Wed 24 July 2013 by The Guardian Newspaper

Govt to monitor real-time oil production From Collins Olayinka, Abuja PLAN by the Federal Government to introA duce National Production Monitoring System (NPMS) that will take accurate measurement of oil production may start soon. This is coming as efforts are on to ensure more cars in the country are powered by compressed natural gas to reduce demand for pe-

• Set to introduce gas-powered cars troleum products for vehicular needs. At the 2013 ministerial mid-term briefing tagged “moving the oil and gas sector to the next level”, in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, explained that the ministry had concluded a pilot scheme on the monitoring

mechanism. Her words: “As part of improving accountability with regard to Nigeria’s oil production, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has concluded a pilot scheme for real-time crude oil production monitoring. The programme, which is referred to as National Production

Monitoring System (NPMS), is a remote monitoring system emplaced not only to monitor real-time production, primarily, but also other field parameters needed for effective reservoir management and administration.” And to reduce the pressure on petroleum products for vehicular movement in the absence of a functional rail transport, the minCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Vol. 30, No. 12,627

www.ngrguardiannews.com

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FRSC probes Patience Jonathan’s mother’s death – Page 3

Electricity consumers protest against outages, high bills – Page 3 Agreement with ASUU can’t be implemented, says govt – Page 5

Prince William (right) and his wife, Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, with their new-born boy outside St. Mary’s Hospital in London… yesterday. (Story on Page 9)

Senate denies endorsing early marriage law

‘ Essentially, it has to do with the renunciation of citizenship...we are ready to revisit it if Nigerians feel strongly about it’

From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Nkechi Onyedika (Abuja), Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu (Benin City) and Bertram Nwannekanma (Lagos) ONTRARY to what is beC lieved by some people, the Senate has not amended the constitution to encourage early marriage. This was the position of the Senate while describing the controversy trailing its voting on the issue of the age for denouncing citizenship as a product of ignorance and mischief.

• May pass amendment bill today • CAN threatens street protest The Senate’s Deputy President and Chairman of its Committee on Constitution Amendment, Ike Ekweremadu, declared at a press briefing in Abuja that it only tried to delete an existing clause in the constitution which it considered discriminatory against women. According to him, “the deci-

sion of the Senate on this part has been wildly misinterpreted, misreported, and totally taken out of context.” Ekweremadu said: “Section 29(4) (b) was recommended for deletion because the committee considered it discriminatory. Section 29(4) (a) has already defined ‘full age’ as age 18 and above. We

considered it gender discriminatory and imbalance to place the man and woman on different scales in matters of citizenship renunciation. “If there is no gender discrimination in matters relating to voting rights, education age, driving age, and so on, we felt this discrimination was abnormal

and, in fact, an inelegant drafting. As such, it was recommended for deletion, but could not pass eventually. In essence, the Senate has not done anything new to that part of the constitution.” Ekweremadu stated that the issue voted upon had nothing to do with Islam or marriage. He added: “On the issue of Section 29, I want to appeal to Nigerians to please show understanding, to possibly read this section and understand that the issue has nothing to do with early

marriage. “It has nothing to do with Islam. Essentially, it has to do with the renunciation of citizenship. “So, you have to give it a proper perspective. I want to assure Nigerians that in the future, we are ready to revisit it if Nigerians feel strongly about it. “We have no bill to approve early marriage. We are not sponsoring any bill against Islam. This particular provision has been in our ConstiCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

NEWS

Govt to monitor real-time oil production CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ister hinted that government had embarked on steps aimed at ensuring more vehicles use compressed natural gas for fuel purpose. “Through the NNPC Joint Venture with NIPCO, Compressed Natural Gas for vehicular use has grown with the pilot initiative in Benin City, Edo State. Over 2,000 cars now run on natural gas in Benin and many more get converted daily. There are six gas filling stations in the city and the most dominant users are commercial taxi drivers. The impact on their daily economics has been significant and the expansion in subscription of new conversions has been by word of mouth to fellow taxi drivers. It is intended to now expand this initiative across the country, reducing the cost of transportation while at the same time enhancing the quality of the environment,” she said. She also said that the NNPC had been embarking on aggressive exploration as reflected in the acquisition of a total of 6,102 square kilometres (sq.km) of seismic data, including 818 sq.km acquired in the Chad Basin in phases three, four and five combined. Another acquisition of 266 sq.km of seismic data in the phase six is ongoing by Integrated Data Services Limited

(a NNPC subsidiary) in the Chad Basin even at the height of the security challenges. Alison-Madueke disclosed that a total of 24,680 sq.km of seismic data was either processed or reprocessed in readiness for seismic interpretation. In addition, IDSL Data Processing Centre (DPC) has been upgraded to the largest Seismic Data Processing Centre in the West African sub-region with a processing capability of 20,000 sq.km from 2,000 sq.km. She said that government’s efforts at reducing gas flaring were beginning to yield fruits. The minister noted that gas to non-power sector almost doubled from 185mmcf/d to 357mmcf/d, providing feedstock that had supported the recent aggressive growth in the nation’s cement sector as well as other manufacturing companies. According to her, over 200 manufacturing industries now run on natural gas and the number continues to grow daily as more pipelines are built. Alison-Madueke hinted that the contract for the vital 120km East-West gas pipeline crossing the River Niger had been awarded and was progressing with a target completion time of 2015. “Engineering work is almost complete and the contractors have mobilised signifi-

cant construction equipment to site ahead of commencement of construction work by October. This pipeline creates a major linkage between the huge gas reserves in the Eastern Niger Delta and other parts of the country. When completed, evolving shortfalls in gas supply to power in the Western area will be adequately and permanently mitigated with excess flows from the East via this critical pipeline,” she stressed. While describing the Calabar-Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kano pipeline as a final element of government infrastructure expansion, she disclosed that major engineering review of the 1000km pipeline had now been concluded and that plans were under way to jumpstart this pipeline infrastructure by the end of the year or early 2014. She added: “Over $600 million is expected to be deployed from Eurobonds being issued by the Ministry of Finance to jumpstart this pipeline by year end. By end of 2015, gas access to Abuja should have been established and Kaduna/Kano thereafter, opening up the northern half of the nation for industrial revitalisation.” She listed some of the key achievements to include major upgrade and repair on the Utorogu/Ughelli gas plants resulting in addition of over

100mmcf/d; Oredo gas plant was completed, commissioned and added 100mmcf/d of gas, while upgrade of Escravos also resulted in additional 190mmcf/d. She hinted that the emergency initiative was ongoing and additional 150mmcf/d would be expected by the end of the year. She put Nigeria’s petroleum consumption for white products at estimated 38 million litres PMS, 12 million litres AGO and eight million litres DPK, whose production is inadequate for meeting domestic consumption. According to her, to curtail the high importation, there is a plan to rehabilitate the refineries so as to obtain maximum production from the local ones, which are in a position to meet about 70 per cent of the country’s needs. She said the reduction in consumption from over 60 million litres per day in 2011 to about 40 million litres daily in 2012 had reduced the payment of fuel subsidy from over N2 trillion for 2011 to a little above N1 trillion in 2012. Alison-Madueke said the feat was achieved, among others, through better monitoring of vessel arrivals, discharges and truck-out of PMS from the depots by the nominated surveyors as an added check on marketers operations, in line with global best practices.

CAN threatens protest against child marriage law CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 tution since 1979. Ours was an attempt to remove that aspect so that men and women would have equal footing regarding the issue of renunciation of citizenship. And we will never support early marriage.” Meanwhile, there are indications that the controversial 2013 amendment bill would be passed into law today. The bill scaled second reading on the floor of the upper legislative chamber yesterday. According to Senate President David Mark, senators would be taking the clause by clause considerations of the bill today after which it might be passed into law. Following the second reading of the bill, it has been traditionally referred to the Committee on Appropriation, which is expected to make legislative input and return it to the floor within 24 hours. But reacting to the alleged Senate approval of early marriage, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) threatened to embark on a street protest. Describing the move as a legalisation of sexual abuse of underage girls, the President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, threatened that he would personally mobilise Nigerians and lead the street protest. Other Nigerians also condemned the resolution yesterday. In a statement in Abuja, Oritsejafor stated that CAN vehemently rejected the Senate’s position and called on the upper chamber to be more reasonable by revisit-

ing the issue. He called on all Nigerians of good conscience to resist the resolution. He said: “The section if amended would imply that a girl of any age can be constitutionally allowed to marry. Why would the Senate after voting recoil simply because a point of order premised on religious basis was raised? We Christians also have canon law which frowns on marriage of girls who are not of age. Christianity abhors such marriages. The protest will be soon. “As the leader of Christians in Nigeria, I am particularly irked by the statement credited to Senator Ahmed Yerima, a former governor of Zamfara State, to the effect that the proposal for the deletion of section 29 (4) (b) is at variance with Islamic law. This argument is offensive because it presupposes that Nigeria, a secular state, is populated only by Muslims. “Yerima is again, advertently stirring up another controversy about the supremacy of Islamic law … after the one he raised when he introduced Sharia, the Islamic legal code, in Zamfara State. I think the problem is that people like Senator Yerima are approaching Qur’anic teachings from extremes and disturbing the balance. It makes me wonder the source of their emotions and thoughts that nurture them. I urge the Yerimas in the Senate to toe the path of the Holy Qur’an in (5:32) which states that one who kills a person unjustly in effect has killed everyone and one who saves another has saved everyone.

They should save these girls and Nigerians the agony of having their children married off at ages below 18 by unfavourable legislation.” Oritsejafor stressed that the resolution of the Senate to amend Section 29 (4) (b) was selfish, delusive and a contravention of all known international conventions, protocols and ethics on the rights of the child to which Nigeria is a signatory. “Child bride should not be encouraged or allowed in Nigeria. With over 12,000 women quoted by the National Demographic Health Survey as living with the Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) every year in Nigeria, finetuning laws that would enable desiring Nigerians to marry primary school pupils is not what our legislators should be involved in. Rather, the Senate should strengthen the nation’s constitution by protecting all citizens’ rights, especially those of children from abuse. “As a senator whose case of marrying a 13-year-old Egyptian girl is still fresh in the memory of Nigerians, Yerima should only be seen and not heard in matters of this nature. If now he is commenting on a case in which he has interest, it can only mean the action of a man frenziedly trying to get himself out of the hook through some undeserved legislation. “I appeal to those individuals who have been educated along this line in the Senate not to use their rights as lawmakers to harm children below the age of 18, but to choose the interest of these

children above their own. These girls should be allowed to develop, individually because this resolution, if implemented, would hound girls below 18 years into marriages they know nothing about. This is only one dimension of this tragic resolution. “I feel that when individuals attain a certain way of thinking and understanding and reach certain status in life, they should be able to comprehend that it is necessary to adhere to conventions in line with best practices the world over and not harm other members of society, no matter their ages within the same society.” On her part, the founder of the Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), Mrs. Funmi Falana, urged the Senate to review its decision by deleting the controversial section 29 (4) (b) of the constitution which states that married woman shall be deemed to be of full age. She gave the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), one month within which to prosecute Yerima for marrying a 13-year-old girl. Addressing the media yesterday on “Child Marriage and the Constitution” in Lagos, the rights advocate threatened to initiate criminal proceedings against Yerima, should the AGF fail to do so within one month. Also, women rights agitators yesterday in Benin City, the Edo State capital, continued their agitation for respect for the rights of women and the girl-child in CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

News FRSC probes Patience Jonathan’s mother’s death From Kelvin Ebiri (Port-Harcourt) and Inemesit Akpan-Noh (Uyo) HE Federal Road Safety T Corps (FRSC) said it would soon unveil the circumstances

Former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (left); his wife, Abimbola and Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Deji Elumoye during the 84th birthday prayer of Jakande in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Electricity consumers protest against outages, high bills From Emeka Anuforo, (Abuja) Sulaimon Salau and Deborah Sunmola (Lagos) CHOING exploitation, electricity consumers in Lagos have protested what they described as outrageous bills and incessant outages, which have been persisting over the years. Meanwhile, despite complaints on drop in electricity and poor service delivery nationwide, government yesterday assured the power sector revolution would soon unleash Nigeria into a new season of peace, progress, prosperity and development. Business activities at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)Mushin Business District was on Monday disrupted for over two hours, as aggrieved electricity consumers trooped out enmass to protest the agency’s anomalous services. The protesters displayed various placards condemning the unpleasant situation, which poor PHCN services have imposed on them. The Chairman of the Mushin Community Development Association, Olabode Cole, told The Guardian, that commercial and domestic activities in the area have almost collapsed due to poor power supply, thereby increasing reliance on power generating sets. The affected areas include, Ofada, Folarin, Adekitan, Palm Avenue, Ladipo and some parts of Papa-Ajao. According to him, “the community has not enjoyed electricity supply since the beginning of this year. Despite the fact that they don’t give adequate supply, the most annoying is that they keep bringing

• Govt assures of regular power • Restructures Power ministry outrageous bills.” The Business Manager of Ikeja Business unit, Lateef Olaleye at a recent customer’s consultative forum, linked the situation to introduction of the new Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO II) and incessant vandalism on power equipment. He said: “Without doubt, our quality of service has not reached that level where we can rise and cling glasses for a job well-done. There have been occasions when some areas would be without electricity supply for hours or days probably due to occurrence like heavy storm uprooting poles, failure of obsolete equipment, vandalism or careless drivers running into our installations.” He added that vandalism has become a cankerworm, stressing “within the past four months, Ikeja Business Unit has recorded the vandalisation of nine transformer substations.’’ Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo gave the assurance at Abuja yesterday where he presented his scorecard as part of the mid-term achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan administration. He added that government has done well so far and that his team would consolidate the gains in the previous years’ performance and improve power supply between 16-24 hours per day for Nigerians. To achieve most of its targets, he said government had commenced a major restructuring of the Ministry of Power and its agencies to cope with the

evolving role in a privatised environment. To improve rural access to electricity, government, he said, had now developed a draft rural electrification strategy and implementation plan, stressing that it is being finalised. He further disclosed that the hitherto moribund Rural Electrification Agency (REA) would now focus on increased exploitation of renewables and the facilitation of rural electrification projects. He said REA had already carried out the survey, design, procurement and award of several rural electrification projects under 2012 capital appropriation. On the achievements recorded so far in government’s electricity reform process, he said: “The Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act of 2005 provided the platform for the reform of deregulating the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) from the control, ownership and regulation of the sector by the Federal Government to a private sector-driven industry. The launching of the Roadmap by President Goodluck Jonathan in August 2010 has led to significant progress in the implementation of the structural reforms outlined in the Act. “The major achievements to date are as follows: Bidding and selection of preferred bidders for the 10 distribution companies and the five generation companies was concluded in November 2012, con-

tracts have been signed and bidders have already made initial payments of 25 per cent of the bid price. He further explained: “Presidential Power Reform Transaction signing and presentation of certificates for payment of initial deposits to successful bidders of the distribution and generation companies by the President was performed in April 2013; handling over of the Transmission Company of Nigeria to Manitoba Hydro International for management contract concluded. Schedule of delegated Authority given to Manitoba; commencement of the process for the sale of ten power generating plants built by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.” And despite severally announced date, the Federal Government has again shifted the date for the payment of severance packages to electricity workers. Nebo had on April 22 said at the State House, Abuja that before the end of June 2013, government would have completed the payment of PHCN severance benefits. The ministry had promised to commence payment on June 17. However, speaking yesterday, Nebo stressed that though the payments would have commenced last week, it would not take off as envisaged. He did not give reasons for the delay. There have been fears that private sector operators who won bids for the nation’s power utilities were waiting for government to resolve the payment of severance packages to the nation’s electricity workers before they can pay the 75 per cent balance to government.

Nebo said, however, “Resolution of labour issues is also completed. The severance pay to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) workers will commence this week.” He later changed ‘this week’ to ‘soon’. To enhance the security of power supply, the minister said government is assiduously working towards the diversification of the fuel mix. He added: “In this regard, the nation’s vast resources of coal, wind, solar, biomass and hydropower potential are being fully exploited. Feasibility studies on the development of coal to power are on-going in five coal blocks in Enugu axis and three coal blocks in Benue, Kogi and Gombe axis. Progress of work on the studies is at 25percent and is expected to focus on clean coal technology. “Feasibility studies on ten dams with small hydropower potentials which commenced in 2011 have been completed and ready for concession.” He went on: “Going forward, the Ministry will pursue vigorously the following: Private Investment - including Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the Power sector (IPPs, distribution, renewable energy & capacity building); transmission grid expansion (Super Grid); develop framework for alternative funding of transmission projects that will allow recovery of investments; conclusion of labour-related issues; develop local content framework in the power sector; promoting energy efficiency and conservation; collaborate with other agencies to check vandalisation of power infrastructure.”

surrounding the accident, which claimed the lives of the foster mother of the wife of the President, Madam Charity Oba around Elele, Rivers State on Monday. Mrs. Oba and a 12 year-old girl identified as Miss Favour, lost their lives in a ghastly motor accident on Monday evening on their way to Bayelsa State. Also, FRSC’s Marshal, Mr Osita Chidoka has identified human factor as the main causes of avoidable accident crashes on our roads. The FRSC’s Sector Commander in Rivers State, Dr Kayode Olagunju, said in Port Harcourt yesterday that the cause of the accident would be disclosed at the end of the ongoing investigation on it. “For now, we cannot say what caused the accident. We are still investigating and will definitely let you know the cause when we conclude the investigation”, Olagunju said. He disclosed this yesterday at the Pan Nigeria Road Safety Awareness Campaign workshop organised for Exxon Mobil drivers in Eket, Akwa Ibom State. Represented by Mr. Abayomi Olukoju, he further added that crashes take more lives in the country even more than HIV/AIDS and malaria.

Technical hitches stall Reps’ voting on constitution amendment From Adamu Abuh, Abuja EMBERS of the House of M Representatives could not vote yesterday on clause by clause basis on constitutional amendment due to technical hitches on the use of the electronic voting device. The original electronic voting device installed on the floor of House could not function, after it was put to use in the last constitutional amendment exercise of 2010 during the 6th Assembly. Efforts by Nigcomsat’s technical team, led by its Director General, Dr Ahmed Rufai to improvise through the use of an Ipad yielded results but it came so late in the day, a development that prompted the Speaker of the House, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to adjourn proceedings on the issue till today. Tambuwal, who acknowledged that Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the outcome of the exercise in the House of Representatives, justified the adjournment, saying it was aimed at enabling the members of the House to get used to the Ipad before the start of the voting procedure. Rufai corroborated the speaker’s position, saying the Ipad devise needs to be charged to be able to go through the rigours of the voting process that could last for over three hours.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

4 NEWS

Gunmen kill policeman, two others in Bauchi • Borno CAN tasks Shettima on promise to Boko Haram victims From Ali Garba (Bauchi) and Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri) MOBILE policeman and A two civilians were killed on Monday by unknown gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram during their attack on a bank and police station in Darazo Local Council of Bauchi State. The Guardian learnt that a female hawker also sustained injury during the incident that took place at about 8.30 p.m. Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Hassan Mohammed, said “the gunmen, who used Improvised Explosive Devices (EIDs), attacked the Darazo Divisional Police Station and were repelled before they set off and attacked a bank. According to him, the mobile police corporal was killed during an exchange of fire with the hoodlums as the police battled to repel attempts at the bank robbery and burning of the police station. In the process, stray bullets hit three female hawkers, two of whom died in the hospital while the remaining one is currently receiving treatment. However, he added that the hoodlums have fled, and that though the police have commenced investigation into the incident, no arrest has been made yet. Meanwhile, the Borno State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and members of the Christian Northern Elders Forum (CNEF) on Monday tasked Governor Kashim Shettima to fulfill his promise to com-

pensate the 145 victims and relations of the Christians killed by insurgents in the state. Speaking during their visit to the governor, the CAN Chairman, Rev. Titus Pona, described the governor as “selfless and detribalised,” noting that he administers the state to the benefit of all citizens. He thanked Shettima for his “support and assistance” adding that “this would be first time in the history of the state that Christians would have a sense of belonging, despite our religious and political differences.” According to Pona, it was only under the present administration that New Year and Christmas bonuses were introduced for pastors across the state, and several Christians sponsored to Jerusalem on pilgrimage. He also commended the governor for appointing several Christians into his government, adding that it had never happened in the history of the state, and the North in general. Responding, Shettima commended the CAN executives for their efforts to calm the Christian community residing in the state, stating that he was confident the CAN leadership would join the government to restore peace. He further directed his Commissioner for Housing and Rural Electrification, Sugum Mai Mele, to replace the transformer serving five churches and the Musa Usman Secretariat complex in Maiduguri, as CAN requested, before departing for the lesser hajj.

Celebrant, Dr. Ifeoma Utomi (left); her husband, Prof. Pat Utomi and a guest, Daisy Okereke, during the 50th birthday thanksgiving of Ifeoma at the Church of Assumption, Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

UK pledges assistance in fight against terrorism, oil theft From Madu Onuorah, Abuja RITISH Minister for International Security Strategy, Andrew Murrison, yesterday pledged his country’s assistance to Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and crude oil theft. Murrison, accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, told the Minister of State for Defence, Olusola Obada, of the enduring relationship between Nigeria

and the United Kingdom (UK). He said: “We are very much aware today of the danger that is threatening our countries and how we can solve this together; and the things that affect your security also affect our security. We are ready to see Nigeria develop as a commercial powerhouse as you have great responsibility in this region as the regional leader.” Pocock added that the UK shares Nigeria’s concern for

human rights, pledging to ensure assistance in that respect, adding that his country will continue to be very great partners in defence and security sector. Obada said Nigeria’s role in West Africa has placed her in a leadership position but stated that there must be stability in the country for the sub-region to be properly secured, thanking UK for officially labelling Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation.

Senate denies endorsing early marriage law CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 the review of the constitution. They expressed deep concern over the silence by the National Assembly on the issue of affirmative action. They urged the Senate to review the issue of child marriage, describing it as “a national disgrace that por-

trays Nigeria as a primitive society.” A statement by the President and Director of Publicity of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGOs), Jude Obasanmi and Destiny Enabulele, said they were frustrated “with the declaration conceded by the Senate to preserve the provision of Section 29 (4) (b) of the 1999 constitution.” They said that the majority of Nigerians had expressed their position that Section

29 (4) (b) did not deserve to be in the constitution expected to people-oriented. At a stakeholders meeting including members of the House of Assembly in Benin City and civil society organisations in Edo State, Executive Director, Gender and Development Action (GADA), Mrs. Ada Agina-Udeat, said the retention of the extant provision that any woman that is married is deemed to be an adult only confirmed the futility of the talk about women development.

Lagos’ bill against sexual harassment scales first reading By Wole Oyebade BILL to prohibit and punish someone involved in sexual harassment in Lagos State workplaces scaled the first reading on the floor of the House of Assembly yesterday, as lawmakers described it as apt and necessary to check the growing rate of cases of sexual harassment in the state. Sponsored by the Deputy Majority Leader, Lola Akande, Section 7 of the bill provides that any person found guilty of sexual harassment under the law “shall be liable to a fine of N250,000 or six months imprisonment and dismissal from work.” Similarly, any employer who fails to punish persons reported and confirmed to involve in sexual harassment shall be liable and on conviction, compensate the victim as the court may determine. Acts that would give rise to a formal complaint of sexual harassment shall not be limited to sexual innuendo, unsolicited touching and rape.

Govt boosts agriculture in Urhoboland From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja HE Federal Government, in an effort to boost agricultural production and improve the standard of living of people, has provided improved oil palm and cocoa seedlings to farmers in Urhoboland and the rest of the Niger Delta region. It also plans to locate a modern cassava processing plant in the area. According to the Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina, these were some of the measures the Federal Government was taking to address the issues raised by the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), which visited President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. In addition, the Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, said government would expedite action on the ongoing and planned rehabilitation of

ports in Warri, Sapele, Koko and Burutu, as well as the Delta Steel Company, Aladja. UPU delegation, led by its President-General, Maj.-Gen. Patrick Aziza (rtd), was also briefed by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, who promised that the East-West Road would be completed by December 2014. Though the meeting was held behind closed doors, a statement by the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, said that President Jonathan thanked the Urhobo leaders for their support to his administration and greatly appreciated their coming to share some of their concerns with him. Aziza had told reporters after the visit that though 2015 was still far off, Jonathan was eligible and entitled to contest the Presidency of Nigeria if he so

desires. He told State House correspondents later that the delegation was at the Villa to brief the President on issues affecting the development of the area. Though he declined giving the details of their discussions with the President, the former Chief of Army Staff, however, admitted that they discussed the militancy in the Niger Delta and its implications, adding that they believed the resources of the country must be allowed to go round all parts of the nation. Meanwhile, Aziza insisted that those caught stealing the nation’s crude oil must be made to pay heavily, stating: “You know me and my background. I support harsh treatment to them. If anybody is a thief, treat him like a thief. Don’t romance him. Let them pay the price.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

NEWS 5

Agreement with ASUU can’t be implemented, says govt From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh and Collins Olayinka, Abuja DECLARATION that is A likely to infuriate the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and further aggravate the on-going industrial action by the union has come from the Federal Government yesterday in

Abuja when it said that the agreement reached with ASUU is impossible to implement by its nature. However, it was quick to express his optimism of finding a way out of the quagmire soon. The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chukwuemeka Wogu, made this known

when he appeared before the People Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) yesterday to render his achievements as a minister, appointed under the platform of the ruling party. Wogu, who was briefing the Bamanga Tukur-led committee at the Wadata Plaza National Secretariat of the PDP

made the relative industrial peace and harmony being enjoyed over a long time in the country, employment and job creation, social security and improvement in the national minimum wage and its implementation as vital highlights of his performance. He told the PDP national chairman and his members

of committee that he met on ground an agreement signed by the previous government with ASUU when he resumed as the Minister of Labour, but stated that the agreement is impossible to implement. But the minister declared that the present administration, led by President Goodluck Jonathan is finding a way

National Secretary, Nigerian National Summit Group, Tony Ipriye Uranta (left); Managing Director, Dhunnun Nigeria Limited, Umar Mustapha; former Governor of Anambra State, Okwadike Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Chairman, Planning Committee, National Summit Group, Dr. Kunle Olajide during an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee of the Nigerian National Summit. PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO.

out and doing everything possible to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of everybody. His words: “I inherited an agreement signed by the Federal Government with ASUU and that agreement is practically impossible for any administration to implement. We are still discussing with them, if I leave here, I am going to the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) where we are meeting with them. I hope that very soon, we will resolve it.” On the job creation efforts of the government, he stated that presently the Community Service Scheme Women and Youth Empowerment Programme of the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) of the Federal Government has already engaged 120,000 persons out of the 185,000 targeted for the year 2013. He pointed out that as social security is an evolving structure, Nigeria is still basically trying to grow the concept to an acceptable international standard. “We are at the stage of putting in place a social security policy that would reflect the nation’s needs and level of economic development, taking into consideration the traditional as well as the modern socio-cultural values and norms,” he said. Wogu also stressed that the passage of the Employee Compensation Act in 2010 has resuscitated the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund and it is now spearheading the Employees Compensation Scheme for workers that sustain injury in the workplace. He also disclosed that the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) is the leading agency in job creation efforts, specialising in skills acquisition and empowerment of the unemployed.

MRA, others urge govt to promote transparency, strengthen governance HREE non-governmental T organisations (NGOs), have called on the Federal Government and its relevant agencies to take urgent steps to comply with the eligibility requirements of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). OGP is a global initiative launched on September 20, 2011 to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. The three organisations working in the areas of transparency and accountability in governance – Media Rights Agenda (MRA), BudgIT Nigeria, and Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) said that Nigeria’s inability to meet OGP’s eligibility requirements constitutes a major slur on the country’s image and reputation, particularly in the light of the fact that six other African countries are already members of the OGP. In November 2012, Nigeria indicated its interest in joining the OGP. Since then, however, the country has been unable to meet the minimum requirements of transparent, effective and accountable governance to be eligible to join the multi-

lateral initiative. Countries intending to join the OGP are required to secure a minimum score of 12 points out of 16 to be eligible. The 16 points are shared equally across four areas in the country’s governance system and processes, namely Fiscal Transparency, Access to Information, Income and

Public Asset Disclosure by Elected or Senior Public Officials, and Citizen Engagement. Nigeria has only been able to muster 10 points and is thereby ineligible for OGP membership, although other African countries like South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Tanzania and Malawi are already mem-

bers of the global initiative that currently has 60 member countries. Nigeria’s non-qualification arises mainly as a result of the fact that there is no open disclosure of audit reports of public accounts; assets disclosures made by public officers are not publicly available while incomes are not disclosed;

and government engagement with citizens is considered inadequate. With the passage of the Freedom of Information Act in 2011, Nigeria has the full four points available in the area of Access to Information, which is an aspect of membership that gives effect to citizens’ right to in-

formation. Under the OGP framework, four points are awarded to countries with access to information laws in place; three points are awarded if a country has a constitutional provision guaranteeing access to information; and one point is awarded if a country has a draft access to information law under consideration.

Delta communities protest against alleged land encroachment by Edo From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba UNDREDS of aggrieved protesters led by some traditional title holders from different communities in Delta State stormed Government House and the State House of Assembly both in Asaba yesterday to protest against the alleged land grabbing by their neighbours in Edo State. The peaceful protesters, who came in over ten mini buses got to Government House as early as 9 a.m. carried numerous placards with different inscriptions some of which read “Oba of Benin does not own any land in Delta”, “Nobody can claim our land from us”, “Edo is looking for war”, “Edo is an aggressor,” amongst others. The protesting communities

include Umutu, Eku, Umuegwa-Abraka, OrhuarivieAbraka, Obiaruku, Mosogar, Jesse, Owa-Abbi, Oghara and Umuaja. Chief Abel Idigun, chairman, Central Working Committee of the Communities (CWC), who doubled as the spokesperson for the protesters accused Edo State of being the aggressor as it is laying claim to land that does not belong to its people. Presently, he said that there are many surveyors from Edo State in virtually all the disputed lands in Delta State demarcating the land and appropriating same to themselves despite the agreement between the two states to allow the National Boundary Commission (NBC) resolve the issue. Idigun recalled that at the end

of the meeting of March 7, 2006 between the two deputy governors and boundary committees of the two states, it was agreed that both states have no constitutional power to demarcate interstate boundary. He charged: “The two states can and will continue to work together to maintain the status quo for purposes of harmonious and peaceful co-existence within the disputed boundaries pending the final demarcation of the boundaries by the NBC.” He continued: “That the Federal Government is desirous of a speedy resolution of the boundary disputes between both states and hence the Joint Technical Committee of both states; and NBC is to speed up the execution of the additional field work exercise.”

He called on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to tell the Assistant Commissioner of Police, AIG, Zone 5, Benin to order the people of Edo State to hold their peace until the determination of the boundary by NBC The Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Government House and Protocol, Mr. Tony Obuh who met the protesters on behalf of Uduaghan commended the communities for not only maintaining peace and refraining from communal clash with Edo State communities but also for coming to intimate government of the issues in their areas. He advised the protesting communities to put their grievances into writing and submit it to the state government to enable it pursue their

case with the National Boundary Commission and tackle the issue squarely. He said: “I thank you for the peaceful way you have handled this boundary dispute, the issue of land is critical to you and the state government. I will advise that you put grievances into writing to enable government handle the matter well. I promise you that government will give it urgent attention.” The governor added that the visit was for the benefit of the state as the steps taken were to ensure peace and avoid communal clash in the area, saying that the government abhors crisis in any part of the state and was happy that they chose the part of peace because if they had resorted to self-help, there would have been crisis.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

6 | NEWS

Kaduna CAN chides Gumi over comments on Christianity, others From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief

FFICIALS of the ChrisO tian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State have faulted the comments of Islamic leader in the North, Sheikh Muhammed Gumi, that the President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oristejafor and other Christian leaders live flamboyant lives. They also accused Gumi of making derogatory remarks on Christianity during his Ramadan preaching, saying that such religious activities could cause disaffection among the various interest groups in the state. The Kaduna State Secretary of CAN, Rev. Sunday Ibrahim, who addressed a press conference yesterday, said for Gumi to make

Christianity as an object of Ramadan preaching and castigating the leaders for alleged corruption, is unacceptable. According to the CAN scribe in the state, “he (Gumi) went further to say that the more archbishops, bishops, pastors and general overseers, the more iniquities in the society and he also went further to make some degrading comments on the personality of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”. On the pictures of the jet and limousine car, which were said to belong to Oristejafor and his wife, and also the objects of Gumi’s teachings, Rev. Ibrahim queried: “How is that Gumi’s concern?”

Deji cautions govt on appointment of market leaders From Niyi Bello, Akure HE Akure monarch, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, yesterday warned the Ondo State government against dabbling into appointments and installation of people as holders of traditional titles in markets, which fall under his purview. The Deji gave the warning at the inauguration of the Caring Heart Shopping Mall, which comprises 244 shops and other amenities, including two solar-powered boreholes, toilets, banking halls and asphalt landscaping. According to the monarch, all markets, no matter how modern, are traditional markets and it is only the palace of the Deji that has

the responsibility of installing leadership in the market, including the Iyaloja General. “It is only Deji’s Palace that can install Iyaloja in all Akure markets and not the government. I do not want the government to dabble into this area. I am warning now that nobody should bring any non-governmental organisation (NGO) to cause trouble in Akure markets. “Nobody can be installed Iyaloja except Deji approves such appointment. Therefore, nobody should disguise under any NGO to parade herself as Iyaloja General or whatever name. Mrs. Juliana Ogunsusi remains the Iyaloja”.

Protest in Imo community over vacant stool From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri ISSATISFIED with the method of selecting the monarch of Umuohiagu in Imo State, scores of members of the community, led by a professor, Uju Afolezi and a contestant to the throne, Athan Agbakwuru, among

others, yesterday in Owerri grounded economic, social and other activities to a halt while protesting. They were essentially angered by the alleged selection of a candidate by the government without the consent of majority of the candidates.

Lagos PDP alleges plot to rig council polls By Seye Olumide AGOS State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged plan by the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the state Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) over the creation of more wards ahead of the coming council polls. In a statement yesterday, the state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Taofik Gani, said the party has painstakingly observed the stakeholders’ forum incessantly organised by LASIEC in the last six months and can now describe the ongoing forum on creation of more wards as another game

plan to rig elections. Warning both institutions to desist from such plan, PDP stated that it is more prepared this time to “defend our votes and protect voters’ choice.” The party further stated that the indications that LASIEC was set up to compromise the process to suit ACN manifested at one of the fora when the Chairman of the commission, Justice Fatai Adeyinka (rtd), asserted that more wards and polling units had been created but he failed to mention the numbers and their descriptions.

District Governor, Rotary Club, (District 9110), Rotarian Gbemiga Olutayo Olowu (left); immediate past president, Rotary Club of Ikeja, Rotarian Niyi Osidele; President, Rotary Club of Ikeja, Rotarian Goke Olayinka; his wife, Nike and daughter, Dara, at the installation of Olayinka as the president of Rotary Club of Ikeja in Lagos PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

‘PDP won’t compromise party supremacy’ From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, has said that the party would not compromise on its responsibility of enforcing party’s supremacy even in the face of difficult political situations. In a statement issued by the PDP chairman yesterday in Abuja, it was pointed out that the party’s leadership has received support from President Goodluck Jonathan to continue to enforce party supremacy. Tukur stated that since the PDP constitution emphasises party’s supremacy, the national secretariat would not shirk its responsibilities in taking appropriate decisions

in the interest of all members. According to him, President Jonathan, the PDP leader, acknowledged the powers conferred on the party by the constitution and has always been encouraging the dispensation of party supremacy for shaping the good conduct of PDP while strengthening democracy. “We are one as a people and as a party. The people who say there is wrangling among us as leaders on convention matters are mere rumourpeddlers. We have been meeting and taking decisions on how to move the party forward. And the good thing is that we are all experienced members to know the right thing to do.”

