Yola, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Adamawa House of Assembly on Friday passed N244 billion 2019 budget for the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the budget was jerked up from the initial N230.9 billion earlier presented to the House by Gov. Muhammadu Bindow.
The passage of the budget came after a motion to that effect.moved by the House Majority Leader, Hassan Barguma (APC-Hong).
The passage of the bill also followed the consideration and adoption of report on the budget presented by the Acting Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Budget and Appropriation, Abdullahi Yapak (APC-Verre).
Yapak,however, identified non release of fund by Ministry of Finance as the major factor affecting the state performance in the implication of budgets.
He, therefore, urged wholistic implementation of the 2019 budget tagged “Budget of Next Level”
Also speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Lumsambani Dilli (APC-Demsa), stressed the need for committees to ensure strict monitoring of budget implementation to endure the realisation of the desired results.
The House Deputy Speaker, Emmanuel Tsamdu (APC-Madagali), who presided over the plenary directed Clerk of the House to send a clean copy of the approved budget to the governor for his assent.(NAN)
YMU/DUA
Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze to moderate dust haze weather conditions with reduced visibility over most parts of the country on Saturday.
NiMet’s Weather Outlook on Friday, in Abuja, predicted dust haze condition with visibility range of two to five kilometres over the central region.
It added that day and night temperatures of 27 to 35 and 11 to 21 degrees Celsius respectively would prevail over the region.
The agency predicted that the Northern States would experience dust haze condition with visibility range of one to three kilometres over the entire region.
It also predicted localised visibility of less than or equal to 1000m over the region with day and night temperatures of 28 to 34 and 10 to 17 degrees Celsius respectively.
According to NiMet, Southern States will experience dust haze condition with visibility range of two to five kilometres over the inland cities.
“Moderate dust haze is also anticipated over the coastal cities throughout the forecast period with day and night temperatures of 32 to 36 and 15 to 22 degrees Celsius respectively.
“Dust haze conditions are likely over the entire country in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted. (NAN)
OYS/MUYI/IS
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Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Ismail Abdulaziz
2019: Tinubu urges Nigerians to re-elect President Buhari
Re-election
By Sunday Bassey/Isaiah Eka
Uyo, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged Nigerians to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in 2019 to foster continuity, hope and development.
Tinubu made the call on Friday at the APC 2019 Presidential Campaign Flag-off in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
He also assured that the APC government would continue to give Nigerians hope and diversify the country’s economy.
He said that the campaign flag-off in Uyo was an endorsement of what he called continuity of hope and development of Nigeria as embodied by the APC.
According to him Akwa Ibom is the largest producer of petroleum.
He said that the PDP government had ruled Nigerians with “miserable and corrosive economy” in 16 years and urged eligible Nigerian voters not to vote for PDP to rule Nigeria in 2019.
“We are strongly determined to change the coast and redirect the vessel of governance in Nigeria, that is what President Buhari is all about, and that is what APC is determined to do,’’ he said.
The APC National Leader also said that the APC-led government was building foundations for the youths, the elderly and children of tomorrow.
`This is a very successful day and outing, this stadium is filled to capacity for one thing, the progress of our nation, Nigeria, to endorse the continuity of hope and continuity of development.
“We came in 2015 and assured the nation that Nigerian was yearning for change. Change from ineptitude; change from corruption; change from laziness; change from Importation; change with a great meaning for development and diversification of economy.
“Vote for your future and not that of corruption, they took 16 years and gave 16 years of darkness, if only they concentrated on one item like power, Nigeria would have not been in this mess. We are not bringing you (PDP) back.’’
Also speaking, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Chairman, said that the 2019 campaign would be based on issues of integrity, between integrity and others.
Oshiomole said that the APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, was well known in Nigeria and indeed globally.
He urged Nigerians to be wary of the PDP presidential candidate who had “put Nigerians on notice that he will sell the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)’’.
“All I want to do is to present to you the four candidates that will fly the party’s governorship flag for 2019.
“They are: Mr Nsima Ekere, Akwa Ibom; Sen. John Enoh, for Cross River, Mr Great Ogboru, for Delta; and Mr Tonye Cole, of Rivers State,” he said.
