The Economy
FRSC Seeks Nationwide Ban of Commercial Motorcycle
The recommendation forms part of the October Road Traffic Crash (RTC) Report 2016, submitted by the Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The report made available to the News of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Oyeyemi as saying that commercial motorcyclist, remained a major cause of fatal road traffic accidents across the country, hence the need for state governments to consider banning them from operating.
Five Oil Firms Implicated In Diezani’s $153million Scandal
Five oil companies have been linked with the $153million seized from former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, The Nation learnt yesterday.
The chief executives of the oil firms are believed to have gone underground to evade arrest, prompting investigators to believe that they may have opted to forfeit the cash.
But the source of the cash sparked a row last night following claims by a suspect that the $153million was sourced by the former minister from the five oil firms and not the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The suspect said the $153million was another tranche of funds mobilised under the table by Mrs Alison-Madueke from oil companies for the re-election of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Bankole, Obanikoro, Okupe, Others Meet Over S’West Economy
A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, DimejiBankole; a former Minister of State for Defence, MusiliuObanikoro; and a former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, DoyinOkupe; were among members of the Yoruba Patriots Movement that met behind closed door on Monday in Ibadan.
Also at the meeting were the National Coordinator of YPM, Oladosu Ladapo, a former Defence Minister, Kayode Olatokunbo, a former deputy governor of Osun State, Fatai Akinbade, Senator Ayo Adeseun, Prof. Soji Adejumo, Wole Oyelese, Saka Balogun and Dotun Oyelade.
Although Bankole and Obanikoro refused to grant interview to pressmen that approached them at the end of the meeting, Ladapo said they met to discuss a common economic agenda for the South-West.
Customs Seizes Truckload Of Pump Action Rifles In Lagos
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted a truckload of smuggled arms at Apapa Port in Lagos yesterday. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Ahmed Ali, who displayed the suspected exhibits at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ in Ikeja said the consignment of 49 boxes contained a total of 661 pieces of pump action rifles concealed with steel doors and other goods.
This interception has further raised anxiety about the security of lives and property in the wake of lingering terrorism, kidnappings, armed robbery and other criminal activities across the country. It has also exposed the security lapses at the nation’s ports which make prohibited goods to pass through them undetected.
Lawyers Seek Review Of Judges Appointment, Remuneration
Some lawyers in Abuja have urged the Federal Government to review appointment of judges and remuneration of state prosecutors in order to expedite lingering court cases. The legal practitioners called on government to appoint judges based on merit, saying that wrong choice of judges and poor remuneration affected the country’s judicial system.
The legal practitioners made the call in Abuja on Tuesday while speaking in separate interviews. A Principal Partner, Royal Chambers, Mr Michael Oguntayo, said that most times, mediocre judges were appointed in place of competent ones who had many years of experience.
Power ‘ll Improve This Year, Says Eko Disco Chief
The Managing Director/CEO, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Mr. Oladele Amoda, yesterday assured that power supply will improve this year. He said stakeholders in the electricity sector know the source of the power problems in the country.
Amoda, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said the Federal Government is finding ways to solve the problem of gas supply to the power generating plants by engaging the militants in the Niger Delta in peaceful discussions.
Jos Communities Reject Polio Vaccine, Want Food Instead
Some communities in Jos North Local Government of Plateau have refused to participate in the ongoing immunisation exercise against polio, citing hunger as their reason.
“The communities have shunned entreaties by the immunisation officers; they say the vaccine should be replaced with food,” Mrs. Hannatu Davat, a local immunisation officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria, in Jos on Monday.
The immunisation exercise, which began on January 28, is co-sponsored by the local government and the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the Nigerian Rotary Club.
Nigeria Gains $22million From Bonny Light Crude In December
The price of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude oil was the second highest in December among members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Counties (OPEC), rising from $42.20 in November to $53.91 per barrel.
This means the country gained about $11.71 per barrel in December. Nigeria therefore may have added $22 million to its foreign exchange earnings when multiplied by current production of 1.9 million barrels per day in December.
The gain also boosts Nigeria’s capacity to fund its N7.3 trillion 2017 budget, and if the gains continue, may reduce the dependence on external borrowings to fund the budget and other development projects.
Guardian
Companies
AXA Mansard, Uber Collaborate On Insurance Cover
AXA Mansard Insurance has partnered Uber to announce an innovative insurance policy to cover riders while on the road.
With this partnership, AXA Mansard will provide insurance cover against death, permanent, total or partial disabilities, medical and funeral expenses to riders during any trip with Uber in Nigeria.
According to a statement by the insurance firm, the insurance cover also protects Uber driver-partners and riders against damage to third-party property that may occur while they carry out their Uber App-initiated activities.
Heritage Bank Stresses Importance Of Reward Schemes
Heritage Bank Limited says its customer reward schemes are meant to encourage and express gratitude to its teeming customers for their loyalty to the bank.
The lender recalled that two reward schemes, ‘MyHeritageReward’ and ‘HB Concourse, were launched last year in line with its commitment to deliver superior customer service.
In a statement on Sunday, the lender said the schemes had been delivering value to its customers since their launch last year.
Seplat Suspends Trading On Shares For Two Months
Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc says dealings on its shares will be in a closed period between January 29, 2017 and expiring on March 30, 2017.
Within this period, dealing on the company’s shares would be suspended. The oil firm said the development was in pursuant to Clause 17.2 of the amendments to the listings rules of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
The company was said to have filed this development to the NSE on Monday.
Emerald Energy Faults $45.7m Debt Allegedly Owed Chinese Firm
Emerald Energy Resources Limited, operator of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 141, has faulted the alleged $45,730,697.57 it was claimed to have owed Chinese Export and Credit Insurance (SINOSURE), describing the publications on April 7 and 14, 2016 editions of THISDAY as injurious and defamatory to its reputation.