Airline decries high cost of aviation fuel By Wole Shadare HE astronomical increase in the price of aviation fuel, otherwise known as JET A1, and ‘multiple charges’ by various aviation agencies have combined to make airline business unprofitable in the country. Most operators called on the government to seek solution to the problem which they said could throw them out of business. One of the operators, Managing Director of Medview Airlines, Muneer Bankoloe, in an interaction with The Guardian yesterday in his office said the issue has seriously affected

airline business in the country. The aviation fuel now sells for N180 and more per litre from the former N130 and it is the most important single element in flight operations. Without fuel in tanks, aeroplanes cannot fly. He explained that the commodity has now risen from N120 per litre to over N180 and more in some other airports, just as scarcity of the aviation fuel hit Abuja on Monday and yesterday. The cause of the scarcity was unknown but an operator told The Guardian that many airlines chose to refuel in Lagos as a result of the problem.

From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has described the death of a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the state, Mr. Shola Owolabi, as shocking. Ahmed, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, said the death was particularly devastating because Owolabi died a young man at a time when he still had a lot to contribute to nation building.

Ahmed mourns NAN journalist The governor said the death of Owolabi also marked a huge loss to the journalism profession because he was a young man committed to the ideals of the profession; a man who was profoundly industrious and humble. Ahmed, who commiserated with the family of the deceased and journalists in the state, prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the

NAFDAC refutes report of alleged fraud by Orhii By Chukwuma Muanya and Tony Nwanne HE Chairman of the newly inaugurated Board of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. John Ibru, and the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Paul Orhii, have dismissed alleged probe of Orhii by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a N700 million scam. Ibru and Orhii yesterday at a press briefing in Lagos also announced the setting up of a scientific committee to investigate reports linking energy drinks to sudden death and make recommendations to the government. They also assured Nigerians that a committee it set up earlier in the year to probe herbal cure claims and development of herbal medicine in the country is making progress and will present its report before the end of the year. Orhii was alleged to have amassed about N700 million

through the sale of fake drugs which were allegedly distributed on his behalf by one Mrs. Aishat Emeka OkpaIwenofu who, until recently, was in charge of the Lagos Liaison Office of NAFDAC. It was alleged that OkpaIwenofu who was the Personal Assistant (PA) to Orhii in Abuja before she was posted to Lagos as liaison officer, was Orhii’s mistress. The allegations, which emanated from an online publication known as Global Village Extra, alleged that Aishat was Orhii’s mistress and ran his businesses and coordinated free flow of fake drugs into the country. Ibru said: “The NAFDAC Governing Council identifies with a progressive, hardworking and intelligent Orhii. The Council has not had any evidence about any corrupt practices against our DG. If we do we will not hesitate to let you know. I believe such a day will never come.”

Seminar on migration, terrorism begins in Abuja TWO-day seminar on miA gration and terrorism in West Africa, being organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in collaboration with

Dephi Media Consulting Limited, begins today at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja. The brainstorming session, which is expected to

be attended by members of the armed forces and other security agencies, scholars, top government officials and diplomats in the country, will be chaired by for-

mer Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, while the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) will present the keynote address.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

NEWS 7

Oshiomhole urges Christians to pray for leaders over 2015

C’River ties promotion of school heads to computer literacy

OVERNOR Adams OshG iomhole has charged the Christian Association of Nige-

From Anietie Akpan, Calabar

ria (CAN) to speak out against the ills of the society, stand on the path of truth and pray for the nation as we approach 2015. The governor made the appeal on Monday when the national executive members of CAN, led by its General-Secretary, Rev. Musa Asake, representing the CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Benin City The governor said: “For me, Nigeria is treading the ground that might threaten the foundation of our existence. So I want CAN, having shown courage, having spoken out even in the days of military dictatorship, now in a democracy, we need more of that courage.

Foundation, others hold confab on Nigeria

O boost the ICT capacity of T teachers, Cross River State government has declared

Wife of Oyo State governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi (left); Deputy Chief Commissioner, Nigerian Girl Guide Association, Western Zone, Mrs. Anka Uko and Oyo State Commissioner, Girl Guide, Mrs. Folasade Tonye Brown, at the investiture of Ajimobi’s wife as patron of the association in Ibadan…yesterday. PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

that henceforth, promotion to the position of principals and head teachers would be based on computer literacy. The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Offiong Effanga Offiong, disclosed this yesterday at the West African Peoples’ Institute (WAPI), Calabar, while flagging off computer training for teachers in public schools in the state. Offiong said: “The new guidelines for appointment of school administrators that will come into force from 2014/2015 academic session stipulates ICT certification as a requirement to become school principals or head teachers”. He added that the current training is in fulfillment of an

earlier promise made to beneficiaries during the distribution of computer and laptop systems to teachers in the state. The training programme, he stated, will begin with the Calabar zone after which the Ikom and Ogoja zones will take their turns in that order. Offiong said the training for the Calabar zone has been designed to last for four weeks with the beneficiaries grouped into four where each group is expected to participate in the training for one week. He said plans were on to ensure that a similar programme is replicated among private schools in the state as “directives have been given to the umbrella body of private school proprietors to liaise with the state ICT consultant with a view to having them key into the programme”.

S politicians gear up toA wards the 2015 polls, German foundation, Heinrich

Abuja indigenes plan protest over non-passage of Mayoralty Bill

Boell Stiftung, on Monday organised a national five-day resource discourse with the theme Good Life in Abuja. The participants, who included young Nigerians, pulled from various fields such as journalism, civil rights activism, non-governmental organisations, information technology and finance, gathered to render varied accounts of what would constitute Good Life in Nigeria, some sort of Transformation Agenda that would be presented to the President. “My picture of the Good Life is a fast-speed train,” said Emmanuel Mayah, the Nigerian journalist, who won the 2010 CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year with his dangerous yet audaciously reported story, Europe by Desert: Tears of African Migrant. “At least with it, Nigeria would have begun to cure some of the many indignities associated with mass transportation; then of course, the unnecessary deaths on our highways.”

From Terhemba Daka, Abuja HE umbrella body of the inT digenous people of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, under the aegis of Original Inhabitants’ Development Association of Abuja (OIDA), has said it will today embark on a one-million-man protest march to the National Assembly over the rejection of the proposed mayoral government for FCT by the federal lawmakers. The body also expressed its plans to “institute a legal case against the Federal Government to challenge the forceful usurpation of our ancestral lands through Section 297 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) without prompt payment of compensation or due process as outlined in Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).” The OIDA said the FCT natives and other Nigerians would participate in the “mass protest at the National Assem-

To sue govt for land and statelessness bly tomorrow (today).” In a statement signed by President of the group, Danladi Jeji, and made available to The Guardian in Abuja yesterday, OIDA said the mass protest is against “Senate’s rejection of the proposed Mayoral Status for FCT and non-inclusion of FCT issues for debate by the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.” Jeji said the protest was one of the decisions reached at an enlarged meeting of FCT indigenous people last Saturday, that resulted in a statement known as “Kuje Declaration”, which contains all their demands. The indigenes added that the Nigerian federation has rendered them second-class citizens who are stateless and denied them socio-political and economic rights like other Nigerians.

“We shall also institute another legal case against the Federal Government to challenge the interpretation of Sections 299, 300, 301, 302 and 304, which have rendered us in the captivity of statelessness and second-class citizenship.” “In light of the pervasive oppression of FCT original inhabitants in their ancestral homelands, we shall have recourse to the assertion of our universal right of self-determination in a formal petition to the United Nations General Assembly.” “We reject the Landswap policy of the current FCT minister. Until the 1978 compensation value and figure of N2.8 billion is paid with 37 years’ interest, the FCT minister and his officials cannot have access to our lands. No amount of intimidation, division of our people or use of di-

Court refuses Enugu state’s application in suit against council From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu MAGISTRATE’S Court in A Awgu Local Council Area of Enugu yesterday refused an application by the Attorney General of the state, Anthony Ani, to discontinue criminal charges brought to it by a former military governor of Imo State, Anthony Oguguo, against some members of the council. Oguguo had gone to court, alleging a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful assault on eight members of the council led by Anthony Udegu, who invaded his residence during a meeting of the natives and guests on October 28, 2010. He stated that guests, who gathered for the meeting, were attacked and robbed of their money, handsets and jewelry by the hoodlums, adding that many of the guests sustained bodily injuries. He alleged that the invasion was on the instructions of the then Chairman of the council, Uche Anioke. At the resumed hearing on the matter yesterday, the At-

torney General asked the court to discharge the accused persons on the ground that he did not find anything incriminating against them. Ani, in a letter to the court dated July 21 and read on his behalf by a state counsel, Obiora Nnamani, said: “The proof of evidence in the opinion of the Attorney General does not substantiate the proof of evidence of assault against the accused persons” and urged the court to discharge the matter. He stated that the development was also in the discharge of his constitutional powers as enshrined in Sections 211 and 252 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the 1999 Constitution. Nnamani added that it was within the province of the Attorney General to bring the accused persons to court and not himself, adding that he was only sent to deliver the letter to the court. Oguguo, who addressed the court as a complainant and lawyer, opposed the application, insisting that there was a cause for the accused to be brought to court.

Oguguo said: “I make this prayer because I am involved and I have interest in justice. I have governed a state and there must have been a reason before anybody is put on trial. I am bringing these things out because not only that I have spent 30 years at the Bar, I was also a military governor and former member of the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC). It is not just that the accused have been placed on trial, I have also been placed on trial and that is that when the incident happened, what did you do? The next persons placed on trial are the Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police. My respected Attorney General of the state is also placed on trial, the Judiciary in Enugu State is placed on trial, and our nascent democracy is placed on trial, including all of us. We are on trial before the tabernacle of justice. “Somebody has just relied on the constitution to seek discontinuance. He said there was no cause for trial, but permit me to say there was a cause for trial, there is suffi-

cient reason and he, the AG, cannot reprobate and approbate at the same time. My view about the application is that it should be set aside and the trial continued”. Oguguo argued that since the matter started, the Attorney General had not deemed it necessary to bring the accused persons to court despite summons issued on them. Refusing the application of the Attorney General, Magistrate S.O. Okoro said he cannot grant the application based on the fact that those being accused have never been brought to court since the matter commenced, adding that the summons issued by the court earlier against the accused stands. “Who am I discharging and why are they not in court? I have had occasions to warn even the police that they cannot bring a charge to court without the accused persons. How do I discharge somebody not before me? I refuse to consider the merit of this application and the summons issued to the accused persons to appear before the court stands”,

vide and rule tactics will make us give up our lands. Hence, all FCT indigenes are hereby directed to stop further negotiations on resettlement or compensation with FCT or FCDA officials until the said compensation due and payable is fully settled. Ditto the Centenary City project. “We note sadly that Section 297 of the 1999 Constitution, which vests all lands in the FCT on the Federal Government of Nigeria, is a satanic clause as there has never been prompt compensation or acquisition of our indigenous and customary land by the Federal Government. Hence, until the 1978 compensation value and figure of N2.8 bil-

lion with 37 years’ interest is paid, the Nigerian government cannot claim ownership of the present lands in the FCT. Thus, on our ancestral lands we stand! “On the issue of indigeneship, we categorically affirm that only original inhabitants can claim ownership of being the natives of FCT. Therefore, all those buying indigeneship certificates to claim that they are original inhabitants of FCT are fake. All federal agencies should take note, especially for the purpose of employment opportunities. We are also warning the six area councils to desist from offering indigene letters to nonFCT original inhabitants”.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

AfricanNews Africa’s group held back by land ownership confusion, says report ORLD Bank Africa has asW serted in a new report that African economic growth is being held back by confusion over who owns vast swathes of agricultural land. The continent is home to half of the world’s usable uncultivated land, yet has the highest poverty rate. But the bank, in the report. said farmers’ inability to prove ownership, legal disputes and land grabs had held back cultivation. It said land governance needs to be improved if Africa is to fully exploit its resources and create jobs. Writing in the report, Securing Africa’s Land for Shared Prosperity, the bank’s vice-president for the continent, Makhtar Diop, said: “Despite abundant land and mineral wealth, Africa remains poor. “Improving land governance is vital for achieving rapid economic growth and translating it into significantly less poverty and more opportunity for Africans, including women who make up 70 per cent of Africa’s farmers, yet are locked out of land ownership due to customary laws. “The status quo is unacceptable and must change so that all Africans can benefit from their land,” Diop said. The report recommends that governments secure tenure rights for communities and individuals, possibly using new and relatively cheap satellite technology to conduct land surveys. The BBC reported that legal wrangles over land ownership are common in Africa. “It’s often the case that plots in urban areas have been divided, then sub-divided through generations of families, creating confusion over who owns what,” it stated. “This makes long-term investment in things like farm machinery or irrigation risky.”

Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal (left), Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo at the opening of the Forbes Africa Forum with the theme, The emergence of an African middle class: Conditions, issues and challenges in Brazzaville…yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Pressure mounts for Morsi’s release as Egypt clashes kill 10 GYPT’S new leaders yesterE day continued to face mounting pressure to release Mohamed Morsi from detention as clashes between supporters and opponents of the deposed Islamist president left 10 people dead. The clashes broke out on Monday and raged through the night, wounding dozens of people, a day after Morsi’s family vowed to sue the military over his ouster. Following the new development, the interior ministry warned yesterday it would

The clashes broke out on Monday and raged through the night, wounding dozens of people, a day after Morsi’s family vowed to sue the military over his ouster. deal with any lawlessness “firmly and decisively” while urging “everyone of all affiliations to maintain peaceful expressions of opinion” following the latest bloodshed. About six people were killed early yesterday when opponents of Morsi attacked supporters of the ousted president staging a sit-in near Cairo University, state media reported.

In the Al-Nahda area near the university, about 16 cars were torched in the clashes, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported. Yesterday, 1,000-2,000 proMorsi demonstrators remained in the square. Some of them had surrounded a pool of blood from the night’s clashes with stones, and put up a sign saying it was where a

“martyr” fell during the violence. Morsi’s family told a news conference on Monday they would take legal action against the military for having “kidnapped” the elected president after he was deposed in a popularly backed coup on July 3. Egypt’s new leadership said Morsi is in a “safe” place for his own good. Calls for his release have also been issued by the United States, Germany, the United Nations and the European Union.

Parliamentary candidates embark on last-minute campaigns in Togo ANDIDATES contesting in C Togo’s parliamentary elections yesterday made final pitches to voters ahead of polls that will see the West African nation’s opposition try to loosen the ruling family’s decades-long grip on power. The election, which is expected to hold tomorrow, comes after months of delays amid protests by a coalition of opposition and civil society groups known as Let’s Save Togo, seeking electoral reforms. Many of those protests have been dispersed by authorities firing tear gas, but negotiations in recent weeks have led to a deal that saw the opposition drop boycott threats and

agree to participate in the polls. On the final day of campaigning, Let’s Save Togo held a closing rally at a sports stadium in the capital Lome for roughly 2,000 supporters. Some danced, sang and wore bright orange t-shirts to show support for the coalition. “We want a real change.... A small group of people is hoarding all of the country’s wealth,” said Djagba Lare, 57, a port worker and opposition supporter. President Faure Gnassingbe’s Union for the Republic (UNIR) party had put up posters across Lome, with supporters gathering in the Aboue neighbourhood for a final campaign event.

A 25-year-old taxi driver, Cameo, described UNIR as the party of “peace and development”, and the one capable of uniting the nation. Gnassingbe’s UNIR party won 50 of the 81 seats in 2007 elections. Ninety-one seats will be up for grabs this time, with 26 political parties participating. Patricia Dagban-Zonvide, a government minister overseeing women’s advancement, heads the ruling party’s list of candidates in the capital. Main opposition candidates include Jean Pierre Fabre, head of the National Alliance for Change, who finished second to Gnassingbe in a 2010 presidential vote. His party is part of the Let’s Save Togo coalition.

Congolese helicopters bomb rebel positions S fighting intensified beA tween Congolese combatants, three helicopters belonging to the nation’s army reportedly fired on M23 rebel positions near the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) provincial capital of Goma. “Our helicopters have just bombarded enemy positions,” a Congolese officer told Agence France Presse (AFP) journalists on the frontline after they witnessed the attack. “Until now the enemy has not yet responded,” he added. The attacks came on the same day as the trial opened in Goma of a soldier and policeman accused of mutilating the corpse of an M23 rebel after clashes last week. Meanwhile Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Rwanda of continuing its support of the M23 in a report. It also accused the rebels of summary executions and rape. The M23 movement said Monday it was only four kilometres from Goma, although it stressed its aim was to force the government to negotiate rather than to take the city. The M23 occupied Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, for 10 days in November before withdrawing from following international pressure and in return for a dialogue with Kinshasa, which began in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, in December. But after a truce of around two months, the army and the M23 resumed fighting on July 14. According to the United Nations, the fighting has caused 4,200 people to flee their homes.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

WorldReport Huge Catholic faithful welcome Pope in Brazil

Syria’s opposition gets UN Security Council’s invitation

OPE Francis arrived in P Brazil on Monday on his first foreign trip as pontiff and

NITED Nations (UN) U Security Council will hold an informal meeting

was swarmed by well-wishers as he drove into Rio de Janeiro, where more than one million people are expected to gather to see the first Latin American to head the Roman Catholic Church. Welcomed by a committee of local dignitaries, including President Dilma Rousseff, a smiling Francis waved to onlookers before proceeding by motorcade to Rio’s city centre at the start of a week-long gathering of young faithful in Brazil, home to the world’s largest Catholic population. Thousands of local Catholics, visiting pilgrims and curious Brazilians lined avenues to greet Francis, who rode at first in a closed car with his window open. The crush of well-wishers led to a lapse in security when crowds swarmed the car as it entered central Rio. People surrounded the vehicle, a small silver Fiat, to take photos and touch the pontiff through his open window. Bodyguards moved in to push back the crowd, which at one point was so heavy that the car was forced to a halt. The pope’s visit to the Atlantic coastal metropolis is part of the biennial World Youth Day gathering. “God wished that the first international trip of my pontificate should take me back to my beloved Latin America,” said

Pope Francis (right) acknowledging cheers from Catholic faithful... on Monday. Francis, an Argentine, in a speech shortly after arriving. Despite the novelty of a new pope, the visit comes as secular interests, other faiths and distaste for the sexual and financial scandals that have roiled the Vatican in recent years caused many Catholics in Latin America and around the world to leave the Church. The trip also comes amid growing economic and social

dissatisfaction in Brazil, home to more than 120 million Catholics. The unease in June led to the biggest mass protests in the country in two decades, as more than 1 million people in hundreds of cities rallied against everything from rising prices to corruption to poor public services. In his speech, Francis alluded to the recent protests.

Kate, William show off Britain’s new prince RINCE William and his P wife, Kate, gave the world its first glimpse of their new baby yesterday when they left hospital with the boy who is third in line to the British throne. To huge cheers from wellwishers and hospital staff, the beaming couple waved and took turns to hold their son, wrapped tightly in a white blanket with only the top of his head visible. “We are still working on a name, so we will have that as soon as we can,” William told reporters, adding that he could not be happier. “He’s got her looks, thankfully.” Kate, wearing a pale blue dress with white polka dots, said they were both feeling “very emotional”. “It’s such a special time. Any parent ... will know what this feeling is like,” she said before William drove the young family away in a Range Rover. Kate, 31, gave birth to the couple’s first child on Monday afternoon, ending weeks of feverish anticipation about the arrival, and all three spent the night in the hospital - St Mary’s in west London. They adhered to tradition by giving the public the first sight of the baby on the steps of the hospital as they left just as William’s father Prince Charles and late mother, Princess Diana, did

with him. The baby’s name will be announced later. George and James, both traditional royal names, were favored choices with British bookmakers. Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, were the first visitors to see the couple and their new child. Asked if she would reveal the name or had made any suggestions, Carole Middleton laughed and said: “Absolutely not.” Apart from the media, the event attracted hundreds of well-wishers from the public. “We’re here to witness history, where a future monarch has been born. I just can’t wait to see them today,” said Maria Scott, a housewife from Newcastle in northern England who had camped outside the hospital since Saturday. The baby is third in line to the throne after grandfather Charles and William, 31, and pushes the fun-loving Prince Harry, William’s brother, into fourth place. “I’m thrilled and very excited,” Charles said during an official visit in northern England. His second wife, Camilla, spoke of a “wonderfully uplifting moment for the country”, adding that Charles would make a “brilliant” grandfather. Congratulations flooded in from around the world after

the announcement of the birth, which was followed moment-by-moment by global media as well as TV and press in Britain. The British mass-circulation newspaper the Sun temporarily renamed itself “The Son”, and most newspapers issued special supplements. The birth fuels a new wave of popularity for the House of Windsor inspired by the younger royals, William and Harry. Support for the royal family dipped after their mother Diana’s death in a car crash in Paris in 1997, a year after her divorce from Charles, as the royal family’s handling of the aftermath prompted accusations that they were out of touch. But last year’s celebrations of Queen Elizabeth’s 60th year on the throne showed support for the monarchy was running at a record high. Hordes of TV crews, photographers and royal fans wrapped in British flags were camped outside the hospital for the first glimpse of the baby, who will be called the Prince of Cambridge. To mark the birth, the Royal Artillery fired a 41-gun salute at London’s Green Park and 62 rounds were fired at the Tower of London. Bells at Westminster Abbey, where the couple married in April 2011, rang out for more than three hours.

“I ask everyone to show consideration towards each other and, if possible, the sympathy needed to establish friendly dialogue,” he said. In the five months since he succeeded Benedict, Francis has pleased many with his simple style, rejection of luxuries and calls for the Church to advocate on behalf of the poor and social justice. Aboard his plane early Monday, the pope told reporters the world risks losing a generation of young people to unemployment and called for a more inclusive culture. “The world crisis is not treating young people well,” Francis, 76, said. “We are running the risk of having a gen-

PHOTO: AFP eration that does not work. From work comes a person’s dignity.” Brazilian officials hope that his message of solidarity with the poor and working classes will minimize the possibility of major protests during his visit. Still, they have deployed more than 20,000 soldiers, police and security officials. While some of the measures are routine security provided for any visiting head of state, they are compounded by the popular draw of the pope, especially because Francis decided to travel around the city in an open-top vehicle at times and occasionally mix with the throngs.

with members of the opposition Syrian National Coalition this week, Britain’s envoy said yesterday, but the chief rebel commander will not attend due to the situation inside Syria. The meeting will take place on Friday and include political and military representatives of the Syrian opposition, British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said in a statement. Saudi-backed tribal leader, Ahmed al-Jarba, the new president of the coalition, will lead the delegation, he said. Lyall Grant said the informal nature of the meeting would “provide a forum for members of the council to have a frank and informal exchange with the National Coalition, to discuss key issues relating to the Syrian conflict.” A spokesman for Moscow’s UN mission confirmed that Russia would join the other 14 Security Council members at the Syria meeting on Friday. Russia is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s main ally and arms supplier and has vetoed three Western- and Arab-backed council resolutions condemning Assad’s government. Lyall Grant said key issues to discuss included “ending the violence and preparing for the Geneva II conference, as well as addressing the issues of humanitarian access, human rights, refugees and protection of civilians.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Politics 2015 elections will be different from past exercises, says Ikoiwak Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak, speaks about plans of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for free and fair elections in 2015 and other issues to Anietie Ben Akpan in Eket. AS INEC done appraisal of past H elections as it prepares for next round of polls? We have done an appraisal where we did well and where we did not do well and where you need to improve. We have come to a conclusion that the accreditation processes were not fully carried out as envisaged by the commission. We had situations were people were working from answer to questions. Accreditation problem is supposed to determine the level of credibility and fairness of the poll; that is by ascertaining the number of persons who actually report at the polling unit to vote. And if that process can be gotten right, it means that the outcome of the ballot would also be gotten right. If we determine that 100 people were accredited, you don’t expect more than 100 votes in that unit. But we discovered that some of the people we used, especially the ad-hoc staff, were not really standing on this instruction. They allowed the politicians to fool them to the point of working from answers to questions. Most of them left the form for accreditation until after the elections and that means you determine the number of votes before coming to determine the number of accredited voters. That was an area that was porous — that allowed the politicians to influence the outcome of the polls in some areas. What is the commission putting in place to check these anomalies? The commission intends to perfect this accreditation process in such a way that every legible voter will be accredited by a device that will not be altered or be manipulated by even the officials of the commission. By the time this is done, whatsoever you want to do with all the ballot papers is irrelevant because by the time you go and thumb-print and come and put ballot paper in the box, the number of accredited voters has already been taken by this device, which you cannot, by any means, alter. By the time this is done, if the number of votes in the box is higher than the number accredited, automatically, such votes become a nullity. The device will also prevent anybody voting from outside to come and put the paper in the box; and it will also prevent a voter getting more than one ballot paper because, if by mistake or deliberate act somebody gives you two ballot papers to go into the cubicle to thumb-print, automatically, the box will have an increase — more than the number of accredited voters. This system has been tried in other Africa countries such as Kenya and Ghana and it has been very successful. Some of these things (experiment) were actually adopted in the All African Electoral Conference that was held in Abuja, where notes were

Jega compared and they discovered that Nigeria’s electoral system had more to offer other African countries. They (other countries) picked something from Nigeria’s electoral plan and went ahead, since their elections were closer and they applied some of these things and they worked for them. So, we cannot see how we, the commission, that actually brought some of these ideas cannot implement them in 2015. What I want to say is that the 2015 elections would be totally different from any other elections ever conducted in this country because the electoral commission has been able to identify the pitfalls or wrongs of the past. It has also sincerely come up with programmes and devices that would be able to prevent some of those occurrences of the past. The leadership is also honest about carrying out all these. One thing about politics, one thing about election is your ability to say this is what I have to do and you go straight to do it. I think that is one thing we have to give to the present Chairman of the commission. The accreditation process is the key because taking the result implies that you are going to change something that has already been recorded. You can recall the information in the device to confirm what was recorded. So, there will be no need of somebody coming to change anything, may be from 200 to 400 because by the time you change it, the accreditation position still remains 200. This time around, its not the issue of who did this; you would be known, as this device, this polling unit was manned by so and so person and the result of the election from this unit didn’t reflect the level of accreditation. Once that is established, the person you asked to change the result himself would know that he is going in. One thing most Nigerians don’t know about the 2011 elections is that there are lots of prosecutions going on for those who committed one electoral fraud or the other. Are you giving the assurance that multiple voting would be checked? Multiple voting, as I said, was as a result of the problem in the accredita-

Ikoiwak tion. Once the accreditation process is put right, other things would fall in place. Accreditation that will be done in 2015 will identify somebody and accredit that person and there will be no way of altering that accreditation. And as long as you can’t alter the accreditation, there is no way you can alter the result of the election. It, therefore, means that one person would be accredited at a time. With that, there would be no way for that person to double-vote. That is exactly what is going on. When that is done, it would take Nigerians to a point that you have to win election because people wanted you to win and not because you know somebody or you have all the money in the world or because you can bring thugs. It won’t be necessary to bring thugs to come and cause problem because everything you carry, even if you carry the ballot boxes, papers, and all the results and run away, it will not still benefit you. If you have all the voters’ cards distributed, it will not make any difference to you because you will still need the owners of the cards for the votes to be counted. It means that if you put all the cards in this house, on the day of election, you would still go out to bring all the people who own those cards, for the cards to be able to translate themselves into votes. So, what would be the sense in you doing all these things only to go back to the same people, because rigging is a method of depriving the actual man from deciding whom he or she wants to vote for? But this time around, the process of depriving that person is made so tight that you cannot do it. What are you going to do? You would not need to go all this long only to return to the same people and you still allow the people to determine who they want to vote. Now, politicians would be more focused. They would think of how their own programmes would convince the masses to vote for them so that the real meaning of democracy, which is a government of the people, by the people and for the people would be attained.

In your screening, what percentage of multiple-registration did you discover? In printing the permanent voters’ cards, the commission has discovered that between 15 and 20 percent of those who registered in the 2011 elections were involved in multiple and double-registration. And none of those persons, who have their names in the new voters’ register, will have the cards printed for them because in 2011, after the registration of voters, the period was too close to the elections for a correct review to be done to the data collected from the fields. What was used for the election was like a raw data — something you take from the field and you take it to the election. So, some Nigerians, who manipulated the system by doing multiple and double-registration, had concluded that they were free because they had seen their names; they did not know that it was a raw data. These data, in the past years, had been subjected to serious review to the extent that wherever you registered more than once, your name would be deleted, not actually taken out of the system. Your name would be deposited in the system so that when you bring your temporary card and argue that you had registered and this is your temporary card, we would still use your pin number to look into the system, to know why your card was not printed. When you do that, and we discover that it was as a result of multiple-registration that your problem arose, at that point, you would know whether the law allows you to do that. You said INEC might not need the police in subsequent elections; can you throw more light on this assertion? What I am saying is that by the time Nigerians realise that the election is supposed to be something for the people; by the time the credibility is fully restored in the electoral process; and by the time those who sit on the fence to bring thugs would realise that their thugs would not do anything, there would come a time, not necessarily in 2015, when elections would be conducted without having the security

agents to protect ballot boxes. The security can be there in the election, to ensure that there is no trouble around the electoral environment but the actual protection of the ballot boxes and electoral materials are things that, in future elections, would be eliminated because when people realise that there is no point going to kill and carry something that doesn’t benefit you, many people would refrain from it. When you have a reduced level of crime, you don’t really need so much of security. So, for those Nigerians who still think we are in yester years, some of them would go to jail in 2015. Arising from the 2011 elections, some people are currently being prosecuted nationwide. The mere fact that you have been taken to court is enough to tell the world that you have done something wrong. No matter how you manage to free yourself, people would still see you as blameworthy. And the next time you are asked to do something against the electoral process, you would refuse because you would remember the bitter experience. How did the recent re-organisation by INEC go? There were so many insinuations about the re-organisation in the commission. People said lots of things including tribal, ethnic, zonal tendencies and so on but by the time the restructuring was through, it was clear to everybody that the intention of putting the commission into a better light was attained. Even the staff members were jittery about the re-structuring. Some of them thought that the restructuring would put them out of work because they come from a different backgrounds or because they don’t have somebody to speak for them and so on. But at the end of the day, we discovered that it was their experience, qualifications and grades that put them where they were and, everybody is now where they are supposed to be — round pegs in round holes, square pegs in square holes. So, that has given people confidence in the commission: that internally, we can sit down, damn all the consequences and restructure the commission without looking at where somebody comes from, without looking at who we know. We tried to put people, who never had people to put them or speak for them. But their qualifications, experience, grade levels and so on were enough to put them where they are. This has given the commission a lot of confidence. For us who work in the commission, there is more energy to give now than what it used to be because there were insinuations here and there that it would cause one to begin to doubt whether if you put in your best, it would not be seen as undermining somebody else’s interest. But to everybody in the commission, it’s very clear that your best would be acknowledged, your best would be an added value to the system. The leadership of the commission has been able to secure what I would call a vote of confidence not only from members of staff, but also with other organisations that have something to do with the commission. And so, I have no doubt in my mind that the target set to have full, credible, more acceptable and enduring elections in 2015 would be attained.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Worries over Senate’s vote against council autonomy From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja ANY Nigerians are still perM plexed over the recent voting by the Senate against direct funding for local government councils. The overwhelming sentiments for the abolition of joint accounts for both state and local governments drew from the understanding that the local government council, as the third tier of government, is closest to the people and impact directly on rural dwellers. Unfortunately, this layer of government appears to have lost grip of local government affairs. It would not be wrong to say that state governors, who decide how much money is given to the councils and how the money is utilised, have hijacked the local government institution. The situation between the two tiers of government degenerated to the extent that until recently, caretaker committee set up by state governors manned almost every local government across the country. This development, which has impacted negatively on the living standards of millions of Nigerians at the grassroots, may have initially motivated majority of lawmakers to move against the extant constitutional provision that allowed for joint funding between the state and local government councils, during the debate session. The Ike Ekweremadu-led Constitution Review Committee, under Clause 15 of the suggested amendment, proposed new subsections 5 and 6 of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). While subsection 5 stipulates that: “The amount standing to the credit of Local Government Councils in the Federation Account shall also be allocated to the State for the benefit of their Local Government Councils on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly,” Subsection 6 provides that: “Each State shall maintain a special account to be called ‘State Joint Local Government Account’ into which shall be paid all allocations to the Local Government Councils of the State from the Federation Account and from the

Mark Government of the State.” In fact, the enthusiasm of such Senators as Clever Ikisikpo (Bayelsa East), Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Mathew Nwagwu (Imo North), as well as Adamu Gimba (Bauchi South) towards ensuring that the two subsections were obliterated, were indications of better days for local government authorities. According to Ikisikpo, local dwellers may never benefit from the dividends of democracy without functional local government authority. On behalf of his constituents, he openly canvassed abolition of the joint account system. He said: “Without it, the local government will not benefit from the dividends of democracy. Governors give local governments peanuts and this has not allowed them to executive projects.” Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) also shared similar sentiment. He noted that: “There is no way the local government can perform without the States House of Assembly performing better than they are doing today. “Therefore, granting local govern-

Ekweremadu ment financial autonomy may not guarantee the desired transformation. Yet, I support the amendment that seeks to abolish the state and local government joint account.” Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Public Affairs, Enyinnaya Abaribe, went further to blamed the 1999 Constitution that created the joint account for the two tiers of government. According to him, it was the Constitution that gave impetus to state governors to hijack local government funds. “It has been an opportunity for state governors to hijack the fund belonging to the local government,” he said.” “I support local government autonomy and the cancelling of joint account,” said Mathew Nwagwu (Imo North). Adamu Gimba (Bauchi South) called for a change, “since governors have messed up the extant system.” He said: “It is the operators of the system that messed it up. If there was control and discipline, the present system would have been alright but we have practiced it for long; let us try autonomy this time and see.” However, lawmakers, who kicked

against granting local government financial autonomy, also had their reasons. While some argued that the muchclamoured autonomy would be effort in futility, as state governors would continue to wield their powers on local government authorities; others said they had no confidence in the ability of heads of local government councils to judiciously manage the funds that would be appropriated to them. Some even argued that most local government chairmen are so irresponsible that once allocation is released to them, they “change hotels” and begin to imbibe ostentatious life style. Senator Solomon Ewuga, for instance, would want the extant law to be retained. In fact, he cautioned his colleagues against throwing out the baby with the bath water. “The way I see local governments operate frightens me,” he said. “Before now, local governments were seen in very constructive roles. But now, it is as if no responsibilities are attached to their positions and there doesn’t seem to be any virtue in such positions. “However, we must not throw the

baby and the bath water out. I think that as presently constituted, it is like the case of the devil and the deep blue sea.” Also condemning local government financial autonomy were Senators Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos State) and his Ekiti counterpart, Olubunmi Adetunmbi, who described local government autonomy as creating states out of states and consequently moved for its rejection. Although it was not every senator that contributed to the two-day debate, but considering that the number of senators who supported elimination of the joint account between the state and the local governments far out-numbered those that were against the move, Nigerians felt that that section of the Constitution was as good as amended. But that was not to be. Out of 99 senators that registered to vote on Clause 15, 59 voted in favour of the separation of account while 38 voted for the retention of the extant law. Two senators abstained from voting. Meanwhile, 73 votes were required for the passage of any Clause. The new subsection 5 had proposed that: “Any amount standing to the credit of Local Government in the Federation Account shall be allocated and paid directly to the Local Governments for their benefit on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.” In the same vain, the unsuccessful subsection 6 provided that: “The amount standing to the credit of a Local Government without a democratically elected Council shall be withheld until there is a democratically elected Local Government Council in such Local Government.” Obviously, the worries of state governors over the proposed amendment would not be unconnected to provisions of the new subsections 6(a) and 6(b), which stipulate respectively, that the provision of Section 162, subsection 6(new) shall not apply to a local government without a democratically elected council or where elections have not been held for whatever reasons.

