Connect with us

General

$5m Bribe: NCDMB Rubbishes Allegation Against Wabote

Published

on

Simbi Wabote $5m Bribe

By Ahmed Rahma

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has defended its Executive Secretary, Mr Simbi Wabote, saying that the $5 million bribery allegation against him is false.

A few days ago, one Mr Jackson Ude had accused Mr Wabote of receiving $5 million bribe from a German company to violate Nigeria’s local content laws on the Bonny Train 7 contract.

The journalist has said, “Simbi Wabote, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, a lackey of Timipre Sylva, actually collected $5 million bribe from Kelvion, German company to violate Nigeria’s local content laws on the Bonny Train 7 contract. Details plenty!”

But responding in a statement signed by General Manager of Corporate Communication/Zonal Coordination, NCDMB, Dr Ginah Ginah, the organisation described this allegation as baseless.

“Our attention has been drawn to a spurious and libellous online publication in Pointblank News of 10th February 2021, in which one Jackson Ude, purported that the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote, and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva received bribes to undermine the Nigerian content policy in the award of  Train 7 EPC contract.

“The report epitomizes a futile attempt to soil the image of public officials who have worked hard to develop local content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

“It is apparent that the writer does not even understand the role of NCDMB as enshrined in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010.

“It could have been proper to ignore the fabricated news report, but we have a duty to provide the facts so that unsuspecting members of the public are not misled by blatant disinformation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NCDMB is a regulator and does not award contracts in the Nigerian oil and gas industry,” NCDMB explained in the statement.

Explaining further, it stated, “Our involvement in the award process is limited to evaluation of local content requirements in tenders, upon which NCDMB communicates to operators and/or project promoters the outcome of bidders’ compliance or otherwise with the provisions of the NOGICD Act.

“Due consideration and the decision to award a contract to any of the compliant bidders rest with the operator and their partners/ project promoters.

“The process of scaling through local content requirements in a project development is based on the provisions of the Nigerian Content Act and not on a subjective checklist that can be changed at the whims of any individual.”

It revealed that, “Circumventing the rules/requirements attracts stiff sanctions. Therefore, it would have been impossible for the Executive Secretary and the Minister or any other official for that matter to be induced to contravene the provisions of the law they are meant to enforce.

“It would have also been impossible for any official to dictate to the operators or project promoters on their choice of contractors without due regard for the commercial aspects and project economics.

“This fake news by Jackson Ude is a disingenuous attempt to diminish the hard work that engendered the Final Investment Decision (FID) for NLNG Train 7 project even at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

“The allegations are not only reckless but also calls to question the motive of Mr. Ude and his cohorts as the country strives to attract investors and create job opportunities for Nigerians.

“Just to call a spade a spade: the report by Jackson Ude is completely FALSE and makes no sense; it is mere FAKE news that satisfies only the author’s mischief and the selfish interests of his sponsors.

“It is on record that the outcome of the Train-7 Project tenders provided very significant financial savings for the NLNG and the country at large.

“We will therefore not succumb to any mudslinging or blackmail from Jackson Ude or his cohorts, including those business promoters who did not win the NLNG Train-7 contracts but have decided to vent their spleen through channels of disinformation such as the online Pointblank News

“Since creation in 2010, the NCDMB has worked to achieve quantum growth in the Nigerian oil and gas industry from less than 5% to over 35%.

“The in-country capacities and capabilities developed over the years are evident and we will not be distracted from our focus and plan to increase this to 70 percent by 2027 in line with our extant 10-year Strategic Roadmap.”

Ahmed Rahma is a journalist with great interest in arts and craft. She is also a foodie who loves new ideas. She loves to travel and would love to visit other African countries someday. She is a sucker for historical movies and afrobeat.

General

Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational Despite Minor Incident—NNPC

Published

on

Port Harcourt Refinery

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has said a minor incident that occurred at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) did not affect the operations of the oil facility.

It was reported earlier in the day that the refinery, owned by the Nigerian government but operated by the NNPC witnessed an explosion.

Recall that on Monday night, the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline operated by Shell in Rivers State exploded after some militants threatened to disrupt crude oil production in the country because of a political crisis in the state.

On Tuesday night, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Rivers State, suspending all elected political players in Rivers State, including the Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

On Wednesday, it was reported in a section of the media that the Port Harcourt was attacked but the NNPC said the facility is fully operational, assuring that there nothing to worry about.

“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to clarify that despite a minor incident at a section of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) earlier today, the plant remains operational and continues to produce on-spec refined petroleum products.

“NNPC Ltd assures the public that there is no cause for concern, as all sections of the recently rehabilitated plant are in full operation,” the terse state by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC, Mr .Olufemi Soneye, stated.

Continue Reading

General

Nigeria’s Accountant-General Seeks Predecessors’ Support to Boost Treasury

Published

on

Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, has promised to collaborate and tap from the wealth of experiences of all former Accountants-General of the Federation to improve the country’s treasury.

Mr Ogunjimi disclosed this while receiving two of his predecessors, Mr John Naiyeju and Mr Ibrahim Dankwambo, in his office in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Mr Ibrahim Dankwambo suggested upgrading the Treasury Academy, Orozo, owned by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to a degree-awarding institution.

Also, Mr Naiyeju charged the new Accountant-General to carry everyone along and advised him to make staff welfare his priority.

In a related development, Mr Ogunjimi expressed his willingness to work with all professional organisations for a positive development to the nation, especially, his professional and academy colleagues of the doctorate class.

Mr Ogunjimi called on his classmates to come up with ideas and suggestions that would enhance the management of the nation’s treasury that will positively affect the economy development.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Forum of Doctorate Students, Mr Ibrahim Aliyu, said they were in the Treasury House to congratulate one of their own and assured him of their support towards his successful tenure.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Ogunjimi earlier this year. He was picked because of his over 30 years of extensive experience in financial management across the public and private sectors.

He was described as a career civil servant and the most senior director in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF),

“He has held significant positions, including Director of Funds at the OAGF and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“A chartered accountant, certified fraud examiner, chartered stockbroker, and chartered security and investment specialist, Mr Ogunjimi’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accountancy and a Master’s in Finance and Accounting,” a statement from the presidency added.

Continue Reading

General

Ladi Oluwaloni Takes Over as Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA Chairman

Published

on

ladi oluwaloni

By Dipo Olowookere

The Deputy Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Oladipupo Oluwaloni, has taken over the affairs of the council, though in an acting capacity.

His elevation was approved by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, following the prolonged absence of the council chair, Mrs Bolatito Shobowale.

Business Post gathered that Mrs Shobowale has not been seen at the council for a long time, about six months.

She was not around when members of the Governor Advisory Council (GAC) of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited the LCDA last year.

The team, led by a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr Femi Pedro, was welcomed by Mr Oluwaloni and other council staff.

She was also not available when the council held a graduation ceremony for some residents who underwent an empowerment training last month.

It was learned that her absence from work, based on health grounds, has made it impossible for the 2025 budget to be presented to the council’s lawmakers for approval.

To prevent the shutdown of the council, Mr Oluwaloni has been asked to take over as the chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA.

He will be expected to quickly present the budget for approval to enable the council carry out critical projects for the benefit of residents of the area.

According to reports, Mr Oluwaloni, who intends to contest for the chairmanship position of the Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA later this year, has been given the go-ahead by the party leaders to lead the council.

Already, the state government, through the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, Mr Bolaji Roberts, has issued a letter to the acting chairman to resume office with immediate effect.

“This is a great responsibility, and I am fully committed to upholding the trust placed in me. My focus will be on ensuring that governance at the grassroots remains effective, responsive, and aligned with the developmental agenda of our great state,” Mr Oluwaloni commented on his assumption of office.

Continue Reading

Trending