News

Presidential CNG initiative attracts $45m private investment

Published

2 months ago

March 20, 2024

Presidential CNG initiative attracts $45m private investment

Project Director/CEO, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi (P-CNGi), yesterday said the initiative has received a boost with investors staking about $45million in the programme.

He said the initiative has attracted investors in the oil and gas sector who are ready to invest in the establishment of the conversion and refueling centres across the country.

He spoke at the Nigerian Army Auto Switch kick-off at the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NIIT) in Abuja.

Sixteen vehicles belonging to the Nigerian Army are to be converted from use of premium motor spirit (PMS) to CNG.

Oluwagbemi said the CNG conversion centres have increased from seven to 21 centers across the country, adding that the centres would increase to 45 by May 29, 2024.

He said the target of the P-CNGi is to have about one million conversion centres before 2027 and over 3,000 refuelling centres driven by 25,000 technicians.

He said: “We also have increased the number of investments in refueling centres. We will have about 100 of them before the end of the year. NIPCO is investing 32, MRS 10, BoVAS 10, the core partners of the Presidential CNG is investing over 15 centres and these have attracted $45million.”

READ ALSO:

He said to encourage investment in the sector, the P-CNGi has attracted tax and duty waivers as well as secured 80 regulatory standards by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

The P-CNGi noted that Nigeria could not continue to depend on other countries for its energy security, assuring that Nigerians would soon start seeing the good in the fuel subsidy removal.

Minister of Transportation, Sen Said Alkali, while declaring open the training and kick-off of technicians of the Nigerian Army on the CNG auto fleet, stressed that CNG was environmentally -friendly, cost effective and an alternative fuel for mobility.

He said the training was facilitated by NITT with support from the Federal Ministry of Transportation on conversion technology for two weeks.

The minister said the initiative was aimed at driving down and managing the cost of transportation for Nigerians by utilising the cheaper gas alternative that was abundant and underutilised.

He said the initiative would facilitate job creation, transfer of technology, support the development of auto manufacturing and the development of critical gas distribution, processing and production infrastructure.

Director-General, NITT, Bayero Farah said 11 Army personnel would undergo a two – week training at the organisation’s facility, while 16 vehicles belonging to the Nigerian Army would be converted from use of PMS to CNG.

Presidential CNG initiative attracts $45m private investment

News

NSCDC commandant convicted for employment scam as EFCC probes N7.5bn fraud allegations

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2024

Trends Admin

NSCDC commandant convicted for employment scam as EFCC probes N7.5bn fraud allegations

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has successfully prosecuted Mr. Christopher Oluchukwu, a commandant within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for his involvement in an employment scam, according to a statement by the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, on Thursday.

Oluchukwu was convicted by the Katsina State High Court 3 after being accused of receiving significant sums from individuals under the pretence of securing jobs for their children within the NSCDC. Despite failing to fulfil his promises, he refused to refund the money to the victims.

The court found Oluchukwu guilty on all nine counts and sentenced him to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, and the judge directed that Oluchukwu’s sureties be arrested and detained for further investigation, as he had jumped bail.

READ ALSO:

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a probe into allegations of a N7.5 billion fraud involving ten senior officers of the NSCDC, including Commandant General Ahmed Audi. The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, wrote to Audi, inviting the officers for questioning, with the investigation scheduled to commence from May 2, 2024.

The fraud, allegedly involving several contractors and money laundering through Bureau de Change operators, is under investigation by the EFCC.

This development underscores the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within government agencies and ensure accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s public service sector.

NSCDC commandant convicted for employment scam as EFCC probes N7.5bn fraud allegations

News

Tinubu gives new appointment to Minister of State for Petroleum

Published

2 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Trends Admin

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo

Tinubu gives new appointment to Minister of State for Petroleum

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, as the co-chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

This is contained in a terse statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday.

READ ALSO:

It reads: “In line with his avowed commitment to establish a more efficient, targeted, and consistent approval process for unique oil and gas projects in the country, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), as the Co-Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

This is also to further ensure effective oversight of the gas aspect of the nation’s assets.

The President remains committed to unlocking Nigeria’s immense gas potential to stimulate industrial development, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.”

Tinubu gives new appointment to Minister of State for Petroleum

News

Senate okays death penalty for drug traffickers

Published

2 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Trends Admin

Senate okays death penalty for drug traffickers

The Senate on Thursday passed a bill that upgraded the maximum sentence of life imprisonment to the death penalty for drug traffickers in the country amidst controversy over the voice votes.

The death sentence as a penalty for drug traffickers passed through the third reading, the 2024 NDLEA Act (Amendment) Bill.

The proposal was adopted when the Senate dissolved into a committee of the whole for clause-by-clause consideration of a report of the Chairman of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters and Drugs & Narcotics National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Senator Tahir Munguno.

READ ALSO:

In a review of the penalty provisions of the amendment bill towards strengthening the operations of the agency, a proposed amendment to award a death sentence to drug traffickers rather than just a life sentence was raised by the Senate Chief Whip and Sen. Peter Nwebonyi Under clause 11.

When the matter was put to a voice vote, it appeared the nays had it. However, when the question was put on a second vote, the Deputy Senate President ruled in favor of the i’s. A slight uproar ensued as some lawmakers were displeased.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole expressed his displeasure over what he considered a hasty consideration and passage of the amended clause.

The Deputy Senate President rejected an objection by Senator Oshiomhole to reverse the ruling, insisting that it came late which is against the rules.