Let our leaders be accountable, honest, says Tunde-Olowu The security challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgency coupled with the political crisis, which spiraled into a free-for-all inside the Rivers State House of Assembly, last week, had elicited diverse reactions from various stakeholders. Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Adedapo Tunde-Olowu, a partner at Aelex Law Firm, provides a new perceptive to the problems: solution lies on accountable, honest and service-oriented leadership. And to attain this objective, the firm is organising a Lecture tomorrow at the AGIP Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos, to help in formulating a road map that will address such national challenges, reports Bertram Nwannekanma. N his views on the nation’s security challenges as well as the recent crisis in Rivers State, Tunde-Olowu said it is obvious that the security situation in many parts of Nigeria is fragile and unpredictable. According to him, terrorist attacks, civil disturbances and kidnappings have become the order of the day. Tensions, he said, have exacerbated between members of political parties and the followers of major religions in the country. He noted that: “It was in a bid to containing the spiraling security crisis in the country that the Federal Government, on May 14, 2013, declared a state of emergency in three states, namely Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Curfews were also imposed and troops deployed to the said states.

“In my view, I don’t think Nigeria has faced a more serious threat to its existence as a nation since the Civil War ended in 1970.” He said this was the reason behind the lecture by his Law Firm. On how the lecture theme, In God’s Name: Politics, Religion and Economic Development, will help in tackling the Nigerian situation, the lawyer said: “Short of all the rhetoric, the turbulence being experienced in Nigeria today has its roots in religious, socio-economic and political factors. “Religion cannot be divorced from politics and the level of our country’s economic development. “Given this situation, you will agree that the theme of the conference is relevant and speaks directly to our current situation.” Asked to explain how politics is intricately knitted with religion, Tunde-Olowu said there is no doubt that politics and religion in Nigeria are interrelated. “Religion has the potential of being used as a tool for political mobilisation and our political leaders realise this,” he said. “Although Nigeria is a secular state, evidence of the close relationship between religion and politics abound. A simple example will be found in the way our political leaders emerge. “So, where a political party selects a Christian as its presidential candidate, his vice will be a Muslim. This trend is also replicated at the state level. So, in Nigerian politics, there is a continuous balancing of religious interests.” He, however, stressed that the interaction between politics and religion is not necessarily negative. “The major religions of the world emphasis the core values of accountability, honesty and

Tunde-Olowu service to mankind,” he said. “If our leaders imbibe these values, we will certainly have a more stable and progressive country. Unfortunately, it appears that religion is being used by politicians to secure political gains and silence the opposition.” On the effect of the Boko Haram insurgency to Nigeria’s economic growth, the commercial lawyer said the economy in the last few years had been worse hit by the insurgence. According to him, stability is an important factor for attracting investments to any country. “No foreign investor will invest his money in a country plagued by instability and civil unrest,” he said. “Even the local businesses cannot thrive under these conditions. “We have heard of foreign nationals working in Nigeria being kidnapped and held as

hostages, and in some case being killed. It is not uncommon to see foreign Missions issuing travel directions to their nationals, warning them against making non-essential journeys to certain parts Nigeria. “We must remember that Nigeria has a monoculture economy, which is plagued by corruption and a huge infrastructural deficit. “Therefore, violence and insurgence simply aggravate our existing problems and make the country an unlikely destination for business. “These developments will certainly have a negative effect on our fragile economy and stall our economic growth.” Tunde-Olowu explained why the keynote speaker at the lecture, Professor Timothy Samuel Shah, was chosen as a resource person to discuss the affairs of Nigeria as a nation. According to him, the renowned Professor is an excellent choice to speak on the topic, because he has done a lot of work in that area. “We also feel that our decision makers will benefit from his vast experience,” he said. “The Prof. has an intimidating profile. He is an Associate Director of the Religious Freedom Project at the Berkley Centre for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs and Visiting Assistant Professor in the Government Department, George Town University. “He is a political scientist, specialising in the relationship between religion and political freedom in theory, history and contemporary practice. “Professor Shah has authored many books and articles on religion and global politics. He is also involved in editing various volumes of the Oxford University Press Series known as Evangelical Christianity and Democracy in Africa (published 2008).

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

TheMetroSection Averted at the nick of time… • Fuel spillage in Lagos suburb checked, attributed to old pipeline, vandalism RAGEDY was averted along the IshT eri-Igando Road on Monday when a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian

Nigerian French Language Village opens camp August 4 HE yearly international T Summer Camp of the Nigerian French Language Village, which aims at empowering all persons irrespective of age, culture, creed or sex, with appropriate skills in effective use of French Language at both professional and interpersonal level, holds fromSunday, August 4- Sunday, August 18, for all Primary and Secondary School Students . There will be day-return excursion to Cotonou, French Lessons, Film Show, French Songs, Sports, Drama, Dance, Cultural Displays etc. First Batch is from Sunday, August 4 – Sunday, August 11, 2013 while second batch is from Sunday August 11 – Sunday, August 18, 2013.

Ojiugo Ago dies 110 LASU -Iyana Oba Expressway baricaded by the security agencies due to the vandalised pipeline...yesterday We had to do all we could to control the crowd and keep them at bay. Then we started calling all the law enforcement agencies, including the fire service, to come and contain the situation. We thank God that there was no fire.” “Men of the NNPC came and began excavation to locate the damaged pipe. They also siphoned spilled fuel. About eight barrels were lost. The pipe is old. It is over 20 years since it was laid. Being under the ground, it is subject to corrosion.” Raymond expressed disappointment that officers of the fire service did not show up until about two hours after the pipe burst. The entire area was cordoned off, as armed policemen stood by to maintain security. However, confirming the incident, the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian oil company, NNPC, attributed the pipeline explosion to the handiwork of vandals. Nasir Imodagbe, Manager, Media

Relations and External Affairs of PPMC, said that the explosion was as a result of pipeline vandalism. Imodagbe said the explosion was caused by vandals trying to siphon petroleum products from the pipeline. “Our officials quickly rushed to the place to curb the fire from escalating to households and to ascertain the level of damage,’’ Imodagbe said. The PPMC spokesman said that the affected line had been shut down to allow officials to carry out repairs, adding that the line would be back by Tuesday. The PPMC spokesman urged host communities and other stakeholders to help check pipeline vandalism in the country. He said that the PPMC and NNPC were already exploring the use of better technology and security arrangements to safeguard the pipelines. “We would have concluded the repair of the vandalised pipelines but the engineers discovered a route where the vandals linked their

PHOTO; FEMI ONIKEKU

pipeline with the product truck line.” “We decided to invite the representatives of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), to see the extent of the damage,’’ Imodagbe said. According to him, the engineers are working on the field to ensure that the line starts functioning. “The timely intervention of NNPC/PPMC engineers and security operatives had saved the day; while repair works began immediately after the fire was put out. “Repair works commenced on the pipeline on Monday, immediately the fire was put out. I can tell you that the pipeline will be repaired and restreamed after its temporary shut down for repairs.” “Pipeline vandalism and oil theft account for the loss of million of dollars annually to the nation and the Federal Government has been exploring various ways to curtail the menace,’’ he said.

Mary’s suspected apparition stirs excitement in Edo From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City MYSTERIOUS image believed to be an apparition of Mary on Sunday appeared in St. Benedict Catholic Church, Ubiaja, Esan South-East Local Council of Edo State, a development that initially caused a stir among persons in the town and even Catholic faithful, many of whom were experiencing the development for the first time. The apparition, which was fading when The Guardian visited the church yesterday, had been drawing pilgrims from within and outside the council as the church was still besieged by several persons as at yesterday afternoon. While non-Catholics had been trooping there to see the shadowy image, which was in the form of a female, and which the church believed was that of Holy Mary, members of the church were busy saying their prayers within the precinct of the image. Though some residents who spoke to The Guardian doubted the veracity of the said appari-

HE Resurrection Gospel T Singers led by Evang. Celestine Ifeanyi Anichukwu will on Sunday, August 4, launch its maiden album entitled: Jesus my No. 1, at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Ajegunle, Lagos at noon. It will be chaired by Chris Olekaibe; Chief Launher is Michael Nwafor; Special Guest is Fr. Demian Alozie among other guests.

By Femi Alabi Onikeku

National Petroleum Corporation burst at about 2pm. It was a disaster that never was because residents initially panicked at the sudden gush of the highly inflammable liquid and fled for dear life; and before some could settle down to the dangerous habit of scooping free fuel, the area had been effectively sealed off. When The Guardian arrived the scene yesterday, NNPC officials were already on ground repairing the damaged pipe. About eight officers were around a dug-out pit. Two others within worked at repairing the damage. At intervals, they were seen ventilating the pipe with a large board. Two fire extinguishers were on standby to forestall any incident. Two fire engines were also seen strategically positioned at the area. A traffic snarl, meanwhile, had formed. From Governor’s Road junction along Isheri-Igando Road to the location at Oke odo Bus stop, men of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and the Federal Road Safety Commission were also seen controlling traffic. The lane beside the scene was sealed off. A senior NNPC official, who oversaw the operation, would not speak to The Guardian and would also not allow a closer view of the repair either. Phone in hand, he, however, disclosed that he was sending on-the-spot reports about the operation to NNPC headquarters. “When it burst, everyone ran away,” said Uchenna, a resident, who described how the area was bathed by a shower of fuel. Another resident narrated how the liquid freely meandered along the road. A driver who spoke to The Guardian ruled out foul play, saying the spot is an open place beside the road. He noted that at that time of the day, it was unlikely that someone would have attempted to steal fuel. He, however, blamed the problem on poor maintenance culture. He said the pipe had been underground for many years and needed repairs that never materialised until now. Mr. Asoluka Raymond, a member of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, who described himself as an Intelligent Officer with the outfit, said: “As at 2.00pm yesterday (Monday), the pipe burst and was spewing fuel profusely. The situation was chaotic.

Briefs Album launch

tion, claiming it was fake, the Assistant Priest of the church, Rev Fr. Lawrence Ibhatiri, said the apparition usually appear from time to time in different Catholic churches and its holy places across the world. Members of the Legion of Mary in the church as at yesterday had mounted an alter beneath the image. Meanwhile, an official statement from the Diocesan administrator, Rev. Fr. John Akhidue was still being expected as at the time of filing this report yesterday. It would be recalled that a similar incident happened on August 5 2010 at the St. Paul Catholic Church, along Airport Road Benin City that cause confusion in the state capital. The incident then halted vehicular traffic along the busy Airport Road in Benin City as thousands of Catholic faithful and onlookers thronged the church to get a glimse of the strange image believed to be that of Jesus Christ in a “Monstrance” at the church’s sanctuary.

As at the time The Guardian found its way into the main auditorium of the church, a faint image was observed in a gold plated circular object in the alter placed on a table with two linings of coloured lightings on both side of the gold-plated object. But a worker in the church’s sanctuary, who didn’t mention her name told The Guardian said the image was an “expression of the blessed sacrament but when sacrament is exposed, we usually see the white background in the gold plated object placed on the alter but since yesterday afternoon (Wednesday), we have been seeing Jesus’ form in the background which is supposed to be white and it has been there till now but it is beginning to go faint now”, she said. The Assistant Priest of the church, Rev Fr. Chima Okosisi refused to make any official pronouncement on the strange development but simply said “this is a strange development, unusual, similar things have happened before in other places, we revered it.”

ADAM Ojiugo Ago, who M died on June 5, at the age of 110, will be buried on Saturday, July 27, at Chief Iroajanma Aaron Ago’s compound in Amaedo Lohum Imenyi, in Bende Local Council of Abia State, after a funeral service at Ebenezer Methodist Church Nigeria, Lohum at noon. She is survived by many children and grand children among whom is Eze Clergy Okechukwu Ago.

Ago

Linus Uduji passes on rites for Chief Linus F18,UNERAL .O. Uduji, who died on June 2013 at the age of 69, began on Thursday, July 18, with a wake in home in Lagos. A statement by Mr. Chukwudi R. Uduji, on behalf of the family, says he will be buried tomorrow at Awgu Town in Awgu Local Council of Enugu State. He is survived by his wife, Helen Uduji and children including: Chukwudi R Uduji; Emeka F. Uduji; Miss Ada Alex Uduji; Emmanuel Uduji; Okwuchukwu M. Uduji; Ifeanyi C. Michael Uduji and grand children.

Uduji

METRO 13

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24 , 2013

Photonews

Briefs FEDPOKO alumni host rector Saturday HE Federal Polytechnic Oko Old Students’ AssociaT tion (FEPOSA), Lagos will on Saturday July 27, host the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, (FEDPOKO), Anambra State, Prof. Godwin Onu, at D’ Palms Airport Hotel, 10/12 Kolawole Shonibare Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos at 3.00p.m.

Babcock High School holds graduation ABCOCK University High School, Ilishan–Remo, B Ogun State will on Thursday, July 25, hold her 18th graduation ceremony at the school premises, at

General Superintendent, Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams F. Kumuyi at the seventh edition of Deeper Life Miracle Revival programme at the Conference Centre, Km. 42, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway... PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF

Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam (right) and the Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Nigeria during the governor’s visit to him in Abuja ...on Monday PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

10.00a.m. A statement by the Principal of the school, Elder Timothy Adetayo, said the Director of Education, West Central African Division of Seventh-day Adventist Church Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, Prof. Chiemena Ikonne, will be the guest speaker at the ceremony.

Akwa Ibom lawmaker gives N3m to 26 undergraduates, empowers youths From Inemesit Akpansoh, Uyo MEMBER of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, representing Ibiono Ibom, Obong Ime Okon, has fulfilled the promise he made in 2012, by disbursing N3 million to 26 students studying in tertiary institutions across the country. Another set of 28 youths received N50, 000 each, to aid them in skills’ acquisition training while a donation of customized English Language text-books to public secondary schools in the co stituency was also accomplished. “I am here to fulfill that promise with the formal presentation of educational assistance to deserving Ibiono Ibom students studying in recognized institutions of higher learning in the country. My decision to keep the promise is based on my firm belief that education still remains the bedrock of development in any society. He, however, charged them to make the best use of the gesture in furtherance of their academic pursuits. Already, a monitoring committee that will assess their performances and conduct has been set up. He appealed to the guarantors to be personally involved in the mentoring and monitor the progress of the beneficiaries of the scheme by guiding and advising them appropriately.

Borno gov’s wife gives succour to widows From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HE wife of Borno State govT ernor, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima Tuesday appealed to wealthy individuals, corporate organizations; and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the state to support the increasing number of widows and orphans, caused by the Boko Haram insurgency. Their support, according to her, would enable them meet their basic daily needs, despite losing their breadwinners. Speaking at the distribution of food items and N1.2 million cash to 400 widows and orphans at the Government House, Maiduguri, she said 800 bags of rice and sugar were being distributed to the Boko Haram victims for their Ramadan fast. Lamenting on the rise in the number of widows and orphans, she said: “The rate at which people die in the state has forced many women and children to become widows and orphans. Borno State government alone cannot carter for their needs, as collective support from all and sundry towards assisting the less privileged will go a long way in reducing the increasing cases of streets begging in society.”

Meanwhile, the lawmaker also congratulated the winners of the quiz competition organized by his constituency and wished them more years of academic excellence. The chairman of the event,

and Member representing Itu State Constituency, Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon, thanked elected and appointed political office holders in the state for initiating empowerment pro-

grammes in their wards and constituencies to complement government’s effort at alleviating the living standard of the people. While flagging-off the empowerment programme, she

urged the artisans to be diligent. She also advised them to use the money given them to grow their businesses judiciously. The Deputy Speaker, Sir Udo Kieran Akpan described the

lawmaker as a versatile politician, who has contributed greatly towards promoting ideas “that are capable of not only improving the wellbeing of his constituents but also of the state in general.”

TheGuardian

14 | THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011) Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816

Editorial Stemming impunity in appointments HE judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja which nullified the appointT ment of service chiefs the other day, would seem to have opened all eyes, once again, to the brazen impunity and arbitrariness that thrives in high places. Even though the argument is strong that the Commander-in-Chief should have full latitude to appoint service chiefs, in order to maintain the discipline and command structure of the military, the ruling by the court still deserves commendation in that it draws attention to the need for the supremacy of the law. A virile judiciary is central to the sustenance and nourishment of democracy. The decision of the court in the case creates the impression that the judiciary has what it takes to help nurture our democracy. On the other end, it exposes the National Assembly to which much is entrusted and much is given to act as the watchdog and gate-keeper of democracy, but which regrettably slumbers so badly. Or how else can its seeming acquiescence in the appointment of the service chiefs be explained even when it was done in violation of the statutory provision that demands screening of the appointees before being sworn into office? That the service chiefs were not screened before assuming office portrays the Senate as an institution oblivious of its worth and position in the scheme of things. It does not exculpate itself by claiming ignorance of the law. In fact that exposes it to bigger ridicule. This is, of course, not the only case but one out of several other appointments done in defiance of the law. Although the Security and Exchange Commission Act prescribes that no one occupies the seat of Director General of the Commission unless he/she has been in the capital market for a minimum of 15 years, the incumbent, a sound mind no doubt, was appointed in defiance of that law. She had no such experience prior to her appointment. The illegality also reverberated in the appointment of the incumbent director-general of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) who assumed office without a pedigree in the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, whereas NAFDAC Law demands that the director general must be someone who has been practising as a registered member of the council for a minimum of five years. That this impunity persists is a sad commentary on the attitude of the National Assembly to its constitutional role. The apt verdict is that it has abdicated its responsibility. And to be charitable to it, it may be accused of performing it in so cavalier a manner that leaves no one in doubt that it is only being pretentious. Nothing demonstrates this attitude better than the indolence and insipidity brought to bear on the purported screening of Mike Okiro for his position as the Chairman of Police Service Commission. It was bewildering that Okiro would receive such a kid glove treatment when he appeared before the Senate for screening in spite of having political and business questions that needed more probing. Most culpable in all of these is the Attorney-General of the Federation who sits idly by and watches pathetically as illegality festers in the land. Does it mean that he too does not understand his role under the constitution? What happened in that office when these strings of illegality were taking place? Could it be that it saw nothing wrong in the appointments? Is it not tragic to have a Chief Law Officer who is not conversant with the laws of the land in spite of the big bureaucracy and complement of staff at his disposal? What manner of persons are appointed into that office? To deepen democracy, rule of law must be sacrosanct. This is why the office of the Attorney General is too important to be occupied by just any available senior lawyer in the land. It should not be one of the offices reserved for party loyalists. It should worry the incumbent that the government that appointed him has been ignoring his advice. If that is the case, he should have the courage to walk away from the job. That is where his honour lies. To sit tight in office when laws are daily honoured in the breach leading to multiplicity of illegality and arbitrariness on the part of government and the accompanying invidious mutilation of the pillars of democracy does little credit to his image. Above all, he has posterity to contend with. His allegiance is not to the person that appointed him; it is to the country. It is high time the Nigerian Bar Association reopened its Roll of Dishonour once put in place for lawyers who have embarrassed the association with their conduct. The judiciary deserves commendation for being alive to its critical role of interpreting the constitution objectively and espousing the law in a way to strengthen democracy and rule of law. The judgment is commendable because it has exposed the penchance of government for lawlessness and the complicity of the National Assembly. The judgment indeed has jurisprudential significance. All arguments in favour of the President appointing the service chiefs, cogent as they may be, must remain in abeyance until, and if the laws requiring Senate clearance for the appointments are amended. Those who rode on the crest of the law into veritable positions of responsibility and command obedience through the instrumentality of the law must themselves feel bound by the law. They cannot take the benefit of the law only and shun the accompanying burden which strict adherence demands. This will undermine the government’s legitimacy and deal a blow to democracy.

LETTERS

Curbing senseless killings IR: Recently, the InspectorSMohammed General of Police, Mr. Abubakar announced to Nigerians that the killers of the late Kwara police commissioner, Mr. Asadu have been arrested and will soon face prosecution after interrogation. This is a welcome development considering the fact that there are many unresolved murder cases bedevilling our society. The list is endless, from Dele Giwa, Pa Alfred Rewane, Bayo Ohu, Kudirat Abiola, Bola Ige and of recent, Governor Adams Oshiomole’s private secretary, Oyerinde. In most of the police investigations, innocent people are often arrested and had to spend several years in detention without trial. At the end of the day, the whole saga becomes a charade. In the case of Bola Ige, he was the number one law officer of the country at that time. His two police orderlies went out to eat at the same time when the assassins came calling. Even the charlatan the police paraded as the killer, that has the sobriquet Baba Fryo was said to be insane. This trial ridiculed our country in the eyes of the world, to an extent that the Israeli Government offered to assist in finding his killers through its famous security service, ‘The Mossad’. Former President Obasanjo’s government vehemently turned down the offer. His wife, Atinuke was brokenhearted that after one year of his death, his killers were elusive.

She died that year of frustration. The family went on to issue a public statement that it has withdrawn from pursuing the matter, citing insincerity on the part of the government and law enforcement agents. In the Oyerinde’s saga, the men of the State Security Service (SSS) paraded some armed robbers as his killers whereas the Nigeria Police disputed it. The issue became a national embarrassment. Even the open altercation between

the Edo State Governor, Oshiomhole and the Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke at Aso Rock Villa has not yielded any positive dividend. One is afraid that it might go the way of other high profile murder cases. Law enforcement agents should do more to track down the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. They owe us a duty to protect our lives. Eze Nwosu, Umuahia, Abia State.

Give us light, please IR: We the residents of Ijero SApapa, Road/Adermuyiwa Street, Road, Ebute Metta (West), Lagos and its environ use this medium to call on Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to urgently restore our electricity supply it has withheld for over two months now. Two years ago, a relief transformer with 300kv capacity was installed for this community, after a two-year struggle with PHCN Ijora unit. In spite of its status as a ‘relief’ transformer, the officials of the same PHCN over-loaded it by connecting some other consumers without our consent. In the past six months, the ‘relief’ transformer has been exploding on weekly basis. Two months ago a blow-up took two weeks to fix. To our surprise, the Business Manager and S&D Manager at

Ijora have kept this community in total darkness without due regard to the fact that the consumers have never failed to settle their bills, even though there had been no supply of electricity. The top officials confessed that a 500kv is required in the area. So far, the Business Manager of Ijora Business Unit has kept mum as well as his officials. We use this opportunity to call on the Lagos Zonal Chief Executive Officer at the Marina Headquarters of PHCN to quickly intervene in this matter before it gets out of hand and to save these loyal consumers the headache and suffering caused by these insensitive officials at Ijora Business Unit of the PHCN. We know that a new transformer can be erected in a matter of days. Ayo Amos, Lagos

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Business Industry Watch P38

Energy P38

WTO advocates value-addition for export goods

Nigeria’s oil, gas firms to spend N361.6b on offshore drilling projects

Nigeria’s external trade drops by 29 % From Chuka Odittah, Abuja

IGERIA’S external trade in N the first quarter of this year, valued at N5.1 trillion has experienced a sharp drop by 29 per cent, even as volume of imports have risen by 27.4 per cent or N353.9billion posted in the same period, official figures released by the Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have shown. According to data on foreign trade made available to The Guardian, the nation’s foreign trade witnessed a decrease from the N7.19 trillion trade value recorded in the previous quarter, to the N5.1 trillion, representing 29

• Imports rise by 27.4 per cent or N353.9 billion per cent or N2.1 trillion trade shortfall. The bureau blamed the decrease to fall in the value of exports from N5.9 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2012 to N3.45 trillion in the first quarter of 2013. “ The decrease emanated mainly from the fall in the value of exports from N5.9 trillion in the fourth quarter, 2012, to N3.45 trillion in the first quarter of 2013 a 41.4 per cent decline” NBS said. On the level of imports, the bureau maintained that there was a 27.4 per cent

increase in imports from N1.3 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2012 to N1.65 trillion in the first quarter of 2013, coupled with the decrease in exports. This, the NBS, said also created a decline in the trade balance by N2.79 trillion or 60.8 per cent during the same period. “Imports were however up by 27.4 per cent or N353.9 billion from N1.3 trillion recorded in the previous quarter. The increase in imports emanated from substantial rises in the value of major

products classified by SITC such as; crude inedible materials, mineral fuels, and commodities not elsewhere classified with N125.6 billion, N1.2 billion and 482.6 billion respectively”, the bureau said. “Year-on-year, the value of the nation’s total merchandise trade decreased by N1.5 trillion or 23.0 per cent as a result of decreasing imports and exports. A drop in exports compared to imports also led to a decline in the trade balance by 45.6 per cent during this period as well”.

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke (right), welcoming the Economic Consular, Patrick Lebrum; while the Consular-General of France, Francais Sastourne (middle) watches, when an economic delegation from the consulate visited Government House, Calabar on Monday

‘Govt may save N560b from rehabilitation of refineries’ By Sulaimon Salau IGERIA stands to save N about $3.5 billion (about N560 billion) when the government completes full rehabilitation of the nation’s three refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri going by the projections from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The Group Executive Director, Refining and Petrochemicals, NNPC, Tony Ogbuigwe, who made this known at the 13th petroleum policy round table of the Centre for Petroleum Information (CPI) in Lagos, at the weekend, said the aim of rehabilitation is to restore the refineries to 90 per cent

name plate capacity utilization and design yields. According to him, “after rehabilitation, the refineries will meet 70 per cent of the country’s product needs. This will save $3.5billion in foreign exchange and pay taxes in addition into government coffers.” He said the various interventions carried out in the refineries have already yielded results, as yearly capacity utilisation increased from 21 per cent in 2010 to 29 per cent in 2012. He added that the performance was actually 31 per cent in fourth quarter of 2012, and averaged 32 per cent in first quarter 2013. Ogbuigwe berated the incessant vandalism of the

crude supply and product evacuation from pipelines, which he said, have largely hampered capacity utilization. He said the frequent attacks and vandalism of crude supply to Port Harcourt refinery from Shell’s Bonny Terminal as well as the Escravos to Warri line have impaired crude supply to the refineries, as well as other critical effects. He however, raised hope that the FCC units in all three refineries are now working, and contribution to in-country product supply has grown from about four million litres per day of Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS) in 2010 to about 10 million litres per day as at first quar-

ter 2013. “This has reduced expenditure on fuel importation. Sustainability at this and higher levels will be after the rehabilitation projects are completed,” he said. Going by the rehabilitation schedule, the combined utilisation is expected to increase from current 32.1 per cent to 90 per cent, while combined yield of light and middle distillates is expected to improve from 69 per cent to 80 per cent. He explained that, Nigeria presently has the lowest refining capacity with 0.3 per cent, while Libya has 6.17 per cent, Algeria- 1.37 per cent, South Africa – 1.11 per cent, and Egypt -0.96 per cent.

It however stated that crude oil exports stood at N3.03 trillion during the first quarter of 2013, a decrease of N1.02 trillion or 26.1 per cent when compared to the previous quarter. Crude oil exports were also down by 18.5 per cent, year-on-year, representing a Nigeria’s imports were valued at N1.65 trillion in the first quarter of 2013, a marginal decline of 0.3 per cent back to back. Details of imports classified by sections showed that mineral products accounted for the largest share of imports with N639.2billion or 38.8 per cent of total imports. Other imports into Nigeria during the period include boilers; machinery appliances and associated parts; plastic, rubber and associated articles; vehicles; aircraft and parts; with N236.3billion or 14.4 per cent, N185.9billion or 11.3 per cent and N143.8billion or 8.7 per cent respectively. Nigerian imports by Broad Economic Category (BEC), revealed that fuels and lubricants accounted for N506.4 billion or 30.7 per cent of

imports, followed by goods not elsewhere specified with N401.8 billion or 24.4 per cent, industrial supplies with N341.0 billion or 20.7 per cent, and capital goods and associated parts with N165.2 or 10.0 per cent. However, the analysis of Nigeria’s imports, according to country of origin revealed that China, United Kingdom, Belgium, United States of America and The Netherlands, were the top five in terms of trading partners with N335.8billion, N98.9billion, N93.4billion, N84.3billion and N80.9billion respectively. Summary of imports by continents revealed that Europe ranked first with N542.4billion or 32.9 per cent of total imports. This was followed by Asia with N519.4billion or 31.5 per cent, Oceania and other countries with N398.6billion or 24.2 per cent, the Americas with N127.7 billion or 7.8 per cent, and Africa with N58.7billion or 3.6 per cent. ECOWAS contributed N5.3billion or 9.1 per cent of total imports from Africa.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Lagos to raise budgetary allocations for housing, education next year By Tosin Fodeke UOYED by improved B budgetary performance in the first half of 2013, Lagos State Government yesterday revealed that housing and education sectors would the major areas to receive higher allocation in its 2014 budget. The State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ben Akabueze, while speaking at 2014 Budget Consultative Forum, said the increased allocation was a reflection of areas that still need better funding even as projects on other sectors were nearing their completion. From the breakdown of the budget, housing and com-

munity amenities, which took 9.24 per cent in 2013 will increase to 9.26 in 2014, while education will also increase from 13.20 per cent to 13.33 in 2014. Sectors such as general public service, economic affairs, environmental protection, recreation, culture and religion and social protection will get less in 2014 than in 2013 budget. He explained that it expects to a percentage increase allocations to housing and education would tilt total capital funds towards deepening goals of job creations, poverty eradication, wealth creation, agriculture, power and transportation. “Our fiscal strategy in 2014

is to entrench sustainable expenditure though the adoption of more realistic targets in internally generated revenue as well as decline fiscal deficits with appropriate level of public sector borrowing and acceptable aggregate total debt not lower than three percent.

The commissioner attributed the success of the 2013 budget to improvement in the internally generated revenue, efficient allocation of resources and tighter operating expenditure control. The commissioner gave the assurance that the 2013 budget would help the state

to diversify into new areas like tourism, ICT, oil and gas, as well as provide an enabling environment for investment to thrive. According to him, the aim of the forum was to promote citizens’ participation in budget preparation and update stakeholders on the

half-year performance of the 2013 budget. At the forum, Lagosians raised concerns about the slow pace of work on the Lagos Badagry Expressway, as well as reduction in health budgets in 2013 and lopsided nature of development projects in the state.

