Marketers give conditions for fuel availability

Oil marketers have given three conditions for continued supply and distribution of petroleum products, as shortages crept in once again with fuel queues noticeable in some parts of Abuja, Lagos and other cities nationwide.

The conditions are that Federal Government pay outstanding subsidy claims by month end, intervene for the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to release foreign exchange to marketers and intervene with commercial banks to grant credit lines to marketers.

It was gathered the conditions were part of the agreements reached yesterday at a crucial meeting in Abuja, with the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

According to a dependable source, “NNPC simply told the public their own side of the story, without reflecting our own concerns.

“We (marketers— majors, independents and depot operators) met with NNPC management, and we made it clear to the Group Managing Director, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu that nobody has money to import anymore.

“We agreed that marketers will continue to do their best to ensure that products are available, but there is little we can do without money to bring in the products.”

Told that supply had been relatively stable in the last four months, the source said supply came mainly from NNPC.

The source said: “The refineries are bringing in something, NNPC is also importing, while marketers are bringing in only very little because of financial difficulties.”

He insisted that the resurgence of queues less than 24 hours after the agreements to ensure products availability was not sabotage, saying that it was only a matter of time before supplies tightened since marketers were hardly importing.

Effect of CBN policy

Another source, who attended the meeting, hinted that “Kachikwu promised that government will pay us, at least, 50 percent of the outstanding subsidy claims by the end of the month, or before the end of the second week in December.”

He said that marketers’ problems were compounded by the new CBN foreign exchange transaction policy.

According to him, “there are no bank facilities because credit lines are not being raised for marketers. But that is not the worse; right now, even those paying in Naira component for previous import cannot get dollar to pay their foreign suppliers.

“Imagine a situation where you have to pay about $18 million for 33,000 metric tonnes. Where will the money come from? CBN said no dollar cash payment except by wired transfer, and we have written many times to CBN, PPPRA, DPR without results.

“Also, when you bring in your product, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, issues you certificate, which you use in processing your claims. But these transactions are all paid for in dollars, so we are stuck.”

Staff sacked

He also disclosed that the prolonged situation had attracted some consequences as “some of our members have started laying off staff, thus compounding the already bad unemployment situation.

“Those who are not laying off have started defaulting in salaries.”

Against this backdrop, he urged government to act urgently before the situation got worse.

NNPC raises concerns

NNPC in a statement yesterday, said the meeting was with a view to “ensuring zero fuel queues throughout the country ahead of the forthcoming yuletide and beyond.”

It said the meeting was between Kachikwu and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, and Depot and Petroleum Products Association, DAPPMA, at the NNPC Towers, Abuja.

Kachikwu was quoted as saying the issue of uninterrupted supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country was of utmost importance to the present administration.

He added that government was willing to do everything possible to ensure that members of the public do not go through any form of hardship in accessing petroleum products, particularly premium motor spirit, PMS, also known as petrol.

The NNPC boss had also “promised to work with other relevant Federal Government agencies to fast track the payment of the outstanding numbers, promising in the interim to arrange for a meeting with the relevant creditors (bankers) to ease off pressure on marketers and extend the credit lines.”

Assures of over  927 million litres

Meanwhile, NNPC, yesterday, cautioned Nigerians against panic buying of petrol, saying it had about 23 days of product supply across the country.

NNPC, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said its depots had about 927.461 million litres of PMS.

He said they were enough to serve the country for the next 23 days even if no drop of the product was imported.

NNPC blamed the resurgence of queues at petrol filling stations on rumours of an impending scarcity, and assured that it had enough products to meet the demand of the country.

It warned marketers against sharp practices, stating that anyone found wanting would be dealt with, as there was a team at Pipeline and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, to monitor the distribution and supply system.

14 killed, 39 injured in Maiduguri bomb blast

» more14 killed, 39 injured in Maiduguri bomb blast

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of 14 persons, including four suicide bombers, in a bomb explosion at Sajeri area of Maiduguri inBorno.

The acting Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

Usman said that 39 other persons were injured in the explosion which occurred near the Ajilari railway crossing on Thursday evening.

According to the statement, security operatives and emergency management team have been mobilised to take care of the wounded persons.

"Although details of the attack are still sketchy, suffice it to state that four Boko Haramterrorists detonated their vests simultaneously.

"Three of the terrorists detonated their bombs in the same area while the fourth detonated in front of a mosque.

"It has been confirmed that 14 people have lost their lives, including the suicide bombers while 39 others were wounded,’’ the statement said.

Usman appealed to residents of the metropolis, especially those in the affected areas, to remain calm and continue to be vigilant as security operatives were in control of the situation.

He assured the public that Boko Haram had been decimated and therefore had no capacity to reverse the progress already made in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations.

In a related development, the Army announced that 80 Boko Haram fighters on Thursday surrendered to troops of the Army 7 Division in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

The Army said the repentant terrorists comprised commanders, foot soldiers and the terrorists’ food suppliers.

It said that the terrorists surrendered as a result of the intense heat put on them by joint forces operating in different theaters in the North-East.

"The terrorists among whom were commanders, suppliers and foot soldiers confirmed to have taken part in several terrorists attacks especially on Bama town, Borno, surrendered,’’ the statement said.

The army attributed its success to intense heat and the continuous offensive embarked upon by troops.

"It will be recalled that we have repeatedly stated that surrender is the only option available to the insurgents.

"The Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force, in conjunction with other security agencies, are totally committed to the achievement of the 3-month Presidential deadline for the eradication of terrorism in Nigeria.

"Other terrorists are encouraged to also surrender or face total annihilation, as the new name of the operation states 'achievement of total peace is a must',’’ it said.

We need France’s assistance to defeat Boko Haram – Buhari

Nigeria’s determination to rout out insurgency has got boosted by a commitment by French government to support the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) with intelligence gathering and high tech military equipment.

The commitment announced on Monday by the French President, Mr. François Hollande after a closed door bilateral meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at Elsee Palace in Paris.

It will be recalled that president Buhari left Abuja for Paris on a three-day official visit to France.

President Muhammadu Buhari and his host, President Francois Hollande during an official engagement at the Elysee Palace as part of activities of the President during the official visit to Paris, France. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida

Addressing a joint press conference, the French President shared the concern of his government on the increasing spate of terrorism and insecurity in Nigerian and other lake Chad countries.

According to him, the meeting with president Buhari was essentially resolved around some new strategies to foster partnership and cooperation to enable Nigeria and its neighboring countries of Cameroun, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic completely stamp put terrorism through the joint action of the MJTF.

President Hollande also recalled that his country had last year hosted a Regional Summit on Security in Paris to galvanize thoughts on how to end terrorism.

“We provide all of the support to the countries in the region which are affected by this cult and in Nigeria, we want to provide support and solidarity,” he stated.

He commended President Buhari for initiating the relocation Nigeria’s highest military command to Maiduguri, the hotbed of the Boko Haram, saying it has so far produced tangible results.

Speaking further, president Hollande disclosed that France has concluded arrangements to invest a total of €130million in the development of infrastructure in Nigeria for rebuilding of roads, provision of electricity and water supply, even as he hailed the economy of Nigeria under president Buhari despite the dwindling oil prices.

“The Nigerian economy remains strong so, France wants to be doing business in the country.”

Also speaking, President Buhari expressed gratitude to the French president for chosing to assist Nigeria over insurgency.

While pledging to cooperate, president Buhari told his host that Nigeria would be depending on France and other G7 countries to help her tackle the menace of piracy and oil theft in the Gulf of Guinea.

“We have to depend on France and the other G7 countries for support to fight piracy.

“Our next shopping list is going to G7 in terms of intelligence and training. Another problem is the problem in the Gulf of Guinea, from Senegal to Angola, that area is endowed with resources like petroleum and other minerals but surrounded by piracy and theft.

“We are going to depend on France and G7 countries to flush these criminals out of the region.”

President also who stated that unemployment has been a source of worry for the government at home informed his host that his was working hard to revitalize the agricultural sector.

“We want to make sure we feed ourself and provide security before other things are also tackled.

“That is why we focus on agriculture and mining before other infrastructure including electricity are tackled”, he said.

Apart from discussing issue of climate change of which Nigeria is an interested party, the two leaders also deliberated on a Memorandum of Understanding to build a €30M project solar power plant in one of the local governments of Osun State.

The capacity of the solar power plant is gathered to generate 10 to 14 megawatts.

The leaders also discussed the issues of establishing a joint committee to increase trade and investment.

It will recalled also that Nigeria and France last year signed bilateral agreements which enables the French government to provide 1.170 Million dollars soft loan through the french development agency AFD for the construction of high voltage power lines and substations that will connect Abuja with electrical distribution network.

Meanwhile, talks between both countries were expected to continue today.

Power: Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan Spent N2.74trn In 16 Years

—THE Senate was told, yesterday, that the Federal Government has invested a N2.74 trillion in Nigeria’s power sector over the last 16 years (1999 to date).

