Connect with us

News

Our Decision Was Deliberate, NNPCL To Dangote Over Equity Stake

Published

on

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has replied Aliko Dangote, over his statement that the NNPC’s equity in the Dangote over $20bn refinery is now 7.5 per cent as against 20 per cent being widely believed.

A statement by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Femi Soneye, on Sunday, said its decision to reduce its investment in the refinery was well thought out.

It said, “Several months ago, we made a commercial decision to cap our investment at the amount already paid. This decision was taken by NNPC Ltd and has no impact on our business.”

Advertisement

“NNPC Limited periodically assesses its investment portfolio to ensure alignment with the company’s strategic goals,” said a spokesman for the company.

“The decision to cap its equity participation at the paid-up sum was made and communicated to Dangote Refinery several months ago,

Dangote had on Sunday, said NNPCL no longer owns a 20 per cent stake in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Speaking during a press briefing at the refinery on Sunday, Dangote said NNPCL now owns 7.2 per cent of the refinery over failure to pay the balance of their share, which was due in June.

Advertisement

According to Aliko Dangote, NNPC’s stake dropped to 7.2 per cent over the company’s failure to pay the balance of its share, which was due in June. The 20 per cent interest in the $20bn Dangote refinery is valued at $2.76 billion.

“NNPC no longer owns a 20 per cent stake in the Dangote refinery. They were met to pay their balance in June, but have yet to fulfil the obligations. Now, they only own a 7.2% stake in the refinery,” Dangote said

Last December, Dangote commenced operations at his $20bn facility in Lagos with 350,000 barrels a day. The refinery hopes to achieve its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day by the end of the year. The refinery has begun the supply of diesel and aviation fuel to marketers in the country while petrol supply is expected to commence in August.

The controversy comes as Nigerians have hoped the start of Premium Motor Spirit or petrol refining at the facility, would help Nigeria cut down on petrol importation, thereby reducing the local price of the product.

Advertisement

However, Dangote had expressed frustration about getting Nigerian crude for his facility. A Bloomberg report said the Lagos-based refinery bought about 24 million barrels of crude from the United States.

While responding to the importation of crude oil by Dangote, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, had in May, said the decision by the Lagos-based refinery to import US crude could be based on its business model.

However, Dangote disclosed on Sunday, that his refinery would roll out petrol from August 2024, having resolved its crude oil supply issues with the NNPCL and the Federal Government.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Just in: Plateau Govt Approves N70k Minimum Wage for Civil Servants

Published

on

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

In line with discussions reached after consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Plateau State Government has approved immediate implementation of the N70, 000 minimum wage for the workforce in Plateau State.

The cheering news is contained in a Press Statement signed by the Head of Civil Service in the State, Stephen Pam Gadong.

Full text of the statement reads in part:

Advertisement

Following the Agreement of the Committee on Consequential Adjustment on Salaries on 13th, November, 2024, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has approved the immediate implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for workers in the state.

The Implementation is a demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of the workforce in acknowledgement of their invaluableble role in driving the State’s developmental goals.

As the new wage policy is administered, Civil Servants are encouraged to embrace this gesture by recommitting to their duties with renewed dedication and zeal in order to foster a culture of productivity and excellence in service in the State.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Before final liquidation, NDIC set to auction Heritage bank properties

Published

on

In a bid to ensure timely declaration of liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of the failed Heritage Bank (In-Liquidation), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced the process of auctioning the landed properties and chattels of the defunct bank.

According to the Corporation, this exercise is in line with its statutory powers as the Liquidator of failed banks under section 62 (1)(d) of the NDIC Act, 2023, noting that; “This is another follow-up action sequel to the disposal of physical assets and chattels belonging to the defunct bank at its leased locations nationwide”.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Bashir A.

Therefore, the auction of the landed assets shall be by competitive bidding in sealed bids scheduled to take place at the six (6) selected locations of the Corporation across the country, for the affected 36 branches of the failed bank beginning from Wednesday 4th December 2024.
“Buyers who wish to participate in the auction are expected to follow laid down guidelines purposely aimed at ensuring transparency, fair competition, equity, and accountability to enable recovery of commensurate values from the exercise. This is critical for the payment of liquidation dividends to eligible claimants.

Advertisement

The Corporation shall give preference to financial institutions who are willing to buy at the highest auctioned value to allow for the continuation of provision of banking services to the Nigerian public at the designated locations”, adding; “This is desirable towards bolstering financial inclusion as envisaged by the financial system regulatory authorities.

“However, Corporate bodies and Private individuals willing to compete are equally eligible to compete in the process without prejudice, the auction shall be open and competitive to all bidders.

Furthermore, bidders will be allowed to inspect the properties and chattels across all locations one week before the date of disposal.”

Importantly too, the statement said; “All interested parties are to make available 10% bid security of the value of their sealed bids to be dropped in the bid box provided at the specific centre out of the six locations of the Corporation as contained in the published advertisements.

Advertisement

“All interested bidders are advised to submit their bids only at the designated NDIC offices covering their choices amongst Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.”

Meanwhile, the Corporation has vowed that there would be no hiding place for debtors of the defunct Heritage Bank whose financial obligation portfolio is in the region of over N700 billion.

Continue Reading

News

Naira slumps in parallel market

Published

on

The Naira experienced a slight depreciation yesterday, slipping to N1,740 per dollar in the parallel market compared to its previous rate of N1,735 per dollar on Tuesday.

According to data from FMDQ, the indicative exchange rate for the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) strengthened, rising to N1,645.4 per dollar from Tuesday’s rate of N1,689.88 per dollar. This marks an appreciation of N44.48 for the Naira.

The market also saw a significant increase in dollar trading activity, with turnover climbing by 122.5 percent to reach $236.84 million, up from $106.44 million the previous day.

As a result, the gap between the parallel market and the NAFEM exchange rate widened, now standing at N94.6 per dollar, up from N45.12 per dollar recorded on Tuesday.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News