Tech I NASS' $1bn Nod On Ajaokuta Project

By Fred Doc Nwaozor



The name Ajaokuta has hitherto remained a household name in Nigeria, perhaps owing to how much or often it’s being cited by must Nigerians in positions of authority.

It’s noteworthy that the famous Ajaokuta is a Local Government Area (LGA) in Kogi State – the North Central part of Nigeria – where the country’s one of the most significant, if not most, tech-driven hub(s) is situated.

The Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) alongside Delta Steel Company (DSC) in Delta State, among others, was established in 1979 under the reign of the Late Alhaji Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic in accordance with Section 2 of the National Steel Council Decree No.60 of September 19, 1979 and they were incorporated as Limited Liability Companies.

It was reportedly expected to commence production in 1984. Amusingly, and pathetically too, 34 years after it was designed to kick-start Nigeria’s industrialization, the multi-billion naira Ajaokuta complex is yet to produce steel despite attaining about 98% completion since 1994, having sunk about $10bn into the project. It was recently reported that about $2bn was additionally needed to complete the remaining 2% of the entire project.

It would interest us to note that the ASCL, which is reckoned to be the country’s biggest industrial project, is located on 24,000 hectares of sprawling Greenfield landmass. The steel plant itself is built on 800 hectares of land. The chosen technology for steel production is the time tested Blast-Furnace, a basic oxygen furnace route.

It was rumoured sometime last year that the President Muhammadu Buhari–led administration was planning to privatize the ASCL whose slogan remains “the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialization” in its bid to finance the 2018 deficit budget, but the government frantically refuted the insinuation.

As regards the renewed vigour and quest to complete the remaining phase of the ASCL, on 13th December 2018, the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) graciously gave its approval for one billion dollar ($1bn) to be withdrawn from the Federal Government’s (FG’s) share of the country’s Excess Crude Account (ECA).

The Senate who acted in line with the consent of the Green Chamber, equally instructed that all monies, loans, grants, and what have you that may from time-to-time be appropriated and authorized by any tier of government or entity, either local or foreign, should be part of the funding for the completion of the project.

It’s worth noting that the resolution followed the passage of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Completion Fund Bill 2018. The bill slated for concurrence, was presented by the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan.

The legislation, however, stated that the monies in the fund shall be applied by the minister subject to appropriation by the NASS only for the construction, improvement, extension, enlargement and replacement of infrastructure and works, including the provision, acquisition, improvement and replacement of other capital assets required in respect of or in connection with the completion of the project.

I want to bring to our notice that the Ajaokuta integrated steel complex was born out of the then government’s quest for a diversified economy. It was conceived and steadily developed with the vision of erecting a metallurgical process plant cum engineering complex with other auxiliaries and facilities that would help to stimulate the diversified economy.

It was meant to be used to generate important upstream and downstream industrial and economic activities that were critical to the diversification of the Nigeria’s economy into an industrial one. It’s, therefore, appalling that several decades down the line, the country is still faced with the old song regarding diversification that ought to have been a thing of the past.

Even though the latest development in regard to the long awaited completion of the abandoned ASCL is coming so late or not timely, we should find joy in the fact that at last, the government has remembered the once forgotten national project. But the candid question that’s yearning for answer is: how sincere and determined are the concerned authorities towards doing the needful henceforth?

It’s not anymore news that aside the steel industry, other moribund sectors, such as the petroleum, have equally been granted similar attention in recent times under the watch of President Buhari who’s apparently keen to diversify the country’s mono-economy, yet till date, rather than getting tangible positive results, we keep receiving myriad of excuses. Is it then a function of ineptitude or lack of will?

These impediments witnessed overtime have made most concerned Nigerians to feel impelled to express grave doubts about the determination of any authority, or officer-in-charge, to aptly initiate, carry out as well as complete any project entrusted upon them.

