The founder of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore has reportedly been shot by a female police officer in Abuja. He was reportedly shot at the Unity Fountain in Abuja.
POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that he sustained gunshots injuries and has been rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
The development was confirm by Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who wrote on Twitter that "the criminal officer is said to be an ACP. I watched Sowore being shot live on Facebook".
"This is what Nigeria has been turned into under Buhari. They've declared war on the Civic Space."
The Nigerian Police force has recorded some success in the capture of suspected killers of Ex-Jonathan political adviser, Ahmed Gulak.
POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that Gulak was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Ngo-Okpala area of Imo state on Saturday evening on his way to the Sam Mbakwe airport.
However, in a statement made available to this newspaper on Sunday night, the nigerian police has neutralised 10 of the culprits.
"On 30/5/2021 Sequel to the killing of Ahmed Gulak by Some criminals who suddenly came out to block the Imo Airport road at Obiangwu Junction at Ngor~okpala LGA of Imo state."
"The Driver of the Vehicle conveying Ahmed Gulak to the Airport was immediately interviewed and he described the Vehicles the Hoodlums were using as One Toyota Camry 2005 Silver color, Toyota Sienna 1998 Model Gold Color, Toyota Hilux White color, Lexus RX 330 Gold Color."
"Police teams from the Special forces,PMF, IRT, IMO State Command Tactical Units who have all reached the Scene of the killing were directed to immediately Proceed on Patrol and look for those Vehicles."
"Fortunately at Afor Enyi-Ogugu junction in Same LGA the Police Teams came in contact with the Hoodlums with same Vehicles mentioned by the Driver, The Hoodlums have already confiscated a trailer loaded with Onions from the North and were busy sharing the onions to the local Population as they also took positions to Protect themselves and attack any incoming Security agents."
"The Hoodlums on sighting the Police teams immediately Opened fire on the teams and the Galant teams returned Fire and eventually fatally wounded 10 of the Hoodlums during the gun battle while others were pursued as they escaped with their vehicles. 3 of the Four Vehicles Toyota Sienna, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Camry use by the IPOB/ESN Terrorist for their Operation were Demobilized/Recovered and 7 of the Terrorist with bullet wounds were completely burnt down inside the Toyota Sienna and Hilux Vehicles that caught fire during the Gun battle.
3 Ak47 Rifles, 1 English Pistol, 5 Ak47 Magazines, 92 Ak47 Ammunition, Several Charms and 3 Operational Vehicles of the IPOB/ESN were recovered."
"Serious efforts in progress to trace and arrest Several wounded IPOB/ESN Terrorist members who are hiding in the surrounding Forrest and villages. The 3 bodies of the IPOB/ESN Terrorist not burnt down were brought to the Police state Headquarters while efforts to recover the burnt bodies of the Hoodlums to the Police state HQ in Progress."
The Ebonyi State government has denied reports that a suicide bomb attack occurred in Afikpo area of the state.
In a statement on Tuesday evening signed by Mr. Francis Nwaze, a special assistant to the governor on Media, the explosion occurred as a result of a grenade accidentally detonated by a security agent.
The statement read: “My attention has been drawn to a news making the round in some section of the media that there was an explosion of a suicide bomb in Afikpo, Ebonyi State this afternoon.
“The above news is in sharp contrast to the reality as the incident was a grenade of a security personnel carrying out his duties at the said location that accidentally exploded. A similar incident equally occurred in front of the Ebonyi State Old Government House as some mobile police officers were servicing their APC machine. The first incident took the life of a passerby while the second caused injuries on the affected person, who has been taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.”
“The general public is, therefore, charged to disregard the fake news as it is the handiwork of enemies of the state who are bent on causing panic where none exists.”
“Furthermore, Ebonyians and residents of Ebonyi State are reminded that generating and spreading of fake news aimed at causing panic in the state is actionable.”
In a bid to honour the departed military officers including the late Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, President Muhammadu Buhari has declared a work-free day for members of the Armed Forces on Monday 24 May, 2021.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, sent to POLITICS NIGERIA on Sunday night.
He also said the national flag should fly at Half Mast in honour of the late COAS and others that died in a plane crash in Kaduna on Friday, May 21st.
"His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria has authorized that the National Flag should be flown at half-mast in all public buildings, facilities and official residences with effect from Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 May, 2021"
"This approval is to honour the memory and services of the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahinu, ten senior military and service members who lost their lives in the plane crash on Friday 21 May, 2021," the statement read.
Former Governor of Lagos, Bola Ahmed Tinubu alongside all leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the South-West have unanimously rejected calls for the division of Nigeria and have instead called for ethnic and religious unity.
POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that in a meeting in lagos on Sunday, attended by South-West APC governors, the national leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief Bisi Akande amongst others, the leaders expressed deep commitment to the unity of the country adding that secession won't be in the best interest of the nation.
They also expressed support for the ban on open grazing in Southern Nigeria. A communiqué issued after the meeting read in part;
"Concerned about the state of the nation particularly the serious security challenges facing the country, All Progressives Congress leaders in the South-west met in Lagos on Sunday May 24, 2021.The meeting was characterised by open and frank discussions of the difficulties now facing Nigeria."
"The Leaders commiserate with and condole the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, the military authorities, families of the Chief of Army Staff and other officers who died, and indeed the entire nation over last Friday’s tragic plane crash in Kaduna."
"They express their strong opposition to separatist agitations and hate speeches. While urging those indulging in such to desist forthwith, they renew their belief in the unity, stability and sustainability of the country."
"We endorse the position of the Southern Governors taken at their May 11, 2021 summit in Asaba, Delta State, regarding ranching. We do so because such a decision will lessen tensions between farmers and herders while also helping the long-term economic viability of both the farming and herding communities. We are mindful of the short-term dislocation this might cause but are also mindful that this position is in the best interests of all parties concerned."
"We, therefore, recommend that the federal and state governments cooperate fully with each other to enact the necessary measures to encourage this more effective and modern method of cattle-rearing so that both farmers and herders can pursue their livelihoods with greater productivity and in a more cooperative relationship that minimizes the friction between these two important pillars of our agricultural economy."
The leaders condemned the use of violence to achieve political power/advantage.
"We restate our abhorrence of violence as a means to achieve either political or economic power and influence. We strongly condemn violence of any form in any part of the country, regardless of ethnic or regional identity of the perpetrators of the violence or of the victims. Government must do all it can to protect potential victims and to assist those who have previously been victimized by terrorism or widespread banditry."
The Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-rufai was seen weeping profusely at the burial ceremony of late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru’s burial.
El-rufai was deeply emotional during the funeral ceremony that held on Saturday at the National Mosque in Abuja. POLITICS NIGERIA ealier reported that Attahiru, and 10 other military officers perished in the air crash that occurred last Friday, May 21.
Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has stated that he is not in support of any agitation for Yoruba Nation.
Akeredolu, in a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA on Sunday, disclosed that he was not offering any form of support or backing to Yoruba Nation Agitators. The Governor's statement is coming a day after group advocating for the secession of the Yorubas from Nigeria held a rally in the state's capital, Akure.
The statement read; "It has come to the knowledge of the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, that some group of persons who held a rally under the cover of what they term 'secessionist agitations' in Akure, on Saturday, May 22, 2021, erroneously claimed to have had his support for the rally."
"Governor Akeredolu wishes to state clearly that while he acknowledges the right of individuals and groups to hold peaceful rallies, it must not be misconstrued to mean support for secessionist agenda and or balkanization of the nation. Far from it."
"Unequivocally, the Governor’s opinion on the Akure rally or any other of its ilk, is only to the effect that he is not opposed to any civil protest which is not in breach of the extant laws of the Nation. He neither believes, nor supports the quest for the Yoruba Nation outside of Nigeria in the manner canvassed."
"It is important, therefore, to state without any equivocation that the Yoruba Nation secessionist promoters do not enjoy any lending hand in Governor Akeredolu."
The Absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo at the funeral ceremony of Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has drawn severe criticism from a lot of Nigerians.
Attahiru and several other military officers died in a plane crash on Friday, sending the nation into mourning. Shockingly at his Funeral in Abuja on Saturday, President Buhari and VP Osinbajo were no where to be found.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the president has shunned such a national event.
POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that President Buhari has a history of showing no respect for supposed heroes when they lose their lives struggling for a peaceful Nigeria.
He was absent at the burial of soldiers killed by Boko Haram in Metele, Borno State in 2018 and he never attended the burial of the Five Nigerian Air Force officers, who died while prosecuting the war on terror in 2019.
Buhari was also a 'no show' in December 2020 when 300 schoolboys were abducted in Kankara even though he was on vacation at his country home, in Katsina, which was not far from the scene of abductions.
Attahiru, others burial
A day after their death, Mr Attahiru, a lieutenant general, and 10 other officers were buried at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja and Mr Buhari was absent. This is despite the fact that the operatives were on official assignment when they had a plane crash. They were traveling to the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria for the passing out parade of regular recruits which was meant to take place on Saturday.
POLITICS NIGERIA understands that six of the officers were muslims and their funeral service held at the National Mosque, Abuja. For the others who were Christians, their burial rites were held at the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church, Abuja before they were all transported to the National Military Cemetery along Airport Road for internment.
Tears of sorrow
For the family and friends of the deceased, it was a sad day but the president, who should show spirit of comradeship was absent. Instead, he sent the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Communications and Digital Strategy, Isa Pantami.
Many Nigerians were worried and some people voiced their anger. A lawyer and right activist, Inibehe Effiong asked on Facebook that : "I ask again, where is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? When the occupant of the highest office in the land becomes so redundant to the point that he cannot attend the funeral of his Chief of Army Staff and other officers who died in a plane crash while on official assignment, it is an indication that the country is leaderless. Buhari has become a mere mannequin. He is neither useful to the country nor to humanity."
A former Aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode stated; "First our President refuses to attend the COAS' burial even though he was in Abuja. The Minister of Defence was there & instead of talking sense he said he had "come to express" his "heartless felt condolences". Talking about a Freudian slip!!! How much worse can this show get!"
Social Commentator, JJ Omojuwa tweeted; "If you can go to France, you can attend the burial of your COAS + others and use that platform as an opportunity to reassure your troops whilst celebrating the loss of our gallant men. But I shouldn’t tweet this. I shouldn’t attract unnecessary negative energy to my timeline."
Despite the outrage, the president’s media aides, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, have failed to comment on why the president did not personally attend such a high-profile funeral.
Governors also absent
While the funeral was ongoing, many Nigerian governors, ministers, and lawmakers on Saturday, attended the wedding ceremony of a son of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in Kano State.
Governor Ganduje’s media aide, Abubakar Ibrahim, in a statement, disclosed that Abirul-Rahman Malami wedded Aisha Umar at Alfurqan Juma’at mosque in the Kano metropolis. Mr Ibrahim said Mr Ganduje was the bride’s trustee while his Sokoto counterpart, Aminu Tambuwal, served as the groom's trustee.
Other governors at the event were Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State.
Buhari has no excuse - Public commentator
A public commentator, Taiwo Hassan-Adebayo, said he is not shocked by the president 's actions and inactions.
"I'm not shocked. I never thought the President was going to do more than expressing shock through some statement signed off by one of his media aides. He has rarely ever demonstrated a sense of responsibility at a time of serious tragedies, including when mass murder of soldiers and civilians happened. Nothing shocks him, at least as far as we know in the public."
"But I reckon he missed an opportunity to encourage the armed forces at a time when they lost their men and senior officers, including an army chief, who had promised them some reforms and improved service conditions."
Speaking on governors who attended Mr Malami's son wedding, he said "does anyone think that if the President had delivered a national address, declared a national mourning phase, and indicated he would be attending the military funeral, those governors wouldn't have been at AGF Malami's party, photographed merrymaking on the day the Chief of Staff and other officers and men were buried following a plane crash?"
"If anybody must attend the AGF Malami's party and merrymaking at all, it should never have been the Governors of Zamfara and Yobe. These are two of the states worst impacted by terrorism/banditry, which the fallen Chief of Army Staff was, until his death, leading his force to combat."
"These guys horrify me. Our leadership recruitment process is flawed. Abominable villains get to positions of serious public responsibility."
"Even without the death of COAS, should the Governors of states where terrorists are reigning with abominable cruelty be seen merrymaking?" he said.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced a 37.21 % decrease in cases of pipeline vandalism across the country in the month of January 2021.