The Director-General of Buhari Campaign Organisation and Minister for Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, also said that the APC had delivered on its promises to Nigeria.
Speaking at the flag-off in Uyo, Amaechi said the party had fulfilled its promise to improve the economy, ensure security and fight corruption.
He noted that the party promised to bring about change in the country and it achieved that, adding, however, that changes do not come easily.
He said that the party did not promise to make the Naira equivalent to the Dollar and to bring down the price of petrol.
Amaechi said that the party had created employment for Nigerians, adding that even the opposition had testified to the fact that President Buhari is fighting corruption and is not corrupt.
Ntufam Hilliard Etta, National Vice Chairman , South-South, also said that Nigerians should vote for the party’s candidate in 2019 alleging also that “PDP has destroyed the country for 16 years’’.
Sen. Godswill Akpabio also assured that Akwa Ibom would deliver APC in 2019, adding that “the election is all about integrity versus others”.
“The president has integrity. He has integrity to continue in office. He has completed many projects and initiated new ones. That is why we are going to run the APC presidential election on the basis of performance.
He lauded the president and the party for choosing to flag off the campaign in Akwa Ibom.
Responding on behalf of the four gubernatorial candidates, Ekere thanked the APC for giving them the mandate and assured that they would work hard to ensure victory for the president and all APC candidates in 2019. (NAN)
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The Ebonyi Government on Friday announced the sack of 48 members of the state’s security outfit, Neigbourhood Security Watch and suspended 27 members of the outfit.
Dr Keneth Ugbala, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Internal Security made the announcement, noting that their offences included non performance and absenteeism from duty.
Ugbala said that the affected persons consisted mainly of the newly recruited “Batch B’ members of the outfit who were expected to justify the huge remuneration on them by the government.
“They failed to meet the seven days out of one month compliance on attendance and for the fact that we don’t condone laziness in the state’s workforce, they had to be sacked.
“We gave them several warnings to change their attitude to work but they failed and we have commenced the process of replacing them,” he said.
The governor’s aide noted that those suspended did not measure up to two weeks of attendance compliance required of them.
“We hope that they will learn their lessons and live up to expectations or they will join those already sacked.
“No job opportunity is too small to be abused as they prayed to get it and should therefore be serious with it.
“`Seven out of the 48 sacked members of the outfit were from the Batch A set, while the rest are from the Batch B,” he said.
He directed all the sacked personnel to immediately return all the outfits’ properties in their possession, while those on suspension should face the disciplinary committee of the outfit. (NAN)
RCO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)
By Olawunmi Ashafa
Lagos, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the deployment of its Consumer Complaint Management System (CCMS) to ease the process of addressing issues.
The bank made the disclosure in a circular on its Website on Friday, saying the automated system would help to ease complaint management.
It said the CCMS would ultimately boost Nigerians’ confidence in the banking sector.
The bank also said the move was part of the apex bank’s job to ensure that the banking and finance sector was stable and conducive for all.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in furtherance of its mandate to promote stable financial system, embarked on the development of a Consumer Complaint Management System (CCMS).
“This is an automated system aimed at easing complaints management to engender public confidence in the financial system.
“In view of this development, the CBN has made it compulsory for banks and other financial institutions to abide by three important guidelines,” it said.
The regulator said that the banks would have to to assign a tracking to every complaint received from their respective customers.
It said the banks also needed to acknowledge receipt of every complaint through an e-mailed response.
This, it noted, would also include the tracking number that has been assigned to commence the uploading of all complaints on the CCMS.
The CBN advised banks and other financial services operators to ensure that they adhered to those stipulations which would start on Jan. 2, 2019.
It added, “Failure to do this will attract sanctions in line with the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), Cap B3, LFN 2004.” (NAN)
AWA/FF/PDE
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(Edited by Fela Fashoro/Peter Ejiofor)
I have delivered on campaign promises, you won’t regret voting APC in 2019—Buhari
Buhari
Isaiah Eka/Sunday Bassey
Uyo, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari says he has delivered on his campaign promises in spite of doubts by the opposition.