It’s on this premise I challenge the Ministry of Mines and Steel to prove to teeming Nigerians that it is ever-ready to do as expected by presenting to the citizenry the modalities worked out towards the completion of the ASCL. It’s imperative to acknowledge that a befitting framework cannot be actualized if the authority acted without reference to the original blueprint of the project.

Similarly, considering that the project was abandoned for many years, some of the completed phases may have broken down, hence there must be cross-examination in this regard towards averting any possible future breakdown when the company becomes practically in use.

It is not arguable that $1bn is a whole lot of money, but considering the market survey concerning the completion of the ASCL, it’s understandable that more funds are urgently required for the project. Against this backdrop, the government is required to borrow from any individual or entity, particularly indigenous. It’s arguably a capital project of this kind, that would effect tremendous economic growth if completed, that requires borrowing towards its completion.

Then if eventually completed in the long run, having run the company within a reasonable period, the government may decide to sell the shares to the general public, investors in particular, with a view to servicing all the debts incurred in the process. Making the public shareholders, while the government remains the stakeholder, would equally enable the latter sustain the ASCL with ease.

As we greatly appreciate the NASS for approving this lofty move as engineered by President Buhari, it ought to also note that it’s required to use its oversight function to ensure the successful and timely completion of the laudable project. This mustn’t be taken for granted or juxtaposed with politics.

The executive on its part needn’t be reminded that consulting the cognoscenti in the process cannot be compromised for whatever reason. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com

Tech I That Osinbajo's Notice On Modular Refineries

By Fred Doc Nwaozor



Even an imbecile in Nigeria can boldly attest to the lingering fact that the country’s major and highest revenue base – the petroleum sector – has over the decades been clamouring for rescue as its pathetic situation lingers.

This perhaps could be what informed the ongoing seeming efforts of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari towards ensuring that the said sector wears a new look in all ramifications, hence probably understood that only a tech-driven mechanism can fix the unending mayhem.

In his keynote address during the first-ever Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, which held in Abuja between 27-29 November, 2018, the Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo graciously notified the participants that the first set of the privately-owned modular refineries “being developed as part of the private-sector component of the vision” were currently being completed in Delta and Rivers States.

The number two citizen said amidst the gathering, which comprised more than 300 Nigerians living outside the country, that “One of them is a Brownfield Project that is being expanded from 1,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity to 10,000 bpd, while the other is a Greenfield Investment”, as he further disclosed “As at yesterday, another of such modular refinery was coming on stream”.

The 3-day epochal summit, which sought to mobilize the Diaspora to invest in Nigeria as part of the current government’s thrive to reposition the national economy, equally saw the vice-president informing the prospective investors that in each of the efforts, the communities were equity holders and stakeholders in the modular refineries.

According to him, such a gesture was crucial as the government was ensuring that the various communities were economic stakeholders in the development and economic opportunities in the Niger Delta in its quest for a rebranded oil and gas sector.

In the conference and exhibition attended by other top government functionaries such as Ministers of Foreign Affairs – Geoffrey Onyema, Agric – Audu Ogbe, and Power, Works and Housing – Babatunde Fashola, among others, Prof. Osinbajo reminded that “For those who may recall some of the engagements we had with the Niger-Delta, we promised we would ensure we are able to put in place some of the modular refineries that are actively engaged with the local communities.”

It suffices to assert that the remarkable event, which ensured that the diaspora investors have the opportunity to meet potential local partners as well as interact with government institutions, came to an end with wonderful notices and assurances to the people’s delight.

It’s only a dummy that’s yet to comprehend that the bane of the Nigeria’s petroleum sector has conspicuously been lack of refineries and allied matters. It’s a shame, to assert the least, that the world’s six most oil producing country cannot at the moment boast of a single refinery in any part across the federation.

In the past, the Nigeria’s indigenous company, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) could proudly boast of at least three standard world-class refineries situated in different localities namely: Port-Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna in Rivers, Delta and Kaduna States, respectively. But it’s pathetic that presently the aforementioned investments are mere monuments, and nothing more.

