Economy

FG expresses commitment to reposition mining cadastre to improve productivity

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2023

The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to repositioning Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) through transformation, to improve productivity across the country.

The Director-General of the MCO, Mr Simon Nkom, made the commitment at a one-day Review for Development (R4D) Retreat, in Abuja.

Nkom said the essence of the retreat was for repositioning the entire mining cadastre to meet up with recent challenges being faced by the office.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MCO inuagurated a new Online Mining Cadastre System based on GAF’s eMC+ framework, in November 2022.

The new system will connect the six newly-established zonal offices in six geopolitical zones with the headquarters in Abuja and ensure efficient and transparent management of the mining sector in Nigeria.

Nkom said through this system, investors would be provided with possibility to submit applications, adding that the system would enable the investors to track the processing.

“The essence of the retreat is for us to do a review on how to adapt on the new EMC+ system.

“We have to discuss on how we can move forward to be able to achieve the best in the next years to come.

“Knowing where we are coming from, we have to work hard to ensure we get what we are looking for, to be able to achieve our objectives.

“In view of that, there’s a need for the staff to be retreated to make the work better.

“With the help of Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Service (DSS) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Nkom said there had been a code of conduct to ensure that at the end of the day, the government and other relevant stakeholders would be figured out.

According to him, if the people do not re-orient themselves, then they are going to have a problem in terms of the process and in terms of the new technology.

“For the first time in the history of the mining cadastre, this event has been the first retreat.

“So, there is a need for re-organising and putting in the key things to play a big role in the mining cadastre in terms of adding value,” he said.

The director-general said that the main aim and objective of the system was to migrate it to an onlined system in a good time.

He said that with the system, anybody could have access to submit an application from any where in the world.

He said that number of people submitting their applications were increasing and going toward perfection.

“So, the system has been made easy for people to submit their applications online.

“There has been about 40 per cent total increase of submitted applications online so far from day to day at different hours which is the essence of the system.

“Offices have been made where people who have challenges with submitting any type of application can be enlightened on how to go about it, especially when it comes to visas applications.

“Looking at the system, one can say that the mining system is a legal activity and the mandate is insurance,” he said.

Nkom said the office had a department of protectorate, which was in charge of illegal activities and it has a mines surveillance unit made up of security agents.

He said that the system continued to issue licences in the fastest possible way within the stipulated time in order to eradicate the illegal mining activity.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Bawa Abdulrasheed, said that corruption was probably the most important factor affecting service delivery in Nigeria today.

Bawa said that the Federal Government over the years has introduced several policies and law to tackle the problem of corruption in the public sector.

“Sector like the Economic and Financial Crimes Act 2004 and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, as well as the service delivery initiative.’

According to him, the commission has severally advocated that to prevent corruption is cheaper and less time consuming than to fight corruption.

“It is hereby, imperative for every public officer to ensure the implementation of laws and policies are strictly complied with, while transparency and accountability must be brought into action to promote excellent service delivery in organisations.

“Therefore, it is necessary to make full use of the system (eMC+), which has the potential to create environment free of corruption.

“The system increases the ease of conducting business by reducing number of human contact and increase the effectiveness transparency and accountability.”

Abdulrasheed, however, urged the staff to effectively carry out their duties, to promote a corrupt free environment to enable achieve it’s mandates.

The Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bola Owasanoye, said that integrity and good work ethic have great benefit in the delivery of service.

Owasanoye advised public servants as well as other stakeholders to cultivate the attitude of integrity and good conduct for effective service delivery.

Economy

NNPCL has responded to queries on unaccounted N210trillion – Senate

Published

11 hours ago

October 8, 2025

Our Reporter

By Hassan Taiye

The Senate through its committee on Public Account declared Tuesday that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company ( NNPCL) , has responded to 19 queries raised against it in the Audit reports of 2017 to 2023.

The Committee had on the 29th of July this year , gave the Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engineer Bayo Ojulari , three weeks to respond to the 19 queries on N210trillion yet to be accounted for, in the Audited account of National Oil Company .

Responding to questions from journalists at the close of plenary on Tuesday on whether NNPCL had responded to the queries or not , the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Aliyu Wadada ( Nasarawa West) said yes but explained that the responses were yet to be critically looked into .

He said : “While we were on recess, management of NNPCL wrote to the committee, requesting an extension of time to enable them compile data and respond comprehensively to the questions we raised — and we granted that request.

“They have since responded, and we now have answers to all 19 questions we sent to them.

“However, the report is yet to be presented before the committee. That is why, as chairman, I have refrained from making any public statement on the matter until it is properly laid before members.

“But let me assure you, as I promised earlier on behalf of the committee, we will do justice to the matter”.

He added that beyond the audited financial statements, there are other issues emerging around the NNPC.

According to him, the first of such issues is production sharing contracts — specifically, the production cost to Nigeria which must be clearly defined, and the public deserves to know what portion goes to the NNPC, what goes to the international oil companies (IOCs), and what accrues to the government under the production sharing arrangement.

“Furthermore, the committee has been informed that NNPC Retail has declared a loss.

