₦airaland Forum

This story pretty weird considering fact Vangyardngr said Anambra government said it's welcome development. Why did minister of information cheer news?

It’s welcome development—Anambra Govt 

Anambra State government reacted last night on the new status of the state as officially an oil producing state, describing it as a welcome development.

“The oil in Anambra is produced from marginal oil fields, which may not immediately attract international oil companies. For now, the oil is produced through barges as  opposed to pipeline drilling that carries large quantity of crude oil. 

“But we are grateful for this recognition, which will surely shore up the state’s revenue, even if marginally.”

State Commissioner for Information, Mr. C Don Adinuba,

HOSTCOM, Prince Mike Emuh and vanguardngr will have to explain themselves if they're wrong.

Front Page: Lalasticlala

Tony Okafor, Awka

The deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem Okeke, on Tuesday said the state was yet to confirm its oil producing status from the federal government.

He said as of the time of filing this report, there was no written document before him confirming the state as an oil producing state.

He said the state would liaise with the federal government to confirm the truthfulness of the matter.

He said ,”One Chief  Mike Emuh passed such information yesterday, but we are yet to confirm that from the Federal Government.

There have been media reports (not Punch) revealing that Anambra State has been recognised as one of the oil producing states in Nigeria by the federal government.

The oil-producing status of the state was said to have been revealed by the National chairman of Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, Prince Mike Emuh, in the state during a briefing with the traditional rulers, where he also handed over the documents from the federal government.

Source: http://punchng.com/fg-recognises-anambra-as-oil-producing-state/

Lol the codeine must still be effecting you. Please make sure you reward your tutor well for putting up with slow learner like yourself. You jumped to conclusions when my comment above yours proved you wrong. 2nd ever detail u mentioned i highlighted as importsbt point. Only you would be to inept to notice.

[img]https://media1./images/a17c1e34e082c793432746c4a82706eb/tenor.gif?itemid=4826167[/img]

Btw great job deveoloping those drug addict codeine zombies.

ItsMeAboki:
You called me an illiterate; yet fail to notice all numerous silly mistakes.
No doubt ppl like you require specialised attention; your new teacher Ebora is waiting for you; I am sure you will greatly benefit from her kind of lessons.

Ndifreke Akpan (Govt House)

The third edition of the Nigerian Airforce Inter-Command Combat Sports Competition tagged, Uyo 2018 has ended with a call for the establishment of an air-force operational base in Akwa Ibom State.

The week long event at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo was declared closed by Governor Udom Emmanuel who stated the willingness of his Government to partner the Nigerian Airforce to establish its presence in the state.

Governor Emmanuel announced that Government had already secured land for the Airforce to establish an Air Operational Base in Akwa Ibom State and explained to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, the efforts he was making to achieve that purpose.
“When you see me struggling to even do a taxi way that can also serve as a second runway at Ibom International Airport in case of any emergency, it is because of your promise that you will give me an Air Operational Base here”.

The State Chief Executive commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the release of resources used to enhance professionalism within the Armed Forces describing it as a good development.

He expressed appreciation to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar for the choice of Akwa Ibom as the venue for the NAF Competition and noted that it was a great honour and show of brotherhood.

Mr Emmanuel further commended the Chief of Air Staff for creating a workable and pragmatic vision for the Nigerian Airforce explaining that the key element in his leadership approach is to reposition NAF into a highly professional and discipline force through capacity building initiative.

This, according to the Governor, is for effective, efficient and timely employment of Air Power in response to Nigeria’s National Security imperatives.

The Governor further stated, “I am convinced that the first and the last key drivers of his vision which are human capacity development through robust and result oriented training for enhanced professional performance as well as focused on comradeship, regimentation and inter-service cooperation is the reason for this sports competition.”

Governor Emmanuel who presented Trophies and Medals to the overall winner, Ground Training Command with six gold and three bronze medals, applauded the team and other participants for being part of the week long event.

He also extended words of appreciation to the Armed Forces and other Para-Military Agencies for collaborating with the state to ensure effective security but encouraged them to do more.

The Governor however observed with dismay the non-availability of any project executed by the Federal Government in Akwa Ibom State being the number one oil producer in the country and enjoined the contingents to take out time and ground the state to see what his administration was struggling to do.

He stated that the State Government was building infrastructure, economy and the people and emphasized that the primary responsibility of any government was the social contract of protecting lives and property; an aspect taken as a sacred responsibility with very serious approach by his administration.

The third edition of the NAF Sports Competition saw Team Logistics Command emerged second while Team Tactical Air Command secured the third place.

At the event, the state Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, retired also presented Medals to the winners.

Sister agencies who took part in the invitational combat relay also went home with Medals as the Nigerian Army took first in that category followed by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp and the Nigerian Police on the third position.

Combat boxing, swimming, obstacles crossing, taekwando, relay race, tug of war and marksmanship were some of the events competed for during the 2018 NAF fiesta.

Cultural display, match past by the seven contingents and 4 × 400M combat relay were some of the highlights at the closing ceremony.

Senators, serving and retired military officers, Commissioners and Special Advisers, other top politicians and many other prominent citizens joined the Governor as he declared the competition closed.

Source: https://akwaibomstate.gov.ng/2018/04/07/the-third-edition-of-the-nigerian-airforce-inter-command-combat-sports-competition-tagged-uyo-2018-has-ended-with-a-call-for-the-establishment-of-an-airforce-operational-base-in-akwa-ibom-state/

The reprensitives approved a billion dollars withdraw of excess crude account for steel plant. It's still short a 49 million though.

Despite spending over $8 billion on Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State since 1979, the 39-year-old steel plant is yet to come to life. This may have turned Nigeria’s road to building a robust steel industry into a long, winding journey to nowhere. The National Assembly’s intervention has brought a twist to the tale. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA looks at the intrigues over options to revive the steel plant, which have pitched the lawmakers against the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

Ordinarily,  the “Special  Session of the House of Representatives at the Sectoral Debate on Iron and Steel Sector” ought to have set the tone for a robust discussion on the way forward for the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASCL) in Kogi State.

