PIB: NNPC won’t be scrapped but fully commercialised, says FG – Newstrends
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PIB: NNPC won’t be scrapped but fully commercialised, says FG

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The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation will be fully commercialised in the interest of Nigerians when the Petroleum Industry Bill is signed into law.

He said this did not mean that it would be scrapped, as interpreted by media reports.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with lawmakers on the PIB Sylva said, “I have heard a lot of noise about the NNPC being scrapped but that is not envisaged by the bill at all. We have said that the NNPC will be commercialised in the interest of Nigerians.

“If we are talking about transforming the industry, the only new thing we are introducing is the development of the mainstream, which is the pipeline sector between the upstream and the downstream.”

He added, “This is because the framework was not there, has not really developed very well. We have adequately provided for the growth of the mainstream sector.

“The host community has the best deal but the details of the bill will be unfolded on the floor of the Senate. The Petroleum Equalisation Fund and the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency will not exist in the same form that they exist today.”

The long-awaited oil reform bill will privatise the NNPC, amend changes to deepwater royalties made late last year and scrap key regulatory agencies in favour of new bodies, a copy of the bill seen by Reuters showed.

President Muhammadu Buhari had sent the bill to the Senate, two sources told Reuters. The Senate, along with the House of Representatives, must sign off on the bill before it can become law.

The legislation has been in the works for the past 20 years and looks to revise laws governing Nigeria’s oil and gas exploration not fully updated since the 1960s because of the contentious nature of any change to oil taxes, terms and revenue-sharing.

The bill proposes creating a limited liability corporation into which the ministers of finance and petroleum would transfer NNPC assets.

The government would then pay cash for shares of the company and it would operate as a commercial entity without access to state funds.

The changes would in theory make it easier for the struggling company to raise funds.

The legislation would also amend controversial changes to deep offshore royalties made late last year by cutting the royalty that companies pay the government for offshore fields producing less than 15,000 barrels per day to 7.5 per cent from 10 per cent.

It would change a price-based royalty too, so that it kicked in when oil prices climbed above $50 per barrel, rather than $35.

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Business

Bitcoin plunges to $80k amid ongoing volatility

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Bitcoin plunges to $80k amid ongoing volatility

Bitcoin’s price plummeted to $80,052 late Sunday night, marking a 7% decline over the past 24 hours as uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic policies continues to ripple through the market.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at approximately $82,200.

The overall cryptocurrency market experienced a 7% drop, reducing its valuation to $2.77 trillion.

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Solana and XRP both recorded 7% losses, while Ethereum fell 8%, trading near the $2,000 mark. Despite the downturn, Bitcoin’s dominance remains steady at 58.2%.

The market’s decline has triggered significant liquidations, with Coinglass data reporting $616 million in liquidations over the past 24 hours, according to crypto.news price tracker.

 

Bitcoin plunges to $80k amid ongoing volatility

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Railway

NRC targets moving 100 containers daily from Lagos to Kaduna, Kano by rail

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NRC targets moving 100 containers daily from Lagos to Kaduna, Kano by rail

 

 

There are plans to commence movement of containers by rail soon from Lagos port to Kaduna by rail with an initial target of 50 to 100 containers daily.
Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this when he received the management team of the ICNL, led by the Managing Director, Mr Omotayo Dada, at the corporation’s headquarters, Ebute Metta, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Only recently, the corporation re-launched the rail cargo train from Apapa port Lagos to Moniya container terminal deport in Ibadan, Oyo State, following a partnership deal with APMT.
The NRC MD had earlier paid a visit to ICNL headquarters in Kaduna, which paved the way for discussion on the resumption of container movement by rail to Kaduna, according to a statement by the corporation.
Opeifa said the corporation was willing to partner with major movers of large containers from across the country.
He said the corporation would continue to design products for companies willing to use the rail to move its cargoes.
He noted that with the ICNL partnership, the corporation hopes to move additional 50 to 100 containers per day from Lagos to Kano via Apapa, Ijoko, Ilorin, Minna and Kaduna.

