Page 20
PEOPLES DAILY, monday, february 11, 2019
B U $ I N € S S
NNPC commissions $60m Gas Plant in Delta By Etuka Sunday
T
he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it was committed to pursuing the Federal Government’s aspiration of aggressively deploying the nation’s vast gas resources for economic growth. A release in Abuja by corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, disclosed this while commissioning a $60m Egbeoma Gas Processing Plant in Ebedei Community, Ukwuani Local Government of Delta State, Thursday. “NNPC is committed to the Federal Government’s aspirations as expressed in the gas policy, environmental policy and domestic gas utilization policy,” Dr. Baru stated. Some of the targets under the various government policies, Dr. Baru observed, include theeffective monetization of the nation’s vast gas resources for sustainable economic growth and a complete end to gas flaring. In particular, GMD said the corporation was pursuing aggressive growth in domestic gas supply capacity from the current 1.7bscfd to 5bscfd in the medium term, a growth which he explained, would come from the seven (7) critical gas development projects. According to him, aside the gas supply growth, the NNPC was equally committed to the expansion of gas pipeline infrastructure network system. “This expansion includes the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline which is less than 5km to Egbeoma Gas Plant and can serve as a major evacuation artery of the dry gas produced from the plant to the market,” he added. While congratulating PNG Gas Ltd, operators of the Egbeoma Gas Plant, Baru noted that the development fitted squarely into the Federal Government’s gas aspiration of using gas as an enabler for energy independence, industrial development, commerce an d environmental and social sustainability. He also described the achievement as a “no mean feat”, adding that the conceptualization and actualization of the gas plant project dream had reinforced NNPC’s confidence in the potentials of Nigerian indigenous companies. The GMD urged operators whose assets are close to the plant and the OB3 pipeline to seize the opportunity by collaborating with PNG Gas Limited
to supply gas to maximize the plant’s capacity, access and commercialize all existing flares and further develop the significant gas reserves of 1Tcf of gas in the area. “I see this initiative as the beginning of an end to the last mile of gas flaring in Nigeria. This plant is a hallmark of Nigerian engineering prowess and local content capacity,” he added. Earlier in his address, promoter of the Egbeoma Gas Plant project,
Engr. Charles Osezua, said the plant represented the success story of Nigerian engineering. “Our dream is to help realize the Federal Government’s drive of building a gas hub in this area by processing 150mmscfd of gas which will not only generate power but also support the growth of the nation’s economy,” Osezua stated. He said as an industry leader, NNPC had a major role to play in
galvanizing and bringing together the nation’s gas producers with a view to creating a gas hub in the country. He noted that since inception in 2016, the plant had been running at 97% of installed capacity with a stellar safety record of about 1.5million man hours of operation without loss time injury (LTI). The PNG Gas Limited is the owner and operator of Egbeoma Gas Plant which processes 30 million
L-R: Member, Board of Trustee, Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Alhaji Olayinka Quadri; President, TAMPAN, Mr Bolaji Amusan; Minister of Power Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; Secretary Board of Trustee, Mr Jide Kosoko and National Representative, Mrs Ayo Adesanya, during TAMPAN delegation’s visit and declaration of their Support for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Minister, yesterday in Lagos . Photo: NAN
Families of dead ex-Nigeria Airways workers to get entitlements - FG From Suleiman Idris, Lagos
T
he Federal Government have disclosed that it is not oblivious of the economic challenges of no fewer than 800 family members of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited retirees who have died between 2004 till date while awaiting the payment of their entitlements. To this end, the FG said all necessary arrangement is been put in place to ensure that the next of kins of the deceased workers receive their benefits on their behalf within a short time. Minster of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed made the disclosure at a solidarity rally in support of the re-election bid of President Muhammad Buhari and Professor Yomi Osinbajo by the ex-staff of the NAL at the Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos over the weekend. The Minister said “It is not just former staffers of Nigeria Airways
who have benefited from the peopleoriented policy of this administration as former Biafran policemen, former workers of Aladja Delta Steel Company and former Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) workers have also seen their years of suffering and neglect come to an end thanks to President Buhari.” He said “For over 800 deceased ex-staff of Nigeria Airways, their next of kin will also receive the entitlements due to them.” Lai Muhammad also added that “It Is noteworthy that since liquidation of Nigeria Airways, successive administrations have failed to settle the ex-staffer, leading to untold suffering and loss of human dignity by affected people. “This administration’s commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians led President Muhammadu Buhari to end the 14b-year wait and suffering of 5,996 former staffers of Nigeria Airways, who have started receiving payments
