Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: National

  • We’re Determined to Pass PIB in Six Months, Says Gbajabiamila

    We’re Determined to Pass PIB in Six Months, Says Gbajabiamila

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has authoritatively declared that the Green Chamber is determined to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) within the next six months.

    “On the PIB, there are two things that the House would want to do. First, the House is determined to pass the bill within the next six months, or probably less, because the clock has already started running from the time it was presented.

    “Two, the House is determined to pass a PIB that is satisfactory to all. I know it’s difficult to satisfy everybody, but we will try our best to satisfy everybody,” Gbajabiamila said.

    Speaking when he played host to a delegation of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) under Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the speaker said the House would ensure that it carried all stakeholders along in working on the draft legislation until its passage.

    The speaker urged members of OPTS led by their Chairman, Mike Sangster, to avail themselves the opportunity they have at hand to reach out to the House Adhoc Committee on PIB to make their inputs.

    He expressed concern over the submission by Sangster that PIB in its present form, would not make the Nigerian oil and gas industry competitive globally.

    “PIB has been long coming. Because of the various interests, it’s difficult to pass a bill that addresses the interests of everyone. But PIB luckily will involve local content.

    “I’m very concerned about what you said that PIB as it is, doesn’t allow Nigeria to compete favourably in the global market,” he said, adding: “We’re not competitive, yet there’s the presence of oil majors here.”

    According to him, “We need to look at it, but I think it will be difficult to tell members that we should go back to the old arrangement that we had.

    “I need to ask the question that where were you when they were making this law? Your inputs should have been there. It’s never too late for you to have your inputs.

    “I’m sure the committee will do justice to the other issues you raised.”

    Earlier, Sangster raised concerns about the present form of PIB, which he said if passed the way it is, it would negatively affect Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.

    He noted that in the past years, the African continent attracted about $70 billion of investment in the oil and gas industry but that only about $3 billion came to Nigeria despite being a major player continentally.

    When the speaker sought to know from Sangster if PIB had any positives, OPTS chairman responded in the affirmative, noting that PIB represented the much-needed reforms in the sector.

    He noted, however, that in its present form, the bill “doesn’t provide the environment for future investments.”

    He raised other issues to include the preservation of the oil and gas business in the country, royalties, tax, how to handle NNPC’s outstanding liabilities, segregation of the upstream and downstream, complexities in the implementation of the bill, among others.

    Noting that the petroleum industry had the capacity to create thousands of jobs in the next 10 years, Sangster said: “We would encourage the House to reach out to other sources to have a better analysis of PIB.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Labour Union in Nigeria Rejects Another Hike in Petrol, Knocks Government on Failed Responsibilities

    Labour Union in Nigeria Rejects Another Hike in Petrol, Knocks Government on Failed Responsibilities

    The immediate reversal of the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol has been demanded by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday.

    The demand was made known In a statement by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who condemned the increase in the price of the product by the Federal Government.

    It stated that the recent hike in petrol pump price has worsened the level of pain and anguish in the country.

    According to the NLC, it is worrisome to make Nigerians continue to suffer for the failures of successive governments to properly manage the nation’s refineries.

    It added that the development has questioned the explanations made by the government on the payment of subsidy.

    The union insisted that the nation would not have been in its present position if the government had been alive to its responsibilities.

    It warned that Nigerians have a limit to tolerate the continued increase in the price of refined petroleum products and other essential goods and services.

    On the way forward, the NLC asked the government to fix the nation’s refineries, stressing that several options were available to tackle the trend of high prices of refined petroleum products.

    Among other recommendations, it asked the government to declare a state of emergency in the downstream petroleum sector and seal refining deals with refineries closer to Nigeria.

    A file photo of an attendant filling the fuel tank of a car.

    The union was, however, silent on what action it would take if the increased price was not reversed.

    The Federal Government had announced a new pump price band for petroleum products, raising the ex-depot price of petrol to N155.17, making marketers sell between N165 and N173 per litre to consumers.

    Read the full statement by the NLC below:

    THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS CONDEMNS AND REJECTS THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF PETROL (PREMIUM MOTOR SPIRIT)

    There is no doubt that there is great disquiet in the land over the extraordinary level of inflation in the country. The recent increase in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has only exacerbated the current level of pain and anguish in the country.

    The recent increase in the pump price of PMS is clearly against the spirit and content of what Organized Labour agreed with government at the last negotiations over the last fuel price increase.

