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  • [MUST READ]FBI releases dirty details of how Hushpuppi bought embattled ‘super cop’, Abba Kyari with N8m

    [MUST READ]FBI releases dirty details of how Hushpuppi bought embattled ‘super cop’, Abba Kyari with N8m

    More details have emerged on the alleged shady deal between suspected internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi, and Nigerian Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

    The details are contained in court documents filed by the United States Government against Huspuppi, Kyari and four other suspected members of an internet fraud syndicate.

    The U.S Government named Ramon Olorunwa Abbas (Ray Hushpuppi), Abba Alhaji Kyari (Deputy Commissioner of Police), Abdulrahman Imraan Juma, Vincent Kelly Chibuzo, Rukayat Motunraya Fashola and Bolatito Tawakalitu Agbabiaka as defendants in the criminal complaint it filed before the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

    The complaint was filed on behalf of the U.S government by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent, Andrew John Innocenti.

    Meanwhile, following reports linking him to Hushpuppi’s alleged fraudulent activities, Kyari had on Thursday denied the allegations in a statement he posted on his Facebook page.

    But in the court documents seen now made public, the FBI agent provided text messages, photos and transcripts of WhatsApp calls exchanged between Hushpuppi and the Deputy Police Commissioner.

    The document showed how DCP Kyari arrested and detained a member of Hushpuppi’s clique, Vincent Kelly Chibuzo, at the behest of the alleged fraudster.

    Hushpuppi told Kyari that Chibuzo had tried to expose a fraudulent scheme and divert the proceeds intended for him and a member of his clique after they fell out.

    Part of the document reads: “ABBAS then arranged to have KYARI arrest and imprison CHIBUZO in Nigeria for attempting to redirect fraudulent proceeds intended for ABBAS and JUMA to himself, to keep CHIBUZO from interfering with the scheme. This section discusses those events and KYARI’s involvement in the conspiracy.”

    “On January 15, 2020, this time using WhatsApp, ABBAS sent an audio recording to KYARI, stating, essentially, that he wanted to remind KYARI about what they discussed earlier,” referring to his request for Kyari to arrest and detain Chibuzo.

    “On January 16, 2020, ABBAS sent the following threats to CHIBUZO: “I dey always tell people to think well before they offend me and make them make sure they fit stand the consequences when the time comes. I won’t say more than that but very soon, very very soon, the wrath of my hands shall find you and when it does, it will damage you forever. At this point I no get discussion with you, u have committed a crime that won’t be forgiven, that is punishable and you shall receive die punishment in due time I swear with my life you will regret messing with me, you will even wish you died before my hands will touch you.”

    The document further showed that, “Also on January 16, 2020, ABBAS sent a message to KYARI on WhatsApp, and then placed five calls to another phone number (+2348060733588) that was listed as “ABBA KYARI.” Call records show that the last three of the calls were answered and that one of the calls lasted more than two minutes.

    “Shortly after that, ABBAS received a message from KYARI, confirming “We would pick him today or tomorrow.” ABBAS wrote, “I will take care of the team also after they pick him up.” KYARI confirmed “Yes ooo.”

    “ABBAS planned to pay the Nigeria Police Force officers who arrested CHIBUZO for that service. This was not the only time that ABBAS arranged payments with KYARI.

    “On May 20, 2020, ABBAS sent KYARI transaction receipts for two transactions from accounts at Nigerian banks (GTBank and Zenith Bank) of a person ABBAS knew in the U.A.E.—a person also arrested with ABBAS in ABBAS’ apartment in the U.A.E. by Dubai Police on June 9, 2020—to the Nigerian bank accounts of another person in Nigeria. The amounts on the transaction receipts totaled 8 million Nigerian Naira, which was approximately $20,600 based on publicly available exchange rate information.

    “…on January 20, 2020, KYARI sent to ABBAS biographical, identifying information for CHIBUZO, along with a photograph of him. In a conversation immediately following, ABBAS confirmed “that is him sir.”

    “KYARI stated, “We have arrested the guy . . . He is in my Cell now. This is his picture after we arrested him today.

    “KYARI sent the biographical information about, and photograph of, CHIBUZO to ABBAS using two different WhatsApp numbers—the second of which KYARI said was his “private number.” From that point on, KYARI and ABBAS primarily discussed the arrest and detention of KYARI through WhatsApp on this “private number.”

    “After receiving the photograph of CHIBUZO, ABBAS stated, “I want him to go through serious beating of his life.” KYARI responded, “Hahahaha,” and ABBAS replied, “Seriously sir.” KYARI then asked for details about what CHIBUZO did “on audio,” which KYARI said was “So that we will know what to do.”

    “In response to KYARI’s question about what CHIBUZO had done to ABBAS, ABBAS sent KYARI an audio message, which is transcribed here, describing how CHIBUZO had tried to steal away a fraud victim (i.e., “the job”) from him: “What he did is, I have one job. The job want to pay me 500, umm, 75,000 dollars [i.e., $575,000]. He went to message the job behind me because I told him to help me make one document for me to give the job. Then he went—he has a—I gave him the details. Then he went to message the job behind my back and try to divert the money and in this process he tell the job because of the documents he gave me that I gave the job, he tell the job, “These document they sent to you before. These people are fake. This money—is me who can help you to get it. Come to me le—bring this money you want to pay these people to me. I’m the only one who can help you,” and all these things to divert the job for himself.

    “After listening to the message, KYARI wrote, “Ok I understand. But he has not succeeded.” ABBAS claimed CHIBUZO had taken some money, and provided KYARI with two screenshots, one of which contained the phone number 3054405586 (the phone number CHIBUZO used to contact the Victim Businessperson). The screenshots showed a person contacting the Victim Businessperson and stating that he was providing information to try to “help” the Victim Businessperson. KYARI responded, “Yeah I understand.” KYARI did not request other information or evidence relating to CHIBUZO’s role in the scheme, ask questions about the nature of the transaction, or ask about why CHIBUZO told the Victim Businessperson that ABBAS was “fake.”

    “ABBAS then told KYARI, “Now the [Victim Businessperson] was skeptic to pay me the money cos he keep attacking the [Victim Businessperson] from his end. Now I can handle the [Victim Businessperson] correctly.” ABBAS further told KYARI that he wanted to pay money to send CHIBUZO to jail for a long time, stating “Please sir I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.” KYARI responded, “Ok bro, I understand. I will discuss with my team who arrested him . . . And handling the case. We will do something about it.”

    “ABBAS responded, “Let me know how I can send money to the team sir. let them deal with him like armed robber.” KYARI responded, “OK I will send their account details to u.” ABBAS further wrote, “He betray me and try to take food out my mouth, this is great punishable sin,” and KYARI responded, “Yeah bro.” ABBAS then continued, “I want him to suffer for many years.” KYARI responded, “Hahahaha…Hahahaha.”

    “Approximately six minutes later, KYARI provided the account information for a bank account at a Nigerian bank, Zenith Bank, in the name of a person other than KYARI himself. ABBAS responded “Ok sir, tomorrow by noon,” indicating that he would make the payment to KYARI’s team by the next day.

    “Approximately a month later, on February 19, 2020, KYARI sent a message to ABBAS, saying, “Hello hush with [sic] need to talk about the subject under detention with me.” ABBAS asked “Should I call u on this number sir?” to which KYARI replied “Yes call me.”

    “The following day, KYARI sent ABBAS multiple photographs of CHIBUZO to ABBAS, including close-up photographs showing a rash or skin disease on CHIBUZO’s torso and arms. ABBAS responded, “I don pity am, make them leave am from Tuesday.” KYARI wrote, “Ok bro, they just brought him from hospital. The fever and the rashes is giving him serious Wahala. He got the disease from other suspects in the cell.” ABBAS responded, “I see am, I no too pity am. That’s what people like him deserve but I go forgive am for God sake.”

    “In other words, based on my training and experience with Nigerian Pidgin, ABBAS was essentially stating, in part, “I don’t pity him. That’s what people like him deserve, but I will forgive him for God’s sake.”

    “Based on the date of the messages and later discussion described in paragraph 150, ABBAS was—on Thursday, February 20, 2020-requesting that KYARI not to release CHIBUZO until Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

    “ABBAS then told KYARI that CHIBUZO’s girlfriend messaged him, trying to raise one million Naira to secure CHIBUZO’s release, and said ABBAS promised to contribute 100,000 Naira. KYARI stated “They were thinking it’s normal arrest that is why they think money can remove him . . . No money can remove him here. Hahahaha.” ABBAS added, “But it’s better for them to think that way, I like it like that,” and KYARI responded, “Yeah.”

    “ABBAS then said, “No problem sir from Tuesday he can go,” apparently giving KYARI his blessing to release CHIBUZO from custody. KYARI responded, “Ok bro. We will also keep his phone and other gadgets for some weeks.” ABBAS responded, “Yes those ones they should not give him again, those ones are gone . . . Make he no see those ones again for life,” instructing KYARI not to return CHIBUZO’s electronic devices. KYARI responded, “Yes he will not see it [¶] Again,” indicating that he would accede to ABBAS’ request.

    “ABBAS Defrauded the Victim Businessperson of an Additional $180,000

    “On February 14, 2020—shortly after JUMA had told ABBAS that he would not share the $299,983.58 that he had received from the Victim Businessperson with ABBAS—the Victim Businessperson confided in ABBAS, who was still pretending to be “Malik” the Wells Fargo banker, that s/he believed JUMA had been scamming her/him. ABBAS claimed to be surprised and falsely.”

  • NNPC GMD, Kyari speaks on increasing fuel queues in Abuja, others

    NNPC GMD, Kyari speaks on increasing fuel queues in Abuja, others

    Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari on Tuesday assured that the long queues experienced at fuel stations in Abuja and other parts of the country would soon disappear.

    Kyari gave the assurance on Tuesday while speaking with State House Correspondents, after a routine briefing with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that fuel stations all over the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have started witnessing long queues of motorists struggling to buy the premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol since Saturday.

    The situation worsened on Tuesday.

    However, while fielding questions from State House Correspondents, Kyari, who explained the observed scarcity had been as a result of suspension of operations by tanker drivers, who were protesting some labour issues with their employers, said the worst is over as the strike had been suspended for one week.

    According to him, the tanker drivers, as at Tuesday, had already resumed lifting fuel from depots across the country.

    He added the agreement struck with the aggrieved drivers would enable government to reach a more lasting understanding on the matter.

    “These queues will go away. It’s because there was an industrial action by petroleum tanker drivers against their employers, the National Association of Road Transport Owners around their compensation package and those issues were not resolved up till yesterday, until we intervene to ensure that there’s an amicable settlement between the parties so that they will have peace and then normal loading operations will commence from the depots.

    “As I speak to you at this moment, loading has commenced in all depots in the country, dispatches of trucks are ongoing in all the depots in the country and they have called off the strike for a period of one week to enable us intervene and find a solution. So there’s really nothing fundamental that is happening now,” he assured.

    Asked about government’s plan to end the petrol subsidy regime, the NNPC GMD said government was still in the process of working out the best way out of the current situation, which he assured would be in the best interest of the ordinary citizen.

    “Subsidy is a policy matter, I’m sure you’re aware of this, there are engagements going on within government to get the best framework for having a fully deregulated PMS market.

    ” As this is going on, we are engaging all parties and all stakeholders as government and to make sure that at the end of the day, there’s an exit that is beneficial to the ordinary man.

    “That is why we know we will not be able to complete that in the month of May and and therefore we declared that there will be no increase in fuel price. I have no update in hand now, this is beyond me, but we’re engaging to make sure that we have the right timeline,” he said.

    Asked how recent rising crude oil price at the global market had impacted on the NNPC’s revenue, especially during a season when the country is discussing removal of fuel subsidy, Kyari said: “you know it works both ways. Once prices increase, your revenue also increases.

    “So I don’t have any numbers around it, but I also know that your obligation to price of petroleum increases and your net revenue also increases. There’s a balancing factor, I don’t think there’s anything much to worry about,” he explained.

  • Nigeria doesn’t have resources to build new refineries – Kyari

    Nigeria doesn’t have resources to build new refineries – Kyari

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that the country does not have the financial muscle now to build a new refinery going by the economic situation of the country.