of their pension arrears and other benefits from government.” He said further. Speaking earlier, the Coordinator of the Ex-pensioners’ rally and a former President of Aviation Union’s Grand Alliance (AUGA), Engineer Lookman Animashuan told journalists that the rally was a way of showing support to the father of a nation who remembered the suffering of his children and acted swiftly to arrest their situation. He said “We are celebrating President Muhammadu Buhari, we are happy for him, he has shown that he is a father of the nation, particularly to pensioners and ex- workers of Nigeria Airways because for 14 years we were humiliated, we were neglected and he promised that if he is elected he will start to pay and he has started paying. He has approved 50% and the final set of people are collecting as we speak and also he has promised that in the next 6 months he will pay the balance. And 6 months is just around the corner
Air Peace boss urges hard work, honesty among staff
From Suleiman Idris, Lagos
T
he Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian leading carrier, Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema at the weekend urged personnel working in the company to imbibe the virtues of hard work, humility, honesty and integrity in order not to allow the organisations they work for collapsed. Speaking at a reception held in honour of a retiring Air Peace Flight Operations Manager, Mr. Olawale Amos Olajide in Lagos, the conflict mediation expert expressed worry at the increase in acts of dishonesty among airline staff and affirmed that a lot of carriers had been destroyed
standard cubic feet of wet gas daily. The gas plant off-takes wet gas from the Platform/Newcross JV flow station to produce Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Propane, Lean Gas and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL). The plant is also the only onshore third-party gas extraction and fractionation plant of its kind in Nigeria and a mascot of the new gas revolution.
by their workers’ lack of integrity and disloyalty. He described the outgoing Manager as a dedicated, hardworking, honest and humble man of exceptional integrity and professionalism in the aviation industry. “Olajide joined Air Peace as pioneer Flight Operations Manager on July 1, 2013 and made huge contributions to the carrier’s ascendancy to the leadership of the air travel business in Nigeria and West Africa.” Onyeama told the guests. He added that “Olajide would have retired two years ago. When he came to tell me, he did not say he was retiring to go and join another airline,
because one thing is certain in this country, there is no airline better than Air Peace. I say this with every sense of humility and responsibility. When he told me he was retiring, I couldn’t take it. I told him ‘you are not going anywhere. You have to continue until I say it is okay’. He honoured my request to stay for another two years. “Let me tell you something that you have to know tonight. If you have not got to the stage your employer will not allow you to leave, then you should begin to ask yourself questions. I want all of us here to make it impossible for your employer to let you go. “What I am saying here is to encourage you to be like Mr. Olajide.
Mr. Olajide gave his all to Air Peace. He was employed on July 1, 2013. That was the hardest period of our lives. That was the period he joined. He contributed immensely to everything we are today. He doesn’t react to pressure. Whatever comes, Mr. Olajide remains the same calm Mr. Olajide. He uses his calmness and humility to disarm you. He has patience in abundance. He has tolerance in abundance. I wish we all will learn from him. He is a man of integrity and honesty,” he said. Onyema thanked Olajide’s spouse, Paulina and children for supporting their patriarch to sustain his reputation of hard work and honesty and urged
and we believe him most especially as the money is in the budget.” While commending the role played by the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed in the payment exercise Animasaun urged the ex-workers to come in large number together with their families to vote for President Buhari on February 16 Presidential election. He said, we all have dependants who have benefitted from the laudable gesture of the President. You must bring them out to vote for him. I have more than 30 dependants; all of them are going to queue behind me and vote for Buhari.” He debunked insinuation that the President is using magic saying “ we held that Sai Baba is using magic to charm electorates, there is nothing like magic, it is the good work of his administration that people are seeing, l can assure you that the balance of the 50% Mr. President will pay it, he is a man of his word”.
the children to follow their father’s example and acquit themselves creditably in their different places of work. He presented a certificate of excellence, cash and car to the retiring member of staff, saying Air Peace was grateful for his dedication to duty and would miss his valuable contributions to its flight operations. Responding, Olajide said he was grateful to Onyema and Air Peace for the opportunity offered him to contribute to efforts to grow the airline and assured that he would continue to be part of the carrier’s vision to transform air travel in the country and beyond.
