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Tag: MoU

  • Nigeria, Niger sign MOU on $2bn Hydrocarbon Pipeline, Refinery projects

    Nigeria and the Republic of Niger on Tuesday in Abuja signed Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) on the construction of two billion dollars Hydrocarbon Pipeline and Refinery in Nigeria.

    The signing of the MoU was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and his Nigerien counterpart Mahammadou Issoufou at the new Banquet Hall, Aso Rock, Abuja.

    Speaking at the event, President Buhari described the cooperation on crude oil export from the Republic of Niger to Nigeria and construction of refinery facilities in Katsina State as a “win-win” for both nations.

    He noted that the initiative would not only provide a reliable market for the stranded crude from the Niger Republic but would also provide petroleum products for Nigeria.

    “Nigeria sees this cooperation on crude oil export from the Republic of Niger and construction of refinery facilities in Katsina State as a “win-win” for both nations.

    “The initiative will not only provide a reliable market for the stranded crude from the Niger Republic but will also provide petroleum products for Nigeria, as it aggressively pursues its aspiration on petroleum product self-sufficiency.

    “In addition, it is my hope that the current frontier exploration efforts in the Northern part of the country (Chad Basin, Gongola Basin, Sokoto Basin, Bida Basin and Benue trough) will also result in the provision of additional hydrocarbon inflow to the corridors of the proposed pipeline and a potential refinery around Kaduna axis.

    “I am happy that several productive engagements held between the Nigerian and Nigerien authorities have resulted in the positive agreements to progress with activities on this important project.”

    According to him, the project will be private sector driven with the full support of the governments of both countries.

    President Buhari expressed delight that already several expressions of interest from prospective investors were being received.

    President Buhari who inaugurated Steering and Technical Committee on the construction of the Hydrocarbon Pipeline and Refinery projects, said the committee would provide strategic leadership, direction and governance oversight for the project.

    “In this regard, a Steering Committee has been set up to be chaired by the Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the alternate chairman is the Nigerien Minister of Petroleum, to provide strategic leadership, direction and governance oversight for the project.

    “Further to this, a Senior level Joint Technical Team is carefully selected based on competence to develop the implementation roadmap and strategy on both the refinery and pipeline projects.

    “This team will be led by Nigeria’s Engineer Rabiu Suleiman supported by the DG Hydrocarbons of Niger Republic.’’

    The President, therefore, challenged members of the committee to come up with a detailed roadmap and guideline leading to actual execution of the projects by December.

    He stated that the detailed roadmap should cover the following: Bankable feasibility studies for both the Refinery and pipeline projects; Optimal project site, pipeline routes and details as well as security plan.

    The President also enjoined the committee to come up with selected consortia of investors for both the refinery and pipeline projects.

    President Buhari assured that Nigeria was committed to pursuing the partnership with vigour and determination, adding that Nigeria and Niger had “excellent relations for several decades, as neighbours sharing a long border with common cultural and historical ties.’’

    In his remarks, President Mahammadou Issoufou of Republic of Niger, who spoke in French, noted the signing of the MoU had constituted the basis for the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

    “We share common problems and should also share solutions.

    “Africa will only to develop if we work together and know what to do.

    “We only need to move into taking meaningful actions we are trying to develop the value chain for our mineral resources and product.

    “We will be happy to see barrels of crude oil refined in Niger and exported to Nigeria,’’ he said.

    One of the co-investors of the project and founder of Blak Oil Energy Refinery, Alhaji Ibrahim Zakari, disclosed that the refinery project would be sited at Mashi in Katsina state was worth two billion dollars.

    Zakari revealed that the project was projected to provide 2,500 direct and another 10,000 indirect employment opportunities to Nigerians.

