₦airaland Forum

Alxmyr: In their dreams, they generated 60,000 jobs in a sector that is one of the biggest employer of labour across the world.
And we should clap for them.
GEJ administration is a failure.

people would not seize to make me laugh.pls how many jobs where created in this Same sector when OBJ and ur master Buhari were in power!. Like I said early people like u would commit sucide.creating 60 thousand job in one year in one sector is very commendable and GEJ should keep it up. No mater what u people say this government is doing well and the only people who don't see that is the buhari suicide bombersand the AC.N hypocrites.

Shine1177: No one has come out to disprove the links provided by the OP so why cry loud than the bereaved?

GEJ may not be the best president Nigeria ever had but he is working, he just need a bit of our support.

God bless Nigeria.

4 pages and counting no one I mean non of the critcs have come out to disprove the op all he is getting is abuses. no matter how hard they try the truth is there for any open minded person to see that this government is taking step to change this country.

As usual this thread would be ignored cos it talks about one of this govenment achievement.if it was about an achievement of governor from a. Certain hypocrite party the oraisa's we have on nairaland would have swarmed all over it.

Under the military rule and obJ 8 years of waste here is what the NRC chairman had to say about NRC

Sijuwade disclosed "that the present management inherited a railway system almost in comatose state with dilapidated facilities, demoralised and depleted workforce and frustrated pensioners.
Highlighting other challenges encountered and efforts put in to revive the moribund corporation, the NRC boss said: “We met shortfall in budget for salaries, insufficient rolling stock and locos, single track and cape gauge (1067 mm), obsolete machinery and workshop equipment, paucity of fund for training, porosity of rail corridors and accessibly to link rail to airport and seaport.


But under the leader ship of GEJ this is what he has to say


“But today, the status of the corporation has improved significantly from comatose state to that of a functional rail system. With the Federal Government intervention in providing fund and political will couple with the corporation commitment to seeing the railway lines work again, the Lagos to Jebba rail tracks axis has been rehabilitated by CCECC, and the train operations has been resumed, while that of the Jebba to Kano is near completion. In the same vein, the Federal Government has awarded the rehabilitation of the rail tracks from Port Harcourt to Makurdi covering 463km for a period of 10 months.


Kudos to GEJ our rail lines would soon be operational and haters would as usual hide their head in shame

14 Dec 2012


All is now set for the final inspection of the rehabilitated Lagos-Kano rail tracks, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said.

The final inspection, which will be spearheaded by the inspection team set up by the Federal Government, will enable the corporation ascertain the true state of things on the rehabilitated rail.
This was disclosed by NRC Managing Director, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, at the opening ceremony of the maiden NRC management three-day retreat in Lagos. He said the inspection of the rail track was in line with the Federal Government transformation agenda.

“As soon as the inspection team declares the Lagos-Kano rail tracks fit for human and goods passage, particularly the integrity of Akere Bridge and Bridge 73 in Minna both in Niger State, which were recently reinforced, the corporation would immediately commence train operation”, he said.

The NRC boss reiterated President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to reduce burden on the road and constant road accidents with the regular haulage of goods and passengers from one part of the country to another before the end of the year.

“After the certification by the inspection team, which will take a train ride from Lagos to Kano to ascertain the credibility of the tracks, NRC will have no other option than to commence train operations before Christmas,” Sijuwade said.

At the retreat, participants were charged to brainstorm on the way forward for the corporation. The management noted that with the federal government decision to restructure reform and rebrand the transport sub-sector, efforts had been channelled towards rehabilitating dilapidated tracks and other equipment in the corporation as well as training of the entire workforce irrespective of the cadres or grade levels.

Sijuwade disclosed that the present management inherited a railway system almost in comatose state with dilapidated facilities, demoralised and depleted workforce and frustrated pensioners.
Highlighting other challenges encountered and efforts put in to revive the moribund corporation, the NRC boss said: “We met shortfall in budget for salaries, insufficient rolling stock and locos, single track and cape gauge (1067 mm), obsolete machinery and workshop equipment, paucity of fund for training, porosity of rail corridors and accessibly to link rail to airport and seaport.

“But today, the status of the corporation has improved significantly from comatose state to that of a functional rail system. With the Federal Government intervention in providing fund and political will couple with the corporation commitment to seeing the railway lines work again, the Lagos to Jebba rail tracks axis has been rehabilitated by CCECC, and the train operations has been resumed, while that of the Jebba to Kano is near completion. In the same vein, the Federal Government has awarded the rehabilitation of the rail tracks from Port Harcourt to Makurdi covering 463km for a period of 10 months.

He called for active participation during the retreat as the result would play an important role in reshaping the ongoing railway rehabilitation project and the transformation agenda of the present administration.

