Energy
NCDMB Hands Over Ultramodern Technical Workshops in A/Ibom State
Precious ADELOLA
ABUJA-THE Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has handed over an ultra-modern Woodwork and Carpentry workshops it renovated and upgraded at the Government Technical College, (GTC) Abak, Akwa Ibom State.
Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem discussing with the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote at the commissioning of the ultra-modern Woodwork and Carpentry workshops renovated and upgraded by the Board at the Government Technical College, (GTC) Abak, Akwa Ibom State recently.
The commissioning of the facility was performed by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem and the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote.
In his address, the Executive Secretary disclosed that NCDMB invests in the rehabilitation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions, (TVETs) because they provide platforms to job creation and self-empowerment. He added that the development of skilled technicians drives the socio-economic growth aspirations of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and engages youths in productive ventures.
He emphasized the need to provide high quality manpower training and skills development for the teeming youths in the country, which was why the Board undertook a study on TVETs in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers states to understand the factors militating against the optimal performance of those institutions.
He mentioned that the Board had finalized plans for the implementation of a public-private in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State and a specialist modern furniture production firm, owned and managed by an indigene of the Abak community, in which a certain percentage of the proceeds will be ploughed back for the operational maintenance of the facilities to achieve self-sustenance.
Wabote commended the Abak community and Akwa Ibom State Government for their cooperation in actualizing the projects, stating that the Board’s decision to have earmarked GTC, Abak as one of the flagship beneficiaries of its institutional upgrade program was not an effort in futility. He thanked all stakeholders for the zero-incidence recorded and the unparalleled hospitality the Abak community extended to the contractors and personnel.
He charged the technical institution which is one of the foremost in the region to become a Centre of Excellence in carpentry/woodwork through the provision of high-quality training to both teachers and students in an affordable, safe, sustainable and efficient manner, while satisfying the yearnings of the local and international furniture industry as part of efforts to create wealth and diversify the economy while increasing foreign exchange earnings.
The Executive Secretary decried the low level of students’ enrolment into TVETs institutions, which is less than one percent of the total enrolment in conventional secondary schools.
Noting that youths make up more than 50 percent of the nation’s population, he regretted that the nation is yet to fully harness its potential in driving economic growth as many young people are faced with challenges ranging from lack of practical skills, unemployment and illiteracy, among others.
He also challenged youths of the country to acquire marketable skills and competencies that will position them to overcome the high rate of poverty, social vices, unemployment and underemployment in the country.
He hinted that harnessing and refocusing the creative energies of youths to productive endeavours through an aggressive skills development training in various relevant trades will foster sustainable development.
In his remarks, the Governor commended the Board for partnering with the state to renovate and upgrade the technical facility to create job opportunities for skilled manpower, which illustrates patriotism and commitment to national development.
He asserted that the project was in line with the administration’s industrialization policy of taking youths off the street through efficient skills acquisition and empowerment, and an incubation process of converting these skills into entrepreneurial gains and self-reliance.
The Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Technical Schools Board, (ASTEB), Elder Godwin Udom also stated that the cardinal objective of technical schools is to train persons in diverse practical fields, adding that such schools needed standard and well-equipped workshops with specialized instructors in different trade areas.
Elder Udom expressed gratitude to NCDMB for the project, noting that the project which commenced on January 27, 2019 was now ready for the students to acquire modern skills in furniture making and for the staff to update their knowledge and also assist the unemployed in the community.
The Principal-General of GTC, Abak, Elder Friday Emmanson Udoka also expressed appreciation to NCDMB for choosing the school for its demonstration of technical education advancement. He pledged to ensure that the facilities will be put to maximum use, improving the knowledge and skill of the students and staff.
The Principal-General enumerated other assistance received from the Board to include training of two science teachers and provision of three computer-oriented machines for teaching science subjects and other related subjects to the students.
Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that crude oil imports by domestic refineries rose by 151.5 percent to 5.13 million barrels in July 2026, from 2.04 million barrels in June.
In a related development, domestic crude supply to refineries fell sharply during the month.
According to the NMDPRA’s July 2026 Midstream and Downstream Statistics, local refineries received a total of 17.88 million barrels of crude in July, comprising 12.75 million barrels supplied domestically and 5.13 million barrels imported.
Imported crude therefore accounted for 28.7 percent of total crude receipts by domestic refineries in July, while domestic supplies contributed the remaining 71.3 percent.
The 5.13 million barrels imported in July represented a significant rebound from the 2.04 million barrels recorded in June. It was also higher than the 2.08 million barrels imported in May and 0.41 million barrels in April.
READ ALSO: Host Community Angry at FG’s Political Undertones on Kolmani Oilfield
However, July’s import volume remained below the 9.43 million barrels recorded in March, the highest monthly volume so far in 2026.
The data showed that crude imports stood at 0.71 million barrels in January before rising to 4.25 million barrels in February and peaking at 9.43 million barrels in March.
Imports subsequently plunged to 0.41 million barrels in April, before recovering to 2.08 million barrels in May, 2.04 million barrels in June and 5.13 million barrels in July.
The report also disclosed that domestic crude supply to refineries declined by 25.4 percent month-on-month, falling from 17.08 million barrels in June to 12.75 million barrels in July.
In January, domestic refineries received 8.83 million barrels of domestic crude and 0.71 million barrels of imported crude, bringing total receipts to 9.54 million barrels.