It is ridiculous and absurd that, rather than export petroleum products to other countries, Nigeria is deeply involved in their importation. When the crude oil is extracted from the earth crust, they are transported to foreign nations, thereby refining them over there.

Having made the raw materials available for consumption, the oil marketers who have been contracted or licensed by the Federal Government (FG) would import the finished products towards distributing them among the dealers domiciled in the country. Then the dealers would ensure the commodities are sold to the final consumers. This recurring decimal is what the citizens have been experiencing herein ever since the country’s refineries went into moribund.

This unfortunate occurrence was apparently what triggered the quest for total removal of fuel subsidy in the country by the Buhari-led reign on its emergence in 2015. Having perceived the oil subsidy as an avenue to ‘unfairly’ enriched the marketers who were seen as racketeers, the government was damn determined to completely stop the payment of subsidy on petrol otherwise known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and its agitation was reportedly actualized in the long run after series of counter reactions from the teeming Nigerians.

It’s noteworthy that the government’s total removal of the fuel subsidy, as was reported, was primarily informed by its motive to ensure that the downstream sector was thoroughly revived and boosted. But till date, despite all the earlier promises to resuscitate the incapacitated refineries, none is currently wearing a new look. This seeming inaction has signalled a great worry to the concerned citizenry.

It was barely few weeks ago Nigerians realized that the subsidy, contrary to the initial report, wasn’t actually totally removed. This implies some intriguing politics had been taking place underground without the knowledge of the masses. This smacks of pranks.

Taking a painstaking study of the Nigeria’s worrying situation as regards the oil and gas industry, it is only until the government addresses the unwholesome policies therein, the country can boast of a reputable tech-driven economy in respect of the sector in question.

Even as the government is frantically carrying out crusade on random establishment of modular refineries, its sustenance will definitely meet a downfall if it fails to critically consider and implement a set of strict required policies that would guarantee the healthy functionality of the initiative.

Aside the sustenance aspect, failure to set up adequate modus operandi would pose a great threat to further establishment of such refineries in the nearest future. Suffice it to say that such practice might be hijacked by unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements.

This, therefore, is the reason the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) recently passed by the National Assembly (NASS) needs to, henceforth, be further reviewed with a view to amending it where need be. And if passed, its considerations must equally be taken as serious by the Executive Arm if it’s really and genuinely willing to revamp the downstream sector.

Similarly, as we ostensibly make move to support setting up of modular refineries across the country, particularly in the Niger Delta region, we must equally not hesitate to do the needful towards reviving the forgotten standard ones.

Summarily, a lofty tech-driven concept requires a candid political will for apt plan and implementation. And if eventually implemented, sound relevant policies are needed for its onward sustenance. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com

Feature I As Uzodinma Romances nPDP, Others

By Fred Nwaozor



Who is yet to hear or come across the name ‘Senator Hope Uzodinma’ in the Nigeria’s political terrain? If I’m to answer the question, I would boldly say; nobody or only a dummy. The name could be said to be synonymous with Prince Eze Madumere.

The said names have in recent times abruptly become household names across the Nigerian State, particularly Imo – the Eastern Heartland – where the bearers hail from. And till date, a discerning political analyst in the aforementioned clime cannot do without the names or forget them in haste.

Though he’s currently serving his second term in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) as he represents the Imo-West Senatorial District, Sen. Uzodinma apparently became more relevant to the people of Imo the very moment he succeeded in acquiring the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to vie for the governorship position in the state amidst all odds.

It’s noteworthy that after all intrigues and intricacies that consequently surrounded the outcome of the Imo guber primaries of the APC, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole eventually confirmed Sen. Uzodinma as the authentic and suitable candidate for the gubernatorial race come March 2, 2019.