But it did not. The session,  organised last February at the behest of the House Committee on Energy, Steel Development and Metallurgy, added a new twist to the sad tale of Nigeria’s seemingly endless journey to self-sufficiency in iron and steel products.

ASCL is Nigeria’s largest integrated steel plant. Tagged: “bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialisation” because of its linkages to other sectors, such as the industrial, agricultural, transport and construction sectors, the steel plant harboured Nigerians’ collective aspiration for self-sufficiency in steel.

Arguably the most ambitious national industrial project, ASCL was expected to jump-start the nation’s industrialisation and halt the importation of steel products, which cost the nation an estimated $3.3 billion annually.

While the first phase of the plant targeted a production capacity of 1.3 million tonnes of liquid steel per annum, the third and final phase was expected to push up production capacity to 5.2 million tonnes per year.

It was also envisaged that the project would directly employ about 10,000 workers at the first phase of commissioning, while the upstream and downstream industries were expected to engage over 500,000 employees, among other benefits.

Sadly, however, none of these deliverables has come the way of Nigerians and the economy 39 years down the line. Instead, ASCL, which is Nigeria’s largest single investment in any one place, has become a huge drain pipe on the nation’s resources.

According to the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Federal Government has sunk a whopping $8 billion into ASCL since 1979 without deriving any benefits from the huge investment.

It was against this backdrop that the recent House sectoral debate was seen as perhaps, a fresh vista for a productive discussion on the way forward for ASCL. But this was not the case. Instead, the sectoral debate has introduced a disturbing twist to the seemingly endless saga of Nigeria’s quest for industrialisation by riding on the back of the steel plant.

This was sequel to the passing of a vote of no confidence in key officials of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development by the lawmakers.

The lawmakers specifically came down hard on Fayemi and the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Abubakar Bwari, following their alleged failure to appear before it for the sectoral debate on the steel plant.

The obviously combative lawmakers also instructed the embattled ministers to suspend every step towards concessioning ASCL, alleging that the proposed concessionaire had tied the hands of the ministry. The House members added that they preferred that government invest and complete the project.

According to the House, about $500 million will be required to complete the steel project, which it claimed was 98 per cent done. The House through Speaker Yakubu Dogara also urged the Federal Government to source the money from anywhere, even if it means borrowing, to complete ASCL.


Fayemi, other stakeholders kick

 

But the position of the House did not go down well with Fayemi and indeed, other concerned stakeholders in the economy. The Minister faulted insinuations that there were dirty dealings in the plan to concession the plant. He described as unfair allegations leveled against him and the junior minister that they were behind such shady deals.

Fayemi, who reiterated his desire to work with the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure completion of the process, however, pointed out that government has taken a principled position that Nigeria will not spend a dime on the completion of the ASCL, noting that despite spending about $8bn on the steel plant since 1979, there has not been any result.

He also expressed surprise that the same House, which turned the heat on him had earlier agreed to concession the plant and approved the sum of N2 billion for the process in the 2017 Appropriation Act.

“We are just implementing what was passed by the National Assembly. That is why we are surprised that we have been subjected to an unwarranted attack over the matter….,” Fayemi said.

The Minister explained that the ministry will not repeat the mistake of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, which undertook the re-concession of the steel plant without a technical audit and a transaction advisory service to advise accordingly as to who had the technical capacity, financial wherewithal and track record to bring Ajaokuta back to life.

The Nation learnt that before the latest altercation between the lawmakers and the ministry over ASCL, the Federal Government was considering three options to revive the steel plant. They include a direct sale, concession and joint venture.

This followed the presentation of a report by transaction consultants Greenwich Trust Limited on possible transaction routes that could be taken to rehabilitate the steel complex. But the ministry obviously prefers a concession, a move that appears to enjoy the support of stakeholders most of who argued that the government has no business in doing business.

This was why some of them believe that there is more that meets the eye in the House inquest into the activities of the ministry, particularly its insistence on investing another $500 million into the completion of the steel plant.

To them, it was against public sentiment in allowing the private sector with the financial and technical muscle to turn the facility around.

Some of them, who spoke with The Nation observed that the lawmakers’ sudden interest in the steel plant was a façade for a more sinister motive to raise money for purposes other than reviving ASCL.

A reliable source close to the House said the lawmakers’ plan to inject $500 million into the ministry’s budget for ASCL was actually a subterfuge to raise money to prosecute the 2019 general elections.

The source, who declined to be mentioned, said in making a case for the extra-budgetary allocation, the House ignored an earlier audit report, which indicated that about $1.049 billion was required to make ASCL operational.

According to experts, the $500 million being requested by the House to resuscitate Ajaokuta was a far cry from the about $1.049 billion, which the ministry said was required to put the steel complex fully on stream.

This was said to be why the ministry was curious that the House was harping on the $500 million component to complete the complex without reference to the balance of $549 million for the auxiliary facilities that will make it functional.

Perhaps, more curious was the fact that the lawmakers went ahead to pass a vote of no confidence on Fayemi and Bwari despite the two letters sent to the House to explain why both ministers could not appear before the lower chamber to shed light on the non-completion of Ajaokuta and their request for a  new date.

Besides, the ministry was said to have had cause to address the House and the Senate Committee on privatisation four times in the past, which was why Fayemi said he was surprised that the House was “this harsh this time”.

He, however, said no amount of intimidation would make the government hand the plant over to any company without the requisite financial and technical know-how.

At present, ASCL is undergoing a technical audit, which will be completed in six weeks’ time, with Fayemi indicating that four companies from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Nigeria have shown interest in the steel plant.

 
Steel workers root for unbundling

While Fayemi and the lawmakers have locked horns over whether or not concession should be the preferred transaction  route for ASCL, iron and steel workers under the aegis of Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSAN) have urged government to unbundle the steel plant and give it to different firms.

Its President, Mr. Itopa Bello said unbundling the steel company into different firms would ensure efficiency and competitiveness. According to him, Ajaokuta has many product entities that have the capacities to stand on their own and so should not be given to a single investor under a concession arrangement.