This is contained in the January 2021 edition of the NNPC Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR), according to a press release by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, Dr. Kennie Obateru.
The report indicates that a total of 27 pipeline points were vandalized in January 2021 down from the 43 points recorded in December 2020. The Mosimi Area accounted for 74% of the vandalized points while Kaduna Area and Port Harcourt accounted for the remaining 22% and 4% respectively.
However, NNPC is continuously working in collaboration with the local communities and other stakeholders to reduce and eventually eliminate the pipeline vandalism menace.
To guarantee energy security, the Corporation also supplied a total of 1.44billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), translating to 46.30million liters/day, across the country in the period under review.In the Gas sector, a total of 223.55Billion Cubic Feet (BCF) of natural gas was produced in the month of January 2021, translating to an average daily production of 7,220.22 Million Standard Cubic Feet per Day (mmscfd).
The 223.55BCF gas production figure also represents a 4.79% increase over output in December 2020. Also, the daily average natural gas supply to gas power plants increased by 2.38% to 836mmscfd, equivalent to power generation of 3,415MW.
For the period of January 2020 to January 2021, a total of 2,973.01BCF of gas was produced representing an average daily production of 7,585.78 mmscfd during the period.
Period-to-date Production from Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) contributed about 65.20%, 19.97% and 14.83% respectively to the total national gas production.
Out of the total gas output in January 2021, a total of 149.24BCF of gas was commercialized consisting of 44.29BCF and 104.95BCF for the domestic and export markets respectively. This translates to a total supply of 1,428.65mmscfd of gas to the domestic market and 3,385.57mmscfd to the export market in the month under review.
This indicates that 67.15% of the daily gas output was commercialized while the balance of 32.85% was re-injected, used as upstream fuel, or flared.
Gas flare rate was 7.73% for the month under review (i.e. 554.01mmscfd) compared with average gas flare rate of 7.19% (i.e. 539.69mmscfd) for the period of January 2020 to January 2021.
The 66th edition of the NNPC MFOR highlights NNPC’s activities for the period of January 2020 to January 2021. It is published in line with the Corporation’s commitment to the tenets of Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE). The Corporation has sustained effective communication with its stakeholders through the publication of the report on its website, independent online news platforms and national dailies.
Monopoly: How Dangote, Coumantaros Attempted To Destroy BUA's New Sugar Refinery
The Chairman, Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, alongside Chairman, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Mr. John Coumantaros, have said the establishment of a new sugar refinery plant in the country poses a threat to the attainment of the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) as well as sustainability of the country’s local sugar industry.
They argued that the country currently had enough refining capacity to meet national demand. In a joint petition to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, dated January 28, 2021, the duo protested the recent commissioning of a sugar refinery in Port- Harcourt, Rivers State, which is reportedly owned by BUA International, one of the operators in the sugar industry.
However, in the ensuing row among the major players in the industry, Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, said his investment in Port Harcourt did not in any way pose a threat to the country’s sugar policy, adding that it will rather checkmate arbitrary price increase by the major players among other benefits to the country.
Adebayo, Thursday, confirmed the rancour among the operators, while reacting to THISDAY enquiry. But he declined further comments on the matter which is already in court. The minister said:”Unfortunately I’m unable to comment as the matter is already sub judice. Thank you very much for your understanding.”
However, in the letter to the minister, Dangote and his counterpart in Flour Millis, argued that they had in 2019, warned about the risk of establishing a new refinery, adding that they got assurances that in line with the federal government’s policy on Backward Integration Programme (BIP), “no new refinery will be allowed to operate in Nigeria”.
They also pointed out that a tremendous amount of work was required by all stakeholders to achieve the intended objective behind the sugar policy, which is to among other things, encourage backward integration to ultimately attain self-sufficiency in local sugar production.
The petitioners stated that with the new refinery, the country’s refining capacity had increased to 3.4 million metric tons per annum from 2.75 million metric tons per annum. The petitioners further demanded for a level-playing field that provides fair competition in the local sugar market in order for the country to realise the sugar master plan.
They specifically urged Adebayo, to prevail on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that the provisions of the NSMP were enforced and that no additional allocation of quota should be given for raw, VHP, or refined sugar for the sugar refinery in Port Harcourt for local market production.
Among other recommendations, they said no allocations should be issued or applications considered for quota intended for re-export of sugar as this would be difficult to monitor and may be open to abuse. The petitioners added that, “An investigation should be conducted to determine the quantity of raw sugar imported by the refinery in Port Harcourt and the appropriate penalty in terms of duty (60 per cent) and levy (10 per cent) be levied on the company”.
It added that the customs should be mandated to comply strictly with the authorised quota allocations in clearing cargoes and administering levy and duty and that the CBN be requested to monitor the registration of “Form Ms” in line with the quota allocation.
They recalled that under the revised guidelines released by the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), it was made absolutely clear that the allocation of quotas henceforth shall be on quantitative and verifiable improvements in the BIP of operators in the industry.
The petitioners alleged that the midterm assessment conducted by the NSDC had concluded that BUA had “failed to invest substantially in local production or comply with its undertakings under its BIP. “Even before its surreptitious investment in additional refining capacity, Nigeria already has enough refining capacity to satisfy demand today well into the future.”
The petitioners maintained that the business logic behind the investment in new refinery was clearly defective adding that, “BUA intend only on importing and refining raw sugar whilst claiming to be investing in developing sugar plantations in order to qualify for quotas to import raw sugar”. They further alleged that the Port Harcourt refinery was clearly undertaken to deliberately undermine the federal government’s sugar policy.
“We are particularly surprised by the brazenness as we believe that the choice of location and the publicity campaign behind the investment has been deliberately engineered to provoke public sentiment and pit the federal government against its people,” the petition added.
It said unless the ministry of industry, trade and investment plays an effective policing role of the NSMP, the country’s dream of becoming self-sufficient and indeed a net expoter of sugar would be defeated.
“The impunity with which BUA has contravened the provisions of the NSMP has placed the other players who are abiding by the regulations, not only at a significant disadvantage but has discouraged them from undertaking the huge investments that would deliver the desired objective of 100 per cent local production of sugar, unless, of course, the ministry wades in and addresses the situation,” it added.