    It has also cast in very bad light our utmost good faith with regards to government explanations that it lacks funds to continue bankrolling the so-called subsidy payments as such would sooner than later cripple the entire economy, throw the country into severe economic crisis and cause loss of jobs in millions.

    While we await the full recovery of our refineries as contained in our agreement with government, Nigerians cannot be made to bleed endlessly for the failures of successive government to properly manage our refineries, ensure value for money for the numerous Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) which were poorly and barely executed and the horrifying lack of interest in prosecuting public officials and private business people who have profited from the rot in our petroleum sector and the collective misery they have imposed on the general population.

    The truth is that we would not have been in this precarious situation if government had been alive to its responsibilities. There is a limit to what the citizens can tolerate if this abysmal increases in the price of refined petroleum products and other essential goods and services continue.

    While we fix our refineries, there are a number of options open to government to stem the tide of high prices of refined petroleum products. One is for government to declare a state of emergency in our downstream petroleum sector. As a follow up to this, government should enter into contract refining with refineries closer home to Nigeria.

    This will ensure that the cost of supplying of crude oil is negotiated away from prevailing international market rate so that the landing cost of refined petroleum products is significantly reduced.

    Government should also demonstrate the will to stamp out the smuggling of petroleum products out of Nigeria. We need to see big-time petroleum smugglers arraigned in the court of law and made to pay for their crimes against the Nigerian people. Government has the resources available to it to ensure this economic justice to Nigerians.

    The question in the minds of many Nigerians is if government is willing to go headlong against major financiers of the major political parties known to the public as the architects of the current national woe.

    We also demand that Nigerians should be carried along on the distribution of refined petroleum products. Information of the distribution of petroleum products to petrol stations should be advertised and made public knowledge.

    It should not be difficult to establish the average time it takes a petrol station to exhaust its supplies. There is already an established market trend which will help government fix the rot in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

    Second, we call on government to review the entire process of licensing for modular and bigger refineries. It is queer to depend on the enterprise of one man to fix Nigeria’s downstream petroleum subsector. The more public and private refineries in play, the higher the competition.

    This would serve end consumers who would benefit from lower prices. Organized Labour will not accept a fait accompli of the monopoly of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector or the emergence of a cartel of Oligarchs whose end game is mass pauperisation.

    Third, in line with our recent agreement with government, we will be receiving updates in the next few days from our unions in the petroleum sector which have been given the mandate to keep surveillance on government promise to overhaul our public refineries.

    We will also receive updates from our representatives in the electricity review committee. The updates we receive will determine whether the government has kept to its side of the bargain which is to take serious steps to recover and reposition our public refineries.

    The outcome of this engagement will determine our response in the coming days. But while we are at that, we condemn the recent price increase, and we call for its reversal with immediate effect.

    Comrade Ayuba Wabba, mni

    President

    16th November 2020

  • Senate Committee on Army Kicks Against Rehabilitation Of Repentant Terrorists in Nigeria

    Senate Committee on Army Kicks Against Rehabilitation Of Repentant Terrorists in Nigeria

    The Senate Committee on Army, says it disagrees with the Federal Government’s (FG) programme on deradicalising ex-Boko Haram members.

    The Chairman of the committee, Senator Ali Ndume, who has always maintained a divergent view on the matter, again reiterated his disagreement with the FG’s move to rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members at a closed door budget defense session with the Nigerian Army on Wednesday.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume

    Ndume’s position which was the same as that of the committee, has always been of the opinion that deradicalizing Ex-Boko Haram Members is a misplacement of priority stressed that the Federal Government cannot be resettling and pampering former terrorists while the country is still at war.

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    “I am in disagreement with the government,” Ndume buttressed.

    He further noted that Boko Haram members who are apprehended can be kept as prisoners of war, adding that in due time they can be profiled and tried in accordance with the law.

    Damboa attack carried out by repentant Boko Haram member
    In further defense of his position on the matter, Senator Ndume claimed that the recent terrorist attack in Damboa was orchestrated by a repentant Boko Haram member.

    According to the lawmaker, the repentant Boko Haram member was feeding the terror group information regarding the movement of the army.

    Ndume was of the opinion that it is unfair and not right to have the government lavish its resources on those who threaten the peace of the nation.

    ‘I Am Completely Against It!’
    Early in February, Senator Ali Ndume pushed against the bill aimed at creating an agency for repentant insurgents.

    The Boko Haram Bill which is aimed at creating a national agency that would see to the rehabilitation, de-radicalization, and integration of repentant insurgents in the country met with stiff opposition from Ndume who believes it is a misplacement of priority.