    Mele Kyari, NNPC Group Managing Director, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while engaging newsmen on issues emanating from the proposed rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery approved by the Federal Government last week.

    Kyari said building a new refinery now would cost the country about 10 billion dollars which was far beyond the 1.5 billion dollars earmarked for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery.

    He also said that the country would have to live with importation of petroleum product, especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), for another four years if the country ventures into building a new refinery.

    “We have people saying why not build a new one; why will you repair an old refinery with 1.5 billion dollars?”

    He continued: “The fact is available even by Google search, what it takes to build a refinery of this status today.

    “It will be difficult for the country to build a new refinery as it will take four years for it to commence production.

    “It is around 7 billion dollars and 12 billion dollars to construct a refinery of this nature (Port Harcourt refinery).

    “This is the estimate you see in public space and there are things you do outside the construction battle-limits like the utilities that are never accounted for when estimates of this nature are done.

    “Typically, there is an additional 25 per cent cost for construction battle-limits, so, when you say a refinery can be built at 7 billion dollars or even 10 billion dollars, also think of that 25 per cent.

    “With today’s estimate, you cannot build a refinery at any cost below these amounts, that means that the option you have is to scrap this and build a new one, and we all know that we don’t have that resource.

    “If we start a new refinery of this nature today, it can’t work in less than four years, therefore, it means we will continue to import petroleum products in the next four years or more,” Kyari said.

    According to him, the country did not do well in maintaining the refineries in the past 25 years as the last turnaround maintenance of the Port Harcourt refinery happened 21 years ago.

    He noted that the huge cost of rehabilitation of the refinery witnessed in this present time was as a result of poor maintenance of the plant over a period of time

    “What we are seeing today is the cumulative effect of our lack of doing proper maintenance over a period of time but something has changed today and this is why we are proud to tell Nigerians that we have done something different in the background.

    “This is because we have a government that allowed us to play our role without interference in terms of our procurement exercises and this made the process go unhindered.

    “This has also allowed us to involve every stakeholder including NUPENG and NEITI, to ensure openness and accountability of the process.”

  • Kyari Mourns Festus Marinho, Pioneer MD of NNPC

    Kyari Mourns Festus Marinho, Pioneer MD of NNPC

    The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, has lamented the death of the pioneer Managing Director of the Corporation, Chief Festus Remi Ayodele Marinho.

    A press release by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, stated that Chief Marinho, who passed away yesterday, was the first and only Managing Director of the defunct Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC) – the forerunner of NNPC – and the only one who served twice as Group Managing Director of NNPC having served from 1977-1979 and 1984-1985 respectively. His last appointment was made by President Muhammadu Buhari as Head of State.

    In a condolence message to the family of the late NNPC boss, Mallam Kyari described Chief Marinho as “the Father of Oil & Gas Industry in Nigeria” because of the pioneering roles he played in the crafting of the institutional framework, infrastructural development and international best practices being used in the Corporation till date.

    “His role in refinery and pipeline construction and human capacity development are all testimonies of his contribution to national development,” Mallam Kyari stated.

    He said Chief Marinho’s visionary leadership provided the foundation for what has come to be known as “Nigerian content”, adding that his achievements in the Corporation would be a beacon and inspiration for many future generations of staff and leaders.

    “He was indeed a rare gem and we will surely miss his wisdom and wealth of experience,” the GMD stated.

  • NNPC Committed to Bringing Down Cost of Production, Remaining Competitive – Kyari

    NNPC Committed to Bringing Down Cost of Production, Remaining Competitive – Kyari

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has, for the umpteenth time, pledged its commitment to bringing down the unit cost of oil production in the country to $10 per barrel, so as to remain competitive in the Industry and deliver value to all Nigerians.

    A statement from the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, quoted the Group Managing Director of the Company, Mallam Mele Kyari, as making the pledge during the 20th Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference (NOG) themed: “Fortifying the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry for Economic Stability & Growth” which held virtually.

    Kyari projected that the global demand in the oil and gas industry will remain suppressed substantially till the end of 2020 but, however, noted that despite all the forecasts, oil will continue to play a significant role in the energy mix till 2050.