FG, AfDB parley on infrastructure, transformation By Taiwo Hassan HE Federal Government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have concluded plans to hold a high level policy dialogue on ‘’Infrastructure and Structural Transformation in

Nigeria’’ that is expected to strengthen the nation’s infrastructural development in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The meeting, which will have in attendance, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsdeen Usman and top management staff of AfDB, is aimed to examine ways in which Nigeria could accelerate infrastructural development,

reduction of poverty and social inequality. According to AfDB, despite Nigeria being one of Africa’s largest economies, the country continues to face challenges in using its potential to ensure substantial reductions in poverty and social inequality. The country has enjoyed a growth rate of some seven per cent over five years, due to assessed improved economic performance and sustained policy improvements. Issues to be discussed at the

roundtable meeting, include Nigeria’s integrated infrastructure master plan and the ‘infrastructure action plan. The meeting will also discuss ‘structural transformation and inclusive growth in Nigeria. Recognizing the need for more inclusive growth, the Federal Government had stepped up the implementation of its transformation agenda (2011-2015). In response to Nigeria’s own national agenda, the AFDB’s country strategy aims at primarily supporting the deepening of a sound policy environment and investing in critical infrastructure to promote economic develop-

PPMC tasks communities on surveillance of pipelines HE Pipeline and Products T Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), yesterday appealed to communities along its pipeline network in the country to assist government in the surveillance of the facility. The Manager, Media Relations and External Affairs, Nasir Imodagbe, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He spoke against the backdrop of a pipeline explosion at Ita-Iyalodo, Idimu, a suburb of Lagos. Vandals on Monday, tampered with the NNPC pipeline at Ita-Iyalodo Community in Idimu, to siphon petroleum products. Imodagbe said that effective surveillance of petroleum pipelines should not be left with government agencies alone, adding that both residents and communities should also volunteer to support. The PPMC spokesman urged host communities and other stakeholders to help check pipeline vandalism in the country. He said that the PPMC and NNPC were already exploring the use of better technology and security arrangements to safeguard the pipelines. “We would have concluded the repair of the vandalised pipelines but the engineers discovered a route where the vandals linked their pipeline with the product truck line. “We decided to invite the representatives of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), to see the extent of the damage,’’ Imodagbe said.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

MoneyWatch Corruption, parlous infrastructure: Nigeria’s development strain

Shamsudeen Usman, National Planning minister

The words corruption and parlous infrastructure in Nigeria have long adorned global headlines. In fact, the concomitant effects of those words as evident in the country’s development struggle are now the real issues. But how did we get there and why is it difficult to exit? CHIJIOKE NELSON writes. CCORDING to the International Development A Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade Resolution, adopted in 1970, “The ultimate objective of development must be to bring sustained improvement in the well-being of the individual and to bestow benefits on all. If undue privileges, extremes of wealth and social injustices persist, then development fails in its essential purpose.” Given the above statement, it is obvious that there is a nexus between consistency and compliance with plans by the government and its agencies on the one hand and the attainment of goals, objectives and development as acclaimed by the same government. The central area where consistency and compliance are required is in the allocation of scarce resources and in the case of Nigeria through budgeting and implementation, though before budgeting, it is assumed that the order of priority has been set according to the development needs. But one would also argue whether we even have a plan that will foresee needs and thus, set priority. But an expert, Claude Ake, argued: “…The assumption so readily made that there has been failure of development is misleading. The problem is not so much that development has failed as that it was never on the agenda in the first place. By all indications, political conditions in Africa are the greatest impediment to development.” From the elementary knowledge of economics, capital as a factor of production is defined as “wealth that creates further wealth.” Assuming our capital budget is this factor of production, capital projects should then be implemented in such a way to ensure further wealth. These capital projects, when implemented effectively, translate to greater provision of infrastructure, which in turn accelerates socio-economic development through the up-shoot of cottage industries, Small

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance minister

and Medium Enterprises, job creation and by extension, expanded tax revenue for government and bigger budget size. So, the level of resources earmarked for the development of these projects and how “religiously” they are implemented beyond claims in the media, are the real test of government’s commitment to development. This is the bane of Nigeria’s development and point of divergence from developed system’s ideology. There are numerous development documents and plans so far, but how far have these been implemented? Were they well crafted for the country, with the intention of following them or copied for the sake of presentation as a plan? These dilemma stem from the fact that over the years, there have been huge gap between the implementation of recurrent and capital expenditures. While the recurrent has always been implemented to the letter, capital expenditure, on the other hand, has always been the “victim.” But how huge is the capital expenditure budget? It has always been less than one-third of the total budget. For example, last year (2012) was 29 per cent and 2013, according to the Finance Minister, has been reviewed up to 32 per cent. For some years now, the minister will be engaged in a rowdy session at the National Assembly each time a new budget is presented for consideration over unclear per-

Dr. Bright Okogu, D-G, Budget Office

centage performance of the previous budget. At the session, figures and counter figures on performance are usually presented, while manifestations of inconsistencies and lack of compliance to acclaimed plans were further shown. Finally, a plus or minus 50 per cent of the capital budget will be cleared as been implemented, yet with doubts. But the above ushers in another round of argument and ambiguity over what happens to the unspent funds budgeted, with some words like virement, last minute contract awards, cash backed and non-cash backed ensuing. Last week, the intrigues and issues dogging the nation’s infrastructure planning, implementation and legal framework were resonated at the Federal Infrastructure Dialogue, organised by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in conjunction with the Federal Public Administration Reform Programme (FEPAR), in Abuja. The forum, which the ministries of Works, National Planning, the AccountantGeneral of the Federation, Millennium Development Goals’ office, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) boycotted, had in attendance the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Budget Office, civil society organisations and private sector operators. Analysing a research on the nation’s policies and financial commitments on infrastructure, an Economist, Dr. Uzochukwu Amakom, noted that there was no synergy among various

There are numerous development documents and plans so far, but how far have these been implemented? Were they well crafted for the country, with the intention of following them or copied for the sake of presentation as a plan? The dilemma stem from the fact that over the years, there have been huge gap between the implementation of recurrent and capital expenditures. While the recurrent is implemented to the letter, capital expenditure has always been the ‘victim.’ But how huge are the capital expenditure budget? It has always been less than one-third of the total budget.

development policies and documents that have links with infrastructure development in the country. The research, tagged: “A Review of Nigeria’s Key Economic Development Policies and Financial Commitments on Infrastructural Projects, 2012 and 2013,” by Amakom and Emeka Ngene, in conjunction with the Centre for Social Justice and UK Department for International Development-funded FEPAR, revealed how various projects were stalled due to lack of continuity, consistency, and commitment by government. “With diverse policy documents, some of which are long-term, medium term and very short-term, there are possibilities for internal inconsistencies, as different professionals may have been engaged in drafting the documents at different points, where detailed checks may not have been incorporated. Given the intertemporal inconsistency challenge in government revenues, expenditures and policy horizon, it is possible that bases for projections vary from time to time and may not be fully incorporated in the documents. “The founding documents and later ones’ proposed investments for the transportation infrastructure for the country evolved a multimodal, integrated and sustainable transport system, with greater emphasis on rail and inland waterways’ transportation. The later documents proposed an investment of approximately N4.465 billion for the sector for 2011 to 2015, covering roads and bridges, railways, inland waterways, ports and airports’ development. But using the Transformation Agenda benchmark, Nigeria is expected to spend at least N320 billion on roads and bridges’ construction and rehabilitation; N104.4 billion for roads and bridges’ maintenance; N187.95 billion on railways; N5.73 billion on seaports; and N80.85 billion on airports’ development for the period of 2012 and 2013. “It is unfortunate to note that not all the subsectors’ investment recommendations were adhered to in the period of 2012 and 2013. The legislative arm of government should embark on result-oriented monitoring, evaluation and auditing, because evidence has shown that available resources’ management has been marred by inefficiency.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

MONEYWATCH

Graft, parlous infrastructure as bane of development CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 The Acting Director-General of ICRC, Aminu Diko, who was represented by the Project Manager, Mustapha Junaidu, listed the opportunities in public-private partnership for effective infrastructure development, including “Build Operate Transfer, Build Own Operate, Build Own Operate Transfer, joint ventures, leasing, among others. Diko, who explained that his agency was created to communicate plans/policies to private sector, coordinate federal Public-Private Partnership (PPP) activities, among other things, decried myriad of challenges besetting the agency, including weak and unreliable planning data and statistics. Now, we might at this juncture ask why do the inconsistency and lack of compliance persist? The answer is basically summed as self-interest and corruption, accentuated by impunity. The United States Secretary also captured the undercurrents in her words: “The most immediate source of the disconnect between Nigeria’s wealth and its poverty is a failure of governance at the local, state, and federal level, and some of that is due, as you know well, to corruption, other of it to lack of capacity or mismanagement.” Unfortunately, at a forum of high magnitude, where infrastructure and national planning were at the front burner, it is worth mentioning again that the ministries of Works, National Planning, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Millennium Development Goals Office, SURE-P boycotted the forum, despite formal notice and without apologies. According to the words of the famous French sculptor, Auguste Rodin, “Nobody does good to men with impunity” and the damaging effects of impunity were dripping as participants relate

Onyekpere with evidences, how the systematic underdevelopment has been dealing the country a blow, at a multi-stakeholder workshop on Public Finance Management, which was organised in Abuja by civil society organisations, under the aegis of Stop Impunity in Nigeria campaign and the National Orientation Agency, recently. Also, the Founder of Lexville Foundation, Kalu Onuoha, in his appraisal of the Development Planning and Projects Continuity Bill, currently at the National Assembly, said the bill may have appeared to be the inauguration of compulsory planning and implementation regime for the three-level government. The move, which was

aimed at curbing the spate of abandoned projects in the country, would prescribe a well articulated goals and activities that will lead to the attainment of the ambitious objectives of Vision 20:2020 economic transformation. But how successful will this strategy be? Already, the bill is beset with various knocks, as the contents have been adjudged “needless” due to its costs implications; proposed appointments; poor legal framework; and political implications. This is why inconsistency and lack of compliance persist. We might as well when we would get it right. A further assessment of the bill showed that

even if the Act sought is without fault in itself, there are fears that the clause which said: “As from the commencement of this Act, it shall be unlawful for a government of the federation to have an abandoned project in any part of Nigeria” will surely be an obstacle as politicians will find it implicating. Another argument against it is that neither “economic planning nor project continuity” is mentioned among the Legislative Lists, Exclusive List and the Concurrent Legislative List. The first impression will be that the bill is residual matter that is left for the State Houses of Assembly and upon which the National Assembly could only legislate for Federal Capital Territory. Delivering a paper titled: “Contextualising Impunity in Public Finance Management - An Agenda for Change,” the Lead Director, Centre CSJ, Eze Onyekpere, underscored the point that Nigeria’s level of fiscal indiscipline and impunity over the management of public finance rose to the pitiable state because of the “capacity deficit in the legislative oversight mechanism weak checks and balances.” Also, from government agencies and professional groups came the shocking revelations of how high level impunity being perpetrated in the country has been dealing a deadly blow on the nation’s economic development drive. The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), admitted that currently, impunity is challenging its operations and manifest in the areas of bidding, evaluation, award and execution stages, adding that an assessment of public procurement practice between 1999 and 2000 revealed that 60 kobo was lost to underhand practices out of every N1 spent by government, but noted that the Public Procurement Act, 2007, was designed after the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, to check some of these challenges. How can the country develop like this? Yet, there are no reliable and deliberate strategies to

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

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Re-examining Tullow’s Choices By Toyin Akinosho N November 2004, I met with Tim O’Hanlon, Ibusiness the utterly charming director of Tullow Oil’s development activities in Africa. He had come on some kind of “reconnnaisance survey” on investment opportunities in Nigeria. Our meeting was at the West African Deep- water Conference in Abuja, to which he and his colleagues had arrived in the company of the Canadian geologist Tako Koning, my long time friend former boss and now our magazine’s Editor in Angola. We were having lunch at the Sheraton Hotel, after the Conference’s opening session and I took the

opportunity to challenge O’Hanlon on some of Tullow Oil’s choices of acreage holdings on the c o n t i n e n t . “You guys are geographically far away from the major hydrocarbon hot spots on the continent” I accused. “What are you doing in places like Uganda, Namibia, even Cote D’lvoire?’ I challenged, “when you could have been in either Nigeria or Angola”. What was on my mind was a comparison between Conoil, the Nigerian indigenous company and Tullow Oil, an Irish operator. Whereas Conoil was producing as much as 30,000BOPD in one African country, Nigeria, at the time, Tullow was producing roughly 30,000 BOEPD

from five different African countries. Africa accounted for 47% of Group turnover and 47% of Group production in 2004. In the month of our meeting, Tullow had just taken over Energy Africa, which brought in production from Cote D’lvoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Congo Brazaville. The company was yet to have Ghana in the basket. As I remember it, Namibia was very high on Tullow’s ranking. The Kudu gas field was in development. And much of our discussion centred on that property. This was an asset that Shell had walked away from. Chevron had also dumped it. Somehow, on that Tuesday afternoon in mid November 2004, l’d convinced myself that Tullow’s asset acquisition

strategy was entirely wrong. Mr O’Hanlon didn’t make any attempt to sound smart. His responses came across as tentative. He even said as much: “You might be right, Toyin”. Now with hindsight, I can confirm he was probably thinking: “How wrong you are, Mr. Man. It doesn’t work that way.” Less than a year after our conversation, Australian operator Hardman Oil established the presence of producible, movable oil(which solved the problem of immovable, Carbon dioxide infiltrated crude that Heritage was experiencing), in Uganda. Tullow acquired Hardman Oil in 2006. The same year, it signed a Petroleum Sharing Contract for the Deepwater Tano Block in Ghana. By 2007, Tullow had experienced discoveries after spectacular discoveries in Uganda’s shallow lacustrian basin: the Lake Albert rift. “The basin is talking to us’ O’Hanlon told a gathering of heads of state and other ranking delegates attending the African Petroleum Producers Association(APPA)conference in Cotonou, Republic of Benin in 2007. I was sitting in the hall. It was an impressive and impassioned CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

24 AFRICAN OIL&GAS REPORT

KICKSTARTER

Editor

Challenges To The Nigerian PetroState HE lead article in this pull out is not entirely T new, but it is situated in the ongoing conversation around how competitive the Nigerian oil industry is on a continent where the title of “hydrocarbon producer”, has become generally a v a i l a b l e . We pulled out the story and updated it after we found out, in a conversation with a highly respected CEO of an indigenous E&P firm, that even private companies believe that Nigeria offers far more opportunities for hydrocarbon property than its peers in Africa, in spite of all of our above ground issues. “I have been to several conferences around the globe”, this CEO told me in his swank Victoria Island office two weekends ago. “And whenever they put up maps of prospective acreages on the continent, the picture is always that Nigeria dwarfs everyone else”. True, Ghana is producing around 110,000BOPD, less than half the production of Agbami, one of Nigeria’s top eight producing fields; Mozambique still has five years to go to the being the famed LNG exporter that everyone is touting it would be; Angola struggles with production far below the mythical Two Million Barrels a day; Libya’s growing insecurity has cut down production to 1.13Million barrels per day, its lowest level in six months and Egypt just can’t find enough gas to feed the appetite of its 83 million people, who consume close to two trillion standard cubic feet of gas every year. But Nigeria itself is not what it’s cut out to be. If Abuja keeps sanctioning the brazen theft of crude oil by looking the other way, Petroleum officials keep “encouraging” compensation in order to approve contracts, government’s cash call challenges keep being dismissed as unimportant by bureaucrats and the impunity in the Niger Delta continues unaddressed, the investments that even homegrown E&P companies are making will capture less and less value. Who says that the size of the pool is the major determinant of value? This is the underlying philosophy of the Tullow Oil story. This is why we have dusted it up and published it here, to a more diverse public than the Africa Oil+Gas Report routinely reaches. BBC News Science editor David Shukman’s report about U.S plans to export natural gas is a contribution to the same conversation around Nigeria’s competitiveness on the oil patch. We publish, in full, here. The Africa Oil+Gas Report is the primer of the hydrocarbon industry on the continent. It is the market leader in local contextualizing of global developments and policy issues and is the go-to medium for decision makers, whether they be international corporations or local entrepreneurs, technical enterprises or financing institutions, for useful analyses of Africa’s oil and gas industry. Published by the Festac News Press Limited since November 2001, AOGR is a monthly, 40 page hardcopy publication delivered to subscribers around the world. Its website remains www.africaoilgasreport.com and the contact email address is info@africaoilgasreport.com. Contact telephone numbers in our West African regional headquarters in Lagos are 2348130733523, 2347062420127, 2348034449079, 234803652979, 2348023902519. Please enjoy what this edition of the Pullout has to offer. -Toyin Akinosho, Publisher

Site of Tullow’s Ngamia discovery onshore...

Re-examining Tullow’s Choices CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 speech. As O’Hanlon was speaking, the news filtered into the conference hall that Kosmos had made a spectacular discovery offshore Ghana, with the Mahogany 1 well. Tullow had 23% in the deepwater West Cape Three Points Block, in which the well was located. It turned out that the new field was a straddle play, extending into Tullow operated Deepwater Tano acreage. Tullow’s Heydua 1, drilled within months of Mahogany discovery, probed the same reservoirs that Mahogany-1 probed. Since the partners on the two leases were generally the same, it wasn’t difficult agreeing on a unitization programme for the Mahogany-Heydua Field development. The straddle play was renamed Jubilee, a reference to Ghana’s turning 50 in the year of the discoveries. The rest is history Tullow is today the operator of the Jubilee field, which is now producing around 110,000 Barrels per day. Tullow’s working interest production in Africa alone averaged 57, 850BOEPD in 2012, which was 73% of its worldwide production of 97,200BOEPD. As the company has made discoveries after discoveries outside of the Jubilee structure, some other fields are expected to come on stream soon. Last month, Tullow and partners received the approval of the Ghanaian government for the Plan of Development of the Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme “TEN” clus-

ter of fields, which is now expected to deliv- The moral of the story? er first oil in 2016, with a plateau produc- Make what you will of it. I have just written a tion rate of 80,000 barrels of oil per day. review. Tullow’s prospects in Uganda may not be as dramatic as Ghana: the Lake Albert crude is waxy and is stranded in the middle of Tullow is today the operator of the nowhere, but with partners CNOOC (a Chinese behemoth) and TOTAL (the French Jubilee field, which is now producing major) there is enough investment dollar around 110,000 Barrels per day. to tackle any infrastructure challenges. The Ugandan government has acceded to Tullow’s working interest production request for just a small fraction of the crude in Africa alone averaged 57, to be refined in the country, paving the way for a likely investment decision before year 850BOEPD in 2012, which was 73% end. By 2016, when Ghana’s production of its worldwide production of might have been fully established, Uganda should begin to take shape for Tullow. 97,200BOEPD. As the company has Meanwhile, Conoil, with which I was com- made discoveries after discoveries paring Tullow just didn’t keep up its 30,000+ production in Nigeria. The compa- outside of the Jubilee structure, ny is doing 16,000 BOPD as I write. some other fields are expected to The security situation in Nigeria had unraveled in the time since I met O’Hanlon in come on stream soon. Last month, 2004. It’s not clear if Tullow had stayed Tullow and partners received the away from the country because of those issues, or was just not excited by the state of approval of the Ghanaian governplay in Nigeria. What’s clear is that Tullow ment for the Plan of Development of Oil officials didn’t return after the “reccy” the Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme they came for in 2004. The company also pulled out of Angola. “TEN” cluster of fields, which is now So much for African big weights and hydro- expected to deliver first oil in 2016, carbon hotspots. Tullow Oil is neither in Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Angola or Nigeria, but with a plateau production rate of it has kept up production increase and yet 80,000 barrels of oil per day. it looks just set to grow and grow.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

CompuLife Lagos tasks telecoms operators on corporate governance By Adeyemi Adepetun and Bankole Orimisan O further sustain the various levels of investT ment in the bourgeoning telecommunications sector of Nigeria, the Lagos State Government has called for some degree of corporate governance from telecommunications service operators in the state. The state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, while hosting the board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Lagos, at the weekend, noted that the regulator must beam more searchlight on the services being provided, saying that Lagos residents shouldn’t have communications at the expense of good road network in the state, “but they can have both”, he stressed. Fashola, who lamented the incessant cuts on Lagos roads, most especially by the contractors of the mobile operators including MTN, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat, disclosed that at the beginning of every year, the state used to published the names of roads it would work on and asked the operators to indicate which of them they would be laying fibres, “but they won’t come at that time. It is when we have finished that they would come seeking permission for road cuts among others. We can’t continue to tolerate that. The state recognises the importance of broadband infrastructure to the economy, but there must be some level of sanity in what is to be done.” He stressed that telecommunications operators must display some sense of patriotism for better relationship. Fashola explained that the new roads under construction in Lagos came with ducts and that telecoms operators should endeavour to make use of existing ducts in the state, instead of cutting roads with impunity at the detriment of road users. Besides, the Lagos governor, who said that the state spent over N100 million on repairs of various cable cuts, especially electric cables, also denied cases of multiple taxations in the state. Fashola said: “There is nothing like multiple taxation in Lagos, you can only talk of multiple taxes if different agencies in the state are taxing telecoms operators on the same project, but that is not the case here. Telecoms operating companies in Lagos must be prepared to pay for the land on which they are erecting their masts, even though they have gotten permit from the federal government to erect masts in the country. That should not in any way be regarded as multiple taxation.” Fashola disagreed with the NCC, on what the commission believed to be multiple taxation imposed on telecoms operators by the state, saying that most of them were sometimes administrative cost. The governor explained that most of the challenges were usually caused by personal differences, lack of appreciation and some mischief from some of the players. He warned that some people should stop setting one level of government against the other. Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, who led the NCC delegation, told the governor in his presentation that telecoms op-

• Unfolds new standard for erection of masts

(Left): Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah and Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, during NCC’s board visit to the Governor in Lagos. erators were faced with challenges in Lagos that was already affecting expansion of telecommunications infrastructure in the state and that the most critical of them all was the issue of right of way (RoW), where operators were denied access to lay cables and build masts, unless they paid certain amount of money to the state agencies. Responding, Fashola stressed that what was regarded as multiple taxation was purely administrative cost handed down to the operators, which was normal. The Lagos governor added that the state would not deliberately impose fees on telecoms operators because it wanted to generate money from ROW. “Telecommunications and regulation are multiple jurisdictional and should be addressed as such. Masts and towers are physical structures on ground and must be regulated by both the telecoms regulatory body and the state government, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. Juwah reiterated that the quality of services in Lagos and other parts of the country was not desirable, attributing it to the challenges on multiple taxation and regulations that awaited the service providers at the various

levels of government, including state governments, local governments and even some communities. Meanwhile, Lagos State government has come up with a new set of standard for the installation of communications masts in the state. Although telecommunications companies are the highest users of masts in the state, the new standard will not affect them, because they have since been building and erecting masts to international standards, using the approved specifications and quality of steel materials. Those mainly affected by the new standards for masts installation in the state were the banks, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and other Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are using communication masts for their businesses. Reeling out the new standard to bank officials in Lagos recently, General Manager, Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit (UFRU), Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said that thenceforth, all communication masts in the state must be erected with galvanised steel materials and must be between 30 metres and 50 metres high. UFRU is the Lagos Government Agency,

under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development that is responsible for the regulation of masts installation in the state. The galvanised steel material replaces the hollow pipes that were hitherto used by banks and ISPs in installing masts in the state. Igbokwe said that the new standards became imperative, owing to the coastal nature of Lagos, coupled with the global climate change. According to him, the state government had since discovered that hollow pipes had little resistance to strong wind and other weather conditions like rain and sun, thus giving way easily to the slightest wind, which he said had resulted in collapse of several masts that had killed several people and destroyed property worth billions of naira in the state. “All hollow pipe type of masts must be removed and replaced with galvanised steel that has the shape of a pyramid. We will not accept re-painting of masts, but a complete evacuation of hollow pipe masts, and the evacuation must start now,” Igbokwe told bank officials at a meeting organised by UFRU in Lagos recently. Igbokwe said that banks and every other organisation that had hollow type masts were given up till December this year to complete the evacuation of hollow type masts. Banks are expected to seek approval from UFRU before embarking on the installation of galvanised steel masts. Asked by some of the bank staff what it cost to get approval, Igbokwe said that permit for the installation of new masts cost N400, 000 per mast, while permit for replacement of existing masts cost N200, 000 per mast, but that annual levy for masts supervision remained at N100, 000. Igbokwe, who frowned at the negligence of banks in mast installation, said that most banks in the state would use up all their landed space to erect bank buildings, without creating enough space for mast installation. He added that all that must stop and that those who had formed the habit of installing masts/antennae on building tops must first seek permit to enable UFRU determine the strength of the building before giving approval for such installation. A bank suggested an alternative of masts where banks could collocate with telecoms operators on fibre connectivity, but Igbokwe said that there were lots of fibre cables laid in Lagos and UFRU gave the permit to do so, insisting that such alternative arrangement was possible. The banks, however, complained of multiple taxes from government and asked UFRU to clearly state why they should be subjected to the same levy by different government agencies. Responding to the issue of multiple taxes, Igbokwe said that government had streamlined its levies, and that once payment was made to UFRU and receipted for, the banks and other masts users would not be subjected to further payment by any other government agency, provided the operator had proof of payment from UFRU.

Rural communities to get 5, 000 base stations By Syntyche Boman OR improved rural connectivity in the country, a new developmental process that would facilitate the building of new telecoms base transceiver stations (BTS), especially to the undeserved and unserved areas of the

country has been unfolded. This process, which is going to be achieved through the Universal Service Provision Funds (USPF), a special fund set up by the federal government under the National Communications Act 2003 to provide telecommunications and ICT services

At a Glance • EMC grows business by 40 per cent in Nigeria • C’ River signs N1b cable agreement with MTN • Nigeria can realise $100b from software, says Uwaje • NAMA “terror” threatening over quality of service • Resourcery, Cisco build video solution for oil and gas

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P.26 P.27 P.28 P.29 P.35

to unserved, underserved and deprived groups and communities in the country. According to USPF, in its new Strategic Management Plan, (SMP), 20132017, 1,000 BTS are to be built every year, beginning from this year over a period of five years. Other key targets by 2017, according to USPF, include the plan to support the deployment of 15, 000 kilometres of fibre optic cables laying with an average of 3, 000km every year and the deployment of Internet Point of Presence, PoPs, in 25 clusters in five years with an average of five per year under the Fund’s Rural Broadband Internet (RUBI) scheme.

These new targets were disclosed by the USPF Secretary, Mr. Abdullahi Maikano, in Lagos during a stakeholders’ forum to discuss the new operating model for the key area implementation of connectivity, which include connectivity and access to ensure sustainability of the rural access. Maikano, however, noted that the new SMP had been re-designed, following the review of the earlier SMP 2007-2011, with was fraught with a number of barriers. He disclosed that to achieve the new targets, USPF would, in the next two weeks, come up with request for proposal from telecoms operators that

would drive the infrastructure deployment, stressing the fund would ensure there was transparency in the bidding process. He said that the new operating model adopted for the current SPM, which focused on integrated approach to project strategy and execution would lead to increased participation of industry operators, ensure implementation of wellplanned and adaptable projects which suited a variety of ICT scheme, ensure availability of telecoms infrastructures in unserved and underserved area which provided a foundation for universal access, among others.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

26 COMPULIFE

EMC grows business by 40 per cent in Nigeria were early adopters of the technology, adding that the public (government) sector is now a high user of the technology globally. Also commenting, the Regional Manager for West Africa, EMC, Mr. Rasheed Jimoh, said: “As the global IT community examines the tremendous benefits of big data, the efficacy of cloud computing, and the inherent security concerns, there is no better time than now to bring this same con-

versation to Nigeria. We have hosted the EMC Forum in several countries across the world and MC Corporation, a global player that each time it has proven to be an effective platenables businesses and service providers form for a convergence of experts and thought transform their operations and deliver leaders to shape the direction of cloud computInformation Technology (IT) as a service, grew ing and today Nigeria joins the train of success its business by 40 per cent across Nigeria in stories. 2012, recording $21.7 billion as revenue in the “We are certain that the conversations we have process. started here will continue to resonate and cause Speaking at the first EMC Forum in Lagos, the IT transformation we would like to see in our themed ‘Lead Your Transformation’, EMC’s various industries. Vice President and Global Chief Technology Officer, Mrs. Patricia Florissi, listed the fundamental business challenges for organisations today and how they could be overcome . In addressing these, she focused on three pillars: IT transformation with cloud; business transformation with Big Data; and how trust is key to enabling this transformation. One of the key topics at the forum was cloud computing, which delivers the maximum possible IT efficiency and makes it possible to store, manage and analyse information as it continues to grow. IDC projects that the digital universe will reach 40 zettabytes by 2020, an amount that exceeds previous forecasts by 5 ZBs, resulting in a 50-fold growth from the beginning of 2010. With this data growth and in order to meet the service-level demands required by businesses today, IT organisations have recognised the need to transform their infrastructure and operations in order to address the pressing cost, efficiency, scalability, security, and agility questions that they need to manage. Sponsored by EMC partners Cisco, VMware, and Accenture, along with EMC Velocity Partners the forum brought together senior decision makers and IT professionals from leading organisations in the country to discuss the latest challenges associated with managing explosive data growth and how to maintain a competitive advantage. Florissi said: “While cloud computing offers the promise of transforming IT and significantly lowering operating costs, it is real-time Managing Director, Levant and Emerging Africa EMC, Nazim Fraijat, left; Vice President Global CTO Distinguished EMC Corporation, Patricia Florissi; and Regional Manager for English Speaking West Africa EMC, Rasheed Ola-Jimoh, during the EMC’s Forum 2013 in Lagos…recently. PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINbig data analytics that will fundamentally LOLU

By Bankole Orimisan

transform businesses across Nigeria by identifying new revenue opportunities through key competitive insights and timely decision-making and improved customer experience. “At EMC, we strive to help customers achieve their objectives and drive business growth and that’s what we showcased at EMC forum.” Speaking on the technologies provided by the firm, the Managing Director, Levant and Emerging Africa, EMC, Mr. Nazim Fraijat, said telecoms companies and the financial sector

COMPULIFE

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

C’River signs N1b cable agreement with MTN By Bankole Orimisan HE Cross River State governT ment has signed a concession agreement with MTN Communications Nigeria Limited for the provision of 115 kilometres of telecommunications cable duct infrastructure for the city of Calabar, spanning from Tinapa to Anantigha. Special Adviser on Communication Technology Development, Mr. Odo Effiong, said when completed in six to nine months, the system is expected provide complete access to broadband infrastructure for all residents of the city Apart from access to broadband, the system is also expected to significantly improve the quality of voice services in Calabar as well as make video services a reality over wired and wireless channels. He said the project is a Public Private Partnership between the Cross River State government and MTN Communications Limited and is completely privately funded and will cost approximately N1.1 billion to implement. The infrastructure to be installed includes three telecommunications cable ducts and 96 core fibre optic cables for each partner and managed by both the Cross River State government and MTN Communications Nigeria Limited. The infrastructure would enable other service providers and network/ broadband users to approach either party to lease infrastructure or services. Effiong said in addition to this infrastructure, MTN would site an additional 99 Base Stations to improve wireless services in the State in 2013 and similar numbers in 2014 and 2015.

It would also support the development of various third party services enabled by broadband such as city-wide wifi, access to various government services, e-ticketing, smart transport, smart education, smart health, e-tourism and ultimately the creation of Nigeria’s first smart city. Effiong said telecommunications was now an essential utility secondary only to water, transportation, and power. He said that broadband infrastructure had been identified as critical to socio-economic development and that broadband was to the information economy what electricity was to the industrial economy. He stated that studies showed that a 10 per cent increase in broadband in a

developing economy resulted in a growth of 1.38 per cent of GDP. He said the initiative was an important component of the governor’s socio-economic development plan and Calabar becoming the regional business and investment destination of choice. The Special Adviser said the project was a third of three major collaborative projects including the SmartGov.CRSG project and the Tinapa Knowledge City project that represented investment of about N2.5 billion in the sector in the state. General Manager, Legal MTN Communications Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Oghenerume Rotimi, who signed on behalf of MTN, said the initiative was part of their plan to establish a fibre optic network across the country.

‘Roaming cuts can curb infrastructure investment’ UROPEAN mobile networks E have stepped up the fight against proposals to slash mobile roaming costs across the European Union, EU, fearing that the way they have been structured would allow MVNOs to undercut their prices. The main fear is that a virtual operator would be able to tap into low wholesale prices across the entire EU without having to make any commensurate investment in the mobile network infrastructure. Estimates are putting the potential losses to the mobile networks at around €10 billion per year, at a time when they are expected to be funding the rollout of 4G based networks.

The move comes as part of a reform that would eventually see roaming fees across Europe scrapped, which were initially given a cautious welcome as the proposal was expected to come alongside plans to make cross-border mergers easier, resulting in cost savings for the industry. Having seen the plans in more detail though, the mobile networks are expressing concern that the wholesale rates would create an arbitrage market in Europe allowing MVNOs to take advantage of low-cost rates to undercut the networks themselves.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

ComPULIFe

THe GUarDIaN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Nama’s ultimatum on masts erection worrisome, says NaTComS By Bankole Orimisan aTIoNaL association of N Telecoms Subscribers (NaTComS) is worried over Nigerian airspace management agency’s (Nama’s) recent ultimatum to owners of telecoms masts at several locations across Nigeria to dismantle them or face sanctions. NaTComS said that the move might worsen quality of service provisioning already plagued by a number of challenges. “Currently the telecoms industry is suffering and witnessing several mast closures, vandalisation by insurgents, declaration of state of emergency in some states and threats of closures by some federal and state government agencies leading to very serious threats to good quality service,” mr. Deolu ogunbanjo, national president, NaTComS said. Nama had earlier in the week directed mast owners

Israeli ex-Pm, Jonathan for abuja global cybersecurity confab He First Lady of the Federal T republic of Nigeria, mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan, who was recently appointed ITU-ImPaCT Champion on Child online Protection (CoP) and former Prime minister of Israel, ehud barack will next week to deliver keynote addresses at the 2013 World Cybersecurity Conference slated for July 30 at the State House, Presidential Villa, in abuja. The conference with the theme: ‘Cyber Insecurity- a Latent Threat to National Security and economic Development’ is being organised by office of the First lady of Nigeria, International multilateral Partnerships against Cyber Threat (ImPaCT), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development agency (NITDa) and New Horizons Nigeria.

Cyberoam appoints mart Networks distributor in Nigeria By Bankole Orimisan yberoam, a global netC work security appliances company, today announced the appointment of mart Networks as distributor in Nigeria. The company is already Cyberoam distributor in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. While Cyberoam presence is already well established in the region, the appointment is aimed towards moving to the next level of growth. The markets in Nigeria are at a point where businesses look for futuristic solutions that can keep up with the pace of changes in security industry. mart Networks will empower the existing channel through training, technical support and logistics support to better serve the highly potent Nigerian market.

to remove them in a bid to enhance air safety in the country. Support atobatele, general manager, Public affairs, Nama, said that the directive became imperative following the inherent danger posed by such structures to air navigation in the country. “Consequently, the agency has engaged the services of Seas electrical and Computer Services Ltd to effect the dismantling of affected masts at the expiration of the ultimatum,” atobatele said. Nama mandated Seas electrical and Computer Services Ltd to not only identify and report, but also to reduce the height or dismantle the masts as applicable citing Nama act Section 7(1) c and d of its establishment act No.48 of 1999. but NaTComS cautioned the

agency adding: “Hitherto, telecoms operators in Nigeria in erecting masts around our airports are given approvals by the Nigerian Civil aviation authority (NCaa). If (Nama) now suddenly wakes up to discharge their responsibility of enhancing air safety in Nigeria, it should do so with decorum, due diligence, due process and wide consultation.” ogunbanjo stated. according to ogunbanjo, Nama, as a federal government agency should consult with the Nigerian Civil aviation authority (NCaa) and telecoms operators to harmonise their various interests and positions rather than the current ‘terror’ approach being undertaken.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

MaritimeWatch Firm’s storage capacity hits 14,000 TEUs

Maersk line By Moses Ebosele TORAGE capacity of Port and SLimited, Cargo Handling Services a member of the Sifax Group and operator of Terminal C at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, has increased to 14,000 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) from 5,000 TEUs when the facility was concessioned in 2006. According to the Managing Director of the company, John Jenkins, the computerisation of operations and provision of a tracking system has also enhanced service delivery. Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, Jenkins said: “May I first of all commend the federal government of Nigeria for taking the bold step of concessioning the port to private entrepreneurs. It is a strategic move from which positive results have been seen and attested to by stakeholders in the maritime

industry.” Explaining further, Jenkins said: “Since we took over the terminal on May 11, 2006, we have taken giant steps to improve on our operations by investing heavily on infrastructure, plants and equipment. As a result, the turnaround time of vessels has by far reduced with what was obtainable before the concession of the terminal. In the same vein, berth occupancy, cargo deliveries and security of cargoes have tremendously improved.” He said that the company had improved on its security, adding that loss or vandalisation of cargo through the activities of ‘wharf rats’ is now a thing of the past. “A new terminal operating system has been purchased and is fully operational. It tracks all container movements in the terminal and has made lost containers a thing of the past,” said Jenkins. He explained that for illumi-

nation of the terminal and to ensure that night shifts were not disrupted, the company had deployed high mast lighting system to the terminal. Jenkins who also used the opportunity to appeal to the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) to ensure its terminal is connectedtopublicelectricitysaid that to ensure 24 hours supply of light, “many high powered generators have been provided.” Jenkins who spoke on sundry issues said: “We have renovated the terminal’s operation buildings, sheds, warehouses and mechanical workshop. New toilets and showers have been provided in the building, which has been renovated. “We have provided radio communication gadgets to enhance communication and efficient service delivery. We have constructed an ultramodern staff canteen for the staff and dockworkers. An imposing and befitting edifice

has been provided for the Customs and other government regulatory agencies. We have installed digital security gadget in the terminal to enhance its security and we are now going to upgrade that system. “We have provided fire-fighting equipment and muster points at strategic locations in the terminal. In addition, regulartrainingofstaffonfireprevention and curtailment

strategies are being done,” Jenkins added. Making reference to the company’s challenges, Jenkins identified purchase of generators along with the associated cost of diesel and maintenance as a major challenge. He added: “Another serious challenge to our operations is the obstruction of our own portion of the common user access road by the Nigeria Customs Services. Containers,

truck, vehicles and other cargoes that are seized by Customs from other terminals are always kept on the access road leading into the terminal. “As a result of this, our portion of the common user access roads is always reduced to single lane. As a result of this bottleneck, entrance to our terminal becomes a nightmare and this also creates an impression that our terminal is heavily congested.

Rescue swimmers, seafarers honoured for bravery at sea HE 2013 International T Maritime Organisation (IMO) Award for exceptional bravery at sea will be awarded to two rescue swimmers from the United States of America, for saving the lives of 14 crew members from the tall ship HMS Bounty, and posthumously, to a seafarer from China who died trying to save the life of a ferry passenger.

The IMO Council, meeting for its 110th session in London, decided that the 2013 award will go to Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Randy J. Haba and Aviation Survival Technician Third Class Daniel J. Todd of the United States Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, nominated by the Government of the United

States, for saving the lives of 14 crew members from the tall ship HMS Bounty, during Hurricane Sandy. According to IMO, the Council also agreed to bestow the 2013 award posthumously on Mr. Jinguo Yang, a crewmember on the ferry Tong Chang Qi Du 11, nominated by the CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

NPA partners NIMET on accurate meteorological forecast By Moses Ebosele O ensure accurate meteorological forecast, the management of Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has announced plans to deploy weather Data Buoy on the Atlantic Ocean on or before early August 2013. According to NPA, the real time data generated by the

buoy will go a long way to enhance better data base, more accurate marine meteorological forecast, timely warning among other things. NPA explained that the project is in response to the global temperature “which is set to increase by few degrees resulting in the weather becoming much more extreme in many places with more storms and changed river discharges.”

A statement issued by NPA’s General Manager in charge of Public Affairs, Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu, explained that the sea level would also rise faster than the preceding centuries. Ebubeogu said: “These changes will have a severe impact on the natural processes in the affected environment. “Consequently, improving weather data gathering for

more accurate weather forecast is becoming more important especially in this era of climate change and its apparent and envisaged attendant consequences. “The weather Buoy is a floating object that will be heavily anchored to the sea bottom so that it will remain in place. “Its design and build is intended to provide a platform on which weather gathering equipment will be

installed to gather, store and convey weather data for forecast processing. “The buoy which will be expected to arrive Nigeria within the next two weeks, will be deployed at Lat. 06º 22’ 43” N and long 003º 28’ 39” W, this position is 3.5 nautical miles from the coastline, 4.8 nautical miles from Lagos harbour entrance and 3.8 nautical miles from fairway buoy.

Habib Abdulahi

THE GuArDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Chemical and product vessel

rescue swimmers, seafarers honoured for bravery at sea CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 Government of China, who gave his own life whilst trying to rescue a person in distress on the ferry, after it had collided with the cargo ship Shun Qiang 28. Aviation Survival Technicians Haba and Todd were despatched on board two Coast Guard rescue Helicopters, CG-6012 and CG6031, from united States Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, responding to a distress alert from HMS Bounty, during the pre-dawn hours of october 29, 2012. After flying through the outer bands of Hurricane Sandy, in strong winds and torrential rain, they encountered the ship, partially submerged with a large debris field, surrounded by life rafts. rescue Helicopter CG-6012, according to IMo was the first to arrive at the scene, and AST Haba was lowered into the stormy waters. He spent an hour battling strong currents and 10 metre waves,inthewindandrain,taking survivors from the life rafts to the waiting rescue basket, overcoming exhaustion and fatigue. “At one point, he was engulfed by a huge wave that knocked his mask off, severely restricting his vision and further hampering his tremendous efforts. AST Haba demonstrated the utmost determination and perseverance, performing two more rescues without the use of a mask. He exhibited exceptional strength and endurance throughout the entire rescue. “rescue Helicopter CG-6031 arrived 30 minutes after CG6012, and AST Todd was immediately deployed into the tur-

bulent sea to begin the task of reaching another life raft. He began retrieving each of the survivors from the raft and delivering them to the rescue basket. Whilst he was assisting the second survivor into the rescue basket, a large wave toppled the life raft containing the four remaining survivors. Todd immediately secured a handhold on the sea anchor to stabilise his position. His strength and ingenuity expedited the rescue of the six survivors and his action saved valuable time. This enabled him to reposition himself to a second life raft, containing three additional survivors, whom he also successfully rescued. “Both men overcame the effects of cold, fatigue and ingesting sea water to deliver 14 crew members of HMS Bounty to safety. “on March 15, 2012, the ferry Tong Chang Qi Du 11 collided withthecargoshipShunQiang 28 on the Yangtze river. The ferry’s hull was damaged and it started sinking with 33 persons on board, 31 of whom were subsequently saved during the search and rescue operation and transferred to a rescue ship. one passenger was trapped in his truck, which had been severely damaged in the collision. “one of the rescued crew members, Mr. Jinguo Yang, 55, jumped back onto the sinking ferry and attempted, unsuccessfully, to prize open the jammed door of the truck in order to rescue the trapped passenger. unfortunately, the ferry lost its stability and capsized. Mr. Jinguo Yang was unable to save the passenger’s life; indeed, in trying to do so, he lost his own.

Although he had the opportunity to escape at the last moment, he chose instead, at the cost of his own life, to stay and attempt to rescue the trapped passenger. “The Council unanimously endorsed the decision of a panel of judges that these were the worthy recipients of the Bravery Award for 2013, from a total of 34 nominations, received from 10 member states and two non-governmental organisations in consultative status with IMo. “The Council also decided that of the other nominees or groups of nominees, six should receive Certificates of Commendation and 12 should receive Letters of Commendation. “The awards ceremony will take place at IMo Headquarters, on Monday, November 25, 2013, at the end of the first day of the 28th Assembly of IMo.” The heads of the International Civil Aviation organization (ICAo), the IMo and the World Customs organisation (WCo) met recently in London to discuss supply chain security and related matters, which cut across the mandates of the organisations. IMo Secretary-General, Koji Sekimizu welcomed his counterparts, raymond Benjamin, secretary general, ICAo, and Kunio Mikuriya, secretary general, WCo, to IMo Headquarters where the three considered the further enhancement of collaboration between the organisations in the fields of aviation, border and maritime security and facilitation. ICAo and the IMo perform their roles as specialised agencies of the united Nations,

while the WCo is an independent intergovernmental body. “Asustainablemaritimetransportation system is reliant on a smooth and efficient supply chain and it is essential that we work together to mitigate any potential threats,” IMo Secretary-General Sekimizu said, adding, “a key element of thisisbuildingpartnershipsto support technical assistance and cooperation, particularly in the developing countries and in any high-risk areas, to address vulnerabilities in global supply chain security and create opportunities to enhance trade facilitation.” ICAo Secretary-General Benjamin said: “ICAo recognises and fully supports that effective cooperation is the basis for realising the objectives of our organisations. The constantly evolving threats posed by global terrorism must be met with highly coordinated transportation security and border control measures in order to minimise adverse impacts on international passenger and trade flows.” Secretary-General Mukuriya of the WCo highlighted: “Meaningful, dynamic and effective partnerships at the international level are critical to how all our organisations meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the 21st century border and trade environment. Today’s globalised trade and travel requires new thinking, coordinated approaches and connectivity between all stakeholders to efficiently secure and facilitate legitimate trade, support economic competiveness and provide protection to societies.”

Sekimizu

Court jails five over Costa Concordia ship disaster CourT in Italy has convictA ed five employees of an Italian cruise company for the Costa Concordia shipwreck that killed 32 crew and passengers after it accepted their plea bargains. According to the journal, the longest sentence went to the crisis coordinator for Costa Crociere SpA, the cruise company, who was sentenced to two years and 10 months. Concordia’s hotel director was sentenced to two years and six months while two bridge officers and a helmsman got sentences ranging from one year and eight months to one year and 11 months. It explained that the plea bar-

gains were handled separately from the trial of Costa Concordia Captain Francesco Schettino, who is charged with manslaughter for causing the January 2012 shipwreck off the Tuscan island of Giglio and abandoning the vessel with thousands aboard. The Concordia, on a weeklong Mediterranean cruise, speared a jagged granite reef when, prosecutors allege, Schettino steered the ship too close to Giglio’s rocky shores as a favour to a crewman whose relatives live on the island. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison. Schettino has denied the charges and insisted that the rock was not in nautical maps.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

IndustryWatch WTO advocates value-addition for export goods By Femi Adekoya with agency reports Y 2020, trade between developing counB tries is expected to climb to one-third of world trade, if they embrace value-addition in the production and exportation of goods. This was the view of the Director-General, World Trade Organisation, Pascal Lamy, while assessing trade activities in 2012 in the organisation’s 2013 yearly report. According to him, the geography of trade is changing with a shift being witnessed among developing countries. Lamy also added that it has become pertinent for developing nations to rethink valueaddition rather than merely exporting goods to drive trade. He said: “The geography of trade is also changing. Twenty years ago, 60 per cent of world trade was between developed countries, 30 per cent was between developed and developing countries and only 10 per cent was between developing countries. By 2020, trade between developing countries is expected to climb to one-third of world trade. “Through supply chains, developing countries have found an accessible means to insert themselves into the global economy. Trade is no longer about finished products or services. It is about adding value by contributing to a stage in the production of a finished product or by providing services. “In the years to come, developing countries, starting with Africa, are expected to grow three times faster than advanced economies. In short, the essence of future world growth will come from developing countries.” He stressed the need for governments to rectify the policy shortcomings that have affected economic stability, in order to address the mounting protectionist pressures. He explained saying: “Another change in the world trade scene is the increasing influence of non-tariff obstacles to trade. Successive WTO negotiating rounds, bilateral trade agreements and unilateral trade opening have significantly reduced the relative

weight of tariffs in global trade but it is becoming clear that creating new trade opportunities and reducing the cost of trading will require addressing non-tariff barriers (NTBs). “A clear trend is emerging where NTBs are less about shielding producers from import competition and more about protecting consumers. In many cases, these measures are important and necessary. The new NTBs typically address concerns over health, safety, environmental quality and other social considerations. “The danger is that these measures may sometimes be misused for protectionist purposes. Even when not used for protectionist reasons, the use of NTBs may result in differences

Lagos beverage manufacturers reward customers By Toyosi Ajayi ANUFACTURERS of beverage drinks in Lagos have restated their commitment to consumer satisfaction even as they reward their distributors, for their efforts and loyalty towards driving their products in the market. Speaking at the CRYSLAD Nigeria 2013 mid year customer appreciation and awards giving ceremony in Lagos, recently, Public Relations Officer of CRYSLAD, Tony Okafor, explained that the event was a bi-annual event organised to enhance relationship with its dealers

and to appreciate customers for their patronage during the period. According to him, the event helped us to understand consumer needs and ‘we meet such demands while rewarding customers with the highest patronage from the commencement of the year till date with a bus to aid the business.’ The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CRYSLAD, Banjo Onanubi outlined the significance of the event, as to make the customers loyal to the organisation and listen to their various complains to service them better.

Stakeholders hold fair for rubber, plastic industry By Deborah Sunmola O aid the growth of plasT tics of rubber industry, stakeholders have concluded plans to hold a trade fair. In a statement, the organisers noted that the fair scheduled to hold in Dusseldorf, Germany from October 16 to 23 would assist exhibitors deepen trade relationships

Lamy

Jonathan

between Nigeria and European countries. The organiser, however, noted that they were working with all their partners to ensure that Nigerian businesses wishing to attend or exhibit at K2013 enjoy local support to ensure their visit K2O13 Dusseldorf is a seamless one.

between regulatory systems that can substantially raise trade costs and reduce or distort trade flows.” Lamy also emphasized the need for better cooperation among developing nations in order to improve trade relations. “Better cooperation among developing nations remains a priority. The trade-opening agenda remains even more relevant today than it was in the pre-crisis period, and the most effective way to do this is through the multilateral route. I see four priorities for a successful global trade opening agenda. “The first is to recognise that imports are an essential ingredient of a country’s export com-

petitiveness. So the key is not how to export more but how to add more value and to use trade to expand a country’s economy more quickly. The second priority is to reduce the impact of non-tariff barriers by achieving regulatory cooperation and by avoiding the use of NTBs for discriminatory purposes. Thirdly, a global effort is needed to develop a common framework for investment. Fourthly, for many poor countries, trade opening cannot translate into growth, development and jobs without trade capacity building. Moving forward, we have to see how to better leverage the contribution of the private sector to support this,” he added.

Firm commissions tissue production line NDIGENOUS manufacturing firm, Bel Papyrus Limited, a member of the Boulos Group of companies, has commissioned its new production line for tissue manufacturing in Lagos. According to the company, the new state of the art Italian line equipment, which was installed at its Ogba factory, has an average production capacity of 23,000 tonnes per year.

The production line, which is the third to be installed would serve the purposes of crescent former tissue machine, machine auxiliaries, stock preparation plant for virgin pulp and for recycled paper including deinking cells, 2-loop washer system and a hot dispersion system. Group Managing Director of the company, Riad Baloukji, said that the new line was

designed in line with best available technology for tissue production, adding that it would allow the company guarantee its own requirements for the existing converting facilities by providing tissue jumbo reels to all small and medium converters in the country. He added that the production line would enable the company to consolidate its leading position in the West

African tissue market (ECOWAS countries) and raise the company’s total production capacity above 45,000 tonnes per year. He also said that the company was studying the layout of the paper mill number four on site, which would be 28,000 tonnes capacity per year, and it is expected to start production in September 2015, with a foreseen capacity of 75,000 MT per year.

Govt to resuscitate ginger production, commissions factory in Imo From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri HE federal government T has stated its readiness to reinvigorate ginger production in the country by encouraging the farmers and growers of the item. Similarly, authorities of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), have commissioned and donated a ginger slicing and drying processing factory and machines to Mbaitoli Divisional Co –Operative Society Ginger Growers Association, for the production of ginger products in Imo State under the federal government’s cluster initiative.

Stating these while commissioning the factory at Nwaorieubi, Mbaitoli Local Council office, recently, the Director-General of the council, Prof. Azike Peter Onwualu, represented by the Director of Plants and Equipment Department, Dr. Seb Obasi, commended the Imo State Coordinator of the council, Dr. Rose O. Enwereuzoh for the synergy demonstrated between her and the beneficiaries. He said that similar gesture would be extended to other societies interested in the development of ginger in the 9,555 wards, through the Ward Based Cluster Project

(WBCP) in country. According to him, the council was looking for a way to stem youth restiveness and social vices through the ginger potentials, stating: “We

are looking for a situation we provide employment for youths so that there will be no more kidnapping. There is market available for ginger,” he reasoned.

Tantalizers commences remodeling exercise O aid its value delivery T efforts to customers, Tantalizers Plc, a subsidiary of Quick Service Restaurant chains, has commenced a remodeling exercise of its stores to that end. The revamping exercise has been completed in the Victoria Island, Tejuosho, Akoka and Lekki stores, with that of Allen Avenue ongo-

ing. In a statement, Promotion Manager, Tantalizers Plc, Toluawa Oyetayo said that work was on-going in three outlets in Ibadan and two in Abuja, adding that revamping exercise underlined the company’s drive to give her customers the best in terms of ambience, quality meals and services.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Focus Hurdles before trans-border trade facilitation By David Ogah LOBALLY, trade across borders is not a new phenomenon. G But the World Trade Organization is now championing the concept of trade facilitation among nations, which has been defined as simplication , harmonization, standardization and modernization of trade procedures. Trade facilitation seeks to reduce trade transaction between businesses and government. This concept is receiving unprecedented attention globally and it is at the heart of numerous initiatives within the customs world. The United Nations Centre for Trade facilitation and Electronic business (UN/CEFACT) in its recommendation No 4 of 1974, said trade facilitation programme ought to be guided by simplication, harmonization and standardization (of trade procedures) so that transaction becomes easier, quicker and more economical than before. According to the body, there was need to eliminate duplication in formalities, process and procedures; align all national formalities, procedures operation and documentation with international conventions, standard and practices to develop international agreed format for practices, procedures, documentation and information in international trade. Proponent of trade facilitation believed that if transaction cost in international trade is reduced, there could be creation of wealth, especially in developing countries where red-tapism and other procedural barriers to trade tend to be pronounced. The organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimated recently that even one per cent reduction in such “hidden cost” would boost the global economy by $40 billion with most of these benefits going to the developing world. Trade facilitation therefore encourages, or perhaps requires countries to adopt means such as publishing their imports and export procedures, reducing the number of forms that importers and exporters are required to complete, allowing forms to be submitted on-line, and checking corruption at border post. Nigeria, though a signatory to Kyoto 1974 and other convention on trade facilitation, is far from embracing the ideals of the global concept. The president of the council of Managing Directors of Customs licensed Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, said that although Nigeria was yet to comply with all the provisions of trade facilitation, it has the tools to facilitate international trade, such as the scanning machines and the e-platform. “In Nigeria, the real cost of doing business is an impediment to trade facilitation. We have no good procedure for goods on transit. we used to handle transit goods to Niger and Chad. That has been taken over now by our neighboring countries. One of the key component of trade facilitation is charges which must be tied to services. We have shortcoming in that area. We are still working at cross purposes when other countries are busy harmonizing their import and export procedures, he said. In Nigeria, there is no one stop shop process for goods clearance as we have over 10 agencies superintending goods clearing procedure at the nation’s gateways. “This is very bad and constitute hindrance to trade. The regulatory process is supposed to have been harmonized with other agencies to have a one stop procedures. Procedures are

Goods laden trucks awaiting clearance at the Seme border

not published and not in line with WTO article which has to do with publication, regulation and administration of procedures. Our trading regime are expensive, our procedures are cumbersome. When others are simplifying and synchronizing their process of import and exports, our import and export procedures are lengthy. We have not been able to harmonise process and procedures and that is where we have problem. If you still have to go through 100 per cent examination when we have the scanners, that is an impediment to trade,” Amiwero said; adding that the time spent to conclude business in Nigerian ports and border post is much higher than anywhere in the West African sub-region. The level of corruption at the port border post is high and making them the most expensive business environment in Africa; as un-receipted charges far outweigh the official charges in the process of good clearing. Importers are still submitting hard documents instead of making use of e-devices, and going through the cumbersome process of clearing and receiving of consignments. All these and many other factors have combined to elongate the dwell time for cargoes and in most cases resulted in the payment of demurrage, contrary to the spirit of trade facilitation. At Seme border for instance, trade between Nigeria and her neighbouring countries in the West African sub-region is to say the least, divindling due to days of delay in the process of clearing goods at the Nigeria’s end of the border. Investigations revealed at the weekend that the delay was due largely to inefficient scanning machine deployed by destination inspection service provider in the area and the non-possession of valid import documents by importers using the boarder post as entry point for their items. These factors have combined to cause long queue of trucks at the scanning site and at the buffer zone where truck drivers complained of a waiting without end. Stakeholders who spoke on the long period of delay at the boarder at the weekend said their goods still have to go through physical examination by the customs even when such had gone through the process of scanning. Tino Ezezobor, who is the General Secretary of Seme branch of National Association of Government approved freight forwarders, sand government has good intention to facilitate trade using the service providers, which he said have so far failed to key into the vision. Also Alhaji Aliyu Sule, said the delay in goods clearing at the boarder could be attributed to the ineffective scanning machine deployed at the boarder by the service provider. He said the service from the machine was epileptic. “The mobile scanner that is in use is inefficient. This machine should scan four trucks per hour and that means 48 trucks per day. But once this machine work for two hours, you will need to stop it for another three hours for it to cool down so that it will not pack up. The image analysis sheets form are illegible and cannot be interpreted hence the insistence by the customs on 100 per cent inspection afterwards. This is the reason for the long queue and you can wait on the queue for days and sometime up to weeks. While you are incurring demurrage. The trucks are packed at buffer zone and no country takes responsibility for whatever happens to the trucks for lack of security. The Customs Area Controller at Seme, Mr. Othman Abdul Saleh, also attributed the epileptic services from the service

provider, the need for trucks to be subjected to 100 per cent inspection and the lack of valid import document by some importer to the delay and the long waiting time at the boarder. He said there was a time the government decided that consignments should come into the country only in containers. But the decision was reversed after a while when it was directed that truck already cut to size could be used to carry goods through the boarder. Authoritative source at Global Scan headquarters recently said it was wicked to say its machine, the mobile scanner was ineffective. The source who pleaded anonymity said: “We cannot do anything within the fixed scanner because we are still expecting its certificate from the National Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NNRA). We have finished the installation and test run it.” Defending allegations against his company, he said the customs has not been sending documents of trucks in the queue for scanning. “We can only scan when the customs send us trucks document to scan. We can issue 100 Risk Assessment Report (RAR) a day, but only about 10 of them will go for scanning. We even scan ECOWAS Trade Liberalization (ETL) trucks. All these allegations are lies. Anybody can say anything. We cannot scan any truck unless the documents are sent to us from the customs,” he said, adding that 123 trucks were scanned in the months of April while 64 RARS were issued by his company at Seme during the same period. THE international trade facilitation recommendations covers customers and regulatory bodies, control procedures applicable to import, export and transit items including general management, documentation, health and safety, financial securities and transshipment, movement of persons, management of dangerous goods, payment procedures, commercial practice and use of international standards, information, communication techniques, transport equipment including air, sea and multimedia transport. But today, there is always conflicting interest in the process of implementation of the provisions. The customs often find it difficult to give up the assumption that every importer is a potential cheat or smuggler or lack legitimate intention during shipment, although many practical cases have proved them right. This conflict of interest is said to be responsible for diversion of traffic to the ports of neighbouring countries because of the perceived differences in the enforcement of procedures. Goods with Nigeria as their final destination now find their way to Ghana, Cotonou ports from where they are transported with trucks into Nigeria, using the land borders. That explains the reason for this queue at Seme border and increasing rate of smuggling, using the unofficial routes. Godwin Jakpor, an importer, who spoke with The Guardian at the border over the weekend, said trading across the border used to be very smooth until the recent order that goods should be taken through the border in containers instead of the conventional trucks. The order was later relaxed with another order that truck already cut to size could be used to transport cargoes through the borders. These two orders caused congestion at the border post as many trucks were brought in for procedural examination at the same time.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

AFRICAN OIL&GAS REPORT 41

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

PETROLEUM RIGHTS

US to begin exporting 'fracked' gas By David Shukman, Science editor, BBC News $20bn project to prepare an export terminal A is under way in Louisiana. The huge facility on the Gulf of Mexico was originally designed to import natural gas to the US. But within two years of opening, the owners decided to reverse the process. In that time, American shale gas has become abundant and relatively cheap. One of the first contracts will see shale gas shipped to Britain under a contract with Centrica. The decision to sell gas abroad illustrates the extraordinary scale of the shale revolution in the United States with a further huge expansion forecast. A combination of new seismic imaging techniques, the ability to drill horizontally and the process of fracturing the shale rock itself has transformed the energy scene in the United States. The plant at Sabine Pass, owned by Cheniere Energy, was constructed to receive shipments of liquefied natural gas and a handful of deliveries was made. But now the company, banking on growing global demand for cheap American gas, is investing in four massive systems, known as "trains", to liquefy gas ready for export. When completed, the terminal is planned to export nearly 20 million tonnes of LNG a year. The first shipments are scheduled for 2015. According to Shell, one of the major producers of shale gas in the US, prospects have gone through a surprisingly rapid transformation. Peter Brett, manager of Shell's onshore well operations in the US, told BBC News that there is "massive potential". "It's huge - just five years ago we were talking about importing LNG and bringing that in from overseas and now we're looking at self sufficiency for the next 100 years in natural gas. "We're taking a long term view - there's going to be an ever increasing energy demand, we're going to need all energy sources and shale gas will be a big part of that." For years, reservoirs of oil and gas in upper layers of rock have been extracted but the layer of shale below - the "source rock" in which the hydrocarbons were formed - was deemed too difficult to exploit. One major new prospect - or "play", as the industry calls new fields - is the Eagle Ford shale in southern Texas. Near the Mexican border at Carrizo Springs, this arid scrubland is now the scene of frenetic activity as several major energy companies have moved in. At dozens of sites, drilling rigs are used to reach at least a mile deep into the shale, and then at least a mile horizontally through the rock formation. Typically, a dozen wells can be drilled from the same site. The fracking process involves a fleet of trucks

The plant in Louisiana was built to receive imports, but will now reverse the process.

carrying pumps to drive a combination of water, chemicals and "proppants" - tiny grains like sand - under high pressure into the rock. This fractures the shale, forcing open tiny fissures which the proppants then hold open, allowing the gas to flow out. The technique is controversial for several reasons. First, there are concerns about the risk of earth tremors but these have been extremely rare despite more than a million "frack jobs" in the US. Second, as the well passes through water-bearing layers of rock, there is a risk of the contamination of drinking water supplies. A double barrier - a cement lining of the well and a steel pipe - is designed to prevent any gas reaching aquifers. John Bickley, who manages technology for Shell's shale operations, said that if drilling and fracking are properly handled, the "possibility of contamination is very small". If methane is found in drinking water, there are other explanations for how it might have got there, he said. "There could be old well bores that leaked in the past. You could have methane that naturally migrates up." He conceded that the likelihood of shale gas being exploited in other countries beyond the US partly depends on public reaction. "Until we get people to understand that we're doing this in an environmentally friendly man-

ner that could delay or even cancel operations in different countries." In the big country of south Texas, with a sparse population, the process is inevitably less controversial than in more crowded areas. In central California, near the town of Shafter, we found that fracking operations had taken place almost on the doorstep of a retired businessman, Walt Desatoff. "They drilled just across street - they had three giant generators, they just started up. There was lighting, 24/7 activity, a huge waste pit that was of concern "It was major inconvenience - the activity, the smells, the dust from the trucks and the noise. "They did allocate us some money for a hotel - we intermittently left for a few days when we couldn't take it." The fracking operation close to Mr Desatoff's home was to produce oil not gas but the technique is the same. We approached the company involved but it said it never commented on individual cases. For environmentalists, a major concern is the quality of regulation and the ability of the authorities to enforce it. Jen Powis of the Sierra Club said there was insufficient control over the dumping of "water laced with chemicals", emissions from compressor stations and the impact of pipeline development. She also said that the plan to export US shale gas carried risks. "There are 17 proposals to export natural gas and

David Shukman no one has looked at them as a whole. "What about the pipelines and the wetlands and the ships coming in and out? What about the water with this increased traffic? And to get to that export, what about the risks upstream?" But for the moment, a shale gas boom, made possible by fracking, is under way in the US with every prospect of it growing for decades to come. Watch David Shukman's report on BBC One's BBC News at Ten on Tuesday, 16 July at 22:00 BST (UK only)

PETROLEUM PEOPLE By Eyifunmi Najite EPLAT has appointed Basil Omiyi, former Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria and Ifeakor Omogui Okauro, the country’s former Chief Taxman, to its Board of Directors, as it prepares to list the company in both the London and the Nigerian Stock Exchanges. “The listing is a priority for them”, says a source at the Department of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria’s industry regulator, “they are keen on expanding the funding base and instituting strong corporate governance”. The company promoted Stuart Connal, the Irish engineer and former CEO of Centrica Nigeria, who had been the Chief Operating Officer, into the board as Executive Director. But perhaps the most strategic appointments the company made in the last four weeks are those of Michael Alexander and Roger Brown, the one being the Senior Independent NonExecutive Director on the board, and the other being the Chief Financial Officer Mr. Alexander will be responsible for the interests of minority shareholders on the board while Roger Brown, until last month the head of oil and gas Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Standard Bank in London will, as CFO and Executive Director, be essentially the face of the company as Seplat makes pitches to

Seplat, Angling For Dual Listing, Beefs Up Board

ABC Orjiarkor, Chairman Seplat-1 investors from all over the globe. Edward Skene, a former Addax staff who was appointed CFO of the company at the time

Basil Omiyi, new role for Shell's first Nigerian CEO Connal was appointed COO three years ago, didn’t quite make it to the board. Mr. Skene will be reporting to Brown, who is considered

a well-known operator in investment circles. “Investors want to be sure who they are entrusting their monies to”, says Sam Ojibua, an oil and gas analyst based in Luanda. “Brown is very much part of the scene” Seplat is the largest indigenous African producer of hydrocarbons with net oil and gas production of about 32,000BOEPD. It is hoping to boost net hydrocarbon production to 65,000BOEPD by end of 2015. Currently, it is owned by three companies: Maurel et Prom, the French independent, holds 45% stake, with Shebah Petroleum and Platform Petroleum, both Nigerian companies, holding 33% and 22% respectively. A listing on the London main stock exchange will take the company global, even if it strips it of its Nigerian indigeneity. The board membership is now composed of A.B.C. Orjiakor(Chairman), Austin Avuru(Managing Director), Stuart Connal, Roger Brown (Executive Directors), Michael Alexander (Senior Independent Non Executive Director), Nasir Ado Bayero, Jean-Francois Henin(Chairman of M&P), Macaulay Ofurhie, Charles Okeahlama, Ifueko Omogui-Okauro and Basil Omiyi.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

42 AFRICAN OIL&GAS REPORT

BACK PAGE

Renewable Energy to the Rescue By Adedayo Ojo The provision of access to energy is an integral part of infrastructural development and economic planning. For decades, most African nations have struggled with the challenge of providing energy to the citizenry. The challenge appears to defy every effort. Perhaps, the dire situation with electricity in particular was succinctly captured by Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo who was recently quoted as saying that about 120 million Nigerians out of an estimated population of 160 million lack access to electricity. Shamefully, neither prevalent nor proposed fiscal and regulatory regimes in Nigeria favour investment in gas which is abundant in large quantity in the country. Nigeria’s poor record in developing infrastructure has equally limited access to electricity for millions of its populace. Unfortunately, there are vast areas of swamps and mountainous areas which naturally make grid infrastructure even more challenging. It remains curious why despite the challenges with growing the development of gas; the government has been practically reluctant to aggressively pursue renewable energy as an alternative source of power generation. Renewable energy has the potential to play a significant role in moving Nigeria close to meeting its aspiration for energy availability in rural and urban areas. The need for sustainable energy is rapidly increasing in the world. A widespread use of renewable energy is important for achieving sustainability in the energy sector in both developing and industrialized count r i e s . In order to seize the opportunities presented by renewable energy, African countries must establish renewable energy markets and gradually develop capacity in renewable energy technology. A good starting point will be for the governments to start by focussing on renewable energy technology by initiating surveys and studies to establish their potential in both urban and rural areas. Not much is known to have been done since Nigeria’s launch of the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) in 2007. The REMP outlined a roadmap for the gradual move away from fossil fuels, and an increase in the role of renew-

able energy in satisfying the country’s energy needs. REMP aims to facilitate greater access to energy for Nigerians in order to improve living standards, especially in rural areas. The plan includes programmes to promote solar, micro-hydro, wind and biomass including investment in research and d e v e l o p m e n t . A couple of examples of successful renewable energy pilot projects illustrate how simple inexpensive projects can have significant impact. The first is the Lagos State government’s pilot solar power project at Onisowo, a small offshore island where the local population (5,000 people) practise fishing and boatbuilding. Due to its isolation, the island of Onisowo had no access to electricity apart from diesel generators. The $83,000 pilot solar power project has provided the village with electricity to power a fish drier, the community hall, churches, mosques and the main street. The electricity has also improved information flow by powering television and increasing the use of mobile phones. Another shining example of the possibility of renewable energy is the integrated renewable energy powered model village in Sokoto. The Sokoto Energy Research Centre conceptualized, designed and imple-

mented the integrated renewable energy system to provide the energy needs of Danjawa, a village with 1,000 inhabitants. The village which was not connected to the national grid, due to its location, currently enjoys access to stable power supply. According to the Director, Sokoto Energy Research Centre, Professor Bagudu Danshehu, the inspiration for the project was to explore options using wind, solar, thermal and biogas technologies to provide the basic energy requirement of the village. The major lesson from the Lagos and Sokoto renewable energy projects is that access to power is a key factor in the fight against poverty and underdevelopment in the rural and urban centres. Renewable energy will help Africa meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), while building community resilience to climate change. Renewable energy can be used for pumping clean water from wells close to villages, thus reducing waterborne diseases and the time taken to collect water. Reliable and affordable electricity will enhance opportunities for local manufacturing and crafts businesses. Good quality, safe lighting (e.g. via small-scale solar panels) could increase safety and business opportunities for night-

time market stalls. A recent survey report developed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency in Nigeria (SMEDAN) highlighted that the acute power challenge has significantly affected the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in N i g e r i a . Given the huge cost of alternative power generation; there is little surprise at the relative underdevelopment of the MSMEs in Nigeria. The situation has also made Commercial Banks unwilling to lend to MSMEs due to their high risk exposure. If the power challenge faced by MSMEs is addressed, there is no doubt that unemployment will drop. Increased employment will have a multiplier impact on the economy such as increased revenue from income tax which will enable the government invest more in infrastruct u r e . Nigeria is endowed with significant renewable energy sources. The country is located within a high sunshine belt, thus assuring that solar radiation is fairly well distributed across several parts of the country. According to Dr Chris Omeruo the Managing Director/ CEO BGL Private Equity Ltd, “Nigerian Renewable Energy market is estimated to be worth at least US$7.5 billion, with significant market potential to grow to about US$10 billion or more’’. The benefits offered by renewable energy make it imperative for a collaborative effort from not just the public but also the private sector. For example, the international oil companies (IOCs) have a role to play in stimulating development of the renewable energy sector with targeted social investment across the range of sources, from solar, to micro-hydro, to wind, to biomass. In a situation where gas production is inhibited and there is continuous agitation for energy in local communities, the oil exploration and production companies can become winners by championing the growth of renewable energy projects

Dayo Ojo in neighbouring communities. A number of companies already exist who can become partners to oil companies to implement these projects because they already have a record of success with similar projects, albeit in smaller scales The onus remains with the Nigerian government to encourage availability of the legal, administrative, and financing infrastructure that will facilitate the building of renewable energy projects. International renewable energy investors are still looking for investment opportunities and given that Nigeria was recently one of the four top investment destinations/ growth areas in the world by KPMG a leading global audit, finance and tax advisory firm. The Nigerian state should wake up and promote the revolution of ‘Embracing Alternative Energy’ for growth - the theme for this year’s Nigeria Alternative Energy Expo Conference 2013, by creating and enabling a sound investment environment and providing favourable policies to guarantee financial rewards such as tax exemptions and renewable energy credits. Adedayo Ojo is Lead Consultant/CEO of Caritas Communications Limited, a specialist reputation strategy and corporate communication consultancy based in Lagos. Caritas is the West Africa affiliate of Regester Larkin, a pioneer reputation strategy and management consultancy with offices in London, Houston, Washington, Singapore and United Arab Emirates.

PETROLEUM PEOPLE Sobande Caught In GE’s African Expansion BOLAHAN Sobande is caught up in independents)Midwestern Oil & Gas G General Electric’s ambitious and Frontier Oil”. growth plan for Africa. America’s largest industrial group has focused more on emerging markets in the past few years and has claimed ‘localisation’ as one of its key priorities. Sobande, who retired in 2009 as General Manager Finance JV & PSC Liaison at Shell Nigeria, is one of the several select heads working for localizing the GE workforce on the continent. “GE head hunted me via an executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)”, says Sobande, a trained mechanical engineer. “When I found that my objectives in retirement (training and support for Nigerian content development) could also be met via GE, without jeopardising the work we were doing under GSO&G/AVODAN, I decided to join them”. Sobande set up GSO&G Nigeria Ltd and in collaboration with Victor Dania, and under his company, AVODAN Nig Ltd, “we provided”, he says: 1) “training in Advanced Project Management; trained up to 109 NNPC officials between 2010 and the time I left to join GE; 2) training in Facilities Engineering: trained up to 20 DPR officials and 15 in general industry over the same period, also collaborating with (training consultant)Lonadek; 3) Project Management and Operational Preparedness support for marginal field operators, specifically for (Nigerian

GE has announced a $1b investment over 5 years to support growth in Nigeria, including training of Nigerians, doubling of Nigerian staff strength, and indirectly the creation of more than 2,000 jobs in the supply chain “Two things I stressed during my interview were my belief in Nigerian Content and business principles compliance. Since joining GE, I have found sufficient commitment to both”, Sobande says. GE has approximately $3 billion in orders and revenue with over 50% growth year on year across Africa, of which about $2 billion comes from oil and gas operations in Nigeria, Angola and countries on the East African coast that have had gas finds recently, like Mozambique

Sobande

For participation in Oil & Gas section, contact: The Manager: Lagos: 01 7736351; Abuja: 07098513445

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Energy

Oil rig

Nigeria’s oil, gas firms to spend N361.6b on offshore drilling projects By Roseline Okere IGERIA is expected to spend N $2.26 billion (N361.6 billion) on offshore drilling activities by 2016, according to a recent report by GBI Research. Also, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has identified fossil fuels as dominant in meeting global energy demand for the foreseeable future. The GBI report released at the weekend, put yearly offshore drilling expenditure in the Middle East and Africa at $17 billion by 2016. According to the report, an increase in offshore discoveries has been prompting a surge in exploration activities across the Middle East and Africa and driving up the expenditure on drilling. GBI Research forecasts offshore drilling expenditure to climb steadily from $13.56 billion in 2012 to $17.03 billion in 2016. “Cumulatively, the total spend of the five year period reached $77.3 billion, which represents an increase of approximately 22 per cent over 2007-2011 total of $63.5 billion”, it added. The report disclosed that drilling outlay is expected to grow across all major nations in the region, with those in West Africa leading in terms of exploration activity. “Escalating activity in countries relatively new to the offshore drilling industry, such as Sierra Leone and Liberia, may prove to be future competition for the more established nations of West Africa.” GBI expects Ghana to emerge as one of the most prominent countries in West Africa for the exploration of oil and gas, with 16 offshore discoveries made between 2008 and 2012 - second only to Angola, where 22 discoveries were made during the same period. It stated: “In terms of drilling expenditure, Angola is expected to re-

main the biggest spender in the region by some margin, over the next few years at least. Research expects drilling expenditure in the Southern African country to continue climbing in the near future, hitting $6.67 billion in 2016. Nigeria and Egypt are forecast to place second and third, with totals of $2.26 billion and $1.52 billion, respectively. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the offshore drilling market in the Middle East and Africa region and highlights the various concerns, shifting trends and major players in the region. Meanwhile, OPEC believed that fossil fuels would dominant in meeting energy demand for the foreseeable future. The OPEC Secretary General, Salem El-Badri, who made this disclosure recently at the 2nd Gas Summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow, added that biofuels and nuclear currently account for 87 per cent of global energy demand, and will still make up 82 per cent by 2035. According to him, of all fossil fuels, natural gas is expected to witness the fastest growth rate, at close to 2.5 per cent annually. “And its overall share in the fuel mix rises from 23 per cent today to 26 per cent by 2035”. He stated: “For oil, although its overall fuel share falls from 35 per cent to just over 27 per cent between 2010 and 2035, demand still increases by more than 20 million barrels a day over this period. “Combined, natural gas and oil will still meet well over 50 per cent of the world’s energy needs by 2035. “That is not to say, however, that the future will be straightforward. As well as opportunities, there will also be challenges and some of these are shared by both oil and gas. “For example, challenges related to the environment, human resources and technology and investments.