“This development is also of concern to us and to the public. We find it difficult to understand why NNPC Retail should record a loss, but we will seek clarification when the corporation appears before us.

“As far as the audited financial statements are concerned — which cover the period between 2017 and 2023 — NNPC has submitted its responses to the 19 questions we asked. Nigerians and the media will be informed of the contents in due course.

“Out of those answers, the ones that make sense and those that do not will be evident to the public”, he stressed .

Economy

Nigerians to Pay More for Petrol as Fuel Prices Rise Nationwide

Published

1 day ago

October 7, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Nigerians are facing yet another spike in fuel prices as premium motor spirit (petrol) now sells for between ₦905 and ₦945 per litre across several filling stations in Abuja.

Checks on Monday, October 6, 2025, revealed that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets, along with Empire, AA Rano, and Shema filling stations, adjusted their pump prices upwards. Empire Filling Station in Gwarimpa reportedly sold petrol at the highest rate of ₦945 per litre.

Other stations, including MRS, Emedeb, Ranoil, and Eterna, dispensed petrol between ₦885 and ₦910 per litre.

Marketers Blame PENGASSAN Strike for Price Surge
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) attributed the sudden hike to disruptions caused by last week’s strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi, explained that the price increase was largely due to supply interruptions. He noted that stations receiving supplies from Dangote Refinery were still selling between ₦885 and ₦895 per litre, adding that prices were expected to stabilize soon.

“The feud between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN may have triggered panic buying and artificial scarcity. I can assure you that prices will drop and return to normal in the coming days,” Maigandi said.

IPMAN spokesperson Chinedu Ukadike also confirmed that the PENGASSAN strike caused temporary shortages in Lagos and Abuja but expressed optimism that availability would improve as supply chains normalize.

Depot Prices Edge Up
Depot prices have reportedly risen slightly, with Dangote Refinery selling petrol at ₦844 per litre, Ranoil and Aiteo at ₦845, and NIPCO at ₦850 in Lagos.

The fuel price increase comes just days after Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN resolved their dispute over the alleged mass dismissal of Nigerian workers, which led to a two-day strike. Federal Government intervention helped broker peace between both parties.

Dangote Refinery later thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other mediators for their role in ending the strike.

Shettima, PENGASSAN Trade Words
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) on Monday, criticized PENGASSAN, declaring that “Nigeria is bigger than the union.”

In response, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo countered, saying the country is also “bigger than Dangote Refinery and the presidency,” emphasizing the union’s commitment to protecting Nigerian workers’ rights.

Economy

Tourism wearing a new face in Kwara: Commissioner

Published

1 week ago

September 28, 2025

Our Reporter

Urges Kwarans, foreigners to embrace it Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Government has continued to showcase the beauty of culture and traditional assets and its uniqueness in the daily lives of the citizens, urging the people to embrace it for development.

The State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, had earlier in a broadcast, enjoined the people of the State, at home and in the diaspora, to embrace tourism as a tool for developmental progress to sustain transformational growth in line with the policy thrust of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s-led administration.

The Commissioner made the call to mark the 2025 World Tourism day with the theme, ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’, as declared by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization(UNWTO).

According to Olukoju, tourism is more than travel, it is actually a way of supporting people, culture, and the environment while driving economic growth, urging all and sundry to explore the various tourist sites around them.

“Tourism is not just travel, it is about building a future where every journey contributes to people, culture and planet, it is about hospitality that opens our heart and also helps to preserve our heritage and create opportunities for growth and development”, She said.

The Commissioner, who was delighted that the Ilorin Emirate Durbar was recently ranked among the top ten festivals in Nigeria, celebrated Hajia Faridah Shagaya, who was recognised among Africa’s top tourism personalities, describing the recognitions as sources of pride for the state.

She commended the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq for investing in tourism and hospitality, citing projects such as the Visual Arts Centre, Flower Garden, and Sugar Factory Film Studios, among others, as commendable efforts.

She also announced that this year’s celebration includes a roundtable with stakeholders to advance discussions on the future of tourism in Kwara State.

“Tourism is wearing a new face, from the Sugar Factory Film Studio, the Visual Arts Centre and the improved road network to Owu Waterfalls and many more which are evident of his work and is gradually opening Kwara to the World”, she added.

The Commissioner, who was represented at the event by the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Hajia Salamat Yahaya, assured that tourism will continue to receive priority attention under the present administration and urged all stakeholders to support the ongoing efforts to make Kwara a leading destination for culture, heritage, and hospitality.

In her remarks, the Secretary, kwara State Hospitality and Tourism Development Board, Hajia Ramat Akanni, applauded the present administration for priority attention given to the Board.

Hajia Akanni expressed optimism towards an enviable tourism and hospitality driven state, which she assured, would attract prospective investors and enhance revenue generation for the state.

She sought support and utmost compliance from hoteliers and relevant stakeholders to achieve the desired goals, pointing out that violators will face the full wrath of the law.

Relevant stakeholders and participants at the one-day event later visited Sobi Hills and the Kwara Sugar Film Factory as part of activities marking the celebration.

End