L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa; Managing Director, Inland Containers Nigeria Ltd, Mr Omotayo Dada, and the Head of Commercial Services, Mrs Odetunde King Abigail, during the courtesy call on the NRC MD…on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Director of Operations and Commercial of the corporation, Mr Akin Osinowo, said the corporation was in talks with many manufacturers, including the Dangote Group of Companies and BUA, among others.
He added that the NRC still continues to service Lafarge, taking cement consignments from Ewekoro to Osogbo and Ilorin.
He however said any company or terminal operator partnering with it is meant to add value to rail movement by using their size and status to prospect new customers in order to boost the railway’s haulage capacity.
He said the ICNL is a long standing customer of the corporation, adding that some of the factors that led to the stoppage of cargo movement especially on the narrow gauge are being addressed.
He said issues such as insecurity, especially between Minna and Kaduna, and the washouts of several portions of the rail tracks, among others, were being aggressively addressed either by the corporation’s team of engineers or by the Federal Government.
The NRC management and that of ICNL expressed commitment to continue their engagement and draw a road map for quick commencement of container freight to as far as to Kaduna and Kano on the western line.

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Auto

Suzuki By CFAO slashes prices of Grand Vitara GL, GLX SUVs, EECO van in promotional campaign

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Suzuki By CFAO slashes prices of Grand Vitara GL, GLX SUVs, EECO van in promotional campaign

Suzuki by CFAO has commenced a nationwide promotional campaign, slashing prices of three outstanding models in a move to give Nigerians an opportunity to own durable, fuel-efficient and stylish Suzuki vehicles at affordable rate.
The fast-growing automobile dealership in Nigeria says in a statement that the limited-time offer also comes with added benefits designed to maximise customer value and return on investment.
The three models, Suzuki Grand Vitara GL, Grand Vitara GLX, and the Suzuki Eeco van, come with exclusive incentives such as one-year free service and free registration, apart from the price slash.
General Manager of Suzuki by CFAO, Madam Aissatou Diouf, says, “The Suzuki brand under CFAO remains committed to delivering affordability, innovation, and reliability to its customers.
“We encourage potential buyers to take advantage of this offer before it ends. Customer feedback continues to reinforce Suzuki’s reputation for quality, fuel efficiency, and overall satisfaction.”
The auto firm says the promotional offer allows customers to drive home the Suzuki Grand Vitara GL for ₦46 million, instead of ₦48 million, while the Grand Vitara GLX is currently available at ₦53 million, down from 55 million, and the Suzuki EECO van for ₦19.5 million, down from ₦23 million.

Grand Vitara GLX
This is a feature-packed SUV with a robust design, sophisticated styling, and cutting-edge technology.
It comes equipped with 1.5L, 2WD automatic transmission (FS), panoramic sunroof, power door mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, 9-inch touchscreen audio system, 360-degree camera, outstanding fuel efficiency of just 4-5 litres per 100km.

Grand Vitara GL
This variant features a 1.5L engine, 2WD automatic transmission (FS), power door mirrors, alloy wheels, and fabric seats while maintaining the same remarkable fuel efficiency as the GLX.

Suzuki Eeco van


This is for businesses and entrepreneurs seeking affordability and efficiency.
It is a versatile and reliable vehicle, perfect for a practical and affordable transportation solution.
It is powered by a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine and delivers 54 kW (73hp) of power and 101 Nm of torque;
5-speed manual transmission.
Its other features are exceptional fuel economy of just 4-5 litre per 100km; low maintenance costs and practical features such as manual air conditioning, park assist, and fabric seats.
Basic safety features, including seatbelts, a driver-side airbag, and an audio system with AM/FM radio and USB connectivity are available.

Exterior features
Compact design: The Eeco Panel van has a compact design, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
Sliding doors: The van features sliding doors on both sides, providing easy access to the cargo area.
Rear door: The rear door is designed for easy loading and unloading of cargo.

Interior features
Spacious cargo area: The Eeco Panel van has a spacious cargo area, perfect for carrying goods, equipment, or tools.
Vinyl flooring: The cargo area features vinyl flooring, making it easy to clean and maintain.
Tie-down points: The van has tie-down points to secure cargo and prevent shifting during transport.

Safety
Driver airbag: The Eeco comes equipped with a driver airbag for added safety.
Seatbelts: The van features seatbelts for the driver and passengers.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS): The Eeco has ABS to prevent wheel lock-up during hard braking.

Comfort/convenience features
Manual air conditioning: The van which can accommodate 5 to 7 passengers features manual air conditioning for added comfort.
Power steering; The van features power steering for easy maneuverability.
The auto firm notes that this is a golden opportunity to own a Suzuki vehicle at an unbeatable price and urged interested people to visit any Suzuki by CFAO dealership nationwide to take advantage of this limited-time offer before it runs out.

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