  • Highlights of MOU signed by PDP, 38 other political parties

    Highlights of MOU signed by PDP, 38 other political parties

    The 39 political parties agreed as follows:
    -That the Leadership of the Parties are hereby Committed to work together in a COALITION OF THE UNITED POLITICAL PARTIES (CUPP) determined to replace the present APC FederaI Government with a new and acceptable National UNITY GOVERNMENT in 2019.
    THAT the Parties shaII promote the emergence of a Government that will usher in abundant peace, happiness and prosperity and ensure safety of life and property inside a truly and weII-structured Nigerian Federation.
    THAT the Parties shall work together to ensure the emergence of a ‘joint presidential candidate of which modalities for this collegiate process shalt be under a separate Agreement by the Parties.
    THAT the Parties shall promote a positive reaction to the above listed failures of the present regime and to give hope to all our people, the Parties shall ensure that the coalition is committed to working together in support of the single Presidential Candidate to contest the 2019 Presidential election in order to successfully enthrone a true democrat who will salvage the nation from the misrule of the APC Government.
    THAT the Parties shall promote acceptable core values for the restructuring of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, secure lives and property, rebuild and redirect our nation’s economy back onto the path of growth, respect human rights and freedoms, protect and uphold the cherished values of democracy and the democratic institutions and generally put right the country which unfortunately has now been dangerously divided along ethnic, religious and tribal lines.
    THAT the Parties shalt encourage State alliances between themselves to ensure that the cooperating parties under the grand alliance emerge victorious at State Governorship, State Legislature and National Assembly elections.
    22. THAT the Parties accept the policy of zoning political and elective offices between the six geopolitical zones of the federations.
    23. THAT the Parties shall ensure that the emergent President under the grand alliance shall treat the presentation of an Executive Bill on Restructuring and Devolution of powers to the National Assembly a major priority.
    24. THAT the Parties shall ensure that the leadership in the National Assembly initiates its own process to enable a Bill on Restructuring and Devolution of powers if this becomes necessary.
    25. THAT the Parties shall stand united and steadfastly work together in a mutual coalition all in the interest of the vast majority of Nigerians who are now suffering and traumatized by the visionless and dictatorial antics of the APC led Federal Government of the day.
    26. THAT the Parties shall promote and constitute a binding and well articulated BLUE PRINT/MANIFESTO which positive impact will be felt immediately. The Manifesto shall be a covenant with Nigerian people to promote and enshrine common national interest issues and to broaden the base for nationwide inclusiveness and National competitiveness.
    27. THAT the Parties shall uphold a process of Party internal democracy and ensure that henceforth the Electoral and Security Umpires act strictly within the dictates and ethics of their profession in the conduct of elections in Nigeria.
    28. THAT the Parties shall ensure that the new Government will fully uphold the virtue of accountability and will be a government run by scrupulously clean and upright people. The fight against corruption will be firmly prosecuted across board and will not be used as a tool for any witch hunt.

  • BREAKING: PDP, R-APC, SDP, 36 other political parties sign MoU to unseat Buhari in 2019 [Video]

    Not than less thirty nine political parties converged on Musa Yar Adua Center in Abuja on Monday to sign a Memorandum of Understanding ‎(MoU) on how to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari come 2019 general election.

    Among the leaders of the political parties at the occasion include, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC), Labour Party[LP] among others.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com had earlier reported that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, summoned a meeting of the top hierarchy of the party to discuss demands by those planning to join the former ruling party before the 2019 general elections.

    Those who attended the meeting according to a notice circulated by the National Secretary of the party, Senator Umaru Tsauri, are the party’s presidential aspirants, all PDP governors, former governors, members and former members of the party in the National Assembly.

    Others are members of the Board of Trustees, PDP former Ministers Forum and all the 37 state chairmen of the party, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    The meeting, according to Tsauri, is “crucial“, the national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus would use the occasion to explain the interim report of the party’s Contact Committee to the attendees.