It’s not anymore news that the lawmaker’s emergence as the Imo guber flag-bearer of the APC was against the wish of the sitting governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha who made frantic effort to ensure that his ‘anointed’ son-in-law Mr. Uche Nwosu clinched the gubernatorial ticket.

Owing to the grievances that ensued afterwards, Mr. Nwosu was reportedly instructed by his godfather, Chief Okorocha to defect to another political party for continuity’s sake, not minding the fact that he (Okorocha) is a senatorial candidate of the APC. This implies that the latter is hell bent to make the former his successor come May 29, 2019.

The amazing part of the overall melodrama thus far is that Sen. Uzodinma, who is conspicuously working hand-in-hand with the famous Imo Deputy Governor Prince Madumere, has never been deterred by the distractions emanating from the sitting governor’s camp. Rather, he has gone extra mile to showcase to his teeming allies that he possesses all it takes to be the next Executive Governor of the revered Imo.

By so doing, the federal legislator has ostensibly succeeded in gaining more momentum or popularity in the state compared to his rivals, particularly those holding the tickets of the major political parties for the awaited race.

This could be attested to penultimate week, precisely on Sunday, 27th January 2019, when the leadership of the new People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) in the state proudly collapsed its structure into the camp of the Chief Marcellinus Nlemigbo – led APC in their bid to throw unalloyed support for the Imo-West Senator.

The nPDP led by Dr. Fabian Ihekweme publicly disclosed that their decision was rightly informed by the conviction that Sen. Uzodinma was the right man for the governorship seat, as he further strongly asserted that the lawmaker who he described as ‘pleasant’ would emerge convincingly victorious at the polls because “he has the majority behind him”.

It would be recalled that the nPDP’s emergence sometimes in November last year being 2018 was as a result of the differences that ensued between the two main guber aspirants Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha in the Imo PDP after the party held her governorship primary in Owerri, the state’s capital in which the latter secured the party’s ticket.

Sen. Anyanwu who is presently representing the Imo-East Senatorial District in the Senate alleged that the primary, which produced the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Chief Ihedioha as the Imo PDP’s flag-bearer, was marred by irregularities, hence headed for the court to seek for justice. It was amid this trending that the nPDP, which was in support of the aggrieved candidate, emerged.

Aside the nPDP’s unannounced support for Sen. Uzodinma’s guber aspiration, penultimate Tuesday being 29th January 2019 when the APC held her Presidential rally in the state – precisely Owerri – which saw the presence of the presidential candidate of the party, Muhammadu Buhari, a bigwig of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and a national leader of the party, Chief Martin Agbaso alongside his teeming followers was in attendance to equally throw his support behind the senator’s aspiration.

It’s worthy of note that the APGA is currently having Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume, who had twice represented the Imo-North Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber of the NASS and has hitherto relentlessly been in the race, as its guber flag-bearer in the Eastern Heartland.

This intriguing gesture of Chief Agbaso who had once been the guber flag-bearer of the APGA, might perhaps not be unconnected with the controversial way the Imo-North senator clinched the ticket of the party. The rest is history.

As Sen. Uzodinma publicly romances with the nPDP and other political gladiators, many onlookers in various quarters have opined that the Oru-East born dogged politician, who refused to throw in the towel even when all hopes seemed to have been lost, is far closer to the state’s Douglas House than his fellow contenders.

So, as Imolites watch the drama and impatiently wait to see the D-day, could it be that the APC’s guber flag-bearer – who obviously acquired the party’s ticket with the keen support of Prince Madumere – is already calling himself Chief Okorocha’s successor? Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, the National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com

Analysis I Before Nigerians Embrace The Polls

By Fred Nwaozor



The last time I checked, Nigerians in their entirety could not wait to embrace the 2019 general elections which are already by the corner. Before now, they waited patiently to witness this epochal moment.

As Nigerians in their number are basked in the ecstasy that accompanies the long awaited national ritual, before they eventually embrace the D-day, there are prime inevitable factors that mustn’t be swept under the carpet by the key actors of the impending exercise.

