There was mild drama in the House of Representatives on Monday as the Minister of Blue and Marine Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, claimed that a multi-billion-dollar cargo tracking agreement entered into by the federal government regarding the International Cargo Tracking Notes, ICTN was faulty.

The minister made this claim while facing questioning by a House investigative panel looking into the delay in implementing the cargo tracking project, which experts say is costing the country $500 million monthly.

The hearing, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Exercises, Customs, Port and Harbour, and Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, is probing the non-implementation of the contract.

Mr Oyetola, who was represented by Babatunde Sule, a director in the Ministry of Blue and Marine Economy, justified the delay, stating that the process approved by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, was flawed.

In March 2023, the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari engaged a consortium led by Antaser Nigeria Limited to implement a cargo tracking system for all imports and exports, including crude oil exports.

However, with the change of government, Sahara Reporters learned that some officials of the Bola Tinubu administration are attempting to replace the Antaser-led consortium with their own preferred investors, in the guise of a PPP arrangement using the new DG of ICRC, Jobson Ewaleifoh.

In July, the federal government announced the award of a contract to procure advanced solution technology for the Nigerian oil and gas sector. The Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, announced the deal at a press briefing, stating it would enable the country to track every cargo of crude oil loaded in Nigeria to its destination.

The minister’s representative, who had earlier acknowledged the project’s approval by the FEC, later claimed it was done in error.

“The process was even faulty ab initio. The process that led to this was wrong,” he said, as the lawmakers jeered at his comments.

“The process could have been better than the way it was handled,” Mr Sule added after some of his colleagues whispered to him.

Earlier, he had said, “I am aware of the contract. I am also aware that it was given to five companies. I learned that four of the companies signed an agreement, with the fifth not signing, and I think that was what stalled this whole process.”

Many lawmakers were unimpressed by the representative’s responses, with some questioning his capacity to represent the minister adequately.

“I don’t think you are capable enough to represent the minister; you don’t even have any information about the issue. The ministry is not serious. The minister did not show up, the permanent secretary did not show up, and you who are here do not have first-hand information,” Kabir Maipalace, a committee member, said.

Mr Ewaleifoh had during the hearing insisted that he was only aware of the flawed procurement process initiated by former minister of transport, Rotimi Amaechi.

Reacting to this, Frank Tietie, the director of Citizens Advocacy for Social Justice in Nigeria (CASER) reminded the DG that it was discovered that those companies ICRC were trying to procure namely Medtech Scientific Limited, Rozi International Ltd and Frabemar UK were in medical equipment and construction businesses, and the government had quickly cancelled that process midway after the unprecedented outcry from NGO’s and industry stakeholders before commencing and awarding to the Antaser Nigeria Ltd led consortium.

In its presentation, Antaser’s chairman, Emeka Obianozie, informed the committee about how his company received approval to implement the project, including approval by the Federal Executive Council.

He stated that under the current administration, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC and the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS are attempting to build and implement the same service in the oil and gas sector at a greater cost.

“We informed NSC of the attempt by the Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Nigerian Customs Service to implement part of ICTN’s scope at a huge cost to the nation. We noted that these efforts and the associated complications are arising due to the delay in implementing the ICTN scheme.

“The hush move, if allowed, will amount to duplication, mediocrity, unnecessary costs, and, more importantly, abuse of the project by inadvertently compromising the transparency which is the cardinal pillar of the service scheme.”

Mr Obianozie said his company’s contract with the government remains valid, adding that the company “maintains over ninety-five per cent (95%) global network outreach for trade monitoring and cargo inspections.”

Lawmakers Decline Edun’s Intervention to Save Oyetola

At the start of the hearing, Mr Oyetola’s absence almost halted the probe by the committee.

The probe was scheduled to commence at 10am, however, by 11 am, the minister had yet to arrive. At that point, the lawmakers decided to take a one-hour recess to allow the minister to attend the session.

During this period, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, arrived at the venue.

The lawmakers asked him to leave, insisting they would only permit Mr Oyetola’s presence, an action that irked several lawmakers.

It took the intervention of some lawmakers before the minister’s representative was eventually allowed to address the committee.

In his final statement on the matter, Mr Dasuki said the committee would hold hearings with all concerned parties to address the core issues.

The committee later adjourned after hearing contributions from various participants at the hearing.

Pretoria, South Africa – South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has announced plans to revoke the identity and travel documents of former Miss South Africa finalist, Chidimma Adetshina, and her Mozambican-born mother. The department has concluded its investigation into the duo and handed the case over to the Hawks for potential fraud charges.

The decision follows the Adetshinas’ failure to respond to a Monday deadline to explain why their South African documents should not be canceled. Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode revealed that officials visited a property linked to Adetshina in an attempt to locate her mother, who is believed to still be in South Africa.

However, the department is puzzled as to how the mother could have traveled to Nigeria last month to support Adetshina at the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, which she won. Social media posts from the event seem to confirm her presence in Nigeria.

“We couldn’t find a trace of the passport that she has been using to come to South Africa from Mozambique on the movement to Nigeria,” said Albert Matsaung, the acting Deputy Director-General for immigration.

The Nigerian Senate will on Tuesday (today) screen the ministerial nominees forwarded to it by President Bola Tinubu last week.

Tinubu had on October 24, written the upper legislative chamber seeking for the screening and subsequent confirmation of seven ministerial nominees.

The request, which was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio was read during Thursday’s plenary.

The ministerial nominees include: Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs and Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment.

Others are Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Development; Dr Suwaiba Ahmad, Minister of State, Education; Idi Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development and Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of State, Housing.

According to reports, the nominees have been cleared by the Department of State Services, DSS.

Some of the nominees were sighted at the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado on Monday to submit their curriculum vitae.

Grenada is set to become a major energy hub as Nigerian oil and gas company, Oceangate Oil and Gas Engineering, has secured a historic multi-billion dollar deal with Global Petroleum Group, to launch one of the Caribbean’s largest oil and gas ventures.

A statement by the Group CEO, Dr Aisha Achimugu, made available to PUNCH Online on Saturday, stated that this transformative partnership aims to develop Grenada’s significant hydrocarbon reserves, paving the way for the island nation to emerge as a major energy hub in the Caribbean and beyond.

Achimugu said, “We are thrilled to enter this partnership with Global Petroleum Group, which will bring substantial economic benefits and energy resources to Grenada.

“This venture underscores Oceangate’s commitment to investing in sustainable energy solutions that drive economic prosperity while respecting environmental standards. We believe this project will lay the foundation for future economic collaborations between Africa and the Caribbean.”

He added, “With a vision to fuel long-term economic growth and sustainable development, this ambitious project promises not only to elevate Grenada’s energy production capabilities but also to foster job creation, infrastructure development, and technology transfer within the local economy.

“Set against the backdrop of the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape, the venture is expected to provide unprecedented economic opportunities, delivering benefits across sectors and positioning Grenada as a key energy supplier in the region.”

Joint Action Committee, JAC, of non-teaching staff unions of universities has directed Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike as from today.

The strike is to press for the non-payment of four months withheld salaries from when they joined an industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, during the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a circular to all branch Chairman of NASU and SSANU in the universities and inter-university centres, entitle: “Latest development in respect of the withheld four months salaries”, the JAC recalls that the strike initially billed for October 23 was rescheduled because of the Trade Group Council meeting of NASU branches on the said date.

According to the circular which was signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU President, the change in timing was for effective coordination and for both unions.