NNPC To Commence Oil Drilling In Benue Soon – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will soon commence drilling for a deeper search for oil and gas in the Benue Trough.

This, he said, is the next step following the commencement of drilling in the Kolmani River area, located within Bauchi and Gombe States.

President Buhari made the announcement on Wednesday while addressing traditional rulers at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, Benue State.

He recalled that as Minister of Petroleum in the 70s, he had seen “very interesting seismic surveys” that promised oil and gas from the Chad Basin through the Benue Trough down to the Delta region.

He said for mostly commercial reasons, investment was directed to the Niger Delta given the promise of quicker results.

He narrated past efforts by him as a Military Head of State to diversify the country’s sources of oil to strengthen its unity, promising that his administration will intensify efforts in this direction.

President Buhari welcomed the observation by the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ayatse, that peace had been restored to Benue State following the spike, sometimes back in farmers and herders’ clashes as well as the fact the President had so far conducted a decent and a peaceful campaign.

The President promised to look at requests for more roads, bridges and tertiary institutions made by the royal father.

Earlier, the Tor Tiv had expressed appreciation to President Buhari, “for the way and manner you have conducted peaceful campaign, no riots, no violence, setting good example.

“We had a challenging time in 2016. Thanks for your intervention, for accepting our appeal to step up security. Operation Whirl Strike has succeeded in chasing away violent herders.”

He also called for a closer look at the border to stop “criminals and bandits” from crossing into Nigeria.

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom in his remarks, called for free and fair elections, urging all contestants to abide by the outcome.

 He told the President that, “We believe you are a man of integrity and you keep your words. I will like to believe that you will not do anything to truncate our democracy.”

Daily Trust

Gang-Up Against Buhari Due To Anti-Corruption Fight —Foreign Affairs Minister

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, says the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to stamp out corruption from the county is the reason for the gang-up against his re-election.

Onyeama disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu while on a presidential campaign tour of Enugu East Local Government Area of the state.

The minister said that Buhari had taken the fight against corruption to a result-oriented level, adding that it had brought shivers to looters of public funds.

He said that corrupt public officials who misappropriated the resources of the country had become apprehensive that the law would soon catch up with them.

He, however, said that the president was not deterred by the antics of a few individuals whose actions or inactions had reduced the country to its current state.

Onyeama said that no amount of blackmail would slow down the anti-corruption campaign of the Buhari-led administration.

“Those who have stolen the resources of this country are afraid. They said the president will send them to prison if he is re-elected,” he said.

The minister said that the president was determined to lay a solid foundation for Nigeria.

“The re-election of the president will provide a lifetime opportunity to build and solidify the foundation of this country.

“I urge you to get your voter cards ready and vote for the president,” Onyeama said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the minister is leading his political structure, known as ‘Kwusike Family’ on a state-wide presidential campaign.

(NAN)

HURRAY! Buhari signs anti-monopoly law — 15 years after

Fifteen years after the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE) proposed an anti-trust law to checkmate monopoly in the Nigerian economy, President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection bill.

The law seeks to eliminate monopoly and ensure competitive trade in the country.

Ita Enang, senior special assistant to the president on national assembly (senate), disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Enang said the new law repeals the Consumer Protection Council Act and sections 118-128 of the Investment and Securities Act.

The new act establishes the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as well as the Consumer Protection Tribunal to try violations.

“The law is to promote economic efficiency, maintain competitive market in the Nigerian economy, protect the Nigerian economy, protect the interest and welfare of consumers by providing consumers with wide variety of quality products at competitive prices as well as prohibit restrictive or unfair business practices in the Nigerian economy,” Enang said.

“This act has accordingly, upon assent been remitted to the national assembly/appropriate authorities as law of the federation.”

Enang said the functions of the commission are to:

Initiate broad based policies and review economic activities in Nigeria to identify anti-competitive, anti-consumer protection and restrictive practices which may adversely affect the economic interest of consumers and make rules and regulations under this Act and any other enactment with regards to competitions and protection of consumers.

Advise the federal government generally on national policies and matters pertaining to all goods and services and on the determination of national norms and standards relating to competition and consumer protection.

Report annually on market practices and the implications for consumer choice and competition in the consumer market.
Eliminate anti-competitive agreements, misleading, unfair, deceptive or unconscionable marketing, trading and business practices.

Resolve disputes or complaints, issue directives and apply sanctions where necessary.
Create public awareness through seminars, workshops, studies and make available information with regard to the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions to the public.

Regulate and seek ways and means of removing or eliminating from the market, hazardous goods and services, including emission, untested, controversial, emerging or new technologies, products or devices whatsoever, and cause offenders to replace such goods or services with safer and more appropriate alternatives.

Publish, from time to time, list of goods and services whose consumption and sale have been banned, withdrawn, restricted or are not approved by the federal government or foreign governments.

Encourage trade, industry and professional associations to develop and enforce in their various fields quality standards designed to safeguard the interest of consumers.

The cable

Buhari: We Should Learn From Those Who Failed To Get Third Term

President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that he is only seeking a second term in office and not a third term like some people did.

Buhari said this while speaking with Ondo State Council of Obas in Akure, ahead of his reelection campaign in the state. The comments were seen as taking a dig at-President Olusegun Obasanjo who reportedly sought for third term but failed to actualize it.

In his Twitter handle, Tolu Ogunlesi, the Special Assistant on Digital/New Media, quoted the president as saying, “We have just finished one term and are seeking a second one. After that, the constitution doesn’t permit any more.”

“There are some who tried looking for more but they did not succeed. We should learn from their mistakes.”

The president who letter spoke at a rally said Nigeria’s economy was on the right track considering the steps being taken by his administration.

He said the fight against Boko Haram in the North East had been successful in the last three and half years, saying the sect no longer controlled any local government area.
And in Ekiti State, Buhari declared that fighting corruption in a nation like Nigeria was not an easy task.

President Buhari made the confession while addressing a crowd of party supporters at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, during his re-election campaign.

The president, however, said despite the herculean task, he would never be dissuaded to rid the nation of graft in line with the promise he made in 2015 to banish corruption in the land.

“We are fighting corruption, but it has not been easy. But we told the security agencies to keep tabs on those on our watch list and ensure that no stone is left unturned to ensure that those who have cases to answer do not escape justice,” he said.

Two members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Cecelia Dada (Ilejemeje Constituency) and Olanrewaju Olayanju (Emure Constituency), who were presented by the Speaker, Ebenezer Alagbada, decamped to the APC.

On his part, Prof. Osinbajo who condemned the alleged extravagance of the PDP during its 16 years rule, said “A sum of $383bn accrued from oil between 2010 and 2014 under Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, but he achieved nothing for the country.”

Daily Trust

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