Economy

PIB Set for Second Reading at Senate, House of Reps Today

Published

4 years ago

20/10/2020

By Adedapo Adesanya

Both chambers of the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of Representatives, will consider the revised Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for a second reading today.

This was disclosed by the Senate President, Mr Ahmed Lawan, and his equivalent at the House of Representative, the Speaker, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, after the bill scaled first reading at the Senate and the House of Representatives last month after it was transmitted for consideration and passage by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Business Post had reported that President Buhari had promised to see to the passing of the bill into law latest by the end of 2020 even as stakeholders have underscored the importance of a business-friendly fiscal policy to investments in the oil and gas sector.

Announcing the expected debate of the bill on October 20, Mr Lawan stated that an early debate on the bill was necessary to forestall any delay in its consideration.

He said the legislation would, after debating on the floor, pass second reading and be referred to the Joint Committees on Petroleum and Gas for further legislative work.

“Our Joint Committee must do everything possible for us to have a document or report that we would work within the Senate and something that Nigerians and investors will be happy with,” he said.

On the part of House Speaker, Mr Gbajabiamila, the bill will also come up for second reading on Tuesday, October 20, which is the same day as in the Senate.

The revised PIB 2020, among others, provides that there would be no need for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) as both will be become part of a limited liability company that will be known as NNPC Limited.

Also, the bill will see the upstream sector of the oil industry get its own agency known as the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NURC) and it will be responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of upstream petroleum operations.

Then, the midstream and downstream sector will get the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (MDPRA) known as ‘The Authority’.

Also expected to be included in the much-expected bill include changes in taxes and royalties applicable in the oil and gas sector and setting up of host community development trusts by oil companies, which would bar companies from deducting gas flaring penalties from their taxes.

The companies would also have to supply a set amount of gas, determined by the new regulator, to the domestic market or face penalties of $3.50 per 1 million British Thermal Units, among others

Economy

Afriland Properties, Geo-Fluids Shrink OTC Securities Exchange by 0.06%

Published

6 hours ago

12/12/2024

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The duo of Afriland Properties Plc and Geo-Fluids Plc crashed the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange by a marginal 0.06 per cent on Wednesday, December 11 due to profit-taking activities.

The OTC securities exchange experienced a downfall at midweek despite UBN Property Plc posting a price appreciation of 17 Kobo to close at N1.96 per share, in contrast to Tuesday’s closing price of N1.79.

Business Post reports that Afriland Properties Plc slid by N1.14 to finish at N15.80 per unit versus the preceding day’s N16.94 per unit, and Geo-Fluids Plc declined by 1 Kobo to trade at N3.92 per share compared with the N3.93 it ended a day earlier.

At the close of transactions, the market capitalisation of the bourse, which measures the total value of securities on the platform, shrank by N650 million to finish at N1.055 trillion compared with the previous day’s N1.056 trillion and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) went down by 1.86 points to wrap the session at 3,012.50 points compared with 3,014.36 points recorded in the previous session.

The alternative stock market was busy yesterday as the volume of securities traded by investors soared by 146.9 per cent to 5.9 million units from 2.4 million units, as the value of shares transacted by the market participants jumped by 360.9 per cent to N22.5 million from N4.9 million, and the number of deals increased by 50 per cent to 21 deals from 14 deals.

When the bourse closed for the day, Geo-Fluids Plc remained the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 1.7 billion units valued at N3.9 billion, followed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units worth N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc 297.5 million units sold for N5.3 million.

Also, Aradel Holdings Plc, which is now listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited after its exit from NASD, remained the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 108.7 million units sold for N89.2 billion, trailed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units valued at N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc with 297.5 million units worth N5.3 billion.

Economy

Naira Weakens to N1,547/$1 at Official Market, N1,670/$1 at Black Market

Published

6 hours ago

12/12/2024

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The euphoria around the recent appreciation of the Naira eased on Wednesday, December 11 after its value shrank against the US Dollar at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) by N5.23 or 0.3 per cent to N1,547.50/$1 from the N1,542.27/$1 it was valued on Tuesday.

It was observed that spectators’ activities may have triggered the weakening of the local currency in the official market at midweek as they tried to fight back and ensure the value of funds in foreign currencies strengthened.

The domestic currency was regaining its footing after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched an Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS) platform to tackle speculation and improve transparency in Nigeria’s FX market.

At midweek, the Nigerian currency depreciated against the Pound Sterling by N3.56 to close at N1,958.68/£1 compared with the preceding day’s N1,955.12/£1 and against the Euro, it slumped by 34 Kobo to trade at N1,612.66/€1, in contrast to the previous session’s N1,613.00/€1.

As for the black market segment, the Naira lost N45 against the American currency during the session to quote at N1,670/$1 compared with the N1,625/$1 it was traded a day earlier.

A look at the cryptocurrency market showed a recovery following profit-taking as the US Consumer Price Index report matched economist forecasts.

The news was enough to convince traders that the Federal Reserve is certain to trim its benchmark fed funds rate another 25 basis points at its meeting next week.

The move also saw Bitcoin (BTC), the most valued coin, return to the $100,000 mark as it added a 2.9 per cent gain and sold for $100,566.12.

The biggest gainer was Cardano (ADA), which jumped by 15.00 per cent to trade at $1.16, as Litecoin (LTC) appreciated by 10.4 per cent to sell for $121.76, and Ethereum (ETH) surged by 7.0 per cent to $3,929.30, while Dogecoin (DOGE) recorded a 6.7 per cent growth to finish at $0.4181.

Further, Binance Coin (BNB) went up by 5.2 per cent to $716.72, Solana (SOL) expanded by 4.6 per cent to $229.77, and Ripple (XRP) increased by 4.2 per cent to $2.43, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) closed flat at $1.00 apiece.

Economy

Dangote Refinery Makes First PMS Exports to Cameroon

Published

7 hours ago

12/12/2024

Aduragbemi Omiyale

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Dangote Refinery located in the Lekki area of Lagos State has made its first export of premium motor spirit (PMS) just three months after it commenced the production of petrol.

In September 2024, the refinery produced its first petrol and began loading to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on September 15.

However, due to some issues, the facility has not been able to flood the local market with its product, forcing it to look elsewhere.

In a landmark move for regional energy integration, Dangote Refinery has partnered with Neptune Oil to take its petrol to neighbouring Cameroon.

Neptune Oil is a leading energy company in Cameroon which provides reliable and sustainable energy solutions.

Dangote Refinery said this development showcases its ability to meet domestic needs and position itself as a key player in the regional energy market, adding that it represents a significant step forward in accessing high-quality and locally sourced petroleum products for Cameroon.

“This first export of PMS to Cameroon is a tangible demonstration of our vision for a united and energy-independent Africa.

“With this development, we are laying the foundation for a future where African resources are refined and exchanged within the continent for the benefit of our people,” the owner of Dangote Refinery, Mr Aliko Dangote, said.

His counterpart at Neptune Oil, Mr Antoine Ndzengue, said, “This partnership with Dangote Refinery marks a turning point for Cameroon.

“By becoming the first importer of petroleum products from this world-class refinery, we are bolstering our country’s energy security and supporting local economic development.

“This initial supply, executed without international intermediaries, reflects our commitment to serving our markets independently and efficiently.”