Nigeria Times

Former federal legislator Farah Dagogo has accused governors in the Niger Delta of grossly mismanaging the 13% derivation funds, which are designated for the benefit of oil-producing communities.

In a statement released in Port Harcourt on Monday, Dagogo, who previously represented the Bonny-Degema Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, expressed serious concerns over the handling of these funds by successive governors. He emphasized that despite over ₦600 billion being disbursed in the first half of 2024 alone, the region’s living conditions remain dire.

Dagogo, a former gubernatorial candidate under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, noted that the Niger Delta has received trillions of naira from the 13% derivation fund over the past 23 years. Yet, he pointed out that many communities still suffer from severe poverty, disease, and inadequate living conditions.

While acknowledging that the Federal Government has not fully met expectations, Dagogo praised its consistent increase in derivation allocations to the Niger Delta states. He provided specific figures for 2024, showing monthly disbursements ranging from ₦57.92 billion to ₦166.24 billion.

Dagogo argued that the governors’ mismanagement of these funds has led to widespread disillusionment, as the intended beneficiaries have seen little improvement in their circumstances. He accused the governors of treating the funds as “free money” for personal use, rather than addressing the critical infrastructural needs of the oil-producing communities.

He also highlighted ongoing conflicts between former governors and their successors, attributing these disputes to the mismanagement of the derivation funds. Dagogo called for a thorough investigation into how the funds have been spent, urging for greater transparency and accountability. However, he expressed skepticism that meaningful explanations would be forthcoming, citing the general apathy among the people due to prolonged deprivation.

Nigerians may need to brace for continued fuel shortages as oil marketers have identified persistent logistical challenges as the primary cause of the ongoing scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the country.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, explained that supply constraints are limiting the distribution capabilities of oil marketers. He noted that until these logistical issues are resolved, the availability of fuel will remain constrained.

Gillis-Harry elaborated that the current issues are tied to ship-to-ship transfers, where delays in receiving cargo prevent timely delivery to depots. Consequently, retailers are unable to access sufficient supplies to meet demand.

“I think until we get our supply challenges sorted out efficiently and abundantly, we will not be able to get out of this circle,” Gillis-Harry stated. He emphasized that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is working to address these issues but is only able to distribute limited quantities of fuel at the moment.

The fuel scarcity, which initially affected the northern regions, has now spread to the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, and other states. Reports indicate that the price of petrol has surged to between ₦800 and ₦1,000 per litre at some filling stations, with transportation costs rising accordingly. Meanwhile, black market operators are capitalizing on the situation, exacerbating the scarcity.

In response to claims that the shortage is linked to debts owed by NNPCL to international oil traders, the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, refuted the allegations. While acknowledging that incurring debt is common in the oil trading industry, Soneye assured that NNPCL is managing its obligations through a first-in-first-out (FIFO) payment system.

Gillis-Harry concluded by expressing confidence that ongoing discussions with NNPCL would help alleviate the supply challenges, though he cautioned that the situation might persist until these logistical hurdles are fully addressed.

The Nigeria Police Force has stated that they will not provide online updates regarding the ongoing efforts to rescue 20 abducted student doctors, citing security concerns. The victims, including 19 medical students and one doctor, were kidnapped along the Oturkpo area of Benue State last Thursday while traveling to Enugu for a medical conference.

Olumuwiya Adejobi, the Force Headquarters Public Relations Officer, emphasized that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, is actively involved in the rescue mission and is scheduled to visit the Benue Command on Monday to further coordinate efforts. Adejobi reassured the public that the police are committed to ensuring the safe release of the abducted individuals.

In a statement released on Sunday, Adejobi explained that the operation to rescue such a large number of hostages requires a tactical approach and, therefore, cannot be discussed or updated publicly online. He urged the public to support the police efforts and understand the sensitive nature of the situation.

“The police have issued a press statement on the matter. We should not be discussing or updating the public on our efforts and strategies online. The primary goal is to rescue them unhurt,” Adejobi said.

He further noted that the IGP is in constant communication with the Benue Command, and additional personnel and resources have been deployed to aid in the rescue operation. The police continue to work closely with those directly involved in the case, ensuring that all efforts are made to bring the victims home safely.

As a teenager living in Kaduna in the 1990s, with an uncle who was a Colonel in the Nigerian Army, I was often puzzled by the annual Christmas gift we received from him—a bag of salt from the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). Given my understanding that DICON stood for Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, I could not fathom why the organization was producing salt instead of military hardware. It struck me as an anomaly because DICON, established to be a leader in the production of weapons, arms, and ammunition, had not lived up to its intended purpose.

DICON was founded in 1964 as part of Nigeria’s defence establishment, with a focus on producing military and defence-related equipment to promote self-reliance in defence production. Additionally, DICON was expected to engage in research and development to innovate and advance Nigeria’s defence technologies. However, it is an undeniable fact that DICON had not fully realized these mandates. Recently, under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, efforts were made to reinvigorate DICON and ensure it fulfils its foundational purpose.

In 2015, former President Buhari directed the Ministry of Defence to develop a clear and measurable strategy for enhancing Nigeria’s security industrialization. This was part of his broader vision to re-engineer DICON to meet the nation’s military hardware and logistical needs. In 2019, the President launched the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle produced by DICON, a notable first in the country’s history. Furthermore, he mandated that all security agencies procure their uniforms and other kits exclusively from DICON.

These commendable initiatives laid the groundwork for DICON’s resurgence, aligning the organization with its original mandate. More recently, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, DICON has experienced an unprecedented revival, guided by the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle MON.

Nations worldwide place a high premium on their ability to defend against external threats, with self-sufficiency in security being a critical component. The United States, for instance, has several agencies dedicated to this cause. The Defense Logistics Agency handles the procurement and distribution of defence supplies, while the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC) focuses on developing and producing weapon systems, ammunition, and related technologies. Additionally, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is at the forefront of developing emerging military technologies.

This is the direction taken by serious nations committed to safeguarding their security. Germany’s Diehl Defence and the United Kingdom’s BAE Systems are similar examples in Europe. Nigeria, a nation rich in resources and blessed with a brilliant populace, should naturally be a leader in producing its own military hardware.

Domestic production of military hardware is fundamental to national security, as it ensures that a country has the necessary equipment and technology to defend itself against potential threats. By manufacturing these items locally, nations reduce their reliance on foreign suppliers who may refuse to sell to them, as was evident in Nigeria’s experience with the U.S. Senate during the purchase of Super Tucano fighter jets—a situation that was both embarrassing and a challenge to our sovereignty.

Imagine Nigeria facing a crisis without the local capability to produce essential military hardware; the consequences could be catastrophic. Therefore, having fully operational defence industries is critical for Nigeria’s responsiveness and resilience.

It is within this context that the current administration’s strategic military objectives, which seek to empower the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, are of paramount importance. Dr. Matawalle recently led DICON in signing a significant Memorandum of Understanding with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to establish a factory for producing arms and ammunition for the Nigerian Armed Forces. This achievement is far from trivial. The establishment of this factory will save Nigeria at least $60 million in bullet purchases from abroad. This money can be redirected towards other critical investments within the Nigerian Defence establishment. Beyond the financial savings, this move signals a bold commitment to security self-reliance.

Dr. Bello Matawalle, a former Governor of Zamfara State, has firsthand experience in addressing security challenges at the state level. He understands the critical importance of equipping troops with the right tools to carry out their duties effectively. By reviving DICON and positioning it strategically as an agency capable of meeting Nigeria’s immediate security hardware needs, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence is ensuring that the corporation fulfils the purpose for which it was established.

Furthermore, the Honourable Minister has emphasized that DICON will be at the forefront of research and development to meet the technological needs of the security sector. This initiative will elevate the industry to the level of its peers, such as ARDEC in the United States and Diehl Defence in Germany. The broader implications for the economy are significant, as Nigeria could soon begin to export the technological products developed by DICON.

DICON holds immense potential, which must be fully harnessed. The industry is fortunate to have a Minister like Dr. Matawalle MON overseeing its operations. To maximize the value of this potential, the Honourable Minister must continue to provide unwavering support to the industry. The current focus on production capacity, partnerships, and research and development must be sustained to achieve meaningful impact. I also recommend that the Minister ensure DICON expands its product range to include specialized equipment that addresses both current and emerging security challenges.

Finally, DICON must build a robust supply chain to ensure consistent access to high-quality materials and components, with an emphasis on local sourcing. This approach will stimulate Nigeria’s local economies, create jobs, and promote technological innovation that will benefit other sectors.

Nathaniel C. Adoji, a public affairs analyst and commentator writes from Kaduna.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed that his reforms in the power sector have led to an increase of over 1,000MW in the national grid’s capacity within his first year in office. However, he also revealed that he has been receiving threatening calls from unknown individuals who are opposed to the progress being made.

Speaking on Fresh FM’s ‘Political Circuit’ program on Saturday, Adelabu mentioned that a powerful cartel is sabotaging the sector. He highlighted that it is not ordinary citizens but organized groups that are responsible for acts such as blowing up power transmission substations and pulling down power lines.

Adelabu, who is the 49th Minister of Power in Nigeria, emphasized that despite the resistance, he is committed to overcoming these challenges. He pointed out that, under his leadership, electricity generation has increased from 4,000MW to 5,155MW as of August 8, 2024. He set a goal of reaching 6,000MW by the end of the year with the Federal Government’s support.

The Minister also stressed the importance of energy consumers paying their bills, noting that this is essential for the sustainability of the improvements in the power sector. He argued that, when compared to the high costs of running generators, Nigerians can afford their energy bills, regardless of the price.

President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja today, August 19, 2024, for a trip to Paris, France, marking his first official use of Nigeria’s newly acquired presidential jet. This was confirmed in a statement by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday night.

While details of Tinubu’s engagements in France remain undisclosed, it was noted that the President would return to Nigeria after a brief working visit.

This trip follows the recent release of the Airbus A330, one of three presidential jets that had been detained in France due to a legal dispute. The Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Limited, which was involved in the dispute, released the jet as a goodwill gesture to facilitate President Tinubu’s visit to France.

The Airbus A330, now designated as Nigeria’s Airforce One with the registration number 5N-NGA, landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday evening. The aircraft was received by the Presidential Air Fleet, led by Air Vice Marshal Olayinka Olusola.

Purchased for over $100 million, the Airbus A330 is a significant upgrade from the previously used 19-year-old B737-700 (BBJ), which had raised safety and cost concerns. The deal for the new jet was brokered by L & L International LLC, an aviation firm based in Miami, Florida, following recommendations from the House of Representatives’ National Security and Intelligence Committee.