Buhari stated this on Friday in Uyo at the flag-off of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential campaign in the South-South geo-political zone.
According to him, Nigerians will not regret voting for APC candidates in 2019.
He said he had specifically delivered in the area of security, economy and fighting of corruption in line with his promise to Nigerians.
The president said although the menace of Boko Haram remained a challenge in some parts of the country, the insecurity posed by the group would eventually be eradicated.
He also said that although unemployment remained a challenge in Nigeria, this administration was working to tackle the problem.
He said that his administration had ensured food security and encouraged Nigerian farmers to achieve food security.
Buhari said that his administration would continue to fight corruption if voted into office for a second term in 2019.
“We are arresting corrupt people and prosecuting them and we will not stop. I assure you that we have collected property and collected cash.
“We have put the money into the Single Treasury Account (TSA) and all are going into government account which can be traced and accounted for.
“Nigerians will be informed from time to time how much we recovered and from who and how we are going to use it to develop the country,’’ he said.
He said that APC’s campaign was based fundamentally on three fundamental issues of enhancing the economy, ensuring security and fighting corruption.
He noted that Boko Haram had no stronghold in any local government area in Nigeria at the moment.
Buhari assured Nigerians that Boko Haram would be “a thing of the past’’ if Nigerians re-elected him in 2019. (NAN)
Exploration
By Yunus Yusuf
Lagos, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Some stakeholders in the oil and gas industry have advised the Federal Government to make provision in subsequent national budgets for offshore and onshore exploration activities to encourage new discoveries.
They gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday while reviewing the oil and gas sector for 2018.
Mr Biodun Adesanya, former President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), said in 2018, there was noticeable improvement in the revenue generation occasioned by better oil price and less disruption in export volumes.
“In 2019, we should work harder to sustain and improve on the modest gains of 2018 especially the production and export infrastructures.
“They also need to conduct licensing round.”
Adesanya, who is also the Managing Director, Degeconek Nig. Ltd., urged government to develop the country’s modular refineries to reduce importation of refine petroleum products.
“The modular refinery concept is a good idea but its implementation will be difficult under the existing structure.
“How would it resolve the challenges of the Niger Delta region, how will it be funded?
“How can the crude supply be guaranteed, what currency will the crude be sold to the refineries given that products will be sold in Naira,” he said.
Mr Chikezie Nwosu, former Chairman, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council, said establishing fairly comfortable oil price should be of particular interest to the oil and gas industry in 2019 and beyond.
He said the current uncertainty in global politics had effects on the global economy and that prediction of market trends was becoming increasingly difficult.
According to him, global political tensions add significant uncertainty to an already challenged oil and gas industry; demand versus supply economics.
“The tensions between the USA and Iran, the Saudi Arabian issues with the killing of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the withdrawal of Qatar from OPEC.
“The trade tariff skirmishes between China and the USA, BREXIT and the sudden announcement of the total withdrawal of the USA from Syria, all added to the global tensions,” he said.
Predicating the budget, Nwosu said it depended to a large extent on oil revenues, adding that an oil price of 60 dollars per barrel seemed a bit optimistic.
“A more realistic range will probably be between 40 dollars and 45 dollars per barrel, allowing for windfall receipts if higher, but also providing a hedge against lower oil prices.
“Oil production from the current data as at September stood between 2.03 million barrels per day and 2.3 million barrels per day is possible.
“This, however, provided the 2019 elections are peaceful and the results do not aggravate the Niger-Delta and host and impacted communities.
“It will be good if all four key component bills of the Petroleum Industry Bill are passed by the National Assembly, and assented to by the Presidency, early enough in the year before mid-year 2019.”
Nwosu said that would bring the needed peace to the host and impacted communities, as they become partners in the exploitation of oil and gas resources.
According to him, it will also restructure the industry and NNPC to be more effective, with a world class governance structure.
He said the bill would also attract the necessary direct investments, both local and foreign.
“Markets, including the oil and gas industry, do not like uncertainty and the PIB will go a long way to address the framework for doing business in the Nigerian oil and gas industry,” he said.
