After Promising New Petrol Price, NNPCL Moves To Make Cooking Gas Cheaper, Launches New Project.

NNPCL has announced the launch of a new LPG project that will help make cooking gas available

The company said it plans to launch the LPG project in at least 12 different states across the country

The project is expected to make cooking gas affordable, especially for residents of rural communities

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has unveiled its new LPG Micro Filling Plant in Nasarawa State.

The plant is expected to help make cooking gas available and affordable for Nigerians in rural areas.

Speaking about the project, Aisha Birma, the Head of External Relations at NNPCL, who led the company’s team on a courtesy call at the Government House in Lafia, disclosed that the LPG micro filling plant will be launched in 12 more states across the country as part of the pilot program.

She explained that Nasarawa State was selected to be the state to launch and kickstart the project.

She said:

“We have 12 states as the pilot states, but we are starting with Nasarawa State because of the enormous resources you have here and the potentials."

NNPCL explains the project

Jibunoh Sabastin, Manager of LPG Sales NNPC Retail Limited, also explained that the Micro Filling Plants will be deployed to the hinterland, especially in less developed communities, to introduce the use of cooking gas instead of cutting down trees and using energy that is not safe.

He said:

"Our goal is to introduce this technology to areas where there is limited awareness of using gas for cooking.

"NNPC has a sufficient gas supply to reach remote areas. This initiative aims to ensure that even people in remote regions, regardless of their economic status, can access affordable gas for cooking."

Cheaper fuel coming to Nigeria

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Nigerians will soon be able to buy cheaper fuel as the Port Harcourt refinery is getting closer to beginning operations while oil marketers wait patiently

There is optimism that when the refinery finally starts releasing products, it will help reduce fuel prices to N500 per litre.

The Dangote Refinery has already begun reducing the diesel price from N1,700 to N1,000 per litre.

Are you a Japa enthusiast looking to make the move to the United States, but worried about handling the complex visa application process? You are not alone! Every year, thousands of Nigerians apply for US visas, but a significant number face rejection.

But fear not, as understanding the complexities and common pitfalls of the visa application process is the first step toward overcoming them.

Here are 9 reasons why your visa might be rejected at the US embassy and tips on how to avoid them.

Inaccurate details about travel arrangements

Inconsistencies or uncertainty in travel plans, such as unclear purpose of visit or accommodation arrangements, can raise doubts about the legitimacy of the trip. This lack of clarity may result in visa denial as authorities seek to ensure the authenticity and integrity of visa applications. Ensure all details provided are accurate and truthful to avoid penalties or criminal prosecution.

Incomplete application

During the US visa application process, it is important to pay close attention to details. When filling the application form to Japa, ensure details such as name, date of birth, passport number,are entered correctly. Mistakes or missing information on the form can cause delays or rejection. It is necessary to carefully review the form, understand each question, and provide accurate and thorough answers.

Insufficient documentation

Identify the exact visa type you are applying for, as each category has its own set of required documents. Failure to submit all necessary supporting documents can lead to visa application rejection. Be sure to carefully review the checklist provided by the US embassy or consulate.

Criminal records

Having a criminal record or any negative immigration history can be grounds for visa rejection, and killing your dreams to japa. If you have been convicted of a crime before, disclose this information on your application and be ready to discuss it further during the interview. Being transparent about your past can increase your chances of obtaining a visa.

Insufficient financial proof

Depending on the visa type, applicants must show they have enough funds to cover their expenses while in the US. This involves submitting bank statements, income tax returns, and other financial documents. Failure to provide sufficient financial documentation or inconsistencies in financial statements may raise doubts about the applicant’s ability to support themselves during their visit, and lead to the application being unsuccessful.

Not demonstrating strong ties to home country

Visa officers evaluate whether applicants possess strong ties to their home country and are probable to return after their US visit. These ties include steady employment, property ownership, family connections, and other commitments. Applicants should provide evidence of their ties to their home country to reassure the visa officer of their intent to return.

Lack of preparation for the interview

Many visa categories mandate an in-person interview at the US embassy. Applicants should diligently prepare for the interview by acquainting themselves with the purpose of their trip, comprehending the visa requirements, and articulating their travel plans clearly. Lack of preparation or inability to answer questions about the trip may cast doubt in the visa officer’s mind, potentially resulting in visa denial.

Overstaying on a previous visa

Having overstayed a previous valid visa in the US can lead to visa rejection and reducing the chances to japa. It is crucial to understand that regardless of the type of visa previously held or whether the current visa is the same type, this action can result in visa rejection.