PEOPLES DAILY, monday, february 11, 2019
METRO
Page 21
How security operatives averted bloodbath in Dei-Dei By Stanley Onyekwere
S
ecurity operatives averted serious bloodbath in the Dei-Dei axis of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following a violent face-off between hoodlums and supporters cum sympathisers of Nigeria’s two dominant political parties, which reignited palpable ethno-religious tension in the area. The incident which happened on Saturday, after suspected hoodlums had laid a blockade around the Timber Market axis of the Dei Dei road, in an unsuccessful attempt to halt top politicians and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were on campaign trip to palace of the paramount ruler of the Jiwa Chiefdom, in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). However, it took the timely intervention of the security personnel ensured that the violence that erupted did not escalate to a bloodbath situation. Trouble started when the convoy of the FCT Minister was blocked by supporters of the PDP who were chanting Obi, Obi and displaying the posters of Atiku/Obi and other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party. As expected, the development angered supporters of All Progressives Congress and insisted that the PDP supporters must pave way for the convoy of the minister to pass. In a split of seconds, violent clash erupted the convoy was pelted with rocks and other deadly missiles, and vehicles and property worth millions of naira were destroyed, while individuals sustained minor injuries, before the intervention of the police who shoot sporadically to disperse the crowd. Another round of mayhem sparked off when the APC entourage again faced-off with some irate youths around the DeiDei Building market while returning from the Jiwa palace, and heading for the grand finale at the Old Parade Ground, in Area 10. Although no death was recorded, no fewer than nine vehicles among the convoy were set ablaze with Molotov cocktail, otherwise known as petrol bombs. Other motorists were also not spared as their vehicles suffered serious damages. Not left out, some journalists attached to the minister’s convoy narrowly escaped death, as the vehicle belonging to FCT Minister’s Press Corps was badly damaged. Again, in the heat of the moment, the security detail attached to the office of the FCT Minister and others providing security for the campaign trail swiftly responded by firing shots in the air to disperse the warring groups, and calmed the situation. The intervention by the security agents helped to create a brief window, which allowed the APC Campaign convoy to retreat and follow another route to safety. Nine vehicles that were not so fortunate were however set ablaze by the attackers. Others that made it to safety also had their windshields smashed. Other motorists plying the area had their windshields broken by flying objects which were hauled by the hoodlums from different directions. Only the intervention of the security operatives ensured that the situation did not result in total breakdown of law and order. And billowing smokes from burning vehicles were seen high up in the sky during the melee which occurred in the afternoon
and around the twilight of the day. Eye witness account have it that hoodlums may taken advantage of a another rally by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which was also being held around the Dei Dei Timber Market, to unleash mayhem on the APC Campaign Convoy. It was observed that following the incident, there was palpable fear that there might be reprisal attack as both groups were strategizing for more coordinated attacks. Meanwhile, reacting to the development, the Director General, FCT APC Campaign Council, Hon. Musa Yahaya Mohammed, described the attack as unfortunate. He said intelligence information suggests that the attack may have been premeditated. The DG in a statement by the S. A Media to the FCT Minister, Malam Sani Abubakar, the ugly incident will be reported to the proper quarters to forestall a re-occurrence. The statement said the D.G was however quick to dispel the notion that some PDP supporters or ethnic elements were behind the mayhem. “I don’t consider it to be a crisis between two parties. It was a premeditated attack on the APC stalwarts but we didn’t have a privy knowledge of what was awaiting us. It’s quite unfortunate that it happened. “On our way going, we were attacked and of course on our way coming back, we were also attacked. “But as law abiding citizens, we retreated and took another route in order to avoid loss of lives. Unfortunately in the course of retreating, some of our vehicles were set ablaze. “Based on the report I gathered from the security personnel, about 9 of our vehicles were burned down. Some of the vehicles that escaped also had their windscreens smashed. Few individuals also sustained varying degrees of injuries. “I believe that it’s a good omen that it happened before the election. It’s a pointer to the fact that we should be security conscious and make a security arrangement during the elections and of course after the elections,” the DG was quoted in the
