Television Nigerian

Garri

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

Some youths in Udu area of Udu local government area yesterday reportedly stormed some markets in the area forcing garri sellers to revert to the old price of N800 naira for the small paint can.

The youths according to eye witness accounts were heard shouting that the lockdown which commences in the state from Wednesday should not trigger off hike in the price of foodstuff.

Meantime there has been hike in the price of foodstuff in several markets.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: CBN begins provision of medical facilities in 6 geo-political zones

A paint of Garri which sold between N750 and N800 as at yesterday went for N1800. A paint can of beans which was N600 as at yesterday was selling for N900. A tuber of yam that was sold between N5 to N600 as at yesterday was selling for N900.

Some of the traders told the Vanguard that they had no choice but to increase the price for what they sold.

“If we don’t increase our price for what we sell we can’t buy things we need at the end of the day from others that have raised their process”, some said.

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First Bank

First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced the donation of N1 billion toward the joint effort by the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

Adeduntan said the donation was to rapidly expand health facilities; especially for testing, isolation and treatment, in the fight against COVID-19.

He said it was also for the provision of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facilities pivotal to controlling the spread, and importantly, treating individuals diagnosed with COVID- 19.

The bank chief said that the donation was in addition to the bank’s drive to move one million children to e-learning, together with an early partner -– Roducate —  as recommended by the Ministry of Education, Lagos State.

ALSO READ: FirstBank deploys measures to protect employees, customers from coronavirus

He said the bank had also reiterated its preparedness to provide essential banking services through its alternative channels to customers in line with the 14-day stay home directive for Lagos, Ogun and Abuja.

“We promise to continue to look at all areas of intervention where our business infrastructure, reach, digital platforms and other natural strengths lie and can be deployed to further support all efforts for Nigerians; young and old alike.

“To that end, we will continue to communicate ways in which we can do more together.

“We thank our community of friends, customers and other stakeholders who have continued to send us ideas and initiatives and are gladdened at the solidarity we see as Nigerians come together to tackle this under one umbrella.

“Please stay safe and let’s work together to flatten the curve”, Adeduntan stated.

FirstBank is the premier bank in West Africa and Nigeria’s leading financial inclusion bank for over 125 years.

With over 750 business locations and 44,000 Banking Agents spread across 99 per cent of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, FirstBank provides a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services to serve its over 15 million customers.

It has international presence through its subsidiaries, FBN Bank (UK) Limited in London and Paris, FBN Bank in the Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra-Leone and Senegal, as well as a Representative Office in Beijing.

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Vanguard News Nigeria.

By Michael Eboh

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),Monday, said it has activated measures to guarantee seamless distribution of petrol across the country throughout the period of the lockdown and beyond.

In a statement in Abuja, Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), the NNPC’s downstream subsidiary, Mr. Musa Lawan, disclosed that the PPMC workforce had been mobilized to provide loading services throughout the period of the envisaged lockdown.

He explained that this assurance became necessary in order to ensure that the Presidential directive on the lockdown of some states is adhered to without concerns about availability of petroleum products

Lawan further cautioned motorists and other consumers of petroleum products on the need to avoid panic buying of petrol, especially as the corporation was ready to provide enough products across the country.

READ ALSO: We’ll give enforcement of coronavirus lockdown human face—Lagos CP

Lawan also disclosed that two more petrol laden vessels were expected to berth at the Nigerian Ports by Tuesday (today), noting that the vessels would be discharging 250 million litres of petrol.

“If you recall, two days ago, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, stated that we have 60 days sufficiency of Premium Motor Spirit. That is very correct. As a matter of fact, we have about 2.68 billion litres of petrol in-country and in marine storage. At the prevailing daily consumption rate of 45 million litres, that translates to roughly 60 days,’’ Lawan stated.

On the recent complaints of non-availability of personal protective equipment against the Coronavirus for tanker drivers by the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Lawan assured that the PPMC was engaging with the stakeholders’ to address the issue of safety kits for tanker drivers.

Vanguard

…restates commitment to achieve competitive growth in 2020

Unilever

Unilever Nigeria has released its audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019. The Company recorded a Turnover of N60.5 billion in the year under review.  This represents a decline compared to N92.89bn recorded for the corresponding year, 2018.

The results show the company also recorded a loss after tax of N7.42bn for the year ended 31 December 2019 relative to profit after tax of N10.55bn recorded for the comparative year 31 December 2018.

