Crude oil theft: Again, Reps panel invites Malami, Zainab

By Christiana Ekpa

TheAd-hoc Committee of the House of Representatives investigating the alleged loss of over $2.4 billion in revenue from illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil export in 2015 including crude oil exports from 2014 till date has again invited the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Abubakar Malami to appear before it tomorrow.

Speaking during 3 days investigative hearing organized by the Commitee yesterday, the Chairman of the panel, Hon Mark Gbillah emphasized the need for the ministers to appear before it to explained certain aspects of the allegations.

Recall that both ministers had separately appeared before the panel few weeks ago and Malami on his part claimed the matter as raised by the whistleblowers involved is baseless.

Their invitation, this time, as read at the panel by the chairman, Hon. Gbillah may not be unconnected to the allegations so far gotten from some agencies involved in the matter after its interrogation.

Hon Gbillah lamented the inability of some Chief Executive Officer of Total Exploration and Production Co TE&P Co Ltd to honour the panel invitation as well as submit requested documents on pre-shipment inspection of crude oil.

The Chairman further explained that early appearance of companies invited by the panel could help his committee to finish up on time as well as write down it recommendations to the Comittee of the Whole.

Consequently, the Panel’s Chairman also used the opportunity to remind critical stakeholders of the role of parliament adding that its has powers to invite any person or authority and can order investigation into any matter just as it has powers to make laws.

While citing the provisions of section 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999, the Chairman also emphasized the Important of legislature in democracy.

Meanwhile, the committee had grilled some companies who allegedly were involved in the export of crude oil to foreign destinations and demand that these companies submit necessary documents such as pre-shipment inspection, bank accounts details and statements.

During his appearance before the pannel, the Operational Manager of of Melinium Oil and Gas, Kingsley Etuk Akpan informed the lawmakers that 20 Square KM field was acquired.

Akpan while responding to question on whether his company have documents insupport of the ownership answered affirmatively adding that they operational document was from Shell.

He also disclosed to the Commitee that they bidded for the contract as letter of award among other documents are intact in their custody.

On whether, his company pay royalties to the federal government or not, Akpan admitted that they do, adding that over $65 Dollars has been remitted into government covers.

FG unveils gender, environmental reporting framework for extractive industries

The Federal Government on Tuesday launched Gender and Environmental Reporting Frameworks in Extractive Industries to meet Nigeria’s reporting obligation to the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed unveiled the frameworks in Abuja during her visit to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) permanent office.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the frameworks were developed by NEITI in line with global EITI requirements and standards to resolve lingering issues and enhance reporting in areas of gender and environment in the oil, gas and mining sectors.

She said the frameworks would help in resolving lingering negative impact of oil, gas and mineral exploration in host communities, and reduce widening gender disparity in extractive industries.

The minister, who served as NEITI’s Executive Secretary before being appointed in 2015 as a member of the cabinet, lauded NEITI’s management’s achievements, adding that the frameworks represented another milestone recorded by NEITI.

She commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment towards strengthening Nigeria’s EITI as evident in the government’s prioritisation of NEITI in allocating resources to enable the agency execute its role in the industry.

“From its initial mandate to disclose extractive output and revenue, to data mainstreaming, contracts and beneficial ownership disclosure and currently, gender and environmental reporting and energy transition, I have been part of the process,” she said.

Ahmed appealed to the incoming administration to strengthen anti-corruption agencies and reform-minded institutions like NEITI in its economic policy agenda considering the agency’s unique national and international mandates.

“Through its regular oil, gas and mining audits, publications of timely policy papers, NEITI is well-positioned to guide and shape government policies in the energy sector and contribute to robust economic and public finance management in Nigeria,’..

Earlier, Mr Olusegun Adeyemi, Chairman, National Stakeholders’ Working Group (The Board) of NEITI), said the frameworks would guide stakeholders to disclose data and information on environment payments in extractive industry.

He said it would guide stakeholders on impacts, monitoring and management as well as information disclosure on gender parity, participation and employment in the industry.

“I assure our stakeholders and all Nigerians that NEITI’s board under my leadership is strongly committed to the issues of environmental and gender justice in our oil, gas and mining sector. And will continue to provide strategic direction to NEITI’s secretariat,” he said.

IDr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary, NEITI, said the frameworks were direct responses to its readiness to move into issues of Gender and the environment in view of the strong linkage to the EITI desired impact in the lives of citizens.

“Host communities in the country currently face complex challenges of environmental degradation. In these host communities, the girl child, women and children suffer the most environmental degradation in terms of deprivation of their livelihood, access to farming and petty trading.

Yobe State Assembly confirms new Auditor General, others

From Mohammed Maitela, Damaturu

Yobe state House of Assembly on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Alhaji Umar Mai Aliyu Gulani as the new Yobe state Auditor General.

This is after receiving a recommendation from the house standing committee on public service and government house having critically studied the curriculum vitae as well as information obtained during the interactive session with the nominee.

The Committee recommended that, the nominee in person of Mai Aliyu Umar Gulani was a career civil servant with versed working experience particularly in the field of financial management who met the requirement of the law and found him fit and capable of this appointment to serve as Auditor-General of the State in accordance with section 5 of the Yobe State Public Sector Audit Law 2021.

Meanwhile, the house confirmed the appointment of Aisha Haruna Godowoli as permanent member Local government Service Commission as well as Ballama Abdullahi Budu as Permanent Member Teaching Service Board.

Speaking at the plenary, the chairman house committee on public service and government house, Hon. Hassan Muhammed said, the Committee recommended that, Aisha Haruna Godowoli who was a career civil servant with versed working experience particularly in the field of legal profession.

He adds that, until her retirement as Permanent Secretary, Aisha having met the requirement of the law for appointment as Permanent Member based on the Yobe State Local Government Service Commission to complete the tenure of late Alhaji Baba Abare having satisfied the provision of Yobe State local government Law 2001.

The house also recommended and Satisfied with the nomination of Ballama Abdullahi Budu who was a career civil servant with versed working experience in administration and served in different capacities until his retirement as Permanent Secretary having met the requirement of the law of the Yobe State Teaching Service Board (amendment) law 2010.

In presiding over the plenary, the deputy speaker of the House Hon. Isa Bello Danchuwa while confirming the nominees appointment also called on them to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them towards the development of the state.