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NSC’s dispute settlement saved N2.4b over five years – official

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According to the Nigerian Shippers Council, its complaints processing procedure has saved stakeholders N2.4 billion over the last five years.

Mr Rotimi Anifowose, the NSC’s Director of Planning, stated this recently in Lagos, when the council received the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola.

According to Anifowose, the Port Service Support Portal is where the council collects complaints from regulated service providers and users.

Anifowose went on to say that among the complaints were arbitrary charges, container deposit refunds, and import and export fraud, among other things.

 

He also stated that the council’s creation of the Nigerian Ports Process Manual saved the country an average of $20,000 per day in vessel demurrage between 2021 and 2022.

“We have applied the Nigerian Port Process Manual and the International Cargo Tracking Note.” The council, as the principal agency in implementing the NPPM, oversaw the actions connected to joint vessel boarding, joint cargo examination, and the Operation Free the Corridor initiative. This amounted to $12.4 million, or N5.4 billion at the official exchange rate in 2022.

“The council is encouraging the digitisation and automation of all port procedures in Nigeria in order to reduce the instances of human touch in cargo transportation and eliminate manual documentation for efficient service delivery.” This led in the digitization of all processes by shipping and port service providers,” Anifowose noted.

Earlier, the minister expressed enthusiasm for the International Cargo Tracking Note, which was hosted by the Shippers Council, and stated that his administration will promote its implementation to enable effective cargo monitoring and transportation.

“Also, the port community system platform, which serves as a single point of contact for all actors in the sector, would facilitate doing business.” As a result, it is something we would strongly consider. I’ve been looking at the situation of our ports, and it’s really disappointing. “I’m not blaming anyone because the ports are ancient,” he said.

FG shortlists 42 companies for commercialization program: Gas flaring

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The Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialization Programme will begin in 2022, the Federal Government stated on Wednesday, and 42 companies have received letters of award.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission made this announcement in a statement that was released in Abuja.

“The NUPRC hereby announces the outcome of the bidding exercise and issuance of letters of award to 42 companies/entities deemed successful in the fiercely contested bid for 49 flare sites put forward during the 2022 Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialization Programme auction process,” the statement said in part.

“For the creation of 40 independent single-flare sites, 38 of the companies/entities have received awards; for the development of nine cluster sites, four have received awards.

 

For the associated flare locations, “Reserve bidders’ status has also been granted to some organizations in the event the preferred bidders fail to meet the criteria and conditions required in the RFP (Request for Proposal).”

Award letters, according to the NUPRC, have already been sent to the relevant successful entities via the proper channels.

In order to comply with the Petroleum Industry Act’s requirements and to take into account the current operational and economic conditions in Nigeria, the NUPRC reorganized the gas flare commercialization project and re-launched it in the third quarter of 2022.

According to the commission, multiple interactions with pertinent parties were responsible for the NGFCP bid process’ notable success.

Among the players, according to the report, are domestic investors, foreign development organizations, oil and gas producers, technological companies, and financial institutions.

According to the upstream oil industry regulator, “The commission’s engagements were to energize and maintain interest in the program, attract investments, and drive participation by local and foreign organizations.”

It stated that 300 businesses/entities expressed interest in submitting a Statement of Qualification as new participants or revalidating their pre-qualification status as current participants in response to the Request for Qualification published in the fourth quarter of last year.

Following the review of SOQs, 139 applicants in total were chosen as qualified applicants and given that status. In order to allow competent candidates to put together their respective bids for any of the 49 flare sites on offer, the commission subsequently issued the Request for Proposal in the first quarter of 2023.

“88 entities, comprising individual enterprises and consortiums replied to the RFP and submitted a total of 137 proposals,” according to the NUPRC. “Each proposal contained technical, commercial, and financial paperwork for one or more of the 49 flare locations for either standalone or cluster development.”

The proposal evaluations were properly completed by the commission, and clearance was obtained to name 38 firms and entities as the successful bidders for 40 sites for freestanding, single-flare site developments and four companies and entities for nine sites to be developed as clusters.

In the event that the preferred bidders are unable to comply with the RFP’s terms and conditions, other companies were also granted reserve bidder status for the appropriate flare sites.

According to the statement, “at this point, the preferred bidders would separately proceed to negotiate the series of commercial agreements with pertinent parties and effect payment of the specified award fees to enable the awarding of permit to access flare gas by the commission.”

The upstream regulator announced that KPMG, a global network of professional firms, had been given the go-ahead to collaborate with the commission in carrying out the award in order to ensure the commercialization of gas flare-outs was carried out successfully.

The commission thanked the winning bidders and encouraged them to continue with the program’s final stages in order to get permits and carry out viable projects that would use flare gas to generate value.

Tinubu: Over 6,000 family members of Slain soldiers to get insurance claims

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The president, Bola Tinubu, ordered the Group Life Insurance claims, which will benefit no less than 6,732 relatives of Nigerian Army personnel.

The recipients are the kin of those who died in duty between 2011 and 2022.

During a conversation with our correspondent on Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, director of Army Public Relations, revealed this.

There are around 6, 732 group life insurance beneficiaries, he stated. From 2011 until 2022, this.

On Wednesday, Tinubu ordered that all unpaid Group Life Assurance payments owed to the families of fallen soldiers be made without delay, according to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The head of the Army observed that the insurance firms declined to pay the claims because there were unpaid premiums.

In an effort to give the families of the fallen servicemen some relief, he claimed that the president had cleared all backlogs.

“We have a backlog between the years 2012 and 2022 when claims were not paid and some persons died while serving the country,” Lagbaja added. Due to the insurance companies’ lack of freedom to pay claims for unpaid premiums, the federal government decided to act now to clear the backlog and provide relief to the families of our lost colleagues.

Premium PFA reimburses contributors N216.8m for residential mortgage

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One of the country’s pension fund administrators, Premium Pension Limited, reports that 14 of its clients who requested access to 25% of their pension resources as equity contributions for a home mortgage had been paid successfully.

The National Pension Commission’s rules on accessing Retirement Savings Account balances towards payment of equity contributions for residential mortgages for RSA holders, which were published in September 2022, were in line with this, according to a statement from the organization.

The agreement was created to make it easier for RSA holders to own a home, to strengthen the mortgage industry by supplying sustainable long-term financing, and to promote socio-economic development by reducing the persistent housing gap in the country.

The company has successfully paid the total of N216.8 million to the 14 consumers, according to the statement. The company is glad to have played and will continue to play a significant role in making this goal a reality for our members since we recognize that house ownership is a key component of financial security and retirement planning for them.

The company’s managing director and chief executive officer, Mr. Umar Mairami, made the following statement in response to this development: “The payment of equity contribution for residential mortgage has been a long-awaited development for pension contributors, and we are proud to be among the first Pension Fund Administrators to successfully implement this new guideline.

“We are thrilled to have reached this tremendous milestone,” said the team of professionals who worked nonstop to guarantee that the mortgage payments for our members were handled quickly and effectively.

He reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to helping qualified members access a portion of their pension resources in order to purchase a home that complies with the rules.

Russian Woman Dies After Whole-body Liposuction, Family Sues Clinic

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Anna Andrea, a 47-year-old woman who had fat suctioned from every portion of her body, passed only two days after having the procedure done at a Russian facility.

A single treatment reportedly involved Andrea having fat removed from her face, neck, chin, breasts, stomach, hips, flanks, back, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, knees, calves, and ankles.

Maria Burlova, the head of the Abriell Clinic in St. Petersburg and a leading plastic surgeon in Russia, is credited with performing the treatment.

In an interview with Daily Mail, Andrea’s daughter Kira Fedora claimed that although her mother had just intended to get a facelift, she had instead been “pressured into surgery on not only her face but her complete body, which the clinic aggressively promotes.”

“We have already brought a lawsuit against this clinic,” continued Fedora. Dr. Burlova hasn’t responded.

The Russian Investigative Committee is looking into the case, and the police are looking into how the woman passed away after her condition “catastrophically” worsened two days after the treatment.

Libya floods: Nigeria is prepared to assist, says Tinubu

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On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu announced that his administration is prepared to offer the Libyan people affected by the disastrous floods that followed the Mediterranean storm Daniel on Sunday every necessary support.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Ajuri Ngelale, the president’s special adviser on media and publicity, said, “Nigeria is ready to provide all necessary support to assist the Libyan people in overcoming this harrowing tragedy.”