Non-compliance with immigration requirements

The US immigration law is intricate and frequently evolving, emphasizing the importance of staying updated with the latest requirements. Before applying for a visa, ensure that you are well-informed about all relevant rules and regulations.

By understanding these obstacles and taking proactive steps to address them, you can navigate the US visa application process with greater confidence and move one step closer to your American dream.

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has explained that many airlines are avoiding Nigeria’s airspace because of the difficulties encountered in their communication with air traffic controllers.

This was made known to journalists by the Managing Director of NAMA, Mr Farouk Umar, at Ikeja, Lagos, where he stated that the agency was consequently eyeing more investments to rejuvenate the communication systems to match emerging air traffic trends.

Umar explained that there was a need to improve the weak communication system, which had been demand-saturated as the industry grew and more routes were opened.

He said huge investments were required of the Federal Government as more routes opened needing more stations to have signals to cover the entire country.

We have not assessed budgeted funds

The NAMA boss revealed that the presidency recently budgeted N40 billion to address some of the issues at the airports, but the money had not been accessed.

Umar assured that as soon as money was made available, the agency would tackle critical safety challenges at the various airports.

He said, “The entire communication network has been re-designed to ensure that every blind spot is covered because if one system fails today, air traffic controllers would not notice.

“We realized also that our radios are working well and well-positioned and we have addressed the challenges we met on ground, but then, we are still having issues.

“The issues have nothing to do with our radios, but with electricity supply which had been a national challenge that the government had been working assiduously to fix.

“We have decided to deploy solar energy to some of our facilities to complement electricity supply from the national grid and from generators so that they can function well.’’

Umar noted that the International Civil Aviation Organisation frowned at even a second blackout at any airport and Nigeria could not afford to flout the regulation.

Performance of communications system below standard

He added, “For an average electronic system, the lifespan is about 10 years. Most of the communications electronics at the airports have been working for the past 15 years to 20 years. Their performance would be below standard, expectedly.

“We are replacing some of the equipment and we have done almost 80 percent. The contractors are still working, however.’’
Umar also told newsmen that Terminal Control Centres (TRACON) were still having challenges because, since 2014, there had not been enough spare parts to fix the obsolete equipment there.

He said, “The Federal Government has approved the modernization of the TRACON system. 15 per cent of the fund has been paid and we are hopeful that more installations will start soon.

“We are also hopeful that at the end of it all, the system will go back to optimal performance.’’

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has informed the Amnesty Office that some Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) delegates have not received their March stipends due to technical issues in the bank’s processing system.

The explanation following repeated complaints from beneficiaries of the PAP that they had not received their stipends for the month of March.

A statement yesterday signed by the Special Assistant, Media, to the Administrator, PAP, Mr. Igoniko Oduma, said due to the complaints, the Programme Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, who felt the delay was abnormal, wrote the UBA wherein the bank explained that some delegates banking with it had not been paid due to glitches in its processing system.

Oduma said the bank, however, explained that it had processed the refund for the failed transactions into the beneficiaries’ accounts.

The spokesman said: “Due to complaints from some beneficiaries, the Amnesty Office had written to the bank seeking an explanation for the delay.

“The Amnesty Office had disbursed March stipends to all beneficiaries’ accounts and the funds had already left its accounts.

“The office will collaborate with UBA to ensure that all outstanding payment issues are resolved.

“The Office thanks all beneficiaries for their patience and display of patriotism in reacting to this unexpected development.”

Guinness World Record: Davido, Sowore turn up to support chess master, Tunde Onakoya.

Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, also known as Davido, has showed up at the New York’s Times Square, to support Nigerian chess Master, Tunde Onakoya in his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.

In a video making the rounds on social media, Davido and Onakoya could be seen embracing each other while the crowd gathered at the venue cheered on seeing the afrobeats star coming out to support a compatriot.

Among those who have also come out to support Onakoya include Nigerian singer, Adekunle Kosoko, popularly known as Adekunle Gold, Nigeria’s Consul-General in New York City, Ambassador Peter Egopija, and Omoyele Sowore among others.

Sharing updates on his X account on Thursday, Onakoya wrote, “Game number 100. 87 against my main opponent #CoachShawnMar. 13 against external challengers.

“We are now 31 hours in, with 27 to go! That puts us officially past the halfway mark. It’s looking possible now. Keep streaming, keep donating.”

The event, which is underway at New York City’s iconic Times Square, started at 10am on Wednesday, April 17, and is scheduled to end at 8pm on April 19.