    “So, it doesn’t mean oil will vanish. What it means is that in terms of its significance, in terms of the volumes of contribution, it will reduce as the years go by. It is also true that many countries have made significant business decisions in the use of fossil fuel, including the United Kingdom, which has said that no car will run on fossil fuel in the next 10 years. This portends a huge change in the way we consume fuel and as we progress, many countries may follow suit,” Kyari stated.

    The NNPC helmsman observed that the ensuing global oil challenge will have an impact on NNPC’s production, which means that the Corporation must become more cost-efficient and be quick to the market.

    “As a National Oil Company (NOC), looking forward to 2021 means we have to be more resilient and efficient in our operations. As a country, we have decided to bring down the cost of our oil production so as to remain competitive, be able to get to market earlier and remain in this game and ultimately, return value to our shareholders,” the GMD added.

    He explained that the NNPC was already working hard to deepen domestic gas utilisation by emplacing the right fiscal environment and the right infrastructure in order to generate more employment and broaden Nigeria’s economy.

    According to the GMD, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was the key enabler that would ensure NNPC’s fiscal environment becomes more competitive and transparent, where investors can project into the next 30 years.

    Also in attendance at the event were some prominent Oil Industry personalities which include the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; the Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo; the Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Sarki Auwalu; Managing Director, Nigeria LNG, Mr Tony Attah and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote.

    In his remarks at the occasion, Chief Timipre Sylva, assessed the state of the sector, agreeing that urgent steps must be taken to ensure its survival.

    “For us in the Ministry of Petroleum, we are looking at the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP), which will boost the use of natural gas in the short and medium terms. It is also part of the plan by the federal government to shift from crude oil to gas. We have initiated actions to improve gas accessibility and availability, and promote gas-based industrialisation as well as economic diversification,” Sylva stated.

    On his part, OPEC scribe Barkindo, noted that in the last couple of months, the oil and gas industry in Nigeria has rebounded by over 116 per cent due to the robust decisions taken by key stakeholders, including President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said played a pivotal role in the OPEC Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) document.

  • Buhari, only Nigerian president that never interfered in NNPC affairs – Kyari

    Buhari, only Nigerian president that never interfered in NNPC affairs – Kyari

    The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Malam Mele Kyari, said that President Muhammadu Buhari never interfered in the operations of the Corporation.

    Kyari disclosed this at a media interactive with National Association of Energy Correspondents in Abuja, on Friday.

    He said that the corporation had the full support of the president to operate effectively for the growth of the industry,

    ” I can tell you that the privledge we have today in this company of having unfettered control without any distraction or inteference to make decisions and be accountable and responsible for our decisions has never happened until this government.

    ” I can tell you this because I have been around for 29 years and have worked closely with top management of the NNPC for about 15 years.

    ” This is the only president who has never asked NNPC to do something.

    “I have the personal privilege to have access to Mr President, to his private audience and I can tell you that under no circumstances has he controlled what we want to do.

    “He only wants to know and be sure that what we are doing is in the best interest of the country,” he said

    He said that migrating to the deregulation of the downstream oil sector was a huge challenge and difficult decision for the president as he understood the pain it would put ordinary Nigerian through.

    According to him, the president supported the decision because government can no longer afford subsidy with harsh economic impact of COVID-19.

    The GMD said that the Corporation’s new focus was on gas development as the most resilient source of energy in the energy transition process.

    ” The only oil and gas that survived during the COVID-19 with minimal negative change was gas. Gas will help the country out of its major challenge of electricity.

    ” The biggest challenge we have here is to take electricity to homes, industries and to use the resources we have to create that enetgy this country needs.

    ” Today for two reasons we are not getting electricity because the production is low and we are not able to transmit it to those who need it.

    ” That means there is bottle neck in transmission and distribution system,” he said

    He said that gas had a lot to offer as it created work and economy that was not existing today noting that it could create industry with many other benefits.

    Kyari maintained that although Nigeria was known as an oil country it is more a gas nation than oil.

    He assured that the Corporation would continue to work to ensure full gas development in the country for economic growth.