Also, the Director of Administration and Human Resources of NRC, Aminu Gusau, in his opening speech said the retreat was an opportunity for the senior staff of the corporation to engage in conversation and reflect on past activities of the organisation and chart a new way forward to actualise the transformation agenda of the Federal Government as regards the rail sub-sector in particular and transport sector in general.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/inspection-of-rehabilitated-lagos-kano-rail-begins/133509/

Inspection of Rehabilitated Lagos-Kano Rail Begins

14 Dec 2012


All is now set for the final inspection of the rehabilitated Lagos-Kano rail tracks, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said.

The final inspection, which will be spearheaded by the inspection team set up by the Federal Government, will enable the corporation ascertain the true state of things on the rehabilitated rail.
This was disclosed by NRC Managing Director, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, at the opening ceremony of the maiden NRC management three-day retreat in Lagos. He said the inspection of the rail track was in line with the Federal Government transformation agenda.

“As soon as the inspection team declares the Lagos-Kano rail tracks fit for human and goods passage, particularly the integrity of Akere Bridge and Bridge 73 in Minna both in Niger State, which were recently reinforced, the corporation would immediately commence train operation”, he said.

The NRC boss reiterated President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to reduce burden on the road and constant road accidents with the regular haulage of goods and passengers from one part of the country to another before the end of the year.

“After the certification by the inspection team, which will take a train ride from Lagos to Kano to ascertain the credibility of the tracks, NRC will have no other option than to commence train operations before Christmas,” Sijuwade said.

At the retreat, participants were charged to brainstorm on the way forward for the corporation. The management noted that with the federal government decision to restructure reform and rebrand the transport sub-sector, efforts had been channelled towards rehabilitating dilapidated tracks and other equipment in the corporation as well as training of the entire workforce irrespective of the cadres or grade levels.

Sijuwade disclosed that the present management inherited a railway system almost in comatose state with dilapidated facilities, demoralised and depleted workforce and frustrated pensioners.
Highlighting other challenges encountered and efforts put in to revive the moribund corporation, the NRC boss said: “We met shortfall in budget for salaries, insufficient rolling stock and locos, single track and cape gauge (1067 mm), obsolete machinery and workshop equipment, paucity of fund for training, porosity of rail corridors and accessibly to link rail to airport and seaport.

“But today, the status of the corporation has improved significantly from comatose state to that of a functional rail system. With the Federal Government intervention in providing fund and political will couple with the corporation commitment to seeing the railway lines work again, the Lagos to Jebba rail tracks axis has been rehabilitated by CCECC, and the train operations has been resumed, while that of the Jebba to Kano is near completion. In the same vein, the Federal Government has awarded the rehabilitation of the rail tracks from Port Harcourt to Makurdi covering 463km for a period of 10 months.

He called for active participation during the retreat as the result would play an important role in reshaping the ongoing railway rehabilitation project and the transformation agenda of the present administration.

Also, the Director of Administration and Human Resources of NRC, Aminu Gusau, in his opening speech said the retreat was an opportunity for the senior staff of the corporation to engage in conversation and reflect on past activities of the organisation and chart a new way forward to actualise the transformation agenda of the Federal Government as regards the rail sub-sector in particular and transport sector in general.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/inspection-of-rehabilitated-lagos-kano-rail-begins/133509/

Later he would be among those who would criticize government for not providing power!.like some retardinho's on nairaland this days who blame even the inability of their parents performing well on bed on the FG.

Sincere 9gerian: Dont mind them. Its all propaganda and blackmail, hoping to deter people from saying their mind. Unfortunately for the propagandists, it has not worked

brother keep up the good work.2 pages now am yet to see any of the goons counter what u wrote on this thread all I see is their usual rant and causing then they crown it up by beating around the bush.bunch of hypocrites who thinks nigeria starts and ends in their backyard

iykak47: But China has over three trillion dollars in foreign reserve while millions of the citizens are unemployed. But China has over three trillion dollars in foreign reserve while millions of the citizens are unemployed.

iykak47: But China has over three trillion dollars in foreign reserve while millions of the citizens are unemployed. But China has over three trillion dollars in foreign reserve while millions of the citizens are unemployed.

don't mind the daunce he wants the FG his share the money to his theiving leaders. So that they can celebrate owambe with it then he would turn around and claim GEJ deplited the ECA.dats why I didn't bother replying him cos I asked him a simple question.how much his state governor has collect from the ECA and how they created employment using his state as a case study.like other of his uninformed critics on nairaland he has been causing and beating around the bush which is what his likes are known for on this forum illitrate claiming economic guru nothing wey we no read and hear for nairaland.don't waste ur time on him is one of those brainwashed AC.N hypocrites

Demdem: Fool, proof ko, crook ni u think all is dumb the way u are.
That the amount spent on subsidy exceeded the amount budgeted for it was a fact (Bleep u if u ask for proof for this )
so where did the money to augment the balance come from? probably from VAT or u fool gave the govt.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5743219-146/nnpc_pppra_exceed_fuel_subsidy_budget.csp
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/n1-76trn-was-paid-as-subsidy-for-2011-cbn/
http://premiumtimesng.com/news/3574-2011-subsidy-exceeds-n2-trillion.html

LWKMD retardinho is that ur proof that ECA was used u be really okpa.my friend go play alone with ur fellow slowpokes search the net for what u and ur fellow hypocrites. Can use againt is govenment! While ur at it search for what is refered as PROOF that the ECA was used for as ur beer parlour gist puts neibour to neibour and subsidy buzu! and stop beating around the bush.

Demdem: Fool, firstly Bleep ACN, dont give a damn about them the same way u savour the killer party

That governors shared part of the funds its a fact and its also a fact that a sizeable amount was also spent on subsidy payments in which a huge sum as diverted to the elections. Companies like SPG owned by the aviation minister which as indicted simply directed a huge chunk of that money to Neighbour to neighbour campaign which she heads.

U are just barking unnecessary like a mad dog. The truth still remains like i stated earlier that the sum was quite much before the retardeen squandered it (either by the govs or subsidy) and now its rising again. Deal with that fool .

u and ur beer palour gist they used ECA for neibour 2 neibour is that what ur masters told u? Stop spending much of ur time in beer palours and ashawo joint where u get all this gist from.where is ur proof that the the ECA was used for neibour to neibour campaign and subsidy if u don't publish it the the name retardinho surely sticks slowpoke!

Demdem: Fool, firstly Bleep ACN, dont give a damn about them the same way u savour the killer party

That governors shared part of the funds its a fact and its also a fact that a sizeable amount was also spent on subsidy payments in which a huge sum as diverted to the elections. Companies like SPG owned by the aviation minister which as indicted simply directed a huge chunk of that money to Neighbour to neighbour campaign which she heads.

U are just barking unnecessary like a mad dog. The truth still remains like i stated earlier that the sum was quite much before the retardeen squandered it (either by the govs or subsidy) and now its rising again. Deal with that.

always beating around the bush retardinho bring proof that it was also used for subsidy slowpork?

0lumide: You lack comprehension of economics! It doesnt make economic sense to save money when unemployment is at an all time high!
It doesn't make any sense that NOI is opening more foreign accounts for Nigeria abroad when we need money in NIGERIA!!!!

Now, look at unemployment rate and tell me it isn't better for us to trade off the ECA and our other accounts stoopid NOI opened in order to invest them in the people?

You lack basic economics or economical judgements. And how does all state governors asking for money equall just Fashiola? Olodo PDP spam bot!

The ECA could have been invested in Nigeria and would have created employment instead of saving to add to the assets of JP MORGAN (Nigeria has an account with JP MORGAN where a percentage of our oil revenue goes). In economics there is something called efficiency in the allocation of resources. In this case, the ECA and other accounts opened by NOI are resources. Now how is it efficient to have money sit in different accounts overseas? Tell me how allocating money to do nothing efficient? You don't know economics bra!! You are just another NOI butt licker
Useless dunce!

it doesn't make sense then why do ur like and that retardinho claim GEJ used the ECA for his election when u knw that the FG and the governors always share the money in this account? Moreover how many employments has the state governors created with these monies they have collected so far from this ECA account? Use ur state govenment as a case study.tell us how much he has collected since 2011 till date(that is if u knw cos am sure u don't cos ur brainwashed prove me wrong and tell us).and how many Jobs they've created and how they've affected ur state with that fund they've collected so far?.if u can't tell us then park well like ur mates

Demdem: Concerning east west road, I think u are confused.
What is NDDC, what is FG?
That work initially was to be carried out by both berger and setraco. Setraco made sure berger employees were kidnapped and they pulled out.
At present, that job is being oversee by the ministry of Niger delta which is a creation of the fg.
So far setraco is a disgrace, instead of focussing on the job, they deployed their resources to abuja to complete the ministers mansion.
Come 2015,won't be surprised if the road still remain terrible.
Fresh air.

am not suprised that u wrote this so the NDDC that was formed in year 2000 is now under a ministry that was formed by yar adua in 2008?

Niger Delta Ministry
Niger Delta Ministry
Minstry overview
FormedSeptember 10, 2008
Minister responsiblePeter Godsday Orubebe
Deputy Minister responsibleZainab Ibrahim Kuchi
Website
www.mnda.gov.ng
The Niger Delta Min
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger_Delta_Ministry

While Nddc

BOUT US
NDDC was established in 2000 with the mission of facilitating the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.
THE NDDC MANDATE

Formulation of policies and guidelines for the development of the Niger Delta area.
Conception, planning and implementation, in accordance with set rules and regulations, of projects and programs for sustainable development of the Niger Delta area in the field of transportation including roads, jetties and waterways, health, employment, industrialization, agriculture and fisheries, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and telecommunications.
Surveying the Niger Delta in order to ascertain measures necessary to promote its physical and socio-economic development.
Preparing master plans and schemes designed to promote the physical development of the Niger Delta region and the estimation of the member states of the Commission.
Implementation of all the measures approved for the development of the Niger Delta region by the Federal Government and the states of the Commission.
Identify factors inhibiting the development of the Niger Delta region and assisting the member states in the formulation and implementation of policies to ensure sound and efficient management of the resources of the Niger Delta region.
Assessing and reporting on any project being funded or carried out in the region by oil and gas companies and any other company, including non-governmental organizations, as well as ensuring that funds released for such projects are properly utilized.
Tackling ecological and environmental problems that arise from the exploration of oil mineral in the Niger Delta region and advising the Federal Government and the member states on the prevention and control of oil spillages, gas flaring and environmental pollution.
Liaising with the various oil mineral and gas prospecting and producing companies on all matters of pollution, prevention and control.
Executing such other works and performing such other functions, which in the option of the Commission are required for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region and its people
 
http://www.nddc.gov.ng/about%20us.html

So retardeen tell me and a lot of curious intelletuals how nddc is under ministry of niger delta.u and ur likes are really intellectually weak all u knw how to do is insult people without putting up a constructive aguement.

Demdem: Good to see it coming up again having squandered what was initially there before/during 2011 elections.

shut up thEir foolish AC.N brainwashed goon ur fashola and other AC.N 419 governors shared the ECA during the period your retardeen brain just quoted. just as they are demanding for 1 billion from this same increased ECA act here is a link I knw u won't read it http://mobile.businessweek.com/news/2012-12-12/nigerian-governors-demand-1-billion-from-excess-crude-account

but can u give a proof that GEJ used ECA money for election? Just like ur sorry ass ask when it concern ur theif of boudillon and ur mediocre ac.n governors that u hype on nairaland.I can give the amount that ur state governor collected from the eca the year u quoted retard.that's the beauty of the FOI bill that the man u hate so much signed into law.do u even knw ur local goverment chairman ? I guess u don't but u have hard on!on any thing gej.u would soon die of heart attack simpleton

otokx: Take a look at the east - west road with particular reference from Warri to Onne, an industrial hub in very bad state simply because it was awarded to one of the presidents patrons in the person of SETRACO that is a rumored front for Anenih. Why has GEJ not revoked that contract?

are u guys this ignorant pls EAST WEST ROAD Is an NDDC pRoject not a FG project that contract was awarded by nddc during obasanjo regime by NDDC not FG some fools here tend to suprise me u think nigeria starts and ends in ur miserable states per attension to ur state govermennt they collect allocation too at lest u acknowledged that work is on going at the PH airport but ur problem is the pace what did ur past leaders do that same airport since it was esthablished OBJ and yar adua ruled this country for 13 year in these years were this airport renovated not to talk of at the pace ur complaining about.those making noise here I challenge any of them to tell me how much there LGA and state goverment collected since gej tenure.I bet non of them knws. Nigeria does not start and end in ur locality.like I said and I would continue to say una go commit suicide by 2015.

PointB: The history of refusal of Polio vaccination is much more complicated. Are you aware that some of the reasons include the allusion of Western conspiracy to render Northerners infertile? How do you even begin to address this inanity promoted by clerics and others who are more privileged?

Guy, let's be realistic. GEJ has his issue, but every blaming ancient malaise on him is unreasonable. Soon couples will blame him for their inability to conceive.

don't mind the jonzer he would soon blame GEJ for his impotency.I don't join issues anymore with people who don't knw what is happening in nigeria.

This news is dead on arrival on nairaland cos it doesn't read "US APPROVES $250m LOAN FOR FERTILIZER FACILIZER FACILITY IN LAGOS" so that sycophant can praise fashola

otokx: Poster please travel outside Nigeria to Europe, South Africa or even Ghana to see people that are moving forward. For your information from next year WHO has made it compulsory for all travellers from Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan to be giving the oral polio virus whether men, children or babies. How long shall we continue to deceive ourselves in this country?

blame this situation on the North where a majority of them have blatantly refused to take the polio vaccine is nothe the fault of the government this is well documented

taharqa: SHUT up there my Frnd!

Try to challenge the points (and LINKS) he used to make his argument pint-by-point OR just keep ya mouth SHUT, and watch...

don't join words with him his one of those ignorant AC.N brainwashed peeps we now have on nairaland.

US Approves $250m Loan for Fertilizer Facility in Nigeria

13 Dec 2012


By Tokunbo Adedoja

The Board of Directors of Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has approved a $250 million loan to fund a nitrogen fertilizer facility in Nigeria.

OPIC is a United States Government’s development finance institution that mobilizes private capital to help solve critical development challenges and its achieves its mission by providing investors with financing, guarantees, political risk insurance, and support for private equity investment funds.

