Legislature
Senate admits, its on same page with FG over N48b oil theft surveillance contract
***Confirms $2b has been lost to oil theft since January
The Senate has indicated that it is on same page with the federal government over N48b Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s oil pipeline surveillance contract to apprehend oil thieves as it insisted there are both formal and informal approaches to solving the oil theft issue
The Federal Government had awarded multi-billion naira Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s oil pipeline surveillance contract to a former militant leader in the Niger Delta and ex-commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo amidst opposition
The N4bn per month contract, which covers the Ijaw-speaking part of Bayelsa State (Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor local government areas), Delta, Ondo, Imo and Rivers states, had attracted a groundswell of opposition from some stakeholders in Bayelsa, Ondo, Imo and Rivers states.
However the chairman Senate ad-hoc Committee that investigated oil lifting, theft and the impact on petroleum production and oil revenues, Senator Albert Bassey Akpan while addressing newen on the report of his committee which he presenred at plenary said the effort of the Government in tackling oil theft was yielding positive results
When asked while he was silent on the involvement of none state actors in addressing the oil theft he said they were in agreement with the action of Government.
He said, If that contract was contracted duly and procured we don’t have any issue with it and if they yield desired outcomes I don’t think there is anything wrong
“We must commend NNPC because as we speak FOCADOS Terminal had been restored 500 000 barrels to our national production and just the day before yesterday the first 87000 barrels per day was received at the Bonny terminals so things are getting better.
“This means that the abridged interventions done recently by government is yielding results if not all the 500 000 barrels would have been stolen and you know the effect in terms of employment.
The committee chairman who could not identify any oil thief in its report said
“I think what is most important is that we must accept collective responsibility for what have befallen this country`s oil and gas industry because the oil theft did not start today, it started since 2004 as in the captured by the report and I believe a stich in time would have saved nine
“Taking the Saudi Arabia example, the country understand and know exactly how much volume is produced and in that country oil pipelines are just on the streets and nobody is tampering with them because the pipelines are in line with the current technology.
“When we we flew the region we could not see the right of way of these pipelines and when you cannot see the right of way how can you ensure effective surveillance
“I must also let you know that these pipelines were installed in the 40s and the 60s so I must tell you that one of the key things that we must embark upon is the replacement of all the pipelines because they have out lived their lifespan we are managing
He said the oil theft has also impacted negatively on the host communities benefits.
“The coming of the PIA had envisaged that all the issues about the host communities benefits and all that would have be addressed but when you see the huge theft and the volume involved it kills the real essence of what the host community trust fund was meant to achieve.
“Based on record the country has lost over $2b since January, how much is our deficit of the country. If we lost $2b that is almost N1.3tr that would have taken care of our fiscal deficit and enhanced the implementation of the capital budget.
“We can not allow criminals to bring the country to its knees. I believe the committee has done an extensive work
Meanwhile, the ad hoc committee, after the investigation, failed to disclosed those behind crude oil theft but instead said all stakeholders must accept collective responsibility for what have befallen the country’s oil and gas industry.
We are not here to apportion much blame, because when you do that you don’t get anything solved. Everybody must take their responsibility, theexecutive must also take responsibility.
Senator Akpan, said apportioning blame would not curb oil theft.
The panel, in its recommendations, said, “Curtailing crude oil theft should be a collective responsibility thereby well-meaning members of the public must be encouraged to report illegal activities and transactions in stolen crude oil that may come to their knowledge from any part of the world.
“Nigeria should seek international financial collaboration to check illegal Letters of Credit used to fund the sale and purchase of Nigeria stolen crude, as such illegal crude sales can only be transacted through the world financial system.”
It also urged the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to deploy an online real time monitoring system across all upstream oil and gas production platforms to ensure accurate measure of production volume.
The National Assembly has modified the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act to prescribe life imprisonment for individuals found guilty of storing, transporting, or concealing illicit drugs and substances.
The amendment was adopted on Thursday during plenary, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, following broad support from the senators.
The amendment reflects a harmonised position of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Section 11 of the NDLEA Act.
The House had earlier passed an amendment prescribing life imprisonment for drug traffickers, while the Senate had proposed the death penalty.
To reconcile the differences, a conference committee of both chambers was convened. Senator Tahir Monguno, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, presented the harmonised version to the Senate.
He urged lawmakers to adopt the House’s position of life imprisonment, arguing that enforcing the death penalty could lead to the execution of over 900 accused persons currently awaiting trial for drug-related offenses.
The Deputy Senate President who presided over the plenary had put the resolution to a voice vote, and the majority of senators supported the amendment.
The approved version stipulates life imprisonment for offenders.
The amended section now reads:
“Anybody who is unlawfully involved in the storage, custody, movement, carriage, or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances and who, while so involved, is armed with any offensive weapon or is disguised in any way, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and liable on conviction to be sentenced to life imprisonment.”
This amendment aims to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking while addressing concerns over human rights and the judicial implications of the death penalty.
The move is part of efforts to curb the growing menace of drug trafficking and its adverse effects on Nigerian society. According to Senator Monguno, the life imprisonment penalty strikes a balance between deterrence and humane judicial practice.
With the amendment, the NDLEA now has a robust legal framework to prosecute offenders and combat drug-related crimes effectively.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly’s approval for a $2.209 billion (₦1.767 trillion) external borrowing plan to finance part of the ₦9.17 trillion fiscal deficit in the 2024 budget. The loan, included in the 2024 Appropriation Act, is critical to the government’s broader strategy for economic recovery and growth.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu noted that the borrowing aligns with the provisions of Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (DMO) Establishment Act, 2003. He also indicated that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the plan.
The President explained that the funds would be sourced through Eurobonds or similar external financial instruments. A detailed summary of the loan’s terms and conditions accompanied the letter to guide legislative scrutiny.
“This borrowing is necessary to address the budget deficit and fulfill our fiscal strategy for 2024. Swift approval will enable us to move forward with mobilizing these funds,” the President stated, emphasizing the urgency of the request.
Senate President Akpabio referred the matter to the Committee on Local and Foreign Deb
By Isah Bala
Access to quality education is a cornerstone of societal progress, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is embodying this vision by bringing transformative educational tools to Kogi Central. In a groundbreaking initiative, the senator recently provided 5,000 digital learning devices to public primary and secondary schools in her district, aiming to bridge the digital divide and set a new educational standard.
The devices, unveiled at Abdul Aziz Attah Memorial College (AAAMCO), are preloaded with the Nigerian curriculum from UBEC and internationally acclaimed educational resources, including Khan Academy and Discovery Kids. Through this initiative, students will experience interactive learning, enabling them to explore subjects in depth, enhance digital literacy, and engage with complex topics in a hands-on way.
This project is just the beginning of Senator Natasha’s ambitious plan to make “smart schools” the norm in Kogi Central. She envisions a future where every child in her district has equal access to digital learning, stating, “My dream is to equip all public primary and secondary schools in Kogi Central with digital learning devices before the end of my tenure in 2027.”
Beyond device distribution, the senator’s initiative includes UBEC-led teacher training to ensure educators are equipped to integrate these tools into their classrooms effectively.
With this dual approach of student and teacher empowerment, Senator Natasha is laying a foundation that will support digital literacy and skill development for years to come.
Senator Natasha’s commitment to educational advancement represents a significant step forward for Kogi Central, ensuring that young students have access to the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. This initiative marks her dedication to the constituency that entrusted her with this mandate.
-
Crime1 year agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News10 months agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi1 year agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi1 year agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro8 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News10 months agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu