Business
Fuel Scarcity: Apprehension grips Nigerians as MTN, Airtel issues 24 hours shutdown ultimatum
…Banks and domestic airline activities disrupted
By Yemie ADEOYE
LAGOS-THE lingering petrol scarcity in Nigeria which is swiftly grinding the economy to a halt seems about to take a new dimension as major mobile telecoms operators in the country have announced a shutdown of operations in 24 hours if the situation is not reversed.
Their counterparts in the banking and aviation sectors have also commenced major disruption of activities due to lack of requisite fuel to power their operations.
Several Nigerians took to the social media over the weekend to express their apprehension over news making the rounds that MTN and Airtel, two major telecoms operators in the country have started notifying their subscribers of the imminent shutdown within the next 24 hours if the fuel situation remains the same.
Reacting to the lingering fuel crises, Airtel said yesterday that the situation was impacting negatively on its commitments to delivering quality services and seamless telephony experience to Nigerians.
“We are currently doing everything within our means, as well as going the extra mile, to ensure that all our base stations and switches are up and running.
“It is sad to note that it is becoming increasingly difficult to replenish current stock of diesel due to the lingering scarcity of the products.
“We are also concerned that, if the situation persists, it may have adverse effects on our network, impacting both voice and data services.
“Airtel, therefore, wishes to assure all customers that we will continue working with all our partners and stakeholders to mitigate any negative impact, as we remain committed to our promise of providing exceptional services just as we seek the cooperation and understanding of all while apologising for any inconvenience at this time.”
Similarly, MTN, Nigeria’s largest mobile telecoms provider has warned that its network faces imminent shutdown due to fuel shortages that have crippled the nation.
“If diesel supplies are not received within the next 24 hours, the network will be seriously degraded and customers will feel the impact,” it added on its Twitter account, @MTNNG, at the weekend.
“Diesel generators power most of MTN’s base stations and switches across the country, but fuel supplies are running low,”
Some Nigerians who responded to our enquiry opined that for the telecoms industry to shutdown would result in dire consequences for the already suffering masses.
Jerry Inyang, a Lagos based lawyer noted on his twitter handle that with the shutdown of every other means of living, the only practical aid that helps people get by in this emergency situation is mobile telephony. “The moment this subscribers shutdown it’s going to be horrendous for millions of Nigerians. Don’t forget that between MTN and Airtel alone they control about 80 million subscribers and this could lead to further discomfort as people will no longer be able to communicate especially during emergencies and that could lead to frustration and chaos.
Already Arik Air and Aero Contractors two leading Airline companies in the country disrupted flight activities for several of their passengers over the weekend as several of their scheduled flights from various airports in the country were suspended, while there are strong indications that their other counterparts have started canceling and suspending flights accordingly due to lack of Jet Fuel.
The Banking sector is not left out as not a few banks have had reason to alert their customer of an imminent shutdown in the next couple of days.
GT Bank, a leading commercial bank in the country has already notified its staff and customers of a 1p.m closure in all its branches with effect from Monday due to fuel scarcity.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Nupeng, Lagos state chapter has placed the blame of the scarcity at the doorstep of the marketers noting that they appear to have products in their various tank farms, but have suspended loading, hence tanker drivers are unable to load. Tokunbo Korodo, Chairman, Lagos state chapter confirmed this during an interview early Monday morning.
He noted that Nupeng members are not on strike except the NNPC chapter of the union and that their reason was quite different from the ongoing national crises. He affirmed that any marketer who opens its depot would have trucks trooping in with the willingness and readiness to load products.
He also chided Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah for not releasing products before this time, claiming he may have done that for political reasons, as the products capital oil is distributing belongs to the federal government. He assured Nigerians that a major stakeholders meeting has been scheduled for Monday in Abuja with the intentions of finding a lasting solution to the lingering fuel crises.
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced revisions to the Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage for banks operating within the country.
NDIC’s Managing Director, Bello Hassan, disclosed the updated coverage benchmarks during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
The coverage for Deposit Money Banks has been increased from N500,000 to N5 million, for Microfinance Banks from N200,000 to N2 million, for Primary Mortgage Banks from N500,000 to N2 million, and for Mobile Money Operators subscribers’ pass-through from N500,000 to N5 million per subscriber.
Hassan underscored that the objective of the update is to enhance depositor safety, foster public trust, promote the inclusivity of financial services, and ensure the overall stability of the financial sector.
More to follow.. . .. .
The 63rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), held at the Nigerian Exchange Group House on Monday, April 29, 2024.
During the gathering, the Group concluded on ordinary and special business matters, while also unveiling plans to embark on a comprehensive digital transformation strategy to expand its business operations in line with its overarching strategy.