Disclosing this in Washington DC, State Department's Spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, said: "I want to, before we start, just commend the OPIC Board of Directors for approving two major projects in Africa totaling some $400 million. These are actually both pretty cool. This first one is called Greenpark and it includes a $250 million loan to fund a nitrogen fertilizer facility in Nigeria."

More to follow....

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/us-approves-250m-loan-for-fertilizer-facility-in-nigeria/133484/

@op it gets better haters would commit suicide soon more investment for nigerian. haters can lie,bomb and live under their propoganda but the truth shall come to light kudos to GEJ he remains the best presido!!

The Board of Directors of Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has approved a $250 million loan to fund a nitrogen fertilizer facility in Nigeria.

OPIC is a United States Government’s development finance institution that mobilizes private capital to help solve critical development challenges and its achieves its mission by providing investors with financing, guarantees, political risk insurance, and support for private equity investment funds.

Disclosing this in Washington DC, State Department's Spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, said: "I want to, before we start, just commend the OPIC Board of Directors for approving two major projects in Africa totaling some $400 million. These are actually both pretty cool. This first one is called Greenpark and it includes a $250 million loan to fund a nitrogen fertilizer facility in Nigeria."

More to follow....

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/us-approves-250m-loan-for-fertilizer-facility-in-nigeria/133484/

[quote author=autumn.flower]What you suggesting, because I am a good citizen, I'll march to the governors office and ask him how he's using the money allocated to the state?
So because the state whatever is responsible to keep them in check, the FG and GEJ should just bone them.
Let me ask you a simple question, do you have a business you run? Just because you have employees that are assigned a task, does it mean you don't check on them to see if they actually did it right?
No wonder nigeria is the way it is, do your own I do mine, as long as you don't poke your nose into my business everything is good.. How do you expect to move foward with this kind of mentality!?[/quote]keep waiting for Gej to come and do the job of people u voted for!.

[quote author=autumn.flower]And what is the work of the FG n GEJ?? Oh yes, just allocate the money to the governors and don't give a dime what they use it for.. Pot calling fying pan black[/quote]so after publishing the amount shared with the states u want the FG to monitor them on how they use it Smh.so what is the work of the state assembly? And if I may ask what is ur role as a good citizen of ur state? Am sure u don't even knw how much ur state get from the federation. U want the federal goverment to do the work of the state assembly and the citizens of that state.the last I checked the state house of assemble is there as check for the state governors not the GEJ!

kunlekunle: i dont agree with sharing from the ECA.
it should be tied to a project.

I agree with you on this but would the governors agree. They have been sharing this money since and nigerians called GEJ all sorts of name they claimed his the one that finished the ECA is one of the early corruption charges against the man during the election period.people should learn to take note of how much the FG,state,and local government share Every year.instead some people pay attention on the FG's share, most people don't even knw how much their state get from the federation account.and the FG publish this figures anytime they share this money with the state.

Later some ignoramous would accuse GEJ of finnishing the ECA account.I wonder why a lot of nigerians are ignorant this days.the ECA account has always been shared by state and federal government but people don't ask their governors question on how it was spent but are quick to point fingers at the FG depleting the ECA.

Nigeria’s 36 state governors want a $1 billion payout from the country’s crude oil savings account to fund projects, said Sokoto state Deputy Governor Mukhtar Shagari.
The governors want the federal government to disburse “at least about $1 billion from the excess crude account to help the state governments to meet up with their financial responsibilities as the year is coming to an end, because most of the states have contracts that are ongoing and are very important to the people of this country,” Shagari, who spoke on behalf of the governors, said today in an e-mailed statement from Abuja, the capital.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, relies on crude exports for about 95 percent of its foreign-currency earnings and 80 percent of government revenue. The West African country with more than 160 million people saves oil revenue above the benchmark budgeted price in the excess crude account. Its balance stands at $9 billion, Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala said on Dec 3.
While a lawsuit filed by the states challenging the federal government’s use of the account’s funds will continue, the governors will continue to hold talks with the government and hope that “perhaps, we may come to some decisions along the way,” Shagari said.

http://mobile.businessweek.com/news/2012-12-12/nigerian-governors-demand-1-billion-from-excess-crude-account

The proposed arraignment of businessman and chairman of Bi-courtney Limited, Dr Bolanle Olawale Babalakin and four others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC) over an alleged N4.7 billion fraud took a dramatic turn at an Ikeja High Court, when the lead counsel, Chief Ebun Shofunde (SAN) announced his withdrawal from the matter.

Before the new twist, it was chief Shotunde, who during the last sitting informed the court of Babalakin's admission at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) over an undisclosed ailment.

He had told the court that he had earlier forwarded a letter to the registrar of the court which contained a medical report by one Dr Charles Harmon about Babalakins health.

He had also informed the court presided over by Justice Adeniji Onigbanjo that Babalakin's health deteriorated immediately after he appeared before the EFCC office in Abuja on the November 26, 2012 for questioning.

