Nigeria to begin exportation of fuel by 2019 – Kachikwu

Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu has said that, the federal government in its efforts to permanently end fuel crisis in the country is to build three more refineries in Kaduna, Port-harcout and Warri.

He said when that is completed as planned by 2018, Nigeria will start exporting refined petroleum products for the first time since inception by 2019.

This was also as he promised that, every household in the country will get free gas cylinder before the end of next year, to stop over dependence on kerosene.

The Minister who doubles as the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) stated these while addressing Nigerians at the Town Hall Meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Information in Kaduna on Tuesday.

According to Kachikwu, “More refineries have to be built, and the target is to build three more refineries to be located in Kaduna, Potharcout and Warri taking advantage on the share facilities.

“And if we do this, by 2018 if all our refineries are working we will drop importation by 60 percent. And by 2019 if the four located refineries begin to work and am sure they will, we will actually begin to export petroleum product for the first time in this country.

“Let me start by apologising for the difficulties you been experiencing in terms of getting fuel.

“Having arrived Kaduna this morning from Lagos, I did a quick tour of Kaduna metropolis. Although the situation is improving but I felt sad still that some areas around the metropolis are not getting the product especially that you have a refinery.

“But the realities about the situation is that wherever I turn when I was appointed I found problems when.

“The refineries were not working when I was appointed in October. If I turn to the pipelines, they were not in existence. If I turn to the upstream, there no funding. So production was sliding.

“If I turn to the NNPC structure, there was massive issue of transparency that everybody talked about. And if I turn to what the future was to Nigeria, I saw the solution rather than hope.

“So, I took over the mantle under these circumstances. But I was not discouraged because the President is committed to surmounting the problems.

“This is the first time we have two refineries working simultaneously in the last Eight years. For the first time in 20 years we are working to restructure the NNPC.

“On the fuel issue, the reality is that as long as these refineries don’t work in absolutely top capacity, as long as we don’t have the foreign exchange to bring in the products, as long as the price of crude continues to slide, and part of my responsibility is getting it up.

“As long as such conditions continue, we will have problems with fuel. So we have to apply brain work to it.

“Do, I want to see the problems continue? No. There is a lot of improvement but there is a lot of work require. And in the next three months I assure you will see great improvement in terms of fuel supply.

“Most importantly, we need to begin to developed massive infrastructural support in this country. The pipelines must get to work, got to get investors to invest in them because we do not have the money to build them up.

“For the upstream sector where production has been climbing down, our target is to move production up to 2.3 Million barrel, but I am personally committed to 2.5 million barrel.

“The blowing of pipelines cannot drive us back, we are committed. The days of hopelessness have passed, the days of careless expenditure are passed, the days of corruption are going, and we are heading to the future were we can deliver a country we can all be proud of,” he explained.

He however promised that, “to improve our marketing outlets, we are building about 700 marketing outlets all over the country, one per local government. And we are asking the state governments to give us land to do this.  We are building multi big stations with shopping malls, which will beef up activities in the local government areas.

“We have the concept of providing free gas cylinders to every Nigerian household, which will be roll out next year so that we can pull Nigerians away from the use of Kerosene to cleaner fuel,” he promised.

However, before rounding off his address,  Kachikwu asked everybody in the hall to stand up, holding hands together and recite the following: “we are Nigerians, we are made by our common destiny, our purpose, our country is bless in ways unimaginable, we as Nigerians are not limited by hope, not limited by resources, not limited by talent, not limited by aspirations. Our nation has had its challenges but we remain abundantly bless, so today, this moment, now going forward, we join hands across our land, hands across our tribes, hands across our religion, hands to our leaders and our followers. And as Nigerians unite in struggle, we have decided to build  the Nigeria of our dreams, a Nigeria of less criticism but creativity, a Nigeria of abundant not scarcity, a Nigeria unify not fraction, a Nigeria transparent not fraudulent, a Nigeria with abundant dreams, aspirations and delivery. Today, this moment, we stand on treasure of history to build the new Nigeria of our dreams.”

The Nation

Gov Ayo Fayose Says EFCC Must Stop Acting Irresponsibly

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has frowned at the persistent harassment of Nigerians by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the continued detention without trial of Mr. Warimopei Dudafa, a former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and invasion of the Abuja residence of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode as irresponsible, barbaric and undemocratic.