The investments were made during the regimes of former President Olusegun Obasanjo; his successor, late President Umaru Yar’Adua, and President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, and the Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, Mr. James Olotu, disclosed this before a Senate Ad-hoc Committee probing the power sector from 1999 till date.

Furthermore, Olotu revealed that contrary to popular belief, the National Integrated Power Projects, NIPPs, which gulped about $8.23 billion or N1.64 trillion were actually being funded from the Excess Crude Account, rather than from ministerial provisions.

Jonathan, Yardadua and Obasanjo

Power in military era

Speaking further, Ambassador Igali told the Senate that former military Heads of state, who ruled the country from the overthrow of former President Shehu Shagari, up to 1999, when democracy was reinstituted, crippled the power sector.

According to Igali, this is because the successive regimes not only failed to recruit the relevant engineers for 19 years, but also failed to invest in the power sector during their reigns.

He disclosed that out of the 79 power generation units, only 19 were functioning at that time, adding that no new power plant was constructed from 1991 to 1999.

He recalled that the last plant, Shiroro was built in 1991, long before the emergence of Obasanjo as president in 1999, adding that consequently, the power sector depreciated rapidly due to lack of consistent investment and funding until Obasanjo began the power reforms.

Democracy brought improvement

Igali said further: “When democracy came, the government inherited the sector that had not made capital investment for a long time and not a single engineer was recruited in 19 years. Despite the effort at investment by government, we have not been able to invest in a consistent manner in the power sector.

“Investment from government and the private sector must go up gradually but consistently, as fluctuation will not help our economic development. I do know that despite government’s effort at funding the power sector, the nation continues to experience epileptic power supply. However, it takes time to stabilise.”

He equally recalled that when Obasanjo came to power in 1999, electricity generation capacity was a mere 1,750 MW, noting that in view of the volume of investment required, the Ministry had to bring in the private sector which resulted into a reasonable improvement from what it used to be.

Funds appropriation

Igali further disclosed that despite the sector’s need, budgetary votes were seldom released fully, noting that the country cannot realise the full benefit of any investment in power unless the value chain elements – generation, transmission and distribution were also revamped.

He gave a breakdown of the appropriation and money released from 1999 to 2015 as follows:

*1999 – N11.206 billion appropriated, N6.698billion released;

*2000 – N59.064billion appropriated, N49,785 billion released;

*2001 – N103. 397 billion appropriated, N70.927 billion released;

*2002 – N54.647billion appropriated, N41.196 billion released;

*2003 – N55.583billion appropriated, N5.207billion released;

*2004 – N54.647billion appropriated, N54. 647billion released;

*2005 – N90.283 billion appropriated, N71.889 billion released;

*2006 – N74.308 billion appropriated, N74. 3 billion released;

*2007 – N100 billion appropriated, N99.8 billion released;

*2008 – N156 billion appropriated, N112 billion released;

*2009 – N89. 5 billion appropriated, N87billion released;

*2010 – N172 billion appropriated, N70 billion released;

*2011 – N125 billion appropriated, N61 billion released;

*2012 – N197. 9 billion appropriated, N53. 5billion released;

*2013- N146 billion appropriated, N49 billion released;

l2014 – N69.8 billion appropriated, N48 billion released; and,

*2015 – N5. 240billion appropriated, no money released yet.

However, he said that it was only in 2009 that the power sector witnessed a full appropriation, adding that the annual net funding shortfall ranged from 22 per cent to 67 per cent.

Intervention funds

According to Igali, about N155 billion intervention fund was released to the Ministry for the Multi-Year Tariff Order, MYTO, to cushion the effects of the shortfalls in expenditure for the power sector between 2009 and 2013.

The funds were given for a period of five years. A breakdown of the interventions funds are as follows:

*2009 – N30.8 billion;

*2010 -N43.2 billion;

*2011 – N37.0 billion;

*2012 – N11.5 billion; and,

*2013 – N32.6 billion.

Outstanding labour issues

Speaking on the defunct National Electric Power Authority, NEPA, the Permanent Secretary, who noted that every aspect of power has been sold, except for the transmission units, said that about 2,000 workers were yet to be paid off.

He noted that many who claimed to be staff of NEPA do not have valid documents, adding that parts of the proceeds from the privatisation exercise were used to settle labour claims of over 46,000 workers by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE.

He said the payments were made through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the National Pensions Commission.

Electricity operations

Speaking on the high cost of operations in the power sector, Igali who noted that a healthy infrastructure expansion programme required continual investment, said that about “60% – 70% is the typical utility debt to equity profile. Infrastructure projects should be fully funded over a three-year budget cycle.