He further asked the court to adjourn the matter to allow his client recover from the undisclosed sickness.
But at the resumption of the matter Wednesday, Sofunde took everybody by surprise when he announced his withdrawal from the defence team.

His decision to withdrawal was contained in an application dated December 4, 2012, where he informed the court that his reason was personal.
The revered lawyer however told the court that if his client wishes to challenge his withdrawal, he may decide to tell the court his actual reason for withdrawing from the matter.

http://www.theguardianmobile.com/readNewsItem1.php?nid=9065

Ozonna: Just came into Enugu few weeks ago and i went with my cousin to a rail line construction site. The company handling the construction is ESSER a Turkish company and we asked some Nigerian Railway personel about the quality of the the work, their reply was that FG should have awarded the contract to the chinese because teh quality of work by the Turks are nothing to write home about. That the quality of Chinese work on our rail lines are high. _{Meanwhile i now believe the rail reconstuction stories that nlander tahaqa usually sings to us here because my cousin is a contractor and he confirmed to me that FG will reconstruct most of our existing rail lines on and before 2015}

@ OP,i have a feeling that this Minister Of Agric will by 2015 be the best Agric Minister we've ever had. Kudos to him

thank God that u can see what tahaqa and a lot of us has been preaching about the massive work this administration is carrying out to fix this rot called nigeria! Ive said it and I would say it again. a lot of fools on nairaland would hide there heads in shame come 2015!! Shameless hypocrites have taken over nairaland they think everybody is paid like them to carry out foolish propoganda and lies.posterity would judge all this set of people who would do anything to bring down this government.BUT the truth would always come to light just like u confessed now cos am sure ur one of those who called tahaqa and some otheR objective minds on this forum paid government agent when we were telling u about all this projects going on

List obstacles to takeoff of scheme

• DPR to issue new licences

LIKE a failed dream, the strategic plan to mobilise private interest in local crude oil refining may have run into a brick wall.

The licencees for private refineries have recoiled into their respective shells, seeking other opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

The Federal Government has since 2002 to date, issued over 39 licences to private operators to establish refineries of various capacities in the country, to lift the profile of local refining capacity from the current 445,000 barrels per day (bpd), a result of ill-maintained low capacity utilisation of four facilities owned by the government.

But so far, only the Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, located in Ogbelle, Rivers State, with Dr. Layi Fatona as the promoter, has commenced production of 1,000bpd of refined oil. Also, Orient Petroleum Resources Plc has completed the detailed engineering, sourced the modules of its refinery and completed site acquisition, perimeter and topographical surveys, geotechnical, geological and hydro-geological surveys, site civil engineering works prior to construction of internal roads and reinforced concrete plinths for installation of refinery equipment. But it is yet to start production.

Indeed, virtually all the licensed operators had serially defaulted on their respective deadlines to commence production, leading to licence withdrawals on their part, with even increased reluctance for mandate renewals as stipulated in the enabling law.

Factors cited as challenges for the takeoff of the various projects by the licensees included huge upfront start-up fee; lack of sovereign guarantees to secure cheaper loans from the international finance market; and uncertainty over guarantee of free market pricing policy.

Despite government’s reconsideration of the start-up fee in favour of the licencees, the investors still failed to show serious commitment, thereby truncating initial objective of the private refineries’ initiative.

However, a source at the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) told The Guardian that the agency had already processed new applications for private refineries and that they were now awaiting approval from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The source said that the new applicants were depot owners who may not have the challenges of bank guarantees.

The source added that the 39 licences would have been able to process over 2.654 million barrels per day, which would have reduced the country’s dependence on fuel importation.

For instance, Amakpe Refinery Plant, one of the companies that got a licence was configured to process 6,000bpd of crude oil from Qua Iboe.

The existing four local refineries (445,000 bpd capacity) only contributed about four to 20 per cent in the past five years to the national Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) consumption in the country.

The Guardian’s enquiries revealed that in May 2002, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) granted licences to 18 private refineries to operate out of which only one was able to come on stream.

The successful applicants were: Akwa Ibom Refining and Petrochemicals Limited, Badagry Petroleum Refinery Limited, Clean Waters Refinery, Ilaje Refinery and Petrochemicals, Niger Delta Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited, NSP Refineries and Oil Services Limited, Ode-Aye Refinery Limited, and Orient Petroleum Resources Limited.

Others were Owena Oil and Gas Limited, Rivgas Petroleum and Energy Limited, Sapele Petroleum Limited, Southland Associates Limited, and South-West Refineries and Petrochemical Company, Starex Petroleum Refinery Limited, The Chasewood Consortium, Tonwei Refinery, Total Support Refineries, and Union Atlantic Petroleum Limited.

As at 2010, Amakpe International Refinery Incorporated with capacity to process 12,000 bpd got its approval to operate revalidated in 2007, but got stuck due to political reasons in Akwa Ibom State.