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA UNIVERSITY, BAUCHI INVITATION TO TENDER FOR YEAR 2017 TETFUND ZONAL INTERVENTION PROJECTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION Tertiary Education Trust Fund [TETFund] has allocated Funds to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi for 2017 Zonal Intervention projects (Remodelling and Upgrade, Procurement and installation of furniture) towards achieving the mandate of the University. The University therefore, invites experience and competent companies to submit bids for; Remodelling and Upgrade of former Bursary Department to Students Clinic and procurement and installation of furniture and other items. 2.0 SCOPE OF WORK YEAR 2017 TETFUND ZONAL INTERVENTION PROJECTS. LOT NO. DESCRIPTION OF WORK Lot 1 Remodelling and Upgrade of former Bursary Department to Students Clinic comprising of Male and Female wards, Treatment room, Dispensary, Store, Labor room, reception/waiting area, minor theatre room, Laboratory and Staff Offices and conveniences at Yelwa Campus Including external works. Lot 2 Procurement and Installation of various furnishing items to Staff Offices, Consulting rooms, Ward, Nurses Station, Waiting areas etc, 3.0 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS The University, in compliance with the PPA, 2007 and Bureau of public procurement (BPP) guideline, will carry out Pre-qualification of companies, which respond to this advert based on the following requirements: a) Evidence of certificate of incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) including forms CAC 2 and CAC 7; b) Evidence of Company’s Current Tax clearance certificate for the three (3) years (2015, 2016 & 2017) valid till 31st December, 2018; c) Evidence of Pension Compliance Certificate valid till 31/12/2018; d) Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) compliance certificate valid till 31/12/2018; e) Evidence of Nigeria Social Insurance Training Fund (NSITF) compliance certificate valid till 31/12/2018; f) Evidence of registration on National Database of Contractors, Consultants, and Service Providers by Bureau of public procurement (BPP) by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 30/06/2019 or valid certificate issued by BPP; g) A sworn affidavit disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University or Bureau of Public Procurement is a Former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary in the bidder and confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all materials particular; h) Company`s Audited Account for the last three (3) years (2015, 2016 & 2017); i) Evidence of financial capability to execute the project by submission of Reference Letter from a reputable commercial bank in Nigeria, indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when needed; j) Company Profile with curriculum of key staff to be deployed for the project including copies of their Academic/Professional qualifications; k) Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs executed in the last five (5) years including Letters of Awards, Valuation Certificates, Job completion certificates and Photographs of the projects; l) List of plants/Equipment with proof of Ownership/Lease; m) For Joint Venture/Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should be provided; n) All documents for submission must be transmitted with a Covering/Forwarding Letter under the Company/Firm`s Letterhead paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC), as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact address. The Company`s Letterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer of the firm. 4.0 COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS: Interested companies are to collect the Standard Bidding Documents (SBD) from the office of the Procurement officer, ground floor, Senate Building, Gubi Campus on evidence of payment of a Non-refundable fee of N10,000.00 per Lot, paid into the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Remita account in any commercial Bank. 5.0 SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Prospective bidders are to submit bid for each Lot desired, two (2) hard copies each of the Technical and financial bids with softcopy of the financial bid only in MS Excel format, packaged separately in sealed envelopes and clearly marked as “Technical Bid” or “Financial Bid”. Thereafter, put the two sealed envelopes together in a bigger sealed envelope addressed to, the Vice Chancellor, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, P.M.B 0248, Ningi Road, Bauchi, and clearly marked with the Name of the project and the Lot Number. Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should have the Name and address of the bidder and drop in the designated Tender Box, at the Procurement Unit, Ground floor, Senate Building, Gubi Campus not later than 12:00 noon, Monday 25th March, 2019. 6.0 OPENING OF BIDS The Technical Bids will be opened immediately after the deadline for submission at 12:00 noon, Monday 25th March, 2019; at the Senate Chamber, 3rd Floor, Senate Building, Gubi Campus, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, in the presence of bidders or their representatives, observers, civil society organisation (CSO`s), while Financial Bids will be kept un-opened. Please ensure that you sign the bid register in the office of the procurement unit, Ground Floor, Senate Building, Gubi Campus, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, as the University will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids. For further enquiries, please contact the procurement officer on email; procurement@atbu.edu.ng. 7.0 a. b. c. d. e. f.
GENERAL INFORMATION Bids must be in English Language and signed by an official authorized by the bidder; Bids submitted after deadline for submission would be returned un-opened; Bidders should not bid for more than two (2) Lots; All costs will be borne by the bidders; All pre-qualified bidders will be invited at a later date for financial bid opening, while the financial bids of unsuccessful bidders will be returned unopened; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi is not bound to pre-qualify any bidder and reserves the right to annul the Procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act, (PPA) 2007.
Signed: Vice Chancellor AbubakarTafawaBalewa University, Bauchi