“Typical Capital Cost (based on a 200:1 Naira/USD exchange rate), Gas processing plant N30 – N40 billion; each Gas pipeline N12 million per inch per km; Generation N200 million per MW; Double circuit 330 kV transmission line: N85million per km; Double circuit 132 kV transmission line N80million per km; Transmission transformer N16 million per MVA; Single circuit 33 kV distribution line N6.5million per km; Single circuit 11 kV distribution line: N6million per km; and Distribution transformer N2.5million – N6 million each.”

No witch-hunting

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abubakar Kyari, APC, Borno North, insisted that the exercise was not to witch-hunt anybody, but a fact finding one in the interest of Nigeria.

Expected to appear before the Committee today are the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC; Bureau of Public Enterprises; BPE; Power Generating Companies, GENCOs and Power Distributing Companies, DISCOs.

It would be recalled that Senate President Bukola Saraki, had last month announced a 13-man ad-hoc Committee to carry out a holistic investigation into the management of funds appropriated to the power sector from the Olusegun Obasanjo civilian administration to date.

Senator Saraki had urged members of the committee to consider their reputation and integrity and come up with a report that would be acceptable to Nigerians. He lamented that a lot of money had been spent on the sector with no results, while Nigeria is still faced with the challenge of power supply.

The committee  was also saddled with the responsibility of looking into irregularities in the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN and to inadvertently probe how the Obasanjo, Umaru Yar‘adua and Jonathan administrations managed funds allocated to the sector.

It  was charged with the task of looking into the entire power value chain including generation, transmission and distribution with a view to identifying what the problems in the sector are.

Saraki who noted at the inauguration of the committee three weeks ago that the task before the panel is huge, had however frowned at the continued absence of regular supply of electricity despite the country’s huge investments in the sector.

Kyari, in his remarks during the inauguration detailed the nature of the investigation his committee is saddled with,saying, “ to have a close look at the entire power value chain (generation, transmission and distribution) calls for review of our policies in order to obtain optimum performances across the board.

From Militancy To Manufacturing: N-Delta Youths Shock The World With Locally Made Products

FOR  many who thought that nothing good can come out of Niger Delta, the up-to-the-minute promotion/exhibition of products manufactured and packaged by some ingenous youths of the region at Calabar, capital of Cross River State is astonishing. Under the auspices of the Calabar Micro, Medium and Small Enterprises Summit, powered by Growth and Employment in States (GEMS4) in collaboration with Made in Nigeria (MiN) Global Consulting Services, the youths displayed items, including cooking burner (plate) that smolders with bio fuel from cocoa, melon, afang, okro and other varieties of soup packaged in ready to eat forms like noodles.

Niger/Delter youths: The inventors and thier products, including cooking burner that burs with bio fuel, bags, beads, others all locally-manufacutred.

There was cocoa juice without sugar or preservatives, custard, soap, accessories made from waste clothing materials among others. Over time made in Nigeria goods have been perceived as second-rate due to packaging and branding, but a lot has changed in recent times following the intervention, financially and otherwise of local and international agencies.

What the young manufacturers need

In a chat with Niger Delta Voice, Manufacturers Associa-tion of Nigeria, MAN, Cross River/Akwa Ibom states branch, Elder Obong Jackson, argued that gone were the days when Made- in -Nigeria products were considered as sub- standard or not good enough .

Made in Nigeriaproducts

“All the items   you see being exhibited   here today are all sourced and made in Nigeria, the only thing we need,    especially the Niger Delta region is some form of encouragement,    either as loans and grants to enable such manufacturers expand their businesses,” Jackson said.

According to him, “Another challenge they are facing is the tedious and difficult process involved in registering most of the products with NAFDAC,SON as well being able to register company/products names, including getting patents to protect your invention. All these have become obstacles to so many entrepreneurs in the region.”

His words,    “The procedures for registering most of the products and entry points should be reviewed because it has discouraged many young entrepreneurs from venturing into real production and manufacturing, we really appreciate what GMES4 and MiN Global are doing to help made in Nigeria products grow.”

My husband and I invented cooking burner- Mrs Agbor

Speaking with Niger Delta Voice, an inventor, Mrs. Ndifreke Agbor, revealed that the cooking burner she invented can cook for 14 hours, 30 minutes with a litre of bio fuel and burns better than gas.

She said, “What you are looking is completely the creation of me and my husband, we are trying to get the patent before we start mass production.  As you can see, it has passed the entire test and is certified. Immediately we get the patent, it will enter the market, most of our inventions are cocoa- based, and we make soaps, custard, and fruit juice and so on.”