Consequently, in a letter issued by Adebayo, dated February 10, 2021, which was addressed to the Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, following the petition by Dangote, the minister had requested detailed information on the BUA Sugar Refinery in Port Harcourt, particularly the company’s plan to service the Nigerian and export markets from its refineries.
BUA, in its reaction to the minister, dated February 11,2021, however, took “serious exception to the ludicrous claims by its two major competitors that it aims to circumvent the BIP of the sugar industry”. The company pointed out in its five-page response, that it was unreasonable for it to be working against the backward integration policy of the industry, having invested billions of naira in the initiative which is almost nearing completion.
Rabiu, specifically assured that its sugar export focused project in Port Harcourt, will not affect in any way, the backward integration programme adding that “the only way it will affect Nigerians is that Nigerians will pay lower prices for sugar”. He explained that though the Port Harcourt refinery is mainly for exports, BUA is allowed under the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA)
Act and current approvals/rules to intervene locally in order to stabilise sugar price, “where it is absolutely necessary- in the face of arbitrary price increases and collusion to force scarcity of the product locally”. He said:”The same NEPZA Act upon which this project is based, gives the permission to process, add value, and export at the same time. Companies under this act are allowed to process and if they so wish, sell 100 per cent of their production in Nigeria with payment of duties based on the current raw materials tariff.
“As a matter of fact, Aliko Dangote of Dangote Industries, who is one of the complainants alleging and attacking to this approval has also applied and obtained the same approval for his refinery project in Lekki, Lagos State where he is currently enjoying the same benefits of being in an Export Processing Zone (EPZ).” He added:”What BUA sugar is doing is legal and within the confines of the law. We have not done nor are we doing anything wrong.”
Rabiu, further explained that the EPZ under which its Port Harcourt sugar project is sited went through a rigorous two-year review process before being forwarded to the ministry for approval of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that only the president alone is constitutionally empowered to approve an EPZ license.” According to the BUA Group Chairman:”Anything that is done to attack this project in any way, form or any guise, attacks Mr. President’s approval and we will do everything to ensure our rights are not trampled upon.” He said BUA’s Lafiagi BIP is on track to be completed by the end of the year as well as commence production by the end of 2022.
Rabiu, also warned that any action that tampers with the current approval is capable of eroding investors confidence under the EPZ. He disclosed that the company had spent over $250 million on the Port Harcourt project which currently employs over 1,000 Nigerians and has significant economic impact.
He said:”To try to shut it down or stifle its operations will cost jobs and lost economic impact.” He added that BUA remained the only company of the three dorminant players, spending serious money and seeking to complete its BIP project by 2022, stressing that,” we need to start asking firm, hard questions of the two other players”.
The letter, however, urged the minister to remain firm and resolute in the discharge of his duties as he had always done adding that BUA remained committed to its obligations regarding the BIP and the NSMP,. He ssid “we believe that time has come to call all players to true account”.
Sugar War: Dangote Moves To "Edge Out" Competition, Demands Sanction Against BUA
Facts have emerged on how Nigeria's biggest sugar producer, Dangote Industries Limited, alongside another producer, flour mills of Nigeria plc, approached the federal government to reprimand BUA, their rival in a bid to shut down its business.
Correspondences exchanged between the companies and the federal ministry of trade and investment were exclusively obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA.
Their grouse is against BUA's most recent sugar refinery plant in the Bundu Free Trade Zone, Portharcourt, Rivers state capital, which they accused of importing raw materials against regulations and the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) hinged on the backward integration plan.
The development of NSMP commenced in 2008 under the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua but was approved and adopted in 2012 by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The implementation of the plan took off in 2013 with an estimated target of producing 1.79 million tonnes of sugar locally by 2020 aimed at helping the sugar industry in Nigeria meet the national sugar demand through local production. Meanwhile, POLITICS NIGERIA’s findings have revealed that the somewhat malicious letter spearheaded and signed by the Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote was targeted at stopping the new plant, which poses a threat to his business.
While the intent of his actions are not immediately clear, industry experts who spoke with our reporter posited that although BUA's new plant is majorly for exporting refined sugar, it can intervene in the local market and pay relevant duties when there is an increase in price as there is a subsisting approval for companies operating in Export Processing Zones – a law which Dangote is also a beneficiary of in his Lagos Petrolchemical Refinery in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
"This may not augur well with Mr Dangote who wields much influence in the sugar industry. He'll not like a competitor that will checkmate him. We have seen this happen in the Cement industry and we hope they will realise that it is better they work together to expand the industry than bring anyone down," an expert said.
With the new refinery, the country's refining capacity goes from 2.75 million metric tons to 3.4 million metric tons per annum.
Alleged violation
In a letter addressed to the minister of trade and investment, Niyi Adebayo, the Chairmen of Dangote Industries Limited and Flour mills of Nigeria plc, Aliko Dangote and John Coumantaros respectively, on January 28, prayed that the government should sanction BUA. It should be noted that as part of their obligations to the NSMP, all refinery owners in Nigeria were expected to invest in significant local production through Backward Integration Project. Dangote bought Savannah Sugar, Flour Mills Golden Sugar bought Sunti Sugar and BUA bought Lafiagi Sugar.
The two companies – Dangote and Flour Mills, hinged their request on an alleged violation of the NSMP by their rival.
"As the Honourable Minister is aware, the Sugar Industry in Nigeria has been governed for a while now by the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) which is a well-designed policy to encourage Backward Integration in the Sugar Industry with the ultimate objective of attaining self-sufficiency in Sugar production locally.
Following the mid-term review of the NSMP, we recognize that there is a tremendous amount of work that is required by all stakeholders to achieve the intended objective behind the policy. It also became clear that if the policy is to have any chance of success, then efforts must be stepped up by the regulator, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) to ensure a disciplined and fair implementation of the policy
Honourable Minister, with this in mind we wish to humbly bring to your attention an important issue which we believe threatens and poses a threat to the attainment of the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) and the sustainability of Nigeria local sugar industry, of which our Companies are the best investors. Publicly available Information suggests that BUA International, one of the players in the Sugar Industry. has commissioned a sugar refinery plant in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. With the new refinery, the Country's refining capacity goes from 2.75 million metric tons to 3.4 million metric tons per annum, or from 170 percent over capacity over the last year's import quota to over 210 percent capacity," the letter read.
According to Messrs Dangote and Coumatanros, the mid term review conducted by the national sugar development Council indicated that BUA has failed to invest substantively in local production or comply with its undertakings under its BIP.
"Even before this surreptitious investment in additional refining capacity Nigeria already has enough refining capacity to satisfy demand today and well into the future. So, the business logic behind this investment is clearly defective. BUA intends only on importing and refining raw sugar whilst claiming to to investing in developing sugar plantations in order to qualify for quotas to import raw sugar."
"This investment in the Port Harcourt Refinery, was clearly done with the intention to undermine the NSMP We are particularly surprised by the brazenness as we believe that the choice of location and the publicity campaign behind the investment has been deliberately engineered to provoke public sentiment and pit the Federal Government of Nigeria against its people," the letter further stated.
While seeking the intervention of the federal government, Messrs Dangote and Coumatanros, demanded a level playing field that provides for fair competition in the local sugar market.
"An investigation should be conducted to determine the quantity of Raw sugar imported by the Refinery in Port Harcourt and the appropriate penalty in terms of duty (60%) and level (10%) be levied on the company," they demanded in the letter.
POLITICS NIGERIA learnt that BUA, apart from the new port harcourt refinery, has a 720,000 mt sugar refinery in Lagos and a 20,000 hectare Lafiagi Sugar Plantation and Ethanol Production Complex, all covered by the Backward Implementation Programme of the National Sugar Master Plan.
According to reliable sources, its flagship Lafiagi BIP project, despite being the last to be handed over by the federal government amongst the 3 producers, has seen significant progress which is measured at scheduled intervals by the Nigerian Sugar Development Council and also via peer reviews with the other players in question - In line with the dictates of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan. The company recently completed an ethanol plant at the plantation and currently almost done with their sugar mill and refinery.
Although focused on exporting refined sugar, it could intervene in the local market following an arbitrary increase in price by the protesting companies as allowed by the laws of Nigeria. With its Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) licence, obtained by this newspaper, it can intervene locally in order to stabilise the price.
This newspaper could not immediately get the reaction of BUA as of the time of filing this report.
Former Secretary of state and Ex-First lady of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton has lampooned President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Army over the shooting of #EndSARS protesters in Lagos.
Mrs. Clinton made the call via Twitter on Tuesday after footage of security agents shooting at the unarmed protesters went viral on social media.
She wrote; "I’m calling on @mbuhari and the @hqnigerianarmy to stop killing young #EndSARS protesters. #StopNigeriaGovernment".
Footage of the deadly attack carried out on #EndSARS protesters by Security agents on Tuesday evening has emerged.
POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that security operatives opened fire on peaceful #EndSARS protesters leading to the death of over 9 people. The incident which has generated heavy outrage has been widely condemned.
The protests against police brutality and bad governance have been ongoing for over a week in several states across the country. Nigeria's president, Muhammadu Buhari is currently facing severe criticisms over how he has been handling the matter.
His administration has been accused of using thugs to quell the protesters. On Monday, Thugs attacked protesters in Abuja, Lagos and Edo states leading to the loss of several lives and property.
The popular Lekki toll gate has been burned down shortly after armed security agents opened fire on #EndSARS protesters earlier this evening. Over Nine people have been confirmed dead after the massacre. Their corpses were seized by military personnel and emergency services were blocked from attending to the injured.
This development is coming shortly after Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, issued a curfew after hoodlums attacked protesters in the state.
The Department of State Services, DSS has denied any involvement in aiding attacks on #EndSARS protesters.
Below is a statement from the agency signed by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya.
"The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the fake news making the round that its personnel are aiding pro-SARS supporters and thugs to attack #ENDSARS protesters in Abuja. Part of the untruth being spewed to the public is that some of its officials attached to certain VIPs aided thugs in this regard."
"In view of the false accusations, no DSS personnel has, so far, been identified to be involved in the alleged acts. It begs the question to conclude that SUVs and persons dressed in suits and sighted in conflict environments are of the DSS. Fact is that no staff of the DSS will engage in acts as the ones being peddled by these rumour mongers and hate speakers."
"The Service is a responsible professional Organization and will endeavor to remain so at all times. It, therefore, wishes to state that the allegations leveled against it are not true and can only be taken as false narratives designed to cast it in bad image as well as inflame the protests."
"Consequently, the public is enjoined to disregard the falsehood emanating from sections of the social and mainstream media, subversive groups and interests. The Service uses this opportunity to call on citizens to eschew bitterness, remain law abiding and cooperate with security agencies and indeed, the Government for lasting peace and public safety."
Eyewitness reports on Tuesday evening reveal that security agents have stormed the Lekki Toll gate to forcefully disperse #EndSARS Protesters.
Several gunshots were heard as the protesters scampered to safety. Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli has also confirmed the incident.
They are shooting at the peaceful protesters at Lekki toll.
I’m on the phone with someone there! I hear gunshots. The military are there shooting at unarmed #EndSARS protesters at the toll gate. People’s kids. Pls help
People are dying already!!! Peaceful and unarmed protesters at Lekki phase toll gate. Please retweet #EndSARS
I’m on the phone shaking and crying. I hear non stop gunshots #EndSARS people in Lekki toll. They are unarmed not even sticks
Nigerian online publisher, Austyn Ogannah has urged #EndSARS protesters to embrace negotiations.
Ogannah, who is the President of the Online Publishers Association of Nigeria, OPAN, while commending the #EndSARS/#EndSWAT protesters for the courage so far displayed, said it is time channels are opened to pave way for talks.
He decried the attacks on police facilities in Lagos, Benin, and the release of prisoners at the Benin Correctional Service Centre. “Though the attacks were done by hoodlums, they should not be happening because they distract us from the conversations”, he said.
“I believe it is time to sit down with the authority to figure out a strategy on the reforms we want implemented and cut a deal. The #EndSARS protest is getting out of hand, it is being distracted by hoodlums and miscreants. We should not let this happen”, he added.
Fulani Pastoral Group, Miyetti Allah has described the #EndSARS protests as part of a plot by some Southern Politicians to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari and force the North to give up its 'right' to contest for 2023 Elections.
