Month: June 2024

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says there is no imported dirty fuel in the country.

The Authority said it would never encourage importation of dirty fuel into the country and ensured that only quality protroleum products are consumed by Nigerians.

Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, NMDPRA, made this known while speaking with newsmen after a meeting with the oil marketers and local refiners on Tuesday in Abuja.

Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals had accused the Authority of granting licenses to oil marketers to import dirty fuel into the country.

The Vice President, Oil and Gas, at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin, had accused International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria of doing everything to frustrate the survival of Dangote Refinery.

Ukoha, while addressing newsmen said the sulphur content in the fuel even in this June was not above the lawful limit.

‘There is no dirty fu
el being brought in and I have given you the statistics for June.

‘What we have on the average from the imports have continued to go down from 200 Parts Per Million (PPM) on the average and now we have it far below the 50 PPM that is provided under the law,’ he said.

He recalled that the ECOWAS), Heads of States in 2020 endorsed a declaration, adopting the African Fuel Roadmap that requires that certain products have as a minimum 50PPT per a million litres of sulphur.

The Executive Director said while it encouraged almost an immediate enforcement, on import to comply with that standard, the same treaty deferred enforcement for local refiners up to Dec. 31, 2024.

According to him, though the time for enforcement on local refineries is not due, the plants are complying on their own.

‘And with the refineries there is no need to enforce that until the end of this year. But they themselves are already taking steps to see that is also guaranteed,’ he said.

Ukoha noted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in
2021, Section 318 also captured and upheld the ECOWAS treaty.

‘So as an Authority what have we done since we came into being? We started by engendering compliance. We saw a downward trend up to 2022-2023 December,’ he said.

The Executive Director admitted there was a spike in the sulphur content of imported products between December 2023 and January 2024, which resulted in a vigorous enforcement in February.

‘In December and in January 2024, we noticed a spike in the sulphur content of products being imported. And again now began strong enforcement from Feb. 1,

‘I am happy to tell Nigerians that up until as we speak in June, the average sulphur content in every Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) that is brought into Nigeria is far below what the 50 PPM provision is in the law,” he said.

According to him, the new refineries are even built with plant sulphurisation limit which will reduce it to 10PPM.

‘But we are not very anxious about that because even the new refineries that are coming on have within their desig
n of the plants the sulphurisation limit that we will see in the nearest future going down as low as 10PPM.

‘So, I will like to assure Nigeria that this is a mandate that the Authority takes very seriously and that we are here to guarantee the wellbeing and health of Nigeria and there is no dirty fuel we will encourage to come into Nigeria,’ he said.

Ukoha further said that the meeting with the oil marketers and refiners was aimed at promoting collaboration in a manner that would guarantees energy security within the country.

‘Our discussions covered considerable issues, very significant and profound. Issues of pricing, competition have been raised and we will continue to engage with every operator to see that we land at a place that is ultimately beneficial to Nigeria and Nigerians,’ he added.

Also, Gabriel Ogbechie, the Group Managing Director of Rain Oil Limited said the meeting agreed on level playing field for efficient collaboration in the sector.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Ajentekebia Harry, Country Director, Logistics Nigeria, CONTINENT AFRIQUE, a non governmental organisation, says excessive drug abuse is responsible for the increased violence and crime in Nigeria.

Harry said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the occasion of World Drug Day in Abuja, on Wednesday.

NAN reports that the UN Office on Drugs and Crime commemorates World Drug Day every June 26.

According to Harry, Nigerian youths are advised to jettison the attractions of drugs because of its destructive nature.

‘Many of the criminal and terroristic activities you see today in Nigeria are drug induced.

‘These drugs have the capacity to simulate unholy acts that can plunge the nation into chaos,’ he said.

CONTINENT AFRIQUE’s country director, who lauded the National Drugs law Enforcement Agency for its bold fight against drugs, urged youths to embrace a more responsible living.

According to him, drugs are misleading and can gradually eliminate lives of both the victim and innoce
nt members of his neighbourhood.

Tamuno-Ibi Harry explained that drugs were the straight way to destruction if not contained.

‘Drugs do no one good, it instead, leads to death and destruction of destinies,’ he said.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), said that Nigeria recorded 75,000 new infected HIV cases and 45,000 HIV-related deaths in 2023.

She made this known at a two-day National Prevention Technical Working Group (NPTWG) meeting organised by NACA in Abuja on Wednesday.

She said although there is gradual reduction in new HIV infections, there is need to implement the recommendations made at the 2024 Nigeria HIV Prevention conference and ongoing meeting to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030.

She added that, ‘it is disheartening to know that in 2023, we had as much as 75,000 new infections and 45,000 HIV-related deaths.

‘This is a cause for concern. And we also know that even in our Mother-To-Child Transmission, we are just about 35 to 40 per cent as against the 75 per cent target. So, we know we have a lot of work to do.’

Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, therefore, urged stakeholders to discuss progress on actions and st
rategies toward preventing HIV transmission.

Pate, who was represented by Dr Bashorun Adebobola, the National Coordinator, National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NASCP), said: ‘We should strengthen our communication strategies in such a way that we can pass the right message.

‘Even though we have made impressive gains, it does not mean that we are still not at risk or threat of a rebound of the infection and this is where communication needs to be strengthened so that we can achieve that overall goal before 2030.’

Dr Leo Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Director and Representative in Nigeria, noted that Nigeria, and many countries, are not on track to meeting the 2025 prevention target.

He said that, ‘ in spite of remarkable progress, prevention of new HIV infections is still a challenge, as many countries, including Nigeria are not on track to meeting the 2025 prevention target.

‘We are here as UNAIDS and UN system in support and solidarity to government’s efforts to address HIV prevention and appreciate the renewe
d and continued leadership of NACA on HIV prevention.

‘From the 2023 estimates, 45,000 deaths and 75,000 new infections is huge. We still have a lot to do’.

Zekeng suggested that the roadmap to be developed should include quarterly performance framework for accountability and progress monitoring.

On his part, Mr Abdulkadir Ibrahim, the National Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), stressed the need for HIV treatment as best option for prevention.

He said, ‘once someone is living with HIV, he/she must adhere to medications, then definitely the chances of transmitting HIV to another person is zero’.

Evans Emerson, Deputy Country Coordinator, U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), emphasised the inclusion of youths, key populations and others to eliminate HIV as a public threat.

Emerson reiterated the commitment of the U.S. to support with funding to implement innovative strategies and approaches to HIV prevention and treatment in Nigeria.

The Ne
ws Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NACA director-general also unveiled the 2024 HIV Prevention Conference Technical Report and Communique.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to creating a conducive environment for journalists and the media profession in the country.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja at a book presentation titled: ‘Writing for Media and Monetising it’ by Azu Ishiekwene.

‘As we celebrate this milestone, it is also important to reaffirm the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration to a free and responsible journalism.

‘We understand that a society can only flourish when its media organs are free to report the truth without fear of retribution and to equally hold those in authority accountable.

‘The Tinubu’s administration is therefore, dedicated to creating an environment where journalists can work freely, without intimidation, and with the assurance that their rights will be acknowledged and protected,” Idris said.

The Minister, however, stressed that, freedom comes with responsibility.

He noted that as the governm
ent championed the cause of a free press, it is incumbent on the media to exercise the freedom with a sense of duty, ethics and patriotism.

According to him, it is crucial that the information disseminated to the public is accurate, balanced, and devoid of sensationalism.

‘We must all strive to ensure that this role is played with the utmost responsibility while we work closely to advance the course of good governance in our country.

‘We must be wary of fake news, misinformation and disinformation and indeed, new cankerworms that destroy individual and corporate reputation, and above all, destabilise the society,” Idris said.

Speaking on the book, the Minister said the author had done a huge favour of distilling his great skill, talents and experience into the 280 pages of valuable works.

‘I am very glad about the enthusiastic reception that the book is getting from a wide range of quarters as well as stellar reviews and comments, from some of our most respected media practitioners.

‘This initiative re
presents a meaningful way for the author to give back to the media industry by offering valuable guidance and support to the next generation of journalists.

‘Indeed, the way Azu has creatively deployed the Internet for this new book is a testament to how well he has kept up with changing times and technologies,’ he said.