These results reflect challenging operating conditions but also the company’s decision to tighten credit terms to address exposure from trade receivables and excess stock in trade in order to better position the company for innovation and a return to competitive growth.  As a result, the Company is also better placed to adjust to the prevailing operating circumstances now emerging in 2020.

READ ALSO: Covid-19: Kano Commissioners, others slash 50% salary

The Corporate Affairs Director, ‘Soromidayo George stated that given this current uncertainty, the organisation will continue to monitor the business environment as well as focus on its strategy to deliver sustainable growth both in the medium and long term.

The Corporate Affairs Director noted that the business acknowledged that 2019 was a challenging year for everyone, but also that there were measures taken to adjust those challenges. She reaffirmed Unilever Nigeria’s commitment to support efforts to tackle the Coronavirus threat while keeping their eyes on the fundamentals of the business, supporting its brands, ensuring the integrity of the route-to-market model, and putting consumers and their needs at the heart of everything we do.

In her statement, she, also, said that they were confident of the prospects of the company, based on the legacy of growth and strong Unilever brands which have over the years satisfied consumers’ needs, and will continue to do so innovatively.

VANGUARD

Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Orji

As part of his contributions to the fight against the rampaging Coronavirus, Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji MNSE, has intensified sensitisation of the people and commenced the free distribution of alcohol-based hand sanitizers to Abians.

In a statement to mark the commencement of the exercise on Monday, the Speaker said he embarked on the sensitisation and free distribution of the sanitizers to educate and ameliorate the people’s difficulty in accessing it because it has been priced out of the reach of the common man, advising dealers in sanitizers and similar products not to take advantage of the situation to rip the people off.

Speaking further on the exercise, the Speaker said, “During elections, I came to the masses to solicit for their votes with the promise that I will stand up for them both in good and bad times. When the report got to me that many of them could not afford the sanitizers, I decided to take up the responsibility and assist them as far as I could to ease their access to this vital item.

‘Let me use this opportunity to reiterate the fact that Coronavirus is not a death sentence and no one should panic about it but abide by all regulations and protocols established by the Abia state government and other relevant agencies so that the preventive, management and control measures put in place will be effective”, he concluded.

READ ALSO: Oyo governor, Seyi Makinde, tests positive for coronavirus

Before the commencement of the exercise, a member of the distribution team, Dr Anya Kalu, who is also a medical doctor, had sensitized the beneficiaries on the need to maintain a hygienic lifestyle, follow the recommended social distancing and obey all the guidelines issued by the state government and other relevant agencies concerning the virus.

Reacting, some of the beneficiaries of the exercise at Orie Ugba market in Umuahia, one of the several centers where the distribution exercise took place, expressed gratitude to the Speaker for his kind gesture, saying with the distribution of the sanitizers to them, they feel safer. They also urged him to continue with his good works as Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly assuring him of their continued support and prayers.

The Speaker’s sensitisation exercise has continued through various channels including the use of both traditional and modern communication platforms to reach the people.

VANGUARD

By Mike Eboh

Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Monday, disclosed that Nigeria earned a total of $32.63 billion from the oil and gas sector in 2018, a 55 per cent increase on the $20.99 billion recorded from the sector in 2017.

In a statement on the release of the 2018 oil and gas industry audit, NEITI also announced plans to release the 2019 audit report this year, effectively clearing the backlogs of the audits of the extractive sector and making the reports more timely and relevant.

Giving a breakdown of the $32.63 billion earned in 2018, NEITI stated that company-level financial flows into government coffers were $16.6 billion, while flows from sales of federation crude oil and gas accounted for $16.billion.

It said, “A five-year trend analysis of the earnings from the extractive sector showed a 54.6% drop from $54.6 billion in 2014 to $24.8 billion in 2015. The earnings further dropped by 31.2% to $17.05billion in 2016, but increased by 23% to $20.99 billion in 2017 and by 55% to $32.63 billion in 2018.

“Though the last two years bucked the trend of persisted decrease since 2014, the revenues from the sector in 2018 were still a staggering 40% below the $54.6 billion earned in 2014 when oil prices commenced a precipitous fall.

“The NEITI 2018 audit reconciled payments by seventy-one companies and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) that met the materiality threshold set for the exercise.  A total of eight government entities were also covered by the audit.

“Out of the $32.63 billion earned from the sector in 2018, the sum of $19.92 billion was transferred directly into the Federation Account, while $5.21 billion and $4.04 billion were transferred into the Joint Venture (JV) Cash Call Account and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) designated accounts respectively.