“The autonomous entities in the project should be unbundled and given to different serious investors and there will be competition among operators and they will function well,” Bello said last week, pointing out that ASCL was an integrated plant with 43 units and 40 of them had been completed and working effectively.

The ISSAN chief said the remaining three, which are the primary and prominent units of the steel company, have  not been completed, adding that the functioning 40 units should be unbundled because the company had the ability to start and finish a production without requiring input from outside.

The labour leader also said TPE, the Russian firm which completed the 40 units, should be allowed to finish the whole project since it had the knowledge of the production activities of the company.

While stressing the need to complete the remaining components, he added that the company had the capacity to produce materials required for constructing all the rail-lines across the country, as well as generate 15,000 direct jobs and 500,000 indirect ones.

Regardless of the option the Federal Government takes to revive the steel plant, experts said there is the need to first address some of the core infrastructural challenges around Ajaokuta and the steel sector generally.

Former Joint Managing Director/CEO, Delta Steel Company (DSC), Ovwian-Aladja, Delta State, Dr. S.O Nwabuokei, said for instance, that there was the need to dredge the Escravos water channel near Warri, Delta State, to allow bigger ships berth or access the Delta ports.

The channel connects the Warri Port to the Atlantic Ocean. But the port has become idle, as ocean-going vessels could no longer access it because of the shallow Escravos channel.

For the dredging to take place, Nwabuokei said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC’s) crude oil pipelines within the vicinity of Warri Port must be relocated or lowered to a certain level.

Also, the government is yet to complete the remaining 22-Kilometre rail track from Agbaroh in Agbo to Aladja in Warri. The rail line is supposed to facilitate the movement of raw materials and finished products to and from Ajaokuta.

Incidentally, these are some of the infrastructural issues cited by Global Steel Holdings Limited/Global Infrastructure Nigeria limited (GHIL/GINL), the former Indian managers of Ajaokuta for failing to revive the facility.

They had accused the government of reneging on its obligations under the concession agreement signed with them to fix the afore-mentioned infrastructure.

Nation

Source: http://www.minesandsteel.gov.ng/2018/04/09/3949/

By Prince Okafor

IN a report indicating a worsened operational environment in Nigeria’s upstream oil sector, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, the parent company of Shell Company in Nigeria, said crude oil theft from its pipeline networks in Nigeria rose by 50 percent to 9,000 barrels of oil a day (b/d) in 2017, from about 6,000b/d in 2016.

But the firm recorded 16.7 percent increase in payments to the Federal Government for production entitlement, royalties, taxes and others in 2017 to $4.32 billion from $3.64 billion in 2016.

These were contained in the company’s annual sustainability report released, yesterday.

The report stated: “Crude oil theft from Shell Petroleum and Development Company, SPDCJV’s pipeline network amounted to around 9,000 barrels of oil a day (b/d) in 2017, an increase from around 6,000 b/d in the previous year. The increase in 2017 can in part be explained by the militant-induced shutdown of the Forcados export terminal in 2016, which reduced opportunities for third-party interference.

“This demonstrates that continued air and ground surveillance as well as the action by the government security forces remain necessary to prevent crude oil theft. Since 2012, SPDC has removed more than 950 illegal theft points.”

The company further noted that the number of its operational spills in the country increased from eight in 2016 to nine in 2017, adding that, “the volume of oil spilled in operational incidents decreased to 0.1 thousand tonnes compared to 0.3 thousand tonnes in 2016.

“The number of sabotage-related spills in 2017 increased to 62 from 48 in 2016. Theft and sabotage caused close to 90% of the number of spills of more than 100 kilograms from SPDC JV pipelines, with the balance being operational spills.

“In 2017, 92 sites were remediated and certified (out of 251 identified for this work), with 32 in Ogoniland. During 2017, 84 new sites requiring remediation were identified, of which eight are in Ogoniland. In total, there are 243 oil spill sites that require remediation.”

Chief Executive Officer, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Ben van Beurden, said: “We work to do the right thing. Firstly, we continue our relentless focus on working with communities and managing our impact on the environment. This means in Nigeria, for example, addressing environmental challenges related to oil spills in areas with significant oil theft and illegal refining.”

However, according to the report, a total of $3.197 billion went to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, for production entitlement.

Production entitlement is the host government’s share of production in the reporting period derived from projects operated by Shell.

Amongst the payments the report says that $765 million was paid to the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) as tax, $280 million was paid to the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, as Royalties.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/crude-oil-theft-rose-50-2017-shell/

Is the question rhetorical? I don't know about guinea. Did the countries ever finish the study on why the Niger river drying.

0monnak0da:
Sure

But what about the source of the Niger, its orign in Guinea ? And the several downstream countries ,in the desert ? Are they unaffected by climate change?

Theres already the rail lines planned for all parts of nation so thst doesn't need to be debated. The flooding that nobody can gauge till the actually do an EIA. Yar Adua carrired out dredging did we experience more flooding as result. Most of the benefits would go to SE and northern states. The states on coast would have a deep seaport already. You could be right nobody knows how they will vote on matter when it comes up.

Last I read mali is dredging to make it navigable I doubt the have plans to stop flow. Second just like in case with Niger Republic dam ask them to make concession so the don't effect down stream.

I looked at articles about river Niger Drying up like you said, it said unauthorized dams and climate change it the issue. Even then it's be interesting if we're experience both flooding and drying by same river. Lake Chad was climate change and increased irrigation due to population growth.

0monnak0da:
Dry port does not have to involve roads. Rail is more appropriate from Akwa Ibom ,Rivers or Bayelsa. That is the correct strategic investment.
The problem with river port is that it will involve dredging in Rivers and Bayelsa states which would put them at risk of flooding and they have little or nothing to gain from it.They will have to agree to any such dredging. It cannot be taken for granted as many seem to, that they will simply acquiesce and say "carry on" of course dredging will invovle Abia and Imo states too .

