDC contract that has been approved by the relevant Tenders Board beyond its limit of financial authority and there is no single contract that is in the $3Bn to $4Bn range claimed in the write-up. Conclusions From the foregoing, the allegations were baseless and due process has been followed in the various activities. Furthermore, it is established that apart from the AKK project and NPDC production service contracts, all the other transactions mentioned were not procurement contracts. The NPDC production service contracts have undergone due process, while the AKK contract that requires FEC approval has not reached the stage of contract award.[myad]
Leader of Southeast caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has regretted signing the bail bond for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from detention with a bitter complain that Kanu had continually defy advice from him and other who signed the bail bond.
Abaribe, who represents Abia South senatorial district, spoke last night in New York, USA, at the Made-In-Aba Products Fashion Show held as part of the 2017 Convention of Abia State National Association of North America (ASNA) at Hilton Hotel JFK, New York.
He said: “I am a Nigerian Senator and not that of Biafra. We had advised Kanu, reminding him that his rights end where those of others begin. We are now in trouble, because we do not know where he is and how to contact him. Those that support Kanu’s agitation should think twice.
“We think we need Biafra, but this Biafra should be that of the mind that represents our ingenuity and our innate quality for hard work and enterprise, especially as oil proceeds keep dwindling.
“Igbo are largest and highest investors in the country, contributing to the development of wherever they reside and operate. In Lagos alone, we have built and developed about ten different markets from which over N3b are generated on daily basis.” (The Guardian on Sunday)
Senator Abaribe said that as a result of agitations by the IPOB for a separate state of Biafra, bulk selling and export of Made-in-Aba products have been hampered drastically.
The Senator noted that bulk buyers and exporters of the products stopped coming to Aba due to security risks posed by Biafra agitation and the Operation Python Dance 11 undertaken by the Nigerian Army in the Southeast, which effects he said, hit Abia State the most.
Maimuna Aliyu, the rejected Presidential nominee to the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), has indicted the Commission and her former employer, Aso Savings and Loans Plc of covering up a high level of corruption in the bank which she exposed long before she was nominated for the ICPC Boad.
In a petition to the ICPC acting chairman, copy which is in the possession of the Greenbarge Reporters, Maimuna Aliyu accused Aso Savings and Loans Plc of flagrantly violating the provision of both Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act and the Central Bank of Nigerian Act, through “their recklessness in loans creation and administration.
“The Board and Management of the said institution granted unsecured loans to friends, family and politically expose persons; a practice which I protested about as officer in charge of marketing at the time.”
The petition, which was written by Maimuna Aliyu’s lawyer, Chuks Okonkwo in regard to the seizure of her houses at Sungold Estate and Galadimawa District in Abuja, said: “we are aware that our client (Maimuna Aliyu) had petitioned your Commission on the corrupt practices of the board and management of her former employers.
“But we find it curious (that) rather than investigate these gross and naked acts of corruption, the Commission elected to becoming a debt recovery agent for the Mortgage bank.”
The petitioner said it is unfortunate that ICPC allowed itself to be reduced to an errand Commission to do the will and wish of some unscrupulous persons within the Commission “working for their pay masters, who are trying to cover their well established corruption practices.”
Advising the acting chairman of the ICPC to restrain from further steps that might continue to embarrass the Commission, Maimuna Aliyu, through her lawyer, asked the acting chairman to consider the facts and figures that are contained in her petition with a view to redressing the injustice done to her.
“Acting Chairman Sir, we had written to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice on the unfortunate activities of officers and men of your commission, particularly staff of the Chairman’s office. A copy of the said letter was sent to you and it must be the same goons in the Chairman’s office that are at work with the aim of deceiving and misdirecting you to reach an erroneous and malicious conclusion in the matter concerning our client and her former employers.
“Any right thinking and honest Nigerian would want to know how Aso Savings acquired the lands under investigation. It would be thorough to check for compliance with Enterprise wide Risk Management policies, and insider related credit transactions. It does not just end at singling out our client for purpose of helping her traducers achieve their aims.”
The petitioner further referred the ICPC acting chairman to relevant provisions of the sections under which her properties were seized, adding: “it is obvious from the provisions of the section of the Act, particularly the areas emphasizing that the Acting Chairman, with due respect, may have been misdirected.”
It would be recalled that on August 1 this year, Maimuna Aliyu who was Executive Director of Aso Savings and Loans Plc, was announced as a nominee to the ICPC board, as part of 36 appointments made by Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who was then Acting President.
An investigative report, dated May 31, 2017, and signed by Taiwo Oyewale, a Superintendent of Police, for the Deputy Commissioner of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit, came up with a report that Maimuna Aliyu illegally converted to personal use a total of N58 million being proceeds of three plots of land belonging to her employers, Aso Savings and Loans.
Professor Osinbajo subsequently “stepped down” the nomination of Maimuna Aliyu.
Maimuna Aliyu reacted mmediately then by saying that allegations of corruption against her were false and that they were being orchestrated by corrupt persons she exposed while serving as a director at the Aso Savings and Loans.
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The Nigerian Navy has commenced the process for the recruitment of suitably qualified Nigerian graduates through the Nigerian Navy Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 25.
Nigeria Police Force has made it clear that a few policemen who protested in Kaduna today, 
“Some months ago, I invited Nnamdi Kanu to my house and we met for three hours, I told him clearly that both in my personal capacity and as President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, that though there are structural imbalances and lots of injustices in Nigeria, I will never support any action that will lead to the shedding of blood in Igboland. No nation in history has survived two civil wars.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has clarified that there is no monetary value attached to the contract which the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, complained about in his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari last week.
Leader of Southeast caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has regretted signing the bail bond for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from detention with a bitter complain that Kanu had continually defy advice from him and other who signed the bail bond.