Onakoya is engaging in an intense chess marathon, aiming to play for 58 hours without a single defeat.

The current record, set by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad of Norway on November 11, 2018, stands at 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has said that Nigerian students will need to present their National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) to access student loans.

In addition to these requirements, the students are also required to provide their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration number. The Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, made this known during an interactive session with members of the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) in Lagos.

He also disclosed that the Fund is targeting about 1.2 million beneficiaries in the first phase of the loan disbursements.

“About 1.2 million Nigerian students in tertiary institutions and government-recognized skill acquisition centers will be among the first batch of beneficiaries,” he said.

Source of the fund

According to the managing director, the money to fund the loan scheme is 1% of the revenue generated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) annually.

He said that the management of the loan scheme would verify applications and attached requirements to ascertain eligibility. He said that disbursement would be in two segments.

“The school fee will be paid to the institution on behalf of the student and the stipend directly to the student’s account,” he said.

He added that financially indigent undergraduates, who need the loan for their education, are free to apply on a designed website and must provide their matriculation details. He said that the beneficiaries would be expected to start servicing the loans when they would secure jobs or set up businesses.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu earlier this month signed the newly revised Student Loans Re-enactment Bill, 2024 into law. The development followed the Senate and the House of Representatives independently evaluating the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund’s findings.

The executive bill, known as “A Bill for an Act to repeal the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023, and to Enact the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Bill, 2024,” aims to create the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

NIN as important national document

Although Sawyerr said that the requirements for accessing the loan were to confirm eligibility, the inclusion of the NIN is part of the government’s broad policy of ensuring that every Nigerian is captured in the NIN database.

While registration for the number had been slow for years until the government made it mandatory for all telephone users to link their lines with their NIN, number of enrolment is still around 105 million as of now, according to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Earlier this week, the Head of Corporate Communications at the Commission, Mr. Kayode Adegoke, said the target of NIMC is to ensure that every Nigerian has the NIN in the next one to two years.

“As of today, over 105 million NIN have been issued to Nigerians and legal residents. We want to assure Nigerians that within the next one or two years, we will reach our target of enrolling all Nigerians,” he said.

Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigeria’s minister of state for petroleum resources has claimed that the prolonged negotiation around the sale of ExxonMobil assets to Seplat has cost the country about 480,000 barrels per day (bpd) worth about $3.4 billion.

The minister’s comments come amid ongoing discussions between the two companies, which have been dragging on for months. The deal would see Seplat, a Nigerian oil and gas company, acquire ExxonMobil’s shallow water assets in Nigeria.

The minister argued that the delay has resulted in lost revenue for the Nigerian government.

Lokpobiri explained that Nigeria was producing about 600,000bpd from the ExxonMobil assets that were now under divestment, pointing out that today, the production from the asset has dropped to about 120,000bpd.

He stated that if the problem hindering the divestment process was resolved and minimal investment was made in the asset, the country would be able to restore the production to 600,000bpd with the addition of 480,000bpd.

With that, in addition to condensate, which is outside the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) computation, the minister maintained that the country was already delivering two million barrels.

Lokpobiri explained, “My own opinion is that look, we are in short of 480,000 barrels a day from that ExxonMobil-Seplat transaction.

“For the past two and a half years, oil has been moving around $80 a barrel. Four hundred and eighty thousand barrels a day, multiply it by two and a half years, it will give you about $34 billion.

“When I was on this table, I was doing rough mathematics and I guess you have your phones. So, you can do the calculation. If one asset was doing about 600,000 barrels, because of certain problems, which we’re trying to resolve, production declined to 120,000 barrels, which means we’ve lost about 480,000 barrels a day.

“Multiply it by $80 a barrel. Every day, you’ll get about $34 million. Multiply it by two and a half years, you’re talking about over $30 billion. If $30 billion is injected into our economy today, I guess you guys will have to sell more of your dollars because dollar will naturally drop. This exchange rate is sometimes a question of demand and supply.”

As minister, with the mandate of the president, Lokpobiri said he would ensure that all problems hampering investment in the sector were resolved, beginning with the Seplat-ExxonMobil divestment issue.

“If from only that Seplat-ExxonMobil transaction, we have lost about $35 billion, imagine if that money was in Nigeria. Imagine if NNPC has about 70 per cent of that money. If they have that money to expand their investment, I believe that Nigeria will be in a better place,” he added.

Lokpobiri stated that the quickest way to the redemption of the Nigerian economic problems was through the oil and gas sector, arguing that no oil and gas-producing country fails to prioritise investment in the sector.

