President Muhammadu Buhari has frowned at the way the nation’s mining business is being run, describing it as most demoralizing.
The President who spoke today at the Presidential Villa after receiving a briefing from top officials of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development led by the Permanent Secretary, Baba Umar Farouk, said: “this is one of the most demoralizing briefs I have received.”
According to him, the biggest threat to this country besides the Boko Haram is unemployment and the mining sector is key to employment creation.
President Buhari who made it clear that his government would not tolerate illegal mining and other improper activities that have inhibited the growth of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, noted that the mines and steel sector is very important for the diversification of the economy.
He expressed displeasure at Farouk’s report that the sector had been overrun by illegal miners, adding: “we cannot be held back on such a strategic industry that can give us much needed jobs and promote economic growth.
“There must be more seriousness in running this country and we are determined to instill that seriousness”
The Permanent Secretary had told the President that Nigeria’s mining sector has been infiltrated by “illegal aliens” who carry out unlawful mining activities in the country.
Also Tuesday in Abuja, President Buhari directed the Ministry of Environment to undertake a rigorous study of Lake Chad, with a view to bringing up proposals on how best to reverse the shrinking of the lake, which currently serves as a major source of livelihood for many.
Speaking after receiving a briefing on the challenges facing the Ministry of Environment, President Buhari noted that the security and economic challenges faced by member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission could be substantially ameliorated with an improvement in the economic value of the lake.
The President also urged the Ministry of Environment to take up the challenge of researching cheaper ways of sourcing energy for cooking apart from firewood.
The Permanent Secretary, Nana Fatima Mede told President Buhari that Lake Chad has shrunk considerably from the 1960s, when it covered an area of more than 26,000 square kilometers, to less than one-tenth of that size at present. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Dr. Kachikwu, who was the Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Exxon-Mobil (Africa), is to take over from Dr. Joseph Thlama Dawha.
A statement from the Presidency said that Dr. Kachikwu hails from Onicha-Ugbo in Delta State and is a First Class Graduate of Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Nigerian Law School.
The new NNPC Chief Executive also has Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Law from the Harvard Law School.
He started his working career with the Nigerian/American Merchant Bank before moving on to Texaco Nigeria Limited where he remained for about eight years before joining ExxonMobil.
The statement announced that President Buhari also approved the appointment of Professor Umaru Garba Danbatta as the new Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Prof. Danbatta, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Electronic Engineering, takes over from Dr. Eugene Juwah whose tenure expired on July 29, 2015.
The new NCC Chief Executive’s other academic qualifications include a Bachelors Degree in Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications as well as a Masters Degree in the same field.
He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and has had a meritorious career in which he rose to become Professor of Electrical Engineering and Electronics at Bayero University, Kano, specializing in Telecommunications Engineering and Information and Communications Technology.
Before his new appointment, Prof. Danbatta held top management and leadership positions at different times including Head of Department, Dean Of Faculty, Director, Centre for Information Technology, Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (Kano Branch), Deputy Vice Chancellor and Acting Vice Chancellor.
His appointment as Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC is for five years in the first instance. [myad]
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs by President Buhari.
Following the motion by Senate Leader, Ali Ndume seeking Committee of the whole, to confirm service chiefs, he drew the attention of the lawmakers to Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act to consider the request of President Buhari to confirm their appointment.
“That the Senate do consider the request of Mr President, C–IN-C, for the confirmation of the following nominees for appointment as Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chief respectively”. Ndume said.
Those confirmed are:
Major General Amazonia Gabriel Olonisakin – Chief of Defence Staff
Major General Tukur Yususfu Buratai – Chief of Army Staff Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe – Ibas – Chief of Naval Staff Air Vice Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar – Chief of Air Staff
While congratulating the Service Chiefs on their confirmation, the Senate President charged them to provide a new leadership in the most challenging times, especially insecurity in the Northeast and other places.
“I want to congratulate the Service Chiefs having been confirmed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I do hope that you will provide a new leadership in the challenging times in the North East and other places in Nigeria,” Saraki said.
He also took them to task by asking them to be focused so as to restore the lost glory of the military and to also ensure due process in procurement of military hard wares.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has sought the approval of the senate through a letter to the upper chambers of the National Assembly for a $75million (N14.7billion) loan from the World Bank for the development policy operation (DPO) of Edo State.
The letter which was read at the plenary by the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, stated that the loan was the second tranche of a sum of $225 million already approved by the bank.
Buhari reminded the senators in the letter that the N14.7billion was from N44.1billion ($225million) World Bank loan granted Edo State government in three tranches of $75million per annum, and which was first approved by the 7th Senate in 2012.
