₦airaland Forum

Maxymilliano: The country cannot afford to revert back to State capitalism because the time is simply not there for any form of expermenting, the citizens are asking questions and the government is trying hard to provide answers. Working out a template for a return to State capitalism will only take us back to where we are coming from.

The rehabilitation of the existing refineries is on already and to be done in phases, the impact is yet to be felt because it is the company that designed and build the refineries that was contracted, and it will require a sort of technical evaluation by the firm before the rehabilitation can commence, but the company assured it will be done in 18 months.

The Greenfield refineries is a different kettle of fish, the government has identified choice locations for the refineries to be sited but many issues arose in the course of the feasibility study where governors of some of the chosen States were accused of influencing the decision on the accepted locations. An example is Kogi State, where the former governor, Abubakar Idris was accused of using his position to influence FG decision on the choice of location of the greenfield refineries to be sited in Kogi, this is not an issue to be ignored and that's why the government is ensuring that the I's are dotted and the t's are crossed to avoid causing unnecessary and avoidable disaffection among the denizen of the host communities before kick starting the project.

To say that government cannot engage in state capitalism is dereliction of duty. I have not argued against deregulating the sector, I have only stated that Nigeria is not ripe for it "now". The infrastructures to accelerate deregulation are not on ground, no genuine investor will come in now that there is power problem, crude oil theft, vandalisation of pipelines etc.

Maxymilliano: Glad you talked of State capitalism, but is this not the same thing we've tried over the years and it's not working? Would there have been any need for deregulation if the whole downstream sector is working efficiently? The idea of Stae capitalism may have worked elsewhere but it is simply not working in Nigeria and will you have preferred the staus quo to remain? The idea of deregulation was not just conceived yesterday, same vein fuel importation did not started yesterday, but must things be allowed to continue like that?

Talking of palliatives, I hope the government looks into this and improve upon the Sure-P of a thing, but concluding that a government that is trying to do the necessary evil to ensure a long lasting solution to the perennial problem associated with the downstream sector is bereft of ideas is disingenuous of you.

If state capitalism does not work for us its because we have had inefficient governments in the past but that is not to say that GEJ cannot set in the right template for it to work after all he made promises of establishing greenfield refineries and rehabilitating existing refineries while contesting for elections. In january he promised to put in palliatives and gradual phasing out of subsidy before full deregulation. This shows he is not consistent as a leader to all of a sudden renege on earlier promises

Maxymilliano: "The statement contended that tha January protest would seem a child's play compared to what might follow ant ATTEMPT to deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry..."


Question to be asked is did NLC as led by Omar have any other option to the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry? Subsidy removal in any part of the World is synonymous to price increase, so what is the NLC president whining about?

This was the same subsidy removal that was strongly resisted and rejected by Oshiomole as NLC president when Obasanjo attempted a partial removal of subsidy but is it not the same Oshiomole that is now championing the cause of subsidy removal today?

IMO, there is no alternative to deregulation and the NLC should rather channel its energy to reforms in the judiciary to ensure quick dispensation of justice so that the various probe reports alluded to by Omar can be easily and quickly dispensed with, this will go a long way to better off the country without making the citizens to be worse off.

They may be no option to full deregulation of the downstream sector in the long run but what palliative measures have the government put on ground before embarking on full deregulation? What has the government done with the price differential of 32naira? Nothing.
A country like China who import most of its crude oil for refining recently reduced the price of petroleum products, why is Nigeria with its abundant oil attempting to increase price of petroleum products? Many OPEC states are into State capitalism, where government own refineries so why is our government not copying them? This government is simply bereft of ideas

Sincere 9gerian: I dont think we should TRIVIALIZE this thread or be SARCASTIC about it.
The journalists that will be there live to ask him questions will definitely come to this thread and pick some questions. More over the numerous aides of the president will also go through these questions and bring them to the notice of the president in future. This is a democracy, we should use the privillege of FREE speech and every opportunity to have an audience with the president POSITIVELY and to the FULLEST. The issue of calls not going thru at every presidential media chat can also form a question for the president and his aides

I didn't know you are the media consultant to the President on NL affairs.

Will you be forwarding the questions to Okupe or Abati? How are we expected to ask questions when calls wont be put through? Do you think GEJ have answers to the above questions? He will simply tell you he doesn't give a damn!

Maxymilliano: So who are the prime suspect if i may ask? was Obasanjo and Abdusalami directly involved in the Halliburton scandal or do you see the duo collecting the alleged bribe directly? from the report i posted "the Inspector General of Police has directed the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Force Criminal Investigations Department to resuscitate the investigative report of the CP Ali Amodu-led panel that investigated the scandal and submitted its report in 2010" So how else do you expect the government to go about the case? unlawfully arresting people without verifying your facts and evidences?

Na today? This information have been in the public domain for quite sometime now. The truth is GEJ does not have the GUTS to prosecute them or even those with ties to them.

Maxymilliano: Sorry bro but is it not this same report we read that "Under pressure from the United States, President Goodluck Jonathan recently directed that the files on the $180 million Halliburton bribery scam be reopened and the principal suspects re-arrested for prosecution?. You may want to argue that he was pressured into taking such action but is it not better late than never? Below is what was reported by Vanguard few weeks ago.

$180m Halliburton scandal: FG orders re-arrest of principal suspects

There were indications in Abuja, Tuesday, that the Presidency has directed the Police to re-arrest the principal suspects in the $180million Halliburton bribery scandal, involving prominent Nigerians, for prosecution.

This is sequel to the insistence by the US authorities that the $130million presently in the US government coffers, will be returned to Nigeria only after the culprits were prosecuted as the Americans have done.

As a result of the directive, Vanguard gathered that the Inspector General of Police has directed the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Force Criminal Investigations Department to resuscitate the investigative report of the CP Ali Amodu-led panel that investigated the scandal and submitted its report in 2010.

Consequently, such principal suspects like the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Dominic Bello; former federal Permanent Secretary and Intercellular boss, Ibrahim Aliyu; former GMD of NNPC, Gaius Obaseki; former Special Assistant to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Domestic Affairs, Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju and a former Secretary to the board of LNG, Mrs. Anthony are to be re-arrested for prosecution.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/180m-halliburton-scandal-fg-orders-re-arrest-of-principal-suspects/

Bros if you fool us finish make u tell us. Is it by reopening of the files? You and I know that GEJ would never be as emboldened as to arrest the prime suspects. Recently it was in the news that GEJ paid accolades to AbdulSalam and OBJ is his benefactor. No wonder rumour has it that he would have preferred a presidency of Romney than Obama's. If GEJ get liver then we dare him to prosecute OBJ!

Does he have anything important to say? Such a Useless Chat were the panel are selected by the President's Media team and Calls will be barred so as not to embarrass GEJ with questions he will likely not have answers to. Na dem Sabi

[quote author=GARRI (x7)]The guy dey vex die.....

And he's a very intelligent chap.[/quote]Shouldn't we all be angered? A government that labels those who have a dissenting view as a "collective children of anger" or an opposition

Omojuwa Beware, this government does not welcome criticism

Gbawe: Don't mind them. Some are here celebrating sleaze while the world sees dishonesty, cluelessness, deceit and corruption - ultimately wrapped up in the notion that the President is a weak and clueless character who does not have any understand of what is going on around him. Are we no longer meant to have confidence in the announcement of the spokesman to the Presidency?

If Manitoba is re-instated, then all the pressure - online and otherwise - would have paid off. Somehow, I doubt this will happen. The GEJ Government , when cornered, has a penchant for 'theatrics' exemplified by Otedola/Farouk and Ribadu/Orasanye/Otti saga.