In a statement made available to POLITICS NIGERIA, jointly signed by the President and Secretary of the Organization, Bello Badejo and Saleh Alhassan, queried why the protests are still ongoing despite the Federal government's disbandment of the rogue SARS police unit.
The described the blockage of roads and major highways by the protesters as a scheme to ground the entire country.
"The protests have, undoubtedly, yielded the desired results with the government accepting their genuine demands and working to address all of them. For us, Nigerian citizens came out en mass to demand for justice, and the government responded positively."
"It’s therefore, unacceptable for the protesters to now involve blocking of roads, thereby denying other citizens the right to use the roads. This is an attempt to ground the country and create more suffering in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic." the statement read in part.
"We have also discovered ethnic and regional colouration to the protests. Some people from certain regions are trying to undermine and overthrow a democratically elected government or intimidate the North to give up its rights to rule beyond 2023."
"Our findings also revealed that the former Lagos Governor is the sole financier of the ongoing protest having lost out in the plans to contest the Presidential election under APC in 2023. His game plan, therefore, is to bring down the administration of President Buhari, since he can longer realise his presidential ambition."
"We will hold him accountable should anything happen to President Buhari’s administration. To avoid this, he must immediately put the protest to an end while the Federal Government put in modalities to address the challenges confronting the nation."
The only former governor of Lagos state widely rumoured to nurse a 2023 Presidential ambition is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has, however, issued a statement denying any involvement in the #EndSARS protests.
The Nigerian Government has deployed soldiers to strategic points in Abuja to quell the growing #EndSARS protests.
POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that Soldiers have been deployed to all the scenes of protests with an aim to paralyze the agitations. Military officers were positioned at strategic parts of the Goodluck E. Jonathan Expressway through AYA Roundabout to the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
There is also Heavy Security presence in front of the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters with Armoured Personnel Carrier and water cannons. It will be recalled that Protesters defied the heavy downpour of rain on Sunday to protest in-front of the nation's apex bank.
It will be recalled that the Nigerian Army on Saturday announced the launch of 'Operation Crocodile Smile' from October 20 to December 31. The military exercise was quickly condemned by many Nigerians on social media, with some saying that the development was part of a plot to intimidate protesters. In a swift response, the army stated that the exercise had no relationship or concern with the #EndSARS protests.
However, Protesters were dispersed by police officers with teargas and rubber bullets in certain areas of the FCT today. Below are photos from the scene;
The General Overseer of Living Faith Ministries, David Oyedepo has endorsed the ongoing #EndSARS protests in the country.
Oyedepo, during a sermon on Sunday morning stated that the Nigerian Youths have the right to express their displeasure on the current state of affairs in the country. He added that he had been silent on the issue so far because he warned Nigerians in 2015.
"Every Man has a right, legitimately so, to express their displeasure and pains" he said.
"I kept quiet for a while because in 2015 i warned this nation, vehemently, consistently, because i saw the dangers ahead and you can tell. The most gruesome season in the history of the nation is the last 5 years where lives have no value, wanton killings here and there."
"Now they have faced the youths and because they don't know who is next, they have the right to say 'enough is enough'. Any system that has no value for human lives is irrelevant. If they were killed when they were youths, would they be where they are today?"
Popular Hacker Group, Anonymous has taken down the website of Telecoms network, Glo.
As at the time of filing this report, the website is unavailable. It was reportedly taken down by the hacker group over the network's failure to speak up against Police brutality in Nigeria, according to Peoples Gazette.
It will be recalled that thousands of Nigerian youths have taken to the street to protest against Police brutality in the country using the hashtag '#EndSARS'.
Checks by POLITICS NIGERIA reveal that the website is indeed unavailable. Using Checkhost.com, a trusted tool for checking the Uptime/downtime status of websites, Glo's servers were unreachable.
For too long, many people - young and old have been at the receiving end of actions perpetrated by some bad eggs in uniform. People whose creed it is to serve and protect but have turned on those they are sworn to serve and protect.
For too long, this has gone unchecked. I have had to - on many occasions, intervene on behalf of hardworking, young Nigerians who were caught in this web.. But what of those who did not have the privilege of "knowing someone" or making that life saving call? Call their names - Tiamiyu, Tina, Kolade, Ifeoma, Jimoh, Ayomide, Chibuike, and many more. YES, Call all their names because THEY MATTER.
As young Nigerians go around peacefully protesting for change in a fundamental flawed institution (The Nigerian Police), it is imperative that we also do this with a mindset of optimism rather than the pessimism that has beset most of our national life. Change can happen but We must not lose sight of the change we want and must also stay open to seeing when this change is occcuring or when opportunities present themselves to crete this change. We must be ready to engage at all levels from protests to advocacy to policy, prayers, lobbying, legal and other non-violent means. We must and will make our voices heard.
We must not, as a matter of legitimacy of our cause - as affected young Nigerians, give in to violent expressions of this cause.
For instance, The Rapid Response Squad of Lagos, which was setup during my father's tenure and which subsequent governors including the incumbent, Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, have further strengthened, is a prime example of how tactical units of the Nigerian Police should be setup, supported and should operate. Focused on their primary responsibility, well equipped and true protectors of the Freedoms we so cherish.
As a proud Nigerian and father, I am ready to support the cause of those seeking to create a safer, happier, better Nigeria for my kids and the next generation. But as a citizen, I also know that change does not come easy. Dear young Nigerians, where we have to engage with those in a capacity to create change, let's engage respectfully.
Mr. Governor has shown, through his work with the RRS, Lagos Police Command and Lagos State Security Trust Fund that he takes seriously his responsibility as Lagos’ Chief Security Officer. His measured yet proactive response to the protests is nothing less than Is to be expected from the best performing governor in the country. I plead with you to use your influence and position as our governor and father in Lagos to call for more affirmative and assertive action. The youth in Lagos are ready to work with you to put things right and I urge you sir to look beyond that and do what a father will do - protect his children still.
Vintage Press, publishers of the Nation newspaper, received N1 billion alongside two other printing firms, according to court documents relating to litigation involving former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu.
A statement of claim recently filed at the Lagos State High Court by Dapo Apara described how funds were moved in apparent money laundering from Alpha-Beta Consulting to businesses and individuals allegedly linked to Bola Tinubu.
Alpha Beta is a company that was previously a contractor to the Lagos government and managed the state’s internally generated revenue in exchange for a commission.
Mr. Apara was amongst the earliest executives of the firm, which has become controversial and has been accused of being a conduit that channels Lagos public funds into Mr. Tinubu’s political empire.
Mr. Apara claims in his statement that Alpha Beta illicitly transferred N1 billion to the company that publishes The Nation, and two other printing companies namely Afkar Printing Press and Lagoon Press Limited in 2017.
The document did not clarify the stated purposes of the N1 billion suspicious transfer or how much of it went to The Nation.
Mr. Tinubu is widely adjudged as the owner of The Nation, a claim neither he nor the company has denied after years of being in circulation. In Mr. Apara’s statement of claim, Mr. Tinubu is also described as a “controlling interest” in Alpha Beta Limited who hid his connection with Alpha Beta from the public.
An October 2 writ that circulated alongside the 40-page court documents dumped in the public domain overnight said Mr. Tinubu and Alpha-Beta must enter a defence in the matter within the next 42 days.
A management official at The Nation did not immediately return a text message seeking comment from Peoples Gazette Thursday afternoon. A spokesman for Mr. Tinubu did not answer telephone calls to his mobile.
Mr. Apara’s court filings come months after he accused Mr. Tinubu of easing him out of the company he founded.
He submitted a cornucopia of corruption allegations against Mr. Tinubu at the anti-graft EFCC, which has failed to expedite its probe into the matter.
Since 1999, Lagos has had successful administrations that are loyal to Mr. Tinubu, who left office himself in 2007 after two terms.
The state has continued to shield its use of public funds from the taxpayers, and multiple court orders to comply with freedom of information and other transparency laws are frequently ignored.
Nigerian correctional officer has died by suicide after being denied promotion for three consecutive times, Peoples Gazette can report, marking yet another case that adds an urgency to growing injustice within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Alfred Bassa, an assistant superintendent of prisons, wrote promotional examinations three times, passed three times and suffered denial from correctional authorities three times, the Gazette learnt from three sources, including a senior colleague, knowledgeable about the incident.
“He decided to end the nightmare by taking his own life,” one of his senior colleagues told the Gazette under anonymity for fear of any reprimand because he was not an authorised correctional spokesperson.
Mr. Bassa, 28, brought a Sniper bottle with him when he arrived at work at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, drinking the lethal pesticide in his uniform, sources said.
Colleagues said Mr. Bassa did not appear to suffer from any mental health crises before the incident. Sniper has been banned in Nigeria because of its frequent use for suicide, but the product has remained in circulation. Suicide prevention centres are rare in the country, and the only reachable one in Lagos has cut its response hours due to the pandemic.
The tragedy on October 2 sent the entire facility into panic, and prison authorities in Abuja swiftly moved in to hush it, sources said.
His demise came as the correctional service was promoting officers to new ranks. The approvals were communicated last week to affected officers, which did not include Mr. Bassa, an official said.
Mr. Bassa was scheduled to get married to his long-time sweetheart on November 19, 2020, when the humiliation of being denied promotion for the third time became too much for him to absorb.
“He has watched as his contemporaries were being selectively promoted, including some who did not even pass promotional examinations,” an official said. He should have been at least promoted to assistant superintendent of prison II bar the injustice, his colleague said.
Mr. Bassa’s colleagues said they became demoralised after the incident and began mulling over their future at the correctional office.
The correctional authorities have failed to pursue a closure on the tragedy, scrambling instead to hush it up, officials said.
Ja’afaru Ahmed, comptroller-general of corrections did not return a request seeking comments. A spokesperson for the correctional office was unavailable for comments Tuesday evening.
The Gazette learnt that the matter was escalated to interior minister Rauf Aregbesola, who failed to take action.
“He did not show any care about the young man that died when he was informed about it,” an official said. “Neither did he even bother to say he would launch an investigation into the injustice of selective promotion.”
The Nigerian Correctional Service and its sister interior agencies have long faced allegations of injustice and gross misuse of power with regards to personnel promotion and other career progression policies.
In 2018, an Abuja resident sued the correctional service after being suspended from work for protesting selective promotion. The Immigration Service has faced similar allegations over the years.
The multiple cases across the agencies strongly suggest a perverse culture of injustice at the services.
“They only promote based on ethnicity, faith and your financial status,” an official said. “It is unspeakable the level of fraud and injustice that comes with promotions in the service.”
Federal authorities have always denied allegations of corruption in promotion, saying they usually come from lazy officers who often seek to rise through the ranks without actually putting in the efforts required.
Mr. Bassa’s family, from Nasarawa State, said they would file charges to enforce his posthumous promotion.
Nigerian Army colonel has been abducted by bandits after running into an ambush along Abuja-Kaduna Highway, military sources have told Peoples Gazette.
SB Onifade was on a road trip at about 3:00 a.m. on September 27 when he was abducted. He has yet to be found and no arrests have been made in connection with the violence, which occurred near the Olam Farms axis of the crucial highway.
The officer was not in military uniform when he was kidnapped, military sources said.
The Gazette learnt that the development has sent panic through the Nigerian Army Headquarters, which promptly issued a warning to officers to be wary of road trips.
Motorists have become increasingly fearful about using Abuja-Kaduna Highway amidst worsening exploits of kidnappers, whose number and intensity have failed to subside despite several interventions by security forces.
A spokesperson for the Nigerian Army did not immediately return requests seeking comments about Mr. Onifade’s abduction Monday afternoon.
The National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he will speak on the party's loss in the Edo governorship election at the right time.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission had announced that PDP candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki, polled 307,955 votes to defeat his closest rival and APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who got 223,619 votes.
INEC also on Tuesday presented certificates of return to the re-elected governor and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, at INEC office in Aduwawa, Benin City, the state capital.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Tinubu’s spokesperson, Tunde Rahman, said that his principal would speak “at the appropriate time”.
“Asiwaju has not spoken. At the appropriate time, he will speak on that election,” Rahman said.
President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC national body had since conceded defeat and congratulated Obaseki on his re-election.
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has declared a sit-at-home for its members on October 1st, which is Nigeria's independence day.