The state government had in line with how the credit facility is structured, collected N14.7 billion ( $75million) in 2012 as first tranche offer and now seeking for release of another N14.7billion as second tranche offer.
In the letter titled: “Request for Approval to Obtain $75million USD credit Facilities from the World Bank for Edo State”, President Buhari said the Edo State governor had convinced him that the purpose for which the first tranche of the loan was released has largely been achieved, hence, the need for approval of another tranche. The letter reads in part: “I am writing to seek the consideration from the National Assembly an approval for the request from Edo state government to obtain a 75million dollar credit facility from the World Bank.
“You may wish to know that the World Bank had approved a development policy program for the total sum of 225million dollars to Edo state government 2012 to be implemented in three tranches of 75millon per annum”.
“The first tranch was approved by the national assembly in the 2012/2014 federal government external ruling borrowing plan”.
“The Development Policy Operation (DPO), has since been successfully implemented by the state in 2014. Following this success, the bank’s board of executive directors approved the second tranch.”
“On April 29 2015, the DPO too was captured in the federal government external borrowing plan of 2014/2017 which is pending with the national assembly. “It is for the above reason that i seek your favour to facilitate the consideration and approval of the development policy operation 2 loan of 75 million to enable the state to consolidation the gaze of the first tranch of the operation DPO 1.
“Your Excellency, its instructive to mention that Edo state has informed me that the key programme objectives of the DPO are already beginning to show in terms of increased influence of private investment to the state.
“In closed private sector employment opportunities and increased internally generated revenues, an accelerated approval of this request will help to sustain this gaze. “I look forward distinguished senate president to the usual kind expeditions consideration of the above request by the senate. “This letter supersedes HCF/3143/t/137 of 28 July, 2015. Please accept as usual your assurances of my highest regards.” [myad]
General Manager, Services, in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Abubakar Muhammed, has said that the nation’s four refineries would operate at 90 per cent capacity on completion of the ongoing Turn Around Maintenance.
Muhammed gave the assurance at the ongoing four-day International Conference of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and exhibitions on Tuesday in Lagos.
The 38th edition of the conference has the theme “Natural Gas Development and Exploitation in an Emerging Economy Strategies, Infrastructure and Policy Framework.”
The NNPC director said that out of the 90 per cent production capacity of the country’s output of crude production, about 40 would be channeled to the production of petrol.
He said that additional refineries would be expected on the long and short term to increase the country’s refining capacity and to boost domestic consumption.
Muhammed said that the Federal Government was committed to the gas development programmes and revival of its infrastructure.
He said that the nation needed renovation and Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that would define the country’s future oil and gas production and generation.
“The PIB has been in the pipeline for 15 years. We are hopeful that the present legislature will address the bill.”
He said that crude oil theft had been a major challenge in the country, adding that the decline had impacted on the average sale of government equity crude, with an average joint venture cash call budget of about $600 million per month.
According to him, the drop of earnings from government crude to an average of about $460 million potential presents a yearly funding shortfall of about $4.8 billion for the sector.
“This comes at a time when the cash call budget has remained unattainable in the last few years.
“Management of funding is our most immediate challenge and innovative financing approach is currently being developed to address the issue.
“Another challenge is the development of shale oil in Nigeria’s largest market, U.S.; this has forced Nigeria to look for alternative market in Asia.
“In spite of these challenges we are focusing on strategic realignment of our crude oil exports to graphically and more direct and user transactions in sustainable markets.
Muhammed said that crude theft and pipeline vandalism and reduction in crude oil exploration activities had impacted negatively on production in the last four years from 2010 to 2014.
He said that the significant production interruption was now a regular feature in Nigeria’s production profile, with an average of 250,000 bpd being deferred.
“At the price of $100 per barrel, this amounts to a loss of about $9.1 billion yearly.
“Crude theft from January to April 2015 stood at 39.3 million barrels or loss of $3.9 billion at an average crude price of $97.9 per barrels.
“The solution lies with setting up of a critical infrastructure force with accountability measures, with a continuation of enlightenment, empowerment and enforcement of anti-sabotage laws.
“In a bid to address the current sub-optimal performance of domestic refineries, a new rehabilitation strategy has been adopted.”
The Managing Director, Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd, Mrs Elisabeth Proust, said Nigeria had very tremendous gas reserve of about 46 trillion standard cubic feet (TCF).
She said out of this, a substantial amount of the discovered gas resources was currently developed or under development.
Proust, who was represented by Ahmadu Kida, Deputy General Manager, said a joint effort by all stakeholders was needed to unlock 133 tcf of gas so that Nigeria could power the industry and boost the economy.
According to her, today, more than 1,400 megawatts of Nigeria’s total power generation is fueled by diesel.
“Even at three times the current regulated domestic gas prices, gas price for power generation will be only a third of that of diesel.