Speaking, the Chairman, Leadership Newspaper Group, Mrs Zainab Nda-Isaiah said the author has been honing his craft, writing articles that educate, inform and entertain on various and diverse topics.

‘This book is not just a collection of tips and tricks, but a comprehensive guide that covers the entire process of writing for media from idea generation, to publication.

‘However, this book is in a class of its own, because beyond what I just mentioned as its focus, the book also focuses on monetizing the craft of great writing,” Nda-Isaiah said

Meanwhile, Mr Ahmed Shekarau, owner of Trust TV and Daily Trust Newspaper encouraged the media to focus on human angle reporting that would creat
e traffic in the media space,

Similarly, Ms Kadaria Ahmed, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Radio Now 95.3fm, stressed the need to educate citizens on the significance of what they are doing.

Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi of Mass Communication Department, School of Postgraduates Studies, Baze University, emphasised on the need for the media to be creative and adapt new trends in media profession.

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria

The Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd (ASCL) as the name implies, is located in Ajaokuta, in the north central state of Kogi, on 24,000 hectares of land was established in 1979 by the government of President Shehu Shagari.

It was meant to drive Nigeria’s modernity through industrialisation. The steel plant is not just a rolling mill but an integrated iron and steel plant with about 43 units.

By design, it has four rolling mills: the Billet Mills, the Light section Mill (LSM), the Wire Rod Mill and the Medium section and Structural Mill.

They are all envisaged to facilitate numerous socio economic benefits to the country and enhance the nation’s productive capacity through its integration with other industrial sectors.

This is in addition to serving as a means of saving and earning foreign exchange.

Besides supplying materials for infrastructure development, the plant is expected to produce 10,000 direct jobs in its first phase. The multiplier effect is projected to generate an additional 500,000 indirect jobs.

B
efore the Shagari administration was ousted by the junta in1983, it was 84 per cent completed and by 1994, it was 98 per cent completed.

However, the project could not continue due to a lack of funds, mismanagement and legal battles.

Unfortunately, what was meant to be Nigeria`s pride, 40 years later, remains in a comatose as efforts by past governments to complete its construction and resuscitate the then functional parts yielded no result.

While previous efforts and promises to resuscitate the plant may seems cliché, President Bola Tinubu`s assured that a significant difference would be seen before his tenure expires.

This aligns with his vision of the renewed hope agenda which has economic diversification as one of its major flanks.

The target is to grow the economy of Nigeria to more than one trillion dollars by the end of its first term.

When Tinubu took the helm of the nation`s affairs on May 29, 2023, he promised to remodel Nigeria`s economy to bolster growth and development.

He also said that h
is industrial policy would utilise the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.

To achieve this feat, he embarked on reforms and initiatives aimed at rejuvenating the economy and promoting industrialisation in Nigeria.

However, for this to happen, the iron and steel industry must be priortised and fully developed because of its crucial role in achieving this feat.

The president emphasised the importance of a revitalised steel industry, as a catalyst for robust economic growth and a gateway to immense opportunities for Nigeria’s vast pool of talented entrepreneurs.

In line with this, the president established the Ministry of Steel Development in August 2023, to champion the vision and work on the improvement of all steel and metallic resources in the country for economic growth.

The ministry`s mandates include to resuscitate the Ajaokuta steel company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) Itakpe, and also to revive the steel industry.

The m
ove is also in keeping to his campaign promise of resuscitating the Ajaokuta Steel Company by the end of his second term, aimed at creating 500,000 jobs to lift Nigerians out of poverty.

For a company that has been in comatose for 40 years, resuscitating it requires courage and political will which the Tinubu administration appears to have.

Experts estimate that a minimum of two billion dollars is required to resuscitate it.

Discussions with the original equipment builders of the steel plant, Russian company, Tyamzhpromexport (TPE) to complete the job they started 45 years ago are on-going.

Although the Chinese, Indian and Arab companies have indicated interest, to handle the job, the Russian consortium, comprising a team from Russia’s TPE/Rostec, Novostal, and Nigeria’s Proforce, are chiselling out a blueprint for the revival of the plant.

