Nigeria Can Generate N5trn Annually From Solid Minerals – Group

Nigeria can generate at least N5 trillion annually from mining and exporting of its vast solid mineral deposits, with several multiplier effects of job creation, state development and social infrastructure that could make the solid minerals sector as the main catalyst for the national development, Association of Metals Exporters of Nigeria stated yesterday.

At a press briefing at the weekend in Lagos, the association called on the federal government to provide the enabling environment for the development of the Nigerian solid minerals sector. Metallic solid minerals are the most exported solid minerals from Nigeria.

The Association, which comprises of various companies in the business of metal export, commended the focus of the minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and expressed its readiness to partner with the government in the development of the Nigerian solid minerals sector.

President, Association of Metal Exporters of Nigeria, Mr. Seun Olatunji, said there is need for synergy between government agencies and private operators to unlock the values in solid minerals sector.

He noted that with not less than 38 viable solid mineral deposits in sustainable export quantity in Nigeria, the solid minerals sector has the potential to generate not less than N5 trillion annually once the government put in place necessary frameworks.

He pointed out that the solid minerals industry could serve as the much-needed solution to unemployment as the development of the value chain from mining to export can create more than five million jobs.

According to him, there is need for government regulatory agencies such as Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to work with established private sector companies under the auspices of Association of Metal Exporters of Nigeria to develop globally acceptable regulatory standards for Nigerian metallic exports.

He noted that Nigeria has been losing considerable value due to the absence of efficient regulations and standards for metal exports.

Vice president, Association of Metal Exporters of Nigeria, Mr. Bamidele Ayemibo, underscored the need for government to consider viable public private partnership (PPP) option to develop basic infrastructure such as crushing plant and standardized weighing bay among others.

Anti-Corruption Group Makes Shocking Revelations Against Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike

A group called the Peoples Coalition against Corruption has urged the federal government and its anti-corruption agencies to investigate Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike for acts of monumental and well calculated acts of  corruption as well as other high profile economic and financial crimes he perpetrated in his days as Minister of State for Education to governor of Rivers State. 

The Peoples Coalition against Corruption has urged the federal government and its anti-corruption agencies to investigate Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike for acts of corruption spanning the last five years.

In a statement signed by Peter Iloagbeze, the group accused the governor of massive theft and diversion of resources from the Tetfund; the swindling of over N100billion Universal Basic Education Fund, as well as conversion and diversion over N20billion of the Ministry of Education budgets in four years, among others.  

It also called on the presidency, the EFCC, ICPC, Nigeria Police and DSS to investigate various acts of stealing, diversion of public funds, corrupt practices by colluding public servants in NDDC and the Rivers State government; as well as forgery, fraud, presentation of forged documents with the intent to deceive public officials, national sabotage, money laundering and other economic crimes. 

“We call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Staff of NDDC, RVSG, CICO, RCC, as well as the Bank official that colluded to swindle Rivers State and Nigeria,” the statement said.

Accusing the governor of a deliberate attempt to deceive and swindle the Rivers State Government, the group alleged that as Minister of State for Education between 2012 and May 29, 2015, he caused to be awarded to himself through his companies and cronies several contracts which he did not execute but for which he received full payment. 

“For instance, on the 28th day of June 2012, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the hand of Engr. E. Eshett awarded the CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF RUMUEPIRIKOM INTERNAL ROADS (PHASE 1 & 2), OBIO/AKPO to CICO INDUSTRIES LTD for the sum of #2,673,121,782.24 (Two Billion, Six Hundred and Seventy-Three Million, One Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Two Naira and Twenty-Four Kobo),” it said.  “Beside the fact that CICO INDUSTRIES LTD, is not a Civil Engineering company they were awarded with the contract for the construction of Rumueprikom Internal Roads and have been fully paid by NDDC, using his crony Hon. Henry Ogiri.”

According to the statement, CICO did not execute that job. 

“Instead, in 2015, upon emergence as the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike, knowing that the same road had been awarded to him through MESSER CICO INDUSTRIES LTD for which he had been paid did without any form of compliance with the Rivers State Procurement Law and in other to cover his criminal act and intention, surreptitiously awarded the same RUMUEPRIKOM INTERNAL ROADS to RENNIER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY (RCC) for even a high amount than the pricing of the NDDC.”

The group said its investigations in RCC revealed that the Governor then went further to compel the company to do the job for N2billion less than the cost shown on Government Records as the price of the job. 

“The investigation also revealed that the company was cajoled to do the job as a condition for them to receive payment for their Trans Amadi - Woji - Elelenwo - Akpajo Road awarded to them by the past administration in the State. As it stands on records today, NDDC has Rumueprikom Internal Road awarded to CICO (WIKE) in 2012 for over N2.6billion; RVSG has the same road awarded to RCC and another company (both for WIKE) in 2015 for over N3.4billion.”

It stress that the most painful part of the matter is that as of now, not even up to 35% of the work scope has been achieved despite these such huge amounts having been swindled from the treasures of Rivers State and Nigeria.