    “I personally disagree with that. The war is not over and some criminals that have been killing people you say that you are doing Operation Safe Corridor for them.

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    “I am completely against that idea. They know my position on that, you can’t do that.

    “It is when you win the war and some people surrender that you think about something like that,” Ndume said on the floor of the Senate where the bill was read for the first time.

    He added that the idea of the bill will only make Boko Haram have more recruits since they are sure of rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

    “You are just telling people to go and join Boko Haram and then repent and become something (sic) that’s a totally unacceptable idea and a way of solving the problem,”.Channels TV reported.

  • Vice President of Nigeria Advocates Suitable Curriculum for Quality Education

    Vice President of Nigeria Advocates Suitable Curriculum for Quality Education

    The Vice President of Nigeria Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is advocating for the design and development of suitable curriculum assessments and monitoring systems that will focus on improving the quality of education during and post-COVID-19 pandemic, adding that this requires urgent steps.

    The Vice President stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at the 2020 Annual Education Conference.

    The Vice president, represented by Minister of State for Education, Mr. Chukuemeka Nwajuiba, stated that the adaption of the curriculum was necessary to facilitate learning in hybrid schooling situations in view of the unexpected disruptions of education system by COVID-19 pandemic.

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    He said the possibilities of designing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics curricula such that they can be taught virtually should be worked out by appropriate government offices and stakeholders.

    “The theme of this conference is a true reflection of an unusual global challenge faced by education in recent days.

    “The emergence of Coronavirus pandemic has no doubt adversely affected the education sector and the economy at national and global levels.

    “Let me point out that to cushion the effects of the pandemic, the world is embracing technological innovations. Virtual interactions have increasingly replaced face-to-face engagement and limit the total disruptions to many sectors,” he said.

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    Also at the event, the Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu reiterated the commitment of the ministry for continued deployment of technologies and the internet in education to ensure that online education became an integral component of school education.

    The conference was organised by national and international partners in the education sector, and has the theme “Building an Effective, Resilient and Sustainable Education System for Nigeria’s during and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: The Way Forward”.

  • ‘Keep the Peace’ – Nigeria President Tells Youth

    ‘Keep the Peace’ – Nigeria President Tells Youth

    President Muhammadu Buhari Monday said he has mandated his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, to meet with traditional rulers across the nation with a view of addressing some of the demands being made by the youths.

    While responding to the recent #EndSARS protest and the mayhem and destruction of public and private property that came in its wake, Buhari tasked Nigerian youths to embrace peace, saying it’s in their own interest ultimately.

    President Buhari receives in audience Hajia Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations in State House on 9th Nov 2020.

    The President spoke at State House in Abuja, while receiving in audience the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, who’s Nigeria’s former Minister of Environment.

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    Buhari said: “Our own generation is on the last lap, we are exiting.

    “It is in the interest of the youths to keep the peace. They want jobs, infrastructure and development. I have sent a team led by the Chief of Staff (Professor Ibrahim Gambari) to go round the country, talk to traditional rulers, who will then talk to the youths.

    “The views of the youths have been heard.”

    He added that the current administration inherited severe infrastructural deficits, “and that is what we are fighting to correct. We can’t just sit, fold our hands, and do nothing. We are doing our best within the limits of resources.”

    Buhari rued the fact that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has shrunk the global economy, noting that “this is something you can’t see, smell, or hear,” but which has wrought devastation on lives and livelihoods round the world.

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    Nigerian Senate Warns Government of Another Protest if Needs Aren’t Met

    On climate change, the President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Nigeria was concerned about the recharge of the Lake Chad, which has great implications on security, irregular migration, and livelihoods.

    In her remarks, the UN Deputy Secretary-General said she was on a courtesy call with her team to flag interest on challenges that concern the global body, particularly COVID-19, climate change, security, and humanitarian responses to the diverse challenges.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Head of Nigeria’s Electoral Commission Hands Over to Surbodinate Pending Re-appointment

    Head of Nigeria’s Electoral Commission Hands Over to Surbodinate Pending Re-appointment

    A re-nominee for chairmanship position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, Monday handed over to a National Commissioner (North-east), Ahmed Mu’azu, to serve as acting chairman of the electoral body, pending the confirmation of former’s re-nomination or otherwise by the Senate.

    Mu’azu, who’s in charge of the Electoral Logistics Committee of the commission, received the handing over note from Yakubu at a ceremony which took place at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had in October reappointed Yakubu as INEC chairman for a second and final term, sending a letter to the senate for confirmation of this reappointment.