There is much our industries can learn from each other”. El-Badri disclosed that heads of OPEC States agreed during their most recent that there would be stability in global energy markets; Energy for sustainable development; and, Energy and environment. He noted that OPEC recognised the importance of reliable and affordable energy supplies in ensuring global prosperity for all. This reaffirms our commitment to the principles and objectives in the Organisation’s Statute, the Solemn Declarations from the Summits in Algiers in 1975 and Caracas in 2000,

as well as our Long-Term Strategy. The meeting was hosted by HE Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, the Summit was attended by Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela as well as Iraq, Kazakhstan the Netherlands, and Norway as Observers. The President of the Ministerial Meeting of the GECF HE Rostam Ghasemi, Minister of Petroleum of the Islamic Republic of Iran, HE Mohammed Nasser Al-Hajri Chair-

man of the GECF Executive Board and HE Leonid Bokhanovskiy, Secretary General of the Forum, also attended the Summit. The President of the Russian Federation opened the Summit. In his opening remarks President Putin welcomed the Heads of State and Government to the 2nd Gas Summit and gave an overview of the gas market as well as outlined the challenges facing the GECF and its Member countries. The Heads of State and Government and high level representatives exchanged views on the recent developments in the international gas market and

WAPCo repairs sub-regional gas pipeline with N6.2b By Sulaimon Salau HE West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) has resumed gas supply to the West African sub-region after completion of repairs on the damaged pipeline, which gulped over $40 million (N6.2 billion). The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo), operator of WAGP, confirmed the development in a statement at the weekend, saying that, “the WAGP has now been repaired, re-commissioned and back in operation. WAPCo resumed gas transportation on July 12th, 2013.” WAPCo shut down the pipeline in August last year, after the line was severed by a ship’s anchor in Togolese waters. It had issued a Force Majeure to relief it of the liabilities of not being able to fulfill supply obligations, which has been formally lifted on 11th July 2013. The statement, signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Harriet Wereko-Brobby, stated that the company is pursuing measures to forestall a re-occurrence of the pipeline breach incident. WAPCo transports natural gas from Nigeria to the VRA in Ghana, CEB in Togo and CEB in Benin, based on Gas transportation agreements between these entities and the shipper, (N-Gas).

However, the Managing Director, WAPCo, Charles Adeniji, in another reaction, said over $ 40 million (N6.2 billion) has been spent to repair the vandalised gas pipeline in Lome, Togo. Accordingly, WAPCo recently held a workshop with external subject matter experts who reviewed and recommended broad strategies on improving the effectiveness of the Pipeline Protection Zone, PPZ, established by the governments of Benin, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo. As a follow up to this workshop and to get commitment of other stakeholders, WAPCo plans to hold a sub-regional conference later in the year. WAPCo continues to work in collaboration with the maritime authorities and the security agencies in the four countries to protect the pipeline from third party damage. He said: “We have completed repairs of the line and operation has commenced normally as at July 12, 2013, and we have delivered gas to the subregion in accordance to the gas transportation contract with our shipper,” According to him, the company was losing about $500,000 daily on its vandalised gas pipelines then which

orchestrated the company to declare force majure on its gas operation. He said that the company decried the loss of revenue to damaged pipeline that evacuates gas from Lagos to other West African States. Adeniji explained that it lost N26.6 billion in 344 days (Aug. 28, 2012 to July 11) since it announced the shutdown of its pipeline system 10 months and 14 days ago after experiencing a loss of pressure around the Lome segment of the pipeline. “During the period, we lost the possibility of providing gas transportation services to our numerous clients and on each day we do not work, we lose about $500,000 daily. “So, the number of days we have not worked multiply that, it would give you the opportunity of making money we have been denied because of these vandalised pipelines,” Adeniji said. According to Adeniji, WAGPCO is working through sub-regional governments we have re-established regular naval patrols and surveillance of the anchoring exclusion zone, collaboration amongst the navies, ports and harbor masters of the sub-region.

44 ENERGY

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Energia achieves 5,700 daily crude oil production By Roseline Okere NERGIA Limited has E achieved a milestone daily production of 5,700 bpd in its Ebendo field operation in the Niger Delta. According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Felix Ofori, Energia would

add another 2,000 bpd in this quarter after completing the on-going testing and initial completion of Ebendo well-6, which should bring the company’s daily production to 8,000 before the end of this quarter. According to him, the company targets 10,000 bpd

Rivers community seeks recognition as oil producing area From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt NE of the communities in O Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Obiozimini community, which has suffered adverse effects of crude oil activities since the inception of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPENG), 50 years ago, wants urgent recognition as an oil producing community. In a statement signed by the Chairman, Community Development Committee on Oil and gas, Ajie Uche, as well as its Secretary, Vicent Dibia, called on the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to consider the plight and travails of the community and urge the French multinational firm to include it in the oil and gas producing communities in the council. According to the statement: “Over the years, the people of Obiozimini community have been putting up with the dangers of incessant destructive gas flaring, negative impacts of oil exploration and exploitation on human health and the environment. “We recall with sadness and trepidation, the environmental despoliation, degradation and wanton pollution un-

leashed on Obiozimini community due to avoidable oil spills and gas blow -out by Total, lamentably, Obiozimini is a victim of phenomenon and is neither treated nor accorded any recognition as an oil producing community in Egi land.” Sequel to this, the community, however, urged TEPENG to urgently accord it due recognition as oil and gas production community, threatening that it would address a world press conference in United Kingdom with video clip of the gas eruption in pursuit of their demand should their call be neglected. “Nevertheless, Obiozimini community is determined more than ever before to its unequivocal preference for legal action locally and internationally to achieve her demand because Total had continually treated this very important demand with levity, disdain and reckless abandon for the past 50 years” The statement added. It noted that Obiozimini was a peaceful community, appealing on the firm to adequately address its demand in the interest of social and environmental justice by giving the community a sense of belonging.

mark with the drilling of Ebendo well-7. “The completion of well-6 will signal the beginning of another rounds of drilling and completion operation to commence with the drilling of another trio wells 7,8, and 9, which according to him will see the companies production to about 15000 bopd in 2014/2015.” To ensure sustainable production, Ofori disclosed that the company was already planning for facilities upgrade in its existing flowstation. “We should complete and commission our 2 x 10,000 bbls crude oil storage

tank this quarter, while plans are on for an additional 30,000 bbls tank in view of the increasing production capacity. He added: “We inherited an abandoned well in 2003, which we have to revive by rigless workover operations through our in-house technology support within the Energia Group. We have so far since our first oil production in 2010, successfully reprocessed and re-evaluated our seismic data, and have drilled three additional development wells in Ebendo field. We have identified additional drilling potential,

which will form our second rounds of campaign in the coming months and years.” Energia Limited is the Joint Venture Operator of the Ebendo/Obodeti Marginal Field (ex- Obodugwa/Obodeti Marginal field) located near Kwale, in Ndokwa West LGA, Delta State. The field was awarded to Energia and Oando, in a 55 per cent/45 per cent equity split with Energia as the designated Operator in the 2003 Federal Government/DPR Marginal Field rounds. The company is a wholly owned indigenous E&P com-

pany made up of leading oil and gas service and technology providers who are key promoters of PETAN in the country to take advantage of the Nigerian Content dream of creating a totally indigenous Nigerian Oil and Gas Technology in the immediate and near future. The company operates from its own 10,000 bbls crude processing station (flowstation) at Ebendo, and exports its produced crude through its 8.5 km, 6 inches export line through an Injection Hub, at Umusadege, in Kwale, Delta State. It has a 30 MMSCFD gas processing plant constructed

Shale oil reserves may raise US production profile N less than half a decade, U.S. shale formations capable country can perform horiThe United States also has an Icome the United States could be- of sustaining a total of more zontal drilling, making it un- advantage over most other the top oil producing than 100,000 producing country in the world, due to the production of shale oil in the country, a Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center researcher said in a policy brief. There is huge potential in U.S. shale oil production, the researcher, Leonardo Maugeri – a former manager at Italian oil and gas giant Eni S.p.A. – said, with the largest

wells, compared with about 10,000 actual producing wells in the country today. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracking are the keys to unlocking that potential, Maugeri said, and the United States has a significant advantage over every other country in the availability of horizontal drilling. About 95 percent of drilling rigs in the

rivalled in drilling potential. The United States is taking advantage of that potential. Technically recoverable shale oil is estimated to represent about 10 percent of the world’s crude oil resources, according to a study sponsored by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). In 2012, the United States was significantly higher at 29 per cent.

countries in the amount of technically recoverable shale oil resources it has. The EIA assessed 41 countries outside the U.S., and Russia, with 75 billion barrels, had the greatest number. The United States was second on the list with 58 billion barrels – up from estimates of 48 billion barrels elsewhere. China finished at number three with 32 billion barrels, the study

Chevron boosts local capacity development By Sulaimon Salau HEVRON Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Ventures, has sponsored qualified young Nigerians to a training course on Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) overseas. The oil multinational, in a statement signed by its General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Deji Haastrup, said that the development was in furtherance of its efforts towards assisting Nigeria to acquire necessary manpower in the deep-water sector of the oil and gas industry. A remotely operated vehicle, also known as an underwater robot, is commonly used in deepwater operations for offshore hydrocarbon extraction. According to him, five Nigerians, nominated by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) under the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development Initiative (NCHCDI) were to benefit from the seven to thirteen weeks ROV training initiative. He said that two of the beneficiaries, Obaro Onotaniyohwo Pereke and Tunbi Oluwakayode recently left

Nigeria for Scotland to commence the training. Speaking at the send forth ceremony, Chevron Escravos-Gasto-Liquid (EGTL) Integration and Completions Manager, Mr. Mike Tierney, said that the sponsorship of Nigerians for the ROV training was in line with Chevron’s human and business capacity development strategy. “ROV operations are required for deepwater operations and are highly specialised and critical to the development of the oil and gas sector. It is our desire that Nigerians acquire the competence to increase their successful participation in the oil and gas business,” he stated. Checvron’s Nigerian Content Development General Manager, Raymond Wilcox, explained: “The intention of the programme is to enhance the competence of Nigerians in line with CNL’s commitment to the Federal Government’s Nigerian Content development programme.” The NCDMB representative at the ceremony, Paul Zuhumben, congratulated both trainees for the opportunity they had been given and implored them to develop the right attitude and apply their knowledge of diversity effectively while in Scotland.

The Senate President, David Mark, in a warm hand shake with the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke at the National Assembly during the two-day public hearing by the Senate Joint Committee on PIB in Abuja.

Schlumberger records $11.1b revenue in second quarter Saudi Arabia and Iraq and ing 2013 the fourth consecuILFIELD Service Company, and in key land markets. Schlumberger Chief Execu- land and marine seismic active year of double-digit O Schlumberger Limited showed further spending increases and has reported second a quar- tive Officer, Paal Kibsgaard, tivity ter 2013 revenue of $11.1 billion. This is an increase of six per cent from $10.6 billion in first quarter 2013 and eight per cent higher than the $10.3 billion in revenue seen in second quarter 2012. The company’s income from continuing operations excluding charges and credits was $1.54 billion, an increase of 19 per cent from the previous quarter and 14 per cent higher than second quarter 2012 income. Schlumberger second quarter results were marked by significantly higher international activity, both offshore

stated: “In North America, we benefited from solid execution on land and further strength in deepwater activity to achieve solid overall progress despite land pricing and the effects of the Western Canada spring break-up.” Schlumberger saw doubledigit revenue growth in its Reservoir Characterization Group and its Middle East & Asia and Europe/CIS/Africa regions. The company’s Middle East & Asia region led international results as exploration and drilling activity rebounded in China and Australia, growth continued in

progress. The company’s Latin America operations saw growth in Integrated Project Management activity, but this growth was offset by seasonal seismic vessel transits. The United States has shown virtually no impact from the financial sequester, the Eurozone remains in recession, and China data continued to be mixed, Kibsgaard noted, adding that oil and gas supply and demand and prices remain stable. But the company continues to see consistent growth as exploration and production spending has been revised upwards, mak-

pointing to the long-term nature of oil and gas developments. Despite a disappointing top line in its Latin America operations, Schlumberger’s quarterly margins beat GHS Research analysts’ expectations, with operating margins reaching or exceeding 20 percent across all regions. “Outside of that, all other segments were either in line or beat our expectations, implying that our out year estimates need to increase,” according to a July 19 GHS Research analyst note.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

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Osunkeye explains suspension of GSK’s share reconstruction scheme By Ade Ogidan HE need to consider T “appropriate” amendments to the proposal by GSK UK to raise its stakeholding in GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc (GSK Nigeria) to 75 per cent, necessitated the withdrawal of the proposed scheme of arrangement, Chairman of GSK Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Osunleye has explained. Osunkeye told the stakeholders at the court-ordered meeting in Lagos yesterday that further consultations had been arranged with various stakeholders on the issue, preparatory to another meeting at a yet-to-be-determined date. The share restructuring scheme, which would have thrown up GSK UK as a 75 per cent majority shareholder, had elicited controversy in

recent weeks. Some stakeholders had expressed fears that if the plan should scale through, it could be a leeway to the Nigerian company’s delistment from the Nigerian Stock Exchange, citing the case of Nigerian Bottling Company, whose new majority foreign stakeholders delisted the company from the Exchange. Others argued that the arrangement could permanently undermine the interest of Nigerian shareholders, who are presently holding the majority stake in the company. Officials of GSK UK, however, argued that the bid to acquire the 75 per cent stakeholder was informed by the need to raise the investment profile of the company and thereby bolster its productive capacity for greater profitability. They explained that the low-

er stakeholder or the Nigeria shareholders’ interest would even translate into bigger returns, due to bigger capitalization level that would be achieved under the share restructuring scheme. Osunkeye, at yesterday’s meeting, said: “Following engagement with various stakeholders on the proposed scheme of arrangement, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc and

GSK Plc announced a decision to withdraw the proposed scheme of arrangement dated 24 June 2013, under which it was proposed that GSK would increase its indirect ownership in GSK Nigeria to 75 per cent. “GSK and GSK Nigeria believe that the withdrawal of the scheme of arrangement is necessary to consider appropriate amendments to the proposal for GSK to increase

its indirect ownership in GSK Nigeria. “In particular, GSK and GSK Nigeria have agreed to further consult shareholders and the Securities and Exchange Commission about the proposal, including whether it should be implemented by way of a tender offer. There can be no assurance that the proposal will proceed by way of a tender offer or otherwise.

“Consequently, upon the withdrawal of the offer in the scheme document, the scheme is hereby suspended and will no longer be put before you shareholders for consideration at this time. “The suspension of the scheme for the time being is necessary to enable GSK UK consider appropriate amendment to its initial offer, which will be more acceptable to shareholders.”

Nigerian Breweries declares N29.6 billion profit for first half of 2013 HE board of directors of T Nigerian Breweries has declared a profit of N29.6 billion for the first half of the 2013 financial year. The unaudited and provisional result just released shows a seven per cent increase over the N28.5 billion declared for the corre-

sponding period in 2012. The company’s turnover for the period also increased from N125 billion in 2012 to N134 billion in 2013. A statement from the board said “the company maintained its leadership position in the market despite of the challenging economic and

business environment in the first half of the financial year. This resulted in increased revenue versus the corresponding period of 2012 as well as an increase in the Results from Operating activities”. Profit after tax equally increased from N19billion in 2012 to N20.6billion in 2013.

The board statement, signed by, the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, Uaboi Agbebaku said that though the operating environment is expected to remain challenging the board is confident that the company is prepared to take advantage of any growth in the market.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Opinion Oil theft: Sleep-walking into bankruptcy By Patrick Tolani HE Federal Executive Council (FEC) came up T with a ridiculous solution to the problem of crude oil theft on Wednesday February 17, 2013. At the end of its meeting in Abuja, it announced the setting up of a Legal Task Force (LTF) to be headed by the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN. This decision was made as a considered response to the worrisome spate of crude oil theft which is estimated now to be about 400,000 barrels a day representing approximately N7 billion per day. It is regrettable that such a ridiculous decision could emanate from the chambers of those whom we trust with our destiny. It is a case of shallow solution to a deep-seated problem that is bringing the country to its knees. That decision is symptomatic of at least two things. The first is that those who lead us are completely out of touch with reality, otherwise, they should have known that the crude thieves needed to be caught first before they can be prosecuted. I can bet that until eternity, no single person will be caught let alone prosecuted for crude theft in Nigeria. We all know that before that FEC decision, the law has been in place to prosecute and punish those who are stealing our crude oil and causing devastation to the environment in the Niger Delta; but up to now, no one has been apprehended by our security agencies thereby engendering what has now become a large scale business carried on by the perpetrators with impunity. The other way to view the decision of the FEC is to believe that the members of the Executive Council, knowing fully well who are the people behind this sabotage simply wanted a window dressing that would appear to the average Nigerians that they are making motion without making any movement. They just wanted to be seen to be doing something about this national calamity befalling our dear country. There is no point hiding the truth from the public: the country is now at the mercy of the cabals behind the illegal crude theft and the artisanal refining. It is sad that leaders of

our country can sit at a meeting where they can see through the facts and figures available to them that the country is sleep-walking into bankruptcy and be unperturbed about it and have the effrontery to come up with such a laughable solution to a problem of this magnitude. The problem of crude oil theft in Nigeria has gone pass the legal domain. We need more than legal intervention to deal with it. The problem is at once legal and economic as well as social and political. Viewed from any direction; it is a problem of exclusion and, as I have always reiterated, the only way to deal with exclusion is inclusion. The problem is economic following years of pillage and dysfunctional policy design and implementation which has left majority of the people in the Niger Delta destitute in the midst of plenty. There are very few arable farm lands left in the entire region and the fish ponds are no longer conducive to sustain what used to be lucrative fishing business of yesteryears. I remember when I did my Youth Service programme in Rivers State. Fish was available in the remote villages and I used to look forward to having a good plate of fish anytime I went for my court cases in Abonnema, Okrika or Yenagoa but I am now worried about the possibility of eating something that can damage my health from the heavily polluted ecosystem. Contributing to the economic conundrum in the area is the fact that employment opportunities are not available to the indigenes as it is with any other region of the country. To compound the problem, there are no social amenities or infrastructure that can support small enterprises. The social dimension is far more disturbing. Decades of playing one group against another by government and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) have left things in a state that can best be described in the words of Chinua Achebe as ‘things fall apart.’ The spate of abandoned projects lying all over the region is fuelling a feeling of abandonment by the local communities. Worst still, the emergence of militancy groups

and the undue attention and the financial inducement employed to pacify them is pitching the community against the militants who have now become overlords in their areas. The concept of stealing is really becoming a matter of definition in the Niger Delta because the popular opinion is that it is actually the government and the oil companies stealing the people’s resources. After all, the sentiment is that is it not possible to steal what belongs to you. To the average person in the Niger Delta, the oil belongs to them and it should be used, at least to a reasonable extent, to better their lives. That, in my opinion, is a legitimate expectation which we have failed to meet for decades. These are serious fundamental issues that our elite in the hollowed Chambers of the Villa did not understand. Lastly, the problem is political because it is without controversy that the governments of the region have failed woefully in meeting the needs and aspiration of their people. It is a pity that the International Oil Companies have to play the alternative governments for the people of the Niger Delta. I have said it times and again that it is not the core business of the oil companies to provide all the amenities: schools, road, hospitals, etc., to the people of Niger Delta. Government has its role to play. It has the primary responsibility to see to the welfare of the citizens. Since state governments have been collecting the derivation fund, no tangible development can be shown for the huge sums of money they receive every month. The Petroleum Industry Bill is proposing another 10 per cent fund for the host communities. Who will manage that fund? Is it going to end up in the coffers of the state governments again? Perhaps it would be good timing for the jet-flying governors to inflate their fleet and good avenue for those who do not have to be enhanced to buy. If there is any justice and fairness in this country, we need to heed the call of the local communities asking that the payment of the derivation fund to their state governments should stop immediately. Government must develop the roadmap and provide for the Marshall Plan for the resuscitation of

the economy and the environment of the Niger Delta. The solution must come from the people themselves through their own local community boards. The Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) being implemented by Shell Petroleum Development Company and other oil producing companies is working in many communities in the Niger Delta and can serve as a useful template for the empowerment of the communities given the right capacity building support. It is time for our leaders to wake up and be seen to understand the problems facing us and demonstrate that they have the capacity to provide credible solution to our national problems. President Jonathan and his administration should not wait to go down in history as the band who presided over the bankruptcy of our nation. Lest I am dubbed an arm-chair pen monger whose pastime is to criticise government policies without providing any alternative solution, I would like to bring to the public domain the idea that I have recently developed. It is a simple and straight forward solution which could complement the Legal Task Force (LTF). Without doubt, there is out there in the communities useful intelligence about those who are the perpetrators of this crime against our nation and given the sensitive nature of the information that we need to arrest the criminals and bring them to justice, I am proposing an Independent MultiAgency Monitoring Consortium (IMOMC) that can receive discreet and anonymous information from the members of the public and work in a coordinated manner with law enforcement agents to unearth those who are behind this dastardly crime. After thorough investigation, the LTF can then do its job of prosecuting the criminals; but the IMOMC will ensure that it holds watching brief to ensure that the legal process is not compromised. Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must join hands to save it from imminent bankruptcy and environmental disaster. • Tolani is the Executive Director, Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (OGEES), Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.

ASUU strike, crisis of underdevelopment By Maduabuchi Dukor NE of the hall marks of an underdeveloped society and econO omy is incessant and frequent strike actions as weapons of social, economic and political resistance. It is one omnibus sectoral incubus that has consistently failed to behold the light of reason and consequently remained obstructive to both parties in dispute over planning and execution of economic policies. What remains of the aesthetics of Mutual Understanding is the dilapidated structures of reason’s network or failure of “rationality” in action. The crisis and anomie that greet this atmosphere in public domain is the major cause of underdevelopment of Nigeria and Africa in general. The diagnosis of this national psychopathic malaise is at best a Freudian psycho-analysis or Marxian class analysis of educational crisis which touches off with virtually all sectors of the economy. The ASUU perennial strike actions, and others, are, therefore a ball game where only the players unwittingly enjoy it while others sit and watch to the detriment of the society and the economy. Strike action is a revolutionary warning action, but the governments of Nigeria have been savoring it with impunity because of their seeming failure to direct the economy, to recognise the quintessential significance of this sector relative to others. Professor Festus Iyayi of the University of Benin highlights some of the problems of education in Nigeria which include the essential question of psycho and class and analytic problems. We agree with him that the history of human race and in particular Nigeria, as a country, shows that you don’t get any thing from the government without struggle and that the incessant and frequency of ASUU strike actions in Nigeria has gotten to the level where the ultimate panacea of revolutionary scheme of re-tooling need to be adopted. The psycho-analytic diagnosis of this phenomenon will further underscore this point as a case of crisis mentality in a vicious cycle of crisis of underdevelopment. Yet, from whatever direction you peep into this sector, he who pays the piper dictates the tune and good governance is all about paternalism of a sort which turn round to always find the Nigerian governments, as a case example, indictable and culpable in the interface of sadism. Common sense understanding of government and leadership presupposes a social contract between the ruler and the ruled, and so it flies at the face of common sense for government to be in the habit of not honouring its contracts. ASUU should not even be the one to be educating the government on vital issues of teachers’ welfare, infrastructural and researching development of universities. Such vital educational matters, if properly undertaken by governments as a responsibility to the society would have made the existence of ASUU insignificant and by extension making strike action in the universities an anath-

ema But let us call a spade a spade; it is all about governments’ failures in virtually all sectors in the economy. ASUU is just like any other trade union in Nigeria in the vicious cycle of bargain, agreement and execution facade. Professor Ben Nwabueze fails to understand the mentality crisis as a component part of the vicious cycle of underdevelopment by not seeing strike actions as a ready-made weapon of sectoral reaction to the deficit of government of the people, by people and for the people. Indeed, strike action is not necessary but is contingently in line with the mindset of recalcitrant, all devouring and awesome irresponsible governments. That is why we argue that it is a ball game crisis where all the parties involved are used to it. Yet neither Professor Ben Nwabueze’s moral pacifism nor Professor Festus Iyayi’s ‘re-tooling’, otherwise called temporally existential extinction of Nigeria’s university system, is far from the truth. The learning process enthralled in moral approach may be completely ineffective in an African set-up not to talk of the extreme Nigeria’s situation. Yet as a learning process, the governments should always be eager and ever ready to listen and implement its agreements when she has an existential contract with her citizens. In Britain and America for instance, one hardly hears of Universities’ strikes; however, because of the central and sacred place in which education is located in the polity and public domain. The idea of “retooling” the university system re-echoes the averred pessimistic solution to Africa’s development predicament anchored on existential extinction or suicide where everything is made to begin afresh on the note of renaissance. But such suicidal diagnosis would leave a watershed yet without any hope of a better future. However, the history of the development of liberalism and its historical and congenital alignment with post-colonial interests in Africa has yielded a crisis mentality and crisis of development in Africa which today luxuriates in the tolls of educational and other sectoral strike actions. It is also to be noted that before Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, a Russian Jew had opined that religion is the opium of the masses; that is, in reality, it is the economics of scarce food and resources that are responsible for orderly and disorderly actions of citizens in a country. The Freudian ego would rather complement this in a way in repositioning self interest in the orbit of law and lawlessness in the society. Hence it could be fortuitously argued that the crisis mentality is both an adverse and convenient historical partner to African predicament or crisis of development. This kind of a historical or diachronic analysis demands ‘rationality’ on the part of the government of Nigeria; a rationality for the sake of good governance instead of alienation, participatory democracy instead of patrimonial and prebendal politics, inclusive suc-

cession instead of self-succession, goodwill instead of selfishness. Neither re-tooling or pacifism is the issue but normative blue-print largely on the part of governments in relation to memorandum of understanding (MoU) which is the greatest source of conflicts between ASUU and the former. On the other hand, a cursory look at the transformations of liberal public domain and its associated crisis in Africa since the transition from modernity and colonialism shows first, that modernity has been in economic and social crisis, and postcolonial Africa is yet to emerge form it. This continued in the Arab Spring and the current questions of Syria and Egypt as well as in ASUU and allied strikes in Nigeria where social actions of the sort are often decorated with weapons of mass destructions. For Marx and Hegel, modernity created a mentality crisis which the Frankfurt critical school sought to address in their critical social theory under the guardian ship of Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno. The Frankfurt school social theory found the dangerous and bourgeois tendencies of the enlightenment conception of democratic public life inhuman and sought to remedy this through a postmodernist perspective by their attempt to ground a vision of social transformation and human emancipation on the proletariat. The experience of fascism in the different states like Hitler’s Germany and the rise of culture of industry and ‘engineered consent’ or fabricated consent for instance, in Nigeria’s elections seemed to indicate that there was no historical subject on which critics might pin their hopes for transcending capitalism. But Jungen Habermas turned away from the search for such a subject and developed his own critical social theory which accounted for an intersubjective communicative processes and their emancipatory potential in the existence of a functioning public sphere where there is an intersection of political and social life outside of the formal state apparatus. This theory contained in Habermas seminal work, “structural transformation of the public sphere”, is criticised by scholars as a bourgeois signpost in post modernity which is yet to address the crisis upon crisis in the world resulting from bad governance. ASUU strike is, as we stated earlier, a ball room game in the vicious cycle of crisis of underdevelopment and the best solution could come from a transformation agenda. What then is the place of Nigeria’s university system and ASUU agreements with the federal government in President Jonathan’s transformation agenda? If we must escape from the vicious cycle of underdevelopment, we must take our destiny in our hands and find a way out of the global ideological and economic challenges. Pacifism or re-tooling is a dangerous acquiescence to the crisis mentality. • Dukor is a Professor of Philosophy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and President /Editor in chief of Essence Library.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Opinion Do first impressions matter? By Patience Turtoe-Sanders IRST impressions are opinions somebody Fyou.forms of you when (s)he first sees or meets Think of the first time you met somebody, your spouse, for instance. What was your impression of him or her? My husband’s impression of me was that of a starving refugee, and though he later found out that my gaunt look was due to the untold hardship I experienced when I first arrived in America, after twentysomething years of marriage, Ernest has not stopped talking of the “hungry-looking girl I first met.” First impressions can be positive attractions, which draws people to you, or negative repellants, which turns people off. First impressions are not always what they appear to be. What creates first impressions? Everything, from your appearance, your body carriage, your mannerisms, tone of voice, semantics and use of words, to the way you conduct yourself. My late Uncle’s wife, Mrs. Dora “Everwhite” Akrah once told me that inquiring about a person who just walks by is not so much a matter of beauty, as much as the clothes the person wears and his or her body carriage. In auntie Dora’s words, “‘Who is the parent of that child?’ is prompted by the way the child’s dressed and walks.” So your clothes, colour combinations, textures of materials, and style, all create an attraction or a repellant in the mind of an observer, and the way

your clothes fit create an everlasting impression. Body carriage tells a story: a person who walks regally with his/her head up oozes selfconfidence, which could be perceived as either arrogance or self-assurance, whereas, a person who walks with his/her head bowed and looking down could be perceived as being humble or lacking self confidence. Facial expressions tell a greater story. A person with a smirk and a disdainful look on his face may be perceived as being mean, wicked and uncooperative, but a person with a smile and good eye contact may be perceived as friendly, and affable. But is the interpretation of facial expression always accurate? Most of the time, facial expressions reveal our inner feelings. Many factors, such as culture and environment contribute to the way we express ourselves. A disdainful look could be the result of an ugly thought that occurs at a passing moment, and without knowing you are being observed, you’ve been judged, and regardless of how transient your reaction is, you’ve made a lasting impression in the mind of someone. An unfriendly person with a smiling face might have briefly reacted to a good thought, and someone observing him for the first time might jump to the wrong conclusion that the person is friendly. In Africa, children imbibe an aggressive tone to deny a wrong accusation, and they grow up with this attitude so that if an adult is accused of a wrong, he vehemently denies it with a loud

tone of voice. Blacks in America react this way as well. But a white child is taught to calmly and simply deny a wrong without raising his voice, or trying to prove that he did not do it. A black child reacting calmly to a wrong accusation may not be believed by his accusers, or even by his own parents. If the black person reacts aggressively before white people, white culture may accuse him of being defensive, a show of guilt. Hearing a person raise his or her voice for the first time can create the impression of aggression in the mind of a first time observer, who perhaps may not put one’s cultural background into consideration. Are first impressions always accurate? Dorin told a story of her brother, Duke, who loved two women, Jan and April. Jan was quick tempered, April was clam. “Marry April because you can control her,” said Mama Duke. But after Duke’s marriage, it was discovered that April was more quick tempered than Jan. “You pretended all along,” Mama Duke sadly said. Human beings, scientists have discovered, are great pretenders. A husband who is desperate to get a wife, could hide all his faults for years, maintaining the woman’s first impression of him as being perfect until after their marriage. A person looking for a job may create a perfect first impression during his interview, and when hired and stabilised on the job, may plot to overthrow the owner of the company. Do first impressions go away? Research has

proven that first impressions are formed within three seconds of meeting someone, and that impression stays. This is one reason why some people cannot explain why they dislike someone. “I just can’t stand him, yet he hasn’t done anything to me.” On the other hand, some people don’t know why they are liked. “I have done nothing for her, yet she loves me to death, and I don’t know why.” First impressions are not to be taken for granted as many teenagers do. Teenagers like to create the impression of who they are not in order to impress the opposite sex. A girl may lie about her age to look older in order to be accepted, and the boy may do the same like my pastor’s son who told everyone he was 21 when he was 16 in order for members to give him their cars to drive. Teenagers can get away with cranky behaviour, but adults cannot. Whether you are an active God seeker or not, you are human and human beings pass judgment. The first impression you create may be a life changing experience. So be very self-conscious. The attitude of, “I don’t care what people think of me,” is a negative attitude. You live in this world, therefore, you must care. God cares, and even though it is written. “Do not be of this world,” it is also written, “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” A renewed mind displays a positive attitude, an attraction. Be attractive. • Dr. Turtoe-Sanders is an Author and a Preacher. She lives in the United States of America with her husband, and two children.

