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  • JUST IN: Reps probe missing crude, dirty fuel

    JUST IN: Reps probe missing crude, dirty fuel

     

    JUST IN: Reps probe missing crude, dirty fuel.

     

    The Joint Committee of the House of Representatives carrying out a forensic investigation into the challenges affecting the downstream and midstream petroleum sectors has commenced a probe into allegations of importation of contaminated Premium Motor Spirit, also known as fuel, into the country.

     

    The committee’s Chairman, Ikenga Ugochinyere disclosed this at the formal inauguration of the panel in Abuja on Monday.

     

    The investigative panel will also look into allegations of the non-availability of crude oil to domestic refineries, disruption in distribution and favouritism in the pro forma invoice regime, among others.

    He noted that the panel would also probe the possible influx of contaminated products into the country and “the allegation of non-domestication of profits realised from crude marketing sales in local banks, abuse of the PFI regime and importation of products already being produced in Nigeria.”

     

    Meanwhile, the panel is set to visit petrol stations nationwide to take samples of their product for laboratory tests to ascertain their quality.

    The mandate of the joint committee is sequel to the adoption of a motion on July 9, 2024, on the “Urgent need to carry out a legislative forensic investigation into the challenges affecting the downstream and midstream petroleum sectors in Nigeria and other related matters to find out a lasting solution to all challenges,” affecting the petroleum industry.

     

  • Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu congratulate Nigerian doctor on world largest painting record

    Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu congratulate Nigerian doctor on world largest painting record

    Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu congratulate Nigerian doctor on world largest painting record

     

    President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian doctor and artist, Fola David, on his recent accomplishment of setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest painting by an individual.

     

    There is reports that in the course of his six-day attempt at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos, David broke the previous record of 629.98 square metres, held by Ravi Soni from India, and set a new record of 1000 square metres of art.

     

    In a post on his Instagram story on Sunday, Tinubu wrote, “Congratulations to Dr. Fola David for completing his attempt at making the world’s largest hand-drawing by an individual, ‘Unity in Diversity.’

     

    “It is a remarkable achievement, and we are filled with great pride and admiration for this accomplishment.”

    Similarly, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has also congratulated him on his new feat, highlighting how David worked with the state government during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Sanwo-Olu wrote on X.com on Monday, “From the challenging days of the pandemic where he was a #COVID19Hero at our Onikan Isolation Centre to breaking world records at our Onikan Stadium (Mobolaji Johnson Arena), Dr. Fola David has been a beacon of excellence and service.

    Congratulations on creating the world’s largest handdrawing by an individual, ‘Unity in Diversity.’ Lagos is proud!

     

    “We are happy to have supported this record-breaking feat to showcase the extraordinary talents within our state.

     

    “Your dedication and creativity inspire us all. Continue to dream big and do audacious things, Dr. #foladavidart.”

     

    David’s artwork, titled “Unity in Diversity,” features a map of Nigeria highlighting the country’s diverse tribes through their unique attire, languages, art, and essence.

     

  • Obi decries Nigeria’s economic decline, calls for urgent action

    Obi decries Nigeria’s economic decline, calls for urgent action

    Obi decries Nigeria’s economic decline, calls for urgent action

     

    The 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the country’s economic trajectory since 2015.

     

    In a statement on Monday via X, Obi highlighted the contrast between Nigeria’s economic performance in the early years of its return to democracy and its current state.

     

    “When Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999, it maintained an average GDP growth of about 6.72% for 16 years from 1999-2014,” Obi wrote.

     

    However, he pointed out that this growth was not sustained, with GDP growth collapsing to 2.79% in 2015 and the economy slipping into recession in 2016.

     

    He said, “In 2014, just before the inception of a new administration a year later, Nigeria had the biggest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product of $568.5 billion and a GDP Per Capita of about $3,200.”

     

    In contrast, he noted that by 2023, Nigeria had fallen to the 4th largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $375 billion and a per capita of $1700.

     

    Accordingly, the situation worsened in 2024, with the GDP further declining to an estimated $253 billion and per capita dropping to $1087.

     

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    This is according to data obtained from StatiSense, an AI data company specialising in financial report analysis, bank statement evaluation, and AI chatbot services.

     

    Subsequently, the former governor expressed alarm at the current state of affairs, saying, “Today, poverty is pervasive and on the increase. Unemployment is rising. Food inflation has skyrocketed to over 43%. Foreign and local investors are losing faith in the future growth of our economy and are leaving in large numbers. Businesses are shutting down.”

