General
Group Berates Agbese Over Allegations Against NNPCL, NMDPRA
The Energy Transparency Initiative (ETI) has expressed dismay over the recent statements made by the Deputy Spokesman of the Federal House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, concerning the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The group in a statement by its convener, Ganzallo Gbenga, and programme officer, Chinelo Ochiaga, said the allegations by Agbese that the NNPCL and NMDPRA are involved in a deliberate attempt to undermine the Dangote refinery, is an affront to the House of Representatives.
They noted that such remarks are not only misleading but also demonstrate a concerning departure from his responsibilities as a federal lawmaker.
“While we are not willing to be the mouthpiece of both regulatory authorities, being accused by Mr Agbese, we cannot but remind Nigerians that as an organization with over a decade of involvement in a series of advocacy on transparency and accountability in the sector, we have full knowledge of issues that are responsible for the recent dispute between Dangote Refinery and the regulatory authorities.
“It is troubling that Agbese has chosen to abandon his duty as a representative of the people and instead assumed the role of an advocate for the Dangote Refinery.
“His position should obligate him to act impartially, especially in matters involving multiple stakeholders. By aligning himself so closely with a single business interest, he undermines the very essence of his role as an unbiased arbitrator within any relevant committee.
“In the House of Reps, his voice has never been heard, no bills sponsored, no motions moved and has also not carried out empowerment to his Constituency.
“Agbese’s actions reveal a troubling pattern of prioritizing the interests of a single entity over the broader collective welfare of Nigerians. The Dangote refinery, while a significant player in the industry, represents individual business interests that do not necessarily align with the national interest.
“The apparent bias demonstrated by Agbese risks neglecting the broader implications of the refinery’s operations on the general populace and undermines the regulatory framework designed to ensure fair play and transparency.
“It is imperative to remind the lawmaker that his call for the dismissal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL and the Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA is not only misplaced but lacks merit.
“We had expected all parties involved in this NNPCL and Dangote feud to maintain their silence but were shocked to realise that Agbese who’s a member of the committee set up by the House to investigate surrounding allegations chose to take a side and has made statement that are uncalled for.”
The Energy Transparency Initiative said Agbese needs to be schooled on how both the NNPCL and NMDPRA works and not dabble into affairs that are beyond his literacy level.
The group noted that the era where Agbese blackmails public institutions will not fly with government agencies as they won’t succumb to such.
“The agencies targeted for blackmail and pecuniary gains by Agbese and his team have outlived governments and individuals and will continue to do so continue, no matter the corporate or legislative blackmail.
“The oil and gas sector business is too sophisticated a knowledge for Agbese to understand and meddle into. We urge him to immediately resign his position as the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives.
“He can also choose to apply for employment in NNPCL if he chooses to defend them, especially now that the recruitment exercise is ongoing.
“We call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to address this matter with the seriousness it deserves. Members of the House must focus on their legislative duties and refrain from interfering in regulatory issues they do not fully understand.
“This will ensure that the integrity of the legislative process is maintained and that public trust is upheld,” it said.
The Energy Transparency Initiative urged the House leadership to rein in Agbese and his associates.
“Their current approach not only jeopardizes the effective functioning of regulatory bodies but also risks undermining the efforts to achieve transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector.
“We further implore all stakeholders to remain vigilant and uphold the principles of fairness and transparency.
“The progress of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector depends on the collective efforts of all parties involved, and individual agendas mustn’t derail this important endeavour.
“The Energy Transparency Initiative shall remain committed to advocating for due process, transparency, and security in the oil and gas sector.
“We will continue to monitor developments and ensure that all actions and policies are aligned with the national interest, free from undue influence or partisan agendas.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) recently hosted a high-level delegation from Newryton International Industrial Development Company Limited, a leading Chinese investment and industrial development consortium, to advance discussions on deepening bilateral trade, industrial cooperation, and development financing between both countries.
The Newryton delegation, led by Mr David Chen, Assistant Secretary-General of the China Hainan Investment Council, had earlier engaged with the Nigerian Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). They were accompanied to the NCSP by Mr Joe Onyuike, Vice-Chairman of NACCIMA’s Agriculture and Livestock Trade Group, who conveyed NACCIMA’s support for the delegation’s engagements.
Discussions centered on the establishment of a Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform, including a proposed Promotion Centre in China to support Nigerian products, investors, and state governments.
The consortium also presented opportunities within Hainan Province’s Free Trade Port (FTP), which offers preferential policies that Nigerian businesses can leverage to expand exports and attract new investments.
In his address on behalf of Newryton, Mr Pong outlined plans to collaborate with NCSP in accessing FOCAC-supported financing for strategic investments in agriculture, energy, mining, solid minerals processing, and related sectors. The delegation identified aquaculture as a key area of interest and referenced the forthcoming Global Aquaculture Conference in Hainan Province, encouraging Nigerian stakeholders to participate.
They also expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation in vocational training and employment under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Director-General, Martins Olajide, NCSP’s Head of Internal Operations, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
He highlighted NCSP’s strong interest in the proposed Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform and the development of the Nigerian Oil Palm Industrial Park as a flagship demonstration project.
Also speaking at the meeting, Ms Judy Melifonwu, NCSP’s Head of International Relations, underscored the opportunities presented by China’s zero-tariff policy and the forthcoming NAQS–GACC protocol on the export of Nigerian aquaculture products. She noted that these frameworks would significantly enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in emerging global markets.
Both parties expressed commitment to advancing discussions toward a structured cooperation framework covering all priority areas.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom–Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), established in 2019 as part of a 16-year legacy of UK-funded infrastructure support to Nigeria, convened over 100 senior stakeholders on Tuesday, December 2, to review its progress and formally close out its current phase of operations.
The event brought together representatives from federal and state governments, development partners, development finance institutions, and the private sector to reflect on UKNIAF’s work across the power, infrastructure finance, and roads sectors. Discussions focused on institutional reforms, capacity development, and the sustainability of tools and processes introduced over the past six years.
Since inception, UKNIAF has delivered targeted technical assistance designed to embed evidence-based reforms, data-driven decision-making, and improved institutional performance. Its interventions have mobilised significant financing, strengthened regulatory and planning systems, and enhanced investor readiness across multiple infrastructure markets.
In the power sector, participants highlighted landmark achievements including the development of Nigeria’s first Integrated Resource Plan, which outlines a least-cost and low-carbon pathway for expanding electricity supply. UKNIAF also supported the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in building advanced real-time data capabilities for tariff monitoring, grid management, and outage tracking. The programme enabled pioneering states to establish their own electricity markets following constitutional reforms.
In infrastructure finance, UKNIAF was recognised for strengthening project preparation systems and enabling access to capital. Notable accomplishments include supporting the mobilisation of $75 million from the African Development Bank to the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme in two states, and accelerating mini-grid and solar deployment through improved technical standards at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
UKNIAF also designed a national project preparation facility, for which N21 billion was allocated in both the 2024 and 2025 budgets to build a pipeline of bankable projects.
Speaking on this, Mr Frank Edozie, UKNIAF Team Lead, described the programme’s close-out as a “handover for sustained delivery,” emphasising that strengthened institutions now hold tools that make Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape more transparent, climate-smart, and investor-ready.
On his part, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, commended the programme, noting that its technical assistance and advisory services had helped lay the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive electricity supply industry.
Mrs Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Corporation at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Nigeria, praised the partnership, highlighting achievements ranging from state-level electricity market reforms to unlocking major financing and designing Nigeria’s Climate Change Fund.
Enugu State Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, underscored the lasting influence of the programme, stating that UKNIAF’s impact continues through the expertise and leadership transferred to national and sub-national institutions.
The close-out event reaffirmed stakeholders’ commitment to sustaining tools, reforms, and knowledge products developed under UKNIAF, while strengthening collaboration among public, private, and development actors in the infrastructure ecosystem.
Participants included federal and state agencies such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Federal Ministry of Power, Ministry of Finance, NERC, REA, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, alongside development partners including the African Development Bank, World Bank, and IFC, as well as private sector and civil society stakeholders.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, has been slashed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The Lagos-based oil facility brought down the ex-depot price of the petroleum product by 15.58 per cent or N129 per litre to N828 per litre.
Though the company had yet to release an official statement on this development, real-time market data on Petroleumprice.ng on Friday showed the new price.
Punch reports that data from the platform also showed fresh reductions across several private depots following the refinery’s latest review.
Sigmund Depot cut its ex-depot price by N4 to N824 per litre, Bulk Strategic dropped its price by N3, and TechnoOil slashed its by N15.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn