Oil companies buy refined Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, from illegal refineries in various host communities in the Niger Delta region, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited allegedly declared on Monday.

It declared this in the presence of international and domestic oil and gas companies at the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week Conference holding in Abuja. This was not contested by the oil firms present at the event.

Tantita is a security company headquartered in Warri, Delta State, focusing on the oil and gas sector, and offers security solutions specifically designed for oil and gas assets. The firm currently offers security services to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Speaking as a panellist at the session titled, “Exploring Nigerian Content Solutions to Meet Energy Demand,” the Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Services, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh said illegal refineries produce diesel in large volumes and their customers include many downstream operators. 

He said the outfits get patronage from not just smugglers, but also from oil companies, stressing that the clampdown of these refineries by Tantita and other security agencies was the reason why diesel prices had been on the increase.

“Why is there no scarcity of diesel while there is scarcity of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol)? The story is simple, most of the diesel you buy is produced by the communities.

“About 90 per cent of the diesel in the fuel stations is produced by the communities. It will also interest you to know that even the oil companies patronise the local communities. Don’t let anybody deceive you, they (oil companies) also patronise the local communities,” he declared. 

Enisuoh explained that to provide Nigerian content solutions to meet energy demand, concerning infrastructure, “we might need to focus more on the local communities.”

He insisted that if not for the interventions of security agencies such as his firm, the production of diesel illegally would continue to increase.

“The reason why the price of diesel is high today is because of the works of private security companies like my company Tantita Security Services.

“This is because we have been able to somehow cut down on a lot of the businesses of the illegal refineries. This is why you see the cost of diesel going up,” he stated.

On April 10, 2024, The PUNCH reported that NNPC declared that a tugboat conveying suspected illegally refined diesel was apprehended by operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited.

NNPCL had stated that the tugboat was being escorted by a marine police boat in Rivers State before it was arrested by the security outfit, adding that five persons on the boat were currently being interrogated by Tantita.

“On Monday, April 1, 2024, the Tantita Security Services team on patrol pursued and arrested a tugboat – Aya Oba Olori II, which was being escorted by a marine police boat in Rivers State. 

“The tugboat was laden with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally refined AGO which was loaded from a barge at Onne dock on March 31. Five persons onboard the tugboat were arrested by Tantita team and are undergoing interrogation,” NNPC had stated.

In another development on the sidelines of the NOG conference, the Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, led Nigeria’s delegation in a meeting with the African Petroleum Regulators Forum.

He said members of the forum, comprising regulators from various countries on the continent, would work together to harness and judiciously utilise the 125 billion barrels of crude oil reserves in Africa.

He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards fostering a more collaborative, innovative, and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa.

“The establishment of the AFRIPERF signifies our commitment to working together to overcome common challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead so that we can achieve our national aspirations in the development and utilisation of our hydrocarbon resources.

“Currently, Africa holds substantial oil and gas reserves. The continent’s proven oil reserves are estimated to be around 125 billion barrels, representing approximately seven to nine per cent of the world’s total oil reserves, while the proven natural gas reserves are estimated at around 620 trillion cubic feet, which is about seven to eight per cent of the global total (Mondaq),” Komolafe stated.

He noted that aside from hydrocarbon resources, Africa is blessed with potential for green and blue hydrogen, solar, wind, biomass and critical minerals for the development of clean energy technologies as well as a growing population predominated by young people representing a huge economic asset.

…Says FG’s Planning ‘National Social Housing Funds’ For All

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa on Monday, lamented that 80 per cent of Nigerians cannot access affordable housing because of financial constraints.

This, the Minister noted, accounted for the major causes of the housing deficit in the country.

The Minister stated this in his keynote address at the opening of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition, held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Kaduna on Monday.

He noted that the major issue governments at all levels have to address in their desire to deliver sustainable to the the citizens, was the issue of affordability.

The Minister added that statistics had shown that almost half of Nigeria’s population of over 200 million were poor and had weak purchasing power.

He said, “in fact of the 43 million households, over 85% have less than N1.1 Million Purchasing Power. Of this 40% (about 17.2million households fall into the poverty income group and 47% (about 20.2million) fall into the low-income group.

“On the whole, statistics reveal that Nigeria is a low-income country as it has only 13% of its population as middle class. The recent macroeconomic challenges including inflation have made things worse.”

Against this backdrop, the Minister said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, was planning to establish a National Social Housing Fund.

According to the Minister, under the NSHF, the Federal Government is aiming to pull funds from the government budget, philanthropic organisations and well-meaning Nigerians towards providing decent shelter for Nigerians with no income, low income and vulnerable brackets who cannot afford to own their homes.

