Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has directed the setting up of a joint committee of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and the FCT Administration to tackle issues surrounding the 5G broadband deployment in the Territory.
The Minister, who spoke when he received a delegation of the NCC, led by its Chairman, Professor Adeolu Akande in his office, said that all pending issues concerning the deployment of telecommunication facilities within the Territory, including the payment of appropriate charges by telecommunication companies should be resolved with the collaboration of all parties.
He said that the joint team should be made up of the Executive Commissioner (Technical Services) of NCC, the Executive Secretary in the Federal Capital Development Authority, (FCDA) as well as the Chief of Staff to the Minister.
The team, he added, should be mandated to harmonise and resolve all outstanding issues.
According to Muhammad Musa Bello, it is expensive to provide infrastructure within the Capital City even as he assured that provision has been made for the easy deployment of telecommunication facilities, as part of its extensive road network.
The Minister acknowledged harmonious relationship existing between the NCC and the FCTA and expressed appreciation for the NCC’s educational support to schools in the capital city.
The Chairman, of the NCC’s Governing Board, Professor Adeolu Akande had disclosed plans by the NCC to deploy infrastructure to accommodate 5G broadband in the FCT.
He for a partnership with the FCTA to increase the number of possible technology deployment sites in the Territory.
This was even as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta commended the Minister and the management of the FCTA for the infrastructural development.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote
The implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act has created over 50,000 direct jobs in the local economy over the past 11 years and retained $8 billion annually in the oil sector.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote made this known at separate breakfast meeting wit editors of newspapers and broadcast stations.
According to him, the level of Nigerian content in the oil industry hovered around five percent before the enactment of the NOGICD Act in 2010, adding that the implementation of the Nigerian Content Law had resulted in an increase to 26 percent in 2016 and 42 percent as at December 2021.
Wabote explained that NCDMB had launched the Nigerian content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap in 2017 with a target to achieve 70 percent Nigerian content by 2027.
“As part of this goal, the Board would catalyze the creation of 300, 000 direct jobs in the oil and gas industry and linkage sectors, enable the retention of $13 bn out of the estimated annual $20 bn spend in the oil and gas industry and establishment of major fabrication yards and manufacturing hubs in-country.
He said that a pointer of the marked improvement in Nigerian content implementation is that the local economy used to retain little or nothing from the annual oil industry spend of $20 billion before the NOGICD Act, 2010 but is now able to retain more than $8 billion in-country per year.
He said that the improvement is because of the development of critical capacities and assets by local oil and gas service companies and increased domiciliation and domestication of industry operations, he said.
According to the NCDMB boss, Nigeria has also moved from near zero participation in the operations side of the oil and gas sector “to the point that our indigenous operators such as SEPLAT, AITEO, EROTON, and others are now responsible for 15 percent of our oil production and 60 percent of our domestic gas supply.”
Other major accomplishments of Nigerian content implementation include the establishment of two world-class pipe mills and five impressive pipe coating yards, the ability of Nigerian firms to fabricate more than 250,000 tonnes of steel per year and ownership of more than 40 percent of marine vessels used in the oil and gas industry by Nigerians.
The Executive Secretary said that over 10 million training manhours have been delivered via the Board’s Human Capacity Development Programs, adding: “ it was no surprise that our indigenous workforce was able to sustain oil production at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.”’
Providing details of the Board’s provision of credit facilities to the oil and gas industry, Wabote said that NCDMB had inaugurated a $50million Nigerian Content Research & Development Fund to drive basic research, commercialization of research breakthroughs, establishment of research centers of excellence, and to sponsor university endowments.
“The Board floated a $50m special loan product for women in the oil and gas business to enable empowerment of the womenfolk in the industry and established another $30m Working Capital Fund to support oil and gas service companies. Both the Women and Working Capital funds are managed by Nexim (Nigerian Export-Import) Bank.”
He said that NCDMB recently secured the approval of its Governing Council to set up a $50 million fund for NOGAPS Manufacturing Product Line, to be dedicated to companies that would operate in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks, being constructed by the Board in Bayelsa and Cross River States. “Beneficiaries of the NOGAPS fund would have to be engaged in the manufacturing of equipment components used in the oil and gas industry and linkage sectors.”