Dredging will not be a one off. Given the history of the FG that is unreliable

The environmental impact of dredging a river in a delta area with so many creeks is unpredictable. Even if the flooding is due to global warming dredging would be blamed. We have not forgotten the floods of 2012

There is an assumption that the River Niger is immortal and would always be there. Is that realistic. What happened to Lake Chad? Google RIVER NIGER DRYING.

Even if it does not dry

There is nothing to stop ,in the future Niger, Mali etc damming or diverting thee river. We need to invest in what we can control

1. It's river port because the plan was to give shippers annother option of transporting goods and easing pressure on roads.

2. There already river port planned for Lokoja, Baro and Oguta River ports. The dry port will be located in Isiala Ngwa in Abia state, Erunmu, Ibadan in Oyo state, Heipang in Plateau state, Zawachiki in Kano state, Zamfarawa, Funtua in Katsina state and Maiduguri in Borno state.

3. Sure you wouldn't have to dredge anything. You just need to build good roads. If the issue is only gazseting like they say then there's no reason both cabt exist.

0monnak0da:
Why must it be a River Port.


A dry port can be just as useful and why just Onitsha Why not Abuja, Lokoja Ibadan and so on.


A dry dock is a more realistic proposal than a river port.

By Omotilwa Quadri 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, on Thursday disclosed that only 4,000km of Nigeria’s 10,000km waterways is navigable. This means 60% is not navigable. 

Mustapha, who was the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) until his appointment as SGF on 30 October 2017, made the disclosure at the Nigeria–Ukraine Trade and Investment Roundtable held in Abuja.

He solicited partnership with Ukraine to enable the Federal Government to further develop its waterways.

According to him, such a step would reduce the pressure on the nation’s roads.

“Nigeria has 10,000km waterways and 4,000km is navigable. I believe that if our waterways are fully developed, it can take away pressure from our roads as a bulk of our cargoes can be transported through the waterways,” Mustapha said.        

Mustapha also called for an increased volume of trade between Nigeria and Ukraine.

According to Mustapha, the trade volume between Nigeria and Ukraine was $93.3 million as at November 2017, representing a four percent decrease from the 2016.

The SGF expressed optimism that with the visit of the Ukrainian delegation, the trade volume between the two countries will improve. 

On her part, the Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine, Natalia Mykolska, described Nigeria as a long-standing friend of Ukraine.

She noted that Nigerian students in Ukraine were the best ambassadors for both countries.

“Nigeria is a strategic partner, we believe trade is not a one-way street; we need to think of import, export and joint cooperation,” Mykolska said.

Source: http://shipsandports.com.ng/60-of-nigerias-waterways-not-navigable-boss-mustapha/?amp_markup=1

The port is irrelevant to them except as political football to kick around. I could ask why Jonathan who completed port with time to spare before leaving office didn't gazzete port.

ruggedized1:
Why must a completed Port wait for 2019? Why 2019? Again, why is such a project that will transformed the lives of the people of the SE be a ''low priority'' project? This is the only reason I support Ipob/massob.

abandoning the port for over six years after its completion and inauguration, was an invitation to self-inflicted hardship, adding that shippers in the area had become impatient over the neglect of the port.

Dredging inland rivers is already part of ERGP and Amachi already promised it should be ready by 2019. Let's be foreal though this is low priority for him. It's similar to 2nd Niger Bridge.

ruggedized1:
OP, why not tell Bubu

Anambra State Shippers’ Association, has appealed to the Federal Government to gazette and make the Onitsha River Port functional.

The President of the association, Mr Emma Akpaka, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Enugu, said the port if put to use, would boost the economy of the country.

Akpaka stressed that the port if put to maximum use, could sustain the country’s economy, especially with its proximity to the Onitsha Main Market.

NAN recalls that Onitsha River Port was inaugurated by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012, after its reconstruction.

Akpaka said that “to abandon it for over six years after it completion and inauguration is invitation to self-inflicted hardship’’.

According to him, the people’s expectations for takeoff of economic activities in the port have been `deferred’ for too long.

“Shippers in the South-East are begging President Muhammadu Buhari to gazette this port into the global shipping map, so that customs and relevant agencies will immediately enforce economic activities.

“Apart from revenues and jobs creation, there would be massive development of inland waterways of host communities as well.

“Recently, Kaduna Dry Port was commissioned by President Mohammadu Buhari.

“As we speak, the port in Kaduna is operational. Let the same feat be duplicated in Onitsha River Port instead of using different strokes for different folks.

“Again, let the benchmark in Nigerian ports be the same across board, instead of promoting price differentials by government agencies who use it as a ploy to frustrate shipment of containers to eastern ports,’’ he said.

“If Royal Niger Company (now UAC) used this port before and after Nigeria’s independence for its imports and exports, why can’t we do same in this millennium, when technology has greatly influenced the ease of doing business?

Read more at: http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/shippers-urge-fg-to-gazette-onitsha-river-port-functional-id8220315.html

I give Buhari crrdit since Buhari only president I noticed give passing interest to strengthening border. Other than the border porous which one reason why smuggling is pretty easy.

Mr illiterate stop defending the fact you too lazy to notice the state directly above yours. I disagreed with one on statement judt likr you did but you jumped to conclusions becsuse your too lazy to notice I highlighted and noted the important details in article. Lol u must have seriously fried your brain cells if you reading disability is this bad.

I didn't comment on rest because I didn't disagree with his other statements. I didn't take the statement out of context he meant the Igbo traders and Hausa/Fulani blocked progress for no unexplained reason. It good article except for the odd claim. It doesn't matter if he made it unwittingly it still should be called out.

No it wasn't saud in passing he meant as historical fact both groups lobbied for better roads thus blocking other firms of transport. Again go take reading lessons from local grade schooler. I'm sure they can teach you better.

mechanical dredging would be uneconomical especially as the National Assembly and the Federal Government had succumbed to road lobby mounted by Hausa/Fulani and Ibo transporters to cause the collapse of river transportation and railways Nigerians had to live with the situation until the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan when the dredging of River Niger was set in motion.