In a protest letter by the law firm of TEMPLARS, which was addressed to THISDAY, the law firm said the offensive materials were published against its clients with the active connivance of a firm of legal practitioners, Kusamotu & Kusamotu, which acted for China Export and Credit Insurance.
FirstBank Provides Secure Cash Transfer Services
First Bank of Nigeria Limited in effort to providing bespoke and accessible banking offerings to its teeming customers is making money transfer services available nationwide to provide customers with alternative transaction channel that is safe, convenient and a flexible means of funds transfer all year round.
These services are also available at weekends as well as on public holidays from some dedicated branches. With Western Union, customers can conveniently receive money from abroad and send money from Nigeria to over 200 countries and territories Worldwide and recipients can receive funds straight to their accounts.
Yinka Folawiyo Petroluem Taps Century Energy on Aje Field
Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum (YFP) have engaged indigenous oil services group, Century Energy Services Limited-CESL, raising the bar on Nigerian Content development in the streaming of Aje field, an offshore oil concession which brings Lagos State into the league of oil producing states in the country.
Industry analysts see this as “a remarkable milestone capable of rekindling the hope of the Agencies such as DPR , NAPIMS and NCDMB who have the responsibility of growing Nigerian Content to an ambitious level of about 50per cent by 2020 and re-invigorating the Nigerian -Can- Do -It spirit in the nation’s oil and gas industry.”
Brains and Hammers Partners Kano Government on Landmark Economic City
The Kano State Government has entered a joint venture development agreement with Brains and Hammers Ltd, a foremost real estate and infrastructure development company in Nigeria, for the development of Kano Economic City (KEC), a centre of trade and commerce on 117.2 hectares of land of global standards.
A statement by Brains and Hammers monday said the KEC will be strategically located along the Zaria-Maiduguri Road, a gateway to the historic city.
“This is going to be the newest market in Kano, a city boasting of 1,000 years of continuous existence as a centre of commerce,” the company added.
CBN, AGF Trade Blame Over Oil Bloc Account
At the public hearing on the investigation of $22billion OPLs and Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) conducted yesterday by the Gideon Gwani-led ad hoc Committee, the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation ( OAGF) refused to take responsibility for the records.
The CBN was given a seven-day ultimatum to provide documents to ascertain whether the payment of application fees, royalties, signature bonuses and other fees were actually made by oil frms.
Also, the committee resolved that the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Funsho Kupolokun, should appear before it over the ceding of marginal fields to oil and gas operators.
The committee began investigation into the award of all OPLs and OMLs by the Federal Government to ascertain whether due process and guidelines for the acquisition of oil and gas assets were complied with.
SEC Extends Recapitalisation Deadline For Operators To March This Year
Again, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the extension of the deadline for market operators to comply with the minimum capital requirement by three months, from the initial December 31, 2016. This means that operators have till March 31st to increase their capital base.
The extension followed a plea by stockbrokers, who had requested additional six months to enable them comply successfully. The fact that the market regulator keeps pushing forward the deadline is indicative of the extent of illiquidity in the market, which is characterised by economic meltdown and dwindling purchasing power of the masses, thereby making investment in stocks unattractive.
Acquisition Of Mobil ‘ll Raise Investors’ Confidence’
The Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Mr. Oscar Onyema, has expressed confidence in NIPCO’s ability to ensure continuous investors interest in the capital market following its 60 per cent stake acquisition in Mobil Oil Nigeria (MON) ,
Onyema who gave the assurance during a courtesy visit with its management team to NIPCO’s office in Apapa, Lagos described the deal as one of the largest acquisitions in the downstream sector.
He said the strategic acquisition will enhance the company’s continuous growth and expansion as well as add increased value to investor and other stakeholders in the country.
Politics
Breaking! Former APGA Guber Candidate Tata Rejoins PDP
The 2015 All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA gubernatorial candidate in Katsina Abdullahi Umar Tsauri ‘TATA’ has rejoined Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
At a grand reception to usher him into the party, Tata was received by the party’s leadership under Salisu Majigiri.
Ambode Appoints Three PS
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved the appointment of three new Permanent Secretaries in the state public service.
According to a statement on Monday by the acting Head of Service, Mrs. Folasade Adesoye, the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are Temidayo Erinle, who will oversee the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure; Mrs. Adetutu Liadi, for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; and Dr Atinuke Onayiga, for Primary Health Care Board.
Rerun: Army, SARS chief, Others Shun Wike’s Panel
The Nigerian Army and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Rivers State, Mr. Akin Fakorede, on Monday, failed to honour the invitation of the commission of inquiry set up by Governor Nyesom Wike.
The panel was established to investigate the killings and other violent acts that occurred during the December 10, 2016, election rerun.
Crisis: Police Seal Off Ondo Assembly
The Ondo State Police Command sealed off the state’s House of Assembly Complex on Monday following the lingering leadership crisis.
The crisis began on Friday after the Speaker, Mrs. Jumoke Akindele, was purportedly suspended together with two other principal officers of the assembly by 14 members of the lawmakers.
The other two suspended officers are the deputy speaker, Mr. FataiOlotu, and the majority leader, Mr. IfedayoAkinsoyinu
Gov Aspirants To Pay N9m Each For Posters
The Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency, on Monday, said governorship aspirants in the state would pay N9m each before they could be allowed to display their posters in any part of the state.
The agency threatened to sue any aspirant, who contravenes the regulation.
The Managing Director of ANSAA, Mr. Jude Emecheta, stated this while speaking with journalists in Awka, the state capital.
Emecheta, who said the law did not permit indiscriminate pasting of posters, added that aspirants must pay before displaying their posters.