He said President Bola Tinubu had given him a mandate to ramp up production, adding that achieving that needs engagement and collaboration with all the relevant industry stakeholders.

The naira has appreciated by N75.4 against the US dollar in a single day to bounce back in the foreign exchange market.

FMDQ data showed that the naira appreciated to N1,072.74 per dollar on Wednesday, compared to N1,148.14 recorded on Tuesday.

This represents a 6.56 per cent appreciation on a day-to-day basis.

Similarly, the parallel market appreciated to N1,040 per dollar in the parallel market on Wednesday from N1,100 per dollar on Tuesday.

The naira recorded an N60 gain against the dollar on the black market.

The development comes barely 24 hours after the naira recorded its first depreciation since March 2024.

The NIN, a unique identifier assigned to each citizen, has gained prominence in recent years as the cornerstone of various government initiatives aimed at enhancing security, governance, and service delivery.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said 95 million Nigerians need to enrol for the National Identification Number (NIN).

This was revealed by the Head of Corporate Communications at the commission, Kayode Adegoke, on X over the weekend.

According to him, for NIMC to meet the 200 million target by 2025, 95 million Nigerians need to register for the NIN.

Data from the National Population Commission (NPC), said the population of Nigeria in 2023 was 223,804,632, a 2.41 per cent increase from 2022. The commission also puts the population in 2022 at 218,541,212, a 2.41 per cent increase from 2021.

“As of today, over 105 million NIN have been issued to Nigerians and legal residents. We want to assure Nigerians that within the next one or two years, we will reach our target of enrolling all Nigerians,” he said.

However, to reach its target of 200 million enrollments by 2025, an additional 95 million Nigerians need to register.

The NIN, a unique identifier assigned to each citizen, has gained prominence in recent years as the cornerstone of various government initiatives aimed at enhancing security, governance, and service delivery.

The NIMC spokesperson said the commission remained steadfast in its commitment to achieving universal enrolment in the NIN system by 2025.

Adegoke noted that following Abisoye Coker’s appointment as the director-general of MIMC, she recognised the need to streamline the modification and enrolment processes.

He added that a self-service platform was developed, enabling Nigerians, both locally and abroad, to make necessary modifications such as changing names, dates of birth, email addresses, and phone numbers from the comfort of their homes or offices, using various devices, including iOS and Android-based devices.

Adegoke emphasised the convenience of the self-service modification portal, urging Nigerians to take advantage of this innovative solution.

He highlighted the evolution of the process, noting that in the past, applicants had to visit NIMC offices for data corrections.

The Federal Government has eventually complied with the demands of domestic crude oil refiners and other operators in the sector, as it declared on Monday that indigenous refineries can now buy crude oil in naira or dollars.

It also declared that the total crude oil and condensate reserves in Nigeria increased to 37.5 billion barrels as of January 1, 2024, with a life index of 68.01 years.

The government disclosed this through the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission at a briefing in Abuja, where it unveiled the new template for domestic crude oil supply obligation.

It stated that in compliance with the provisions of Section 109(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the NUPRC in a landmark move, had developed a template guiding the activities for Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation.

“The commission in conjunction with relevant stakeholders from NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, representatives of Crude Oil/Condensate Producers, Crude Oil Refinery-Owners Association of Nigeria, and Dangote Petroleum Refinery came up with the template for the buy-in of all.

“This is in a bid to foster a seamless implementation of the DCSO and ensure consistent supply of crude oil to domestic refineries,” the Chief Executive, NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, told journalists in Abuja.

Responding to a question on the currency of transaction for crude oil purchase, as approved in the new template, Komolafe stated that it would be either in naira or dollar, adding that naira transactions would free the pressure on the country’s foreign exchange rate.

The NUPRC boss also pointed out that the template had become effective because all necessary parties had signed up for it.

He said, “The PIA intends to make the implementation (of crude oil obligation) very easy for the parties, both for the producers and refineries. So the answer simply is that the currency for the transaction would either be in naira or dollar. That is the simple answer.

“But we all know that if the transaction is carried out in naira, that itself will free the pressure on the exchange rate. That will help the exchange rate. So that is the intent and besides, the overall intent of the Petroleum Industry Act is to develop our midstream, which is a very laudable provision of the PIA.”

In the currency of payment section of the new template, it was stated that “the payment shall be in either United States dollar or naira or both. Where the payment is in both currencies, the payment split shall be as agreed in the SPA between the producer and the refiner.”

On February 26, 2024, The PUNCH exclusively reported that modular refineries in Nigeria were facing the threat of shutting down operations following their inability to access foreign exchange for the purchase of crude oil, a commodity priced in United States dollars.

Nigeria has 25 licenced modular refineries with a combined capacity of producing 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily.

Although not all of the plants are currently operational, the report stated that the functional ones were increasingly finding it difficult to purchase crude due to the foreign exchange crisis in the country.

The facilities, which produce Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, Dual Purpose Kerosene or kerosene, naphtha and black oil, were finding it hard to make the refined products available to oil marketers for distribution to consumers.

Operators of the plants explained that the scarcity of dollars had made it almost impossible for dealers to purchase crude oil, as the modular refinery players and oil marketers demanded the sale of crude oil in naira from the Federal Government.

The modular refinery operators, who spoke under the aegis of the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria, lamented at the time that the Federal Government had not been able to keep its part of the bargain concerning the provision of feedstock to local crude oil refiners.

The Publicity Secretary, Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, had stated that modular refineries might close shop if nothing was done to ameliorate the situation.

CORAN is a registered association of modular and conventional refinery companies in Nigeria, while modular refineries are simplified refineries that require significantly less capital investment than traditional full-scale refineries.

Idoko said, “The purchase of crude oil in dollars is currently the major challenge to modular refineries. We buy crude in dollars and sell our refined products in naira, and this is a major challenge. And apart from that, where do you get the dollars to pay for the crude?

“You heard the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria crying out recently about the dollar saga. We have requested that crude oil be sold to us in naira. And when you do this, you ease the pressure on the naira and this will make our diesel cheaper.

“It will encourage more investors to build and patronise the local refineries. If you take petroleum products off the foreign exchange market, you would have helped the naira by 60 per cent.”

Crude reserves rise

At the briefing on Monday, the government revealed that the total crude oil and condensate reserves in Nigeria increased to 37.5 billion barrels as of January 1, 2024, with a life index of 68.01 years.

It also announced an increase in the country’s gas reserves, as this moved up to 209.26 trillion cubic feet as of January 1, 2024, while its reserves index life was put at 97.99 years.

Komolafe said, “I am pleased to present to you an overview of the nation’s oil, condensate, associated gas, and non-associated gas reserves as of January 1, 2024, as follows: 1. Crude oil and condensate reserves stand at 31.56 billion barrels and 5.94 billion barrels respectively, amounting to a total of 37.50 billion barrels.

“2. Associated gas and non-associated gas reserves stand at 102.59 trillion cubic feet and 106.67TCF respectively, resulting in total gas reserves of 209.26TCF. The reserves life index is 68.01 years and 97.99 years for oil and gas respectively.”

Komolafe stated that positive gross additions to oil and gas reserves of 1.087 billion barrels and 2.573 trillion cubic feet respectively were recorded.

“Given the above, and in furtherance of the provisions of Chapter 1, Part III, Section 7 (g), (i), (j), (k), (m), (q), (r) (of the Petroleum Industry Act) and other powers enabling me in this respect, I declare the total oil and condensate reserves of 37.50 billion barrels and total gas reserves of 209.26 trillion cubic feet as the official national petroleum reserves position as of January 1, 2024,” he stated.

Before the latest increase announced by the government, Nigeria’s total crude oil and condensates reserves as of January 1, 2023, was 36.96 billion barrels, while its total associated gas and non-associated gas reserves as of January 1, 2023, was 208.83 trillion cubic feet.

Nigeria has been looking for new sources of oil by exploring what are called frontier basins. These are areas where little or no exploration has been done before.

Some of the basins being explored include the Anambra Basin, Benue trough

Bida basin, Chad basin (Nigerian section), Dahomey basin, Sokoto basin Deep and Ultra-deep offshore Niger Delta.

The Federal Government hopes that these basins will contain significant reserves of oil and gas. However, there have been some controversies about how much money should be spent on exploration, and how the benefits should be shared.

Notwithstanding the concerns, there is the potential that these basins could help to increase Nigeria’s oil production and boost its economy.

Meanwhile, while commenting on the significance of the reserves, Komolafe said the figures showed the abundance of crude oil and gas that the country could produce within a stipulated period, adding that Nigeria boasts 33 per cent of gas reserves in Africa.

Ekaka14:

Don't mind Jackson and Noni.....especially that Jackson...I just pray his days in Chelsea shirt are numbered so a new coach can loan him out...hate his nonsense