Fayose said it was the height of executive rascality for the EFCC to have held occupants of Fani-Kayode’s residence hostage for eight hours despite that he was only invited to come to the EFCC office on Monday and there was no evidence that Fani-Kayode refused to honour the invitation.

According to the Governor’s Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, “EFCC under President Mohammadu Buhari is acting as if it is above the law and Nigerians and the international community must remind the commission that we are in a democracy where rule of law is sacrosanct.”

The Governor said actions of the EFCC have shown clearly that it is an instrument of victimisation against the opposition in the country, adding the anti-graft agency should go and study how anti-corruption agencies in other countries behave.

He said; “the EFCC must be reminded of the judgement delivered in March, this year by Justice Yusuf Haliru of the Federal High Court in Nicholas Arinse Vs EFCC & Nigerian Army where the judge held that the EFCC did not behave as if we were in a civilised society and that the anti-graft commission was behaving as if we were in a military dictatorship, where they arrest and release person at will.

“In the case of the former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Jonathan, no one is saying those suspected of corrupt practices should not be investigated and tried, but it is wrong for Warimopei Dudafa to have been kept in EFCC custody for over two weeks without trial.

“Also, it is a demonstration of barbarism for the same EFCC that invited Fani-Kayode to its office on Monday to have invaded his house yesterday, holding the occupants hostage for eight hours when there is no evidence that Fani-Kayode refused to honour EFCC invitation.

“Why the show of barbarism by the EFCC as if Nigeria is now back to 1984 when Buhari was a military dictator?”

While calling on the international community to pay attention to the abuse of rights of Nigerians and threat to democracy under President Buhari, Fayose said; “It is obvious that democracy in Nigeria is becoming unsafe in the hands of Buhari’s government.”

He said Nigerians must begin to ask the EFCC what happened to the several petitions written against APC leaders and financiers of President Buhari’s election, including former governors, adding that it was worrisome that the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS) have become President Buhari’s instrument of political victimisation.

Dailypost reportage.

Kanye West wakes Kim K up with a Live orchestra for Mother's Day

A man who's crazy in love with his woman! Kanye West surprised his wife and the mother of his children, Kim Kardashian for Mother's Day by having her wake up to a live orchestra playing in their Living room. He also decorated a table with flowers. So cute!

Britain To Give £250m To Nigerian Government...

The presence of Nigeria’s president at David Cameron’s anti-corruption summit this week may surprise many in his nation – which receives vast amounts of UK aid.

Self-proclaimed ‘People’s President’ Muhammadu Buhari began a war on corruption after taking power last year, but critics allege it is a political witch-hunt.

The Government is giving nearly £250million in the coming year to oil-rich Nigeria, whose president sends his daughter to a £26,000-a-year English school.

In April the opposition PDP party unearthed a ticket stub showing Hanan, 16, had flown first-class from London to Nigeria, despite her father’s ban on officials using premium travel. 

And a Nigerian newspaper claimed Mr Buhari has spent £150,000 on educating his daughter Zahra, a Surrey University student.

The president is reported to have failed to give a full account of his worth, but even his partial admission included more than £1million in the bank, five houses and two plots of land.

Supporters say 49 arrests of members of the previous regime show the anti-corruption war is genuine, but opponents say it is politically driven.

Nigeria has the highest-paid government officials in the world but is one of the largest beneficiaries of UK foreign aid.

The president of its senate, Bukola Saraki, is due to face trial on corruption charges after it emerged he has a £6million London property in his wife’s name.

The Nigerian Embassy did not comment.

Dailymail.co.uk reportage

Photos: Tricycle driver stabbed in the head in Abuja

Muhammad Kabir, a 35 year old Keke Napep driver, was stabbed in the face by a man who pretended to be a passenger but was actually a robber who wanted to steal his tricycle.

Muhhammed who is presently lying critically ill at an Abuja hospital, told TheSun that he had picked up the man along the road and was taking him to Masaka, a suburb of Abuja when the robber struck

"As we approached the man’s destination, I asked for the transport fare of N300.00, which we had earlier agreed on. He dipped his hand into his pocket and what he brought out baffled me. Rather than give me the transport fare, he stabbed me with a dagger, thinking that I would fall off the motorcycle and he would take it away.”

