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8 — Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 •President Muhammadu Buhari on arrival in Abuja, yesterday, after a two-week medical trip to London, the United Kingdom. 2023 budget threatened, as Nigeria’s crude oil output drops 7.4% to 1.37 mb/d By Udeme Akpan, Energy Editor NIGERIA’S DWINDLING average oil output, including condensate, dropped Year-on-Year, YoY, by 7.4 per cent to 1.37 million barrels per day, mb/ d in the first 10 months (January – October) 2022, from 1.48 mb/d in the corresponding period of 2021. This showed a shortfall of 317,940 barrels when juxtaposed against the 1.69 mb/d which the 2023 budget was based on at $70 per barrel. However, on Month-on- Month, MoM, the average oil output increased by 7.8 per cent to 1.23 mb/d in October 2022, from 1.14 mb/d, recorded in the preceding month of September 2022. Oil theft, others The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, which disclosed this in its monthly Oil Production Status Reports, obtained by Vanguard, weekend, did not specify the cause of the trend. But checks by Vanguard, yesterday, attributed it to prolonged pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and illegal refining in the Niger Delta. It indicated that pipeline vandalism, oil theft and illegal refining would still continue next year, despite the efforts of stakeholders, especially the government and oil companies, to tackle them. Case of Shell In its briefing notes obtained by Vanguard, Shell, the biggest International Oil Company, IoC, in Nigeria, stated: “Shell companies in Nigeria have a track record of strong production. But in 2021, the combined production from the SPDC JV and SNEPCo (Bonga) fell to 493,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day from 614,000 in 2020. “The SPDC JV produced 383,000 barrels of oil equivalent in 2021, compared with 497,000 barrels of oil equivalent in 2020. The fall in output was largely as a result of curtailed oil production because of heightened security issues, such as crude oil theft and illegal oil refining. ''Production numbers were also down as a result of divestment action, including the sale of SPDC’s 30% interest in OML 17 for $533 million. “In the last quarter of 2021, crude oil theft from pipelines across the region increased ostensibly as a result of rising oil prices, which made the activity more profitable. Security risks have heightened and production in some areas has been put on hold. ''The situation is impacting operators across the Niger Delta. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has reported that crude thefts in 2021 reached 200,000 barrels per day – a quarter of onshore production.” Oil market The checks also showed that although the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, interventions would make a positive impact, the global oil market would continue to record instability in 2023 and beyond, thereby impacting negatively the economy of nations, including Nigeria. By Obas Esiedesa ABUJA—OIL marketers have urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, to comply with the Federal Government's directive to end payment of port charges in dollars for petroleum products brought into the country. The Second Vice Chairman, Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN, Mammod Tukur, in a statement yesterday said the directive given by the government a year ago had not been followed by NIMASA and NPA. Recall that following a meeting of the heads of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, NMDPRA, NNPC Limited, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN and DAPPMAN, in November 2021, the government had directed that ports charges should be collected in naira. The marketers, however, revealed that both NIMASA and NPA had continued to collect the charges in dollars. Tukur explained: “Some years ago, the Vice President chaired a meeting which included the Chief of Staff, talking about the fact that marketers having to pay port charges to NPA and to NIMASA in dollars was no longer acceptable because it was affecting the sector. In its October 2022 Monthly Oil Market Report, MOMR, obtained by Vanguard, OPEC painted a picture of an uncertain oil market when it stated: “For 2023, world oil demand growth is revised down to stand at about 2.3 mb/d. “Uncertainty about the geopolitical situation remains high, and there is potential for further US shale liquid production.” Experts However, commenting on the development, the National President of Oil and Gas Service providers Association of Nigeria, OGSPAN, Colman Obasi, said: “The government and other stakeholders have not done enough to address the various issues currently affecting the nation’s oil production. ''A lot can still be done, including the use of modern technologies, to monitor the nation’s oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta.” Obasi, who attributed the vices partly to massive unemployment and desperation on the part of the youth to make a living, said: “If concerted efforts were made to industrialise Niger Delta, there would probably be no crude oil theft and devastation of the region. Oil theft has been with us for decades and seems to be gaining momentum.” Similarly, Executive Director, Emmanuel Egbogah Foundation, Prof. Wunmi Iledare, said: “It seems the price of crude is demand determined. The likelihood to attain and sustain that output in 2023 is less likely. At best, that output may even be the potential because of insecurity, divestment, and onshore basin maturity.” Oil marketers seek end to dollar denominated port charges “A directive was given that these agencies should henceforth charge marketers in naira. That has not been implemented. That's