     

    Obi called for urgent action to prevent further economic collapse and move it from consumption to production as he criticised the current leadership.

     

    Obi said, “Urgent actions need to be taken to salvage the nation from further economic collapse and move it from consumption to production.

     

    “However, instead of concerning ourselves with all these challenges threatening our collective existence and finding ways to recreate an inclusive and sustainable economy, pull millions of people out of poverty, and return our nearly 20 million out-of-school children to schools, our leaders are more concerned with funding their selfish luxuries and individual lavishness, while throwing blames at others who are only committed to solving the nation’s problems.

     

    “In the face of all these challenges, we the leaders should commit to inclusive and sustainable growth to end the hardship which has continued to burden our fellow Nigerians. Only through that can we achieve a peaceful and secure society.”

  • ABUTH resident doctors begin five-day warning strike.

    ABUTH resident doctors begin five-day warning strike.

    ABUTH resident doctors begin five-day warning strike.

     

    The National Association of Resident Doctors, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, has commenced a five-day warning strike over the non-payment of salaries owed to some members.

     

    The branch association’s Vice President, Dr. Ashiru Mikail made this known during a news conference on Monday in Zaria, Kaduna State.

     

    Mikail said that the association on July 15, 2024, gave a one-week ultimatum to the hospital management to address their demands or be faced with a warning strike.

     

    He, however, noted that the request had expired on Sunday, July 21, 2024, hence the commencement of the warning strike.

     

    He said the association would reconvene to review its strategy after the warning strike to determine the next line of action, adding that it rejects percentage salary payments for members on the GIFMIS platform, and demands repayment of parts of their withheld salaries.

     

    According to him, in June 2024, the salaries of affected members were slashed by about 25 to 27 per cent representing N58,000 to N60,000.

     

    He explained that the doctors who were paid in percentage in June were being owed salary arrears for 2021.

     

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    Mikail stated, “Despite the harsh economic challenges in the country, no reasonable reasons for the deductions were advanced to the association by the management.

     

    “The management proposed to pay N2 million to offset the arrears of accoutrement allowance per month from the overhead cost.

     

    “This amount can only be paid N5,000 per member monthly as against the N100,000 owed to each member.”

     

    “More than 60 per cent of the Federal Tertiary Health institutions in the North West zone have commenced payments of the arrears of accoutrement allowance but ABUTH has not, but rather proposed to pay N5,000 instead of N25,000,” he lamented.

     

    Mikail said the association demands the implementation of the 25 per cent CONMESS upward review of the salaries of members who were on the GIFMIS platform, among other demands.

     

  • Five killed in Croatia nursing home shooting

    Five killed in Croatia nursing home shooting

    A gunman opened fire in a nursing home in Croatia on Monday, killing at least five people, state media reported, in a rare instance of gun violence in the Balkan country.

     

    State broadcaster HRT said an unidentified gunman entered a nursing home in Daruvar -some 130 kilometres (80 miles) east of Zagreb – and opened fire.

     

    At least five were killed and several others wounded during the shooting, HRT said.

     

    The outlet said the alleged suspect then fled but was later arrested by police.

     

    Croatian newspaper, Jutarnji list described the alleged shooter as a “war veteran” who killed his mother along with other residents and staff.

     

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    Croatia fought a war of independence during the breakup of Yugoslavia from 1991 to 1995.

     

    Shootings in the Balkan country are rare.

     

    Last year in neighbouring Serbia, the country was rocked by back-to-back mass shootings, including a massacre at a school in the capital in Belgrade in which 10 peo ple were killed

  • My friend who warned against investing in Nigeria now taunting me – Dangote

    My friend who warned against investing in Nigeria now taunting me – Dangote

    The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has disclosed that his friend who earlier warned him against investing in Nigeria is now taunting him for ignoring his advice.

     

    Dangote disclosed this in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday just as reports quoted the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority as claiming that diesel from Dangote Refinery is of inferior quality.

     

    “Four years ago, one of my very wealthy friends began to invest his money abroad. I disagreed with him and urged him to rethink his actions in the interest of his country.

     

    “He blamed his action on policy inconsistencies and shenanigans of interest groups.

     

    “That friend has been taunting me in the past few days, saying he warned me and that he has been proven right,” Dangote was quoted to have said.

     

    He said he invested in the refinery to help solve a major issue in the country, wondering why some people were working against him.

     

    He added, “As you probably know, I am 67 years old. In less than three years, I will be 70. I need very little to live the rest of my life. I can’t take the refinery or any other property or asset to my grave. Everything I do is in the interest of my country.’

     

    “We have been facing a fuel crisis since the 70s. This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery.

     

    “This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, and run the refinery. At least the country will have high-quality products and create jobs.”

     

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    The 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, which came to life last year after a decade of prolonged construction, cost $19 billion, more than double the initial estimate, promising to help wean Africa’s biggest oil producer off its reliance on fuel from overseas and save up 30 per cent of the total foreign exchange spent on importing goods.

     

    On Sunday, the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, said it was expecting fresh reports to confirm the real sulphur content of the diesel produced by the Dangote refinery as the company debunked claims of inferior fuel production.

     

    The NMDPRA spokesman, George Ene-Ita, in an interview with The PUNCH, said the agency had done its job and would not engage in a media fight with anybody over the claims made by the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, that Dangote’s diesel has more sulphur content than imported one.

     

    According to Ene-Ita, the authority has about 15 engineers and scientists embedded in the Dangote refinery, whose fresh report about the refinery’s sulphur content will be out on Monday (today).

     

    Africa’s richest man had earlier narrated how a cabal was blocking his moves to import crude and how it has been difficult to get products, slowing down operations.

     

    But last week, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority said the Nigerian government was yet to license the Dangote refinery to begin operations in the country.

     

    The Chief Executive Officer, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the state House on Thursday, July 18.

     

    According to Ahmed, the claims of ongoing efforts to scuttle the operations of Dangote refinery due to lack of supply of crude oil by International Oil Companies were not true, adding that the refinery was still at the pre-commissioning stage and has not been licensed yet.

     

    Ahmed added that the diesel product of Dangote was below international standard, a claim which the businessman had refuted.

  • Inferior fuel: FG demands Dangote refinery’s diesel report, orders new test

    Inferior fuel: FG demands Dangote refinery’s diesel report, orders new test

    The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, is expecting fresh reports to confirm the real sulphur content of the diesel produced by the Dangote refinery as the company debunked claims of inferior fuel production.

     

    The NMDPRA spokesman, George Ene-Ita, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, said the agency had done its job and would not engage in a media fight with anybody over the claims made by the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, that Dangote’s diesel has more sulphur content than imported one.

    According to Ene-Ita, the authority has about 15 engineers and scientists embedded in the Dangote refinery, whose fresh report about the refinery’s sulphur content will be out on Monday (today).

     

    The PUNCH reported Ahmed as alleging that the diesel from the Dangote refinery contains high sulphur content.

    Reacting to Dangote’s allegations that the NMDPRA was giving licences to some traders to import dirty fuel into Nigeria last week, Ahmed argued that it was the Dangote fuel that had a larger content of sulphur.

     

    He also said the refinery, which has been selling diesel and aviation fuel in Nigeria for months, had yet to be licensed, stating that it was still at the pre-commissioning stage.

    The claim by some media houses that there were steps to scuttle the Dangote refinery is not so. The Dangote refinery is still in the pre-commissioning stage. It has not been licensed yet; we haven’t licensed them yet. They are still in the pre-commissioning. I think they have about 45 per cent completion,” Ahmed declared.

    The NMDPRA boss warned that Nigeria could not rely heavily on the Dangote refinery for its fuel supply.

     

    According to him, the refinery had requested the regulator to stop giving import licences to other marketers so as to be the only fuel supplier in Nigeria

    Nigeria.

     

    “We cannot rely heavily on one refinery to feed the nation, because Dangote is requesting that we should suspend or stop importation of all petroleum products, especially AGO and direct all marketers to the refinery, that is not good for the nation in terms of energy security. And that is not good for the market, because of monopoly,” he stressed.

    Speaking about quality, he said, “So, in terms of quality, currently the AGO quality in terms of sulphur is the lowest as far as the West African requirement of 50 ppm is concerned.

     

    “Dangote refinery and some modular refineries, like Waltersmith refinery and Aradel refinery, they are producing between 650 to 1,200ppm. So, in terms of quality, their product is much more inferior to the imported quality,” he alleged.

    Reacting during a tour of the refinery by members of the House of Representatives led by the Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, over the weekend, Dangote asserted that products refined at the world’s largest single train refinery are of superior quality compared to the imported fuel.

     

    The speaker and other members had observed the testing of Automotive Gas Oil from two petrol stations alongside the same taken from the Dangote refinery.

    The diesel samples were procured from two well-known filling stations near Eleko junction along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, by the lawmakers.

     

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Downstream, Ikeagwunon Ugochinyere, and Chairman of the House Committee on Midstream, Okojie Odianosen, oversaw the collection of samples from the Mild Hydro Cracking unit of the Dangote refinery for testing of all the samples.

     

    The Dangote laboratory tests were said to have revealed that Dangote’s diesel had a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm while the other two samples showed sulphur levels exceeding 1,800 ppm and 2,000 ppm respectively.

    are over 15 engineers and scientists of the NMDPRA working with them for the last how many months. That’s how we get our reports. We have engineers and scientists there, who go there. That’s how we get them. That is why I keep on saying we don’t want to personalise this matter. We are working to see that the local refining capacity is booted to a point where we are self-sufficient in producing our fuel here.”

     

    Dangote imports crude

     

    Meanwhile, the Dangote refinery is in talks with Libya to secure crude for the 650,000 barrels per day plant and will also seek Angolan oil, a senior executive, Devakumar Edwin, told Reuters, as the refinery seeks to overcome problems with domestic crude supplies.

     

    Since Dangote began operations in January, it has been unable to get adequate crude supplies in Nigeria, which, although Africa’s biggest oil producer, is struggling with theft, pipeline vandalism and low investment.

     

    Dangote has resorted to importing crude from as far as Brazil and the United States.

     

    “We are talking to Libya about importing crude,” Edwin told Reuters late on Saturday. “We will talk to Angola as well and some other countries in Africa.”

     

    He declined to give details about the talks but said international traders and oil companies were among the biggest buyers of Dangote’s gasoil, much of which was being exported.

     

    “The biggest off-takers are the two big traders Trafigura and Vitol and BP and, to some extent, even TotalEnergies. But all of them are saying they are taking it to offshore,” Edwin said.

     

    Traders and shipping data have shown that Dangote is increasing gasoil exports to West Africa, taking market share from European refiners.

     

    Dangote has said the refinery will begin the sale of Premium Motor Spirit in August, with a plan to stop the importation of refined fuel into Nigeria.

     

    Marketers worried

     

    However, Nigerians and marketers have been expressing concern over the ongoing controversies, especially after the regulator said the country would continue to import refined petroleum products into Nigeria.

     

    The PUNCH recalls that while accusing the IOCs of plans to frustrate the refinery, the Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Edwin also accused the NMDPRA of granting licences indiscriminately to marketers to import dirty refined products into the country.

     

    According to Edwin, the Federal Government issued 25 licences for the construction of refineries in Nigeria, but only the Dangote Group delivered on its promise.

     

    The vice president noted that more than 3.5 billion litres of diesel and aviation fuel had been exported to Europe by the refinery in the past few months. The exported fuel, it was said, represented about 90 per cent of its production.

     

    “The Federal Government issued 25 licences to build refineries and we are the only one that delivered on our promise. In effect, we deserve every support from the government. It is good to note that from the start of production, more than 3.5 billion litres, which represents 90 per cent of our production, have been exported. We are calling on the Federal Government and regulators to give us the necessary support to create jobs and prosperity for the nation,” Edwin stated.

     

    It was alleged that even though Dangote was producing and bringing diesel into the market, complying with the regulations of the Economic Community of West African States, “licences are being issued, in large quantities, to traders who are buying the extremely high sulphur diesel from Russia and dumping it in the Nigerian market.”

     

    Edwin lamented, “The decision of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in granting licenses indiscriminately for the importation of dirty diesel and aviation fuel has made the Dangote refinery expand into foreign markets. The refinery has recently exported diesel and aviation fuel to Europe and other parts of the world. The same industry players fought us for crashing the price of diesel and aviation fuel, but our aim, as I have said earlier, is to grow our economy.”

     

    He noted that because the refinery meets the international standard as well as complies with stringent guidelines and regulations to protect the local environment, it has been able to export its products to Europe and other parts of the world.

     

    “It is regrettable that in Nigeria, import licences are granted despite knowing that we can produce nearly double the amount of products needed in Nigeria and even export the surplus. Since January 2021, ECOWAS regulations have prohibited the import of highly contaminated diesel into the region,” Edwin stated.

     

    Meanwhile, some Nigerians online have called on President Bola Tinubu to relieve the NMDPRA chief executive of his job for saying the fuels produced by local refineries are inferior to imported ones.

     

    Also, the House of Representatives said the allegations would be investigated.