In any political clime across the globe, the major actors remain the political parties, electoral umpire and the electorate, hence that of Nigeria wouldn’t be exceptional. These three groups are mainly the reason for this piece, though the stance of the security outfits cannot be possibly overlooked.

We have been reliably informed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that about ninety one registered political parties would be participating in the elections scheduled to take place on February 16 and March 2, 2019, respectively.

These parties alongside their respective flag-bearers need to take into cognizance that their activities before, during and after the polls will go a long way in communicating to the electorate what they are really made up of and their real intentions.

The various parties are the main players in the pitch, hence the way and manner they play the ball as well as dribble their rivals would determine the amount of followers to be attracted to them. It suffices to enthuse that if they refused to play well or reasonably, they are liable to lose millions of fans among the spectators.

On the ballot papers meant for the contest, what is legibly written are the names/acronyms of the various political parties vying for the available positions, not the names of the recognized contestants. Thus, political wise, the electorate cast their respective votes in support of the parties as disclosed on the ballot papers, not the politicians or flag-bearers.

Acknowledging the above indisputable fact, each of the parties are expected to conduct itself in a manner where people would see it as the most suitable party for the posts being contested for. It’s noteworthy that the way they dress would surely determine how the viewers would address them.

It is primarily the duty of the parties to market or advertise the aspirants in a mature pattern, to enable them attract large and good number of prospective buyers to their shops. If the shops or products are not looking attractive and sound, no reasonable buyer will walk up to them or be moved by the wares let alone making a purchase. There are no two ways about it.

On their part, the electorate must be mindful of the product they intend to purchase. They must note that “all that glitters is not gold”. That a certain shop or ware is very attractive doesn’t actually mean the content is good or sound enough for consumption. This implies that the electorate must not only be watchful, but equally careful and cautious.

As the parties go about marketing their various flag-bearers, the electorate need to be prepared to get very close to the aspirants with a view to assessing them thoroughly and carefully towards ascertaining the qualities they truly possess.

So, don’t be deceived. And, in order not to be carried away by deceit, you need to know what you really want or desire. One who doesn’t know what he/she actually desires would be easily cajoled into purchasing the wrong product or brand. You must, therefore, discover your desire and stick to it.

Inter alia, the electorate are also urged to realize their needs. There is a great dichotomy between want and need. What a certain set of people want might only quench their personal/individual thirsts, but their need will surely satisfy the urge of the entire constituency, state, or country, as the case may be. Hence, one’s need supersedes his/her want. You are by this exegesis enjoined to go only for your needs at all cost.

The electoral umpire, the INEC, is not left out. You are the referee in this pitch, thus shouldn’t be reminded that all eyes are on you. You are, therefore, required to settle any score without sentiments. Your neutrality must not be compromised or in doubt. You must remain neutral, impartial and strict, no matter whose ox is gored.

Do not mortgage the future of our constituencies, states, or country for a mere pot of porridge yam. Posterity will undoubtedly judge you if you walk on the wrong path, and sooner and later, you would be disgraced in the public sphere. Be duly notified that no one will ever escape from the Law of Karma. It’s a law that has come to stay, hence absolutely nothing will truncate its existence.

Like I hinted earlier, the security outfits are equally part of this ritual. You have been contracted by the Nigerian people to ensure absolute calmness and peace as long as the exercise lasts, thus the citizenry aren’t expecting any excuses from you irrespective of the circumstance. If you ceased to be patriotic in carrying out the consignment, then you aren’t good or needed for the job.

Before we embrace the long awaited polls, we mustn’t be reminded that Nigeria as a country doesn’t need second best, but second to none. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com

Opinion I Senate As Retirement Hub For Governors

By Fred Nwaozor



As a growing child, I strongly nurtured the concept that if I eventually joined politics in future, I would like to serve in the Senate whereby I would be involved in making national laws and opportune to be addressed as Senator.

But it seems currently, I’m gradually losing that dream, which I once nurtured with great passion and vigour. The loss of interest might not be unconnected with the ongoing trending across the federation I’ve taken time to observe.

With all due respect, the continued melodrama being displayed by our serving governors has ostensibly made the revered Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) to inadvertently lose its honour by the day. My choice of words ought to be considered apt if you make a bit effort to be in my humble shoes.

I wouldn’t be informing us if I say our various serving governors have made the Senate to be seen as their retirement hub. Virtually all wants to land in the NASS’ upper chamber having handed over as the Executive Governor of his State. This glaring situation is pathetically fast becoming a norm.

It has amusingly continued unabated that any governor who’s serving his second term and almost completing the tenure wouldn’t hesitate to start dreaming how he would be addressed as a senator the moment he left office. They continually think in this direction as if it has become statutory for them to vacate the Government House for the Senate upon the expiration of their tenures.

The question remains: how did we get here or who actually initiated this? Aside ascertaining the brain behind the initiative, there’s equally need to realize the reason the electorate are yet to question – in its entirety – this practice, which has succeeded in truncating the chances of ‘virgin’ Nigerians securing a senatorial seat.

As the purported political tradition lingers, most concerned analysts are engulfed in uncertainties as they ceaselessly argue that there’s no good side of the unending practice. According to this set of thinkers, the system is unwittingly throwing normalcy to the dust by allowing a few gladiators to hijack what belongs to all. I concur wholly with this school of thought, hence deeply perturbed about the existence of the uncalled act.

As I keenly observe the intrigues and intricacies surrounding the perverted political system, I can’t help but remain sober. The unfriendly ripples emanating from the anomaly is enough reason to worry over the future of our nascent democracy. This, therefore, calls for an alarm from any well meaning onlooker.

It becomes more worrisome when realized that any of the said politicians who intends to retire to his country home, or outside the Senate, after serving as a governor is strongly ‘scolded’ by his teeming followers for nurturing such interest let alone disclosing it. This implies that the followers are partly, if not mainly, the reason the leaders have apparently chosen to remain the bidders while the former continue to clap with their teeth widely open.

It’s so sad, to assert the least, that no Nigerian politician – on the average – wishes to retire having served ‘successfully’ in a certain position of authority; rather, he would want to taste virtually every other political post as he leaves office. This has abruptly become a recurring decimal among these politicos. One could boldly opine that this is an aberration.

Retirement is a good thing that every right thinking person should yearn for. It is a time when an individual is required to take a resounding rest having meritoriously served in a particular position within a given duration. Such a period in one’s life deserves to be celebrated by all and sundry. But it’s absurd that in this part of the world, people fear to go for such rest.

On the part of the civil servants, particularly the state employees, their fear is understandable. They are invariably afraid to embrace retirement owing to the fact that receiving their pensions, and even gratuities, would be far-fetched. So, in this case, we are moved to sympathize with this class of persons.

But in the case of the politicians who may have acquired ‘all’ while in office, such fear of the unknown is laughable, thus not in any way acceptable. Funnily enough, these past governors would gladly collect pensions while serving as senators. How do we reconcile this?

My prime worry and furry is that the country’s revered Senate is fast becoming a retirement ground for our various politicians. Lawmaking which is a very critical and sensitive activity, hence supposed to be reserved strictly for only ‘fresh bloods’, is now seen as a duty meant for retirees. This ugly development is mischievously implying that our young ones cannot handle the said portfolio as expected. What a nation!

We cannot continue to mortgage our collective future for a mere pot of porridge yam. It’s conspicuously high time the youth rose up from this slumber that has already unequivocally consumed their fortune. This arrant apathy, or perhaps ignorance, that smacks of cowardice, ought to be wholly terminated headlong.

As I weep on this rostrum, I don’t seek for one that would wipe the tears but someone who would truly and fully comprehend the real essence of the sobriety. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement, writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com