“Some of these units will be delivered at no cost. We have developed the concept note that is undergoing review. Once concluded we will present it to the Federal Executive Council for approval and legislation.

“Social housing is not only a necessity, it is also a security insurance for the rich and the poor. Because housing is capital intensive and the government has limited funds, we must find alternative collective avenues to help our brothers and sisters who are underprivileged. It is for our collective good.

“In this way, the underprivileged will know that we are one; that we are our brother’s keeper and that will help social cohesion, understanding and peace. This is because home ownership gives individuals a sense of belonging and a stake in the community,” the Minister said.

The Minister also commended the Governor Uba Sani-led government of Kaduna State for its practical, inclusive and pragmatic vision for housing delivery which led to the organisation of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition.

Earlier in his remarks, the governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, said provision of affordable houses for citizens of Kaduna State, was a key priority of his administration and committed to addressing the housing deficit across the State in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said that the state government had adopted a holistic approach towards filling the identified gap through partnership with local and international investors to frontally address its housing deficit.

He said, “Qatar Charity in partnership with the Kaduna State Government is constructing Mass Housing for the Less Privileged and Kaduna Economic City, all in Millennium City, Kaduna. I recently performed the groundbreaking for the construction of the 3319 Hectares Nuru Suraj Ungwar Dosa New Extension Layout.

“This project is being executed through a Public – Private Partnership. Nuru Suraj and Kaduna State Government are working together to develop 35,000 plots for our people.

“The Social Housing Scheme was introduced in order to provide affordable accommodation as a social service for the vulnerable populace (the low income earners). Efficient design and construction methods, which are key indicators that drive the affordability target of the scheme, were employed.”

The Governor also stated that his administration has attracted many investors (Real Estate Developers) and has partnered with them in the construction of mass housing estates across Kaduna metropolis under PPP arrangement.

On his part, the Managing Director Kaduna State Development and Property Company, Abubakar Rabiu-Abubakar announced the launch of two social initiatives: ‘the Arewa Construction Academy and the KSDPC Housing Cooperative Society,’ demonstrating the state’s commitment to social investment, skill development, and addressing the housing needs of low and middle-income families.

He also said KSDPC was set to embark on certain key housing and housing infrastructure projects including the Ultramodern Mechanics Village for the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis, featuring an Electric Vehicle (EV) Assembly Plant, CNG Conversion Stations, EV Charger Manufacturing, and strategically located EV charging points, A 5-star Hospital with Doctor Quarters.

“A private university to be known as ABSAAR University, a Building Materials Village to service the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis, A Trucks and Heavy-Duty Mechanics Village, which are expected to attract and facilitate the construction and delivery of at least 2000 mixed-type housing units across Kaduna metropolis within the next 5 years.

“This exhibition is a testament to our efforts to transform aspirations into tangible results, ensuring that Kaduna State remains a beacon of progress and opportunity for all its residents,” the KSDPC boss said.

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has said the removal of fuel subsidy and devaluation of naira by President Bola Tinubu were right policies wrongly implemented.

The Professor of Political Economics said both the petrol (fuel) subsidy and defence of naira by the previous administration of ex-president, Muhammadu Buhari, and CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele was not the best policy for the country.

Moghalu said what was wrong with the execution of the removal of the fuel subsidy and suspension of naira defense against the US Dollar was that President Tinubu failed to put measures in place to cushion the effects of the policy on the citizens.

He said the President “hurriedly”, without proper planning for consequences, removed fuel subsidy. He added that the President announced the floating of the naira without monetary tightening and a substantive CBN governor.

“The petrol subsidy and the forex subsidy were unsustainable. The fact that wrongheaded execution of their removal – removing the petrol subsidy hurriedly without proper planning for consequences and alternative transport solutions for the people, and floating the exchange without first tightening monetary policy and without a substantive Central Bank of Nigeria Governor with a real plan in place — is a very different thing from whether those reforms were needed.

“The issue was, and is, competence of conception and execution. Framing and executing evidence-based public policy is a real challenge for Nigeria and many African countries. I say this because the reality of the suffering faced by Nigerians should not confuse us as to why the situation is this way. My position on the fuel subsidy and exchange rate subsidy, given our country’s fiscal realities in 2023, remains consistent and not populist,” the former CBN Deputy Governor said.

Experts have continued to question “fuel subsidy is gone” statement of President Tinubu on his inauguration day on May 29, 2023. Also questioned was the government’s decision to allow naira to gain its strength against foreign currency.

