Business

Correcting the Lies in Dr. Olisa Agbakoba’s Assertions By Kingsley Ariamaodo

Published

4 months ago

July 12, 2024

Correcting the Lies in Dr. Olisa Agbakoba’s Assertions
By Kingsley Ariamaodo

Eminent lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has lately been calling for the repeal of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 which is within his rights as a citizen. But in doing so, he has been making some assertions regarding the status and operations of the NNPC Ltd that are not quite true.

This is not an attempt to join issues with him. It is just to set the records straight, knowing that when falsehood is left unchallenged, it is accepted as the truth.
One of the key reasons he claims to be calling for the repeal of the PIA is that under it, NNPC Ltd is playing the roles of an operator and a regulator. When pressed to be specific on the regulatory roles being performed by the NNPC Ltd, he listed “fixing prices of petroleum products” and “acting as sole importer of petroleum products”.

The truth, however, is that the PIA does not have any provision that makes NNPC Ltd a regulator in the oil and gas industry. The PIA specifically provides for the establishment of two regulators in the industry. They are: The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
One of the objectives of the reforms that the PIA was designed to bring about was the scrapping of the dual roles of operator and regulator played by the NNPC as a government Corporation. Since the PIA came into force in 2021 and the consequent transition of NNPC into a limited liability company that operates under the Companies and Allied Matters Act in 2022, the Company has ceased to take on any regulatory role in strict compliance with the law.
Contrary to the learned Senior Advocate’s claim that NNPC Ltd fixes prices of petroleum products, the Company does not fix prices. In fact, no agency or entity unilaterally fixes prices of petroleum product as the PIA in Sections 205, 206 and 207 provides for a deregulated market which is currently in operation in the Downstream Sector. Under the deregulated market, every marketer is allowed to determine the price of its products as it deems fit, taking market forces into consideration. Based on this principle, NNPC Ltd through its Downstream subsidiary,

NNPC Retail Ltd, fixes the prices of its products. It does not fix prices for the entire market as other marketers are at liberty to set their own prices based on market realities. This is the reason NNPC Retail stations in Abuja sell Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at N617 per litre while other marketers sell at various prices. Similar conditions prevail across the country with different marketers selling petroleum products at different prices. If the sector was still regulated, it would be the duty of the NMDPRA to fix prices and not NNPC Ltd as a player in the industry.

On the claim that NNPC Ltd is the sole importer of petroleum products, this is also not true. Other marketers import AGO and ATK (diesel and aviation fuel). The reason they are not able to engage in the importation of PMS has to do with foreign exchange issues. But the PIA, apparently envisaging situations like this, provides that NNPC Ltd should serve as a supplier of last resort to guarantee energy security. This is very explicit in Section 64 of the PIA. That is the reason NNPC Ltd is currently the sole importer of PMS (not all petroleum products), and that does not in any way make it a regulator.
NNPC Ltd has since moved on to assume its statutory role as a commercial operator in the entire value chain of the energy industry. It has further sealed its status as a commercial operator with declaration of ₦2.52 trillion and ₦674 billion profit after tax in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

We believe that even if other members of the public, out of ignorance, still see NNPC Ltd as a regulator based on its previous operations pre-PIA, it should not be a learned silk like Dr. Agbakoba who should be familiar with the law.

Mr. Ariamaodo, writes in from Abuja.

Business

Giraffe Global Magazine rebrands as Giraffe Global Africa

Published

11 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Eureka!
Its 8 years of excellent media reportage for
Giraffe Global Magazine

….now rebrands as Giraffe Global Africa

Eight years ago, the idea of setiing up Giraffe Multimedia Communications, the Publisher of Giraffe Global Magazine was birthed by quintessential and well known journalist, Akin Sokoya. Gradually, the magazine has suddenly become a highflyer in the African media value chain. Aside publishing, Giraffe Media also controls an online platform tagged www.giraffeglobal.com.ng which is diseminating quality and up to date news and information globally.

Presently, the media company has rebranded it’s soar away and seasoned celebrity Journal to Giraffe Global Africa, which has also reflected in it’s online platform, www.giraffeglobalafrica.com.ng

According to the publisher/editor-in-chief of Giraffe Global Africa, Akin Sokoya noted that the reason for the rebranding has to do with the wider reach to more African countries and in diasporas.

“It’s exactly eight years that Giraffe Global Magazine, and it’s online platform www.giraffeglobal.com.ng has been in existence, and we deem it fit to give our readers and advertisers a better value for their money and data, and this culminated into rebranding the name, giraffe globalafrica, www giraffe globalafrica.com.ng.

Business

Ex-bank manager remanded

Published

23 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Ex-bank manager remanded

A former new generation bank manager in the Iju branch, Abiodun Sanni, was on Monday remanded in the correctional centre by a Lagos State Special Offences Court, in Ikeja, over alleged N122,011,441 fraud.

Sanni was arraigned on 16 counts bordering on obtaining credit by false pretences, forgery, use of false documents and stealing by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The EFCC’s prosecution counsel, O. Adewunmi, told the court that Sanni committed the offences on or about February 24, 2020, in Lagos.

