NCDMB Promises To Fast-Track Approvals Of Oil Industry Projects In Nigeria

February 4, 2024

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has promised to accelerated approvals of requests and documents submitted to it by operating oil and gas companies to ensure speedy development of oil and gas projects in the country.
The Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engineer Felix Omatsola Ogbe who spoke when he received senior officials from Chevron Nigeria Limited, led by the Deputy Managing Director, Cosmas Iwueze, stressed that the Board would continue to improve on the timeliness set by the Service Level Agreement (SLA) instituted by the Board, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC Ltd) and international oil companies for shortening the contracting cycle for oil and gas projects.
He called for the setting up of technical working groups (TWGs) between the representatives of the NCDMB and respective international oil firms.
He explained that the working groups could meet monthly or quarterly to evaluate the companies’ expectations from the NCDMB on their projects.
The intent, he said is “to resolve contentious issues, close all the gaps and come to an agreement before the official correspondences are received.
“That will ensure quick turn-around and approvals will be dealt with quickly and that will help to cut downtime.”
He emphasised the need for all oil and gas companies to comply with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, even as he promised that the Board will accede to cogent urgent requests from companies to avoid delays that could cause costs overruns, impact negatively on oil and gas operations and the economy at large.
He encouraged the companies to see NCDMB as partners in progress, adding: “we want to create the enabling environment that will minimize conflicts with international oil companies (IOCs) and attract investments into the sector.
“We want to create employment opportunities for our youths and help achieve the economic objectives of President Bola Tinubu. We want to make international oil companies comfortable and reverse the exit of foreign investors because they create jobs, and we need all hands on the deck.”
Ogbe said that he had long and successful career with Chevron Nigeria and that the hallmark of the company is teamwork.
He noted that NCDMB operates with the same core value, hence the Board is determined to support oil companies to accomplish their operational goals.
“We have to make sure that you succeed otherwise we will not be successful.”
The Executive Secretary confirmed that NCDMB under his watch will not emphasise the use of sanctions, but will seek to dialogue with companies to achieve win-win situations.
“We will be flexible regarding your requests, but we all need to have open minds and look at the critical paths that will ensure that we make progress and produce effectively.”
This was even as the Director, Planning Research and Statistics, NCDMB, Isaac Yalah, commended Chevron Nigeria for supporting the Board’s development of the Nigerian Content Research Centre of Excellence at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), in Ondo State.
He said that the Board will continue to collaborate with Chevron on other projects and would address any issues relating to requests for expatriate quota approvals.
Responding, the Deputy Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria, Cosmos Iwunze commended the Executive Secretary for adopting the mantra of collaboration and pushing to increase crude oil production in Nigeria.
He acknowledged the importance producing crude oil at competitive costs, saying that the primary aspiration of oil companies and the Federal Government is to ramp up Nigeria’s crude oil production volumes and shore up the revenue accruing to the national coffers.
The Deputy Managing Director emphasised the need to incentivise investments in the oil and gas sector, adding that international oil and gas companies in Nigeria compete for capital with their sister operations in other oil producing nations.
“The capital we need for big oil and gas investments is domiciled with global investors. We need to always present Nigeria as an investor friendly destination where people can come and do business.”
He also confirmed that the company was working on some major projects, relating to deepwater and Escravos gas-to liquids (EGTL) and he looked forward to receiving the Board’s support and collaboration when the projects come for consideration and approvals.

