News

Presidential CNG initiative attracts $45m private investment

Published

1 month 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.”

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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

Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons

Published

4 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons

The American International School, Abuja, on Saturday, provided additional information and context to clarify the issues around its decision to transfer the school fees paid by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Contrary to some media reports suggesting that the institution was still in the process of turning over the funds, the statement clarified that it had actually done so, as recently confirmed by the EFCC Chairman.

In a brief statement signed by Head of School, Greg Hughes, the international co-educational institution, which was established in 1993, stated that “our compliance to remit these funds underscores our commitment to upholding institutional integrity and our respect for the national institutions of Nigeria”.

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It explained further: “Upon learning that the school fees we accepted in good faith were, in fact, part of an ongoing case with the EFCC, we turned over these funds in compliance with this federal commission’s request.”

The statement did not name Bello directly but the reference to “a family with children enrolled at the school” was clear enough in the light of recent media reports.

Citing the subjudice status of the issue as a result of the ongoing case between the EFCC and Bello, the school averred that “we will refrain from making any further comments at this time.”

Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons

News

NAFDAC seals 50 Kaduna shops selling cooking oil in dirty environment

Published

4 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

NAFDAC seals 50 Kaduna shops selling cooking oil in dirty environment

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 50 outlets in Kaduna State due to the sale of edible oil in unhygienic conditions.

The action was taken as part of a sensitization workshop aimed at educating dealers on Registration Procedures and Food Management. This information was shared in a statement released on the agency’s official handle on Saturday.

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The statement partly read, “NAFDAC has sealed fifty outlets in Kaduna for dispensing edible oil under unhygienic conditions, aiming to prevent potential health risks associated with contamination.

“The Director, North-West Zonal Office, Mrs. Josephine Dayilim highlighted the dangers of consuming oil processed in unsanitary environments, emphasising the risks of food poisoning, gastroenteritis, and even cancer due to inadequate processing and corrosive equipment.”

News

Japa: 72,000 doctors dumped Nigeria last year, says MDCN report

Published

4 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Japa: 72,000 doctors dumped Nigeria last year, says MDCN report

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has expressed concern over the detrimental impact of medical practitioners emigrating abroad in search of better opportunities, revealing that 72,000 out of 130,000 registered doctors failed to renew their practice licenses in 2023.

The MDCN highlighted that only a meager 58,000 have renewed their licenses, emphasizing that such a trend will not only strain healthcare services but also overwhelm the limited available personnel.

Dr. Fatima Kyari, the Registrar of the body, conveyed these sentiments on Friday during the induction and oath-taking ceremony of 20 newly qualified doctors at the Edo State University, Uzairue.

“The council has so far registered 130,000 medical doctors to practice in Nigeria since its inception 61 years ago and the council is mandated to regulate the practice of medicine, dental, and alternative medicine in Nigeria.

“But only 58,000 doctors have renewed their annual practising license in the year 2023 following the increase in migration of doctors outside the country,

“However, the doctors must meet the requirements to earn those increases in quota. We will partner with them to ensure that they meet those requirements, and as we try to ensure that, standards must be upheld,” he added.

Kyari, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar Dr Victor Kolawole, noted that the induction of the 20 newly qualified doctors would add to the existing workforce in the health sector which is being depleted by the day.

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She, however, admonished the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, warning that the council is mandated to regulate the activities of the practitioners as well as punish offenders.

The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Emmanuel Aluyor, while speaking, explained that the upgrade of the Central Hospital, Auchi to a teaching hospital has enhanced facilities for the training of the medical students and uplifting the standard of healthcare services in Edo North and its environs.

While commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for his unwavering support for the university, he enjoined the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, saying he is confident that they would bring honour to the institution and MDCN.

“I urge the state government to sustain efforts towards improving facilities at Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi.”

However, the acting Provost, of the College of Medical Sciences, Dr Kenneth Atoe, said 20 medical graduates from the college are the second batch of Batch B inductees.

He advised the newly qualified medical graduates to uphold the ethical standards of a medical professional, saying, “You must internalise the values of honesty, integrity, and selflessness.

“These virtues are not only essential for building strong doctor-patient relationships but are also integral to upholding the ethical standards and trustworthiness expected of a medical professional.

“By embodying these values, doctors not only fulfil their professional obligations but also contribute to the maintenance of public trust in the medical profession.”