He mentions mechanical dredging being uneconomical a few times. Then talks about silt built on Benue river. The article article mentions both issues but your fixated on river Benue. Why didn't you comment on lake chad? I guess if I use you dumb logic you must of not read that part since you didn't talk about it.

ItsMeAboki:
I have already summed up the fallacy of your thread in my initial post and also made further clarifications in subsequent ones: in which I said you basically took a small insignificant statement out of context from a very lengthy article, addressing an entirely different topic; blew it out of proportion by choosing to make it your headline - a completely misleading headline apparently aimed at causing mischief.

Yes, the author used those words; but if you had the power of comprehension you would have noticed it was a casual remark, made in passing without qualification or emphasis (if it was otherwise important, he would have dwelt on it) a mere unverified perception at the time; if you also had the power of comprehension you would have further noticed that the author unwittingly went on to subsequently contradict that statement by identifying the real reason causing the failure to make the River Niger navigable, in addition to criticising another proposal of repeating the same mistake on River Benue.

Poised to tackle the menace of illegal miners headlong, the federal government has so far arrested 500 illegal miners and convicted 21.
The Deputy Commandant General of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, Kelechi Madu, made this revelation when the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, commissioned 50 operation vehicles for use by the Special Mines Surveillance taskforce and the State Minerals Resources and Environmental Management committee (MIREMCO) on Thursday.
DCG hailed the provision of the operation vehicles for the mining surveillance saying that it would enhance optimal performance in the sector.
Madu revealed that over 500 illegal miners had so far been apprehended. While 21 have been convicted however some were released at the discretion of the mines offices in the states.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi in his remarks said: “Due to lack of required logistics, the Special Mines Surveillance Taskforce and MIREMCO could not deliver their mandates and this led to upsurge in the activities of illegal mining across the states of the federation and strained relationship with states and local governments.
According to the minister, “The first fifteen (15) States with functional MIREMCOs have already received the sum of Five (5) Million Naira each, as mobilization grants and ten (10) Hilux pick-up Vehicles were procured for the first ten (10) States.
Also speaking at the event, Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris who was represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Taiwo Lakanu, said the re-introduction of mines police was to support the economic diversification efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration through effective security of the mines.
According to the Police IG who also commended the provision of surveillance vehicles to fight the illegal mining activities said the mines police is headed by a deputy Commissioner of Police Tunde Mobayo, saddled with the responsibility of securing the mines against the scrounge of illegal mining.
He explained that for its operations at the states, the Mines Police would work with the Counter Terrorist Unit of the Nigerian Police to ensure efficiency.

Source: http://www.minesandsteel.gov.ng/2018/03/29/fg-arrests-500-illegal-miners-convicts-21/

Front Page: lalasticlala

Nigeria and the authorities of Niger Republic have entered into an understanding to enhance border security in line with ECOWS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons.

The understanding was reached yesterday in Abuja during a high-level meeting between the  Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, and the visiting Nigerien Minister of Interior, Mr. Soly Amaodou.

When operational, it would enable the border security agents of both countries to work jointly at common border points and flanks of both countries to not only ensure enhanced intelligence sharing but also help to mitigate irregular migration.

A statement, issued yesterday by the NIS spokesman, Sunday James, and made available to The Nation, said: “The understanding will also allow for joint deployment of border officials of both countries to specific irregular routes/points in both countries to ensure that irregular migrants are discouraged from embarking on hazardous journeys through the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea,

“Create a platform for sensitization of citizens of the two countries on the need for them to always possess valid travel documents and avoid the use of irregular routes  when  crossing national frontiers in line with ECOWAS Protocol.

“The partnership is part of efforts by the two neighbouring countries to combat the increasing cases of irregular migration of youths of both countries which unfortunately has led to the death of many along the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean corridors.

“The Nigerien Minister of Interior was accompanied on the trip to Nigeria by Mr. Biko Ibrahim and Mahamar L Garba as well as Mr. Issaakou Abdou of the Nigerien Embassy in Nigeria.”

Source: http://thenationonlineng.net/nigeria-niger-sign-mou-border-security/amp/

Front Page: lalasticlala

tete7000:
Is tramadol an hard drug in the class of cocaine, etc

Yes it is codeine is toxic and addictive Just Like Cocaine. I think there's more medical benefits to codeine though.

Who's stopping you guys? If you s want to wage war on drugs good luck. The easiest thing you can do if you guys are going this route is decriminalize the use and instead rehab the kids.this same method Portugal is went with and Ghana wabt to copy. The drug dealers will be target of police action give then huge jail terms or execute them.

You'll need to fight this war on drugs in smart manner. 1 part compasion and rehab. The other part firm justice targeted at dealers. The make sure you reform how medicine is dispensed make sure it's highly controlled.

Our children are massively into drugs because there is massive, unceasing and incessant supply. We must staunch the supply. Then review our laws. Then detoxify our children. Or simultaneously and concurrently.


We all wonder why we cannot bring capital punishment to national crimes such as drugs trafficking and, to be politically-correct, to kidnapping, rape, armed robbery and murder. Is Thailand more sensible than us, for example?

Lol u two need to put on gloves. If you guys happen to be in same state no excuses. You guys are over hear writing essays about your disdain for eachother.

Shroud
edimolu2

60 years of planning and nothing been accomplished this is honestly amazing.

Lol more trash because you lack reading comprehension skills. Please stop rambling and go learn from local elementary student near you. My comment didn't blame Hausa or Igbo. You are pretty slow if you if you don't get this point. Your boogie man drug dealers must of tried your brain cells if this concept is hard to grasp.

The title click bait and yes the author did blame them. The title is not main point of article. Btw you changed your argument from me blaming other tribes to title blaming others. The author states it do it's fair sat so.

Read to understand like you pretend to do. Next time you won't be assuming I blaming tribe for something when I clearly disagreed with author on that particular point.

ItsMeAboki:
There you go again, resorting to name calling; yet ignorant as ever.