    Yakubu was first appointed by Buhari in October 2015 and assumed office on November 9, 2015, where he has been overseeing the activities of the commission.

    Five other national commissioners also bowed out of the commission on Monday.

    Mua’zu was born on September 6, 1957 in Gombe State.

    He had his early education in Gombe, Kaduna and Maiduguri between 1964-1975.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Nigerian Senate Warns Government of Another Protest if Needs Aren’t Met

    Nigerian Senate Warns Government of Another Protest if Needs Aren’t Met

    The Nigerian Senate has warned the Buhari-led Federal Government to dedicate a substantial part of the 2021 budget to create employment opportunities, reduce poverty and ensure food security for Nigerians or risk another agitation similar to the recent EndSARS protest by Nigerian youth.

    The warning was sounded by Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture Abudullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West) during the 2021 budget defence session by the Minister of Agriculture, Sabo Nanono, in Abuja.

    The “abysmally low” budget allocation to the agricultural sector in past years was decried.

    Senate President Lawan affirmed agriculture as a potential job creation vehicle.

    In his advise, Lawan said the Federal Government (FG) ought to be “practical and radical” in applying its resources to address the urgent needs of the masses.

    “Recently, we had some of our youths protesting genuinely. They were seeking the attention of leaders and they got the attention of leaders.

    “So, our budget, especially for 2021 should be mindful of what we do to provide employment opportunities for these youths.

    “They demonstrated and protested because they could do so, there are so many other people who may not be youthful but are also in the same need and they didn’t protest.

    “Let’s meet them where they are. We don’t have to wait until they also start to grumble or protest.

    “We should be proactive, we should reach them and most of them are in the rural areas and give them what we can and what they need to some extent within the purview of our resources and keep them there to live a productive life and that is the only way that we can make a difference in the lives of the people.

    “And for us, elected people, we are going to be accountable. If we escape this one (#EndSARS protests), the other one is inescapable and I am sure people will know what I am saying”, he said.

    Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture, Abudullahi Adamu also lamented that despite the Maputo declaration that stipulates 10 per cent of national budgets should go to agriculture, the FG’s 2021 allocation to the agricultural sector is less than two per cent of the N13.8 trillion total appropriation.

    “In 2021, the sector (agriculture) witnessed a slight increase with a total allocation of N139,458, 322,208.00.

    “Over the years, the sector’s allocation has been abysmally low, a far cry from the Maputo declaration which states that a country should allocate at least 10 per cent of their national budget to the agricultural sector.

    “This year’s budget proposal only allocated less than two per cent to the agricultural sector.

    “The sector’s N139,458,322,208.00 is broken down as follows: Personnel – N68,031,135,074.00, overhead – N3,186,608,895.00, capital – N110,240,253,439.00”, Adamu said.

    The Minister of Agriculture, Nanono however argued that the agricultural sector recorded meaningful progress in 2020 and remains one of the fastest growing sectors in the country.

    He regrettably admitted the current budgetary allocations for the sector has been low.

  • Stakeholders in Nigeria’s South-West Demand Youth Empowerment After EndSARS

    Stakeholders in Nigeria’s South-West Demand Youth Empowerment After EndSARS

    Stakeholders at South-west Peace Dialogue which took place in Lagos over the weekend have demanded for the repair of economic assets destroyed in the wake of the #EndSARSProtests that turned bloody in the region.

    The stakeholders, including the South-west governors, traditional rulers, political leaders and leaders of thought, at the end of the meeting issued a 13-point communique, called for a comprehensive programme that would address youth employment and empowerment in the country.

    The communique, signed on behalf of the participants by Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said: “The security architecture of the country requires adjustment to adequately address the threats and realities of insecurity in the country. There should be more police presence in communities in the South-west states.

    “A comprehensive programme that addresses youth employment and empowerment should be prioritised. Closer coordination and complementarity between the States and the Federal Government. Curricular of tertiary institutions should be reviewed, with emphasis placed on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.

    “We recognise the damaging and negative impact of fake and false news, and we worry about its destructive and dangerous potency. We call on Federal Government to use the instrumentality of existing laws and regulations bench-marked from other countries to provide safeguards against the spread of fake news. The 2015 Cyber Act must also be fully used.”

    The South-west leaders also demanded a review of reports of past constitutional conferences, including the 2014 National Conference and implement some of the recommendations, especially with reference to security, economy, equal treatment for citizens all over the country.