Atiku To Tinubu: Act Fast To Avert Total Economic Collapse

Greenbarge Reporters

February 4, 2024

Former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to swallow his pride, accept the mistakes he had made all along and act fast to avert total economic collapse.
“Tinubu and his economic management team must swallow their pride, admit their missteps and failures, and follow those who know the terrain. They must act fast before the economy sinks deeper into the abyss.”
In a statement today, February 4, Atiku noted that Nigerians are now “gravely concerned, and rightly so, that Tinubu’s poor response to Nigeria’s economic challenges is setting the stage for a prolonged and deeper domestic economic crisis.”
According to Atiku, Tinubu’s economic policies, “drawn from a so-called renewed hope agenda, are ironically dashing hopes, creating pain and causing despair. The private sector is shrinking by the day as small businesses are emasculated and as Multinational Companies, confused and weary of the economy, leave Nigeria in droves.
“The intense cost of living pressures has created more misery for the poor in towns and villages. There is HUNGER IN THE LAND as basic commodities, including BREAD, are becoming out of reach for average Nigerians.”
Atiku, who was the Presidential candidate of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, said that President Tinubu’s 2024 budget represents “a business-as-usual exercise, bereft of concrete ideas and actions that would support Nigeria’s journey toward economic transformation – consisting mainly of wasteful expenditures to cater to a bloated Federal Government. “Budget 2024 will not facilitate growth and cannot empower our citizens to earn a living and live a decent life.”
He said that Tinubu has shown no capacity to deal with the adverse and disastrous impact of the new subsidy regime on the people and businesses and the new foreign exchange policy, which provides for a free-floating exchange rate.
“His initiatives are literally uninformed, arbitrary, and chaotic.”
Atiku criticised the palliatives which he described as “too mean, pitiable, and contemptuous of the poor.
“He seems genuinely lost, bewildered, and overwhelmed.
“To mask their failures, BAT and his political appointees are busy blaming his predecessor in office for bequeathing a ‘dead’ economy.
“This is a familiar game popularised by former President Buhari while in office. It reinforces what we already know: that BAT came into office unprepared.”

Economic Saboteurs On The Prowl, CBN Alerts Nigerians

Greenbarge Reporters

February 3, 2024

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has alerted Nigerians and stakeholders about the economic Saboteurs that are currently causing panic in the system.
“We urge all stakeholders to disregard stories aimed at causing panic in the system and see them clearly for what they are – acts of national sabotage.
“We wish to advise, in the strongest terms, against the peddling of false reports that have the potential to be disruptive to the economy.”
In a statement today, February 3, by the Acting Director in the Corporate Communications Department, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, the apex bank drew attention to a recent story published by a national newspaper alleging that the Federal Government is considering to convert $30 billion domiciliary deposits to Naira.
CBN described such story as “absolutely false.”
The statement said that the story is aimed at triggering panic in the foreign exchange market, “which the CBN is working assiduously to stabilize, as evidenced by its recent work and policy directions.”
The appex bank regretted that similar “false narratives have been spread on the work of the CBN over the past few months.
“It is clear that vested interests are determined to sabotage our efforts.
“We want to assure the general public that CBN is working to build confidence and would
never do anything to undermine the currency and the economy.”
The statement stressed that the apex Bank is the only designated authority for monetary policy changes “and will always advise on any policy change(s) before they are brought into operation.
“The CBN is always open to answer questions about our policies.”

Anti-Corruption Agencies Clear AA Rano Of Forex Deal With “Tunde,” Ex President Buhari’s Aide

Greenbarge Reporters

February 3, 2024

Anti corruption agencies have exenorated an oil mogul, Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, popularly known as AA Rano, of underhand deal in forex business with the Personal Assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, popularly known as Tunde Sabiu.
Sources at the agencies who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “We received several petitions on the activities of the young man (Tunde) and from our preliminary findings, his legitimate earnings could not explain his luxurious lifestyle.
“On the AA Rano man, we have yet to find any credible link to business dealings of former President Buhari’s PA. Of the series of petitions received on Sabiu, none mentioned AA Rano as an accomplice, even though the former allegedly invested some questionable sums of money using fronts for Maritime, Real Estate, and Oil and Gas businesses.
“While we couldn’t find evidence of AA Rano’s involvement in Sabiu’s scandals, we are still investigating the allegations to check all the leads. We are not leaving anything out.”
A $400 million fraud allegation posted on social media claims that Sabiu and AA Rano had an altercation over a business deal. According to the claims, Sabiu was alleged to have used one of the companies of AA Rano to acquire some businesses, including a property in Abuja, which cost billions of Naira.
Meanwhile, a source close to the oil magnate confirmed that there had been no business relationship besides a couple of casual meetings in which the AA Rano and Sabiu exchanged warm pleasantries.
“The allegation that Sabiu used AA Rano as a front to acquire businesses and that there were altercations between the duo due to a deal that went awry are all false.
“The only property being talked about is Sigma Apartment, located in Wuse II in the heart of the capital city. The property was bought by Mr Sabiu Mahuta, the Business Development Director of AA Rano, on behalf of the company. The rumour mongers could have mistaken the director’s identity with that of the former presidential aide for sharing the first name “Sabiu.”
“The SIGMA property, which was acquired through successful bidding from AMCON at the sum of N1.9 billion in 2020, was sold a few years later at the rate of N3.4 billion to another billionaire investor and the owner of AY Maikifi Oil and Gas, who demolished the structure for a massive shopping mall on the land.
“A lot of waivers and favours that big corporations and groups benefitted from the CBN in the last administration – some of which might be questionable – were not extended to AA Rano in any way. Go and check the records.
“So all the speculations about business relationships are deliberate attempts to demarket the legitimate business interests of Alhaji AA Rano, which include Airline, Property, and Oil and Gas businesses.”
It was gathered that the management of AA Rano has met with operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and another investigative panel a couple of times, where they provided relevant documents on their legitimate business and thumped their chests that their hands were clean.
Source: PRNigeria

I Will Sabotage Anybody That Sabotages Me, Wike Warns FCT Directors, Civil Servants

Greenbarge Reporters

February 3, 2024

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned directors and top civil servants in the services of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to continue to do the right thing at the right time or face his anger.
The minister, who flagged off the construction of the 7.2 kilometer Gaba-Tokula road in Bwari Area Council yesterday, February 2, made it clear that he would not tolerate what he called: “bureaucratic sabotage” in the execution of the projects by officials of the FCTA.
He asked Directors to expedite action on payments of contractors working on the various projects to avoid unnecessary delays in the execution of the projects.
“This is not a period where you bring bureaucracy into what we are doing. They (would) minute a file to you to pay contractors, the file would stay in your office for two weeks. “Woe be onto you that will do anything that will not make this project to go on well because you will become enemy to the people.
“So, take it seriously so that when the file comes to you, do it immediately and see that the payment of contractors are being processed and paid to them because when you keep the file, you suffer the payment and who will suffer? The communities will suffer. I’m not going to tolerate that. Anybody who sabotages our efforts will also be sabotaged. So have it at the back of your mind.”
Wike emphasised that funds are available for every project awarded, assuring the contractors that their funds would be paid as and when due.
The minister said that the road being constructed is a part of the 30-kilometer road project that he was directed to construct in the six Area Councils, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said that in addition to the Gaba-Tokula road, the Administration will construct two more rural roads in the Bwari Area Council before the end the year.
Wike assured that abandoned roads would be completed, adding: “I can assure you, by the directive of Mr. President, go home and sleep with your two eyes closed. “Those projects must be started again. I can assure you that.”
The Minister blamed the problem of insecurity and rural urban migration in the FCT partly on the lack of basic infrastructure in the rural parts, saying that he is ready to change the narrative by providing the needed infrastructure.
The minister had earlier directed the six Area Council Chairmen to select roads for construction, as instructed by the President, adding that provision was also made in the 2023 National Supplementary budget for the construction of these roads.
“As I speak to you, all the Area Councils, apart from the one we are flagging off today, this year, will have two more roads.
“In essence, in this year, each Area Council will be having three roads, which has never happened since the creation of FCT as the Federal Capital Territory.”
Wike said that job creation is a priority of the administration of President Tinubu, even as he called on the contractors working on the projects to give opportunity to the youths, including men and women who are willing and able to work on the construction sites, to enable them fend for their families.