Did you not just admitted to changing the title; did the title not deliberately blame a set of tribes for the failure of the water (and rail) transportation; was that assertion factually correct that indeed the Hausa/Fulani & Igbo transporters were responsible for the mentioned systems collapse?

Lol you're a slow guy. My comment directly above yours and you still had to prove you have an actual reading disability.

Blue3k2:
Such an odd claim. Why would any group lobby against rail or river transport options. It wouldn't benefit them in anyway since cheaper transport cost is better for business.

ItsMeAboki:
The OP is obviously a tribalist; he deliberately chose to base his headlines on a small insignificant observation in the write up, in order to to score cheap political points against the two tribes mentioned

Your reading disability kicking in again who did i blame? You blamed a whole tribe for action if because you can't raise kids correctly and they don't have self discipline not to spend money on drugs. I disagreed with author. The title is click bait but it works.

ItsMeAboki:
My assertions on the other thread were factually based; while here the blame had been shifted to where it did not truly belong by a deliberate misleading headline - big difference.

Lol says the crybaby that was wailing the Igbos are the reason the kids in the north are junkies. You must have a reading disability due to the drug use. I said his claim doesn't make sense so how did I score political points against them.

Lol I changed title becsuse the headline more interesting and got u more people to view thread. I highlighted all the important details of article and saved other comments to later. I didn't ignore anything.

ItsMeAboki:
The OP is obviously a tribalist; he deliberately chose to base his headlines on a small insignificant observation in the write up, in order to to score cheap political points against the two tribes mentioned; while completely ignoring the real cause of the problem.

letusbepieces:
OP, u spelt two tribes with 6 and 5 letter words respectively.


But you could not spell IGBO with 4 letter words.

It's a direct quote from article. Don't cry now it's ok.

igbodefender:
OP should remain above the fray and not mess his hands with posts that may be interpreted as having tribalistic undertones.

Blue3k2 you have many fans including among Igbos. You have built up the image of a technocrat, not a tribal warlord. Don't spoil what you have built just to gain a few points.

Lol internet fans don't interest me. I post what ever i like for entertainment purposes. It's just Nairaland and I change titles all the time and so do miss if moves to front page.

1958

Government conceptualised the steel industry. Foreign consultants advised that it was better to import steel than to construct and run a steel plant.

1970

Messrs V/O TyazhPromExport (TPE) of defunct USSR contracted to carry out detailed geological studies of Nigeria regarding occurrence of raw materials suitable for iron and steel production

1971

NSDA founded, with the responsibility for planning, construction and operation of steel plants as well as necessary geological surveys, market studies, and metallurgical research relevant to steel production.

1973

NSDA commissioned (TPE) to prepare preliminary project report (PPR) for the proposed steel plant.

1974

Preliminary Project Report (PPR) completed

1974

Decision to site an integrated steel plant in Ajaokuta in former Kwara State

1975

PPR accepted and TPE commissioned to prepare a detailed project report based on recommendations contained in the approved PPR

1977

Detailed Project Report (DPR) was completed

1977

Confirmation of viable deposits of iron ore, limestones and dolomite at Itakpe, Obajana & Osara respectively. These sites sit within the 100km radius of the Kabba – Okene – Lokoja – Katon-Karfe axis

1977

Decision to site Iron Ore Production Plant in Itakpe within the same radius to serve as a raw materials feeder Plant for ASP

July 1979

Contract for working drawings and the supply and installation Technological Equipment and Steel Structures of ASCL awarded to Messrs. TPE

September 1979

ASCL established under Section 2 of National Steel Council Decree No 60 of 1979. ASCL incorporated as Limited Liability Company same year.

Same decree dissolved NSDA and established:

– Delta Steel Company Limited (DSC)

– Katsina Steel Rolling Mill Company Limited (KSRM)

– Jos Steel Rolling Mill Company Limited (JSRM)

– Osogbo Steel Rolling Mill Company Limited (OSRM)

– National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency, Kaduna

– National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos (NMDC)

– National Iron-Ore Mining Company, Itakpe (NIOMCO)

1980

Wimpey, UK awarded contract to build a Metallurgical Training Complex; Boskalis, Netherlands was contracted to build a river port while Indian forms, Pan African Consultancy Services Ltd. (PACs) & Metallurgical Engineering Consultants (MECON) were awarded Project management consultancy contracts

Other civil engineering works were awarded to Fougerolle Nigeria Limited/Fougerolle SA (raw material plants, coke oven, blast furnance thermal power plant); Bilfinger and Berger/Julius Berger Nigeria Limited (steelmaking shop and rolling mills), and Dumez Nigeria Limited/Dumez Afrique (auxiliary shops, lime and refractory plants)

1983

Inauguration of Light Section Mill (LSM) and Wire Rolling Mill (WRM) of ASP

1984

Light Section Mill (LSM) and Wire Rolling Mill (WRM) ran for a short period and were shut down due to lack of operating capital.

1993

Messrs Engineering Consultants (Nig.) Limited (ECON) appointed consultants to the project to encourage indigenous participation in project management

1996

TPE contract was terminated under Supplement 34 due to lack of funding.

1997

Voest-Alpine Industries Services (VAIS) was assigned the task of elaborate evaluation of the state of the construction of the plant

2000

TPE conducts Technical Audit of ASP.

June 2003

FGN, under the privatization policy of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, granted Messrs Solgas Energy of USA a 10-year Concession for rehabilitation, completion, management and operation of ASP

August 2004

Cancellation of Concession Agreement with Messrs Solgas Energy of USA due to non–performance

August 2004

FGN grants Messrs. GINL a 10-year concession (with option to extend for another 10 years) for the rehabilitation, completion, management and operation of ASP. GINL consequently took over ASP

February 2005

FGN granted GINL a 10-year concession (with option to extend for another 10 years) for rehabilitation, completion, management and operation of NIOMCO. GINL consequently took over NIOMCO, Itapke

February 2005

 

GINL purchased 80% of DSC shares from FGN through a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement. GINL moved into occupation and took management control of DSC

https://www.minesandsteel.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/final-adjusted-v2_Page_1-1024x576.jpg

October 2006

FGN granted GINL a 20-year concession in respect of the Central Rail line from Itakpe to Ajaokuta to Aladja

May 2007

FGN entered into a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (the Ajaokuta SPA) with GINL giving 60% of the issued share capital of ASCL to GINL.

