Nigeria: Press spotlights readiness of Dangote Refinery to commence production, others

APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
The report that Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Monday announced its readiness to commence production of refined petroleum products as it received the 6th batch of one million barrels of crude oil required by the plant for its initial operations is one of the leading stories in Nigerian newspapers on Tuesday.
The Punch reports that Dangote Petroleum Refinery, on Monday, announced its readiness to commence production of refined petroleum products as it received the 6th batch of one million barrels of crude oil required by the plant for its initial operations.
“Dangote refinery appears set to commence production of refined petroleum products with the receipt of the sixth batch of barrels of crude supplied by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited,” the firm stated in a statement issued on Monday.
It said the fresh one million Agbami barrels of crude via MT ALMI SUN was the last cargo to complete the initial scheduled six million barrels consignment to be delivered to the Dangote facility for the commencement of operations by the world’s largest single-train refinery.
Exactly a month ago, Dangote refinery received the first one million barrels of Agbami crude grade from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited, one of the largest trading companies in Nigeria as well as globally, trading in over eight million barrels of crude oil per day.
Since then, Dangote refinery has been receiving the crude oil in batches, and the 6th batch of one million barrels of Agbami crude, got discharged on Monday at the Single Point Mooring at the Dangote Offshore Oil Terminal.
The Managing Director of Dangote Ports Operations, Akin Omole, had told newsmen at the Dangote Quay, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos that the refinery would be in good stead to commence operation, once the six million barrels of crude had been delivered.
Omole said, “Once the six million barrels are fully delivered, it will facilitate the initial run of the refinery as well as kick-start the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit.”
The newspaper says that President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to launch a full-blown investigation into the finances of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Tinubu handed down the directive in a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, who also announced the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, over the N585m scandal in the ministry.
The statement was titled ‘President Tinubu suspends Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation from office.’
Edu’s suspension was happening as her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, was grilled for about 12 hours by the EFCC detectives over the ongoing probe into the N37.1bn allegedly laundered during her tenure in office, through a contractor, James Okwete.
The ex-minister was questioned from 11am to 11pm by investigators seeking information on how the huge sum was allegedly laundered by top officials who served under her.
Data from the Budget Office indicate that the ministry, erstwhile known as Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, had a N2.38tn budget from 2020 to 2024.
In compliance with the presidential directive, the EFCC has also summoned Edu to appear before its detectives on Tuesday (today).
The Punch also reports that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education will today, Tuesday, set up an inter-ministerial committee to combat the activities of degree mills.
The ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Ben Goong, made this known in a notice sent to journalists in Abuja.
“Education Minister, Prof.Tahir Mamman, will this afternoon, inaugurate an inter-ministerial committee on degree mills,” Goong said in the notice.
The PUNCH reports that the activities of degree mills once again came to the centre of discussions in Nigeria, following an investigative report by a reporter, Umar Audu, with the Daily Nigerian newspaper on the activities of degree mills in Benin Republic and Togo.
The reporter revealed how he obtained a degree within six weeks and even proceeded to embark on mandatory youth service under the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
The reporter revealed how he obtained a degree within six weeks and even proceeded to embark on mandatory youth service under the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
Audu, who reached out to the syndicate that specialises in selling degree certificates in December 2022, graduated in February 2023 and was issued a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication certificate from the Ecole Superieure de Gestion et de Technologies, Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The Guardian says that the Federal Government is to implement a policy that compels Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to reserve a five per cent employment slot for persons with disabilities across the federation.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Persons With Disabilities, Mohammed Abba-Isa, made the disclosure in Damaturu, Yobe State during a meeting with disabled persons and relevant stakeholders.
He said his office was working closely with that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ensure persons with disabilities are empowered to reduce the number of beggars.
His words: “All the MDAs must reserve a five per cent employment slot for persons with disability because that is the only way we can impact their lives through employment and empowerment.”
“That is the only way you can even get some out of begging, and Mr President will marshal out strategies for this.”
He hinted about establishing skills acquisition centres in the six geo-political zones of the country, where persons with disabilities could acquire skills.
GIK/APA