Thanks to GMES4 and MiN Global

Another entrepreneur, Mr. Kufre Emmanuel,    “Words alone cannot explain how we feel today, because majority of the people that consume our products are Nigerians, who live in the Diaspora ,so you can imagine what this platform will do for us, anywhere they are,    all they need do is just to order.” He also disclosed that the platform has eliminated many hurdles and made it easier to do business, both in and outside the country without stress.

NAFDAC barrier

Emmanuel, however, bemoaned how difficult it is to get NAFDAC approval for a product,    but also commended the agency for helping producers to    maintain standards,    while appealing for a review of the procedure, especially at entry point. “We have varieties of packaged soup, and we have to register all of them differently according to NAFDAC standard and it will cost    of lot of money but we are glad that the platform created by MiN consult has eliminated the middle man and it will do all of marketing too,” he added.

We mean well- NAFDAC coordinator

Cross-River state NAFDAC coordinator, Mr. Isaiah Kolawole,  explained, “The way our operations are designed is not to be an obstacle to anyone, but protecting the health of the nation is very paramount to us. We also need manufactures to understand that the right things must be done at all times, they should also avoid cutting corners because it endangers the health of the public.”

Our mission- Mendie

Senior Intervention Manager GEMS4, Mr. Micah Mendie, told Niger Delta Voice, “We want to use this platform to encourage made in Nigeria products as well as give them a space and voice in the global market.    It is an opportunity to prove that our products can compete perfectly anywhere in the world, most of the people you see here just need a little push and that is what we represent.”

173 Sickle Cell Persons Die In 3yrs In Anambra

About 173 persons living with sickle cell disorder have died in the last three years in Anambra State. President and coordinator of people living with sickle cell disorder in the South East, Aisha Edward stated this, yesterday, while briefing journalists in Awka on the scourge.

She further hinted that three sickle cell patients namely, Master Mc Victor Ezeokoye and Miss Ifunanya Ezeagolum died last week and appealed to the Anambra State government to quickly implement the law on sickle cell patients that had already been signed by the Anambra State House of Assembly.

Edward accused not only state governors, but the churches, NGOs, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies of complacency and responsible for the crisis facing sickle cell persons in the society.

She particularly appealed to government at all levels to give employment to sickle cell patients, most of whom, she said, were indulged in drug addiction and other forms of social vices because of their status which they see as a hopeless one.

“You cannot cure sickle cell, you can only manage it. The hospitals are not helping matters by administering narcotics, a hard drug on the patients. This drug should be administered on a patient in crisis for a very long while.”

Buhari Has Committed Impeachable Offences — Senator Okon

One time Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and member of the Akwa-Ibom State Elders Forum, Senator Anietie Okon in this interview, scores Governor Udom Emmanuel high in terms of performance within his first 100 days.

Okon

His assessment is anchored on the governor’s aggressive pursuit of industrialization, employment generation and wealth creation.

But the Senator is displeased with President Muhammadu Buhari alleging certain constitutional breaches which should provoke his impeachment. He is worried that the cardinal points that sustain Nigeria as one cohesive nation are being threatened by the President’s approach to governance.
Interview by Vanguards Tom Moses:

Given the uncertain economic situation in the country, do you think the programmes of Governor Udom Emmanuel would not be truncated?

That is rather a simplistic question. We are talking about resource management here and deployment of resources to the best advantage of our dreams and you do know that necessity becomes the mother of invention and not just invention but also the mother of initiatives.

What is your view on the alleged skewed appointments so far made by President Muhammadu Buhari?

Well, you know that is directly in breach of the constitution. The President maybe, heard what I said recently in an interview that he has been operating as a sole administrator and there is no provision in the Constitution of this country for the business of governance to be conducted in that manner.

Again; even in the attempt to people his administration, what we have had is a clear breach of the Constitution.

The very foundations of this country are very clear. The foundations demand a recognition of the differences that have ensured the emergence of a country and it is unacceptable where you fail to recognize the federal character of our make up as a country. This is not only condemnable but poses real danger for the future of this country.

So, what would you say generally of his first 100 days in office?

I have pointed out where there are fundamental breaches and failure in his approach to governance of this country. The cardinal points that ensure that this country remains one cohesive group, one cohesive nation are being threatened by the lopsidedness and cavalier approach to the appointments he is making into the federal system.

Given your position as a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project; what will be your advice to the President at this point in time?

I am waiting for him to fail but for the sake of the country; I hope not. I am waiting for him to continue to make mistakes so that we can find a window to begin to breathe the air properly and to rise up and create a viable alternative to the APC’s change mantra government.