ATIKU DEMANDS IMMEDIATE LISTING OF NNPCL IN STOCK EXCHANGE

download 37

ATIKU DEMANDS IMMEDIATE LISTING OF NNPCL IN STOCK EXCHANGE

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has called for the immediate listing of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) on the stock exchange in line with the Petroleum Industry Act.

Atiku in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, said this in reaction to the decision of the NNPCL to hand over the Warri and Kaduna refineries to private operators who are expected to manage and operate them.

According to the former vice president, listing the company on the stock exchange would make it more profitable and enhance transparency and corporate governance.

He said, “Currently, the NNPCL claims to be private, but this is only a ruse to fool the feeble-minded because it remains the ATM of the Federal Government.

“Anything short of listing the NNPCL on the stock exchange is nothing but a cosmetic development, Atiku said.

He further stated that NNPC Limited continues to provide a cover of political protection to the Tinubu government’s policy inconsistency on the payment of subsidy, raising questions about the independence that the PIA requires of it as a private business concern.

He added that the previous arrangements and concessions had not worked because of a lack of transparency in the contract award process as well as the failure of the government to attract investors.

  • Dons Eze

    DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.

    Related Posts

    NERC GIVES ENUGU, THREE OTHER STATES NOD TO COMMENCE ELECTRICITY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION

    NERC GIVES ENUGU, THREE OTHER STATES GET NOD TO COMMENCE ELECTRICITY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has confirmed the readiness of four state governments, including Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo and Imo to take over the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the state, as it conclude the transfer of regulatory oversight to the states. Announcing the development via a post on X, the commission said that the transfer process was still ongoing for six states including Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun and Niger. “As at January 10, 2025, NERC has commenced the transfer of regulatory oversight to 10 states. Once the transfers are complete, the states will be in charge of regulating their electricity markets. “The 10 states are: Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun and Niger. The transfers have been completed for 4 states, namely Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, and Imo, while 6 states are still in progress,” the commission stated. The transfer of regulatory oversight by NERC is in compliance with the Electricity Act (EA) 2023, which empowers state governments, individuals to actively participate in electricity generation, transmission and distribution. The EA also mandates any state that intends to establish and regulate intrastate electricity markets to deliver a formal notification of its processes and requests NERC to transfer regulatory authority over electricity operations in the state to the State Regulator. According to NERC, state governments are expected to comply with the conditions precedent in the laws, duly notify the commission and request for the transfer of regulatory oversight of the intrastate electricity market in the state. With the EA 2023, the Commission retains its role as a central regulator with regulatory oversight on the inter-state/international generation, transmission, supply, trading and system operations.

    CBN FINES NINE BANKS N150M EACH FOR FAILING TO DISPENSE CASH VIA ATMS

    CBN FINES NINE BANKS N150M EACH FOR FAILING TO DISPENSE CASH VIA ATMS The Central Bank of Nigeria has sanctioned nine Deposit Money Banks with fines totalling N1.35bn for failing to ensure cash availability via Automated Teller Machines during the festive season. Each of the banks was fined N150m following spot checks that revealed non-compliance with the apex bank’s cash distribution guidelines. The affected banks include Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Globus Bank Plc, Providus Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, and Sterling Bank Plc. The fines will be directly debited from the banks’ accounts with the CBN. In a press statement released on Tuesday, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, emphasised the regulator’s commitment to ensuring seamless cash availability. The statement read, “In a clear message of zero tolerance for cash flow disruptions, the Central Bank of Nigeria has sanctioned Deposit Money Banks for failing to make Naira notes available through automated teller machines, during the yuletide season. “Each bank was fined N150m for non-compliance, in line with the CBN’s cash distribution guidelines, following spot checks on their branches. The enforcement action follows repeated warnings from the CBN to financial institutions to guarantee seamless cash availability, particularly during periods of high demand. “The affected banks include Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Globus Bank Plc, Providus Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, and Sterling Bank Plc.” Sidi-Ali noted that CBN will not hesitate to impose further sanctions on any institution violating its cash circulation guidelines. The apex bank had previously warned banks to comply with cash distribution policies. The CBN has pledged to intensify monitoring of cash hoarding and rationing at bank branches and Point-of-Sale terminals. The regulator was collaborating with security agencies to address illegal cash sales and ensure compliance with the daily withdrawal limit of N1.2m for POS operators. Last September, the CBN announced plans to penalise banks failing to dispense cash via ATMs as part of efforts to ensure adequate cash circulation. In November, the bank urged customers to report ATM and branch cash withdrawal issues starting December 1, 2024, through designated state-specific phone numbers and email addresses. The fines underline CBN’s determination to prioritise customer needs and ensure uninterrupted access to cash.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    VEHICLE FLEEING KIDNAPPERS PLUNGES INTO RIVER, EXPATRIATE, OTHERS MISSING

    NERC GIVES ENUGU, THREE OTHER STATES NOD TO COMMENCE ELECTRICITY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION

    $225M DEBT: FIRST BANK SPEAKS ON LEGAL TUSSLE WITH OBAIGBENA’S GHL

    CBN FINES NINE BANKS N150M EACH FOR FAILING TO DISPENSE CASH VIA ATMS

    JANUARY 1966: A MORNING OF MURDER, MAYHEM AND CARNAGE

    WE’LL PRIORITIZE PASSAGE OF TAX REFORM BILLS – SPEAKER, ABBAS