    Lagos State Government hosted the dialogue, which was at the instance of all the six governors of the South-west states, to forge a common front with traditional institutions in addressing the issues that led to the recent nationwide youth demonstration, which ended in violence that shook the region to its foundation.

    President Muhammadu Buhari was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari.

    Also, all serving members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) from the region and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu, attended the event held at the Banquet Hall in the State House, Alausa.

    Buhari, in his remarks, said the vigorous manner of the #EndSARS protest indicated the frustration of the youth, who he said had been ignored for a long time in governance. He said the political class must go beyond the lip service and equip the young people with skills that would make them competitive in market.

    The President reiterated his commitment to addressing the root causes of the protest, pointing out the reforms which the youths clamoured for would be done and cases of abuses would be pursued to logical conclusion.

    He said: “Our government’s effort are emerging from multiple level. The Vice President and governors are designing an engagement framework through the National Economic Council that will be rolled out across States of the Federation.

    “Chief among them is police reform across all its dimensions. Community policing as an additional layer that can resolve some of our security issues.”

    Speaking at the event, Akeredolu, who is also the Chairman of the South-west Governors’ Forum, said the coordinated violence sparked by the #EndSARS protests shook the South-west to its foundation, given the unrestrained manner with which public assets and infrastructure that had sustained the region’s economy were destroyed by hoodlums.

    He said the style of the attacks, especially in Lagos, was worrisome, noting that the peace in the region remained fragile in the aftermath of the violence.

    Akeredolu said there’s need to fully restore peace in the South-west and address the issues that made youths to be used by those who orchestrated the destruction.

    According to him, “Before our very eyes, what started as a peaceful demonstration turned to a different thing that became a threat to all of us, who are regarded as elite. What we witnessed in the violence showed that something needs to be done to address the underlying issues and come out with solutions. We must be able to sustain the peace in our region at all cost.”

    To Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the engagement could not have come at a better time than the present period when the region had just come out from disturbing events.

    He believed the dialogue would open a new chapter of peace and prosperity in the South-west.

    The discussion went into an executive session in which all the South-west Governors, traditional rulers and heads of security agencies deliberated on the way forward.

    Oba Ogunwusi, on his part, applauded the initiative, which he described as “right step” but upbraided the political class for lack of consultation with traditional institutions in decision making.

    He said the dialogue would bridge the gap of communication between political leaders and traditional rulers.

    Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, attacked the unitary system being practised, saying the arrangement had led to insecurity and restiveness.

    Also, Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, said security must be fortified in the region to protect the economy of the South-west. He also called for the creation of South-west Development Agenda to revamp and rebuild the destroyed assets.

    Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, in his remarks, fingered politicians as the cause of issues that led to the #EndSARS protest, saying unemployment contributed to the problem.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • $1.2bn Brazilian Loan Will Plunge Nigeria’s Economy into Further Devastating Pitfall, PDP Tells Buhari

    $1.2bn Brazilian Loan Will Plunge Nigeria’s Economy into Further Devastating Pitfall, PDP Tells Buhari

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised fresh alarm over the latest plans by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to “further mortgage our nation through an additional $1.2 billion loan from Brazil despite the public outcry against the accumulation of loans from China and other foreign interests.”

    PDP cautioned the Buhari Presidency not to “further weaken our nation and using nebulous agricultural programmes as justification for further accumulation of foreign loans, without clear terms and conditions, to the detriment of the poor masses and generations yet unborn.”

    The party further warned that “the loan request, if approved by the National Assembly, will exacerbate our nation’s debt burden, mortgage our agricultural sector, weaken our investment capacity and worsen our food security challenge.”

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    “Our party invites Nigerians to note that with the $1.2 billion (N459 billion) Brazilian loan, in addition to the N5.20 trillion borrowing already proposed in the 2021 budget, our nation’s debt burden will hit a disastrous N36.2 trillion which will plunge our economy into a devastating pitfall,” said the opposition party.

    PDP urged the National Assembly to save the nation by being circumspect in handling the loan request in the national interest.

    “Instead of this recourse to reckless borrowings,” PDP tasked “the Buhari Presidency to apply itself productively by looking inwards and finding ways to harness and create wealth with the resources abounding in our country.”

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    “What Nigeria needs now is for government to be more innovative and resourceful in galvanizing a productive economy instead of reducing our nation to a beggar status among the comity of nations,” PDP said, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.

    Idowu Sowunmi