We were once a province By Eric Teniola F ALL the 24 provinces which the British colonialists estabO lished to administer Nigeria in 1910 only two have not been transformed into full-fledged states or wearing the crowns of states capitals. They are Ogoja and Ijebu provinces. The old Ogoja province consists of Abakaliki, Afikpo, Ikom, Obubra and Ogoja. All in all, there were 54 native authorities that made up of the old Ogoja Province. It has produced numerous leaders who have played active roles in the making of old and new Nigeria. They include Chief I.I. Murphy, Dr. Joseph Wayas, Senator Musa Adede, Chief Matthew Tawo Mbu, Jacob Alele Jumbo, Chief Adinye, Senator Kanu Agabi, Dr. Matthias Ofoboche, General Godwin Ally, General Godwin Unimna, General Tony Ukpo, Dr. Okoi Arkpo, Wilfred Innah, Chief Michael Ogon, Dr. Peter Ugbang, Honourable Declan Ogan, Prof. Godwin Ukandi Damachi, Chief O.B. Odey, Honourable Joe Ushie, Congressman Ushei Ugbelu, Chief Amele, etc. Interestingly, it is easier in the present day Nigeria to get to Ogoja by air through Makurdi than to get to Ogoja through Calabar which is the state capital of the Cross River State. I have been to many parts of Ogoja. I have slept in Obudu Cattle Ranch several times. I followed Senator Musa Adede to Bendi when he buried his mum in Obanliku Local Council Area in 1999 and several times in the past, I have been a guest of Dr. Joseph Wayas in his village, along the way to Obudu Cattle Ranch. Ogoja has good afforestation and in some areas thick forest. The topography is very beautiful and the people, very industrious and friendly. Ogoja would have been richer if it had been a state by now. The Ijebu kingdom was founded around the 15th century by Obanta of Ile-Ife. The kingdom was one of the most developed in the Yoruba Empire with a complex and highly organised government. For several years, the capital Ijebu ode, was annexed to the colony of Southern Nigeria. The kingdom rose in power in the 18th century mainly due to its important position on trade routes between Lagos and Ibadan. The kingdom was transformed into Ijebu province, which comprised Ikorodu, Epe, Lekki, Ikenne, Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu Ode, Iperu, Ishara, Odo-Owa, Shagamu and almost half of the present Lagos State. When Governor Gilbert Thomas Carter (1848-1927), the man who the present Carter Bridge in Lagos was named after, took over from Governor Cornelius Alfred Moloney (1848-1913), the man whose major street in Lagos was also named after, he met a prosperous Ijebu Kingdom. Governor Carter pursued an aggressive policy by attacking Ijebu kingdom in 1892. The attack was in response to Ijebu’s kingdom trade barriers. The British expedition with heavy British artillery was led by Sir Frederick Lord Lugard. The battle was the Anglo-Ijebu war. The Ijebu kingdom was well organised in terms of administration and a buoyant economy. It is therefore not by accident that the younger elements from that kingdom are still prominent in terms of commerce in the present day Nigeria. It is the hope and

wish of the Awujale of Ijebu-Ode, Alayeluwa Oba Sikiru Adetona that his reign would witness the creation of Ijebu state. The provinces of Nigeria are a former administrative division in Nigeria, which were in use in colonial Nigeria and shortly after independence from 1960 to 1967. They were altered many times through their history. They were divided into divisions; some of these were further subdivided into native authorities. Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria were also sometimes known as the Northern Provinces or Southern Provinces respectively. Currently Nigeria uses states as its administrative divisions. The first use of provinces was in Northern Nigeria after Britain took over administration of the area from the Royal Niger Company in 1900. The British originally divided the area into 11 provinces which were: Bauchi, Bida, Bornu, Kabba, Kontagora, Lower Benue or Nasarawa, Ilorin, Muri, Sokoto, Upper Bema and Zaria. In 1903 six more provinces were added; five following the Sokoto-Kano campaign, and also Gwandu province, making a total of 17. The number of provinces was reduced to 13 in 1911 and 12 after World War 1. In 1926 Adamawa and Plateau became new provinces. As at 1966, the provinces of Nigeria were Abeokuta made up of Egba and Egbado with five native authorities, Adamawa province made up of Adamawa, Muri and Numan. Bauchi Province made up of Bauchi, Dass, Ningi, Gombe and Katagum. Benin Province made up of Asaba, Benin, Ishan, Kukuruku and 62 native authorities. Benue Province made up of Idoma, Igede, Lafia, Nassarawa, Keffi, Kari, Tiv and 72 native authorities. Borno Province made up of Bedde, Biu, Borno, Dikwa, Potiskum, Fika and eight native authorities. Calabar Province made up of Abak, Eket, Opobo, Ikot-Ekpene, EnyongItu, Enyong Aro and 47 native authorities. Ilorin Province made up of Ilorin, Pategi/Lafiagi, Bussa and seven native authorities. Kabba Province made up of Igala, Igbira, Kabba, Kotonkarifi and seven native authorities. Kano Province made up of Kazaure, Bume, Adeija. Katsina Province made up of only Daura and Katsina. Niger Province made up of Abuja, Bida, Kontagora, Wusisi, Zuru, Ageie and eight native authorities while Ondo Province was made up of Okitipupa, Ondo, Idanre, Ekiti, Owo and 28 native authorities. Onitsha Province was made up of Awka, Awgu, Onitsha, Nsukka, Udi and eight native authorities. Owerri Province comprised Okigwe, Orlu, Owerri, Aba and 47 native authorities. Oyo Province comprised Ibadan, Ilesha, Oyo, Ede, Ila Orangun, Oke Ila Orangun, Iwo, Ejigbo, Ife and 11 native authorities. Plateau Province comprised Jos, Shemdan, Wamba, Egon, Pankshin, Wase and 31 native authorities. Rivers province comprised Ahoada, Brass, Gegema, Yenogoa, Ogoni, Sagbama, Port Harcourt and 12 native authorities. Sokoto Province comprised of Wari, Argungu while Warri comprised of Warrri, Agbor, Urhobo, Western Ijaw and 36 native authorities while the last province Zaria had Kaduna, Kafanchan and four other native authorities. In 1966, there were 13 provinces in northern Nigeria. It is tragic that the four military rulers who have so far created states in Nigeria forgot to create Ijebu and Ogoja states. On May 29, 1967,

General Yakubu Gowon created 12 states, out of the existing four regions, namely Northern Region , Western Region, Eastern Region and Mid-Western Region. He created Kwara State, NorthWestern State comprising Sokoto and Niger Provinces. North-Central State comprising Katsina and Zaria, Kano State comprising Kano Province, North-Eastern State comprising Bornu, Adamawa, Sardauna and Bauchi Provinces, Benue/Plateau State comprising Benue and Plateau Provinces. Lagos State comprising the Colony Province and the Federal Territory of Lagos. Western State comprising Western Region but excluding the Colony Province, Mid-Western State. East-Central State comprising Eastern Region excluding Calabar and Ogoja and Rivers Provinces, South-Eastern State comprising Calabar and Ogoja Provinces. Rivers State comprising Ahoada, Brass, Degema, Ogoni and Port Harcourt Divisions. While awaiting the memoirs of General Yakubu Gowon, 38 years after he was overthrown in a military coup, he has so far not personally given deep reasons on why he chose to create those states. The nearest was by the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Allison Ayida who gave reasons into why the states were created. In his book titled Rise And Fall Of Nigeria, Ayida wrote, “I was the chairman of the Committee of Federal Permanent Secretaries that submitted the list of criteria to be used for the creation of states to General Gowon. He deleted from the list the reference to ‘linguistic principles’. The exclusion of the ‘lingusitic principles’ is crucial because the 12 states structure established by Decree by General Gowon would have been significantly different if linguistic affinity were one of the criteria used. General Gowon’s argument was that the application of the principle would have led to absurdities in many parts of the country notably the Benue-Plateau area and the Bendel State. Besides, it would have meant increasing the size of rather than splitting, the former Western (Yoruba) Region and what became the East Central (Ibo) State. The subsequent adjustment to 19 states would ipso facto, have yielded different result under the late General Murtala Muhammed who personally opted for 24 states, with 12 in the South with the restoration of the former Federal Territory of Lagos, and the rest of Lagos merged with Ogun State excluding a new Ijebu State”. Late General Murtala Muhammed increased the 12 states to 19 states on February 3, 1976 when he created Benue, Borno, Cross River, Imo, Niger, Ogun, Ondo and Oyo states. General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida created Katsina and Akwa Ibom states in September 1987. The same General Babangida on August 8, 1991 created Enugu, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Osun, Taraba, Yobe and split Bendel State to Delta and Edo. General Sani Abacha on October 1, 1996 created additional states namely Bayelsa, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Gombe, Nasarawa and Zamfara states. The question now is, will Ijebu and Ogoja states be created? Yes, they should be created. And why can’t they be? That they were once provinces is not enough consolation. I want to believe that the delay in creating the two states is an error. And, “mistake, error, is the discipline through which we advance”, William Ellergy Channing (1780-1842).

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday July 24, 2013

GLOBALSTOCK 53

GlobalStock World stocks rise on China’s economic moves, dollar slips ORLD stock markets rose W to near five-year highs on Tuesday, boosted by news that China was moving to support its cooling economy, while the dollar fell to one-month lows. Major U.S. equity indexes were flat to slightly lower after a mixed batch of earnings, including chemical maker DuPont (DD.N) and insurer Travelers. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index, which on Monday posted a record closing high for a third straight session, came within 2 points of its milestone of 1,700 before turning lower.

Copper and oil prices rebounded from early losses after China’s president, Xi Jinping, in remarks published on Tuesday, emphasized the government’s determination to restructure the country’s slowing economy. Yields on low-risk U.S. and German government debt rose as higher equity prices reduced their safe-haven appeal. Oil prices also rose on optimism on China, as did shares of mining companies. Local media in China reported the government was looking to increase investment in railway projects to help digest a capacity glut in steel, cement

and other construction projects. “Managing to keep (Chinese growth) above seven percent will certainly be viewed as a positive stance,” said IG Markets analyst Alastair McCaig in London. “But they really have only five months to prove their words are worth their weight.” The MSCI world equity index, which tracks stocks in 45 countries, climbed 0.14 percent to 376.08, within about 6 points of the five-year high set in May. In midday trading, the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was up 15.66 points, or 0.10

percent, at 15,561.21. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index .SPX was down 2.27 points, or 0.13 percent, at 1,693.26. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was down 12.64 points, or 0.35 percent, at 3,587.74. .N Wall Street has moved higher in 11 of the past 12 sessions. The S&P 500 is up about 20 percent for the year. But U.S. shares will likely struggle to extend their winning streak unless there are more upbeat earnings and economic developments, analysts said. “Valuations are decent, there’s positive monetary pressure, earnings are just

OK... it’s hard to get people excited but the market keeps grinding higher,” said John Manley, chief equity strategist at Wells Fargo Funds Management in New York. “It will be slow over the summer, but the market will have an upward bias.” Apple Inc. is due to report after the closing bell. The tech giant is expected to post a smaller quarterly profit and its financial report may come under intense scrutiny. The stock was down 0.8 percent at $422.73. European top shares closed lower on a late wave of selling, with semiconductors group

Traders at China Stock Exchamge

STMicroelectronics (STM.PA) leading the way down after weak results. The broad FTSE Eurofirst 300 index .FTEU3 closed down 0.2 percent at 1,208.41 points. StMicro tumbled 10.3 percent. .EU But mining shares rose on the news out of China, with Anglo American rising 2.1 percent and BHP Billiton (BLT.L) gaining 2.0 percent. In Asia, an upgraded economic outlook from Japan’s government lifted Tokyo’s Nikkei stock index N225 0.82 percent to 14,778.51. The dollar was stuck at a onemonth low against a basket of currencies as an earlier bounce faded Investors earlier bet that the currency recently had declined too far, too fast despite the debate about when the Federal Reserve would begin to slow its stimulus measures. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s dovish remarks have emphasized that the U.S. central bank’s bond buying will continue in some form and interest rates will likely remain low for the foreseeable future. Heightened expectations that Japan’s government will stick to expansionary policies after weekend elections weakened the dollar against the yen on Monday. The victory in parliament’s upper house election on Sunday cemented Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s hold on power and gave him a stronger mandate for his programs to stimulate the world’s third-biggest economy. An earlier rise in U.S. 10-year Treasury note yields above the 2.50 percent level ahead of this week’s $99 billion in coupon-bearing supply briefly propped up the dollar. The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note was down 3/32 in price with a yield of 2.499 percent, up 1.5 basis points on

U.S. stocks fluctuate as investors weigh earnings, data NITED States (US) stocks U fluctuated, after the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index hit a record yesterday, as investors weighed disappointing manufacturing data and earnings from companies including Travelers Cos. and Texas Instruments Inc. Travelers tumbled 3.1 percent after posting the biggest quarterly decline since 2008 in a key measure of the company’s value as higher interest rates pressured its bond portfolio. Netflix Inc. (NFLX) dropped 5.8 percent amid slower-thanexpected subscriber gains. Texas Instruments climbed 3.9 percent after forecasting sales and profit that may exceed estimates. The S&P 500 slid 0.1 percent to 1,693.47 at 12:38 p.m. in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 24.15 points, or 0.2 percent, to 15,569.70. Trading in S&P 500

stocks was 2.4 percent below the 30-day average during this time of day. “What you’re seeing is revenues are coming in pretty lackluster and profits seem to be doing a little better than gains in sales,” Hank Herrmann, Overland Park, Kansas-based chief executive officer of Waddell & Reed Investment Management Co., said by phone. His firm manages $104 billion. “The market had a period of digesting the confusion over Fed tapering. For the moment, it’s focused on individual company fundamentals.” The S&P 500 extended a record yesterday, adding to a rally from last week after Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the central bank remains flexible about the duration of its asset-purchase program. The index dropped as much as 5.8 percent after Bernanke

signaled on May 22 that the Fed could start scaling back bond purchases as soon as September. Fed stimulus has helped fuel a surge in stocks worldwide, with the S&P 500 jumping as much as 151 percent from its March 2009 low. The benchmark equity gauge erased earlier gains of as much as 0.2 percent today after the Richmond Fed’s index of manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region unexpectedly fell in July. The factory index slid to minus 11. Readings greater than zero signal expansion in the region that includes the Carolinas, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. The median projection in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for a reading of 9. Investors have been weighing data to determine the

timing and pace of any stimulus reduction by the Fed. Half of the economists in a July 1822 Bloomberg survey expect the central bank to trim at its September meeting the pace of its monthly bond buying to $65 billion from the current $85 billion. That’s up from 44 percent in last month’s poll. “The big step the market has made is that the market now accepts that it needs to be prepared for the Fed beginning to taper sometime in the next four to five months,” Joseph Veranth, chief investment officer at Dana Investment Advisors in Brookfield, Wisconsin, said by phone. The firm manages $4.2 billion. “People have accepted a low growth scenario for the U.S., but they also see it a low risk market. The U.S. market is guardedly healthy.”

In Asia, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the slowest economic growth policy makers will tolerate is 7 percent, Beijing News reported. China, the world’s second-largest economy, is the biggest consumer of energy and raw materials. Investors have also increasingly turned their attention to earnings, with 35 S&P 500listed companies, including Apple Inc. and AT&T Inc., releasing results today. Of the 130 companies on the gauge to have already reported, 71 percent have beat analysts’ profit estimates while about 52 percent have surpassed revenue expectations, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, or VIX, jumped 2.9 percent today to 12.65, snapping a streak of four straight declines. The

equity volatility gauge, which moves in the opposite direction as the S&P 500 (SPX) about 80 percent of the time, reached a six-year low in March and has since surged 12 percent. Six of 10 S&P 500 main industries fell, with health-care , consumer-staples and financial shares retreating at least 0.3 percent to lead losses. Travelers, the second-largest U.S. commercial insurer, dropped 3.1 percent to $82.78 for the biggest retreat in the Dow. Book value, a measure of assets minus liabilities, slipped to $66.65 per share from $68 three months earlier, the company said today in a regulatory filing as it announced second-quarter results. The decline was driven by a $1.77 billion drop in net unrealized gains in its $62.8 billion portfolio of fixedmaturity securities.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

54 |

Midweek Arts Meet Anna Banner, 2013 MBGN queen

nalists, “I feel a w e some; I’m so glad; I’m over-

By Sony Neme and Florence Utor

whelmed with joy. Just before I w a s announced winner, my mind was blank at first; I was not really thinking. As much as I expected to win, I’m really surprised because there were lots of competitions in the house.” The newly crowned queen, however, revealed that it was ‘a dream come true’, adding, “I had always dreamt of being in the MBGN competition because I saw it as a platform to achieve my passion for helping humanity”. While recounting her experience with other contestants while the two

weeks camping exercise lasted, she said, “The two weeks camp was wonderful. There were lots of drama, fun, and so many good things. And I just enjoyed all the moments.” Earlier in his welcome speech, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriaki Dickson had announced an instant appointment as Special Adviser to the governor on Culture and Tourism for the eventual winner. Governor Dickson had called on investors to avail themselves of the numerous tourism potentials and investment opportunities in the state. According to Dickson, “As a state, we consider it a unique privilege to have an array of important personalities and elegant young ladies in our midst today just a couple of months after we hosted the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). For us, playing host to these historic events within a space of just four months gives credence to the fact that Bayelsa is fast emerging as the next tourism hub of the country. It also speaks volume of the restoration of government unwavering commitments to the promotion of gender equality as illustrated in the national gender policy of our great country.” It was triple honours for Banner as the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the occasion, also announced the new queen as the ambassador of culture and tourism in Nigeria. The new queen who was born at New era Hospital, Kwale in Delta State, said that she was prepared to cope with school and the enormous responsibility placed on her by Governor Dickson and Duke, pledging, “I am going to try my best. I will put in a lot of efforts to make sure that I help my people and also help my state and the governor. I will put in my best and make sure the best comes out of it.” She further said that her area of focus as an adviser to the governor would be in the areas of “Helping my people (Bayelsans) in terms of creating needed awareness on education in all ramification including skill acquisition.” Another thing the queen hoped to achieve while in camp as a potential contender for the crown was “being friendly with people. It is one thing I’m also taking away from this competition apart from the prizes because you never know where you are going to meet them again.” Chairman of Silver Bird group, organisers of the pageant, Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce, said the

ISS Bayelsa State, Anna Ebiere Banner, on M Saturday, July 20 emerged as winner of the 2013 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant held at the Bayelsa State Banquet Hall, Yenegoa. The newly crowned queen who singled out Ellen Sarlif of Sierra-Leon, the first black female president as her icon after God, emerged as the last girl standing from over 1000 girls that took part from audition stages. Banner, 18, who also won the best traditional costume award at the 26th edition of MBGN, takes over the reins from the 2012 winner, Isabele Ayuk. She beat 31 other contestants at the highly competitive event to clinch the crown and got undisclosed cash prize and a brand new car to cap her efforts. While Banner will be representing the country at the Miss World pageant holding later in the year in Takarta, Indonesia, Miss Imo State representative, Okwu Stephanie, who emerged as 1st runner up, will be representing Nigeria at the Miss Universe contest holding in Moscow, Russia in November. The first year student of Communication Studies, of the University of Port-Harcourt in an interview shortly after the show, told jour-

Winner MBGN 2013 with Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson

essence of the competition was to bring about unity among ladies with different cultural and social background, stating, “All 32 delegates worked tirelessly with one common goal. Although we can only have one winner, I see everybody who has come this far as an individual who possesses great value and have exhibited a great level of competence. In over 25 years, we have produced beautiful ambassadors that have represented Nigeria in various international events”. On his part, Guy Bruce, Vice President, Silverbird Group, thanked the state for hosting. He went memory lane and recalled how in 2001 Agbani, an MBGN Queen, won the Miss World crown. Another highlight of the entertaining event was a special recognition award for Nollywood star, Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde. Omotola, who is also an Ambassador of Amnesty International, seized the opportunity to register her protest against the Child Marriage bill by the Senate, arguing, “I am today one of the happiest persons not to have been given out in marriage before the age of 18. I am shocked that despite the enormous challenges affecting the girl child, Senate has set aside all issues affecting the Nigerian child to engage in a process of giving out the girl child in marriage. I say no to the bill!” Apart from a few noticeable lapses, the organisers of the event posted an evening of quality entertainment. The atmosphere became tense as the 32 young ladies from different ethnic groups took turns at all stages. From the bikini to evening dress and intelligence assessment, as the winner must combine beauty and brain, it turned a great show. Then it was time for reckoning as they waited anxiously as the first 15 were chosen, which signaled the process of elimination for the emergence of who would be announced Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGM). The countdown also witnessed lots of drama with Miss Imo being mistaken for Miss Abia. That was promptly corrected by the panel of judges that was made up of top personalities such as Mohamed Jamal, Jason Newsome, John Opara, Ini Okorie Omotola JaladeEkehinde and Thandeka Sibisi. Miss Abuja, who made it to the last five, won’t forgive herself for allowing stage fright to stunt her efforts. She just couldn’t face the crowd to express herself. The others, however, proved their positions at the end of the day. The show had Gerald, another generation of the Bruce family, a rap artist from the United States of America, performing. He set the tune with his good performance. Thereafter, the ladies were introduced in their traditional attires. They entertained the guests with wellchoreographed dances with the song ‘Limpopo’ from Nigeria’s hip-hop star Kay-Cee. Midway into their performances, the artist joined them on stage and later performed the same song with Harry Song; they got the guests on their feet. After his second song, the contestants stepped out in their bikinis. Winner, West African Idol show, Timi Dakolo, was also at his best as he dished out quality music after which Miss Kano State was rewarded as Miss Photogenic and Miss Amnesty went to Miss Akwa Ibom while Miss Charismatic went to Miss Ogun State. The top 15 were also announced at this point. They included Miss Adamawa, Abuja, Jigawa, Lagos, Ekiti, Kwara, Edo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kogi, Bayelsa, Nasarawa, Plateau, Delta, and Imo. Still in their evening gowns, Miss Imo, Miss Abuja, Miss Kaduna and Miss Adamawa were selected as the top five. These five answered questions, which revealed their level of intelligence, confidence and awareness of their environment. Miss Abuja, who had the potential of being crowned the queen couldn’t answer her question, which the compere, Chioma Awunobi attributed to stage fright.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

ARTS | 55

Amuwo Odofin to host West Africa’s first IMAX cinema By Shaibu Husseini all goes according to plan, world’s leading IwillFentertainment technology companies, IMAX establish the biggest and largest cinemas

in Nigeria with the IMAX studios for the production of the firm’s movies and distribution of its products and services. When established, the cinema will be the first IMAX in West Africa and the third in Africa after Kenya and Egypt. Vice President, Theatre Development at IMAX Corporation, Mr. Giovanni Dolci stated this when he paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area Comrade Ayodele Adewale at the Amuwo Odofin Council Secretariat in FESTAC Lagos. Accompanied on the visit by the Founder and President of the nationwide Screen Naija One Village, One Cinema Project, Michael Chima Nkechinyerengozi, President of the Eko International Film Festival, Hope Obioma Opara and Barrister Biola Ladipo, Chief Operating Officer of Screen Naija, Dolci told the local government boss that he was in the country to hold meetings with relevant organizations and bodies on the plan to establish IMAX in Nigeria. Dolci, who said IMAX specializing in immersive motion picture technologies, also stated that he was in Amuwo Odofin area council to discuss the possibility of citing the project in the council as the whole idea of bringing the company to Nigeria is to take cinema to the people and to help increase the global market share of the Nigerian film industry in the global box office. The project he also said is to attract more foreign direct investments in Nigeria’s creative industries and also to create jobs for thousands of job seekers in the country. Dolci who has been in charge of the firm sales and business development, responsible for negotiations with exhibitors and distributors, told his host that he had met with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and some other partners and was looking forward to the take-off of the project. “We have been to other parts of Africa, to Kenya, Egypt, Morroco to Casablanca, but we are interested in coming to Nigeria especially now that Nigeria is regarded as the centre of entertainment in West Africa. And we have chosen Amuwo Odofin because we have followed the works of the council chair on the social media and we see the enormous work he has done and has continued to do to transform the local government into a council of choice

Hope Opara (Left); Dolci of IMAX; Council Manager, Segun Ajayi; Barrister Biola Ladipo; and Michael Chima… during the visit and as a leading cinema brand we feel we should partner with a progressive administrator like Comrade Adewale. So, my visit is simply to see how IMAX can forge strategic alliances, relationships and joint ventures with institutions like your local government so we can bring the best in cinematic experience to the people and also launch a successful theatrical distribution platform for the Nollywood industry,’’ Dolci said. The Amuwo Odofin Council Manager, Barrister Segun Ajayi who stood in for Comrade Ayodele thanked Dolci and his team for the visit and for the choice of Amuwo Odofin local government to cite the project. He assured of the council assistance and cooperation in the realization of the project. The worldwide IMAX® theatre network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major

event and Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world’s best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX® 3D, and IMAX DMR® technology. A publicly traded company listed on both the Toronto and New York stock exchanges,

IMAX theatres are located in commercial multiplexes as well as some of the most prestigious educational institutions and destination entertainment centers around the globe. More than one billion people have had an IMAX Experience since the first IMAX theatre opened in 1970.

‘Why we may not make Durban filmfest’ By Shaibu Husseini (Durban, South Africa) IVE Nigerian filmmakers FVictor and critic - Didi Cheka, Okhai, Folasakin Iwajomo, Yinka Edwards and Derin Ajao - who are on the official guest list of the ongoing Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) obviously won’t be able to make it to Durban this year before the festival closes on July 28. They have all complained of having issues with securing South African travelling visas in spite of the fact that they started the application process early. They claimed that they applied over a month ago even though they are aware that the process only “takes about 6 days.” Even those who eventually got their visas like Edward and Ajao complained that it came so late and that they missed their flights. Didi Cheeka, Yinka Edward and Derin Ajao are supposed to be part of the Talent Campus Durban programme — a hands-on training programme for young African filmmakers organised as part of the festival, while Okhai and Iwajomo are sup-

posed to present the short film—The Line Up, which they made as part of the African Metropolis Programme—a seven stories, seven cities cinema project presented by Goethe Institut South Africa with support from GTBank and Hubert Bais Fund, and produced by Steven Markovitz. While Edward will be participating in the production component of the Talent Campus, Ajao would have participated in the film critic component of the programme. Interestingly, this will be the second time Ajao will not be able to make it to the campus because of difficulty in securing visa. She couldn’t travel over same issue last year. “My passport is still at the High Commission. I am hoping it comes out anytime soon so I can still spend two days or three at the festival”, says widely travelled filmmaker and critic Okhai last Sunday. Nollywood’s most sought-after director of photography Yinka Edward said he was looking forward to the experience of participating at the Talent Campus but lamented that the delay in granting him an

entry visa has spoilt it for him. Meanwhile, the festival continues with the screening of a diverse line-up of world-class films. There have been several seminars, workshop and public discussion fora. There was a well-attended and heated discussion on new phase of censorship in South Africa. The discussion was held against the backdrop of the ban placed on Jahmil Quebeka film, Of Good Report by the Federal Publication Board of South Africa. The board relied on provisions of its 1996 Act to refuse classification of the film. They labeled scenes in the film ‘child porn’ and subsequently ordered the film to be destroyed or surrendered to the police. The FPB warned that ‘possession of the film is a criminal act’. Organisers of the festival, who couldn’t show the film on the opening night this past Thursday following the FPB decision, have made appeal. The film producer Michael Auret, a lawyer, has also appealed the decision of the FPB that has generally been condemned by most filmmakers.

Dorothee Wenner (left); and filmmaker Ifeanyi Onyeabor

Drama Consult premieres today in Lagos By Shaibu Husseini RAMA Consult, the film by German filmD maker, curator and international programmer, Dorothee Wenner will be premiered today at the new leisure mall on Adeniran Ogunsanya Street (by Shoprite), Surulere, Lagos. Time is 7pm. The film celebrates an ethnographic expedition from Africa to Europe between real life businessmen who travel to meet with potential partners in Germany. Already, it has successfully been premiered at two big festivals — The Festival of Pan African Cinema in Ouagadougou, otherwise called FESPACO and the ongoing 34th Durban International Film Festival in South Africa. The film was shot in Lagos and Germany and it features business personalities and experts like Dolapo Ajayi, Sam Aniama, Jude Fejokwu, Femi Ladipo, Biyi Tunji-Olugbodi, Alhaji Chief Musa Olukayode Adedipe Christian Wessels, and Dazaa Aniama. In the film, the businessmen from Lagos — a spare parts dealer, a real estate developer and a young shoe manufacturer with high-flying plans, accompanied by two smart business

consultants, travel to Germany to link up with potential partners and investors. The film tracks the process of economic intervention as an adventure trip in the era of globalization. Wenner, who wrote and directed the film, is already in Nigeria ahead of the premiere. Wenner disclosed after the premiere in Durban that she had always wanted to do a film about Africa and Europe and she found Nigeria, which she has visited every year in the last 10 years because of her involvement with the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA), a good centre to focus the story. She noted, “There are a lot of prejudices about this great country, Nigeria and a lot of misconceptions and I felt that beyond giving the businessmen who are my protagonists the opportunity to explore business opportunities, efforts could be made to correct those other stereotypes like when people say, ‘Nigerian businessmen cannot be trusted.’ But here we see people who are ready to do genuine business and so on”. Drama Consult is Wenner’s second film. She produced and directed Peace Mission, a film that provided valuable insight into the Nigerian motion picture phenomenon.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Sports National Weightlifting Tourney

Minister’s directive on players’ salaries impossible to implement, says Owumi By Eno-Abasi Sunday ORMER Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Davidson Owumi has described as unimplementable, the directive by Sports Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahi that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should ensure that all football clubs participating in various football leagues in the country pay the backlog of salaries owed players forthwith. The minister, who handed down the directive during a meeting focused on the state of the league, with Board members of the NFF, the League Management Company (LMC) and the Nigerian Women League, insisted that teams that were unable or unwilling to defray their indebtedness to the players should be barred from participating in the leagues as from next season. But Owumi, who said that all Nigerian teams, both professionals and amateurs were indebted to their players, insisted that executing such directive with fiat, will effectively bring an end to all domestic leagues in Nigeria. He, however, wants the minister to channel his energy toward addressing fundamental issues that gave birth to the untoward development in the first instance, as insisting on salary payments alone without addressing the cause of the indebtedness amounts

to treating the symptoms and ignoring the root cause of an ailment. “I appreciate what the minister wants clubs to do because every labourer deserves his wage, but asking clubs to pay the backlog of players’ salaries by fiat without knowing the genesis of the debt is like surface dressing. But I think there must be structures in place to make the directive implementable. So for a start, people that truncated the system in the past must be held responsible because if they had allowed the system to flow, and bring in more money into the league, owing players their salaries would never have happened.” The former chairman of Club Owners Association of Nigeria stated that issues like this, “should be tackled within the football family because there are procedures, acceptable norms and standards for doing things related to players’ welfare. Unfortunately, we don’t have structures in place, so we should also be asking ourselves what is responsible for the structures not being in place.” He continued, “the main reason I am saying that this directive is not implementable is because all clubs in this country, in all leagues, both the amateurs and professionals are owing their players salaries. So I would appreciate it if the minister starts treating the root cause of the ailment and not worrying about the symptoms as anything short of this is cosmetic.”

How $3000 stopped Rangers appeal against CS Sfaxien From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja ACTS emerged yesterday that the inability of both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Rangers International FC of Enugu to pay the mandatory $3000 fee for Rangers’ appeal against CAF decision to axe it from the Confederation Cup final group stage over its alleged fielding of an illegitimate player during Rangers 1-0 slim victory against CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in Enugu. Rangers had appealed with the backings of the NFF, the decision of CAF to award the match to CS Faxien, claiming that the said player was legally transferred from 3SC FC of Ibadan. But the Enugu side was unable to pay the compulsory appeals fee to validate its appeal. With this, the Tunisian side was at the weekend asked by

CAF to play its first match in the final group stage against Etoile Du Sahel, which Sfaxien won 2-0, without any correspondence to the NFF on the decision of the appeals committee. The Guardian gathered that CAF decision to throw away Rangers appeal was partly because of the inability of the Nigerian side and the NFF to pay the $3000 appeal fee as demanded by CAF, which in a letter to the Nigerian football house reminded it that the NFF was unable to send the money across to justify its appeal as contained in CAF rules. Reacting to the decision by CAF, the NFF expressed shock on the way the African football governing body handled the case against Rangers, stressing that it instructed CAF to deduct the stated sum from the NFF account with it.

Akpabio, Abdullahi to grace opening ceremony KWA Ibom State Governor, A Godswill Akpabio and Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi will top the list of personalities billed to grace the opening ceremony of the national weightlifting championship slated for Uyo from July 29 to August 3. Acting Secretary of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Iyke Anyaduba said yesterday that the opening ceremony of the one-week tourney to be staged in Ibom hall, would be a very colorful one. “We are expecting the sports loving governor of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Godswill Akpabio in whose domain the event is taking place and the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, as well as, the Director General of NSC, Gbenga Elegbeleye at the opening ceremony. The federation is also expecting sports commissioners from the 36 states,” Anyaduba added. He disclosed that arrangements have been put in place for a hitch-free competition, adding that virtually all the states and the FCT have confirmed their participation. Anyaduba disclosed that President of NWF, Chibudom Nwuche would to host the sports commissioners in Uyo where the way forward for the sport would be discussed.

Enyimba and Rangers players contest during a league match

Ali’s ‘Fight of the Legends’ to attract Madonna, others From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja FTER a lengthy search for A endorsement for his Guinness Book of Records bout, former boxing champion, Bash Ali may soon realise his ambition of being the world’s oldest boxer to compete. This follows the endorsement yesterday, of the fight by the Minister/Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdulahi, who has promised to support the staging of the bout in the country. Tagged: “Fight of The

Legends,” the clash will also feature world wrestling champion, Osita Offor, aka The Ultimate Commander, who will do battle with the likes of Bob Harshy, Mark Hardy, J Batistan and John Morrison, while United States pop legend, Madonna will thrill fans at the event expected to be broadcast live by television stations from around the world. Popular Nigerian show promoter, Tee Mac Omotosho, who is packaging the show, noted that it would positively expose Nigeria to the outside world, even as he likened it to

the legendry “Rumble in the Jungle” that shook the world, adding that “we want to do something nobody else has done with sports and music. It is going to be a great event, which will feature music, boxing and wrestling.” Abdulahi, in his remarks, applauded the vision of the fight organisers in trying to mix sports with music, noting that the idea was in line with the NSC vision of marrying both to create entertainment. “We are happy to hear the plans you have to marry sports with music and enter-

tainment. This is quite in keeping with our vision at the NSC that sports and music are both cultural products that go together, hence, we recently launched Rhythm and Play to sensitise the youth on the need to embrace the two. We assure you that the NSC will do all we can to cooperate and encourage you to succeed in the programme. It is very clear that we at the NSC deal with only amateur sports, we do not deal with professional sports, but as Sports Ministry, we have to partner with you to see you succeed,” the minister stated.

Season six of MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championships kicks off Aug. 16 excellence. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) S the yearly MTN Lagos of the telecommunication academic “We also plan on introduc- our title sponsor MTN Nigeria A Soccer Championships giant, should be emulated by continue to expand, the sea- other corporate bodies in the ing a range of innovations in Telecommunication Limited son six of the most glamorous grassroots football tournament in the country kicks off on August 18. With the introduction of the U-15 category, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Oshodi lauded MTN for keeping faith with the tournament, adding that the inclusion of the junior event would help to unearth more talents. The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Abiola Awonuga, stated the gesture

state. “In addition to the existing categories, a new developmental school age - group tagged: “U-15 junior category for male players has been introduced to the season six edition, which is in line with the determination of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development and Ministry of Education to the development of schools sports in the state. A new innovation to the competition is based on discovery of new generation of players and veritable platform for

order to make this season the benchmark edition of the tournament,” she said. For teams that excel at the tournament this year, she said, “fabulous prizes in cash, kind and overseas playing tour awaits winners. Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence in Doha Quarter is the ultimate destination, they will also be part of the U17 FIFA World Cup in UAE where our U-17 National Team will fly Nigeria flag. With active support of Lagos State government, under the leadership of Governor

and partners, are on the threshold of revitalising age group competition not only in football but in other sports.” For the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria Plc, Kola Oyeyemi, the company would continue to enrich lives of Nigerians with particular focus on youths. Oyeyemi is confident of his company’s support for the tournament, while affirming that the partnership between the company and Lagos State has been beneficial to both parties.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

CricketWeekly

Andrew Mansale bowling for Vanuatu at the ongoing Pepsi ICC WCL Division 6 tournament holding in Jersey

Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 6 Tournament

Nigeria locks horns with Jersey today IGERIA continued her N good run of form at the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 6, by notching up a big 111-run win over Kuwait at Grainville. Batting first having lost the toss, Nigeria posted an imposing total for the second time in this tournament, making 263-9 in their 50 overs. Dotun Olatunji

(66) top-scored while Ricky Sharma (47) and Kunle Adegbola (44) made important contributions. In reply, Kuwait never really troubled the Nigerians and were all out for 152 in 40.2 overs. Adegbola added to his early runs by taking 424 and Oluseye Olympio returned figures of 3-37. Kuwait’s Captain, Hisham

Mirza said, “like yesterday our batting didn’t click. Nigeria played very well to make 263 but we have issues with our batting. We’re missing six key players from this tour because of selection issues and that’s been a big setback for us. But we’re going to fight back and try our best with this team and see how things go against Argentina.” After the teams rested yesterday, matches continue today. In one of the matches, Nigeria will take on Jersey

today in a top-of-the-table clash at FB Fields, Vanuatu face Bahrain at Grainville and Kuwait continue the search for their first win as they take on Argentina at the Farmers Field. Meanwhile, a match-winning century from Captain Peter Gough, took Jersey one-step closer to promotion to WCL Division 5 as they crushed Bahrain by 7 wickets on Day 2 of the tournament. Chasing 245 at Les Quennevais in front of a

strong home crowd, Gough (100 off 122 balls, ten 4s) was the rock of the Jersey innings, sharing an opening stand of 105 with Corey Bisson (56 off 65 balls, four 4s, one 6) and then putting on 109 for the 2nd wicket with Ben Stevens (69 off 57 balls, ten 4s, two 6s). The Jersey skipper brought up his ton in the 39th over with an imperious off-drive that raced to the cover boundary, warmly greeted by a standing ovation from his team-mates.