The secessionist group in a statement on Wednesday, declared that the sit-at-home is to take effect in the south east, warning that a 'total lockdown' of the region was 'non-negotiable'.
A statement signed by the publicity secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, read in part;
"We the global movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to announce to all Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom all over the world that Biafrans across the globe shall observe a sit-at-home in Biafraland and where permissible in the diaspora, join our Yoruba brethren agitating for Oduduwa Republic, in public protests to mark the October 1, 2020"
"We, therefore, enjoin all Biafrans and every conscious Nigerian, especially those ethnic nationalities reeling from the triple double blow of state-sponsored terrorism, bad governance and economic annihilation, to boycott every government organised ceremony designed to eulogise the failure that Nigeria has become."
“If you want to see an end to terrorism and organised mediocrity, now is the time to register your anger by ensuring that you and your household sit-at-home on October 1, 2020. Do not risk the life and well-being of your children by allowing them to gather in groups in the open where terrorists may find it easier to blow them up or kidnap them."
"There is credible intelligence that terrorist groups are planning to slaughter our children should they venture out to celebrate or March on October 1st." the statement read.
“Complete and total lockdown of Biafraland and other terror ravaged areas of the Middle Belt come 1st of October 2020 is sacrosanct, irreversible and non-negotiable".
A plot may be afoot to damage Nigeria’s interests by attacking the integrity of certain institutions of government to discredit them for yet unknown reasons.
A recent report by the BBC Africa Eye on the pipeline explosion that occurred in Sabo, a Lagos suburb, on March 15, 2020 appear to fit a pattern of media blackmail of critical government institutions, especially the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
The report said the BBC Africa Eye had obtained new evidence which contradicted NNPC’s official explanation on the cause of the explosion which claimed 23 lives.
NNPC had claimed at the time that the explosion occurred as a result of a truck that hit gas cylinders around the petroleum pipeline, where people had turned into a residential and commercial area contrary to regulations and in blatant disregard for the pipelines right of way.
But the media house said its evidence – a five-minute video and three sources (said to be experts in petroleum pipeline safety) – showed that there was a leak of “vaporized liquid” from the point of explosion on the pipeline.
The media house then said the evidence indicated that there was inadequate protection of the pipeline from soil erosion and that the NNPC failed to maintain industry standard.
The BBC Africa Eye, in the tradition of true journalism, sent a questionnaire to the NNPC requesting for the Corporations response to the allegations, including claim that victims of the explosion were not compensated.
But the medium breached all rules of balance and objectivity when it published the report of its investigations without reflecting the position of NNPC to all the allegations raised.
The media house portrayed the report as premeditated when it sent it out to some local media in Nigeria, including this website, with a plea to help republish.
But the NNPC response to the BBC Africa Eye questionnaire, dated August 28, obtained by this website, contained details of its own investigations and conclusions which were ignored.
The Corporation responded to all the five allegations put to it in details, insisting on its initial explanation that the explosion was caused when a truck heavily laden with stones hit gas cylinders around the pipeline..
In a detailed response addressed to Marc Perkins, editor of the BBC Africa Eye, the Corporation insisted that a truck, heavily laden with stones, was in the vicinity of the explosion, which clearly “indicated that it was instrumental to the explosion. A close look at the area would show that most of the people carrying out their businesses there were in breach of the Corporation’s Pipeline Right of Way which is 15 meters on either side of the pipeline.”
The NNPC stated further that residents of the area engaged in LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) vending, saw-milling, cement trading, auto repair, cooking, roasting and other activities inimical to a pipeline right of way.
“The eye-witness reports we got indicated that the explosion occurred when the above-mentioned truck hit cylinders at the LPG shop,” the document stated.
On the claim that there was a leakage on the pipeline which released vaporized liquid that caused the explosion, the Corporation stated that there was no leakage of PMS or any other vaporized liquid from its pipeline at the point of the explosion prior to the incident.
Instead, it said, “At about the time of the explosion (0852hrs to 08S7hrs), a pressure drop from 42 to 8 bar was observed during our pumping operations and the pipeline was immediately shutdown. Any leakage prior to the incident would have resulted in a drop in pressure. But that was not the case.
“It must also be noted that both Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) are petroleum products that essentially burn the same way. Since there was an LPG vending shop at the location, it is more likely that the incident was caused by LPG explosion. The incident was typical of gas explosion.”
But curiously, a report on the explosion circulated in the local media by BBC Africa Eye made little or no reference to the official response of the Corporation, but instead repeated claims made by its sources which were at variance with the official explanations it requested from NNPC.
Its only reference to Nigeria’s official explanation was to its third and fifth allegations that the pipelines were not well protected and that the Corporation did not pay compensation to victims of the explosion.
But even the NNPC’s responses to the allegations were largely ignored, and got only a passing mention.
The Corporation had described claims of inadequate protection of the pipeline against erosion as incorrect, and that the pipeline was not exposed at the vicinity of the explosion, but that “the pipeline was excavated to enable repair works after the incidence and the area has since been restored and the pipeline re-commissioned for operations.”
According to the document, the Corporation insisted that its pipelines were designed “operated and maintained in strict compliance with the safely and regulatory guidelines of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and API/ANSI/ASME standards,” maintaining there was no issue of negligence in terms of ensuring the integrity of the pipeline.
In conclusion, the Corporation stressed that despite the fact that the explosion was not caused by any negligence on its part, it still worked “closely with the Lagos State Government in providing a N2billion relief fund for the victims,” contrary to the allegation made by the media house.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has taken a swipe at the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Former National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, saying that their positions in the party were not constitutional.
Obaseki, who appeared on Arise TV news on Tuesday morning disclosed that he was surprised when he heard learnt that 'someone' was being referred to as party leader.
"Tinubu and Oshiomhole are not constitutional actors. I was surprised when I was in the APC, that someone was described as party leader. It is out of respect, but it does not give constitutional roles".
"They try to overlord themselves over people that have constitutional authority." he said.
POLITICS NIGERIA learned that Obaseki went further to state that both politicians constitute a threat to Nigeria's Democracy.
Politics › Meet Altine Daniel, Police Officer That Allegedly Shot Sowore [PHOTOS] by aminulive(op): 11:53am On May 31, 2021*. Modified: 3:11pm On May 31, 2021
