Author: Our Correspondent

By Mike Odiakose

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The Energy Reforms Advocates, ERA and the APC Youth Vanguard for Change, APCYVC have called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate the persistent failures of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to restore the Port Harcourt and other local refineries.

The groups expressed concern over the $2.9 billion approved in 2021 for the rehabilitation of the refineries, which remain non-functional despite NNPCL’s assurances.

In a letter addressed to the President, they lamented the continuous state of decay within Nigeria’s petroleum sector as a reflection of a persistent failure by NNPCL and its leadership, particularly Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari.

These failure, the ERA Convener, Opialu Fabian and APCYVC Convener, Ezewanka Ugochukwu who signed the letter said has led to economic sabotage, health hazards, and environmental risks due to the importation of adulterated fuel.

They criticized NNPCL’s repeated promises and prolonged inaction, citing systemic failure and corruption within the leadership.

They questioned the utilization of funds allocated for refinery rehabilitation, which seems unaccounted for. Billions spent on maintenance over 25 years have yielded little to no fuel production.

Mele Kyari’s leadership has been called into question, with the coalition imploring President Tinubu to initiate a thorough investigation into his administration.

Among many other things, they demanded that the probe should reveal the truth behind the persistent failures and alleged financial improprieties.

The groups proposed immediate actions, including revamping the regulatory framework, reactivating local refineries, transparency in subsidy implementation, strengthening NNPCL’s leadership, and empowering the public with information.

The letter partly reads: “Your Excellency, we are witnessing a dire situation. Despite the approval of $2.9 billion in 2021 for the rehabilitation of these vital refineries, they remain non-functional. NNPCL has repeatedly assured Nigerians that these facilities would soon become operational, yet these assurances have failed to translate into reality.

“The refineries stand dormant, while Nigeria, an oil giant and Africa’s largest oil producer, finds itself dependent on foreign countries to meet its domestic fuel needs. The consistent promises and prolonged inaction serve not only as a betrayal of trust but as a profound reflection of a systemic failure within the leadership of the NNPCL.

“The ongoing importation of adulterated fuel represents an insult to Nigeria’s position as a leading crude oil producer. This cycle of imported substandard fuel undermines the health, safety, and economic stability of our citizens. The consumption of such fuel has led to health hazards, poses a risk to vehicles, and has severe implications for agricultural machinery. Nigerian citizens, meanwhile, pay a premium price for this subpar fuel, which contributes to rising inflation and daily hardships.

“It is unacceptable that as one of the top oil-producing nations in the world, Nigeria is forced into a position where it has no choice but to rely on imported petroleum products to meet domestic demand. This prolonged reliance on imports has placed a significant strain on the nation’s foreign reserves, while a small, corrupt few reap immense profits. The corruption within this system is so deep-seated that these vested interests seem to actively oppose any attempt to rehabilitate our refineries.

“At the center of this issue lies the leadership of NNPCL, which appears either incapable or unwilling to fulfill its mandate. Mr. Mele Kyari, as the Group Chief Executive Officer, must be held accountable for these failures.

“The importation of adulterated fuel goes beyond economic implications; it endangers the lives of Nigerian citizens and the environment. Vehicles, agricultural equipment, and power generators are all at risk of serious damage from this substandard fuel.

“The time has come for systemic reform. The root causes of these challenges are multi-faceted, encompassing institutional corruption, regulatory weaknesses, and a pervasive culture of unaccountability. We propose the following actions as immediate steps toward a lasting solution:

“Full investigation and accountability

revamp of the regulatory framework,

immediate efforts to reactivate local refineries’ transparency in subsidy implementation, strengthening NNPCL’s leadership and oversight and empowering the public with information and action.

”Mr. President, as Nigeria seeks to redefine its path towards sustainable economic growth, self-sufficiency, and a better future for its citizens, there can be no compromise on energy security. As it stands, the actions and inactions of NNPCL and its leadership are actively undermining our national interests. We implore Your Excellency to take swift and decisive action to address these longstanding failures.”

From Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa

Connected Development (CODE), in collaboration with the Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN) and the Eunice Nnachi Women Advocacy Foundation (ENWAF), recently visited Ogu Community to educate residents on their civic responsibilities.

The program which was anchored by Open Parly team in Bayelsa , Connected Development (CODE)

The event, held at the Ogu Community Town Hall, aimed to empower attendees with knowledge about their rights and the legislative process through the Open Parly Manual and supported by Magamba Network.

During the session, CODE state support officer Mrs.Tari Maureen Amananagha emphasized that citizens hold the power to influence their representatives through voting. She urged community members to engage actively in governance and maintain dialogue with their leaders for accountability.

