News
Oil Producing Communities threaten to seal all oil pipeline facilities over poor treatment of Dangote, other modular refineries
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
…Warn IOCs against economic sabotage
…Urge FG to end fuel, diesel importation
The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), over the weekend, threatened to renew agitation for greater autonomy and control of their natural resources, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) fail to sell and supply crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local Refineries, in their bid to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in local production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Group, comprising all the states producing oil and gas in Nigeria, lamented that despite the billions of dollars spent on turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries, the country remains reliant on importing refined products. This persistent issue, it argues, highlights the widespread corruption within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, allegedly orchestrated by influential cabals who are intent on maintaining the status quo of exporting crude oil while importing refined petroleum products. HOSTCOM warned that it will not hesitate to publicly name these identified cabals if necessary.
The National President of HOSTCOM, Dr. Benjamin Tamaramiebi, accompanied by his executives and traditional rulers from the Niger Delta region, toured the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and the Dangote Fertiliser Limited complex. Notable traditional rulers included the Chairman of the Niger Delta Monarchs Forum, HRM Frank Okorakpo; Deputy Chairman of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), HRM Obafemi Ogaro; and Egbesuwei Gbanraun X Agadagba Pere, HRM (Capt) Frank Okiakpe, among others
After the tour, the National President, Dr. Tamaramiebi said: “Our visit today to the largest and magnificent 650,000 bpd private Refinery in Africa (Dangote Refinery) has opened our eyes to several ills, particularly to the monumental corruption going on in the Nigeria oil and gas industry.”
“It is obvious why the existing Federal Government Refinery in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna can never work or operate maximally despite the billions of dollars spent on the so-called Turn Around Maintenance over the years. It is now clear that some persons in government and outside government have been identified as the cabal holding Nigeria oil sector by the jugular. We have identified them, and we shall reveal their names to the people of Nigeria if this trend continues,” he said.
While emphasising on the need for Nigeria to refine its crude locally, HOSTCOM urged the Federal Government to back the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and other domestic refineries to end the nation’s persistent reliance on imported petrol, diesel, and other refined products.
The Group’s President also called for nationwide support for Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other modular refineries to eliminate the need for imported refined products. It expressed gratitude to the National Assembly and Nigerians but warned against any sabotage that could hinder the country’s progress towards self-sufficiency in refined products.
“We are grateful to the 10th National Assembly, good-spirited individuals and associations who have been rallying support for Aliko Dangote. We at HOSTCOM have come today to drum up support for Dangote Refinery. We will stand with Dangote to put an end to continuous importation of less quality and costly refined petroleum products into Nigeria,” stated the group.
HOSTCOM, which emphasised that every Nigerian’s aspiration is for the country to refine its own crude oil for the benefit of its people, warned that any individual who opposes this national desire will face the wrath of the masses.
The group also lampooned the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, over his recent statement that the government would not halt the importation of refined petroleum products. HOSTCOM called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Ahmed from his position, arguing that his previous associations with key players in the sector make him unfit to effectively regulate the downstream industry.
“We unequivocally call for the immediate sack of Farouk Ahmed. It is now clear that he as the CEO of NMDPRA is responsible for issuing import licences to his cronies outside the government to continue to import sub-standard refined petroleum products into the country. This is not surprising given that he has served on the boards of some downstream companies in the past. He is therefore obviously conflicted and incapable of performing the duties of a regulator for the downstream sector. It is important to immediately replace him with an individual who is not encumbered by such conflict,” the group added.
The group praised the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote for his patriotism in investing in and constructing the refinery in Nigeria, noting that his endeavour has significantly contributed to the country’s economic growth and development. It emphasised that the refinery is crucial in providing local solutions to Nigeria’s refining needs, thereby reducing the nation’s dependency on imported refined petroleum products.
The group urged President Tinubu to support the project, highlighting that it will enhance the economy, create thousands of jobs, ensure the sustainability and affordability of products, and bring substantial benefits to the host communities, among other positive effects.
“We called on President Bola Tinubu to support and sustain this refinery which is in his own state. He must do away with the cabals holding the oil sector to ransom,” it added.
The group further asserted that the President must not tolerate the economic sabotage being carried out by the IOCs operating in Nigeria, which have refused to sell crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and other modular refineries. They condemned this as an affront to the Nigerian people and a deliberate attempt to undermine the President’s renewed hope agenda, which aims to revive the economy.
“We call on Mr. President to direct NNPC or NNPCL to compel the IOCs operating in our communities to sell and supply crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local Refineries in line with section 109 of the Petroleum Industry Act PIA 2021 particularly section 109(4)(b) which states that “the supply of crude oil shall be commercially negotiated between the lessee and the crude oil refining licensee, having regard to the prevailing international market price for similar grades of crude oil,” it added.
It also pointed out that, despite the PIA, the IOCs continue to lack transparency and accountability, alleging ongoing exploitation of oil-producing communities. The group warned that if the IOCs fail to supply crude oil to domestic refineries, host communities will be forced to take decisive action.
The Vice President (Oil & Gas) at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, who hosted the delegates, explained that the refinery was established primarily to source and refine local crudes for the benefit of Nigeria, while also exporting excess production to boost the economy.
Edwin noted that the lack of sufficient Nigerian crude supplies has necessitated importing crude from other countries and continents. He said that if the refinery had not been designed to process a wide range of crudes, including various African and Middle Eastern crudes as well as US Light Tight Oil, it would have become inactive due to the lack of Nigerian crude supplies.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
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