Muhammed's brother, Mustapha who is at the hospital with him, said

“Alas, my brother did not fall off the bike, but instead he rode on with the long dagger stuck in his head.”

Passersby were quick to help him after they found blood gushing through his face.

“He was later taken to Pan Raf Hospital, Nyanya, where doctors led by one Dr. Odia and other members of staff battled to save his life, through emergency care. When he appeared to have stabilized, the doctors referred him to another hospital for proper management and care.

“An X-ray of the skull showed the dagger had gone in from the right side of the face just in front of the ear and was nearly poking out from the cheek on the other side,” a source at the hospital said.

Dele Momodu Reacts To Tiwa Savage And Teebillz’s Marriage Saga

The veteran journalist took to Instagram to pray for Tiwa Savage and husband Teebillz. He wrote;

I pray God heals the deep wounds sustained by Tiwa Savage and the love of her life Tunji Balogun during this difficult moment… Nothing is impossible if they are both willing and ready to forgive each other… We should put them in our prayers.

That quote about marriage is true though.. When both give up at the same time, there’s trouble.

Full text of President Buhari’s speech at signing of 2016 Budget

1. It gives me great pleasure today to sign the first full-year budget of this administration into law. I thank the leadership of the National Assembly, in particular, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and indeed all members of the National Assembly for their cooperation in making this a reality.

2. The budget is intended to signpost a renewal of our commitment to restoring the budget as a serious article of faith with the Nigerian people. This Administration is committed to ensuring that henceforth the annual appropriation bill is presented to the National Assembly in time for the passage of the Act before the beginning of the fiscal year.

3. Through the 2016 budget, aptly titled “Budget of Change’’, the government seeks to fulfill its own side of the social contract. The Budget I have signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of N6.06trn. Further details of the approved budget, as well as our Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 budget, will be provided by the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning.

4. I shall be speaking in more details about the Budget, its implementation and the over-all national economic and social policies of the Government in my address on May 29th, God willing.

5. In designing the 2016 budget, we made a deliberate choice to pursue an expansionary fiscal policy despite the huge decline in government revenues from crude oil exports. This is why we decided to enlarge the budget deficit at this time, to be financed principally through foreign and domestic borrowings. All borrowings will however be applied towards growth-enhancing capital expenditures.

6. The signing of the budget today will trigger concerted efforts to reflate the Nigerian economy, a key element of which is an immediate injection of N350bn into the economy by way of capital projects. To illustrate our renewed commitment to infrastructural development, the 2016 budget allocates over N200bn to road construction as against a paltry N18bn allocated for same purpose in the 2015 budget.

7. Despite the current difficulties we will work extra-hard to achieve our revenue projections. Our revenue generating agencies are coming under better management and are being re-oriented. The implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is expected to contribute significantly to improving transparency over government revenues.

8. Our determined fight against corruption is resulting in improvements in the quality of public expenditure. The work of the Efficiency Unit, as well as other public financial management initiatives, are also contributing in this regard. The continuing efforts to reduce recurrent expenditures should hopefully free up more funds for capital expenditure in 2017 and beyond.

9. As I said in my New Year message, living in State House does not in any way alienate me from your daily struggles. I read the newspapers and listen to the TV and radio news. I hear your cries. I share your pains.

10. We are experiencing probably the toughest economic times in the history of our Nation. I want to commend the sacrifice, resilience and toughness of all Nigerians young and old who have despite the hardships continued to have hope and confidence of a great future for Nigerians. But permit me to say that this government is also like none other. We are absolutely committed to changing the structure of the Nigerian economy once and for all.

11.We are working night and day to diversify the economy so that we never again have to rely on one commodity to survive as a country. So that we can produce the food we eat, make our own textiles, produce most of the things we use. We intend to create the environment for our young peoples to be able to innovate and create jobs through technology.

12. I cannot promise you that this will be an easy journey, but in the interest of so much and so many we must tread this difficult path. I can assure you that this government you have freely elected will work with honesty and dedication, day and night to ensure that our country prospers and that the prosperity benefits all Nigerians. God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Dailypost