“With the right enabling environment, Nigeria will benefit domestically from the multiplier effect of the natural gas in order to diversify the economy and create jobs and further boost the economy.”
She said that Nigeria’s gas production was hampered by many challenges which included inadequate infrastructure and pipeline vandalism.
Proust, however, said that the pace of Nigeria’s gas development would be accelerated if the government would settle all outstanding debts.
She said that there should be deregulation of gas price and creation of sufficient infrastructure, while calling for adequate funding and provision of conducive environment for people to operate.
Austin Avuru, Managing Director, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, stressed the need for the nation to optimally harness its huge gas resources to meet the national aspirations.
According to him, Nigeria needs to start looking for more gas, dwell on full gas utilisation and undertake reserve audits.
Avuru said that for the country to generate 32 gigawatts electricity, it would require 7.3 billion Standard Cubic Feet (BSCF) of gas.
He said that it was time for the country to start looking for more gas for domestic and commercial values. Avuru said that the country needed more reserves of gas and crude oil.
Emeka Ene, the Chairman of SPE Nigeria Council, said that oil and gas played an important role in the country’s economy.
Ene assured that all contributions by stakeholders would be submitted to the Federal Government for assessment. Over 600 participants and 60 exhibitors are attending the conference. [myad]
The United States of America has indicated its willingness to lift the restriction on the selling of war arsenals to prosecute the battle with Boko Haram to Nigeria under the country’s Leahy Law.
The U.S. congressman, Darrel Issah who spoke to newsmen today shortly after meeting with Nigeria’s service chiefs and Ministry of Defence officials in Abuja, said that the need to scrap the law was as a result of the policy of the new military command in Nigeria with regards to the ongoing military operations in the country.
The Leahy Law prohibits the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defence from providing military assistance to foreign military units that allegedly violates human rights with impunity.
“There were a number of things that were discussed at the meeting but basically the need for additional technical support, including overhead surveillance. This was discussed because it is important in the fight against Boko Haram.
“This is because of the trust in the new regime which has begun the process of ensuring that the military’s professionalism in the battle field is made in a way that we all can be confident that the rule of law is followed.
“Following this development, we have begun the process of lifting restriction under the Leahy Law but the vast majority of the support U.S. provides will be given regardless of the restrictions.’’
Issah, who led a delegation from the U.S. congress judicial committee to the meeting with Nigeria’s top ranking defence officials said that the U.S. will provide other forms of support that would not only boost the military’s capabilities but would also create the environment to rebuild devastated communities.
He said that the U.S. through its agencies in Nigeria, would help rebuild and rehabilitate communities and victims of insurgency in the northeast.
“We are looking forward to working with the president and the military to rebuild the confidence of the people of Nigeria in the professionalism of the military.
“To make the military something that the people will rely on as the nation tries to clear insurgents and protect the civilians; that is important to the new president of Nigeria, our president and it is also important to the congress.
“But we are looking forward to a great difference in the relationship, a proactive relationship and one in which we can provide a greater level of support,’’ he said.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ismaila Aliyu, said the visit was a sign of the renewed confidence in Nigeria’s military on the global scene.
He said that Nigeria now enjoyed a greater level of confidence and trust in the international community, stressing that it would impact positively on the nation’s efforts in repositioning its economy.
“The U.S. believes in Nigeria, they have trust and confidence in Nigeria that is why they are here.
“On the issue of human rights, the U.S. is pleased with what we have been doing in recent times to address the gaps that may have existed in the past.
“This visit is a follow up to Mr President’s visit to the U.S., we have said it and will continue to state that the visit was of great benefit to Nigeria, it has rekindled confidence in the relations between the two countries,’’ he said.
Other issues that dominated discussions between officials of the two countries include justice reforms and support for devastated communities, among others.
The meeting is believed to be one of the gains of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent visit to the U.S. [myad]
Former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Rotimi Amaechi has said that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has a lot of explanation to make as to why he raised oil subsidy from N300 Billion during the Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime to N1.9 Trillion.
The former governor who spoke last night in Abuja at a dinner organized in his honour by his friends said: “when the trouble between me and the former President started, as Chairman of Governors Forum, the oil subsidy was N300 billion under President (Olusegun) Obasanjo. It remained the same under late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Six months of President Goodluck Jonathan (administration), the oil subsidy rose to N1.9 trillion. Is it that the country now doubled its population or bought more machines or started manufacturing?
“As chairman of Governors Forum, I was in a position to get my own share of the N1.9tr but I chose the path of honesty and truth; you cannot catch me being dishonest.”
He said that at another meeting, where the issue of increase in fuel subsidy payment was tabled, he had to disagree with the ex-President and others.
“There was a time I walked into a meeting with President Jonathan and in the meeting, the argument was that they wanted more money for oil subsidy. As the chairman of governors’ forum, I stood my ground and told the president I was not going to support that.
“He asked me why and I explained that we are already in court with you on the issue of fuel subsidy. The (ex) President abused the hell out of my life. I have huge respect for the President, but the only thing that made me disagree with him was on the issue of the management of the country’s treasury.”
Amaechi admitted however that the looting of the nation’s treasury was done by people from all the geo-political zones, saying that such act was superintended over by a President from the South South.
The committee of friends who hosted Amaechi was chaired by ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva and was attended by Senator Magnus Abe, Dakuku Peterside, and the governors of Plateau and Bauchi States among others. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration has identified banks, financial institutions and countries that are involved in illegal transactions in the sale of Nigeria’s stolen crude oil.
Addressing visiting United States Congressmen at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, the President said that this was how far his administration had gone in stepping up efforts to recover looted Nigerian funds.
Buhari acknowledged the support and cooperation his administration was getting from the international community in gathering intelligence for tracing and recovering stolen national resources.
“We are getting cooperation from the international community, including information on ships that take crude oil from Nigeria and change direction, or pour their contents into other ships mid-stream.
“Some monies were paid to individual accounts. We are identifying the financial institutions and countries that are involved.
“I have been assured that when we get all our documents together, the United States and other countries will treat our case with sympathy.”
The President also told the Congressmen that his administration would welcome more regular meetings of the Nigeria-U.S. Bi-National Commission.
Buhari said that the commission could serve as a more useful platform for the promotion of bilateral trade and economic relations as well as joint cooperation in the war against terrorism.
Leader of the delegation, Darrel Issa, assured Buhari that the U.S. would support Nigeria against Boko Haram by providing training, intelligence and military platforms.
“We look forward to helping you in many ways to end the Boko Haram insurgency and the theft of crude oil in the Gulf of Guinea.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the National Planning Commission (NPC) to go back to the drawing board and produce the framework for a 2016 national budget that will reduce recurrent expenditure and prioritize developmental projects.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists today.
Shehu said the President gave the order after receiving a briefing from the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Bassey Akpanyung at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the President told Akpanyung and Directors of the NPC, that capital projects must now be given the fullest possible priority, because Nigeria couldnot achieve real development without adequate investment in capital and infrastructural projects.
“In carrying out its role in surveillance of the economy, review and appraisal of policies, the Commission should devise a plan for a realignment of the budget so that capital projects can be really prioritised,” the President directed.
The Executive Secretary of the NPC had informed the President that Nigeria’s planning system was beset by many challenges.
These challenges, he said, included the non-alignment of national plans with the annual budget and inadequate capacity in the departments of Planning, Research and Statistics in the various government ministries.
He later told State House correspondents that he used the opportunity of the meeting with the President to inform him that the commission had on the ground, a perspective plan which is the national vision 20:20:20.
He said they were in the process of developing a medium term plan to cover Vision 2016 to 2019 which will address the core elements of the present administration’s priorities.
“Of course, we sought the President’s support for the articulation and finalisation of that document because his pronouncement on it will assist us in rapidly doing so.
” Planning, like I said will make it effective from 2016 to 2019. “So, we should be working already very seriously to pick out the elements that will form the document
“The core areas: security, the areas of diversification, the area of restabilising the polity, the micro economic situation that are going to be addressed.
“Of course, we can’t forget the issues of unemployment, agric in the real sectors. These are the areas that will drive and ensure that the employment situation is improved upon and that will impart the poverty level.” [myad]
Wife of the richest man in the world, Melinda Gates, today, joined villagers, carrying on her head, a bucket of water fetched from a village in Malawi.
The billionaire’s spouse, who described herself as “philanthropist, businesswoman, mother, passionate advocate for women and girls,” posted a photo of herself with a 20-litre bucket of water on her head alongside two other Malawian women, walking on a dirt road.
The net worth of the United States’ billionaire Bill Gates, according to Forbes magazine’s annual list of the world’s billionaires, stands at $76 billion.
In another picture posted on her Instagram page, Melinda was seen doing the dishes in a Malawian village.
Describing her experience, she said on her Facebook page: “During my stay in Malawi, I joined the women collecting drinking water. I carried 20 litres and it was tough. Meanwhile, Chrissy (middle) is carrying about 40 litres. Many women do this every day.”
She has been described as one of the world’s famous social activist “who is trying to serve the people in ignorance.”
In June, wife of the US billionaire met with Malawian President, Peter Mutharika at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe. The agenda was to discuss the promotion of safe motherhood and maternal health in the country. [myad]
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