An Economist, Olayiwola Adejare Lawal, in an interview, said Nigeria’s economy being import-dependent requires subsidies to grow.

Lawal said the federal government’s decision was against the local economics of Nigeria. He said economic advice against fuel subsidy and in support of naira floating would affect Nigeria’s economy.

Moghalu, however, said if policies to incentivize productivity and exports were put on ground before the fuel subsidy removal and naira float were carried out, the policy would have been beneficial.

The President of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation Africa further said the leaders have also failed to sacrifice while asking citizens to bear the pains of necessary but poorly executed policy,

“Beyond this, executing painful reforms requires the legitimacy of shared sacrifice. That such a sacrifice on the part of the political leaders of Nigeria is absent, while asking citizens to bear the pain of necessary (although incompetently executed) reforms damages the legitimacy of the reforms.

“If it is accompanied by policies to incentive productivity and exports it would be beneficial,” he added.

Jan Vertonghen would wish he wasn’t included in Belgium’s national team squad for Euro 2024 as he helped France to end his team’s campaign in the round of 16.

Jan Vertonghen who has played 156 times and scored ten goals for the Belgium national team was arguably the most experienced player on the pitch in the France vs Belgium clash. Unfortunately for him, he left the pitch with his head covered in shame.

The scrappy first half of the round of 16 clash at the Merkur Spiel Arena ended in a 0-0 draw giving the Belgian side hope that they could come up with something tangible in the second half.

They were able to hold their own against the French side in most parts of the second half as the game was relatively balanced.

While Belgium looked good in midfield, they weren’t looking that convincing in the final third. France looked more dangerous in the final third throughout the game as they recorded 19 shots but only two were on target.

Jan Vertonghen’s woes in the game started in the 76th minute when the 37-year-old defender who currently plays for Belgian side, Anderlecht, received a yellow card for his harsh reaction against Kolo Muani.

Nine minutes later, the worst happened to him in the game when he scored an own goal that gifted unconvincing France a 1-0 win and ended Belgium’s run in the Euro 2024.

France who had masked Kylian Mbappe to bank on for 90 minutes couldn’t score a goal of their own but they wouldn’t have much to complain about as they make it to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

The Federal Ministry of Works has terminated contracts with three companies due to non-performance on the dualization of the Obajana-Benin road project.

The companies are Mothercat Ltd, Dantata & Sawoe Construction Ltd, and RCC Ltd.

In a statement on Monday by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works, Orji Uchenna, said the termination was necessary due to the inordinate delay and failure of the companies to fulfil their contractual obligations.

The Minister, David Umahi, directed engineers to take over the sites and measure the work done to facilitate the takeover from the companies.

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He noted that the contracts, worth billions of naira, were awarded in 2012 but were abandoned by the contractors, leaving road users to suffer due to the deplorable condition of the road.

The Minister warned that the government will not tolerate acts of unseriousness and sabotage by contractors, stating that “going forward, all funded but non-performing contracts shall be terminated.”

This move is seen as a bold step by the Renewed Hope administration to address the country’s infrastructure challenges.

“We will not condone any act that will hinder our progress. We are determined to change the narrative of Nigeria’s road infrastructure”, Umahi said.

The terminated contracts include Contract No. 6136 with Mothercat Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section II (Okene-Auchi) in Kogi/Edo State; Contract No. 6137 with Dantata & Sawoe Construction Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section III (Auchi-Ehor) in Edo State; Contract No. 6138 with RCC Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section IV (Ehor-Benin) in Edo State.

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, has announced that it has fixed the date to conduct local government elections in the state for October 5.

The Commission, on Monday, released its guidelines in view of the conduct of the council elections in the state.

This was coming as the police in the state have maintained the occupation of the local government area council secretariats following the leadership crisis rocking the councils.

Following the expiration of the tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors of the 23 LGAs, the governor of the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, inaugurated Caretaker Committees pending the conduct of council elections.

However, the development had sparked protests by the outgone chairmen loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.

They are insisting that the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly had extended their tenure by six months in the repealed Local Government Administration law of the state.

However, RSIEC met with the leaders of political parties and major stakeholders in the state, over conducting the elections.

Rep James Faleke (Ikeja Federal Constituency) has called on Nigerians to treat the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country with the same level of seriousness they applied to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Faleke made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently reported that 53 deaths due to cholera had been recorded in the country.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, stated that the Federal Government had activated the National Emergency Operation Centre for cholera.

Idris said, “As of June 24, 2024, 1,528 suspected cases and 53 deaths were recorded across 31 states and 107 LGAs with a case fatality rate of 3.5 percent since the beginning of the year.”