Nwosu said of particular importance was the full implementation of the seven big must wins initiated by Dr Ibe Kachikwu and supported by Dr Maikanti Baru which addresses many policy challenges in the industry.
He said unlocking the huge potential of the gas resources would also help in diversifying and growing the Nigerian economy through its impact on power, agriculture and other industry.
He said integrated Oil and Gas Field Development Plans (FDPs) must be emphasised by NNPC and some Urban planning concepts must be encouraged.
This, he said was to ensure that there was leverage on synergies of development by the various operators, especially in offshore developments, and significantly lowering unit technical costs.
He said to encourage investments in exploration, it was important for NNPC to insist that exploration and appraisal plans are an integral part of all FDPs.
Mr Emmanuel Iheanacho, Chairman, Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd., said that in the last 10 years, the demand for refined products had always been on the increase.
Iheanacho said that building a modular refinery of about 1,000 barrel cost over 1.2 billion dollars.
“Building a modular refinery is not easy, apart from citing your refinery beside the sea, one can as well site it near a marginal oil field.
“Finance is the major reasons why most investors in the modular refineries abandoned it.
“No bank is ready to give loan to any investor in modular refineries that is why it is just only two out of 40 investors given licences that were able to build it.
“Government should engage the banks to provide the finance needed for building modular refineries,” he said.
In his views, Mr Muda Yusuf, the Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, urged the Federal Government to review its policy on refined products to encourage investors into the sector.
Yusuf said: “It is a pity that after many years of oil discovery, the country is still importing its refined products for consumption.
“As long as we have oil and gas sector link with the government, private investors will continue to evade the sector.”
The chamber’s director-general also urged the government to overhaul the sector to encourage private investors.
Dr Saka Matemilola, former Chairman, Nigerian Council of Society of Petroleum Engineers, urged NNPC to repair the existing refineries to improve its production.
Matemilola also urged Department of Petroleum Resources not to revoke the licences of investors who were unable to build modular refineries.
According to him, withdrawing the licences will not solve the problems facing the sector.
He said that there was need to work with the licence owners to address the issue of sourcing for finance from the banks to build the refineries.
NAN reports that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in June, confirmed that 10 modular refineries were at advanced stages of development in the Niger Delta.
The 10 modular refineries are located in five out of the nine states in the Niger Delta region.
The states include Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Imo states.
Osinbajo said that two of the refineries, Amakpe Refinery (Akwa Ibom) and OPAC Refinery (Delta State), have had their mini-refinery modules already fabricated, assembled and containerised overseas and ready for shipment to Nigeria for installation.
The total proposed refining capacities of the 10 licensed refineries stands at 300,000 barrels.
Similarly, in November, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said there are strong indications that three out of the 40 planned modular refineries would come on stream by end of 2019.
“Out of the 40 licenses issued, only 10 have shown progress by submitting their programmes and putting something on the ground.
“By end of 2019, we are assured that three private modular refineries would come on stream,’’ he said. (NAN)
YO/BOLA/IS
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Ismail Abdulaziz
Lagos, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) maintained a negative trend, with the market capitalisation shedding N239 billion, mixed sentiments ahead of the end of the year with window dressing by fund managers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation, which opened at N11.576 trillion lost N239 billion or 2.07 per cent to close at N11.337 trillion.
Also, the All-Share Index lost 654.91 or 2.07 per cent to close at 31,037.72 compared with 31,692.63 achieved on Thursday.
Nestle recorded the highest loss to lead the laggards’ table, shedding N137.10 to close at N1,480 per share.
Seplat Petroleum Development Plc trailed with a loss of N50.40 to close at N592.50, while Dangote Cement depreciated by N4.70 to close at N183 per share.
Forte Oil dipped N2.50 to close at N31.85, while UACN went down by N1.05 to close at N9.75 per share.
On the other hand, Stanbic IBTC led the gainers’ table during the day, gaining N2.65 to close at N53.25 per share.
Presco followed with a gain of N1.85 to close at N64, while Flour Mills gained 85k to close at N21.95 per share.