READ ALSO: NNPC, Total, Aiteo 31 oil firms donate $30m to fight COVID-19 in Nigeria

“The NNPC designated accounts are the Naira and dollar accounts where domestic crude sales and the federation equity, royalty, petroleum profit tax and in-kind oil sales are paid into respectively before remittance to the Federation Account. The report further disclosed that “$2.10billion was transferred into third parties project financing accounts and $1.37billion were recorded as subnational transfers.”

On production, NEITI stated that the total crude oil production in the country within the period under review was put at 701 million barrels, representing a slight increase of 1.5% when compared to 690 million barrels produced in 2017.

Giving a breakdown of crude oil production, NEITI disclosed that Joint Ventures (JVs) contributed highest production of 315 million barrels, followed by Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) which recorded 270.610 million barrels.

In addition, it noted that other funding arrangements like Sole Risk (SR), Marginal Fields (MF) and Service Contracts (SC) accounted for 92.2 million barrels, 22 million barrels, and 1.3 million barrels respectively.

NEITI said, “JV companies’ production increased by 3.12% in 2018 compared to 2017, while PSC operators’ production decreased by 10.90%. Similarly, SR operators’ production increased by 58.72% in 2018 compared to 2017. Production from the SC decreased by 10.27% while production from MF operators increased marginally by 1.18%.”

NEITI further disclosed that total crude oil lifted for both export and domestic sales in 2018 was 701 million barrels, representing a 1.9% increase when compared with total liftings of 688.3 million barrels in 2017.

In its analysis of the total lifting in 2018, NEITI stated that 255.6 million barrels or 36% was lifted by NNPC on behalf of the Federation, while companies lifted 445.5 million barrels or 64% of total liftings.

It said, “The liftings by NNPC indicates an increase of 5.95% when compared to 241 million barrels lifted in 2017. Further analysis showed that out of 255.6 million barrels lifted by NNPC in 2018, actual sales were 255.3 million barrels valued at $18.2 billion.

“Out of the 255.6 million barrels lifted on behalf of the Federation by NNPC, a total of 107.63million barrels was recorded as Domestic Crude Allocation (DCA) in 2018. Out of this figure, 94 million barrels or 87% of the DCA were utilized for Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP), while the balance of 13.58 million barrels or 13% was delivered to the refineries.

“Ordinarily, 160.2 million barrels (or 445, 000 barrels per day) should have been allocated for domestic consumption but only 107.63 million barrels or 67% of the customary allocation for domestic consumption was allocated in 2018.

“The sum of N2.295 trillion was realized as proceeds from sales of domestic crude oil allocation in 2018, out of which the following deductions were made: N722.3billion for under – recovery of imported petroleum products, N28.3 billion for crude and product losses and N138.95billion for pipeline repairs and maintenance cost.

“In 2018, total crude oil losses due to theft and sabotage was 53.28million barrels, an increase of 46.15% when compared to 16.824million barrels recorded in 2017”. Similarly, the report put total products losses in 2018, due to pipeline breakages at 204,397.07 cubic meters.

“On gas production, the NEITI 2018 oil and gas report revealed that the total gas production for the year under review was 2,909,143.69mmscf, while total gas utilization was 2,909,143.55 mmscf.

“From the report, $307.20 million was realized from the sales of Federation gas of 633.55thousand metric tons in 2018. This represents increase of 7.10% when compared to 721.80thousand metric ton valued at $286, 85 million realized in 2017.

“The national gas reserve stood at 200.79tcf as at end of 2018. This is made up of 101.98 tcf of Associated Gas (AG) and 98.81 tcf of Non-Associated Gas (NAG). With the 2018 annual gas production quantity, the gas Reserves Life Index (RLI) was estimated at 92 years”, the report disclosed.”

On management of Joint Venture Cash Call, the report disclosed that aggregate cash call funding for 2018 amounted to $5.98billion. In addition, the report noted that: “outstanding Cash Call Liabilities amounted to $3.66billion, comprising $3.41billion (93%) legacy liabilities and US$260million (7%) performance balance payable to JV operators”.

Another feature of the oil and gas report is on social expenditure.  “Total social expenditure (mandatory and voluntary expenditures) was $902.67million. This consists of voluntary contribution of $59.27million (6.57%) while mandatory contribution stood at $843.39million (93.40%)”. The mandatory contribution was made up of NDDC’s 3% levy of $683.38million and NCDMB’s 1% levy of $160.01million.

Oil and gas industry contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018 was put at 7.8%. “The flows in the industry accounted for $32.64billion in absolute terms. This represents 7.8% of the total GDP Current Basic Price of ($ 418.12billion)”.

Vanguard

Long queque at Diamond ATM gallery along Aba Road in Port Harcourt weekend. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has disrupted businesses, communities, education, livelihood and the lives of billions of people worldwide. As individuals and businesses react and desperately try to minimize the impact and spread of the virus, the government is also taking action. Only recently, the Lagos state government announced the immediate closure of open markets and stores, with the exception of those that sell essential items.

While this move is highly commendable, at this point, it is imperative that the government look into other payment and delivery methods to ensure that consumers are still able to stock up on essential items like food, drugs, water, toilet paper, soap, etc and business owners do not completely shut down and run at a total loss during this period.

Also read: COVID-19: Akin Alabi provides emergency relief package for Egbeda/Ona Ara

For instance, restaurants across the nation have not been mandated to close up, but just like other nations with higher cases of COVID-19 than Nigeria, it is only a matter of time before this will happen. This will not only affect the lives of these business owners but that of consumers who rely on them for daily upkeep.

Somewhere in Lagos, a small scale restaurant owner is currently on the verge of panic, as she fearfully awaits the time when her business will be forced to shut down. How will she feed and provide for her children if she is mandated to close up her business in the coming weeks?

In Onitsha, a major pharmaceutical store owner is worried about how to keep his business running as most of his customers are no longer interested in stepping out of their houses, talk more about entering the ever-bustling Onitsha main market to purchase pharmaceutical products.

Down in Ibadan, a vegetable oil distributor is wondering how he would continue to cater to his family, as fewer people are coming out to buy. On and on, the list of business owners who are currently at their wits ends goes.

Today, walking into a shopping mall like Shoprite is no longer as easy as it was a few weeks ago, as consumers have to join long queues and wait turns to get in, in line with the government directive of not more than 20 people in a gathering at a time.

With all these fears and inconveniences in place, finding an alternative means of buying and selling that reduces human-to-human contact has become a must.

In countries like the U.S, the U.K and a few European countries, restaurants and other retail companies are already using the contactless payment method to reduce the impact of the virus in the daily lives of citizens. While restaurants stay open, customers are however not allowed in. The staff in charge of preparing food or making deliveries take all the necessary precautions to protect themselves and consumers, by wearing preventive gear and avoiding or having limited contact with consumers. This sort of delivery allows delivery personnel to leave packages at the doorstep of consumers, as payment would have already been made online.

Already, e-commerce platforms like Jumia Nigeria already have the contactless delivery option in place, with many consumers opting for it over POD or the regular online payment that would still need verification and physical receipt of purchased products. They also have the Jumia Food platform, which has restaurants all over the country as partners, thereby providing several food options for consumers.


Jumia’s contactless delivery services are safe, with strict hygiene practices that ensure all packages leaving the warehouse are protected. With its integrated logistics network, Jumia makes these deliveries available to consumers all over the country, including remote and rural areas. This is important especially for elderly and sick people.

At a time like this, it is important that the government steps in to implement laws that allow business owners to keep functioning on grounds that they partner with delivery service providers to render contactless payment options.

Without these measures in place, the coronavirus epidemic will not only have a temporary effect but will leave millions of Nigerians struggling to get back on their feet even years after the virus has been contained.

Vanguard

Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State

By Adeola Badru

HAVING been tested positive for Coronavirus, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo on Monday said that he remained asymptomatic and would remain in isolation till he fully recovers from the virus.

The governor who tweeted via his personal handle @seyiamakinde also said that he had appointed Prof Temitope Alonge, a former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, as the Head of COVID-19 Task Force while he recovers.

It would be recalled that Governor Makinde was one of the governors who attended the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, penultimate week, where he met with a number of colleagues.

Also read: COVID-19: NNPC donates ventilators, ambulances, others to Abuja isolation centre

The Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) had after the meeting advised its members who attended the Abuja meeting to go into self- isolation or undergo COVID-19 tests.

The test result, which was delivered to the governor at about 5.30 pm indicated that he had tested positive to Coronavirus.

The news of Makinde’s positive test came on the heels of the release of the state’s index case from the COVID-19 isolation centre.

The release of the patient was consequent upon the completion of his treatment at the Agbami Chest Hospital isolation centre, Ibadan.


The American returnee had initially tested negative only for the second test to read positive.