Giving reasons why the NCDMB convened the breakfast meetings with the leadership of the media, the Executive Secretary said that the agency wanted senior members of the media to understand the importance of Nigerian Content to the national economy and to continue to advocate for the implementation in all spheres of the Nigerian economy. He added that the COVID-19 pandemic made humanity to realize that every economy needs to develop local capacities and capabilities in the core sectors, hence, all hands must now be on deck to push the local content narrative.
He charged media practitioners to uphold the ethics of their professionalism, saying that Nigerians depend on the media for their news and information, hence practitioners must strive to retain their audience’s trust and not fall for the temptation of propagating fake news and carrying out unwarranted attacks on innocent Nigerians.
He regretted that some online media platforms were undermining the Federal Government’s noble intentions of bringing in technocrats and professionals to serve as appointees through targeted and unwarranted attacks under the cloak of investigative journalism and challenged the publishers and editors to condemn and weed out the bad eggs in their profession, and our society generally.
In his remarks, Manager Corporate Communications NCDMB, Esueme Dan Kikile said that media practitioners are key partners in the implementation of the NOGICD Act and their role is clearly spelled out in section 70 (n) of the Nigerian Content legislation.
He solicited the support of senior media practitioners to curb the incidence of fake news and libelous publications perpetrated by some news organizations.
He assured the media of the Board’s continuous partnership and support of their operations and advancement of the national economy.
Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva has apologized to Nigerians over the scarcity of fuel that had lingered in the country for days now. In a statement today, February 20 by his spokesman, Horatius Egwa, the Minister described the situation as “regrettable.” He said that this time, the scarcity is not because of the absence of supply of products “but due to inspection failure, which allowed adulterated products into the country.” He also expressed appreciation with the NNPC for showing so much concern to the plight of Nigerians by coming forward with an apology. “This is unprecedented and shows that we on the government side are not afraid to take responsibility.” The Minister stressed that the Federal Government is in sympathy with the citizenry over the hardship, occasioned by the scarcity. “Let me once again appeal to Nigerians to be patient with government in finding lasting solutions to the crisis. “The Mid
A professor of security history, conflict resolutions and International Studies, Professor Adam Okene Ahmed has been appointed as Provost (equivalent of Vice Chancellor) of the Apex Military training institution, the Nigerian Defence College (NDC). His appointment, which has been approved by the Minister of Defence, retired General Bashir Magashi followed some processes, including competitive interview in which eight other top Professors, including Vice Chancellors competed for the post. The Chief of Naval Staff and the College Commandant had made the recommendation to the Minister for the choice of Professor Adam Okene, after emerging overall winner of the processes for the top job. Adam Okene Ahmed is going to NDC with huge experiences, high profile, expertise and global visibility in Defence, Security Leadership and international studies. He had before now, headed the Department of History and War Studies at NDA Kaduna. He transformed the Nigerian Defence Academy’s Postgraduate School where he served meritoriously for seven years, giving the school high level standard and impact. Adam Okene also acted for some months in 2020 as Academy Provost of the Nigerian Defence Academy. Before his current appointment, which he accepted only yesterday, February 8, he was the Academy’s Director of the Directorate of Linkages and Collaboration where he created several military related programmes and attracted funds to the Academy. He had involved in almost all academic activities, including chairing several NUC accreditation panels to Universities. Professor Adam Okene was the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Kogi state University for three years where with other chairmen of the state tertiary Institutions, brought sanity to the Institutions of the state. For academic and security reasons, he was in the UK, USA, Malaysia, South Africa among others. Professor Ahmed Okene chaired XX Team of the 2012 NEEDS assessment to public Universities. He was a member of the Presidential Research Ctt during President Obasanjo’s regime and a member of the President Musa Yar’adua’s Presidential Police Task Force that established Nigeria Police Academy at Wudil, Kano State in 2009. Professor Adam Okene Ahmed who is resuming at the Apex Strategic Military Institution at the time of its transition into Defence Postgraduate University is expected to bring his wealth of accomplishment to transform the College’s Centre for Strategic Research and Study which is a centre of excellence for peace support operations for ECOWAS and AU.
The African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) has confirmed that Nigeria has recorded tremendous successes in infrastructure development and agricultural revolution during the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).
Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, Princess Gloria Akobundu, at a news conference in Abuja said that the country also recorded successes in humanitarian services and fight against corruption. The APRM is governance arm that NEPAD established in 2003 by Heads of States and Government of African Union as a unique accountability method for African countries to review each other’s governance. She said that the country was highly commended at the 31st APR forum on Feb.4.
“The review report was far-reaching and encompassed various segments of the socio-political economy and highlighted the developments recorded since the first peer review in 2008. The President has assured that the government will effectively implement the National Programme of Action (NPoA),’’ she said. Sen. Abba Ali, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the APRM, said the process sought to entrench good governance practices in participating states. Ali said that being peer reviewed for the second time was a great step toward the growth and development of the country.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa and AUDA-NEPAD, Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani, commended President Buhari for his support and commitment in reforming NEPAD to AUDA-NEPAD. Nnamani, represented by Sen. Adelere Oriolowo, said the National Assembly would give unequivocal support to AUDA-NEPAD in entrenching democracy and promoting good governance for sustainable development. “The NASS will ensure the domestication of the NEPAD Act through the passage of its draft bill, increased funding and effective partnership in promoting regional integration,’’ he said. The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on AUDA-NEPAD, Mohammed Bago, said the NASS would also support the agency in the implementation of the National Programme of Action (NPoA). The APRM is an innovative and bold attempt by Africa to improve governance and well-being of all citizens. The objective of the APRM is to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that will lead to political stability, high economic growth, accelerated regional and continental economic integration. The second peer review came 13 years after the first one which was conducted in 2008.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has said that the Finance Act 2021, through collaboration with taxpayers and key stakeholders, will enable the Service to ensure adequate funding of the country’s budget.
The Executive Chairman of the Service, Muhammad Nami, who spoke at the KPMG’s Webinar on Nigeria’s 2022 Budget and the Finance Act 2021, in a lecture, said that the Act had provided a framework for equitable treatment, automation and deployment of ICT infrastructure, a single agency for tax collection, taxation of the digital economy among other critical interventions for improved tax administration.
“In the past, situations abound where certain goods or services streamed into Nigeria by non-resident companies, especially to consumers (B2Cs), were not subject to VAT. This raised the issue of equity, as goods and services offered by domestic companies are subject to VAT.
“With the amendment of Section 10 of the VAT Act and our publication of the ‘Guidelines on Simplified VAT Compliance Regime for Non-Resident Suppliers’, there is now a mechanism for applying VAT on such goods or services, affording the same tax treatment to both local and foreign supplies.
“Similarly, Companies deriving income from Nigeria without physical presence can now be assessed, like other companies with physical presence, on fair and reasonable percentage of their turnover in line with Section 30 of CITA.”
The FIRS Executive Chairman said: “with the amendment of Section 25 of the FIRS Establishment Act, the Service can now deploy either proprietary or third-party developed technologies for tax administration. Those that may still stand in the way of achieving this objective will now be liable to a daily penalty of N25,000.
“With the extension of secrecy and confidentiality requirements to other persons, like service providers, vendors and consultants of the Service, the fear of taxpayers are further allayed on the secrecy and confidentiality of their commercial and other information.”
Muhammad Nami said that with the amendment to Section 68 of the FIRS Establishment Act by the Finance Act, complaints from taxpayers about multiple agencies of government demanding payment of tax from them had been addressed.
“This unfortunate situation is not in line with the national tax policy thrust and was causing confusion for our taxpayers and increasing their cost of compliance. However, the amendment to section 68 of the FIRS Act by the Finance Act 2021 has made it clear that FIRS is the only agency responsible for tax assessment, collection and enforcement. As such, taxpayers are to expect a streamlined tax administration regime going forward.”
Nami stated that the Service will deploy compliance and enforcement strategies, and will leverage on intelligence and strategic data mining and analysis, to provide intelligence and information to enhance its audit and investigation functions, while also reducing the prevalence of tax abuse in incentive management in the country.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote has cautioned against making law for the purpose of gagging social and online media. Simbi Wabote spoke February 17 when he hosted members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) at the Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, Lagos. He said: “personally, I believe that the social media space and online media should not be gagged by laws but must be regulated in such a manner that encourages the freedom of expression enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended. “The free exchange of ideas should be allowed to blossom.” The Content Development boss however, asked citizens not take the liberty to libel or slander one another. “As we all know, your freedom begins where the other persons freedom ends. “As online publishers, you have a huge responsibility to condemn and weed out the bad eggs in your profession, and our society generally. “Some of the online media platforms are undermining government’s noble intentions of bringing in technocrats and professionals to serve as appointees because of the targeted and unwarranted attack against these persons under the cloak of investigative journalism, thereby tarnishing the image of your wonderful profession.” He expressed joy to see some of his friends being members of GOCOP, the group he described as “elite group in the Nigerian media space.” Simbi Waboti acknowledged the importance of the media, referring in particular to the famous quote by Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, from 1801 to 1809. “He said and I quote, ‘Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.'” He gave reasons why he convened the breakfast meeting. “First, we want online publishers to understand the importance of Nigerian Content to the national economy; and to continue to advocate for Local Content in all spheres of the Nigerian economy. (This the first time we are formally engaging online publishers.) “The COVID-19 pandemic brought home the reality that every economy needs to develop local capacities and capabilities in the core sectors of its economy. So, all hands must now be on deck to push the Local Content narrative. “Secondly, we want to use the opportunity of this engagement to give a historical excursion of the reason for the Nigerian Content imperative; the journey so far; and our plans going forward. “Thirdly, we want to have a frank conversation with online publishers and encourage your members to censor fake news using the instrumentality of the law and self-regulation procedures, so you can maintain the enviable reputation you have earned in society. I am honoured and delighted to hold this breakfast meeting with this important segment of the media. As earlier mentioned by the Manager, Corporate Communications the importance of online media in today’s journalism space cannot be overemphasized. To underscore the above, members of the Corporate Online publishers are distinguished media practitioners, who rose to the zenith in the mainstream media before veering off to set up your own online publishing business. I can see some of my friends in your group here, who are members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the elite group in the Nigerian media space. Let me underscore the importance the media with this famous quote by Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States, from 1801 to 1809. He said and I quote, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” Why have we convened this breakfast meeting? First, we want online publishers to understand the importance of Nigerian Content to the national economy; and to continue to advocate for Local Content in all spheres of the Nigerian economy. (This the first time we are formally engaging online publishers.) The COVID-19 pandemic brought home the reality that every economy needs to develop local capacities and capabilities in the core sectors of its economy. So, all hands must now be on deck to push the Local Content narrative. Secondly, we want to use the opportunity of this engagement to give a historical excursion of the reason for the Nigerian Content imperative; the journey so far; and our plans going forward. Thirdly, we want to have a frank conversation with online publishers and encourage your members to censor fake news using the instrumentality of the law and self-regulation procedures, so you can maintain the enviable reputation you have earned in society. Our guest presenter, Mr. Kemela Okara of Vale Partners has spoken eloquently on Media practice and the Law. Personally, I believe that the social media space and online media should not be gagged by laws but must be regulated in such a manner that encourages the freedom of expression enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended. The free exchange of ideas should be allowed to blossom. However, citizens must not take the liberty to libel or slander one another. As we all know, your freedom begins where the other persons freedom ends. As online publishers, you have a huge responsibility to condemn and weed out the bad eggs in your profession, and our society generally. Some of the online media platforms are undermining government’s noble intentions of bringing in technocrats and professionals to serve as appointees because of the targeted and unwarranted attack against these persons under the cloak of investigative journalism, thereby tarnishing the image of your wonderful profession. We would get to these issues in detail much later in our discussions. LOCAL CONTENT JOURNEY IN NIGERIAN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY Prior to the adoption of local content, the Nigerian oil and gas industry was characterized by: a. Revenue focus with little emphasis on in-country value addition; b. Massive capital flights of over $380 Billion and an estimated two (2) million job losses over a 50-year period; c. The local content in the oil and gas industry was less than 5%. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo directed NNPC to introduce Local Content Policies in the oil and gas industry as part of our national economic development imperatives sometime in 2004. Following the presidential directive, NNPC issued 16 and 23 Directives in 2005 and 2006 respectively to drive local content as a key development imperative. These directives further raised the consciousness in the oil and gas industry and moved the needle a bit in getting some in-country value addition across the oil and gas value chain. Having witnessed initial resistance to the NNPC Directives by most of the E & P companies, Government felt it was imperative to give legal backing to the directives and provide an all-encompassing framework for the development of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry. Hence, the NOGICD Act was enacted in 2010 and signed into law on 22nd April 2010. The NOGICD Act, 2010 established NCDMB as the sole agency of the Federal Government with the responsibility for driving Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry. The key thrusts of the NOGICD Act include the following: a) Maximize utilization of Nigerian resources, that is, goods, services and assets b) Maximize participation of Nigerians in the oil and gas activities c) Attract investments to the Nigeria oil and gas industry; and d) Link oil and gas sector to other sectors of the economy Let me inform you that the focus of the NOGICD Act is not “Nigerianization” of the oil & gas industry, but “Domiciliation” and “Domestication” of value-adding activities. The NOGICD Act defines Nigerian Content as “the quantum of composite value added to or created in the Nigeria economy by` a systematic development of capacity and capabilities through the deliberate utilization of Nigerian human, material resources and services in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.” Some of the key provisions of the NOGICD Act that enable the delivery of the Board’s mandate are as follows: Sections 3, 12, and 28 of the NOGICD Act together provides for first consideration to be given: a. to Nigerian operators in the award of oil blocks and licenses, b. to Nigerian goods and services in the evaluation of bids, and c. for the employment and training of Nigerians in any project executed in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. These provisions are very fundamental and are at the core of the application of the Nigerian Content Act. Sections 20, 21, and 22 of the NOGICD Act clearly stipulates our touchpoints during pre-qualification, bidding, and award stages of the oil and gas tenders to ensure local content provisions are not circumvented. Section 104 of the Act requires that the sum of one percent of every contract awarded to any operator, contractor, subcontractor, alliance partner or any other entity involved in any project, operation, activity or transaction in the upstream sector of the Nigeria oil and gas industry shall be deducted at source and paid into the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF). This provision has enabled the Board to fund several activities necessary to implement the provisions of the Act. Section 70 of the Act lists out the functions of NCDMB to include the following: a) Monitor Nigerian content compliance by operators and service providers. b) Engage in targeted capacity building interventions. c) Set minimum Nigerian Content levels for project activities. d) Conduct studies, research, investigation, workshops and trainings aimed at advancing the development of Nigerian Content and e) Manage and Grow the Nigerian Content Development Fund In the past 11 years, the NOGICD Act has been implemented in 3 phases: Phase 1: 2010 – 2012: Transition from NNPC-NCD to NCDMB; Temporary offices in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State; Pioneer staff recruitment & training; Benchmark studies on LC practices; Created awareness on opportunities in the Act 30. Phase 2: 2013 – 2016: Implementation of CDIs & deployment of compliance monitoring tools- Participated in bids and enforced compliance with NC requirements; Monitored compliance with NC commitments in bids; Applied sanctions on defaulting companies; Achieved 26% Nigerian Content as at end 2016 Phase 3: 2017 – 2027: Implementation of a 10-Year Strategic Roadmap to achieve 70% Nigerian Content in the Oil and Gas Industry. The 10-Year Strategic Roadmap in underpinned by 5 pillars namely – Technical Capability Development, Enabling Business Environment, Organisational Capability, Sectorial & Regional Market Linkages and Compliance & Enforcement. 4 Enablers, namely – Funding, Regulatory Environment, Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement and Research & Statistics. Using these provisions, and the roll-out of the 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, the following achievements have been recorded in the oil and gas industry with the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act. Increase of in-country value retention from 26% in 2016 to 42% in 2022. Nigeria moved from near zero participation in the oil and gas sector to the point that our indigenous operators such as SEPLAT, AITEO, EROTON, and others are now responsible for 15% of our oil production and 60% of our domestic gas supply. Before the Act, we had annual spend of $20 billion, with little or nothing retained in-country. Today, we now spend more than $8 billion in-country per year. We now have 2 world-class pipe mills and 5 impressive pipe coating yards More than 40% of marine vessels used in the oil and gas industry are now owned by Nigerians. In fabrication, today Nigeria can handle fabrication of more than 250,000 Tonnes per annum. Over ten (10) million training manhours have been delivered via our Human Capacity Development Programs. No surprise that our indigenous workforce was able to sustain oil production at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Over 50,000 direct jobs have been created on the back of the implementation of the NOGICD Act. Completion and commissioning of our 17-storey headquarters building – the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, complete with a 1,000-seater conference auditorium and multi-level car park. Completion of 10MW power plant for the supply of electricity to the Nigerian Content Tower and the industrial park in Bayelsa State. Completion and commissioning of the 5,000bpd Waltersmith Modular Refinery at Obigwe, Imo State; the refinery is currently in operation with the products completely sold out. Launched the $350million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund managed by the Bank of Industry and NEXIM Bank for single digit loans for Asset Acquisition, Manufacturing, Loan Refinancing, Working Capital and Loan for Women in Oil and Gas. The only infrastructure in Africa for FPSO integration is available in Nigeria. The Egina FPSO which is the largest in the world was integrated at the SHI-MCI Yard in Lagos. Completed GSM training scheme for about 4,000 trainees in Kano, Bauchi, Yobe, Kaduna, and Cross River States as part of development of linkage sectors. Completed the upgrade of two (2) Vocational Technical Colleges in Akwa Ibom and Enugu states. We launched NOGTECH HACKATHON and ENACTUS STIC to nurture innovation amongst our young minds. NCDMB inaugurated a $50million Nigerian Content Research & Development Fund to drive basic research, commercialization of research breakthroughs, establishment of Centers of Excellence, and to sponsor University endowments. The Board floated a $50m special loan product for women in the oil and gas business to enable empowerment of the womenfolk in the industry. We also established another $30m Working Capital Fund to support oil and gas service companies. Both the Women and Working Capital funds are managed by Nexim Nigerian Export-Import Bank. Last Thursday we secured the approval of our Governing Council to set up a USD$50 million fund for NOGAPS Manufacturing Product Line, to be dedicated to companies that would operate in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks, being constructed by the Board in Bayelsa and Cross River States. The beneficiaries would engage in the manufacturing of equipment components used in the oil and gas industry and linkage sectors. Capacity Development Initiative for the Completion of the Block Tower and Workshops in the PTDF Skills Development Center at Omagwa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The level of Expatriate Quota has continued in a downward trend due to our stringent monitoring activities and collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. We continue to utilize the Exchange Program and the Understudy Program under Expatriate Quota regime to develop required skills in the industry. Construction of oil and gas industrial parks spread across six (6) states complete with the provision of infrastructure and utilities to enhance local manufacturing. Partnership for the local manufacturing of 1.2million composite LPG cylinders per year with the 1st phase scheduled for commissioning in 2022. Partnership for the establishment of additional modular refineries in Bayelsa and Edo States. Partnership for the construction of 300MMscfd gas gathering hub for gas supply into the OB-3 pipeline in Edo State. Partnership to deepen LPG utilization in the North with the roll-out of LPG bottling plants and depots in ten (10) Northern States of Kaduna, Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Gombe, Zamfara, Jigawa and Abuja. Partnership to establish base oil manufacturing plant in Omagwa, Rivers State. We now boast of very high engineering design capacity as Nigerian companies now have the required skills to do conceptual, FEED, and detailed engineering designs. We now have capacity to manufacture low, medium, and high voltage cables and paints that can match any standard or quality in any part of the world. These are just a few of the achievements through the adoption and implementation of local content in the oil and gas industry. Now that Nigeria has a well-established local content in the oil and gas industry such that other nations are even coming to learn from us, we need to now extend it to other sectors of the economy to further drive our National Development in the growth trajectory. It is important to state here that our plan in NCDMB is that by 2027, we will ensure 70% Nigerian Content; creation of 300, 000 direct jobs; retention of USD$13Bn of the estimated USD$20Bn spend in the oil and gas industry; ensure the domiciliation of major fabrication yards and manufacturing hubs in-country. These are no mean targets we have set for ourselves. However, we are confident of hitting these targets, if not surpassing them, because of the can-do spirit of the Nigerian people. I will conclude by saying that the Nigerian Content imperative is a journey, a marathon one for that matter. We will require all hands to join forces with NCDMB and government to pursue this cause in ensuring that the benefits of the oil and gas industry is retained maximally in Nigeria. Let me once again express my gratitude to the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers for the support you have provided to the Board in the last five years that I have been on the saddle as the Executive Secretary. I do not take your support for granted. Let me again emphasise the need for media practitioners, especially in the online media, to self-regulate and checkmate your colleagues who have deployed their platforms to propagate falsehood and perpetrate extortionist practice. As you are aware, I dragged one of such platforms, Pointblank News to court in the United States and I am determined to pursue the case to its logical conclusion. I will be willing to share with you some background to the matter so that you can treat the story professionally when next it lands on your desk. Thank you all for your attention. Engr. Simbi Wabote (FNSE, FIPS) Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Thursday,17th February 2022.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has assured the National Economic Council (NEC) that the scarcity of fuel now being faced by Nigerians will be over next week.
Briefing the NEC meeting today, February 17, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the NNPC stressed that there will be adequate PMS supply by next week.
The Company said that 30 vessels are expected to deliver an additional supply of 2.3 Billion litres of PMS into the country till month-end February, 2022.
“NNPC as the supplier of last resort has continued to sustain adequate petroleum products supply and distribution to the Nation despite challenges associated with the unending waves of pipeline vandalism, product theft and Cross-border smuggling of PMS.
The Company said that the strategy being worked on, is on for restoring stability in PMS supply and distribution by boosting Incoming PMS Supplies
It is also to recertification and release of In-country PMS Stock, as well as to enhanced distribution.
President Buhari participates at the African Finance Summit in Paris, France on 18th May 2021
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has called on the European Union (EU) to enter into what he described as “a new economic deal” with Africa.
Such new deal, he stressed, must provide the chance for the Europe to rid itself of a trade policy that quashes job-creation in Africa and hinders efforts to stem economic migration to Europe.
The call was published in an opinion article today in the Politico, an online/offline magazine, which is the biggest/ most influential publication for the EU.
The article was published to coincide with the opening of the 6th EU-AFRICA summit meeting, holding in Brussels, Belgium today, February 17.
The Nigerian leader insisted that the EU-Africa relationship must be shifted toward a new economic arrangement in order to address various challenges.
The article is hereunder reproduced, titled:
IT’S TIME FOR A NEW ECONOMIC DEAL BETWEEN THE EU AND AFRICA:
When it comes to the relationship between the European Union and Africa, unfair arrangements have long been skated over for lack of alternatives.
Increasingly unsustainable, these one-sided deals have provoked calls from both sides of the Mediterranean for a partnership of equals. At the EU-Africa Summit, leaders from across my continent will gather with their European counterparts to transform such rhetoric into substance.
The EU is currently Africa’s largest trading partner, and Africa is the fastest growing continent on earth. While each presents the other with great opportunities, as partners, we also share a host of problems. Today, the EU-Africa relationship must be shifted toward a new economic arrangement in order to address them.
By 2050, Africa’s population of 1.3 billion is set to double, making up a quarter of the world’s total. My country, Nigeria, is set to double its population to 400 million by then, surpassing the United States to become the third largest nation in the world. This means a huge youthful market right on Europe’s doorstep and — with increased trade — a growing middle class with money to spend.
However, despite burgeoning possibility, irregular northward migration from my continent drains Africa’s talent pool, while provoking political crises in the EU. Despite its best efforts, Europe will not find a sustainable remedy to this problem by further reinforcing its Fortress Europe approach. Instead, more opportunities must be created for Africans at home, providing alternatives to the decision to take a life-threatening boat journey in order to seek them elsewhere.
The relationship between the EU and Africa must be rebalanced to power job creation. Unfortunately, today’s arrangements do just the opposite.
