Business
FEC approves $2.5m for power projects
…ratifies greenhouse emission reduction report
The Federal Executive Council has approved $2,541,689 and N498,230,281 for four power projects, Minister of Power Saleh Mamman, has said.
He announced the contracts on Wednesday while addressing State House Correspondents after the week’s virtual meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.
The minister said FEC approved the supply and installation of motorised portable hydraulic compressor for the Transmission Company of Nigeria in favour of Messrs Intern Equipment Nigeria Limited for $502,950 plus N15,800,000.
“The second approval was also received for the award of the contract for the supply and delivery of three sets of online partial discharge measurement and monitoring equipment for the TCN in favour of Messrs T and D Technology Limited for $874,800 offshore, plus N240,100,000 onshore, with a delivery period of nine months,” he said.
He said the third approval was the award of the contract for the repairs of 100 MVA and four sets of 60 MVA 132 33 power transformers for TCN in favour of GT Engineering Limited for $661,220 offshore and N127,758,781 onshore with a delivery period of 12 months.
Mamman said, “On the last one, approval was also granted for the contract for procurement of 10 sets of 330 KV and 30 sets of 133 KV circuit breaker for the TCN in favour of Horsepower Engineering Trading Limited for $502,719 plus N114,571,500 with a delivery period of six months.”
FEC, he said, ratified an anticipatory approval received from President Muhammadu Buhari on the Nationally Determined Contribution as part of commitment to the climate change pact.
The minister said the contribution saw Nigeria agreeing to cut greenhouse gas emission by 20 per cent as of last year and by 45 per cent in 2030.
He added that part of the obligations to the signatories of the agreement is the revision of the progress and the submission of an interim report every five years.
He said, “The Federal Ministry of Environment presented a memo today, seeking the ratification of an anticipatory approval that we received from Mr President on the submission of our primary NDC, that is the Nationally Determined Contribution.
“This is part of the commitment that Nigeria made in 2016 during the Paris Agreement; that every country, after five years, will revise the commitment the country made in cutting down emission.
“So, at the time we committed to reducing emission by 20 per cent, unconditionally, meaning we can do it by ourselves; that’s by 2020. The 20 per cent is by the year 2020. At the same time, we are also committed to reducing 45 per cent by 2030. That’s from the year 2016.
“So, we did the first the interim report. A country is supposed to send in an interim report to the United Nations Climate Change desk. Then, before July 31, you’ll submit the final report.”
Asked if Nigeria achieved the 20 per cent emission cut last year, he said, “Based on our calculations, we have met that 20 per cent last year. In fact, I can even say we have surpassed that. That’s why we took that as unconditional.”
Railway
Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC
Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has disclosed that the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) trains are included in the Federal Government’s free train ride initiative for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The LRMT, which currently includes the Phase 1 Blue Line Rail and the Phase 1 of the Red Line Rail, operates under the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
This announcement was made by Ben Iloanusi, the Acting Managing Director of the NRC, during an interview on NTA News TV on Friday, following the launch of the initiative earlier that day.
While Iloanusi stated that Phase 1 of both the Blue Line and Red Line Rail projects are part of the program, LAMATA has yet to confirm this inclusion.
READ ALSO:
- Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic
- Navy arrests 19 Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by hiding on ship
- Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba
Iloanusi outlined the other routes benefiting from the scheme, which include the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service, Kaduna-Abuja Train Service, Warri-Itakpe Train Service, Port Harcourt-Aba Train Service, and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit in Lagos. Notably, little was previously known about the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit service until this disclosure.
“Let me mention the routes where this free train service is happening. We have the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service, we have the Kaduna-Abuja Train Service, we have the Warri-Itakpe Train Service, we have the Lagos Rail Mass Transit trains, we have the Port Harcourt-Aba Train Service, and we have what we call the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit, which is also in Lagos,” he stated.
Iloanusi provided operational updates, stating that passengers nationwide can access free tickets online or, for those unable to do so, at train stations where they will be profiled and validated.
He noted that passengers using NRC-managed services (excluding the Lagos Rail Mass Transit) should reserve tickets via the official website, www.nrc.gov.ng, with a valid ID required. He also advised travelers to plan, arrive on time, and bring valid identification.
Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC
Business
NNPC denies claim of Port Harcourt refinery shutdown
NNPC denies claim of Port Harcourt refinery shutdown
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has denied claims in media reports that the newly refurbished Port Harcourt refinery has shut down.
The national oil company denied the claim in a press release issued by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, on Saturday.
Soneye said the claim was false and urged Nigerians to disregard it. He stressed that the Port-Harcourt Refinery is fully operational.
READ ALSO:
- Like Ibadan, stampede claim 10 lives for Abuja Catholic church, 17 in Anambra
- Marketers react after NNPCL slashes petrol price to N899 per litre
- Electricity: We installed 184,507 meters, issued 50 licences in Q3, says FG
The statement read, “The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has been drawn to reports in a section of the media alleging that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery which was re-streamed two months ago has been shut down.
“We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false as the refinery is fully operational as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC.”
He noted that preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing, and added that claims of the shutdown are “figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip-off Nigerians.”
NNPC denies claim of Port Harcourt refinery shutdown
Business
CBN permits BDCs to buy up to $25,000 FX weekly from NFEM
CBN permits BDCs to buy up to $25,000 FX weekly from NFEM
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted Bureau de Change (BDC) operators temporary permission to purchase up to $25,000 weekly in foreign exchange (FX) from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted Bureau de Change (BDC) operators temporary permission to purchase up to $25,000 weekly in foreign exchange (FX) from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).
This move, detailed in a circular dated December 19, 2024, is designed to meet seasonal retail demand for FX during the holiday period.
The circular was signed by T.G. Allu, on behalf of the Acting Director of the Trade and Exchange Department.
The arrangement will be in effect from December 19, 2024, to January 30, 2025.
Under the directive, BDCs may purchase FX from a single Authorized Dealer of their choice, provided they fully fund their accounts before accessing the market.
Transactions to occur at the prevailing NFEM rate
The transactions will occur at the prevailing NFEM rate, and BDCs are required to adhere to a maximum 1% spread when pricing FX for retail end-users.
READ ALSO:
- Badenoch’s negative portrayal of Nigeria Police unfair-PCRC
- Bitcoin price crashes to $95,000 as market continues to react to Federal rate cuts
- Bauchi high court dismisses blasphemy, cybercrime charges against Rhoda Jatau
All transactions conducted under this scheme must be reported to the CBN’s Trade and Exchange Department.
The circular read in part:
“In order to meet expected seasonal demand for foreign exchange, the CBN is allowing a temporary access for all existing BDCs to the NFEM for the purchase of FX from Authorised Dealers, subject to a weekly cap of USD 25,000.00 (Twenty-five thousand dollars only).
This window will be open between December 19, 2024 to January 30, 2025.
“BDC operators can purchase FX under this arrangement from only one Authorized Dealer of their choice and will be required to fully fund their account before accessing the market at the prevailing NFEM rate. All transactions with BDCs should be reported to the Trade and Exchange department, and a maximum spread of 1% is allowed on the pricing offered by BDCs to retail end-users.”
The CBN assured the general public that PTA (Personal Travel Allowance) and BTA (Business Travel Allowance) remain available through banks for legitimate travel and business needs.”
These transactions are to be conducted at “market-determined exchange rates” within the NFEM framework.
This initiative reflects the CBN’s strategy to stabilize the FX market and manage seasonal surges in demand.
CBN permits BDCs to buy up to $25,000 FX weekly from NFEM
-
Railway10 hours agoLagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC
-
metro1 day agoCourt stops customs from seizing imported rice in open market
-
metro2 days agoFG transfers electricity market regulatory oversight in Lagos to LASERC
-
metro2 days agoAfe Babalola: Court grants Dele Farotimi bail, barred from media interviews
-
metro2 days agoIbadan stampede: Tinubu orders probe as death toll hits 40
-
News2 days agoAdebayo Ogunlesi, 2 other Nigerians make Forbes 50 wealthiest Black Americans list 2024
-
metro3 days agoAbuja demolition: Soldiers attack FCTA officials, seize vehicles
-
metro21 hours agoIbadan stampede: Ooni reacts after arrest of ex-wife