What Exactly Do Men Want From Women? By Funke Egbemode

Greenbarge Reporters

February 3, 2024

Why do men think big successful girls are single because all they want is money and independence instead of marriage and commitment?
Why do they think being financially independent mean you want to live alone and die lonely? Well, the women also suspect that there is a hidden agenda somewhere.
Yeah, can the men swear that they are not the ones annulling our rights and mandates while promising to ‘Insha’ Allah ‘empower’ us.
You can’t win against their armoury. It is so difficult to please or understand the way their minds work. But haven’t I warned that there is no point trying to decipher a man’s mind?
If you put a man on a pedestal and try to make him feel appreciated, he’ll say it’s because you want something from him.
If you respect him, run his bath, give him a massage on Friday evening and curtsy when giving him his food, it’s because you saw that he’d just made some money and wants to help him spend it. As if a girl can’t just be nice and give her man a treat.
If a woman stays at home doing her God-ordained duties as a good wife and mother, she is a lazy, unenterprising NFA (No Future Ambition). Really? The most taxing career is the one any full-time housewife does. No retirement, no leave and thankless most of the time. These guys can’t even manage wife-for-a-day gig. And nine months with another human being growing inside you? That would kill these guys, mass-murder-like.
If a woman has a career that she works hard at, she is too hard, cold and unfeminine. She can’t be a complete woman.
“In fact, I can’t marry a woman like that.” There are still guys all over the place who think that career women are not wife materials? Bush boys.
If a man has a low-paying, unchallenging job, his wife must have brought bad luck from her father’s house.
“Don’t you see she has two left legs?” Unbelievable, right? That such men still walk around in this century is a crime, seriously.
If she gets promoted ahead of him, she must be sleeping with the boss. After all, he graduated before her. It doesn’t matter if he’s not half as intelligent as she is or can’t work without supervision. Is there a portion of the holy books that says all men are more intelligent than women? Some men have to work under women. All puns intended.
Now if he gets a job ahead of her, that’s the way it should be because he’s supposed to be more brilliant, abi? Right. If you compliment his looks and clothes, you are doing it because you want to change your wardrobe too and if you keep quiet, you don’t appreciate him.
If a woman cries when he hurts her, she is blackmailing him. If she does not, she is arrogant and insensitive.
If a woman slaps a man, it’s an abomination but if he slaps her, she must have pushed him too far and a few slaps are necessary to keep a woman on the straight and the narrow.
If she is proud of her achievements and thanks God for how far He has taken her, she is boastful, trying to lord it over him and reminding him of his inadequacies.
If she advises him regularly, and takes interest in what he does, she is a nag. And if she doesn’t, she is carefree, uncaring and unproductive.
If she is so tired after a hard day’s work, traffic jam and shopping, she is a lazy feminist, irresponsible career woman who can’t cook. It’s absolutely beneath him to make ordinary eba and warm the soup.
But if he has a headache after a busy day, he must see the doctor or check into a health resort to avoid a breakdown. “I work too hard to provide for everybody.” Ah ah. Try telling him you have a headache when he wants to make love and you must be having an affair.
If your hours are easy and you get home early, you should go and get something challenging. See where all your mates are.
If you take a decision you think will benefit the family and surprise him, you have no regard for him and you are not submissive.
If you demand lovemaking when he’s tired, you are inconsiderate but if he demands it when you are tired, you are pushing him out, into the arms of a girlfriend.
If you dress smartly, you are trying to attract other men.
If you are fat, how can he introduce you to his friends? If you do aerobics and watch your figure, you are vain.
If he buys a car before you, a party must be thrown but if you buy one before him, you are arrogant. If he asks to use the car and you tell him to check the tyres at the vulcanizer’s he will throw the keys back at you.
“So because it’s your car, I have now become a driver? The next thing you’ll tell me is to take the car to the car wash.” Men are in a class all by themselves but we are not fooled. We can sense their insecurities. Thank God for the real men, the ones who are comfortable in their own skin, the ones who marry and stay married to successful women, knowing that they hold her heart and all that she comes with, lock, stock and barrel. Please raise your glasses to the he-men.
*Egbemode (egbemode3@gmail.com
Culled from: Prompt News

Hajj Commission Finally Fixes N4.8 Million As 2024 Fare For Muslim Pilgrims

Greenbarge Reporters

February 3, 2024

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has finally fixed between N4.6 million and N4.9 million as fare for the 2024 pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Saudi Arabia.
The Commission had initially aimed to maintain the 2024 Hajj fare at N4.5 million that was charged as initial deposit but had to change against the backdrop of the crash of Naira mid-week.
“Regrettably, the recent instability in the Dollar exchange rate compelled a necessary adjustment despite commendable efforts by NAHCON Chairman, Jalal Ahmad Arabi to maintain cost of the year’s Hajj at the said rate.
A statement today, February 3, by the NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara, quoted Jalal Arabi as saying that he had actively negotiated substantial discounts with service providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in late January, aimed at alleviate costs for intending pilgrims but failed because of the crash of the Naira. “However, the volatile currency situation within the week necessitated the Commission to take a drastic decision to consolidate the gains achieved in lowering the cost of services for the Hajj, without which the price of 2024 Muslim pilgrimage might have shot to about N6,000,000 (six million Naira).
“Consequently, intending pilgrims from Nigeria’s Southern center are required to pay N4,899,000 as Hajj fare; those from the Northern center will pay N4,699,000, for the Hajj and pilgrims from Yola and Maiduguri center will pay a fee of N4,679,000 for the 2024 Hajj.”
NAHCON Chairman narrated how he tried to work out reduced Hajj fare but said that the new development should be regarded as “the will of Allah, because the Commission, facing a tight deadline of 25th February, has limited time to explore further options to remain within the range of N4.5million which he assiduously worked for. “Consequently, NAHCON announces the feasible cost of Hajj to meet the impending remittance deadline.
“Intending pilgrims are therefore advised to balance their Hajj fare by Monday, 12th of February accordingly, to enable the Commission transfer the funds before the imminent deadline.
“NAHCON assures the public of its commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj pilgrimage for all participants despite the challenges posed by foreign exchange factors. The Commission appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the Nigerian Muslim community during these times.”

AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Humble Angolan Side, Ride To Semi Final

Greenbarge Reporters

February 2, 2024

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have shown their class by handing down a goal to their Angolan counterparts thereby riding to the semi final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Super Eagles, through Ademola Lookman, displaced the Palancas Negras of Angola in the quarter final clash played this evening, February 2.
The lone goal came in the 41st minute of the first half. The second goal by Victor Osimhen was ruled offside.

As Ododo Takes Kogi Govt Driving Seat – Open Letter, By Yusuf Momohjimoh Ondeku

Greenbarge Reporters

February 2, 2024

I am particularly happy that you have finally assumed the position of governor in our dear State. My happiness stems from the fact that you have served the same state for eight good years as the Auditor-General for local governments under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

It is quite fitting that you are now the governor, an opportunity to take the driving seat of the state all by yourself for the next dispensation.
Having come so far and rising still, I have no doubt that you know that Kogi State is dynamic and diverse. You know that the people of Kogi State aspire to take on all round prosperity from your administration.
The administration of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello was modest in its means, but not in its values. You should be more modest in your words and policy, but not in your performance.
The true measure of success of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello was not in too many promises, but in the much he delivered feasibly for the people of the state.
Given the enduring purposes and inspiring principles of your immediate predecessor, especially on security and development, if you truly mean well for this government of consolidation and continuity, you need not shout its praises or preach its virtues. You simply need to live them every day: step by step, policy by policy and program by program, without much fanfare.
Your Excellency, the surge in demand for governorship attests not only to its abiding relevance but also to its central place in advancing human dignity. The core mission of the previous governments of this state was centrally to keep the state safe from insecurity, but in this administration, the defining mandate of the people is for you to create employment opportunities, reinvigorate the civil servant’s welfare and spread the milk of democracy more on the masses than the “system” so that the humanity may be better served amidst the recent challenges.
The people of the state need God fearing, responsible and generous system that will meet the needs of “we the people” for whom the state was created.
Don’t limit your metrics to the system alone: there are more competent and resourceful party faithfuls spread across the state; look beyond the system because the people will not be fully served unless peace, security, development, job opportunity, empowerment, civil servant’s welfare and human rights are advanced together with equal vigor.
Your Excellency,
I know the road you must have to tread to sustain all of these for all in this state has many pitfalls. I know that to cut through the fog of mistrust and misgivings in governance is going to require more intensive commitment. I know you cannot change everything at once, but if you prayerfully select your cabinets, especially, your first eleven and they work together with you transparently, flexibly and honestly, the progress in a few areas of your governance will lead to progress in many more.
This open letter was put together to throw lights on the urgent dark alley that must be attended to and to point out the system that must be focused. Remember still that whoever treat our communal integration with seriousness; whoever hankers after our safety and freedom; whoever thirsts for our dignity and whoever suffers for the sake of our prosperity will be our true patriot.
I wish you the very best in office.
Congratulations, sir.

Wike To Road Contractors: If You Do Poor Job, You Will Refund My Money

Greenbarge Reporters

February 1, 2024

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has made it clear to contractors handling the construction of roads across Abuja that he will collect his money back if they do poor work.
The minister, who flagged off the construction of the nine kilometre Paikon Kore-Ibwa Road in Gwagwalada Area Council today, February 1, said that he would personally supervise the roads to ensure that the jobs are done satisfactorily.
“I will also visit the sites to ascertain the quality and pace of work. I will not tell you when I will come here for supervision.
“And let me tell you, I will not also depend on the report submitted by the Acting Director of STDD. “What I will depend on is what I have seen with my eyes. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that I will not come here.
“I will come here and see what you are doing and if you don’t do it well, you will pay back my money.”
The Minister said that time has come to change the narrative of the federal Capital city, saying that development must not be in the city alone.
“One reason people migrate from the rural areas to the urban areas is because of lack of facilities. When you have given them good roads, for how many minutes, they are in the city.
‘So, it is our duty to make them comfortable wherever they find themselves.”
The people of Paikon-Kore/Ibwa communities conferred on Wike, the Chieftaincy title of Sarkin Yaki (war general).

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