    The committee, which is headed by a former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, was asked by the National Working Committee of the party to talk to aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress and also liaise with former leaders in the country on how to wrest power from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

     

  • Climate Risk Financing: Nigeria Signs MoU with ARC [Photos]

    The Government of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Risk Capacity (ARC) to work together to address the impact of extreme weather events in Nigeria, including training support to Government personnel.

    The signing ceremony, which happened on the margins of the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank on Thursday, in Busan, Korea, comes on the heels of the Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina’s pledge to support for the work of African Risk Capacity in the region, calling for more stakeholders to join the ARC to ensure the availability of insurance against natural disaster risks.

    The Bank and ARC have partnership since March 2017 to strengthen technical collaboration towards enhancing the risk management infrastructure and policy across Africa and in supporting countries in building resilience against climate shocks.

    Speaking on the signing of the MoU, Nigeria’s Minister for Finance, Kemi Adeosun, congratulated the African Risk Capacity for the innovative approach it is taking towards climate risk financing and management in Africa. Adeosun assured that Nigeria will work with the Agency to address the impact of extreme weather events in the country.

    The journey towards a mutual technical collaboration with Nigeria began in July 2015 when the ARC team undertook a scoping mission which established the need for Nigeria to give greater consideration to the ARC initiative.

    Nigeria was a founding member of ARC, participating in the establishment discussions and the nomination of former Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Chair of the Agency’s Governing Board. Nigeria subsequently signed the ARC Establishment Agreement on December 4, 2014, thereby formally became a member of the institution.

    ARC was established as a Specialized Agency of the African Union (AU) to help member states improve their capacities to better plan, prepare and respond to extreme weather events and natural disasters. Through its first financial affiliate, ARC Ltd, the institution provides African governments with innovative risk management and risk transfer tools and services towards creating a comprehensive pan-African disaster response system.

    Mohamed Beavogui, the Director-General of ARC, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Government for signing the MoU noting that, “the leadership role of Nigeria in the continent and in the establishment of the ARC makes the signing of a formal MoU quite momentous for our work in the region. We want to create systems that can truly protect the livelihoods of the most vulnerable and safeguard the significant development gains made by the country over the years.”

    Earlier in the week, the Government of Nigeria announced the extension of its agreement with the African Development Bank on the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF) for additional 10 years to assist the development efforts of low-income regional member countries.

  • President Buhari arrives Washington Joint Base Andrews Airport

    Ahead of the bilateral meeting with his United States counterpart, President Donald Trump, President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived at the Joint Base Andrews Airport, Washington.

    Personal Assistant to President Buhari on new media, Bashir Ahmad, made this known on Sunday afternoon.

    Following his arrival at the airport, President Buhari immediately proceeded to the Blair House, the Presidential Guest House where he will be staying throughout his 3-day working visit in the US.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BiKIPt2HxUz/?taken-by=thenewsgurung

    TheNewsGuru reports Buhari jetted out of Nigeria through Abuja on Saturday on an official working visit to the United States of America, on the invitation of President Trump.

    President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said Buhari while in America would hold bilateral meeting with President Trump and a working lunch on April 30.

    According to Adesina, the meeting is to discuss ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

    He said the meeting would also advance shared priorities, such as: promoting economic growth, fighting terrorism and other threats to peace and security.

    “The meeting will further deepen the US-Nigeria relationship as the United States considers Nigeria’s economic growth, security and leadership in Africa to be critical aspects of their strategic partnership.

    “Later in the day, President Buhari will meet with a group of business persons in agriculture and agro-processing, dairy and animal husbandry,’’ he added.

    He said that ahead of the visit by the President, meetings had been scheduled between senior Nigerian Government officials and executives of major US companies in the areas of agriculture, aviation and transportation.

    He said that in the area of aviation, the Nigerian officials would be meeting with Boeing, the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, on the National Carrier Project.

    The presidential aide said: “On agriculture, they will meet with large equipment manufacturers with focus on harvesting and post harvesting equipment.