President Tinubu expresses his condolences to Libya regarding Storm Daniel and the ensuing floods in the statement.

In the worst-affected area, the eastern port city of Derna, where more than 34,000 people were forced to flee, at least 5,300 bodies have so far been found.

The shocking death toll and destruction caused by storm Daniel, according to experts, attest not just to its intensity but also to the vulnerability of the North African state it tore apart after more than a decade of internal strife that undermined vital infrastructure.

Two dams whose maintenance histories have been questioned since the tragedy severely damaged Derna.

Only on Tuesday and Wednesday, roughly 48 hours after the catastrophe, had outside assistance from Turkey, Egypt, and Italy reached Derna.

This is due to the fact that additional foreign rescue teams and humanitarian relief organizations are anticipated in the upcoming hours.

Tinubu sent his sincere condolences to the Libyan government and people in the wake of the catastrophe.

He expressed his sympathy to all the families who had suffered the loss of a loved one in what he called a “monumental disaster.”

To everyone hurt following the unfortunate incident, he expressed his warmest wishes for a quick recovery.

Assuring the Libyan people of Nigeria’s “unwavering solidarity and goodwill during these trying times,” the Nigerian leader also said that “this disheartening loss of lives, homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure remains a shared grief that further unites the people of both nations.”

Ebonyi PDP knocks Umahi over senatorial successor

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The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has come under fire from the Peoples Democratic Party’s South Zone chapter in Ebonyi State for blatantly asserting that he alone will decide who will follow him in the Senate.

It was deemed absurd for the state’s outgoing governor to return and assert he will elect his replacement in the Red Chamber after unilaterally “abandoning” the position to accept a ministerial job without engaging the residents of Ebonyi South Zone.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Augustine Nwazunku, the state PDP chapter chairman, said Umahi should apologize for making such an ominous remark.

Prior to his resignation as a result of being appointed minister by President Bola Tinubu, Umahi served as a senator for the Ebonyi South District.

 

Umahi officially stated, “I have the right to choose who will succeed me,” on September 9 during a courtesy call to Francis Nwifuru, the governor of Ebonyi State.

However, the PDP highlighted in a statement that it had “been made aware of the frightening assertion attributed to the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, that he (Umahi) has the power to appoint his replacement in the Senate.

“We hereby assert that the Minister’s statement was completely inappropriate for a man of his standing. Given that Chief Umahi, who served as governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023, was controversially elected to the Senate, he unilaterally left that position in order to pursue a ministerial job without consulting his Ebonyi South Senatorial District voters.

It is quite foolish of him to return now and make such an absurd and anti-democratic claim that he ought to be permitted to select his Senate replacement.

“First and foremost, we anticipated that an intelligent man like Umahi would be aware that the Election Petitions Tribunal’s ruling on the petitions filed by his rivals in the Senate elections of February 2023 was not the final word on his contentious election to the Senate.

Sen. Mike Nnechi (PDP) and Hon. Linus Okorie, two of his rivals, have expressed interest in appealing the Tribunal’s decision. Re-run elections or bye-elections wouldn’t be brought up until after the legal concerns were resolved, depending on how the case turned out.

The minister was charged with abuse of authority, and the party added that this was typical of his illegal behavior.

“For Umahi to have jumped the gun by piling up pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to begin preparations for new elections in the Ebonyi South Senatorial District is a clear case of impunity and arrogant/reckless abuse of power, further benchmarking Umahi’s usual acts of impudence and lawlessness,” it was stated in the statement.

“The people of the Ebonyi South Senatorial District have the sovereign right to select the individuals who will serve as their representatives in the National Assembly. Umahi has no authority to force his way through as he once did when he was the governor of Ebonyi State in the specific situation of the current Ebonyi South Senatorial District.

“Umahi should focus on his duties as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Minister of Works and keep his distance from matters pertaining to the Ebonyi South Senatorial District after he gave up the contentious mandate he had initially taken up.”

Ekiti court adjourns alleged fake policeman’s case till October 3

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Isiaka Yinusa, 24, is accused of impersonating a member of the Nigeria Police Force, and his case has been postponed till October 3 by the Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti.

The defendant was granted bail by Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola in the amount of N50,000 in the same quantity and was required to swear to an affidavit of means.

