Day: October 18, 2023

The newly appointed Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Mr Bamanga Usman, has unveiled plans for the future growth of the agency, inline with President Tinubu’s economic agenda.

Usman made this known on Wednesday when he took over from the former MD Sen. Tijjani Kaura, in Abuja.

He said that his vision include establishment of OGFZA offices in every state of the federation regardless of their oil productibg status.

He said that the expansion initiative is aimed at providing new investment opportunities and addressing the saturation of existing zones.

The MD said that under his leadership OGFZA, which is a key player in the oil and gas sector with focus on international clientele would introduce offshore banking services.

According to him, this is to facilitate seamless international financial transactions and solidify OGFZA’s position as a global industry leader.

“Having served as the sole OGFZA’s in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea for over two decades, OGFZA is preparing for a transformative rebranding.

” This rebranding is strategic in nature, focusing on engaging multinational stakeholders and reflecting the authority’s global ambitions, ” Usman said.

He said that as part of the transformation, foreign investment offices would be established to enhance accessibility for potential investors and improve coordination.

According to him, the key dimensions of OGFZA’s strategic approach include efficiency and trust

He said he would elevate infrastructure to international standards and address challenges including deteriorating roads and inconsistent power supply.

He also said that his leadership would update the regulatory framework to align with industry needs and global best practices.

Usman said his leadership would focus on technology transfer, skills acquisition, and supporting local businesses in line with the Nigerian Content Act.

He said he would create an investor-friendly environment and capitalising on Nigeria’s gas reserves for refining and development.

Usman added that his tenure would prioritise the welfare of staff and foster an environment of collaboration, innovation and dedication.

He promised to engage stakeholders and implement these strategic initiatives with the support of the community, aiming for a more result-driven and efficient OGFZA

Speaking, the Outgoing MD, Oil OGFZA, Sen. Tijjani Kaura, described the task ahead of the new leadership of the agency as daunting.

Kaura called on the staff members to extend the same level of support, understanding and loyalty that they showed him during his 14-month tenure.

He said that with perseverance and energy, the new MD would overcome the challenges bedeviling the agency and succeed in leading the organisation to achieving its vision.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mrs Modupe Maduba, an Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer, told an FCT High Court in Kubwa, that a 35-year-old man, Onyebuchi Ezema, defiled his four-year-old daughter.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), charged Ezema, who resides in Zone 9, Lugbe Airport Road, Abuja, with assault to which he pleaded not guilty.

Maduba of the NAPTIP said this while being cross examined by the defence counsel, Opeyemi Adeyemi at the resumed trial of Onyebuchi Ezema.

During cross-examination, Adeyemi asked Maduba the time, date and place the defendant committed the said offence.

He further asked if Maduba knew where the defendant’s wife kept the victim the day it happened and if it was possible an unknown person penetrated her vagina.

The defence counsel also asked the investigator to describe where the defendant lived and if there was electricity on the day of the incident.

In response, Maduba said the incident happened on April, 15, 2020 at Lugbe Zone 6, at night.

“The defendant lives in a one bedroom self contained apartment with his son whom he sleeps with in same room alongside his wife and daughter (the victim).

“The defendant’s wife left her child with her cousin who lives in the same village, while she went to work on the said date,” she said.

The investigator added that she did not know if there was electricity on the day of the incident.

Adeyemi asked if the investigator discovered any blood stain on the minor in the course of her investigation and if a finger print examination was carried out on the child to confirm if it was the defendant’s finger.

The defence counsel asked the investigator to read out the medical report in court, if it stated that the defendant broke the victim’s hymen.

Maduba responded that she did not see any blood stain on the victim, no finger print examination was carried out and the medical report did not state whom broke the victim’s hymen.

Adeyemi, however, applied for a no-case submission to the court.

Following the defence counsel’s submission, Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf adjourned the matter until Dec.13 for adoption of the no-case submission. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced tracking of 82 constituency projects valued at N8 billion in Imo.

Mr Victor Onakpoberuo, the Team Lead of the ICPC’s projects monitoring team, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Owerri on Wednesday.

The exercise is part of the tracking of 1,932 constituency projects valued at N500 billion across 26 states of the federation, as announced by the ICPC’s Spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, on Wednesday.

Onakpoberuo, Principal Superintendent of the commission said the exercise was the 6th phase of its Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative (CEPTI).

According to him, this is in line with ICPC’s mandate to rid Nigeria of all forms of corruption and corrupt practices.

He added that the exercise was aimed at investigating fraudulent procurement practices in public contract awards for proper service delivery to the people.

He also said the monitoring team would ensure the full execution of all publicly funded projects, enforce compliance with regulatory requirements and ensure that government gets value for money spent on projects.

“The project will see the commission tracking 82 projects in various communities in Imo valued at N8,213,772,862.16.

“The initiative is aimed at accelerating development at the community levels, to empower local communities to take ownership of constituency projects and to ensure value for money in government expenditures,” he said.

He however said that the monitoring team would visit all constituency projects in all 27 council areas of Imo to ensure their completion and compliance with acceptable standards. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria