Uncategorized
Auditor-General’s Report: HEDA Pins Corruption On Civil Servants In MDAs — Calls For Focus On States, LGAs
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has described the indictment of several Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAS) of financial mismanagement in the 2016 Auditor-General’s Annual Report as depressing and an embarrassment unworthy of public consumption.
HEDA’s Executive Director, Olanrewaju Suraju made this known while reacting to a petition the organization sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking a probe of N92billion allegedly misappropriated by Federal Government MDAs.
Speaking on PUBLIC CONSCIENCE on RADIO, the anti-corruption radio program produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, on Wednesday in Abuja, Suraju decried the role of some civil servants in the worsening corruption in Nigeria’s public sector, stressing that politicians nowadays can barely succeed with corrupt practices without the help of civil servants.
“This Auditor-General’s report is less of politicians but more of civil servants and this is where we have the greatest challenge in terms of dealing with corruption in public offices.
“The civil servants are almost worse than the politicians that we on daily basis criticize and quite a number of the civil servants are even richer than the politicians and it is almost an attestation to the fact that politicians can barely succeed with corrupt practices without the help of civil servants.
“Do an assessment of the lifestyles of quite a number of the civil servants and you would see that the majority are actually living above their legitimate earnings, it is a very huge gap between their legitimate earnings and the level of wealth that you trace with quite a number of the civil servants.”
Suraju also disclosed that HEDA’s aim is to encourage the general public to take interest in the Auditor-General’s Annual report, not just at the federal level but down to the states and local government, adding that HEDA was already looking forward to getting the media, civil society organizations, and citizens involved in beaming the searchlight on audit reports of states and local governments.
On his part, a Tax Consultant, Taslim Anibaba lauded HEDA’s efforts in seeing that MDAs and public servants that misappropriated public funds are penalized while describing the laissez-faire attitude of anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria in the fight against corruption as a tragedy.
Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program used by PRIMORG to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.
The program is supported by the MacArthur Foundation.
Uncategorized
NCDMB Lauds Local Content Strides In NLNG’s Train 7 Project
By Charles Ebi
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board ,NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe has commended the significant Nigerian Content strides achieved in the Nigeria LNG Limited ,NLNG, Train 7 Project.
Speaking during a visit to the NLNG six-train plant, Train 7 Project construction site, and the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited ,NSML, training centre, Maritime Centre for Excellence ,MCOE, in Finima, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Engr. Ogbe emphasised the need for increased collaboration and advocacy for Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.Engr. Ogbe was received by Mr. Olakunle Osobu, Deputy Managing Director; Engr. Nnamdi Anowi, General Manager of Production; Engr. Ali Uwais, Train 7 Project Director; Mr. Abdulkadir Ahmed, NSML Managing Director/CEO; and other senior management officials of the company.
During his address, the Executive Secretary highlighted how the Train 7 Project has significantly boosted local capacity through the production of ancillary components and accessories within Nigeria, contributing directly to the project’s successful execution. He commended the recent Presidential Directives on Local Content implementation, which mandate that contracts in the oil and gas sector be awarded exclusively to local companies with proven in-country capabilities, as instrumental to these achievements.Reflecting on the progress made, Engr. Ogbe stated,
“The accomplishments we are witnessing today at the NLNG Train 7 Project are a testament to the NLNG’s unwavering commitment to Nigerian Content. This project stands as a beacon of what we can achieve when we prioritise our local industries and talents”.Speaking further, the NCDMB boss lauded NLNG’s management for achieving 52 million man-hours on the Train 7 project with zero lost time injury ,LTI.
He assured that “we will support you to achieve everything you desire to accomplish for the overall development of Nigeria”.The NCDMB boss also commended his immediate predecessor, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, for his immense contributions to the approval, take-off and success of the Train 7 project.Commenting on the Maritime Centre for Excellence ,MCOE, Engr. Ogbe expressed delight that it is the first training centre in Africa to receive accreditation from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency ,UK MCA, to deliver and issue certificates for the STCW 2010 Electronic Chart Display and Information System ,ECDIS, and Basic Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations courses.
The MCOE, a maritime training and research facility, aims to enhance maritime expertise in Nigeria and the West African region.
It currently hosts a specialised training programme for marine services providers in the upstream oil and gas sector, with the support of NCDMB.on his part, NLNG’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olakunle Osobu, who represented Dr. Philip Mshelbila, NLNG’s MD/CEO, lauded the NCDMB’s unwavering support for the Train 7 Project, describing the partnership as a shining example of the public-private collaboration that can drive Nigeria’s industrial growth.
He emphasised that NLNG’s Nigerian Content deliverables showcase the power of strategic collaboration and capacity building, aligning with the NCDMB’s broader objectives and contributing to national development goals.Mr. Osobu further reiterated that Nigerian Content was not just a regulatory requirement for NLNG but a core business strategy. “We are committed to going beyond compliance, embracing Nigerian Content as a fundamental part of our vision of helping to build a better Nigeria”, he added.
He also highlighted the economic impact of the Train 7 Project, stating that the addition of Train 7 will expand Nigeria’s LNG production capacity from 22 Metric Tonnes, MT, to 30MT per annum, which will not only boost the nation’s economy by creating jobs and driving sustainable development but also reinforce Nigeria’s position as a formidable player in the global energy market.
Engr. Ogbe’s visit comes on the heels of a recent tour of BEAMCO Limited, where pumps and valves are locally assembled for the Train 7 Project, and the commissioning of the Daewoo Galvanising Plant at Abam-ama, Okrika, Rivers State.
-
Featured5 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured4 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured5 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured3 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports2 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
Featured5 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
-
News1 year agoJubilation In Kaduna As Tribunal Upholds Ekene Adam Winner Of Reps Election