Reacting, Faleke said Nigerians should do more to curb the cholera outbreak.

“Every Nigerian needs to be careful; our attitude to cleanliness matters,” he said.

Faleke urged Nigerians to be more cautious about what they eat and drink.

“The way we took COVID-19 seriously is the way we should take this cholera outbreak.

“Cholera has killed many people. We expected that, in this modern age, we should not be experiencing an outbreak of cholera in Nigeria.

“However, it has come; so, we have to deal with it. People should be more careful with what they eat and drink.

“There are many fake products out there. Stop consuming fake products. You don’t have to drink just anything; take clean water,” he advised.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has declared that he has no regret as governor because he surpassed all his election promises.

Obaseki said he has impacted all areas and sectors since assuming office as governor.

Addressing journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital, the governor said his government has laid a solid foundation for the state’s progress and development.

According to Obaseki: “As Edo State Governor in these last few years, I don’t have any regrets. In fact, when I look at my manifesto, what I said I was going to do; I’ve surpassed everything I said I will do.

“I have exceeded everything I said I will do and there was not one area I mentioned, that I talked about that I didn’t have a kind of impact on.

“I’m a realistic person. One administration or one governor cannot do it all. What I have done is to lay a foundation and by the grace of God, we have a successor who will continue to build on that, in the direction that I started with and someone who shares the same values of service to the people.

“Democracy is not a destination in itself; it is a process. It will always be better; things will always be better than when you met them.”

Justice James Omotoso of a Federal High Court, Abuja has just dismissed a N1 billion suit filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu against the Federal Government and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The Judge held in his judgment that the IPOB leader failed to show evidence that his conversation with his lawyers was bugged by the DSS or that his lawyers were stopped from taking notes from him during the conversation.

Justice Omotoso therefore held that there was no evidence before him to show that he was denied a fair hearing as claimed in his suit.

Consequently, the court dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.

Kanu had, through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, filed the N1billion suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1633/2023 for the enforcement of his fundamental rights while in detention.

In the originating motion dated and filed December 4, 2023, the applicant sued the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), DSS and its DG as 1st to 4th respondents respectively.

The suit was filed pursuant to Order II, Rules 1 & 2 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, among others.

In the motion, the detained IPOB leader prayed for, “a declaration that the respondents’ act of forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents pertaining to facilitating the preparation of his defence which were brought to him at the respondents’ detention facility by his lawyers, amounted to denial of his rights to be defended by legal practitioners of his own choice”.

He also sought a declaration that the respondents’ act of refusing or preventing his counsel from taking notes of details of the counsel’s professional discussions/consultations with him at DSS detention.

This, he said, amounted to denial of his right to be given adequate facilities for the preparation of his defence by legal practitioners of his own choice.

Ecuador ground out a nerve-jangling 0-0 draw with Mexico to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Sunday as Venezuela sealed top spot in Group B with a 3-0 win over Jamaica.

Ecuador, needing only a point against Mexico in Glendale, Arizona to advance on goal difference, withstood a furious late onslaught from ‘El Tri’ to reach the last eight.

Mexico launched wave after wave of attacks in the final quarter, with Johan Vasquez forcing a save from Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez in the 71st minute, six minutes after Santiago Gimenez struck the post with a shot from close range.

There was almost a dramatic twist deep into eight minutes of time added on, when Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar awarded what would have been a winning penalty to Mexico after Ecuador’s Felix Torres appeared to foul Guillermo Martinez in the area.

The Mexican-dominated crowd erupted in delight only for the celebrations to be cut short when VAR instructed Escobar to review the decision.

Replays showed Torres clearly got a touch on the ball in his challenge on Martinez and the penalty was overturned.

Ecuador will now face Group A winners Argentina in the quarter-finals in Houston on Thursday.

Venezuela, meanwhile, will take on Group A runners-up Canada in Arlington on Friday as they chase a place in the semi-finals.

The Venezuelans, who were already assured of a quarter-final place after wins over Ecuador and Mexico, preserved their 100% record against winless Jamaica.

Eduard Bello headed Venezuela into the lead after 49 minutes, nodding home at the far post after a perfectly weighted cross from Jon Aramburu.

Veteran striker Salomon Rondon then doubled the Venezuela lead on 56 minutes, latching on to a through ball from Yangel Herrera and then smuggling a low finish into the net past advancing Jamaica goalkeeper Jahmali Waite.

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A decisive victory was sealed in the 85th minute when Eric Ramirez was sent through on goal by Kervin Andrade before coolly finishing past Waite.