  • Tragedy: Rep Condemns Killings Of Taraba Monarch, Son

    Tragedy: Rep Condemns Killings Of Taraba Monarch, Son

    Rep Condemns Killings Of Taraba Monarch, Son

    Member representing Takum, Donag and Ussa federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Mark Useni has condemned the brutal killings of the Chief of Chanchanji, HRH Abdul Hamid, and his son, Yusuf Hamid by unknown gunmen.

     

    Useni while commending Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State for his immediate action to contain the escalation of security outbreak as a result of the killings also described the incident as a rude shock.

     

    The former Chairman of Takum local government described the killings as dastardly and condemnable especially as they happened at the time the people from Chanchanji area have started experiencing peace and returned to their farming activities.

    “I have received the news of the gruesome killing of the Chief of Chanchanji Abdul Hamid.Y. Kumgbera and his son Yusuf Abdul Hamid with rude shock.

     

    The Royal Father who was murdered on his way from Takum to his domain Chanchanji was the third class chief of the area.

     

     

     

    “This dastardly act is condemnable especially at such a time that the area is experiencing peace while farmers engage in farming activities and business are beginning to thrive.

     

    “I urge our security services to rise up to the situation by ensuring that the perpetrators of this wicked act are arrested and brought to face justice.

     

    “I wish to commend the state Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas for the immediate security steps he has taken to keep the area peaceful.

     

    “I enjoyed a good working relationship with the late Monarch dating back to 20 years ago when I was the chairman of Takum local government area. He was a lover of his people and was committed to peace and community development.

     

    “I urge the people of Chanchanji and indeed Takum Local Government to remain calm and law abiding as government take steps to ensure security of the whole area,” Useni said.

  • Sudan conflict: Nigerian, South African ministers seek immediate ceasefire

    Sudan conflict: Nigerian, South African ministers seek immediate ceasefire

    Sudan conflict: Nigerian, South African ministers seek immediate ceasefire.

     

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and his South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, have called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

     

    They lamented that the conflict had led to the death of innocent citizens, worsened the humanitarian crisis, displaced millions of people and the destruction of critical infrastructure.

     

    According to a statement on Saturday by Tuggar’s Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the two ministers spoke at a meeting on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council in Accra.

     

    They called for the commencement of a process to expedite access to humanitarian assistance in the country.

    The power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces erupted into a large-scale conflict in April 2023, which has continued to rage.

     

    The ministers said, “On July 19, 2024, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Mr. Ronald Lamola, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa. The Ministers reiterated a call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the conflict and the commencement of a process to expedite access to humanitarian assistance.

     

    “To this end, both nations call on the international community to take urgent concrete and practical steps that will facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sudan in an inclusive manner. Tuggar and Lamola pledged to redouble their efforts to deepen the collaborations between their countries.”

     

    The statement added, “The two Ministers reaffirmed the existing strong historical bilateral relations and bonds of friendship and solidarity between South Africa and Nigeria and committed to redouble their efforts to expand and deepen cooperation between the two countries in various sectors. In this regard, the Ministers undertook to finalise preparations for the upcoming session of the Bi-National Commission, which is scheduled to take place in South Africa.

     

    “The Ministers further exchanged views on regional and continental matters including peace and security on the African continent. In particular, the two countries expressed grave concern at the ongoing conflict in Sudan which has resulted in the loss of innocent civilian lives, exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, displaced millions of people, affecting women and children, and led to the destruction of critical infrastructure.”

  • Olympic 2024: France recalls contaminated Olympic water bottles

    Olympic 2024: France recalls contaminated Olympic water bottles

    France recalls contaminated Olympic water bottles.

    French authorities have recalled Olympics-branded water bottles for children containing excessive levels of endocrine disruptor Bisphenol A, a week ahead of the Paris Games’ opening

     

    The reusable bottles made by the Vilac company have “levels of Bisphenol A not in line with regulations” on products designed for contact with foods, government website Rappel Conso (Consumer Recall) said Friday.

     

    The white-coloured flasks with beige, blue or red tops are branded with the Olympic rings, the Paris 2024 mascot or the Olympic flame.

     

    People who have bought them should return them to the place of purchase, authorities said.

    The bottles were sold in France from late August last year until the beginning of June.

     

    Bisphenol A, once widely used in making food containers, has been banned in France since 2015.

     

    Labelled an endocrine disruptor by France’s food safety agency Anses, it is believed to be linked to health problems including breast cancer and infertility.