Where some claim preferential trade policies with the EU lend a helping hand to Africa, the real picture is far more complicated. The Everything but Arms scheme grants 32 African countries tariff-free access to Europe’s protected markets. In addition to the fact that this excludes many of the continent’s 54 nations, there remain barriers to Europe’s markets even for countries that qualify.
For example, though agricultural subsidies to EU farmers may not be the same as external tariffs, their effects are identical: They make Africa’s exports uncompetitive. More than €50 billion is ploughed into keeping European food produce cheap. With its main export market distorted against them, African countries are deprived of foreign exchange, and investment in agriculture is stifled.
Conversely, Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) give Europe deeper access to African markets. At the lower end of the value chain, these free-trade deals ensure EU agricultural subsidies deliver another blow to African farmers, as artificially depreciated produce floods the market, undermining domestic competitors. For instance, subsidy-driven surpluses of European milk are powdered and sent to Africa, decimating its dairy industry. It is a similar story when it comes to wheat and poultry production. Despite having the most underutilized arable land in the world, Africa remains a net food importer. Meanwhile, more than half of Africans work in agriculture, a sector in which sustained improvements offer the fastest path to poverty reduction across the continent.
At the higher end of the value chain, premature trade liberalization demanded by these EPAs have put nascent manufacturers out of business. In other cases, industries simply don’t materialize because there is no incentive to enter the market. Consequently, the jobs required to satisfy millions of young Africans joining the employment market every year are not created.
It is for these reasons that Nigeria decided against signing an EPA. But this was only possible because of our place as the largest economy in Africa. Smaller nations have little choice.
The unease over such deals is not limited to Africans either. Warnings from within the EU, including from development ministers, have stated the deals are irreconcilable with poverty reduction pledges and U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
When subsidies and EPAs are taken together, the current trade arrangements are a little different from what took place in our past. Africa is supplying natural resources. Yet extractive industries are job-light and sift Africa’s wealth from the continent.
This is not only a matter of rewriting agreements. We must also change the way we interact. In 2019, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) came into effect. It created the largest free trade market in the world, and over time it will progressively break down tariffs and non-tariff barriers between nations within the continent.
An inheritance of colonial extraction, trade within the continent currently languishes at 17 percent, compared to Europe’s 68 percent. In fact, Africa trades more with Europe than it does with itself. The free trade area shall rectify this, driving development whilst also diversifying economies.
At the same time, speaking with one voice, Africa can mobilize its collective clout to gain better deals for itself on the world stage. Today we meet as continents, and our trade relations should reflect that. Yet EPAs pitch the EU as one against regional groupings or individual countries in Africa, and the pursuit of these deals has the effect of creating a motley of various conditions and tariff regimes across the continent. Pulling nations in different directions, will slow the implementation of AfCFTA and undermine eventual efforts to attain a customs union.
Moving forward, it is clear what a new economic deal between our unions should entail: For Africa, it must offer a chance for a fundamentally new economic deal. For Europe, it must provide the chance to rid itself of a trade policy that quashes job-creation in Africa and hinders efforts to stem economic migration to Europe.
The way forward is clear, the deal just needs to be struck.
Muhammadu Buhari is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A 102 years old woman, Nonye Ezeanyaeche has indicated her intention to contest the Presidency of Nigeria in the 2023 election. Nonye, who has not disclosed the political party on which platform she will contest the election, said that her manifesto is ready. The Presidential aspirant, who spoke today, February 17 when she visited the management of the Nigerian Television Authority in Abuja with her entourage, hails from Aguata in Anambra State. She was described by the NTA Director-General, Yakubu ibn Mohammed as patriot, nationalist and an advocate of a better Nigeria. Nonye is a founder of Voice for Senior Citizens of Nigeria and a recipient of the African Peace Award in 2021. The oldest female Presidential aspirant is popularly called by her admirers as mama Africa. Source: @qed.
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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has directed the setting up of a joint committee of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and the FCT Administration to tackle issues surrounding the 5G broadband deployment in the Territory.
The African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) has confirmed that Nigeria has recorded tremendous successes in infrastructure development and agricultural revolution during the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has assured the National Economic Council (NEC) that the scarcity of fuel now being faced by Nigerians will be over next week.
