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APC group hails NNPCL, marketers over plan to distribute Dangote fuel across Nigeria
…asks Kyari to fix local refineries, not only MoUs with Dangote
Foremost youth group within the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), has hailed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and major oil marketers for deciding to lift and distribute fuel from the Dangote refinery to end users across the country.
The group, APC Vanguard for Optimum Transparency and Accountability (APC-VOTA), also called on the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the NNPCL, Malam Mele Kyari, to live up to his promises by making the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries operational.
In a statement Wednesday morning by the President, Engr. Shola Olatunji, and Secretary, Amb. Waheed Isiaka, the group expressed optimism that, by patronizing the locally refined petroleum products, the nation’s economy will stabilize, as the naira will gain heavily against foreign currencies, hence, importation of refined products will be discouraged.
“Aside making the products to be available across the country, thereby defeating the usual artificial scarcity during the yuletide, lifting from Dangote refinery will also strengthen our currency against foreign currencies and make our economy to pick again.
“It will also save Nigerians from buying adulterated and high sulphur density petroleum products currently being imported into the country by some unscrupulous oil marketers, under the supervision of the so called regulators who value their pockets more than the welfare of the people.
“Above all, this will save Nigerian government a whooping N24 trillion yearly, as it currently imports Petroleum products by paying N2tr every month.
“This is a noble decision and all of us at APC-VOTA welcome this step wholeheartedly, as it will better the lives of Nigerians and will reduce hardship currently being faced”, the statement read.
On the need to rehabilitate the ailing local refineries, the group said it was obvious that Kyari lacks the capacity to make Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries work again.
“It’s obvious to all Nigerians that Kyari lacks what it takes to fix our refineries. Despite trillions of naira injected into the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries, there is nothing to show for it and the man is not saying anything again, after running lost of excuses.
“Keeping such man any longer is tantamount to keeping an infested ripe fruit, since you can’t eat it, just remove it neatly, because the more you leave it there, the more it infest other fruits, untill the whole system will become compromised and collapsed.
“The only solution to the fuel crisis in Nigeria is the sack of Kyari and our refineries working. Anything less is tantamount to prolonging our doomsday”, the group added.
Recall that the NNPCL said it has stopped importing refined petroleum products and is now off-taking fuel from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other local refineries.
The NNPCL’s GCEO, Kyari, disclosed this on Monday at a conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, in Lagos.
News
FEC approves ₦47.9tn 2025 budget
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved a proposed national budget of ₦47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
This was part of the Medium-Term Expenditures Framework, MTEF, for 2025 to 2027 and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.
“And equally, the fiscal objectives were conservative, because we want to ensure that we study the course much as we believe the projections will be exceeded.
“The budget size that was approved for presentation to the National Assembly in the MTEP is ₦47.9 trillion, with new borrowings of ₦9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025,” Bagudu said.
“We need to sustain the market deregulation, commendable market deregulation of petroleum prices and exchange rate, and to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to lower its oil and gas production cost significantly, and even to consider the need to amend the relevant sections of the petroleum industry act 2021 to address the significant risk to Federation.
“The Federal Executive Council approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the physical strategy paper, and it will be submitted to the National Assembly.
“This is in addition to bills that are already at the National Assembly, the economic stabilization bills and tax reform bills, which we believe we will have a very, very strong growth in 2025.”
During the meeting, the FEC approved its submission to the National Assembly as required by the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act.
The framework projected a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6 percent, an exchange rate of $75 to the naira, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day. [Channels TV]
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Nigeria to get 6,000 power generation by December-Power Minister vows
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has expressed his unwavering optimism that the government will successfully meet its ambitious target of generating 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December 2024, despite the numerous challenges currently affecting the power sector.
The Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, conveyed this assurance at the fourth edition of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s annual workshop, themed “Ending the Talk, Moving the Action,” held on Thursday in Abuja.
Nigeria’s power generation currently ranges between 3,500 and 4,000 MW for a population of approximately 200 million people. For instance, on Thursday, the country’s power generation was 3,556.38 MW as of 8 am.
Earlier this year, Adelabu pledged that power generation in Nigeria would reach 6,000 MW by the end of the year, citing improvements in the sector over the past year.
However, the frequent collapse of the nation’s electricity grid and the vandalisation of towers have raised concerns about the stability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and its ability to achieve the target.
In his goodwill address, the Special Adviser emphasised that the minister’s primary focus remains on achieving the goal of increasing generation and ensuring its efficient distribution to consumers.
Tunji said, “The minister aims to achieve what seems to be an intractable goal—improving generation and ensuring that what is generated reaches the final consumers. There are challenges, but they are surmountable.
“The minister has promised that by December this year, we will reach 6,000 megawatts; yes, we still hope to get there.
“We are confident that we will get there, but we are aware of the current issues with grid collapse. Efforts are being made to resolve these problems. Day and night, teams are being dispatched to address the various issues, and we remain hopeful that we will achieve the 6,000 MW target by December.”
The Director of Renewable Energy, Sunday Owolabi, also reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring 24-hour power supply for Nigerians.
Owolabi, another representative of the minister, stressed that the government’s policies are focused on resolving the challenges facing the country’s electricity transmission, distribution, and generation sub-sectors.
“We are fully committed to transforming the country’s power sector. We are focused on ensuring that our policies are practical and sustainable. We are resolute in ensuring power supply for every Nigerian.
“The government remains fully committed to transforming Nigeria’s power sector through meaningful and actionable reforms.
“We are focused on ensuring that our policies are not only visionary but also practical, impactful, and sustainable. From the ongoing efforts to address infrastructure gaps, enhance power generation, and improve transmission networks, to vital reforms in distribution and the full implementation of the electricity market, we are resolute in our mission to improve power supply for every Nigerian.”
News
Just in: Wike sends FCDA Executive Director on indefinite suspension
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has suspended the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad indefinitely.
According to a statement on Thursday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the suspension of Engr Hadi Ahmad is with immediate effect.
The suspended Executive Secretary has consequently been directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services, in the FCDA.
Meanwhile, Nyesom Wike has revealed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the construction of houses for judges in Abuja.
The former Rivers State governor said the project is part of the government’s plan to provide secure housing for judges and strengthen the judiciary’s independence.
Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, the former Rivers Governor clarified that the housing project is not his personal initiative.
Wike explained that the housing scheme was included in the 2024 budget, approved by the National Assembly, and is not his personal decision.
He added that judges currently live in rented homes, which could make them vulnerable.
He compared this to similar projects he carried out as Rivers State governor and expressed surprise at the criticism, especially from legal professionals.
Wike insisted the project is lawful and should be welcomed as a step in the right direction.
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