Adewunmi told the court that the defendant while he was the bank manager of the lju branch of Polaris Bank Limited, obtained credit in the form of a loan in the sum of N17m, for one Bamgbose Tayo Taofia trading under the name and style of Banut Haulage.

The prosecutor said that the money was obtained from Polaris Bank Limited, by the false pretence that the loan had collateral in the form of a fixed deposit account number 0071572791, worth N111,540,380.52 belonging to Yinkus Multibiz Ventures and that the owner, one Mrs Olayinka Hannah Aderibigbe, consented to it being used as collateral.

He was also alleged to have dishonestly converted a Polaris Bank Limited fixed deposit account number 0071277522 worth N15, 011,441.00 (Fifteen Million, Eleven Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty-One Naira) belonging to Atolagbe Joshua Tinuoye, to his use.

The prosecutor, urged the court to remand the defendant at the correctional centre, pending his trial date.

“My Lord, the prosecutor intended to call 10 witnesses regarding this case and we urge the court to remand the defendant in custody”, Adewunmi said.

But the defence counsel, Osho Oludoshu, told the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his client.

In a short ruling, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe adjourned the case and ordered that the bail application should be submitted to the court before the date of trial.

“I adjourn this case to Match 6 and 19, 2025, and I remand the defendant at the correctional centre. They are entitled to bring a bail application before his trial date”, the judge held.

Business

FirstBank Hosts Inaugural China-Africa Interbank Association Forum; reiterates its commitment to promoting trade, financial cooperation and Economic Development.

Published

1 day ago

November 18, 2024

Sahara Weekly

FirstBank Hosts Inaugural China-Africa Interbank Association Forum; reiterates its commitment to promoting trade, financial cooperation and Economic Development.

FirstBank, the premier West African financial institution and financial inclusion service provider has announced its hosting of the first-ever China-Africa Interbank Association (CAIBA) Forum to strengthen economic ties and investments between China and Africa. The forum, themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Strengthening China-Africa Trade, Industrialization and Economic Diversification,” will take place on November 27, 2024, at the Fraiser Suites Abuja.

Established in 2018, CAIBA marked a significant milestone in fostering financial cooperation between China and Africa, comprising 16 African banks, including FirstBank, and China Development Bank (CDB) as well as ABSA Bank, West African Development Bank, Central African States Development Bank, Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, Development Bank of South Africa, Ecobank, United Bank for Africa, RawBank with the aim to enhance partnerships in various spheres, such as infrastructure interconnection, international cooperation, and cultural exchange. This initiative was driven by the need to address the funding gap in Africa for industrialization, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation.

The CAIBA Forum which will be co-hosted by China Development Bank offers a unique opportunity for knowledge sharing, networking and deal making, for the purpose of fostering a win-win cooperation and promote joint development among member-banks. Formerly convened only in Beijing, the Forum will now provide a unique platform to spotlight Nigeria’s pivotal role in the growing China-Africa economic relationship as the host country.

Intrinsically woven into the fabric of the society and with its extensive network across Sub-Saharan Africa, UK, and China, FirstBank provides unparalleled access to markets, to facilitate trade and investment flows between China and Africa.

Additionally, FirstBank’s expertise in financial inclusion, trade finance, corporate and investment banking positions it as an ideal partner with China Development Bank with key strengths in inclusive and sustainable financial solutions in driving this important initiative to support Chinese and African businesses.

Speaking about the forum, the CEO of FirstBank Group, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, said, “We are honoured to host this pivotal event that fosters dialogue and collaboration between Chinese and African financial institutions. This forum reinforces our commitment to bridging the gap between Africa and China, catalyzing economic growth and development. The selection of FirstBank as the host is a testament to our rich legacy, deep expertise in African markets, and an impressive 130-year history of empowering businesses and communities to thrive. We are proud to support the continent’s economic transformation and growth and remain dedicated to exploring the partnership opportunities this forum will bring for the mutual benefit of China and Africa.”

Participants will have the chance to engage with government officials, business leaders, and financial experts from both regions. Expected guest speakers include His Excellency, the Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Minister of Trade, Industry & Investment, MD of China Development Bank, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Governors of Lagos, Kano and Anambra States; Ambassadors from countries of CAIBA members, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank, Representatives from the China-Africa Development Fund, and many industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to explore opportunities for cooperation and mutual growth.

In addition, the CAIBA Forum will feature a plenary session which include Dr. Abiodun Adedipe – Founder & Chief Consultant BAA Consult, David Ofosu-Dorte – Senior Partner, AB & David Africa, A Pan-African Law Firm, Ugo (UgoDre) Obi-Chukwu – Publisher Nairametrics, Wole Adeniyi- CEO, Stanbic IBTC, Bamidele Abu- CEO, ABSA Nigeria Capital Markets, Mrs Kouassigan Dovi Eliane Khady – Head Financial Institutions West African Development Bank (BOAD). Other exciting line-ups include a trade exhibition, keynote speeches, and networking events that will explore the latest trends and opportunities in China-Africa cooperation.

The establishment of CAIBA is a positive development that has the potential to significantly impact the economic landscape, actively shaping economic future and fostering partnerships that drive sustainable growth and prosperity of both China and Africa.