    “In the area of transportation, the officials will meet with the GE-led consortium for the implementation of the interim phase of the narrow gauge rail concession.

    “In the interim phase, a substantive concession agreement will be negotiated and finalized to provide the consortium the opportunity to invest an estimated $2bn, to modernize the rail line from Lagos to Kano (Western Line) and from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri (Eastern Line).

    “During the meeting, the concession framework and the interim phase framework agreements are expected to be signed.’’

    He further disclosed that Nigerian officials would also meet with US-EXIM Bank and the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation to explore competitive financing arrangements.

    It is noteworthy that in 2017, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the United States Department of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and encourage commercial and investment ties between Nigeria and the United States.

    This is with initial focus on infrastructure, agriculture, digital economy, investment and regulatory reforms.

     

  • Delta Economic Team facilitates signing of MoU for 15 projects – Commissioner

    Dr Kingsley Emu, Delta Commissioner for Economic Planning, has said that the state’s economic management team facilitated the signing of the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) for 15 projects.

    Emu said this at the annual ministerial news briefing organised by the state Ministry of Information on Thursday in Asaba.

    Emu said that the MoUs were signed for various projects, which include the Agro industrial Park, Delta Rest Park, Mechanic village, and Norseworthy agro investment Limited.

    He noted that some of the MoUs had already received approval and that in the next few months there would be ground breaking ceremonies.

    According to the commissioner, the team, which was drawn from the relevant ministries, was able to secure World Bank funding for job creation in the state.

    He added that the state government through collaborative arrangements with donor agencies, especially the EU, World Bank, UNDP and UNICEF had coordinated and overseen the implantation and completion of projects targeted at the rural communities.

    He said that through the collaboration, a total of 66 projects out of the 84 projects earmarked for implementation under the MPP9 were completed.

    Emu said that under the Niger Delta Support programme (NDSP), a total of 23 projects out of the 80 projects earmarked for implantation had been completed.

    He added that under UNICEF, the state had been able to develop a four-year State Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition (SSPAN).

    He said the action plan would ensure that nutrition activities are well articulated and implemented, adding that N100 million had been approved for the action plan.

     

  • BOA, SunTrust Bank seal ‘landmark’ MoU on agric banking

    BOA, SunTrust Bank seal ‘landmark’ MoU on agric banking

    Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and SunTrust Bank have sealed an e-banking agreement described by the Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbe as ‘landmark’ and instrumental to the development of agricultural sector in Nigeria.

    The agreement was signed yesterday at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Abuja.

    Managing Director/CEO of SunTrust Bank Nigeria Limited Muhammad Jibrin and the Chief Executive of Bank of Agriculture Kabiru Adamu signed for their respective banks.

    The agreement, will among other things, allows the SunTrust Bank to deploy its innovative banking services and other complimentary e-banking services to enable BOA serve its customers across its 140 branches in Nigeria.

    The MD of SunTrust Bank said the deal will also allow it to deploy its banking platforms, technology like ATM and infrastructure for the over one million farmers in the kitty of BOA.

    Mr. Jibrin said: “We will also provide training support to the BOA staff.”

    In his remark, the MD/Chief Executive Officer of the BOA expressed optimism that the MoU will revolutionize agriculture in the country.

    According to Mr. Adamu, both banks have agreed to bring together their mutually unique capabilities and experiences to enable BOA serve its customers to facilitate quicker penetration of the unbanked farmers.

    He said the SunTrust Bank shall provide electronic payment solutions using its existing platform, including USSD, Mobile Money Service, Merchant and Settlement Accounts for e-transaction.

    Speaking, Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbe said he was elated by the MoU, adding that the “landmark deal will change the face of farming in the country”.

    Mr. Ogbe who regretted that the BOA has been in difficulty of the years, said he expects that the new agreement and partnership with SunTrust Bank will get it out of the woods.

