NEWS
Fuel Queue: Rights Group writes new DG DSS to investigate Mele Kyari, other oil sector players
A rights group, Centre for Human Rights in Africa, has written to the new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, calling for an investigation into the activities of Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), and other top officials in the oil sector.
In the letter signed by Princess Caroline Obi, the group alleged that Kyari and other officials, including Gbenga Olu Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), have been involved in various nefarious activities that have hindered the growth and development of the oil sector in Nigeria.
Specifically, the group accused the officials of unaccounted crude oil production and sales, frustrating the functionality of refineries in Nigeria, and preferring the export of crude oil to refineries linked to them outside Nigeria, thereby shortchanging the government and accruing forex debts on the already stretched economy of the country.
The group also alleged that the officials have amassed wealth not commensurate with their earnings as chief executive officers of government organizations.
“The Director General would be alarmed about the rot in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria under the watch of the above-listed individuals,” the letter said.
“They have constituted themselves as clogs in the wheels of progress in the country. They have continued to milk the country dry by frustrating the functionality of the refineries in the country.
“It is also on record that they have been neck deep in frustrating the desire for local refining of petroleum products in the country, preferring the export our crude oil to refineries linked to them outside the shores of the country, thereby shortchanging the government and accruing forex debts on the already stretched economy of the country.
“We are therefore using this medium to call for an investigation of the above-mentioned individuals in a bid to unravel their nefarious activities and also put an end to it for the betterment of the country at large.
The Centre for Human Rights in Africa is conversant with the unalloyed commitment of the director general in the Nigerian project, hence our writing this letter requesting an investigation into the oil and gas administration in Nigeria.
“It is indeed sad that these individuals have constituted themselves into a gang working against the interests of the country. They have amassed so much wealth that is not commensurate with their earnings as chief executive officers of government organizations.
“We wish to also state that Mele Kyari, the chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is the ring leader, who has been engaging in acts that have cost the country considerable loss of revenues over the years.
“The Director General may wish to recall that recently, there was a news report on how officials of the NNPCL sign off substandard petroleum products from Malta into the country. This example is one of numerous others that have been detrimental to the economic stability of the country.”
The Centre for Human Rights in Africa called on the DSS to investigate the activities of the officials and bring an end to their alleged nefarious actions for the betterment of Nigeria.
“The Centre for Human Rights in Africa is desirous of a better Nigeria and one of the ways this could be achieved is when there is a clean-up in the administration of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria,” the letter added.
“This is also on the heels that Nigeria’s major source of revenue is crude oil production and sales. As it stands the country is on the brink of annihilation if urgent steps are not taken.
“We trust that the director general would use his good office to investigate the activities of the above-mentioned individuals in the overall interest of the country.”
NEWS
Governor AbdulRazaq inspects ongoing Kwara’s Indoor Sports Hall project
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq visited the Kwara Stadium Complex to evaluate the progress of the ongoing revival of the indoor sports hall.The rehabilitation and upgrade of the indoor sports complex began a few months ago after the Governor’s administration approved the project. The facility, which was last upgraded in 1991, is undergoing significant renovations awarded to Messr Disscom Ltd.Once completed, the indoor sports hall will join a number of other previously dilapidated sports facilities that Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration has successfully rehabilitated in the past five years. Additionally, the administration has completed the construction of a modern table tennis hall and a squash court complex. Notably, the squash court complex is highly regarded in Nigeria and West Africa for hosting the highest number of modern squash courts in one location.
NEWS
Ekiti Governor Honours Primate Ayodele’s Late Father, Names Street After Him
The governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji has honoured the Primate Elijah Ayodele’s late father by naming a street after him in Ikere-Ekiti.The street which used to be ‘Area One’ where the prophet’s church in Ekiti is located has now been registered as Ayomate Avenue.According to reports, the renaming took the combined efforts of the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Alagbado, his chiefs, the local government chairmen, and ultimately, the governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji.According to the governor, the street was named in recognition of the good works done by the late father of Primate Ayodele and the continuation of the good works by the prophet. He also recognized the efforts of the prophet to drive economic growth in the community.Primate Ayodele embraced the development while expressing appreciation to the governor for honouring God in such a manner. The prophet applauded the governor for his efforts towards bringing development to Ikere-Ekiti and promised that the presence of his church will in turn lead to more economic development in the local government.Furthermore, Primate Ayodele promised that he would begin by sinking boreholes across the local government to support the government in solving the water crisis.‘’I appreciate the governor for the magnanimous development of naming this vicinity after our church, it’s indeed marvellous in God’s sight. This is a testament to his love for God and the people of Ekiti state.”“I also want to appreciate him for the development he started in Ikere-Ekiti local government, the people are happy with him and above all, God is happy with him for all he is doing”“I want to promise His Excellency that our presence here will bring a new dawn to this vicinity, we will also assist the government. We will be sinking boreholes across the local government to solve the water crisis.’’History has it that Primate Ayodele’s father was one of the most respected individuals in Ikere-Ekiti who brought good tidings to the community and provided succour for individuals who needed help.Consequently, Primate Ayodele has been engaging in humanitarian activities on a large scale across the country. Since he opened a branch in Ikere-Ekiti, Primate Ayodele has organized charitable programmes thrice which involved selling a bag of rice for N20,000, scholarships for youths, empowerment for widows, to mention but a few.
NEWS
BREAKING: Gov Abdulrazaq approves bonus for Kwara workers to ease economic burden
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved a financial bonus that is equivalent to the monthly PAYE obligation for every civil servant in the state, including local government workers.
The emergency support measure will last for at least three months, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Finance Dr. Hauwa Nuru.
“This bonus has been approved as a buffer to bridge the gap that the correct PAYE deduction may have wrought on the newly implemented mininum wage. It is meant to serve as a soothing balm as workers adjust to the PAYE that was just correctly implemented in line with the Personal Income Tax Act,” she said.
“The payment of the bonus is effective from October and will run till December 2024. This is a significant step by His Excellency to support workers.”
The statement added that workers who have not registered with the Kwara State Residents’ Registration Agency (KWSRRA) should do so immediately because anyone without it will not get the bonus for November and December.
The statement said labour unions have also agreed to a refund of the special levy deducted from workers’ salary and suspension of deductions of same until further notice.
“Governor AbdulRazaq’s directive to deliver this relief speaks volumes about his humanity and his commitment to the welfare of Kwara workforce,” Dr. Nuru stated.
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