They have already decided to sack Manitoba and draft in 'one of the boys'. The condemnation has shocked GEJ same as the subsidy protest prompted several insincere actions including the empty promise of wage cut, the formation of the Ribadu task force and the propagandist promotion of the 'panacea' of SURE which has delivered nada to date.

They stall for time here as usual. The real strategy , in my opinion and going from what has been seen from this Government time and time again, will then be to go on to discredit Manitoba and validate whatever it is they have done or want to do.

Don't mind those silly clowns who likes taking credit for others toil. If it was not for the public outcry they would have maintained the status quo,

Demdem: Just 8 Plots out of total 27,000 plots, me think El-rufai is a hero here. As long as his family members paid for those plots and not dashed, its ok by me. Good one El-rufai.

You dey mind them. If El Rufai is guilty of any impropriety, is it not the job of Reno's boss to prosecute him? This government have perfected a way of shifting our focus when the heat is on them. To day its him, tomorrow its Buhari, next is Tinubu and so on while Reno's boss continue his inefficiency

ehie: BUT THAT IS HIS JOB,HE IS WHAT GOEBBELS WAS TO HITLER,TELL A LIE LONG ENOUGH IT BECOMES A TRUTH,HIS JOB IS TO PROPAGATE PROPAGANDA,LIES AND DECEIT AND DISCREDIT ANYONE WHO IS SEEN AS A THREAT TO JONATHAN,
WE HAVE PEOPLE LIKE THAT IN HISTORY, GOEBBELS TO HITLER,WALTER AFANAGORO TO ABACHA ETC,JUST BROWSE TO HISTORY,HE IS NOT THE FIRST NOR WILL HE BE THE LAST

I totally agree with you ma'm!

gentleoyink: Why are you so confused. The company in question has said they have not received any official document of such. So where did the issue of Govt. revoking the contract come from?

Direct your question to Abati who made the pronouncement on behalf of the president

thelastPope: NL is filled with Nigerians in diaspora so I don't take most of the comments seriously. I stopped to buy papers this morning and everyone by the paper stand agreed that the subsidy should go once and for all because they all have realised that the marketers are holding everyone to ransom. Go to the depots. Go to the loading points. Some of you think you are fighting against Jonathan but GEJ does not own an oil company or oils wells.

Fuel subsidy should be removed and the market deregulated. Then Nigeria will be set on a new course towards greatness. Keeping fuel subsidy is like prosponing our progress. It just has to go.

You bloody hypocrite. If it was Fashola you would have screamed on how he is punishing the masses without furnishing them with palliatives to cushion the effects of deregulation, but since it is GEJ you have no qualms.
On a lighter note, I am also in support of full deregulation provided the Government is able to provide palliatives

ITbomb: Who is confuse now. Is it you who believe whatever sh¡t u read in paper or the govt who have made their position very clear that it is a review.

Airhead, is Abati no longer the spokesperson to the President or did he come out to refute what was published in the papers? So because government conceded to the outcry that followed their earlier stance by back-tracking I shouldn't voice my concern? M-U-M-U

Why is Reno so obsessed with El Rufai? Rather than concentrating on your job, you spend the whole time stalking El Rufai on social media and giving him undeserved attention. Why won't El Rufai feel he is larger than life when your boss seem confused!

Willy7: Bros take am easy,try and read well before commenting,d Op never said shame,he meant rare appearance,meaning its not an everyday or common practice of d oba to be seen publicly,or visiting d state house.

Sorry I have retracted my earlier stance

Why is this government so confused? Days ago government was said to have revoked the contract and now they are reviewing it.

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Maxymilliano: Yes, the recommendations will be made known to Nigerians 'coz the whole World is watching with bated breath and the President will not want to squander the little goodwill he enjoys.

He deserves commendation for this. Let's just hope that the white paper has a detailed policy
plan in achieving probity and accountability in the oil and gas industry.

Maxymilliano: Bros, the experience hands and seasoned technocrats you clamour for have already played their part in the initial reports and their far reaching recommendations should not be difficult to work upon.