a major challenge. “The price of dollars is practically driven by demand. If there's no supply, then obviously the price will rise. So in this instance, every time a vessel needs to berth, we have to pay port charges in dollars.” He pointed out the failure to comply with the director was one of the reasons the Naira continued to depreciate against the dollar, since the foreign currency was in short supply. “If these products are consumed locally and are destined for local ports, then why are the NPA and NIMASA charging in dollars? ''They should simply implement a directive given by the government and we can assure that this will also bring down the price of petroleum products,'' he said. On her part, the Chairman, DAPPMAN, Winifred Akpani, explained how the foreign exchange conundrum was affecting petroleum marketers. She said: “For example, to charter a vessel to convey 20,000 metric tonnes of PMS within Nigeria for 10 days, freight charges are denominated in dollars, that comes to about N220m at official forex rate of N440 and a whooping N440m for petroleum marketers who have to source forex from the parallel market at N880. “This implies an additional cost of N11 per litre for this transaction due to the forex official/parallel market differential. For this same transaction, Jetty fees, again charged in dollars, comes to N15.4m at official forex rates and N30.8m for petroleum marketers who source from the parallel market. “In the same vein, Jetty berth is charged in dollars and comes to N2.2m at official forex rate and N4.4m at parallel market rate. Then there are port dues (NPA and NIMASA), which are charged in dollars, which come to N71.51m at official forex rate and N142.796m for marketers who source forex from the parallel market.'' Akpani described this as quite burdensome and had made operational expenses and procurement increasingly difficult for DAPPMAN members. ABUJA—THE Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, has denied the rumour in some media outlets and social media platforms which said the Abuja- Kaduna rail service will resume on November 24. The Managing Director of NRC, Fidet Okhiria, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the news is false and should be disregarded. According to him, no definite date has been fixed for the resumption Currency redesign: We'll protect Nigerians without bank accounts —CBN By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief THE CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria , CBN, has promised to protect Nigerians without bank accounts, to ensure they don't suffer any loss in the proposed Naira redesign exercise. According to the apex bank, it will protect Nigerians in unbanked, underserved, and rural areas. In the past, unbanked, rural dwellers suffered significant losses as some were unable to change their old bank notes or were defrauded during similar exercises. The CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, said in a statement, yesterday; "CBN is pleased to note the positive response of the banking public to the policy through increased currency deposits across banks and other financial institutions. "The CBN remains committed to the seamless implementation of the initiative to ensure the achievement of its objectives to preserve the integrity of the local legal tender by reducing the significant amount of cash outside the banking system and its use in criminal activities, curtail counterfeiting, and promote financial inclusion, amongst others. "Whilst noting the progressive increase in financial access points and alternative banking channels AS POLITICAL parties and their respective presidential candidates campaign for the 2023 general election, ‘The Candidates’ presidential town hall series, a Daria Media concept, supported by MacArthur Foundation, NTA and YouTube will kick off on November 17, 2022. It will aired live on NTA, FRCN, Radio Now, DSTV, Youtube, Facebook and more. The 'Candidates', is a two-hour live televised town hall meeting series, of the presidential and vicepresidential candidates of the six leading political parties jostling for the 2023 general elections. The parties were selected using a combination of editorial judgment, aggregated polls by the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, occupation of elective offices and presence across the country. Kole Shettima, Africa Director of the MacArthur Foundation, on the series, said: “The foundation is privileged to support an opportunity for Nigerians to interact with the leading presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections.” ‘The Candidates’ presidential town hall will feature Prince Adewole Adebayo and running mate, Alh. Yusuf Buhari, of the Social Democratic Party, November 17, 2022; Mr. Omoyele Sowore and running mate, Haruna Magashi, of the African Action Congress Abuja-Kaduna rail service: NRC denies rumoured resumption date but the Federal Government is making every necessary effort to ensure it resumes before end of November. ”I wish to inform the general public that the news is false because a definite date has not yet been fixed. It is true that the Minister announced that we will resume services on that route this November and efforts are being made by all necessary quarters to ensure we resume before the end of November. ”I wish to reiterate the over the years (electronic/internet banking, mobile apps, ATM, Cards/ PoS, eNaira, agent banking, etc.), the Bank acknowledges that these may not be evenly distributed across all geopolitical zones and in some rural areas. "In operationalizing this initiative, the CBN has been collaborating with relevant agencies and other stakeholders in the financial system in its execution, particularly ensuring