  • Deregulation will boost investment in refining — NNPC GMD

    Deregulation will boost investment in refining — NNPC GMD

    The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, says the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria will increase investment in the refining business.

    Kyari made this known in a statement signed by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr Kennie Obateru, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

    He said that the deregulation would also facilitate exponential growth in the nation’s refining capacity.

    Kyari said that though the idea of price stabilisation which led to the introduction of fuel subsidy in the 1970s was noble, it had grown into a huge financial burden on the nation’s treasury over the years.

    This, he said, had necessitated its removal in March, which would free up much-needed cash to fund infrastructural development.

    Kyari said the move would also eliminate market distortions and foster competition between operators.

    The NNPC chief said that it would get more private sector players to build refineries in the country and promote efficiency across the entire value chain.

    He said increasing Africa’s refining capacity as well as quality of fuel required respective refineries to implement sustainable, coordinated pan-African solutions.

    These, he said, would help meet the target fuel specifications and thus protect the health and wellbeing of African nations and their citizenry.

    “It is important to note at this point that the future of our continent does not just lie in our ability to unlock value from our vast natural resources or powering an industrial and economic revolution, but also in our ability to implement proven refining solutions that consider the broader public health implications of our business decisions,” he said.

    Kyari said that NNPC was making concerted efforts to carry out holistic rehabilitation of its refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna.

    He said that the corporation was also collaborating with relevant stakeholders to establish modular and condensate refineries.

    The GMD said it was also supporting private sector establishment of refineries.

    “These projects will be in line with the AFRI standards of AFRI-4 specifications of 50 particles per million for diesel and 150 particles per million for gasoline by 2020, and AFRI-5 specification of 50 particles per million of sulphur in gasoline and diesel by 2030 respectively.

    “Considering that revamp of petroleum products storage depots and associated pipelines is key to optimal operations of the refineries, the Corporation has decided to use a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) strategy to restore these facilities using private sector financing,” he said.

    According to him, this process has progressed significantly, with the process of partner selection ongoing to ensure sustainability of the refineries post rehabilitation.

    He noted that Nigeria was intensifying the use of natural gas to ensure lower emissions.

    Kyari said that natural gas had been identified as the fuel of choice for the future, as it had the full credentials to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The NNPC helmsman said that the outlook for the downstream sector, both in Nigeria and across the African continent, looked bright.

    He said this was so with attractive market conditions, large market and significant crude distillation capacity additions from various refinery projects, improvement of the distribution network and the use of natural gas.

    The GMD called on the refining professionals across the continent to utilise the abundant opportunities for strategic collaboration across the entire downstream value chain toward delivering value for the continent.

     

  • Kyari Lists Parametres to Sustainable Growth in Nigeria Petroleum Industry

    Kyari Lists Parametres to Sustainable Growth in Nigeria Petroleum Industry

    For the Nigerian Petroleum Industry to move forward in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, Tuesday, urged the Industry stakeholders to evolve innovative ways to reposition the Sector for sustainability.

    The NNPC GMD, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Energy Industry Transformation Summit (NEITS) 2020, said Industry players needed to train their eyes on a strategy that focuses on people, partnerships, profit and posterity, a release by the NNPC’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, has stated.

    Mallam Kyari explained that the new normal era brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic has, more than ever, reinforced the need to upskill the human capacity within the Industry for the next phase, and develop the capacity to attract, train and retain people in the Sector.

    He spoke on the theme: “Changing Global Energy Landscape: Repositioning for Industry Sustainability” at the occasion.

    “There must be collaboration across different dimensions; government, Industry, academia and, particularly, with the communities where we carry out our operations. The social license to operate is critical to the Industry’s long term survival. Also, partnership among Industry peers to chart new ways of resolving Industry challenges and preparing for tomorrow cannot be over emphasized. I am delighted the SPE provides such veritable platform,” the GMD submitted.

    He disclosed that for sustainability, Industry players must learn to manage cost, improve efficiency and deliver required cashflow (margins) for reinvestment and expansion, stressing that without creating profit today, “we wouldn’t be in a position to take advantage of the opportunities that keeps us viable and ready for tomorrow”.
    Another key to reposition the Industry for sustainability, according to the GMD, is for Industry players to always act and take decisions with posterity in mind.

    “We must bequeath to the next generation a world worthy to live in. Our operations must therefore be carried out in a safe manner without adversely impacting the environment. As you know, most discussions around energy substitution or green economy stem from looking at the Industry as ‘dirty’ and ‘unconscionable’. It must be reiterated that our Industry remains the bedrock of modern human existence. We must therefore work to create a positive view if we are to remain relevant in the long run,” he declared.

    In his remarks, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, said the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill would ensure that the abundant natural gas resources is used to promote national development.
    He added that in collaboration with stakeholders, the Ministry, under his watch, would promote domestic utilization of gas resources so as to create job opportunities for Nigerians.

    Delivering the keynote address, the President, SPE International, Shauna Noonan, clarified that the concept of energy transition was not to wipe out fossil fuel but rather an aspiration for cleaner energy.

    She said the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council, has a great role to play in reducing energy poverty, noting that energy transition was important for greater value in the global oil and gas industry.

    Earlier in his welcome remark, the Chairman, SPE Nigeria Council, Mr. Joseph Nwakwue, said the society was ready to offer professional services and work with all stakeholders to move the industry forward.

    He informed that part of the society was focused on capacity building to develop the required skill set for the oil and industry operations, stressing that it was what informed the choice of the theme of the conference.

  • Presidency reacts to report on Buhari’s reversal of appointments, 150 memos made by late Kyari

    Presidency reacts to report on Buhari’s reversal of appointments, 150 memos made by late Kyari

    THE Presidency has said that there was no iota of truth on the allegation that President Muhammadu Buhari has upturned about 150 memos and reversed some appointments made by the late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.

    There were media reports recently published, which insinuated that President Buhari has canceled some of the appointments made by his former Chief of Staff, late Mallam Kyari because he (Buhari) was not consulted before such appointments and memos were issued out.

    The Presidency in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu described the report as fake news.

    The statement read, “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to media reports alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari has canceled a number of memos and appointments signed off by his former Chief of Staff.

    Not surprisingly, these reports have quoted unnamed sources. “There is not a grain of truth in these reports and Nigerians should please ignore the insinuations behind them. ” President Buhari was duly re-elected by Nigerians in February 2019. He has not and will never cede to anyone else, that power and trust are given to him by the Nigerian people.”

  • FG lifts ban ‘imposed’ by Buhari’s late CoS, Kyari on Health Ministry procurement

    FG lifts ban ‘imposed’ by Buhari’s late CoS, Kyari on Health Ministry procurement

    There seems to be respite coming the way of the Ministry of Health as a federal policy requesting the Ministry to go through the Ministry of Agriculture for its procurement and other funding needs has been lifted.

    The Health Ministry can now handle all its contracts and procurements without the ‘unnatural’ routing through the Agriculture ministry, a senior government official told The Nation.

    According to reports, prior to the new adjustment, Health ministry with about 119 agencies, apart from its inability to make its own procurements, including stationeries, could not monitor its projects as all funds must be approved by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

    The policy affected the ministry’s ability to monitor the agencies under it.

    Worsening the matter, the Health ministry had to get approvals from the Agriculture ministry to access N10.5 billion approved for the funding of its capital expenditure in last year’s bugdet.

    According to the source, the Health ministry was asked to get approval from the ministry of Agriculture, following a power play between the erstwhile Health Minister Prof Isaac Adewole and the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

    The source said: “One of the causes of friction (among others) between the duo was the Minister’s decision to suspend the then Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf. However, the late Kyari later vetoed it.

    “Whenever the Ministry of Health wants to make procurement, the Permanent Secretary (PS) would raise a memo which would be sent to the Permanent Secretary of the Agric ministry.

    “In some instances, the PS (permanent secretary) of the Ministry of Agriculture would give direct approval while sometimes, he would write a memo to the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Mamman Ahmadu, who would approve based on the Procurement Act.”

    “The lifting of the ban will be of great benefits to the Ministry as it will bypass the administrative bottlenecks that could frustrate the immediate dispatch of responses or activities regarding procurement in government’s health establishments.”