Resources Petroleum and Petrochemicals International Incorporated with capacity to process 100,000bpd, located in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, also got its Approval To Construct (ATC) revalidated in 2010. Sapele Petroleum Limited with 100,000bpd located in Sapele, Delta State, also got its ATC revalidated in 2010. Rehoboth Natural Resources Limited, with capacity to process 12,000bpd got permission to operate in 2008, but applied to convert ATC to Licence To Establish (LTE) as 2010.

Amexum Corporation with capacity to produce 100,000bpd, complained of lack of financing which stalled the project’s takeoff. Antonio Oil, located in Ogun State, with capacity to produce 27,000bpd, commenced civil and structural works on its site, but was unable to go farther.

Gasoline Associates International Limited Refinery, located in Ipokia Ogun State, with 100,000bpd capacity got its LTC granted and was also unable to continue.

Ologbo Refinery Company Nigeria Limited, located in Ologbo, Edo State, with 12,000bpd capacity, completed its engineering package, but its licence was not renewed by DPR and could therefore not go further.

On the upfront start-up fee, DPR sources noted that “ultimately, the government reconsidered and accordingly reduced the fee in line with investors’ expectation; in spite of this concession, the investors still failed to show serious commitment; raising funds locally was obviously a problem, as bank interest rates of 20 per cent and above would make borrowing for such a project a suicidal mission!

“On the other hand, much cheaper foreign loans required certain sovereign guarantees that government did not consider necessary. Other investors demanded a free market pricing policy that eliminated subsidies, as the uncertainty and time lag related to subsidy refunds could jeopardise the ultimate success of such ventures.”

When it became evident to DPR in 2007 that the majority of the 18 oil refinery licencees in Nigeria did not have either the financial resources or engineering expertise or the zeal to follow DPR’s specific guidelines, it cancelled all the outstanding licences and only a few reapplied under more strenuous guidelines.

The source said that when it became evident that the investors were complaining of the stringent conditions, the DPR removed the statutory $1million performance deposit required from investors, for the establishment of private refineries in Nigeria.

He said: “The government had realised that the deposit requirement was a disincentive to investors who were willing to establish refineries in the country. The requirement, which is contained in the “Guidelines for the establishment of hydrocarbon processing plant (Refinery & Petrochemicals) in Nigeria,” states that a $1million refundable deposit is to be made by an investor for every 10,000bpd refinery capacity to be established.

He stated that this move was part of government’s strategy to encourage private sector participation in crude oil refining and also her desire to locally refine 50 per cent or more of Nigeria ‘s crude oil.

The DPR revoked earlier licences issued to investors in 2004, citing lack of credible milestones by the companies, and introduced the 2007 revised guidelines, which contained the $1million refundable deposit requirement.

He added that the government had reviewed the law that guides the establishment of private refineries and was now awaiting the final approval.

On the process of getting the licence, the DPR source stated: “The first stage is to get a licence to establish. The next stage is the submission of the basic engineering design package of the plants to the DPR at the completion of which an approval to construct would be granted to only those who meet the specifications. Those firms given the licences usually have up to two years to meet the requirements of the second stage, or lose the preliminary licences.

“Successful applicants are expected to meet the necessary requirements under this stage within two years of issuance of the preliminary licences. Companies that fail to meet the above requirements within the stipulated period will automatically lose the preliminary licences.”

The last stage of approval is a licence to operate a future plant, which would affect only companies that successfully go through the second state.

He said that over the years, many of the applicants got stuck at different stages of the processes of the projects and their licences were withdrawn.

A top official of an International Oil Company (IOC), who spoke on the condition of anonymity, tied the company’s participation in investing in private refinery to the quick deregulation of the downstream sector.

He said that a deregulation policy was the best solution to petroleum scarcity in the country, stating that it was the only condition on which the company would invest in building private refineries in the country.

According to the source, “we believe that deregulation is the best way forward for the oil and gas industry and the country because if the sector is deregulated, private operators would be able to build new refineries and there would be healthy competition.

“We cannot go into refining because the business environment is not conducive right now. The banks are not ready to give out loans for such investment and we cannot approach our shareholders. There are so many loopholes. We do not know the quantity of fuel being brought into this country. Smugglers are smuggling fuel into this country on daily basis and how do you think we would be able to make it? It will not be easy competing with big refineries outside the country. Our company is selling off some of its refineries around the world because of its inability to compete.”

He stressed that if the issue of subsidy continued to drag, it would be difficult for practitioners in the industry to build a new refinery.

He said the company would continue to operate as a profitable and resilient organisation, able to compete effectively in a fully deregulated downstream industry.

Reacting to this development, the President, National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. Herbert Ajayi, called for an incisive review of the factors that made those previously granted licences for refineries not to start operations, with a view to putting right whatever could have been wrong.