    “We have been trying to set up IT services at the BOA but it has been difficult. We hope that with your backing, the services will eventually come to fruition,” the Minister said.

    He said plans are afoot for farmers to own 30 percent shares of the Bank of Agriculture.

    “Thirty percent of BOA will be owned by farmers which will eventually makes it to be referred to as Farmers Bank like the one in China,” Mr. Ogbe said.

    He added that he looks forward to achieving 5 percent interest rate for farmers, describing the current interest rate as unfriendly and disincentive.

    ‘I think both of you(BOA and SunTrust Bank) will enjoy this relationship,” he added.

    It would be recalled that the SunTrust Bank commenced operation on Monday August 15, 2016.

    It is an innovative, IT savvy and financial technology based bank in Nigeria. It banking services also cover various mobile and Internet banking platforms enshrined with traditional banking values.

    Only recently the SunTrust Bank and Federal Government through Ministry of Finance signed an agreement for the provision of 5, 635 housing units for civil servants across the federation.

  • Abuja MOU Moves Against Substandard Shipping In Africa

    Abuja MOU Moves Against Substandard Shipping In Africa

    In a bid to harmonize port state control inspection procedures that will lead to the elimination of substandard shipping in the West and Central Africa sub-region, the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will host its 3rd Ministerial Conference and 9th Port State Control Committee Meeting with the aim of developing a unified system of Port State Control inspection procedure for the region.

    The 3rd Ministerial Conference themed “Tightening the Net: Regional Cooperation to Eliminate Substandard Shipping” and the 9th Port state Control Committee Meeting will hold in Accra, Ghana from 27th -28th of March, 2018.

    The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi and the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside will join other Ministers of member states and CEOs of the Maritime Administrations to review and assess the implementation level of actions identified at the previous ministerial conferences and agree on further actions required to improve maritime safety in the region.

    Speaking ahead of the meeting, the DG NIMASA Dr. Dakuku Peterside noted that NIMASA’s commitment to regional integration is aimed at improving shipping.

    “African Maritime Industry has come of age, this is why we owe the continent, through our regional cooperation the responsibility of creating a frame work that will aid the reduction and eventual elimination of substandard shipping, prevention of marine pollution and improvement of the living and working conditions of seafarers aboard ships”, he said.

    The Secretary General of the Abuja MoU, Barr. Mfon Usoro, noted that the meeting will present an opportunity for the Ministers and CEOs of Maritime Administrations of member states an opportunity to identify common areas of concern that require consolidation. She further said that the conference will ensure the strengthening of capacity of members States and their Maritime Administrations in order to target sub-standard ships, achieve desired regional harmonization and cooperation of port and flag state implementation processes that will also lead to improving the living and working conditions of shipboard officers and crew as well as ensure prevention of pollution in the region’s waters.

    According to Usoro, this year’s event would be highlighted by the issuance of Ministerial Declaration by Ministers of Transportation in the Abuja MoU region to guide the future activities of the MoU. The conference will also feature the inauguration of the Honourable Minister of Transportation of Ghana (Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah) as the new Chairman of the MoU.

    The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region generally referred to as Abuja MoU is one of the 9 Regional MoUs and national MoU established pursuant to IMO Resolution A.682 (17) of 1991. The Organization operates under a Cooperative Agreement with the IMO. Abuja MoU was established on 22nd October 1999 as an inter-governmental organization comprising of the Maritime Administrations of countries abutting the Atlantic coast of Africa. Parties to the MoU include Nigeria, Angola, Benin, Cape Verde, Cote d’voire, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Togo, South Africa and Liberia

  • Gates, Dangote, six Govs sign MoU on immunization in Sokoto [Photos]

    Bill Gates, Aliko Dangote and six Governors Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding on improved access to immunization across Northern Nigeria.

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto was joined by Kashim Shettima of Borno, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi and Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna at the signing ceremony which held at the Sokoto Government House. Yobe state governor was represented.

    Health Minister, professor Isaac Adewole also witnessed the signing ceremony.

    Delivering the opening remarks, Tambuwal said all the states are committed to improving vaccine availability, encouraging stronger community engagement and securing financing.

    “In addition, we will ensure strong monitoring and evaluation while at the same time, accountability mechanisms will be put in place,” he added.

    Speaking at the event, Bill Gates said all partners are committed to ensuring maximum number of children are reached, adding that the MoUs are intended to enable states achieve targeted coverage.

    “Routine immunization is crucial to ensuring that every child is protected against vaccine-preventable diseases, helping them achieve their potential and live full, productive lives. We are ready t support the states in reaching the targets set out in the MoUs,” he added.

    He said with the election season approaching, all hands must be on deck to ensure the targets are met. He projected that all partners are committed to reaching at least 80+ coverage in the coming year.

    Gates commended all the signatory-states for their commitment, adding that Nigeria is so far on the right track not just in efforts to fight polio, but on achieving targets in routine immunization.

    “My request is that all the Governors should review campaigns and ensure that in the next two years, we complete polio eradication. On routine immunization, the opportunity is fantastic, vaccinations are phenomenal on their impacts. We can prevent millions of deaths by doing work on RI.

    In his remarks, Dangote emphasized the need for governments to be up to date on the payment of their counterpart funds, and to work hard on improving data especially at the grassroots level.

    “We are delighted that the MoU has been extended, reaffirming Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto and Yobe states’ commitment to the health of their citizens. Our expectation now is that this commitment will be translated into concrete action,” he stated.

    He commended both the federal and governments for working on data improvement and for reaffirming their commitments to tackling preventable diseases.

    In their separate remarks, the Governors expressed delight at the signing of the MoUs, and vowed to ensure full implementation in their various states.

  • NNPC, Kogi sign MoU to produce 84m litres of bio-fuel annually

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Kogi State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a fuel-ethanol plant that will produce 84 million litres of bio-fuel annually.

    The NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru said this in a statement issued by the corporation’s Spokesman Mr Ndu Ughamadu in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Baru said the project would also yield a cane mill and a raw and refined sugar plant of 126,000 tonnes annually.

    He said that the Bagasse co-generation plant would also generate 64 megawatts of power, stressing that the plant would include a carbon dioxide recovery and bottling plant with a capacity of 2,000 tonnes per year.

    “The sugarcane feedstock plantation would be on a 19,000 hectares and it would produce 63,000 tonnes of animal feeds per year,’’ Baru said.

    Baru said the execution of the MoU was a milestone considering the present administration’s determination to diversify the economy and meet growing energy demand.

    “NNPC is committed to implementing Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement aimed at combating global Climate Change.

    “This, President Muhammadu Buhari signed and deposited Nigeria’s `Instrument of Ratification’ to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in May 2017.”

    He said the project would mitigate the negative effect of climate change and earn Nigeria carbon credits and serve as an additional line of profitable business for NNPC, including food production and power generation.
    Baru envisaged that the proposed NNPC Bio-fuels project in Kaba/Bunu, Kogi State would be an integrated feedstock plantation and process plants complex.

    “It will be on a land mass of 20,000 hectares for sugarcane and or 15,000 hectares for cassava with potential for further expansion.

    “NNPC has carried out seven bankable feasibility studies which include three integrated sugarcane fuel ethanol projects in Benue, Kebbi and Gombe States.

    “Two integrated cassava fuel ethanol projects in Ondo and Anambra States and two integrated oil palm bio-diesel projects in Rivers and Cross River States,’’ Baru said.

    In his remarks, Gov. Yahaya Bello said the MoU was a milestone, adding that the project would take no fewer than two million indigenes out of the streets.

    He applauded the President and Baru for their doggedness to diversify the Nigerian economy, adding that the state was ready to provide all the needed support for the take-off of the project.