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Nigerian Senate Uncovers Port Harcourt Refinery Not Ready For Production

Published

1 year ago

April 20, 2024

The Nigerian Senate has disclosed that the Port Harcourt refinery is not yet ready for production.

Members of the Senate Adhoc Committee Investigating The Turnaround Maintenance Of Nigerian refinery met in River State to assess the progress and readiness of both refineries in Port Harcourt, one refinery established in 1965, and the second built 23 years later in 1989

Like other refineries in Warri and Kaduna, the Port Harcourt refineries have remained inactive for an extended period despite substantial investments by successive governments to revive them.

This inactivity has compelled the country to rely heavily on petroleum imports to meet its energy needs. The Senate has passed a resolution to ensure the functionality of Nigerian refineries to reduce dependence on imports and enhance domestic production.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah said, “We have a resolution in the Senate to look and make sure that Nigerian refineries are working so that we shouldn’t be depending on the importation of petroleum products, and that is one of the reasons why we are here and as well to look into the contract.

“What we saw is most encouraging, as the refinery upgrade and full rehabilitation is almost 90% complete. We are confident the refinery will soon be operational before the end of the year”.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara highlighted that his administration is actively supporting the federal government’s initiatives by constructing an alternative road to the Port Harcourt refinery.

“It will help to decongest the trouble commuters face along the east-west road and provide easy access straight to the refinery. So you can see our government is working in line, supporting the administration of Tinubu to give our people hope,” he stated.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, had lied to Nigerians several times that the refurbished Port Harcourt Oil Refinery would kickstart operations in the possible shortest time of two weeks.

Kyari stated this during a dialogue session with the Senate on Thursday, emphasizing that the promised delivery timeframe for the Port Harcourt refinery and other refineries remains unwavering.

“Now, we have crude oil already stocked in it. It is currently undergoing a regulatory compliance test before we restream it. I assure you that this refinery will start in the next two weeks.” he said.

Related Topics:Nigerian Port Harcourt Refinery Senate

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AMMC Partners NUJ-FCT On Infrastructural Development

Published

1 hour ago

May 14, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has expressed commitment to partner the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council on infrastructural development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

AMMC Coordinator, Chief Felix Amechi Obuah gave the assurance when he received the Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, and her executive team on a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Abuja.

Chief Obuah who welcomed members of the NUJ FCT, and commended the media plays a very vital role in the growth and development of any organisation.

He also used the occasion to congratulate the first female chairperson of the union after forty one years of its existence and prays for a successful tenure

Obuah expressed his readiness to collaborate with the council having recognised the vital role the media plays in informing the public on activities of AMMC which is helping the agency to ensure full compliance with the FCT master plan.

He said: “I welcome you and your team to our corporate office today. I have listened to you and I just have to say that, I am indeed very happy to partner with the NUJ FCT. We need to partner together to be able to achieve our core and corporate mandate – and in partnering together, we support each other and grow together and educate the public, so as to attain infrastructural development in the FCT in line with the master plan of the nation’s capital city”.

He also expressed willingness to support the NUJ FCT Council, but explained that current financial constraints make it difficult to make any immediate commitment but hopes to accommodate the union’s needs in the next budget.

“Even though I am a bit handicapped to make any promises because of budgetary constraints, but in the subsequent budget, I assure you that whatever we can do to help your dream come true for NUJ and your members, the agency will do everything humanly possible to contribute their quota to the growth of the union in line with the FCT master plan

“You can write my office on what you feel we can do officially. I will also present it in the next budget and I will go to my superior, the Honourable Minister of FCT, and say these people visited me and came with a very solid, verified programme—how do we assist? Because whatever we are doing, with the media, the public would not know and be able to key into it”, he added.

Earlier, Chairperson of the NUJ FCT Ms Ike, thanked Chief Obuah for receiving her team and commended the AMMC Coordinator for the effective management and coordination of municipal services as well as infrastructural development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She used the occasion to commend his support for workers welfare which earned him the employee’s advocate award of the year award

She said “ I must commend your leadership efforts in ensuring proper maintenance and sustainable management of the city’s infrastructure, utilities, and services”

She highlighted major infrastructural challenges currently facing the NUJ FCT Council and requested support to improve their facilities such as the completion of the Pentagon building, and a hall that cannot house more than 2, 000 journalists during her monthly congress.