that vulnerable citizens are not disenfranchised. "Accordingly, the banking public in rural and/or underserved areas may access CBN branches in the 36 states of the federation to enquire about options for depositing their current N200, N500, and N1,000 notes, wallet/ account opening processes and financial access points. "Furthermore, agent locations across the country have been fully enabled for BVN registration, opening banking accounts/wallets & e-Naira wallets, electronic card distribution, and cash deposit, among others. "Due to the policy, the agents have also been accorded priority to enable them to deposit cash collections through bank branches across the federation. "The bank shall continue to monitor developments and issue updates to the banking public on the implementation of the Naira redesign policy as may be necessary." ‘The Candidate' presidential town hall series kick of Nov 17 Party on November 18, 2022; Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso and running mate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, of the New Nigeria Peoples Party on November 19, 2022; Mr. Peter Obi and running mate, Dr. Yusuf Baba- Ahmed, of the Labour Party on November 21, 2022; Alh. Atiku Abubakar and running mate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of the People’s Democratic Party on November 22, 2022; and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and running mate, Sen. Shettima Kashim of the All Progressives Congress Party on November 23, 2022. “Kadaria Ahmed, a leading Nigerian broadcaster and journalist, will moderate each town hall. She has been moderating Presidential Debates and town halls since the 2011 elections. ‘The Candidates’ this year is produced by Obi Asika, Ceo Cabal Ent, who has produced several major live events, festivals, tv shows, reality formats and has been at the forefront of media production for decades. He and his team will seek to bring that quality to The Candidates. CEO of Cabal Entertainment and Executive Producer of The Candidates, Obi Asika, on the series, said: “I am hugely excited to be working with Kadaria Ahmed, one of Nigeria’s most distinguished journalists and broadcasters with a long and impressive track record in print, tv and radio.“ commitment of the Federal Government and the corporation to securing the lives and properties of our highly esteemed passengers and Nigerians,” Okhiria said. NAN recalls that service along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor was halted due to a terrorist attack on March 28, which led to the loss of lives and kidnap of some passengers. The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, announced after the release of all the kidnapped passengers, that services along the corridor would resume in November.
Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 — 9 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 COP27 IN EGYPT: Tuoyo Amuka, Business Services Manager, Vanguard Media Limited (left), and Dr Akinwunmi Adeshina, President, African Development Bank during a meeting at African Pavillion, at the Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Change Conference, COP 27, in Egypt Doctors migration not peculiar to Nigeria —FG THE MINISTER of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has said the migration of doctors to foreign countries is not peculiar to Nigeria. He said the Federal Government is only concerned about the experienced medical personnel who left the country, adding that it was working on how to make them still offer virtual service to the country. Ehanire, who disclosed this when he featured on the News Agency of Nigeria ministerial forum in Abuja yesterday, said the federal government was working towards improving the condition of service of Nigerian doctors to check the migration of medical personnel. He said: “At a very senior level of those who have had postgraduate training, we are doing everything we can to improve the conditions of service. “The health reform committee set up by the President is working and looking at that; we have been talking with the Ministry of Labour on how to do that. “We are also talking about engaging those who have spent many years abroad; who are specialists who are highly specialised, and who know a lot of high tech medicine, to engage them to work with us, even if it is virtually, so they can do virtual consultations. “They can come here every three months or six for a few weeks and do some work handson so that we can gain something from their experience and knowledge. “This is so that we can harvest the knowledge and skills that they developed after working for many years in highly developed countries.” Ehanire, who described the issue of migration of health workers, especially doctors and nurses, as a global phenomenon and not peculiar to Nigeria, said the people in those professions were becoming a very mobile professional group. “I have spoken with health authorities in the United Kingdom, and they have told me that their doctors are also leaving for Canada, New Zealand and other countries where the pay is better. “So, the movement of doctors is not peculiar to Nigeria, Ghana has the same experience. I spoke to the Minister of Health of Egypt; they have the same experience in mobility of doctors and even in Europe, European doctors move to where the salaries are better. “As far as we are concerned, it is the very experienced ones who leave we have issues with,'' he said. Ehanire explained that Nigeria produces about 3,000 doctors every year, adding that the number leaving is just about 1000. “So, there is, indeed, a surplus of doctors,'' the health minister insisted. He added that many doctors were still in search of where they could do their internship or to serve their residency, saying that “once they undergo some training, the younger ones could easily be replaced quickly.” According to him, the government is also working on civil service rules to make the By Dapo Akinrefon LAGOS—A Pressure group, Patriots Roundtable, weekend, said it is committed to the indivisibility of Nigeria's unity steered by genuine patriots who will promote excellence, instead of mediocrity. The group also said it could be made stronger by the Tinubu-Shettima Ticket in 2023. Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting organised by the Patriots Roundtable with theme, ''The Nation, the people and Patriotic Leadership: The Asiwaju Example", in Lagos , the National Coordinator of the Patriots Roundtable, Uthman Shodipe -Dosunmu, urged Nigerians to choose wisely during the 2023 general elections. Shodipe -Dosunmu said: "Nigeria now stands on the precipice of another new dawn, of a renewed hope, of another beginning, of a rebirth and a new helmsman that will steer the rudder of state. "There is no perfect leadership. There is no leadership that resides in pristine , baptismal innocence. We are all flawed. "But at the same time, we all should be discerning as constituents of the Nigerian state. We are all capable of enlightened decision that will guide our nation aright. This time we dare not get it wrong. "We do acknowledge that the political fray often degenerates into a mine field of deliberate falsehood, manufactured histrionics, outrageous idiocy and scripted malady where dwarfs become giants , where dark arbiters are woven with the light , where truth is twisted to suit the moment. "We dare to defer. We at the Patriots Roundtable are sworn to the indivisibility of the Nigerian Union where the nation is steered by genuine patriots who will promote excellence instead of mediocrity, who will spur replacement prompt so that once a doctor leaves, he or she can be replaced within a week. “The apparent gaps we see are because rules have to be obeyed and this makes it difficult for those who exit the public hospitals to be immediately replaced. “So, once that is possible, it will be done, but at a very senior level of those who have post-graduate training, we are doing everything we can to improve the condition of service,” he added. NAN reports that the migration of doctors and other health personnel from Nigeria to other countries of the world has increased astronomically, and the story is that there are better working conditions and remuneration abroad. Following such reports, many stakeholders in the health sector, including the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, have lent their voices to the issue of brain drain. They said unless drastic measures are deployed by governments to stem the tide of brain drain, national health indices might spiral out of control, leaving Nigeria in the bottom rank among the comity of nations. How Nigeria's union can be stronger —Patriots Roundtable national rectitude regardless of ethnic provenance or sectarian alliance. "Here and now, we are bold and dare to submit that the Nigerian fragile union can be made stronger, more developmental and merit worthy in the hands of Tinubu -Shettima ticket." On why they are backing Tinubu - Shettima ticket, Shodipe - Dosunmu said: "We have arrived at this position with the proven, observable demonstration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership precedents . ''He is a nation builder. He is an instinctive cultivator of talented men and women , indifferent to their ethnic or sectarian provenance. He is ultimately defined accommodating largeness of the best and the brightest. "Tinubu is a builder of institution, an instigator of the expanses of merit, aiding the By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA—AHEAD of the 2023 general elections, the immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, has expressed worry over the monetization of politics in the country. Jega was the INEC chairman when an opposition political political, the All Progressives Congress, APC, edged out the then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015 to form the government at the center. Speaking during the National Working Committee, NWC, meeting of Peoples Redemption, Party, PRP, weekend in Abuja. Jega, who is a chieftain of the party, contended that in civilised climes, elections are won on the growth of knowledge with the tools of distinction, a bold standard bearer of the best and the brightest of the Nigerian union. "We do acknowledge that we are all flawed as human beings. We only struggle towards perfection. ''In this conflicting field of presidential candidates, we at the Patriots Roundtable have no doubt at all that the best option on the table for the viability and the sustainability of the Nigerian Union towards nationhood is Tinubu -Shettima ticket. ''This is our resolve predicated on the indices of political balance, pivoted on the tableau of national acceptability , reposed on the doctrine of amity and progressive enlargement and beatific possibilities of the Nigerian space. This is our appeal to the larger Nigerian union.". APC has destroyed Nigeria's diversity, PDP cries out 2023: Jega worries over monetization of politics basis of integrity, truth, confidence and support of the electorate. Boasting that the PRP would make inroads in next year's election, the former INEC boss said: "We have to work assiduously towards the success of our great party. ''It is not money that wins election. Although in this country, it appears it is now on the front burner in winning election." He expressed confidence in the presidential candidate of PRP, Kola Abiola, noting that he would win the contest going by his pedigree and accomplishments. He said: "This is a very important meeting organised by stakeholders of the party. I feel very happy that I have been invited to be part of this meeting. By Festus Ahon Congress, APC, has A mismanaged our diversity in this SABA—SPOKESMAN of country. Peoples Democratic Party, "We are glad that our party is PDP, Presidential Campaign determined to unify all Nigerians, Council, Mr Charles Aniagwu, our purpose of moving in one weekend, said the All direction is not just to win Progressives Congress, APC-led election, it's also meant to bring administration has destroyed the back Nigerians together. diversity that was one of the "This is very imperative country's major pillars. because in the last seven and He urged Nigerians to vote the half years, our diversity has PDP in the interest of the unity, received a very dirty blow and peace and progress of the the bruises are very very visible country, pointing out that Atikuacross the length and breadth of Okowa ticket would rekindle this country. brotherhood among Nigerians. "This is because of the Aniagwu, who stated this while mismanagement of our diversity answering questions on TVC's in this country. Nigerians must "Political Stand Point", monitored understand that in unity and by our correspondent, said an diversity we are able to come Atiku's presidency in 2023 would together. ensure peace and unity among "Just as it is said in our old ethnic groups in the country for national anthem, 'though all-round development. tongue and tribe may differ but He said: "The Atiku-Okowa in brotherhood we stand' the ticket intends to bring back Atiku-Okowa ticket will bring Nigerians together in unity back that brotherhood among because in the last seven and Nigerians." half years, the All Progressives 43 staff: Senate raises alarm over NEITI's N960m personnel cost in 2022 budget By Henry Umoru ABUJA—THE Senate has kicked against the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI' s N960 million personnel cost in 2022 budget for 43 staff. It queried the expenditure when the Executive Secretary of NEITI , Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya, appeared before the Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo South-led Senate Committee to present his 2023 budget for the first time. Trouble started when Ogbonnaya in his presentation before the committee, read the 2022 budget performance, explaining that the personnel cost of the agency was N960 million, while overhead cost stood at N760.9 million and the capital budget, N344 million. Speaking further, the Executive Secretary of NEITI said 51 per cent of personnel cost had been spent, while 58 per cent of overhead cost was spent and only 50 per cent of capital had been released so far. Not comfortable with his explanations, chairman of the committee, Senator Urhoghide, wondered how the agency could spend only 51 per cent of his personnel cost as at November 2022, stressing that this was the •We shouldn't be recycling failed politicians, PRP presidential candidate, Abiola warns "Yes, our chairman has indicated in his opening remarks that unity is strength. Our party is the oldest party currently in this country. "It is also the party with the best vision and ideology. So, it is a party whose time has come. I am very glad to see that we have chosen a very patriotic and intellectually sound Nigerian as our presiddntial candidate. "We have also chosen the vice presidential candidate. He is also vibrant and a professional. This is the time for the party to make significant impact in this country. What is required is the unity of party members. We have to remain united and we have to give it our all. "What you will need to win an election clearly is to gain the truth, confidence and support of the electorate. And we are capable of winning the trust of case of over bloated personnel cost in the agency. Urhoghide said: "You have only taken 51 per cent of your personnel cost. As at November, your personnel cost is really really too high, you have only two months and you have just collected 51 per cent of your personnel cost. "This is one case of personnel budget over bloated. What we are suspecting is systemic leakage. We are going to reduce your personnel cost to less than N500 million." Responding, the Executive Secretary explained that when the agency started operations, it was only on oil and gas, adding that it had now moved into solid minerals and needs more manpower to carry our its operations. According to him, the agency currently has 43 staff and has approval to recruit more staff which was made available in the 2022 budget. He said the process had just been concluded, and that the newly recruited 70 staff are already captured by Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system, IPPIS, and had not been paid. However, Senator Ibrahim Danbaba asked the Executive Secretary of NEITI to submit the nominal role of the agency to ascertain what he told the lawnmakers. the electorate. "We will meet them. We will convince them. So, we have individual and collective responsibility to give our best and promote our candidates, our party manifesto and to ensure that we gain the trust of our candidates." Also speaking, the PRP presidential candidate, Kola Abiola, cautioned the electorate against recycling those he described as "politicians who come from poisoned trees." He said: "It is about time we stopped recycling fruits from a poisoned tree. A lot of politicians come from a poisoned tree and most people from poisoned tree are recycled. "We are coming in as fresh people and fresh government. And that is what Nigeria needs because they (recycled politicians) have done it and they have failed."
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