“All private operators previously granted licences for refineries should be re-invited to partner the government and be assured of the supply of feed-stock of crude oil, the refusal of which, NACCIMA understands, aborted their intervention,” it urged.

He stressed the need for government to look critically into the law that abolishes illegal refineries.

He said: “NACCIMA believes if these illegal refineries are made legal and is effectively done, it would boost local supply capacity of petroleum products, create jobs and invariably may also reduce prices when competition fully takes its course.

“We have watched with dismay the continuous destruction of small refineries classified by government as illegal in the country. We believe that the action of government/Ministry of Petroleum Resources is not the best given the current problem confronting the country in the petroleum sector; as it would further compound the sector’s supply chain of petroleum products. To ensure strict compliance and standards with the laid down criteria by the operators of the small (but now legal) refineries, there is the need for the DPR to assume effective supervisory role,” he said.


http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107238:how-investors-stall-govts-drive-for-private-refineries&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

Hon. Suraj Adekunbi



The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC) has summoned Ogun State Speaker, House of Assembly, Hon. Suraj Adekunbi, over alleged inflation of car contract.

It was gathered that there was inflation on the 28 cars  (Toyota Avensis) bought for members House of Assembly as official vehicles at the rate of N6million each by the Speaker.

The Speaker, is however, expected to appear before the commission in Abuja today over a petition that was written against him. The Speaker, is also, expected to appear in Abuja alongside the Clerk, Deputy Clerk and some principal officers of the Ogun State House of Assembly.

It was gathered that the invitation letters from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been received by the speaker and other invitees.

The allegation against the speaker reads “for conferring unfair advantage and inflating the price of 28 Toyota Avensis car bought for the honourable members as official cars to the inflated amount of N6million per Avensis.”

Meanwhile, the Media Consultant/National Coordinator, National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps, Folu Olamiti,  confirmed the invitation extended to the Speaker and other members of the Assembly by ICPC



http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/contract-scam-icpc-summons-ogun-speaker/133109/

POLITICIANS and government officials who steal from Nigeria’s till with the intention of salting the loot away in Swiss banks may soon have difficult times, as the Swiss government has vowed to expose public officers who stashed away looted funds in the country’s banks, following the country’s new laws which frown on anonymous bank accounts.

In a related development, the Swiss government also declared that the son of Nigeria’s late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Abba, still had a case to answer in Geneva for supporting a criminal organisation, despite the return of his late father’s looted $700 million by the government of Switzerland to Nigeria.

The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Hans-Rudolf Hodel, who spoke exclusively to Sunday Tribune through email enquiry, made these revelations. He declared that henceforth, criminals who used his country as a haven for their illegal wealth would no longer be accommodated.

He gave details of how the fund looted by Abacha was returned to Nigeria as well as how the World Bank participated in the review of the use of the returned looted funds, but did not name the criminal organisation linked to the son of the late Head of State.

He noted that the entire $700 million Abacha loots blocked in Swiss bank accounts had been returned to Nigeria.

Hodel told Sunday Tribune that “proceedings for support of a criminal organisation are still pending in Geneva against Abba Abacha, the son of the former Nigerian president,” but added that “as this is an ongoing case, we can give no further information.”

He said: “In December 1999, Nigeria presented to Switzerland a formal request for mutual legal assistance involving the former Head of State, Sani Abacha. On the basis of Swiss legislation, the Swiss authorities were able to gather, thanks to a close partnership with the Nigerian authorities, all relevant information and to proceed, between 2005 and 2009, with the restitution of the funds to the Nigerian government.

“Switzerland and Nigeria agreed to request the World Bank to participate in the review of the use of the funds in the framework of a budget control process of various welfare projects. Additionally, Switzerland funded a project of an NGO network which monitored the use of the recovered funds in the various development projects such as rural electrification, economic development, roads, primary health care and vaccination programmes, basic and secondary education as well as provision of potable water and rural irrigation executed by several Nigerian agencies.”

In a revelation that could prove catastrophic for the army of Nigerian public officials and others from the Third World countries, who have taken Switzerland as the sanctuary for hiding funds looted from their countries, the Swiss Ambassador declared that “Swiss banking secrecy protects the privacy of bank clients, but it is not unlimited. If there are suspicions of criminal activities such as terrorism, organised crime, money laundering or tax fraud, it is lifted and the authorities are given access to banking information. No anonymous accounts exist in Switzerland.”

He concluded that “money laundering was recognised as an offence in the Swiss Criminal Code since 1990. On 1 February, 2009, various improvements in Switzerland’s anti-money laundering arsenal came into force, enabling Switzerland to stay abreast of the more sophisticated international standards.”


http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/775-we’ll-expose-nigerian-treasury-looters-—swiss-govt-•says-abacha’s-son-still-wanted-in-switzerland-•public-office-holders-with-loot-in-swiss-banks-in-trouble