The meeting’s agenda, approved by the Board of Directors, included the declaration of a final dividend, ratifying the appointment of Temi Popoola as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, presenting financial statements to shareholders, re-electing non-executive directors retiring by rotation, authorizing, and disclosing remuneration, among other undertakings.
Notably, the NGX Group, subject to regulatory approval, discussed its authorization on a rights issue to raise capital of up to N10 billion with a subjoined resolution to increase its share capital to sufficiently accommodate the rights issue.
All resolutions were approved by shareholders just as appointment and reelections of directors were ratified.
Following substantial authorization across its agenda, the NGX Group introduced plans to propel the markets with a digital transformation journey that includes an online platform for public offers and deep investments in its technology stack amongst others.
The platform will provide a smarter and efficient way for Issuers to raise capital and enhances the subscription process and operational workflow of POs in the capital market including initial public offerings (IPOs), rights issues and other public offers.
On the development, the Group Chairman, NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga said, “I am particularly grateful to our shareholders for their assent to the critical business we conducted today. As the Board oversees the strategic direction and gives management the necessary support and guidance, we believe that the coming year will be a better one in terms of value created for our shareholders.
“NGX Group is positioned to capitalize on opportunities amid the positive and forward-looking reforms by the government and our stakeholders should rest assured we will deliver excellently.”
On his part, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NGX Group, Temi Popoola, said, “As we complete our 63rd AGM, I extend my sincere gratitude to our shareholders, customers, employees, regulators, and directors for their steadfast support. In a year that underscored NGX Group’s strategic agility and operational excellence, we witnessed growth stemming from our dynamic revenue streams. We are optimistic and well-positioned to forge a future marked by success, resilience, and prosperity.
Addressing the digital transformation agenda, Popoola stated, “The future of our business and the capital markets hinges on technology. That is why we are driving this digital transformation journey across our subsidiaries through the Group. NGX Group’s digital transformation will democratize access to public issuances for every Nigerian with a mobile phone, supporting capital-raising efforts for companies. Additionally, we aim to commercialize our technology solutions and expand our footprint across Africa”.
Key insights and proceedings from the NGX’s AGM can be accessed via the live recording available on NGX Group’s website at www.ngxgroup.com.
. . . Firm Declares N4.5bn Dividend For 2023
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced that it had received an interim dividend payment of N450 million out the N1.5bn declared by the Waltersmith Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.
The NCDMB made the disclosure on Monday, adding that the payment represented NCDMB’s 30% share in the company for the year ended 2023.
Recall that the NCDMB had in July 2018 invested $10m to acquire 30% stake in the 5000 barrels-per-day (bpd) modular refinery project located at Ibigwe, Imo State, to support the Federal Government’s policy on modular refinery, stimulate investment and create employment opportunities.
Rising from a Board Meeting of Waltersmith Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omotsola Ogbe confirmed that a total dividend of N4.5bn had been approved for the year 2023, pending final approval at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The company reported a total profit of N23.6bn as profit after tax for the same year.
The Executive Secretary hinted that NCDMB expects to receive additional 30 percent of the outstanding N3bn dividend after the AGM is convened later this year.
He added that the receipt of this interim dividend payment was a testament to the strong performance and profitability of Waltersmith Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.
He said, “The NCDMB is proud to be a part of this success and looks forward to continued collaboration with the company in the future.”
He affirmed that the company was upscaling the refinery capacity from 5000 bpd to 10,000bpd and the expansion project was already 44 percent completed and on time to be commissioned by early 2025.
The NCDMB’s investment in the Waltersmith project was also geared to catalyse the industrialisation of the Nigerian oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors and deepen Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry. It was the first third-party investment embarked by the Board, and it provided proof of concept and paved the way for other successful investments by the Board.
Two weeks ago, NCDMB received a cheque of $1 million from Nedogas Development Company Limited (NDCL), being part of the return on investment (ROI) on one of the Board’s strategic investments.
The cheque was presented by the Chairman of the company, Engr. Emeka Ene when he visited the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa Bayelsa State, where he was received by the Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe and other members of the Board’s management.
Nedogas Development Company Limited (NDCL) is a joint venture company between Xenergi Limited and NCDMB Capacity Development Intervention Company and it culminated in the construction and commissioning of a 300 MMscfd Capacity Kwale Gas Gathering (KGG) and injection facility located in the Umusam Community, near Kwale in Delta State, Niger Delta, Nigeria.
How NERC’s New Commercial Billing Threatens Healthcare, Economy
Kwara-based Catholic School Shines In 2024 UTME: 30 Students Score Above 300
Fuel Crisis: No End In Sight As NNPC, IPMAN Fight Dirty
Vigilantes Slain, Village Heads Abducted In Kaduna Attack
Subsidy Removal, Currency Reforms Vital For Economic Revival – VP Shettima
Another Premium Under-Bridge Apartment Uncovered In Lagos
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