 

NOTE:Effectively, GINL gained ownership control of ASP (60%) & DSC (80%); a 10-year concession with respect to NIOMCO (with option to extend for another 10 years) and a Railway Concession with a duration of 20 years from their effective dates

 

October 2007

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola appointed and inaugurated an Administrative Panel of Enquiry (APE) to look into the activities of GINL in ASCL, DSC and NIOMCO

December 2007

APE submitted its report and recommends the termination of the GINL Concession Agreements with respect to ASP and NIOMCO

February 2008

14th February, FGN through the NRC, terminates the GINL October 2006 Concession Agreement with respect to the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Aladja Central Railway.

18th February, NRC wrote to GINL withdrawing the termination letter

April 2008

President Yar’Adua cancels the FGN’s 2005 Concession of NIOMCO to GINL due to failure of GINL to show capacity for carrying the concession forward thereby revoking all rights in the Agreement. FGN is also convinced that the agreement was skewed in favour of GINL.

 

NOTE: If FGN had waited 25 more days, it could have taken advantage of clauses 3.2 & 12.1 of Ajaokuta SPA. GINL had an obligation to pay US$162m by 25th May 2008 for the purchase of ASCL shares – and it was apparent that this payment would not have been made by the due date

 

April 2008

GINL took the FGN to the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration (ICC) claiming huge damages for wrongful termination and breach of Contractual Agreements in respect of ASCL and NIOMCO. The Arbitration dragged for 4 years

December 2012

FGN under former President Goodluck Jonathan takes a view that an out-of-court settlement represented the best option to resolve the logjam with GINL, having taken legal advice that the cost of termination may be substantial. The AGF/MoJ constitutes a team to negotiate with GlNL on behalf of FGN

January-May 2013

FGN negotiating team met three times with GINL resulting in a “Framework Settlement Agreement (FSA)” dated 1 May 2013. Federal Government resolved through mediation and conciliation between its negotiation team and GINL, to re-concession NIOMCO to GlNL for 7 years and take back ASCL from GINL

December 2014

To implement the points agreed to in the Settlement Agreement three further meetings were held. The first was held on 5 June 2014 and the second was held on 30 and 31 July 2014. Paragraph 2 of the minutes of the meeting of 30 and 31 July 2014 required the prompt conclusion of the NIOMCO modified concession agreement

14th June 2016

Not entirely satisfied with the terms of the initial MCA, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development led by the Minister, Dr. ‘Kayode Fayemi, initiated a modified NIOMCO Concession Agreement (MCA) as an Addendum to the 2013 FSA

July 2016

The Addendum to the MCA, contains the following key advantages to Nigeria:

– While GINL’s claim at arbitration was for a revalidation of original Concession Agreement, the MCA provides for an initial 7-year term (in consideration of the fact that GINL had already utilised 3 years of the original Agreement;

– Concession Fee was improved from 3% in former Concession Agreement to 4% of Annual turnover in the Modified Concession Agreement;

– The Renewal of the Modified Concession Agreement is no longer automatic as in the initial concession agreement;

– While the former Agreement stipulated that the concession was to be undertaken for the purpose of the Concessionnaire, the MCA stipulates that the concession is undertaken for the mutual benefit of the parties;

– Supplying the requirements of Ajaokuta Steel Co. Ltd. as a priority customer, before selling any excess to any other third party customer; and

– FGN is to constitute a Monitoring Committee consisting not more than Seven (7), Two (2) of whom shall be nominated by GINL better than the former which stipulates that the concessionaire shall appoint Three Fifths of the Board and the FGN Two Fifths

August 2016

Framework Settlement Agreement from the Jonathan Administration and the subsequent Modified NIOMCO Concession Agreement, executed by both parties, under the Chairmanship of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman, National Council on Privatization, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN

https://www.minesandsteel.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/FG-1.jpg

August 2016

Ministry of Mines and Steel Development presents status update on the MCA to House of Reps. Sub-Committee on signed MCA with GINL and NIOMCO, under the aegis of the House Committee on Privatization

September 2016

Ministry of Mines and Steel Development presents status update on Ajaokuta at 2-day interactive Session between House Committee on Steel and Iron & Steel Stakeholders

June 2017

The 2017 Appropriation Act is signed into Law, with N2.096,500,000 budgeted under MMSD for advancing the concessioning of the ASCL” (Reference: FMOSM76314197)

July 2017

MMSD presents at the Public Hearing on the Call to consider the original Builders of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant in the proposed Negotiation for the completion, reactivation and operation of the Project

As at 1st March 2018

• FGN grants GINL the access to the NIOMCO Concession Areas in Itakpe for the conduct of detailed Technical and Financial Due Diligence as stipulated in the FSA

• Both the Federal Government and GINL complete full Tax and Legal Audits of NIOMCO

• GINL has concluded the Due Diligence for NIOMCO

• Messrs Greenwich Trust Limited are engaged as Transaction Advisors on Due Diligence for NIOMCO

• PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is engaged to review the final inter Company indebtedness and financial audits for Ajaokuta

• Approval of Demobilization Payment to Messrs KOCH for rehabilitation work undertaken to improve NIOMCO Plant after GINL’s exit in 2008

April 2018

FGN expects Technical Audit for Ajaokuta to be completed and the process for soliciting Expressions of Interest from interested Core Investors to commence.

NOTE: On-going Technical Audit is being conducted by in-house personnel at ASCL.

Source: http://www.minesandsteel.gov.ng/2018/04/02/timeline-of-activities-on-ajaokuta-steel-company-limited/

Such an odd claim. Why would any group lobby against rail or river transport options. It wouldn't benefit them in anyway since cheaper transport cost is better for business.

