News
Group asks Tinubu to sack Kyari over alleged multimillion dollar corruption in NNPCL/Frontier exploration oil deal
Some critical stakeholders in the Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector on Sunday in Portharcourt, Rivers State alleged mind-boggling corruption in the ongoing deal between the leadership of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Frontier Exploration Services Limited.
The group under the aegis of “Concerned Stakeholders in the Oil & Gas Sector” who converged at a hotel in the State capital, accused the Group Managing Director of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari of indulging in shady deals; a rip-off of the nation’s economy.
Addressing newsmen, the group through its spokesperson, Comrade Alege Emmanuel, urged the federal government to institute a probe panel into the activities of the NNPCL since the period GMD Kyari took over.
“We are concerned stakeholders in the Oil and Gas sector who felt worried about the ongoing mind-boggling corruption in the deal that the NNPCL under Mele Kyari struck with the Frontier Exploration Services and others they described as ‘Portfolio Managers”.
“We are unequivocal about our resolve to help the Federal Government expose the GMD and his cohorts hiding under an ethnic agenda to frustrate other key stakeholders and undermine their interests in the sector.
“The GMD has been acting like an ethnic jingoist favoring people from his ethnic background to secure contracts from the NNPCL without requisite experience, equipment, and wherewithal to execute such deals at the expense of other qualified indigenous drilling contractors.
“The GMD Kyari on several occasions gave multimillion dollar jobs to men of his ethnic bloc without due process. These without drilling equipment would in turn Re-Award the same to other firms with drilling equipment.
“Several cases of Etihad Oilfield Services giving such re-awarding such contracts to Petrodynamics were alleged by these Concerned Stakeholders. They described such occurrences and double payments as nothing but ‘rackets’.
“To this end, we are urging the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to beam their searchlights into the NNPCL and activities of the Frontier Exploration Services Limited with a view of stopping the madness going on which has deprived the nation of multimillion dollars.
“There is therefore an urgent reason why President Bola Tinubu needs to look into activities of frontier exploration services limited.
“For instance, during the tenure of the former GMD of NNPC, Dr. Mailanti Baru, the Well to be drilled and completed budgeted less than 20million dollars in Kolmani River Field in Gombe but under the watch of the new this GMD Kyari, over 50million dollars is being used to drill and complete the same well.
“This is in addition to the subsidy scam in the NNPCL operations under Mele Kyari. This country belongs to all of us and stakeholders, we can no longer fold our arms and watch helplessly as the corruption in the NNPCL stinks to high heaven,” Emmanuel added.
Meanwhile, as of press time, efforts made to get the reaction of both the GMD and the Frontier Exploration Services Limited on these allegations were abortive as calls and messages sent to their lines were neither acknowledged nor returned.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
-
Politics5 days agoOyo Rep. Member, Akinmoyede Appoints Three More Aides
-
Crime & Court1 week ago
EFCC Chair Raises Alarm on Rampant Fraud in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector
-
Health6 days ago
Oyo: Tragedy As Bride-to-Be Among Four Dead in Suspected Lassa Fever Outbreak
-
Politics4 days ago
#OndoDecides2024: Rep Oseni Hails Aiyedatiwa’s Victory, Commends Residents for Peaceful Polls
