News
Military seeks permission to track daily crude output
The Defence Headquarters on Thursday lamented that its demand for the metering of crude oil pipelines had yet to be carried out.
The DHQ noted that the reason for pushing for this was to accurately know the quantity of crude oil the country produces daily.
Addressing journalists at the bi-weekly briefing on military operations across the country, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen Buba Edward, who did not specify which agency was responsible for the failure to meter the pipelines, noted that the military, notwithstanding, had reorganised its operations, increased cooperation with relevant stakeholders, and improved its pipeline surveillance.
He said, ‘’It will be recalled that in rejigging our operations, we increased the surveillance over the pipeline infrastructures, we increased our cooperation with the stakeholders in the oil sector, we also pushed for the metering of the pipeline so that we’ll know accurately what the nation is churning or daily.
“While this has not yet been put in place, I can say that for the surveillance of the pipelines and other military actions required in the area, we are receiving an increase in our crude oil production as it has been noticed and reported.”
Buba stated that the actions of the military following the directives given to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, by President Bola Tinubu, had led to the increase in the country’s crude oil production.
He said, “It will be recalled that not too long ago, the Chief of Defence Staff was given marching orders by Mr President to ensure that the nation’s crude oil production receives a spike so that we can meet our OPEC quota and the CDS followed up by saying that within the next two to three months (we should get result).
“Well, I’m pleased to inform you that already we have recorded a noticed increase, improvement in the nation’s crude oil production, and this is indicative of the fact that we are on the right track but we are not going to rest on our laurels, we are going to sustain the momentum until the nation’s crude oil OPEC quota is reached and exceeded. “
Reeling out troops’ operational success in the Niger Delta region, Buba said in one week, 23 suspected oil thieves were arrested, and N943,161,680.00 stolen products were recovered.
Buba said, “ Troops arrested 23 perpetrators of oil theft and denied the oil thieves of the estimated sum of N943,161,680.00 only.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver and 27 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 32 cooking ovens, two outboard engines, two pumping machines, two vehicles, one tricycle, three motorcycles and 84 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO and 7,500 litres of PMS.”
Buba also said during the week under review, troops neutralised 147 and arrested 381 suspects.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.
This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.
This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.
During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”
The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.
Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:
- Federal Medical Centre, Bida
- Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
- Federal College of Education, Yola
- Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Cross River Basin Development Authority
- Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
- National Examination Council (NECO)
- Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
- Presidential Amnesty Programme
- Galaxy Backbone
- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals
Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.
The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.
Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day
Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget
Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability
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