The index case had been on self-isolation at a private residence in Ibadan until he was transferred to the Isolation centre at Agbami, Jericho area of Ibadan on March 23.

The index case was released after two consecutive negative tests, the statement read.

The statement also quoted the State’s Incident Manager, Dr Taiwo Ladipo as saying that the confirmed case spent six days in the isolation centre and had two negative tests.

“He is well and very stable and is now back to his house. The infectious disease specialist will be reviewing him for follow up action,” the Manager said.

The governor stated in his tweet: “I just received my COVID-19 confirmation test result. It is positive. I am asymptomatic and will continue to self-isolate.”

“I have designated Prof Temitope Alonge, former Chief Medical Director of the University College, Ibadan, as the Head of COVID-19 Task Force while I recover fully. Please continue to comply with all the directives from the COVID-19 Task Force. Stay home, stay safe.”

“The dusk to dawn curfew (7 PM to 6 AM) has taken affect from today; no gatherings of more than ten people should be held anywhere in Oyo State. From tonight, Sunday, March 29, 2020, all markets will be closed except those selling perishable food items.”

“Also, inter-state transportation into and out of the state has been suspended from tonight, Sunday, March 29, 2020, except vehicles carrying food items, medical, pharmaceutical and petroleum products. All measures will be reviewed on a weekly basis.

“Thank you all. Please stay safe by following the proper hygienic practices, washing your hands regularly or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser and also practising social distancing. The EOC Helplines; 08095394000 / 08095963000 / 08078288999 / 08078288800.”

Vanguard

President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan

By David Royal

The Nigerian senators have announced the decision to contribute 50 percent of their salaries to the fight against the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria.

This was made known by the acting spokesman of the Senate, Senator Godiya Akwashiki in a statement on Monday.

“After due consultations following a keen review of the national efforts to contain the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, the Senate wishes to announce that from March, 2020, Distinguished Senators will be donating 50 per cent of their salaries to these efforts to stop the spread of the disease, otherwise known as COVID-19, in our country.

“This monthly contribution from the Upper Legislative Chamber will be sustained until Nigeria is declared safe from the ravages of this deadly disease.

“The Senate commends the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and the administration towards the goal of securing our nation against this plague. The Senate is willing and ready to do whatever is required of the Legislature for the effectiveness of all the measures in place now or that may be required in the future to win the fight against this menace.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: President Buhari’s lockdown order a move in the right direction – Legal practitioners

“The Senate commends all agencies of the Federal and state levels for working in collaboration to protect public health across the country.

“It also acknowledges the patriotic response of public-spirited individuals and organisations who have contributed in one way or the other in support of this fight.

“The Senate further appeals to the citizens to comply with the directives on social distancing and observance of basic rules of hygiene as explained by public health officials as the most effective way to protect ourselves, families and country against COVID-19.

“This is global adversity that is testing the wit and resilience of mankind all over the world. By staying resolute and each of us responsibly playing their role, COVID-19 like all epidemics before it will soon be pushed into history.”

Vanguard Nigeria News

President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan

The Nigerian senators have announced the decision to contribute 50 percent of their salaries to the efforts to respond to the spread and treatment of coronavirus in Nigeria.

This was made known by the acting spokesman of the Senate, Senator Godiya Akwashiki in a statement on Monday.

“After due consultations following a keen review of the national efforts to contain the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, the Senate wishes to announce that from March, 2020, Distinguished Senators will be donating 50 per cent of their salaries to these efforts to stop the spread of the disease, otherwise known as COVID-19, in our country.

“This monthly contribution from the Upper Legislative Chamber will be sustained until Nigeria is declared safe from the ravages of this deadly disease.

“The Senate commends the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and the administration towards the goal of securing our nation against this plague. The Senate is willing and ready to do whatever is required of the Legislature for the effectiveness of all the measures in place now or that may be required in the future to win the fight against this menace.

“The Senate commends all agencies of the Federal and state levels for working in collaboration to protect public health across the country.

“It also acknowledges the patriotic response of public-spirited individuals and organisations who have contributed in one way or the other in support of this fight.

“The Senate further appeals to the citizens to comply with the directives on social distancing and observance of basic rules of hygiene as explained by public health officials as the most effective way to protect ourselves, families and country against COVID-19.

“This is a global adversity that is testing the wit and resilience of mankind all over the world. By staying resolute and each of us responsibly playing their role, COVID-19 like all epidemics before it will soon be pushed into history.”