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APC youth group, CSO attack NNPC inability to restore refineries
APC youth group, CSO attack NNPC inability to restore refineries
Together with the APC Youth Vanguard for Change, the Energy Reforms Advocates of Nigeria have denounced the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (NNPCL) ongoing inability to repair the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries in spite of significant investments.
The organisations also cautioned against the ongoing importation of tainted fuel into Nigeria during a news conference on Friday.
With $1.5 billion budgeted in 2021 for the Port Harcourt Refinery and an extra $1.4 billion for the Warri and Kaduna refineries, the refineries’ rehabilitation has been beset by setbacks and broken promises.
NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, has repeatedly assured Nigerians of the refineries’ imminent restoration.
In his address, Dr Opialu Fabian, the spokesman of the groups, highlighted the devastating impact of the refineries’ failure on Nigerians, who face endless fuel queues, exorbitant prices, and inflated costs of goods and services.
Fabian demanded accountability from NNPCL, emphasising the need for transparency in contract awarding and execution.
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The advocates warned against continuing to import adulterated fuel, which they claimed has drained Nigeria’s foreign reserves, destabilised the currency, and harmed citizens.
The statement partly reads: “We have chosen this moment to speak on behalf of Nigerians to highlight the ongoing, persistent challenges around the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.
“These failures, unfortunately, continue to place Africa’s largest oil producer in the ironic position of depending entirely on imported petroleum products for domestic consumption.
This dependency has drained our nation’s foreign reserves, inflated fuel prices, and left Nigerians queuing endlessly at filling stations.
“The excuses provided by NNPCL are, unfortunately, repetitive. We have heard, time and again, explanations citing ‘obsolescence’, ‘corrosion’, and the ‘absence of baseline data for structural integrity verification’.
“Today, the energy sector is a critical cornerstone of Nigeria’s prosperity. Our country, rich in crude oil, should be reaping the benefits of this resource through local refining, lower fuel prices, and foreign exchange conservation. Instead, the leadership at NNPCL continues to drain our economy by prioritising importation, an act that not only places strain on our foreign reserves but also destabilises our currency.
“We urge the government to reconsider the composition of NNPCL’s leadership. After more than three years of unfulfilled promises and costly mismanagement, it is evident that the current leadership lacks the vision and competence needed to drive Nigeria’s energy sector forward.
“Evidently, the path forward requires a new approach to how contracts are awarded, how funds are managed, and how performance is measured within NNPCL and the refineries.
“Therefore, we must demand that NNPCL provides Nigerians with a detailed account of the current state of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries. This report should include an outline of how funds have been utilised, reasons for the missed deadlines, and a clear, realistic timeline for when Nigerians can expect results.
“In conclusion, this is a critical moment for Nigeria, one that calls for action and resolve. We are no longer willing to stand by and watch as the nation’s potential is squandered by unaccountable leaders and inefficient practice.”
APC youth group, CSO attack NNPC inability to restore refineries
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
News
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
The Federal Government has defended its decision to borrow to address budget deficits, despite surpassing revenue targets in 2024.
Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu clarified this position during a session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The meeting focused on the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Last week, the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion loan request to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget partially.
During the session, key agency heads, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, presented their revenue reports.
The agencies reported exceeding their 2024 targets.
- Customs Service: Generated ₦5.352 trillion by September 30, surpassing its ₦5.09 trillion target for the year. For 2025, the agency projects ₦6.3 trillion, with a 10% increase planned for 2026.
- NNPCL: Achieved ₦13.1 trillion in revenue, exceeding the ₦12.3 trillion projection for 2024. Kyari announced a ₦23.7 trillion revenue target for 2025.
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- FIRS: Surpassed multiple tax collection goals, including ₦5.7 trillion from company income tax against a ₦4 trillion target. Education tax collections also exceeded expectations, reaching ₦1.5 trillion compared to a ₦70 billion target.
Overall, ₦18.5 trillion of the ₦19.4 trillion 2024 revenue target had been achieved by September, indicating the goal will be exceeded by year-end.
Despite these surpluses, the government insists borrowing remains essential to cover budget gaps and support vulnerable populations.
Bagudu explained, “Even with agencies exceeding revenue targets, borrowing is necessary to address deficits and boost productivity, particularly for the poorest. This aligns with Agenda 2050, which aims for a GDP per capita of $33,000.”
Edun also reiterated that loans were critical for adequately funding the budget.
The committee, led by Senator Sani Musa, questioned the rationale behind the borrowing and demanded further transparency. The Immigration Service was specifically asked to provide documents regarding an “unacceptable PPP arrangement” before the end of the week.
The session underscored the government’s balancing act between increased revenues and fiscal challenges requiring external borrowing.
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
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