Under him, I undertook a study of the use of self-cleansing dredging methods after coming to the conclusion that mechanical dredging would be uneconomical especially as the National Assembly and the Federal Government had succumbed to road lobby mounted by Hausa/Fulani and Ibo transporters to cause the collapse of river transportation and railways.

In his submission on ‘Why Lake Chad Requires Urgent Attention’, BASSEY EFFIONG BASSEY, an engineer, is advocating for research centre to study the dilemma facing Lake Chad as well as an integrated studies of rivers flowing into the Benue River.

The above caption was at page 60 of The Guardian of Monday, February 26, 2018. The intention was to inform the general public of the plight of fellow Nigerians and other citizens of the riparian state of Lake Chad.

I have been in the profession of Water Resources Engineering for six decades and at a time served as a member of the Nigeria’s delegation to the Chad Basin Commission when I was a staff of the Inland Waterways Department of the Federal Ministry of Transport. I was a young man at the time but now I am 88 and certainly my memory is fading, but not so much the principles.

It is clear to me that the authors were not quite at home with the topic they were engaged on. The units of measurement were misapplied. Amongst those of us who had been active in the field of  Water Resources Engineering, some might suspect that the wish of the writers is to prepare the minds of the public, government and National Assembly to be favourably disposed when the project estimates are prepared.

The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, was quoted to have said, “What we have on the table now is the inter-basin transfer from the Congo Basin into the river…..we are talking of drawing from different basins with a distance of over 2,500 kilometres. It is huge infrastructure project..”

In my humble opinion, it would be humiliating if Nigeria should, after nearly 60 years of independence, approach the world community with a proposal for a dicey project of this nature because the international community may take advantage of our professed helplessness to present a disguised lion in a sheepskin. How many times would the bee sting us before we know how to approach a beehive?

Some years back, Nigeria was enticed to construct the Kainji Dam with  locks based on foreign advice that will provide Niger Republic with cheaper access to the sea, but while the construction work was in progress, Mali changed the regime of the river at Timbuktu for her development, thus affecting the expected flow through Niger Republic to Nigeria. Consequently, the projected major return of the investment became a pipe dream and a loss to Nigeria.

The difference in reservoir capacity is substantial. The reliance on foreign advisers had always been disadvantageous to Nigeria.A foreign consultant sold the idea of dredging of River Niger to encourage the development of inland ports at Baro and Onitsha. But working under S.J. Bocks, an engineer, a man with photographic memory, all he did was to flip over the reports of foreign consultants in their presence before taking them to task, most of them leaving in humiliation.

Under him, I undertook a study of the use of self-cleansing dredging methods after coming to the conclusion that mechanical dredging would be uneconomical especially as the National Assembly and the Federal Government had succumbed to road lobby mounted by Hausa/Fulani and Ibo transporters to cause the collapse of river transportation and railways Nigerians had to live with the situation until the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan when the dredging of River Niger was set in motion. At the end of the project, the then Managing Director of Federal Inland Waterways Authority gleefully announced that he had successfully completed what was thought to be an impossible task. On that occasion, the undersigned responded to let him know he was wrong. Indeed, the current administration has come to pooh-pooh that the entire exercise was a waste of money. And so will every attempt at mechanical dredging of the Niger continue to be.

On the Lake Chad dilemma, a research centre should be established at the University of Maiduguri with the Chad Basin catchment area, funded by the Federal Government, under the Nigerian know-how. There is abundance of Nigerian experts with world recognition who could make Nigeria proud. The Research Centre will take salinity measurements, sand distribution in the vertical, and bed survey at regular intervals, analysis of crude oil exploration records to determine whether the loss in water level and changes in salinity are the result of evaporation or subsurface drainage or otherwise?

The engagement of satellite imagery to obtain valuable information on a continuous basis should be useful. All information gathered would be collated and analysed at the research centre to come out with the most appropriate and informed decision on this dilemma.
Any attempt to insist on this proposal is a sure step to further economically destabilise Nigeria and push it into the list of failed states.

The resourcefulness of some Nigerians in the corridors of power is enormous. They are already thinking about the possibility of improving the navigability of the Benue River, which is well known for its high sand content and siltation rate. They wish to have that dredged. If the dredging of River Niger, a less problematic river at great cost has not provided reasonable return on investment, it is unlikely that the Benue River will yield better result.To be doubly sure, integrated studies of rivers flowing into the Benue River should be undertaken to determine the contributions of inflowing rivers in terms of sediment transport and water regime over a period of time to determine the influence of each in the River Benue situation.

The sand in the Benue River must be coming from somewhere and it should be the aim of a coordinated study to identify the contributors and the  magnitude of their contributions before any meaningful attempt at dredging or water feeding could be attempted. In some countries, the Society of Engineers and others are actively involved in such exercises. Likewise in Nigeria, the Nigerian Society of Engineers can be commissioned for such studies. The projects are within Nigeria’s technical reach to undertake.

Source: https://guardian.ng/property/how-to-revive-lake-chad-improve-benue-river/amp/

Front Page: lalasticlala

By Ediri Ejoh

There are indications that Nigeria may have reduced its gas supply to Ghana thermal power production by 50 percent (to about 60 million cubic feet of gas per day), due to its $40.3 million debt.


Report from the country’s agency, Ecofin, stated that Nigeria had since the beginning of the year been sending about 60 million cubic feet of gas per day to Ghana through the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company Limited, WAPCo.

This is less than half of the contractual volume agreed upon during the commissioning of this infrastructure in 2011 in Nigeria.

Kweku Awotwi, Board Chairman, Volta River Authority, VRA, the leading electricity producer in Ghana, noted that the contractual volume was 123 million cubic feet of gas per day and that it should help generate electricity in Ghanaian thermal power plants.

He added that since the day the agreement was signed, Nigeria had never been able to send 100 million cubic feet a day.

Meanwhile, Awotwi revealed that the volumes supplied were now prepaid by the Volta River Authority.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/ghanas-debt-forces-nigeria-cut-gas-supply-50/