ENWAF Vice Chairperson Mrs. Juliet Uyabara encouraged women to pursue leadership roles and enhance their capabilities. Mrs. Elizabeth Vincent highlighted the importance of vigilance against human trafficking and gender-based violence, urging attendees to report offenders.
Ebizimo Agedah, representing WOMAN, focused on nurturing stable families through healthy living practices. Community member Jane expressed gratitude for the informative session, acknowledging its impact on local awareness and empowerment.

This initiative underscores the importance of civic engagement and women’s roles in governance, aiming to foster a more informed and active citizenry in Ogu Community.

By Kumo Amgbere

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the sum of N80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state’s civil service with effect from November 1, 2024.

Governor Diri also approved an increase in the monthly pension of retired workers as well as N7billion to reduce outstanding gratuity liabilities.

His spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, who disclosed these in a statement, said the Bayelsa governor acknowledged the challenging times workers face in the state due to the rise in the cost of living.

The statement read: “To address the harsh times and in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment Act 2024), the Prosperity Administration of His Excellency Senater Douye Diri has approved the sum of N80,000 as minimum wage for the state’s workers

“Governor Diri also approved an increase in the monthly pension of state retirees.

“The related consequential adjustments for the various sectors, as agreed with the leadership of Labour in the state, will be implemented.

“To further ameliorate the challenges of our retired senior citizens, His Excellency also approved the payment and reduction of the outstanding gratuity liabilities by Seven Billion Naira.”

Governor Diri appreciated the workers and their leadership for their understanding, patience and commitment to the policies and programmes of the Prosperity Government.

From Mgbo Nnachi, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Mrs. Koku Ebiowou Obiyai, has urged residents to remain patient as the government addresses the ongoing electricity outage affecting the state.

This appeal came during a transparency briefing for the month of August and September 2024, held at the Treasury Building in Yenagoa.

Recall that the state has been without power since July 29, 2024, following the vandalization of 18 transmission towers that supply electricity from Rivers State. Mrs. Obiyai recently inspected repair progress at Okobe in Rivers, emphasizing the need for proper restoration of the damaged towers to restore power.

She highlighted the collaboration between the Federal Government, Rivers State, and Bayelsa in this effort.
In addition to addressing power issues, Mrs. Obiyai announced that the state government is preparing to implement a new minimum wage, with increased salaries for workers expected soon.

During the briefing, Mr. Timipre Seipulo, Technical Adviser on Treasury and Finance, provided an overview of the state’s finances, revealing that Bayelsa received N150.5 billion in August and N135.44 billion in September 2024.
Despite receiving substantial funds, Seipulo noted that financial demands for ongoing projects are immense, with total expenditures for these months reaching N139.4 billion.

He assured that a significant portion of these funds is directed toward large-scale capital projects, particularly road infrastructure.

Seipulo emphasized the importance of transparency briefings for public accountability, stating they are essential for keeping citizens informed about the state’s financial status and ongoing projects.

He reiterated that many projects require long-term investments and that the government is committed to completing as many as possible before the end of its administration.

The prolonged power outage has severely impacted local businesses and economic activities in Bayelsa, with many small enterprises struggling amid rising operational costs due to high fuel prices.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has promised to complete repairs within six weeks, urging residents to remain hopeful as efforts continue to restore electricity.
As discussions between Bayelsa and Rivers State officials progress, there is a collective push to enhance security around transmission facilities to prevent future vandalism.

The state government remains committed to collaborating with relevant agencies to ensure a stable power supply for its citizens moving forward.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said the blackout affecting parts of Northern Nigeria will persist due to security challenges hindering repairs on critical transmission lines.

Despite efforts to restore electricity through alternative means, the TCN said the situation will not be fully resolved anytime soon.

The ongoing blackout, which has lasted over four days, initially stemmed from vandalism of the Shiroro-Mando transmission line, which provided bulk electricity to northern states.

Engr. Nafisatu Asabe Ali, Executive Director of the Independent System Operator at TCN, explained during a public hearing by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) that the repair of the Ugwuaji-Apir line would only provide limited solution.

She noted that while the line could carry up to 750 megawatts (MW) of power, only 350 MW could be safely transmitted to Kano, Kaduna, and parts of Niger Republic due to voltage stability issues in Kano.

The larger Shiroro-Mando transmission line, which supplies more power, remains out of service due to insecurity in the area where it was damaged.

Engr. Nafisatu said the TCN had received security advice from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) indicating that the area where three towers were destroyed are currently inaccessible due to ongoing security issues.

Despite having the materials needed for repairs, TCN cannot proceed until the security situation improves, she noted.

She said the region is currently sharing 250MW of electricity with Niger Republic, and when the Ugwuaji-Apir line is restored, the maximum power transmission will reach only 350MW.

The Chairman of NERC, Garba Usman, criticised the TCN for its lack of solutions to prevent equipment failures, particularly transformer explosions, which have contributed to the recurring power outages.

He called for stronger protective measures to avoid transformer fires that disrupt the entire grid.

Meanwhile, Joy Ogaji, Managing Director of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), disclosed that Nigeria has experienced 162 cases of grid collapse between 2013 and the present.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has urged the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to collaborate with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, and other relevant security agencies to develop and implement a strategic security plan to protect critical power transmission lines across the country from vandals and other criminals.

This resolution followed the adoption of a motion during Thursday’s plenary session by Rep. Sani Umar Bala.

Rep. Bala said vandalism of transmission lines has led to frequent power outages across major regions, negatively affecting socio-economic activities, business operations, and the general quality of life.

These disruptions have also imposed significant financial burdens on the government, he added.

In response, the House adopted the motion and urged the federal government to consider deploying technology-driven surveillance systems, including drones and CCTV cameras, to monitor transmission lines in vulnerable areas.
Earlier in the morning, it was stated that with the pace of repair on faulty 330kv line by TCN team, there were confidence that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the work may Complete Thursday and supply hopefully restored to Kaduna state.

By Silvanus Ofekun

In a significant development, Chief Sunday Akin Dare, the recently appointed Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation, engaged in a courtesy visit with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Villa on Thursday evening.

During this meeting, Dare was formally briefed by the esteemed national leader and took the opportunity to convey his sincere appreciation to the President for entrusting him with this crucial role.

Dare’s appointment on Wednesday has garnered widespread acclaim nationwide, with many lauding his extensive experience and outstanding track record in the media and communications sphere.

A distinguished journalist and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Dare brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new position. Notably, he has previously served as the Media Adviser and Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu from 2009 to 2016, in addition to holding various other key public service roles.

Given his illustrious history of accomplishments in public service, Dare is poised to utilize his proficiency to bolster the administration’s communication strategies and public orientation initiatives.

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has approved the bid by the Kogi State Government to build an International Airport in Zariagi.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, said the approval was conveyed in a letter by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, dated 9th October, 2024.

He said the administration of Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo was committed to the timely completion of the project with strict adherence to regulatory standards, saying an airport in Kogi State would serve 10 other states and reduce traffic on the Lokoja -Abuja road. It will also decongest the traffic on the International Airport in Abuja.

“The Ododo Administration has considered it a top priority for Kogi State to have an International Airport and join the league of the aviation hub. The strategic location of the state is no doubt, an invaluable advantage in harnessing the aviation service market as the centre of the nation.

“The project will not only boost the economy of the State, it will also create jobs and bring the potentials of the state to the global scene.

“The Governor is determined to hire the best hands in the industry to make the project a huge success. As you are aware, aviation is an industry of trust and standards.

“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the Aviation Minister for the historic approval that will help to further develop Kogi State. We want to also say that the Airport will also have capacity for Cargo as that is one of our key focuses in the project,” the Commissioner stated.

Fanwo assured the people of Kogi State that the Administration of Alh. Usman Ododo would continue to execute laudable projects to consolidate the gains of the last eight years in Kogi State.

Zariagi is a very strategic community that already boasts of an airstrip. The team from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development was satisfied with the location and the plans of the Kogi State Government on the project, he said.

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo has said that
the newly approved Forward Operating Base, Abejukolo and the Patrol Base in Bagana both in Omala Local Government Area, would strengthen the security architecture of the State,

Fanwo, who pointed out that the state have received heavy deployment of troops said it would give a “vista of hope” to the people of Kogi East in particular and Kogi State as a whole, assuring the people that the days of criminals in the state are numbered.

The commissioner noted that the high level of insecurity in Omala and the neighbouring Local Government Areas in Kogi East informed the decision of the State Government to request for the establishment of the formations to combat crime and make criminality a thing of the past in the area.

“As a responsible and responsive Governor, the Chief Servant of Kogi State has taken the right decision to restore security and normalcy to the Eastern part of Kogi State where many lives were lost to insecurity.

“On his visit to Omala during the crisis, Governor Usman Ododo promised to take the right steps to arrest the trend of insecurity in the area. This is a promise fulfilled as joint troops of the Army, Navy, Police, NSCDC and the DSS have been deployed.

“The Kogi State Government wishes to express our profound gratitude to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; the National Security Adviser as well as the Security Chiefs for their commitment to ensuring security in Kogi State.”

“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to his pledge to spare no resources in ensuring the security and safety of the Kogi people,” he said.

The Commissioner urged the people of the area to cooperate with security agents in order to “erase the signature of insecurity in the area”.

“We call on our people in Omala and the entire Kogi East to cooperate with the troops in order for them to ensure that insecurity doesn’t raise its ugly head in the area again”.

It would be recalled that Omala and some neighbouring Local Government Areas in the state were embroiled in insecurity over the past one year, leading to loss of lives and property in the areas.