Economy
Solid Minerals Areas Development Commission Bill Passes Second Reading
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Bill for an Act to establish the Solid Minerals Areas Development Commission (SMDC) in Nigeria that will address environmental devastation and scaled second reading at the Senate on Tuesday.
The bill seeks to provide for the accelerated development of the Nigerian solid minerals sector in a bid to diversify the Nigerian economy and reduce the over-dependence on the dwindling oil revenues.
The bill was read for the first time in the Senate on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, and was sponsored by Mr Yakubu Oseni.
Leading the debate on the bill, Mr Oseni observed that the country is richly endowed with a variety of solid minerals of various categories ranging from precious metals to various precious stones and industrial minerals.
He emphasised that the sector offers a viable alternative to petroleum for foreign exchange earnings.
Specifically, the lawmaker further revealed that “globally, the mining industry has been a close rival to the petroleum industry, while Nigeria only earns a paltry $89 million per annum from it.
“The commercial value of Nigeria’s solid minerals has been estimated to run into hundreds of billions of dollars.”
Justifying the need for the bill, he argued that when passed into law, it will provide the template for the formulation of policies and guidelines for the development of mineral producing areas in the country.
“Conception, planning and implementation in accordance with set rules and regulations, of projects and programmes for sustainable development of the minerals producing areas in the field of transportation including roads, health, employment, industrialization, agriculture among others,” the lawmaker submitted.
He said according to the United Nations Environmental (UNEP), small-scale gold processing operations in developing countries employ one million children, stressing that children, who are more susceptible to the impacts of heavy metals, tend to have higher exposures and generally account for the majority of deaths and diseases associated with mass poisoning incidents from these operations.
Following the end of the debate, the Senate leadership referred the bill to its committee on solid minerals, giving it a time frame to report back in four weeks.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Dangote Refinery located in the Lekki area of Lagos State has been described as a game-changer for Nigeria’s economy because of its significance to the country’s sustainable growth.
This was the view of the Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) through its president, Mr Niyi Oshiyemi.
“The Dangote Refinery is a game-changer for Nigeria’s economy. With a capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil daily, it has reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products, conserved foreign exchange, and fortified our energy security.
“This milestone reinforces the critical role the private sector plays in national development,” Mr Oshinyemi said, noting that, “The refinery’s operations have created employment for Nigerians at all levels while fostering technology transfer and skills acquisition. This has strengthened local businesses and equipped them with the tools to compete in domestic and global markets.”
The emphasis on local content has been a cornerstone of Dangote Refinery’s strategy. By sourcing materials locally and partnering with indigenous companies, the refinery has supported the growth of Nigerian enterprises and encouraged investments in infrastructure, engineering, and technology.
The ripple effects of the Dangote Refinery extend beyond the energy sector. Its presence has catalyzed industrialization by attracting investments in related sectors such as petrochemicals, manufacturing, and transportation. This multiplier effect has significantly expanded Nigeria’s industrial base and enhanced the nation’s economic competitiveness.
“This refinery is a shining example of what can be achieved through visionary leadership and investment in strategic sectors. It demonstrates Africa’s potential to compete globally and foster regional integration,” Mr Oshiyemi remarked.
In addition to its economic contributions, Dangote Refinery has maintained a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility. The Dangote Group’s investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure have improved the quality of life for many Nigerians and strengthened community resilience.
“Dangote Refinery exemplifies the role of private sector enterprises in driving social progress alongside economic development. Its initiatives in healthcare and education are building a brighter future for Nigerians,” the OGUNCCIMA chief noted.
He urged stakeholders across public and private sectors to emulate the Dangote Refinery’s innovative approach to development. By fostering partnerships and investing in transformative projects, Nigeria can achieve sustainable economic growth and reduce its reliance on external resources.
“This refinery stands as a model for what is possible when the private sector leads with vision and commitment. We call on all stakeholders to collaborate and replicate such success stories to build a resilient, self-reliant, and prosperous Nigeria,” Mr Oshiyemi concluded.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for the next three years (2025-2027).
In passing the MTEF, the lower chamber’s committees on Finance, Petroleum Upstream, and Petroleum Downstream were tasked to investigate reports from the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Responsibility Commission (RMAFC) alleging that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited’s withheld N8.48 trillion as claimed subsidies for petrol.
Additionally, the investigation will address the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) report that claimed the NNPC failed to remit $2 billion (N3.6 trillion) in taxes to the federal government.
The committees were further directed to verify the total cumulative amount of unremitted revenue (under-recovery) from the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the NNPC between 2020 and 2023.
Some of the recommendations in the MTEF as adopted by the house are; that the projected oil benchmark prices are $75, $76.2 and $75.3 per barrel in 2025, 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Three-year projections for domestic crude oil production are 2.06 million barrels per day, 2.10 million barrels per day and 2.35 million barrels per day for the subsequent years of 2025, 2026 and 2027.
The country’s economic growth rate forecast, measured by the gross domestic product (GDP) was put at 4.6 per cent, 4.4 per cent and 5.5 per cent for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027, respectively.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has said the price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, being sold by the old Port Harcourt Refinery, which resumed production on Tuesday, is N75 per litre higher than that sold by the Dangote Refinery.
This was revealed by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Obele, during the official reopening ceremony of the refinery, which is now operating at a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day.
Business Post reports that the lifting price of Dangote’s petrol product is N990 per litre. However, the refinery announced a N20 discount on Sunday, which is only available to marketers buying a minimum of 2 million litres of the fuel.
Mr Obele, a former chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) at the Port Harcourt Deport who initially applauded the federal government for revitalising the old refinery, expressed concern over the pricing disparity between petrol supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the Dangote Refinery.
According to him, while Dangote Refinery sells petrol to marketers at N970 per litre, NNPC’s price stands at N1,045, a difference of N75 per litre.
He said the N75 price differential is a steep margin for businesses, particularly for an industry where profitability hinges on competitive pricing.
However, Mr Obele described the refinery’s restoration as a significant step in reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
He revealed that the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, has promised to address the issue and harmonise prices to mitigate the impact on marketers and consumers.
The reopening of the Port Harcourt Refinery I is expected to enhance local production capacity and reduce reliance on imports, a move welcomed by stakeholders across the sector.
However, concerns over pricing disparities underscore the need for continuous reforms to stabilise the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
The reopening has also sparked anticipation for the rehabilitation of other state-owned refineries including the second refinery in Port Harcourt as well as the Warri and Kaduna structures.
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