He was unable to add to his score but by then the game was Jersey’s, with Andrew Dewhurst (10 off 12 balls) hitting the winning runs 5 overs later. Man-of-the-match Gough said, “I’m chuffed. I was a bit scratchy at the start and I felt lethargic in the 40s but from 60 onwards felt brilliant. I found some rhythm and by the end the ball was flying off the middle of the bat and I was hitting it cleanly down the ground.

Pattinson ruled out of Ashes series USTRALIA fast bowler, A James Pattinson will miss the rest of the Ashes series

Kuwait’s Sajid Kalam made a huge appeal

against England after suffering a stress fracture of the lower back. The 23-year-old complained of soreness in his hip and back at the end of the second Test at Lord’s. “Unfortunately he will not take any further part in this Test series,” said Australia team doctor Peter Brukner. The tourists say they have no immediate plans to call up a replacement, which could mean a recall for Mitchell Starc.

Starc was left out of the side, which was thrashed by 347 runs on Sunday as England established a 2-0 series lead ahead of the third Test at Old Trafford starting on 1 August. The right-arm paceman, who took 5-135 in the first Test at Trent Bridge, only recently returned to fitness after undergoing ankle surgery. Pattinson took seven wickets in the first two Tests at a cost of 307 runs, and almost helped Australia pull off an unlikely Trent Bridge victory with a gritty 25 not out in a thrilling climax to the first Test.

But this is the latest setback in a career blighted by injuries, with the Victoria cricketer breaking down four times in 2012 alone. Two other potential replacements, Jackson Bird and Pat Cummins, have endured serious back problems of their own in recent times. Cummins, a highly-rated 20year-old quick, took 4-43 for Australia A against Zimbabwe in Harare last week. James Faulkner is also available as back-up to frontline seamers Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris, while Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Coulter-

Nile and Chadd Sayers could be called up from the Australia A squad. “Scans have identified an early stage low back stress fracture,” Prukner said of Pattinson. “He will commence a rehabilitation programme with the aim to have him back for the Australian summer.” Cricket Australia General Manager, Pat Howard added, “while we are obviously disappointed for James, the selectors have five bowlers fit and ready to perform in England, providing them with many options.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

58 | SPORTS

NFF can’t enforce ban on players, officials, says Gombe From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HAIRMAN of one of the C Nigeria Nationwide League (NNWL) clubs, Bubayaro FC, whose players and officials were banned for life for match-fixing on Monday, Ahmed Gara Gombe has said that the life ban placed on the players and officials of his team was not enough punishment, considering the disgrace their actions have given to Nigerian football. Gombe also expressed worries that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) might not be able to enforce the ban, as he

was sure that the federation couldn’t boast of the players’ data and images. The former Chairman of Gombe State FA, who was reacting to the life ban on the players and officials of the four clubs by the NFF probe panel noted that the police should be arrest and prosecute the players so as to serve as lesson to the others. He added that the NFF should also extend its searchlight on the activities of the state FA officials, who were involved in the disgraceful activities. Gombe also questioned the rationale behind the decision

of the committee exempt the zones coordinator from the punishment, who was present and witnessed the anomalies that took place at the Bauchi zone. “The action of the NFF is a welcome development because this will serve as a deterrent to the others. We know that match fixing has been the order of the day in Nigerian football and the NFF has refused to take actions even on proven cases. “My only problem is that the federation may not have the will to enforce this decision, going by the previous cases. There have sanctions in the past, which the federation never implemented. For me, I have already disbanded my club because I cannot be a part of this national disgrace.”

GTB splashes N5m on Principals’ Cup winners in Ogun HE sponsors yesterday preT sented winners of the season one of Guaranty Trust

Nigeria’s Sinvie Boltic celebrates after defeating Canada’s Korey Jarvis in the men’s 96kg Wrestling during the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

Wrestlers battle for C’Wealth Games ticket • E.K Clark championship begins in Warri By Gowon Akpodonor S wrestlers from various A parts of the country begin campaign this afternoon in Warri in the maiden edition of the Chief E.K. Clark National Wrestling Championship, one thing that is paramount in their mind is the ticket for next year’s Commonwealth Games holding in Glasgow, Scotland. The Nigeria Wrestling Federation announced yesterday that the Chief E.K Clark National Championship would serve as trials to select wrestlers that will fly the nation’s flag in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The competition will run till July 27. Events to be competed today include the Greco Roman 42kg, 46kg, 50kg, 60kg, 66kg, 74kg, 84kg, 96kg and 120kg. Technical Director of the Wrestling Federation of Nigeria, Ohaike Damian, said on arrival in Warri that apart from serving as trails for the 2014 Commomwealth Games, the championship would help

most officials of the federation learn about the new rules, which the international has body introduced to the game. Damian, who is in Warri with other technical members of the federation, was full of praises for the government and people of the Delta State for the timely acceptance to host wrestlers from all over the country. “This is a clear indication that Delta State is fully committed to sports development in the country and I must commend Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and officials of the state sports commission for their initiatives,” Damian said. He revealed that some wrestlers, who have made the country proud, would be inducted into the Nigeria hall of frame at the E.K Clark championship. Some of the wrestlers from Jigawa, Yobe, Kano and the host Delta vowed yesterday that they would do everything possible to secure a place in the Commonwealth Games team.

Bank (GTB) Ogun State Principals’ Cup with their cash reward of N5million. Alamuwa Grammar School, Ado-Odo received N1milion, as the overall winner of the boys’ category, Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu received N750, 000; Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu-Ode got N500, 000 while Community High School, Adesanolu, Mowe received N250, 000. In the female category, Orile Ilugun Comprehensive High School received N1million; Our Lady of Apostle, Ijebu-Ode got N750, 000 while Community High School, Abule Iroko and Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu received N500, 000 and N250, 000 respectively. Speaking at the presentation held at the Conference Hall of the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Olugbenga Otenuga said apart from the monetary reward, the state could now boast of a pool of soccer talents for many age-grade competitions, festival teams while five players would take part in the screening by Gateway United FC of Ogun State for the 2013/2014 League Season.

Portugal-based Bode Abiodun is one of the players expected to feature in Lagos International Classics next month.

Lagos International Table Tennis Classics debuts next month LL is set for the first ediA tion of the Lagos International Table Tennis Classic that will hold from August 26 to 31 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas of the Teslim Balogun Stadium. Sanctioned by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), the event has over $40, 000 as prize money, making it the biggest in Africa. The tournament is being organised by the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of Lagos International Sports Classics in collaboration with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF). Athletes would compete in 10 events in the junior and sen-

ior categories. According to the chairman of the MOC and President of NTTF, Wahid Oshodi, the championship is open to all ITTF affiliated associations, while junior events will be for players born on or after January 1, 1995. Winners in the men and women singles will get $5,000 and $4,000 respectively while players that make it to round of 16 of the singles event will get cash reward. “We believe that organising this competition will help our players and vie against top players from other counntries. We are hoping that it will be an annual event that will help to improve the lot of the sport in the country,”

General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria Plc, Kola Oyeyemi (left); Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, Abiola Awonuga and Super Eagles former captain, Peter Rufai during the press conference for the season six of the MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championship held in Lagos…yesterday.

Oshodi said. He added that tournament is made possible by the support of the private sector and the Lagos State government. Deadline for entry has been fixed for August 13, while qualifying matches in all events for Nigerian based players hold on August 22 to 23. ATTF President, Khaled ElSalhy congratulated the board of NTTF for putting such tournament together in such a short period of assumption of office and such championship is long overdue. “I want to commend the NTTF board for their ingenuity and I am very happy that Nigeria with its remarkable traditional weight in sports and specially table tennis can agree to organise the tournament. I am hoping for a resounding success and one of my missions is to assess the organisation, as well as, facilities. We also want to use this event as a test for ITTF/ATTF title event in the near future,” the ATTF boss said. With this, El-Salhy disclosed that Nigeria might be considered for a major tournament in 2014. His words, “ITTF/ATTF is looking to organise a brand new event next year tagged: “2014 ITTF-Africa Top 16 Cup,” which should be in the second half of next year as qualification for ITTF World Cups next year, and we believe it will be good to start this competition in Nigeria.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

SPORTS | 59

Ibrahimovic set for PSG talks ARIS Saint-Germain strikP er, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set for talks about his future, and expects to stay with the French champions. The Parisiens’ capture of Edinson Cavani has fuelled speculation that the Swede is heading for the Parc des Princes exits. However, despite being linked with a move back to Serie A and even a switch to the Premier League, the 31year-old believes his immediate future lies in the French capital. “My future? I am under contract at PSG,” he told L’Equipe.

There should be no reason for my situation to change in the summer. We will talk details, and I am very confident I know what will happen.” Many thought the notoriously enigmatic hit man would not be happy with the arrival of Cavani, jeopardising his place in the side, but Ibrahimovic insists he is happy to have the Uruguayan at the club, and welcomed him to the club. “As a new player he has to discover the team, the city and the fans,” he added. “It will be a good reinforcement.”

Kone extends Lorient stay defender, Lamine Christian Gourcuff. LyearORIENT Kone has signed a three“Now it’s up to me to work extension to his con- hard, have a good season

Bale

Spanish press claim Bale deal with Madrid, Spurs deny EPORTS in the Spanish R press claim that Gareth Bale has agreed a six-year deal with Real Madrid despite Tottenham steadfastly insisting their winger is not for sale at any price. Sports daily Marca, which is well known for its close

allegiance to Real, also claims that Bale will be paid 10m Euros a season and has already told Spurs he wants to leave. However, this is in stark contrast to Andre VillasBoas’ stance- the Tottenham manager re-iterating the

club’s position as recently as yesterday morning. Speaking at a press conference in Hong Kong ahead of the Asia Trophy, Villas-Boas said, “on Gareth, I want to repeat what I was telling you last season and what I was telling you from the beginning of (pre-season) so I cannot extend myself. “He is a player that we are willing to continue to have, he’s a Tottenham player, he’s one of the most fantastic players in the world at the moment and we are counting on him for the

tract. The 24-year-old, who made 32 Ligue 1 appearances for Christian Gourcuff’s side last season and scored three goals, is now tied to the club until 2017 and expressed his delight with the news. “It is a sign of confidence on the part of the club. I’m very happy,” Kone told the club’s official website. “Since I arrived at Lorient, I have progressed a lot. This gives me three more years to develop in contact with

and repay the confidence the club have shown in me.” Gourcuff added, “it’s pleasing, the club’s wish was to extend his contract. “Lamine has progressed a lot since he has been here. He was an important player last season and still has plenty more room to develop. It’s very good for Lorient.” The Paris-born player was signed from Chateauroux in 2010 following five seasons with the Ligue 2 side.

future.” Bale has never given any indication that he wants to leave White Hart Lane and, speaking two weeks ago following a pre-season friendly, the Welshman spoke of his desire to push Tottenham towards Champions League qualification. “I think everyone at the club wants us to finish in the top four, the club wants to be in the top four, and we need to go one better this season and finish in the top four,” he said.

Iniesta doubts Fabregas’ departure NDRES Iniesta has cast A doubt on the chances of Cesc Fabregas choosing to

Fabregas

leave Barcelona for Manchester United. The former Arsenal captain has been the subject of United’s attention, with the English club attempting to lure the midfielder from Camp Nou back to the Premier League, though Iniesta cannot see his Barca and Spain team-mate departing. “I can’t see Cesc (Fabregas) leaving,” the 29-year-old told gathered media at a reforestation event in Juzcar. “It’s normal that great players attract the interest of other clubs. Barca are very lucky to have him and I hope we get to keep playing together yesterday and Iniesta has faith that Tito Vilanova’s successor will thrive with the Blaugrana. “If the club appointed him then I’m sure he’s the ideal coach,” he added. “The players are there for him to do what he says and to have

another positive season.” Iniesta also dismissed fears that Lionel Messi and Neymar would not be able to play together. I do not think there will be any conflict (between Messi and Neymar),” he added. “Good players can always play together. Good players will help each other be better, so when Neymar arrives I think the team will keep winning titles in the end that’s what we want.”

Kagawa

Dortmund open to Kagawa return ORUSSIA Dortmund CEO, B Hans-Joachim Watzke has made it clear that the Bundesliga giant would welcome back Shinji Kagawa with open arms if he were to leave Manchester United. The attacking midfielder joined United from BVB in the summer of 2012, but struggled to live up to the high expectations in his first season at the Premier League champions. Kagawa recently admitted

that he intends to return to Dortmund at some point in the future and Watzke insists the 24-year-old would be welcome to return to Signal Iduna Park - though he ruled out an imminent transfer. “The door’s always open for Shinji. A transfer is not an issue at the moment, though,” Watzke was quoted as saying by Bild. Kagawa has a contract with United until the summer of

2016, but his agent Thomas Kroth has refused to rule out a premature exit. “At the moment, I expect Shinji to stay at Manchester United. However, you never know what will happen in football,” he stated. The midfielder netted six goals in 20 Premier League appearances for United last season, although a knee injury sustained in the autmun restricted his playing time during the campaign.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Issue

Nigeria records history, launches local standard for social responsibility practices ISTORY was made when Nigeria formally social responsibility product label and audit servH launched a standard to guide social responsi- ice in Africa. She advised that organizations bility practices in Nigeria. Standards should not only talk about social responsibility, Organization of Nigeria (SON) in collaboration with her knowledge partner, ThistlePraxis Consulting (TPC) formally presented the new Nigerian Standard to a cross section of stakeholders at the Southern Sun Hotel on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. The launch which marks the inception of a standardized approach to implementing social responsibility by organizations of all sizes and in all sectors; also serves as a tool to enshrine socially responsible business practices in Nigeria. The standard was formally launched by the Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade & Investment, represented by the CEO, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Jim Obazee. In attendance were Technical Partner representatives from organizations, who contributed their expertise to the process of adoption, which began July 2012. Sponsors of the adoption process include Etisalat Nigeria, Nigeria Breweries Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), while ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited (TPC) served as Knowledge Partner to the process. In a welcome address, the Director General of SON, Dr. Joseph I. Odumodu explained that “The standard is about how you do your business, and not about how much money you give; it is about top management’s commitment on how business operations are done in a way that prevents negative impact on the environment; it is about aligning business strategies in conformity with the ISO standards”. He further stated that the NIS: ISO 26000 is a framework for Nigeria to implement and apply the standard in daily organizational procedures and practices. Commending the SON on this noble feat, Lead Consultant/CEO of TPC, Ini Onuk expressed her excitement on the institutional leadership exhibited by the national standard body. She highlighted that the launch coincided with TPC’s partnership with The CSR Company International on an ISO 26000 Toolkit™, a groundbreaking software for the implementation of ISO 26000 and a CSR Label, a

but integrate it into business strategies and operations. Representative of the Lead Sponsor of the process, Ndidi Okpaluba, Director of Operational Strategy, stated that Etisalat is committed to the development of Social Responsibility in Nigeria. She also announced the commencement of the first MSc programme in Telecommunications Engineering currently offered in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU). This, she explained is act to encourage more Public Private Partnerships in ensuring tangible social impact to the Nigerian educational sector. The Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade & Investment encouraged the SON to liaise with all relevant agencies of Government to create the necessary awareness and ensure copies of the Standard are made readily available to the broad spectrum of stakeholders for implementation as required. The adoption ceremony which attracted participants from corporate organizations involved as technical partners include First Bank of Nigeria First Bank Plc, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigerian Breweries Plc. Members of other organizations present were: Mantrac, Keystone Bank, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Siemens Nigeria, Promasidor, NNPC/NAPIMS, Nigerian Bottling Company, NESREA, Bridge Clinic, Caritas Communication amongst others as well as several media organizations. Prior to the launch, the Nigeria Adoption process commenced in July 2012 with an invitation to interested corporate organizations to participate as Technical Partners as well as government departments, ministries, agencies and parastatals. As technical partners, organizations will benefit from global recognition as industry leaders and pioneer institutions in promoting Social Responsibility standards in Nigeria. SON and TPC have also promised special recognition and further technical support to participating organizations after the successful completion of this exer-

Emete Tonukari, CSR Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ndidi Opaluba, Director, Operational Strategy, Jim Obazee, CEO, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (representing the Hon. Minister for Trade & Industry), Dr. Joseph Odumodu, MFR; DG, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Ini Onuk, CEO, ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited; Ismail Omamegbe, Head CSR, First Bank Plc at the launch of NIS: ISO 26000 in Lagos, recently. cise. The process commenced with a workshop and technical meeting on Tuesday, July 31 and Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja and another in October 2012 in Lagos. These meetings were attended by the six main stakeholder groups: Industry, Government, Labour, Consumers, Nongovernmental Organizations, Service, Support, Research and others; as well as a geographical and gender-based balance of participants. ISO 26000 is an International Standard (by the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) elaborated to guide organizations on Social Responsibility. It is a consensus guidance document that provides support or a reference for all kinds of organizations in both private and public sectors both in developed and developing countries, as well as those who may be referred to as ‘being in transition’. In July 2010, at the 9th

Plenary meeting of the ISO Working Group on Social Responsibility (ISO/WG/SR) held in Copenhagen, 450 participating experts and 210 observers from 99 ISO member countries which included Nigeria and 42 liaison organizations deliberated and ratified the Final draft standard. Nigeria joins many other African countries such as Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Malawi, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Ghana who have adopted the standard. The ISO26000: NAP Secretariat will remain open for the next 12 months for organizations interested in using the standard as a guide for their CSR reports. Online resources will also be made available during this period via a blog: http://www.iso26000-nigeria.blogspot.com and also for local and foreign observers. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit for requests, comments, suggestions and input,

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

For The Record Nigeria’s national security in an age of terrorism (4) Maiden Departmental Lecture Department Of Political Science Faculty Of The Social Sciences University Of Ibadan By Aituaje Irene Pogoson, Ph.D Continued from Monday, July 22, 2013 EGER and West (1987), in agreement with the D above notion, argue that real or perceived threats to national security could have either internal or external dimensions. Arguably, there can be a combination of the internal and external dimensions. Ujoma (2004) observes that the greater threat to Nigeria’s security arises from the inefficiency of its institutions and structures as instruments of social action at the individual and collective levels. He argues further that this ineffectiveness has compromised the very territorial and national integrity of Nigeria and exposed the bulk of the citizens to unnecessary fear, deprivation and chaos. It has bred cadres of individuals in almost every sensitive sector of national life who share the same general quality of engaging in negligent and insensitive conduct which affect their fellow citizens. The inability to guarantee trust and obedience to laws has made human life most uninteresting and unmanageable. He concludes by submitting that “the problem of national security in Nigeria is seen in the serious conflicts arising from situations of violence and instability” (Ujoma, 2004). As argued by Olukoshi (1992), Nweke (1988) and Imobighe (1987 and 1989), state and dominant class interests clearly obscure national security in Nigeria. Olukoshi postulates that “the security thrust is directed towards the interests of the governing class and their propertied allies, while most Nigerians are alienated from the security process that ironically turns on them from time to time” (Olukoshi, 1992). A clear example of the exclusion of the people from the socio-political processes can be seen in what is referred to as the government’s overriding concern for regime and personal security. This situation arises from either a lack of understanding of the meaning of security or the perversion of security principles in order to serve selfish ends. The major threats to Nigeria’s national security include the Niger Delta insurrection and militancy, trans-border crimes, illicit arms trafficking, illegal bunkering, corruption, porous international borders, cybercrime, and terrorism which is the most current and invidious. These threats have their roots in the conditions that characterize Nigeria’s location within an external and internal historical environment, both immediate and distant. The Niger Delta insurrection/militancy, for instance, can be traced to these immediate and distant factors. So also can illegal bunkering which has swelled militancy in the Niger Delta. Illicit arms trafficking has its root in the not-so-distant historical environment, particularly in countries where there have been civil unrest and civil war: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Libya, Sudan, Mali, etc. Porous international borders, particularly in respect of trans-border crimes, play a hand in the transference of these crises while terrorism is mostly facilitated from outside, especially now with the Islamist upheaval in Mali which can be traced to the upheaval in Libya and also traceable to the AlQaeda movement in the global international political system. These threats to the peace, security and development of the country, invariably, have implications for the continuity and survival of the nation’s emerging democracy. The ability of the Nigerian government to prevent, deter, defeat and respond decisively to these threats is one of the most challenging priorities facing the nation. Thus, Nigeria is secure to the extent that the government is able to anticipate, recognize and respond effectively to these threats, using the available national resources to ensure the safety of life and property for the citizens, and guarantee the integrity of its territorial boundaries as well as its strategic assets, both within and outside of its territory. Viewed from this perspective, terrorism is a grave threat to national security in Nigeria to the extent that it undermines the well-being and security of Nigerians and the integrity of national resources. NATIONAL SECURITY AND TERRORISM Understanding Terrorism We live in an age of international terrorism with its increasing scope and violence. The nature and type of terrorism has become more varied and

Pogoson complex and terrorist organizations even more evasive and difficult to understand. There is no universally accepted definition of terrorism and even when there’s an agreement on a definition of terrorism, there is sometimes disagreement about whether or not the definition fits a particular incident. In order to understand terrorism, one must assess the different views of what constitutes terrorism. Reaching a general conclusion on the definition of terrorism has generated much debate in the social sciences and internationally. No single definition seems to satisfy the wide interpretation of what specifically is terrorism. Countries facing serious national security threats face the same questions of how to define terrorism and the implications of those definitions. After the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373:7, even countries that generally treated acts of terrorism as ordinary criminal matters were moved to define terrorism, if only to comply with Resolution 1373’s mandate that countries provide details of their counterterrorism programs. Moreso, the word terrorism is taken to suit different interests. The changing character of terrorism makes it difficult to define. The difficulty in defining terrorism is in agreeing on a basis for determining when the use of violence (directed at whom, by whom, for what ends) is legitimate; therefore, the controversial nature of the definition of terrorism. The use of violence for the achievement of political ends is common to state and non-state actors. The UN General Assembly Resolution 49/60 (adopted on December 9, 1994), titled Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, contains a provision describing terrorism: Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstance unjustifiable, whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or any other nature that may be invoked to justify them. In addition, the UN Security Council Resolution 1566 (2004) defines terrorism as: criminal acts, including against civilians, committed with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury, or taking of hostages, with the purpose to provoke a state of terror in the general public or in a group of persons or particular persons, intimidate a population or compel a government or an international organization to do or to abstain from doing any act. Although there is no consensus amongst UN member states as to the

precise definition of terrorism. The A.U convention’s defines terrorism as: “Any act by an individual, group, organization, a state or its agents (excluding liberation struggles, armed struggles against oppressive governments, colonization, occupation, aggression and domination by foreign forces), which is a violation of the criminal laws of a state party and international law instruments criminalising it, and which may endanger the life, physical integrity or freedom of, or cause serious injury or death to any person, any number or group of persons or causes or may cause damage to public or private property, natural resources, environmental or cultural heritage and is calculated or intended to achieve those objectives in Article 1(3) (a) (i- iii). (A.U Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism;1999) The Anti-Terrorism Bill provides a broad definition of what constitutes an act of terrorism in Nigeria as an act “intended or [that] can reasonably be regarded as having been intended” to force a government or an international organization to carry out or abstain from carrying out a certain act is an act of terrorism. Researching or developing a biological or chemical weapon without lawful authority is an act of terrorism. Dissemination of information (be it true or false) “calculated to cause panic, evoke violence or intimidate a government, a person or group of persons” is also considered an act of terrorism. (Nigerian National Assembly portal, http://tinyurl.com/6cdsl5f). One widely accepted definition of terrorism sees it as “The use of violence against random civilian targets in order to intimidate or to create generalized pervasive fear for the purpose of achieving political goals”(Alexander, 1976). Shulz and Sloan (1980:2) define terrorism as the use of extra normal forms of political violence, in varying degrees, with the purpose of achieving certain political objectives/goals. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines the term as, “The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” Also, Cline and Alexander (1986) defined terrorism as a deliberate employment of violence or a threat of the use of violence by sovereign states in order to attain strategic and political objectives through the violation of law. Regardless of the multiple definitions of terrorism, there is, however, one common point of agreement which is that terrorism is a word with basically negative connotations that is commonly

applied to one’s adversaries and opponents (Sharma, 1992;17). Like “beauty”, “terrorism” is in the eye of the beholder and goes with the common perception that one man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist. Hence, the difficulty in defining terrorism. What is terrorism appears to depend on one’s point of view. The decision to call an organization or label an act as terrorist is therefore unavoidably subjective, depending on whether one sympathizes with or opposes the group. The meaning and usage of the word has also changed over time to accommodate the political language and discourse of each successive era, therefore terrorism has proved increasingly elusive in the face of attempts to construct one consistent definition for all time (Ganor, 2005). However, in the most widely accepted contemporary usage of the term, terrorism is fundamentally political. Terrorism is a tactic that leverages small, spectacular attacks to incapacitate entire populations with fear. It is characterized by the desire to attain political goals through the use of threats or extra- normal forms of political violence. It is also about power, the pursuit of power, the acquisition of power and the use of power to achieve political change. Terrorism is violence or the threat of violence, used and directed in the pursuit of a political aim. Terrorism has been in existence longer than the modern nation-state, and its history is as old as the willingness of humankind to use violence to affect politics. The Sicarii were a first century Jewish group who murdered enemies and collaborators in their campaign to oust their Roman rulers from Judea. The Hashhashin, whose name gave the English word “assassins,” were a secretive Islamic sect active in Iran and Syria from the 11th to the 13th century. Their dramatic executed assassinations of political figures terrified their contemporaries. However, Zealots and assassins were not really terrorists in the modern sense. Terrorism is best thought of as a modern phenomenon. Its characteristics flow from the international system of nation-states, and its success depends on the existence of a mass media to create an aura of terror among many people. The word terrorism comes from the Reign of Terror instigated by Maxmilien Robespierre in 1793. After the French revolution. Robespierre, one of twelve heads of the new state, had enemies of the revolution killed, and installed a dictatorship to stabilize the country. Robespierre justified his methods as necessary in the transformation of the monarchy to a liberal democracy. Robespierre’s sentiment laid the foundations for modern terrorists, who believe violence will usher in a better system. Over the past two centuries, terrorism has been used for various reasons to achieve various goals and has developed as a tool for liberation, oppression, and international global politics. A large number of terrorist groups surfaced and became active over time. Though these groups had some common characteristics, they have different motives and objectives (Haque, 2006). The various categories of terrorist groups include: Issue-group terrorism which usually springs from a wish to rectify a supposed grievance or wrong which is generally attributed to governmental action or inaction; exile terrorists groups who reside elsewhere than their homeland through personal choice or eviction. Exile groups often have a nationalist-separatist-irredentist motivation and an ideological basis, as well as the desire to oust a regime in their established national home; terrorism based on ideological doctrines which form the backdrop of a marked proportion of terrorist group; state and state-sponsored terrorism practiced by the ruling or governing powers of a state is another category. The purpose of this category of terrorism is control or repression and, generally, the activity is confined within the national borders of the state. (Smith, 1990) Religious fanaticism has also been a source of terrorist motivation over the centuries. The suicide bombing attacks by terrorists underlie the extent to which religious fervor may be manipulated for political purposes.(Smith,

TO BE CONTINUED

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, July 24, 2013

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Nicholas Anakwue Continued from yesterday OWEVER, the infrastructural project constructed in Nigeria seems to be lacking in due procurement process. Timely delivery of project is almost impossible in Nigeria. Most projects originally billed to last for four years have been extended to run for more than 10 Please send reactions and feedback for YOUTH SPEAK to: years thereby, incurring additional costs on editorial@risenetworks.org and 07067976667- SMS ONLY them. The contractors are either not paid on time or they truncate the project as a result of their own inefficiency or political interference of the government. Another labyrinth issue is corruption. Corruption is responsible for most delays in project execution; the perpetrators willingly delay a project so its cost can be inflated. In most cases bribes and some other forms of gratifications are offered to the procuring entity. This starves the contractor of necessary funds to continue with the project. The last issue on this subject is lack of integrity and professionalism of the persons handling procurements. Procurements must be handled by professionals who imbibe integrity in their core functions, especially as these concern awards of contract. Paucity of professionals handling government procurement has led to poor performance of projects. The labyrinth scenario painted in the foregoing is responsible for the disconnection between what the government claims it is doing and the realities on ground facing the people. Economic indices such as vibrant GDP growth and stable inflation rate can be misleading, if the per-capital income of the people does not improve, houses are not yet affordable, tertiary education is still very expensive, maternal and child health mortality is still palpable, etc. Looking at the labyrinth issues surrounding the macro-economic policies of government, we need to consider if the blueprints for economic growth affect the poor. This should be done using the number of poor farmers that can access loans from the banks at low interest rate. Currently, banks prefer to lend to the government rather than to young entrepreneurs. There are young enterprising Nigerians who have brilliant ideas on profitable business ventures but they are yet to benefit from government economic policies, simply because those policies are not pro-poor but for capitalist or commercial elite. Therefore, the growth rates we celebrate are accumulated prosperity of the elite. If we are to match government development priorities with its expenditure, there are lacunas that can be taken as labyrinth. Part of the transformation agenda of the President, is to diversify the economy from a mono single source of crude oil earning to incorporate agriculture and local manufacturing. For Agriculture, the transformation agenda proposes an expenditure of N500.79 billion within the mid-term of 20122015. The sum was therefore spread as follows, N112.07 billion, N120.841 billion, N136.221 billion and N131.724 billion for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively. One would, therefore, expect that, the annual budget should contain agricultural projects that can transform the sector, but this is not the case. Most of the projects listed in the 2012 and 2013 budgets of agriculture consist of complicated padding of line items. Some of them include: construction/provision of roads, construction and provision of office buildings, construction and provisions of infrastructure, Fencing National Vetinary Research Institutes, Research and Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, Payment of Counterpart Fund on West African Agricultural Rice Production programme. Others are nebulous repetition of line items such as seeds, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Labyrinth fiduciary system of government expenditure (2)

In the preparation of policy linking tools, such as the Medium Term Sector Strategy and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, the needs of the people must form the development priorities of the government. This, therefore, requires that government MDA’s must prepare their procurement plans based on the provisions of the MTSS. Funds attached to specific projects must be scrutinised to meet real cost, the effect of over costing of project has done great harm on the value of the naira. Most projects are quoted in billions whereas the real value of those projects does not go beyond millions

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

The PPA 2007 is a commendable law that stipulates the general criteria for the award of contracts. It provides for advertisement of all bids; all government contracts should be properly advertised so as to afford participation of qualified bidders. It also provides that only the best responsive bidder be awarded the contract. In this case, a responsive bidder is one who has fulfilled all the necessary requirements of the procuring entity, in terms of specifications, quality, least price and timely submission of tender

This scenario cut across other sectors. There is mostly no link between what government promises and what most MDA’s propose to do within the Fiscal year. This is responsible for the difficulty of tracing the impact of government expenditure in the lives of the citizens; especially the poor. For public expenditure to affect the lives of the citizens, some standard procurement practice has to be inculcated such that will include information gathering, needs assessment, proper planning, public presentation, evaluation of needs, prioritisation of needs, appropriation and transparency in the awards and execution of contracts. The government must ensure that its development plans are generated from the people. They also have to be efficiently, effectively and sincerely executed. The general public has to be carried along in the development agenda of the government. This should be done through wide consultation with the people. The government must gather enough information about the needs of the citizens; otherwise some projects might be executed with little or no value to the people. The government must also make sure that the needs are properly scrutinised in such a way that would aid economic benefits and also bring about the needed development. This can be achieved with the aid of public consultation with professionals and sector specialists. In the preparation of policy linking tools, such as the Medium Term Sector Strategy and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, the needs of the people must form the development priorities of the government. This, therefore, requires that government MDA’s must prepare their procurement plans based on the provisions of the MTSS. Funds attached to specific projects must be scrutinised to meet real cost, the effect of over costing of project has done great harm on the value of the naira. Most projects are quoted in billions whereas the real value of those projects does not go beyond millions. The PPA 2007 is a commendable law that stipulates the general criteria for the award of contracts. It provides for advertisement of all bids; all government contracts should be properly advertised so as to afford participation of qualified bidders. It also provides that only the best responsive bidder be awarded the contract. In this case, a responsive bidder is one who has fulfilled all the necessary requirements of the procuring entity, in terms of specifications, seedlings, seed dressing, improved seeds, tion can never achieve the target of trans- quality, least price and timely submission of fertilizer, all repeated over 10 times, with forming the agricultural sector rather; tender. The contract should, therefore, be funds in excess of N26 billion allocated mechanised and irrigational farming facili- awarded to the best responsive bidder. Such against the same items. Such an appropria- ties should have been a top budget priority. projects have to be monitored to ensure that the contractor works according to the terms of the agreements. It is recommended that a The YOUTHSPEAK Column which is published daily is an initiative of THE GUARDIAN, and qualified consultant works with the procuring powered by RISE NETWORKS, Nigeria’s Leading Youth Development Centre, as a substantial advocacy platform available for ALL Nigerian Youth to engage Leadership at all levels, engage entity to monitor and evaluate performance Society and contribute to National Discourse on diverse issues especially those that are pecu- of the project. World pricing standard has liar to Nigeria. Regarding submission of articles, we welcome writers‘ contributions by way of been established for some basic projects such as the World Bank Standard for Road well crafted, analytical and thought provoking opinion pieces that are concise, topical and non-defamatory! All articles (which are not expected to be more than 2000 words) should be Construction Cost per-Km (“ROCKS”). Some of sent to editorial@risenetworks.org To read the online Version of this same article plus past those established standard pricing benchpublications and to find out more about Youth Speak, please visit marks should be used to award similar projwww.risenetworks.org/youthspeak and join the ongoing National Conversations’’. ects in Nigeria. Corruption has always been the bottle-neck stalling development and economic progress; the poor suffer the effect of this. The governAlso join our on-line conversation 21676F3E @risenetworks RISE GROUP ment must fight against corruption and every other form of impunity by making sure that Published by Guardian Newspapers Limited, Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos those found to be corrupt are appropriately Tel: 4489600, 2798269, 2798270, 07098147948, 07098147951 Fax: 4489712; Advert Hotlines: Lagos 7736351, Abuja 07098513445; Circulation Hotline: 01 4489656 sanctioned. All correspondence to Guardian Newspapers Limited, P.M.B. 1217, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria. Concluded. E-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com; www.ngrguardiannews.com • Victor is a procurement specialist, Centre for Editor: MARTINS OLOJA ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125) . Social Justice, Abuja. Tel: 08068262366.