She also made a strong case for the NUJ FCT “Journalists’ Village”, which would offer journalists affordable housing and a suitable environment to carry out their work.

She said, “On behalf of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Territory Council, I express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to the welfare of workers, including media professionals. Your kind gestures and support have not gone unnoticed and have greatly encouraged us in our mission.

“Today, we come with a sincere appeal for your support towards the establishment of a Journalists’ Village here in the FCT. This initiative is vital for providing affordable housing, professional facilities, and a conducive environment that will enhance the welfare and productivity of journalists who play a critical role in our democracy.

“We believe that with the AMMC’s collaboration, we can secure the necessary resources, land, and policy backing to bring this vision to fruition. Such a village will not only improve the living standards of journalists but also serve as a hub for capacity building, relaxation, and professional growth.

“We appreciate your past efforts and hope to count on your continued partnership to make this project a reality, thereby restoring dignity and stability to journalists who tirelessly serve the public interest” she added.

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UBEC plans new template for basic school fund disbursement

Published

2 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

The Universal Basic Education Commission on Tuesday announced plans to introduce a new template for disbursing counterpart funds under the Universal Basic Education programme.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Aisha Garba, during an interactive workshop with State Universal Basic Education Boards in Abuja.

Garba explained that the Federal Government, through UBEC, had recently restructured the delivery of basic education nationwide to align with four strategic pillars aimed at improving access and quality across states and the Federal Capital Territory.

She identified the pillars as expanding access to basic education, especially for rural and underserved populations; enhancing the quality of teaching and learning nationwide; strengthening accountability and the effective use of education financing; and optimising monitoring and institutional systems for quality service delivery.

She said, “The Hope Education Project of the present administration is a performance-for-reward initiative designed to support states that judiciously utilise resources in line with these four pillars.”

She added that the new approach had made it necessary to develop fresh templates that will guide SUBEBs in preparing work plans to access UBE intervention funds under the framework of the Hope Education Project.

Also speaking at the event, UBEC’s Deputy Executive Secretary for General Services, Tunde Ajibulu, described the workshop as timely and essential.

He stressed that the realignment of basic education delivery made the introduction of the new templates crucial.

“We expect you, as implementers of basic education in your respective states, to contribute positively and help develop workable templates,” Ajibulu said.

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Ganduje loses bid to quash $413,000, N1.8bn bribery charges

Published

2 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

A Kano State High Court on Tuesday dismissed an application filed by former Kano State Governor and current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear a bribery and misappropriation case against him.

The Kano State Government brought 11 counts against Ganduje, his wife Hafsat, son Umar, and five others, alleging bribery totalling $413,000 and misappropriation of N1.38 billion.

The other defendants include Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.

Delivering her ruling, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu dismissed all preliminary objections raised by the defendants, describing them as incompetent and lacking merit.

She ruled that the charges filed on May 13, 2024, were competent and that the matter should proceed to trial.

The judge further issued a summons to the sixth defendant, Lamash Properties Limited, and adjourned the case to July 30 and 31, 2025, for hearing.

Ganduje, his wife Hafsat, and son Umar, had through their lawyer, Mrs. Lydia Oyewo, filed a preliminary objection dated November 18, 2024, challenging the court’s jurisdiction and seeking to have all charges quashed.

In response, counsel for the state government, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), filed a counter-application dated October 22, 2024, urging the court to dismiss the preliminary objections for lacking merit.

Similarly, counsel for the third and seventh defendants, M.N. Duru, (SAN), submitted a motion on notice dated October 18, 2024, supported by a 14-paragraph affidavit and a written address, asking the court to uphold their application.

Counsel for the fifth defendant, Muhammad Shehu, also filed a motion dated October 18, 2024, and urged the court to grant it with substantial costs against the complainant.

Abubakar Ahmad, representing the sixth defendant, filed a preliminary objection dated September 9, 2024, supported by a nine-paragraph affidavit.

Additionally, counsel for the eighth defendant, Faruk Asekome, filed a notice of preliminary objection dated October 18, 2024, supported by a five-paragraph affidavit and written address, also seeking dismissal of the charges.

Justice Adamu-Aliyu, however, ruled that the objections lacked merit and cleared the way for the trial to proceed.