To demonstrate his commitment to the resuscitation, Tinubu appointed an indigene of Kogi, Prince Shuiabu Audu, as the Minister of Steel Development.

It is projected
that his success would be a source of pride to Nigeria, and particularly to his kinsmen, whom he would not want to disappoint.

When Audu took office, he said the ministry would adopt a collegiate approach to reviving the plant by exploring all realistic means.

One of the approaches is a three-year roadmap of short and medium term plans.

Under the arrangement, due to the substantial amount involved, the units would be concessioned to investors with core competence to manage them.

At the ministerial sector update on the performance of the Tinubu`s administration, Audu said he directed that while navigating through resolving broader issues, the challenges that could be resolved in immediate term should be addressed.

In line with the directive, the minister set in motion the revival of the Light Mill Section (LSM) of the plant, projected to produce 400,000 metric tonnes of iron rods per annum.

These rods would be used for the construction of 30,000 KM of roads across the six geopolitical zones in the Presid
ent`s first term.

This is part of the concrete road revolution of the renewed hope agenda of the president.

The construction is estimated to require seven million metric tonnes of iron rods over the four year period, about which Shuiabu mentioned talks have been held with the Minister of Works.

He added that Ajaokuta can produce 400,000 tonnes of it, and although it is a small amount, the president wants the company to supply some of the rods needed for Federal Government projects.

In realising this feat, the minister obtained presidential approval to raise private capital to restart the LSM.

‘We are at the final stages of raising over N35 billion from a local financial institution, which is around 25 million US dollars to be able to restart the light section mill of the complex so that we can produce iron rods.

‘The local financial institution has given us a final offer which I have done a cover letter and forwarded the relevant documents to the minister of finance to be able to take the financing on b
ehalf of the federal government.

‘This is through signed promissory notes that will be discounted and provided for the Ajaokuta mill to be able to get back on track in terms of the iron rods production.

‘That light section mill has the capacity to produce up to 400,000 metric tonnes of iron rods per annum,’ he said.

He said that the Federal Government plans to establish Ajaokuta as a Free Trade Zone to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and to diversify the country`s economy.

‘Part of the plan is to designate the 24,000 hectare land of Ajaokuta as an Industrial Park and create a Free Trade Zone to further attract Foreign Direct Investment”, he said.

The second stage of the plant`s resuscitation involves producing military hardware.

The Federal Government has taken steps to begin the production of military hardware in the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, as the Ministries of Steel Development and Defence are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation.

The plant has engineering w
orkshops with the capacity to manufacture hardware for the military under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act.

Stakeholders observe that the move is timely, considering Nigeria`s enormous security challenges.

The minister mentioned that the Metallurgical Development Centre in Jos has the capability to provide the Lead and Zinc required to produce military hardware such as rifles, vests, helmets and bullets, among other things in the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

While these stages are in motion, discussions have begun on reviving the 110 megawatt power plant in Ajaokuta, which can supply power not only to the plant but also to the national grid.

Due to the difficulties in securing funds to implement the plan, the minister is spearheading some initiatives for public-private partnerships.

In this framework, the asset would serve as collateral, enabling private investors to provide financing and expertise to rehabilitate the power plant.

The potential investors include Transcorp Power, Nige
r Delta Power Holding and Reticulated Global Engineering.

But while these efforts are on-going, there are myths surrounding the delay in the completion of the plant.

Leaders of Geregu and Ajaokuta, the company’s host communities, said in the past that the non-completion was due to mystical forces arising from the neglect of the communities.

They still live with the unfulfilled promises made to them of road construction and rehabilitation, the repair of their schools and other developmental projects. They say the gods must be pacified to make any tangible progress.

The Chairman of Geregu Community Association, Alhaji Idris Aliyu, said that the ancestors are not happy because the agreement reached when the company acquired their lands in 1976 has not been implemented.

He urged that their bad roads be fixed and schools repaired as promised.

While these claims may not be empirical, it is important that all necessary land compensation be fulfilled and basic amenities provided for the communities.

After deca
des of delay, will Tinubu deliver on his promise or will the long wait continue?

Source: South News Agency of Nigeria