Inspector Elijah Adejare, the police prosecutor, charged the defendant with impersonating a police officer during the court proceedings on Wednesday.

The charge stated that the defendant “did intend to be taken to be a member of the Nigerian Police Force, have in possession police shoulder flap and also conduct himself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace in a public place on September 10, 2023, around 11:35 a.m. at Ifaki Ekiti in Ido Ekiti Magisterial District.”

The crimes are punished under Sections 90(b) and 181(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021, according to Adejare.

On the following postponed date, the prosecutor informed the court that he would gather his witnesses.

The defendant claimed to understand the charge once it was read and explained to him, but he entered a not guilty plea.

Aduni Olanipekun, the defendant’s attorney, asked the court to grant her client generous bail conditions and stated, “I am ready to provide a substantial surety for the defendant.”

Full list: Sanwo-Olu’s commissioners, special advisers’ portfolios

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On Wednesday, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, swore in his cabinet members for a second term in office.

This occurs around six weeks after the governor sent the Lagos State House of Assembly his initial list of nominees.

The portfolios and titles of each freshly sworn-in cabinet member are listed below.

 

Lawal Pedro (SAN), Lagos State’s attorney general and commissioner of justice

Akin Abayomi, Ph.D., is the Commissioner for Health.

Environmental Commissioner Adetokunbo Wahab

Housing Commissioner Moruf Akinderu-Fatai

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso

Ibrahim Layode is the commissioner for culture and home affairs.

Commissioner for Women’s Issues and Poverty Reduction Bolaji Dada

Agriculture Commissioner Ruth Olusanya

Finance Commissioner Abayomi Oluyomi

Commissioner for Establishment, Training, and Pensions Ayantayo Afolabi

Adetoke Benson-Awoyinka is the tourism commissioner.

Youth and Social Development Commissioner Ogunlende Mobolaji

Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure, Yakub Alebiosu

Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget Mosopefoluwa George

Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology Olatunbosun Alake

Local Government Commissioner Bolaji Kayode-Roberts

Basic Education Commissioner Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun

Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Akibu

As the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mrs. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka

The Commissioner for Special Duties is Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Investment Folashade Ambrose-Medem

Agriculture Special Adviser Dr. Rotimi Fashola

Adeyinka Lukmon is the Special Adviser for Works in the Deputy Governor’s Office.

Special Advisor for Health, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya

Internal Audit Special Advisor Dr. Iyabo Ayoola-Oyeyemi

Special Advisor for EGIS and Urban Planning, Olajide Babatunde

Environment Special Adviser Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu

Dr. Yekini Agbaje, Special Advisor for Chieftaincy and Rural Development

Transportation Special Advisor Sola Giwa

Housing Special Adviser Mrs. Barakat Bakare

Special Advisor for Tax and Revenue, Mr. Abdulkabir Ogungbo

Tourism Special Adviser Idris Aregbe

Bola Olumegbon is a special adviser for the CBD.

Special Advisor for Political and Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Tajudeen

The special adviser for commerce is Moshood Olowu.

Details to come…

 

Full list: 24 countries qualify for 2023 AFCON

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The qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire has been secured by all 24 participating nations.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the five-time AFCON champions Cameroon defeated Burundi 3-O on Tuesday to round off the list of qualified teams.

Twelve past AFCON winners, including three-time champion Nigeria, will be on display in January 2024, according to a breakdown of the eligible nations.

Cote d’Ivoire, the hosts, will be heading a potent 11-nation West African delegation that includes holders Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, among others.

After a valiant performance in the qualifying rounds, Tanzania, representing East Africa, returns for a second finals.

Seven-time winner Egypt, World Cup semifinalist Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria are the North African nations who are represented.

Egypt, which reached two of the most recent three finals in 2017 and at the 2021 edition, will be vying for a historic eighth championship.

There won’t be any newcomers in this season, according to NAN, because the continent’s football major giants were able to preserve and secure qualifying.

The 2023 AFCON was originally scheduled to take place in June of 2023, however it was moved up to January 13–February 11, 2024.

Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire (Hosts), and DR Congo make up the full list of the 24 eligible nations.

Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, and Mozambique are some of the others.

Zambia, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal (titular holders), Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Tunisia are some of the others.