Thursday, August 3, 2017
Video - Nigeria's Senate withdraws report exonerating MTN
Nigeria's Senate has withdrawn a report that largely exonerated South African telecoms giant MTN of illegally repatriating 14 billion dollars. The Senate also rebuked the Nigerian central bank for regulatory failures. The report was almost immediately sent back for further work because it did not capture possible infractions by all stakeholders. The crux of the allegation is that MTN did not obtain certificates declaring it had invested foreign currency in Nigeria within the 24-hour deadline stipulated in a 1995 law, making the repatriation of returns on the investments illegal. MTN has denied any wrongdoing.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Oil region in Nigeria threaten to quit peace talks
Negotiators representing militants in Nigeria’s oil region in talks with the government said they’ll pull out of the process if some demands aren’t met by November, accusing President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of not doing enough for peace.
The efforts of the group, known as the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, “to help Nigeria climb out of recession through stable oil and gas production have not been met with tangible reciprocal action by the federal government,” Edwin Clark, its leader, said in a statement emailed on Tuesday.
A list of 16 demands, including the withdrawal troops from the region and the clean up of oil spills, presented for implementation “without delay” at the group’s meeting with Buhari last year was ignored, according to the statement. The negotiators “may consider pulling out of the ongoing peace process” by Nov. 1 if these demands aren’t met, said Clark.
Nigeria is suffering its worst economic downturn in a quarter century after oil prices fell in 2015 and output was hampered by a resurgence of militant attacks on pipelines in the Niger delta. The armed groups, including the Niger Delta Avengers that claimed most of the attacks, nominated the community leaders last year to represent them in talks with the government and agreed to a cease-fire.
The efforts of the group, known as the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, “to help Nigeria climb out of recession through stable oil and gas production have not been met with tangible reciprocal action by the federal government,” Edwin Clark, its leader, said in a statement emailed on Tuesday.
A list of 16 demands, including the withdrawal troops from the region and the clean up of oil spills, presented for implementation “without delay” at the group’s meeting with Buhari last year was ignored, according to the statement. The negotiators “may consider pulling out of the ongoing peace process” by Nov. 1 if these demands aren’t met, said Clark.
Nigeria is suffering its worst economic downturn in a quarter century after oil prices fell in 2015 and output was hampered by a resurgence of militant attacks on pipelines in the Niger delta. The armed groups, including the Niger Delta Avengers that claimed most of the attacks, nominated the community leaders last year to represent them in talks with the government and agreed to a cease-fire.
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Video - No clarity yet on how many killed in last week's attack in Nigeria
There is still no clarity yet on the death toll from last week's deadly Boko Haram attack on oil exploration experts in remote north-eastern Nigeria. The military had initially said only six of its personnel died in the ambush AND that it rescued all the oil exploration experts reportedly kidnapped. But it later emerged that information was not correct. The military has apologised, saying its initial statement was, quote, most regrettable.
Video - Nigeria, Africa's biggest oil producer calls for shift in strategy
Nigeria is calling for a drastic shift in business strategy among African oil producers to cope with the industry's crumbling fortunes. Nigeria spearheads the African Petroleum Producers Association. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has asked the association's technical committee to urgently craft a new strategy for the continent.
Former Nigeria President's house looted by police
Former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, lost properties running into millions of naira when his residence in the administrative capital, Abuja, was burgled over a period of time.
The Premium Times news portal in an exclusive report said three police officers detailed to guard the premises had ‘conducted a systematic looting over a period of three months beginning from around March 2016.’
The ex-President’s spokesperson is said to have confirmed the incident adding that the said officers had been arrested. The implicated men are said to be two sergeants and an inspector.
They are said to have stripped the house bare over the period and were selling these items – some of which were customized materials – to traders in a popular second-hand market at Abuja.
Mr. Jonathan who is said to have visited the property after the looting according to the report, spoke directly with the Inspector General of Police with respect to the matter.
The 59-year-old former governor of Bayelsa State, is said to have occupied the house in his capacity as Vice-President for about a year. He moved to Aso Rock – the seat of government – as Acting President following the death of his boss, Umaru Musah Yar’Adua in 2010.
He won a substantive term after seeing out Yar’Adua’s tenure. He beat Muhammadu Buhari in polls held in 2011. But lost a second term bid to Buhari in 2015. His government came under flak for rising Boko Haram attacks and issues of widespread corruption.
The Premium Times news portal in an exclusive report said three police officers detailed to guard the premises had ‘conducted a systematic looting over a period of three months beginning from around March 2016.’
The ex-President’s spokesperson is said to have confirmed the incident adding that the said officers had been arrested. The implicated men are said to be two sergeants and an inspector.
They are said to have stripped the house bare over the period and were selling these items – some of which were customized materials – to traders in a popular second-hand market at Abuja.
Mr. Jonathan who is said to have visited the property after the looting according to the report, spoke directly with the Inspector General of Police with respect to the matter.
The 59-year-old former governor of Bayelsa State, is said to have occupied the house in his capacity as Vice-President for about a year. He moved to Aso Rock – the seat of government – as Acting President following the death of his boss, Umaru Musah Yar’Adua in 2010.
He won a substantive term after seeing out Yar’Adua’s tenure. He beat Muhammadu Buhari in polls held in 2011. But lost a second term bid to Buhari in 2015. His government came under flak for rising Boko Haram attacks and issues of widespread corruption.
The Premium Times portal listed some of the looted items as follows:
1. Traditional attires and bowler hats of the Niger Delta region: about 20 bags.
2. Customized suits: about five bags.
3. About 10 bags of Niger Delta styled women attires.
4. Bundles of Ankara materials, known as ‘Atamfa.’
5. About 10 sets of northern Nigeria styled three piece apparel.
6. Bag containing clothes with the opposition PDP logo sewn on each one.
1. Traditional attires and bowler hats of the Niger Delta region: about 20 bags.
2. Customized suits: about five bags.
3. About 10 bags of Niger Delta styled women attires.
4. Bundles of Ankara materials, known as ‘Atamfa.’
5. About 10 sets of northern Nigeria styled three piece apparel.
6. Bag containing clothes with the opposition PDP logo sewn on each one.
Other electrical appliances that were stolen and sold by the officers were:
1. 36 Plasma televisions.
2. About 25 refrigerators.
3. Five sets of furniture.
4. Two sets of sitting room chairs.
5. Several air conditioner units.
1. 36 Plasma televisions.
2. About 25 refrigerators.
3. Five sets of furniture.
4. Two sets of sitting room chairs.
5. Several air conditioner units.
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