Berger Paint added 75k to close at N8.60, while Mobil increased 70k to close at N185.50 per share.
Mr Ambrose Omordion, Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd., said that trading ended in yet another volatile session laced with profit taking.
Omordion said that the oscillating trend would likely continue into 2019, following wealth economic fundamentals with oil benchmark trading below the Federal Government 2018 and 2019 budget benchmark.
An analysis of the activity chart shows that investors bought and sold 1.96 billion worth N6.54 billion in 4,080 deals.
This was against the 452.26 million shares valued at N2.61 billion exchanged in 3,520 deals.
NEM Insurance led the activity chart emerging as the most active stock, exchanging 909.55 million shares worth N3.01 billion.
Wema Bank followed with an account of 657.28 million shares valued at N335.83 million, while NAHCO sold 98.54 million shares worth N413.24million.
Medview Air traded 76.09 million shares valued at N152.18 million, while Zenith Bank exchanged 39.61 million shares worth N913.71 million. (NAN)
A’Ibom will fall for APC in 2019 says State party’s Chairman
APC
By Isaiah Eka and Sunday Bassey
Uyo Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Mr Ini Okopido, the Akwa Ibom Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has assured that the state would be the first opposition state to be captured by the APC in the 2019 elections.
Okopido gave the assurance in his welcome address on Friday at the flag-off of the APC South-South Presidential Campaign held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
He said with the support the party was receiving from Akwa Ibom the party would win the state come 2019.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari, the party’s flag-bearer for the Presidential poll, who also addressed participants at the campaign flag-off, for the appointments he gave to the sons and daughters of the state in his Government.
“We want to assure you that Akwa Ibom loves you. Akwa Ibom people appreciate you for all the appointments you have given our sons and daughters.
“We assure you that Akwa Ibom people will vote for you and vote to deliver all APC candidates in 2019.
“Akwa Ibom will be the first state to be captured by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections,” Okopido said.
According to him, this shows the confidence President Buhari has in the state and its people.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Presidential campaign launch was a carnival of such, that the Godswill Akpabio international stadium was filled to the brim.
The party’s four candidates that will fly its governorship flag in four South-South states in 2019 were unveiled at the occasion by Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of APC.
Mr Nsima Ekere, Akwa Ibom; Sen. John Enoh, Cross River, Mr Great Ogboru, Delta; and Tonye Cole, Rivers; received the party’s flag at the occasion. (NAN)
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas
Navy
By Edeki Igafe
Warri (Delta), Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy has reiterated its determination to deal decisively with mischief makers who may try to frustrate the 2019 general elections.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, made the remarks on Friday during the official inauguration of the newly remodelled headquarters of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), DELTA.
Ibas, who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Rear Adm. Saidu Garba, urged the youths to conduct themselves in a proper manner before, during and after the elections.
The naval chief also warned his personnel not to engage in any form of politicking and urged them to uphold the statutory duty of the Navy at all times.
”The youths should not come close to any of our personnel requiring any form of political assistance, we are going to apprehend such persons because it is against our regulations.
”They should go about their democratic rights to vote without any form of violence.
”We will be called upon to assist any civil authority in ensuring that law and order is maintained during the elections period.
”Our personnel must as a statutory responsibility be apolitical. We the military men must not be involved in any form of politicking.
”We shall not favour any person or go along with anybody in politics.
”We will give sufficient security to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials that will be going into the waters. Obviously, they must require security.
”Our presence there will enable them deliver their electoral materials as required,” Ibas said.
The CNS also said that Nigerian Navy had increased its surveillance in the sea with the refurbishing of its old vessels and the acquisition of new ones to combat crude oil theft and other forms of criminal activities in the territorial waterways.
”Our patrols in the water has been reinvigorated. We have almost permanent presence in the sea and this means we have not left any room for the thieves and sea pirates to operate,” he said.
Other facilities inaugurated at the premises of the NNS DELTA were: the renovated Parade Ground, the renovated Staff Senior Rate Mess, and the remodeled Fuel Filtration Station. (NAN)
EDI/FF/IS
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ismail Abdulaziz