I don hear you. The most important thing is for the recommendations in the White paper be made known to Nigerians

[quote author=Frank-C]Government draft white papers, not technocrats as you put it. This is actually a selection of some people within the FEC to come up with a White Paper on the 3 report. It would have been called a committee if the government (FEC) goes outside the FEC to get people to do the job. There are actually 3 white papers expected, not just the one from Ribadu's team.[/quote]You did not understand my earlier submission. Government needs experienced hands 'cos they will need to filter out what is unnecessary from the report and adds government recommendations to it, do you expect mediocre to do this job simply because they are ministers. There is no law that states that white paper should only be drafted by ministers for the government. Good luck on all the reports, what Nigerians demand for is transparency

@Taharqa, full deregulation is the best option provided government is able to provide immediate palliatives. It will turn Nigeria to the Rotterdam of West Africa and provide employment opportunities.
Its good that the PIB is being considered, my fear is the politicisation of the bill and the influence the IOC's will want to exert to frustrate its passage.
the 445000bpd is an agreement between OPEC and Nigeria so it has nothing to do with the IOC's. Its our quota for local consumption, government only decided to be selling it through traders due to the poor state of our refineries but with full deregulation a reduced price from the international market price will be an incentive to refiners and it will reduce cost of petroleum products. The 445000bpd is not from the 2.5mbpd for exportation

Way to go on the PRSTF Report but my concern is on the calibre of those constituted to draft the white paper, one would have expected seasoned technocrats to help Government do the job.
Lastly, the content of the White Paper recommendation should be made known to Nigerians

taharqa: apologies @take dat, the comment was not complete; it is now

Beautiful, those are well thought out plans but it will take some time to get them in place. Additionally, the government can sell its 445000bpd at a cheaper rate to genuine importers to bring the price down cos the biggest fear of full deregulation is the changes in price of crude oil. The gradual phasing out of subsidies is the best for now until those frameworks are put in place.

taharqa: Great observation except @emboldened (dont think any ne would set up a Refinery cs of Diesel, PMS is the ecnmic cash-cow for Refiner).

But like a said though: great observation. Its about time those groups against the Deregulation policy sat dowm with Gvt and set some conditions necessary for the full Deregulatin of the sector and Timelines for this (esp as most f them do not oppose the eventual Deregulation per se). Some of the cndition can include:

Yea I agree on the diesel part. I doubt if anyone would be against deregulation of the downstream but the institutional framework and palliatives to make it a success are not yet on ground.

No one is against full deregulation but where are the palliatives to ease the initial discomfort of deregulation. Is Canada the same as Nigeria? Is the standard of living in Canada same as Nigeria?Why is it that diesel has been deregulated for sometime now and no importer of diesel is yet to build a refinery and its price is still high? May God save Nigeria from clueless and inhumane leaders.

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Olanlere11: @take dat Do we have a perfect nation? USA that is often seen as a role model is currently facing secession threat, not forgetting that the comparison we often make is erroneous. These countries existed hundreds of years before nigeria gained independence. I bet you, we will be better than they are now, when we are that old. They once face these challenges. We will conquer too.

No Nation is perfect i agree but you see concerted efforts for improvement in a determined country, Rwanda and Botswana are two good examples in Africa. That the US gained independence a hundred years before ours does not mean we shouldnt aspire to be like them afterall our President earns more than Obama, our governors own private jets.

Joeadamu86: what are u implying?you want to tell me that there no hope for Nigeria?that despair will not be shared by many,nobody is saying that Nigeria doesn't have problems but most of these problems are external we just believe everything the west say,shouldnt we have our own minds,positive thinking and patriotism can and will take us out of this murky waters.

Stop blaming the West for all that is not right with Nigeria. Is the West responsible for our bad roads, poor standard of education, poverty and bad governance? Where will positive thinking and patriotism lead you to when we keep having clueless people as our leaders? I am sorry to disappoint you but i am not an incurable optimist.