The figure rose to 13.13 million barrels in February, comprising 8.88 million barrels of domestic crude and 4.25 million barrels of imports.
March recorded the highest total crude receipts at 20.92 million barrels, with domestic supply contributing 11.49 million barrels and imports 9.43 million barrels.
Total receipts stood at 18.37 million barrels in April, made up of 17.96 million barrels of domestic crude and 0.41 million barrels of imports.
In May, refineries received 17.92 million barrels, comprising 15.84 million barrels of domestic crude and 2.08 million barrels of imports, while June recorded 19.12 million barrels, made up of 17.08 million barrels of domestic crude and 2.04 million barrels of imports.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has increased the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre, effective August 26, 2026.
In an official communication to customers issued on Tuesday, the refinery’s Group Commercial Operations announced revised depot prices for gantry and coastal deliveries.
The email, titled ‘PMS Price Change Communication (N1,185 per Litre To N1,200 Per Litre)’, asked customers to take note of the revised DPRP PMS gantry and coastal price, which is effective 26th August 2026.
READ ALSO: US Hails DPRP as Nigeria’s Petroleum Exports Surge Seven Times
According to the table contained in the notice, the coastal price rose from N1,562,265 per metric tonne to N1,582,380, while the gantry price increased from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre.
The refinery further directed customers to return all Authorisation to Collect documents for repricing, adding that a new volume contract would be issued for immediate loading resumption.
“You are advised to return all ATCs for repricing, and a new volume contract will be issued for immediate loading resumption. Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us,” the notice said.
The latest adjustment represents a N15 per litre increase in the gantry price and comes barely days after the refinery raised the price from N1,165 to N1,185 per litre. The previous increase took effect from midnight on August 21, 2026, according to industry trackers.
However, the latest hike comes against a backdrop of falling international crude oil prices. Data from oilprice.com on Tuesday showed West Texas Intermediate crude trading at $82.13 per barrel, down $2.88 or 3.39 per cent, while Brent crude stood at $88.37 per barrel, declining by $3.80 or 4.12 per cent. Murban crude also fell to $92.71 per barrel, shedding $8.73 or 8.61 per cent.
Our correspondent gathered that marketers and depot operators who received the circular might have begun returning existing ATCs for repricing in line with the refinery’s directive.
The N15 increase could result in higher pump prices as oil marketers factor in transportation, landing and other downstream costs. Petrol is expected to return to an average of N1,250 per litre.
The Dangote Group has yet to respond to messages from our correspondent.
The price increase comes at a time of renewed volatility in the international oil market amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Reuters reported that oil prices fell as investors viewed the latest US sanctions against Iran as less threatening to global oil supplies than a military escalation. However, analysts warned that the decline could be an overreaction, noting that prices could rise sharply if Iran retaliates militarily.
Reuters also reported that supply disruption risks remained, with only two commodity vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, the lowest daily tally since early May. The waterway handled about one-fifth of global oil consumption before the conflict began, leaving the market vulnerable to further disruptions.
The 31 companies that emerged winners of 37 oil and gas blocks in the 2025 Licensing Round must pay their signature bonuses within the stipulated period or risk losing their provisional awards.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) handed down the warning on Sunday, one month after it hosted the commercial bid conference in Abuja, where the successful companies emerged as winners of the available blocks.
The NUPRC said the process of compliance with the payment of signature bonuses had commenced following the issuance of provisional awards to the successful bidders.
“Exactly a month ago, the NUPRC hosted the 2025 commercial bid conference in Abuja where 31 companies emerged winners of 37 oil and gas blocks. Having issued the winners with the provisional awards, compliance with the payment of signature bonuses has already begun.
“Winners who fail to pay signature bonuses within the stipulated time frame in line with the Petroleum Industry Act will forfeit their bid guarantee and lose their provisional awards to the reserve bidders,” the NUPRC stated.
READ ALSO: MOSOP Cautions Against Secret Drilling in Ogoniland
The 37 blocks offered in the licensing round comprise Petroleum Prospecting Licences covering the Niger Delta onshore, shallow water and deep offshore areas, as well as frontier basins.
Among the blocks are PPL 2A29 to PPL 2A62 in the Niger Delta, PPL 2010 in the deep offshore, PPL 308 in the Benin Basin, PPL 900 to PPL 903 in the Anambra Basin, PPL 700 in the Chad Basin and PPL 800 and PPL 801 in the Benue Trough.
The commission also published the names of the 31 successful companies and the ranked reserve bidders for each of the 37 blocks.
A total of 143 companies participated in the licensing round, submitting about 200 bids for the 37 blocks. However, 13 of the 50 blocks initially put up for bidding attracted no bids.
Under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the applicable licensing guidelines, successful bidders are required to pay signature bonuses ranging from $3m to $7m per block.
They are also expected to provide the required guarantees, pay first-year rents and satisfy other post-award conditions within the prescribed period. Failure to meet the requirements will result in the automatic transfer of the affected award to the next-ranked reserve bidder, according to the NUPRC.
The commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, had earlier urged the successful bidders to make the required payments without delay and commence development of the awarded assets.
The NUPRC urged interested members of the public and stakeholders to visit the 2025 Licensing Round portal for further information on the awards and compliance requirements.
Under the PIA 2021 guidelines, winning bidders are required to pay their signature bonuses within a strict 90-day window. Since provisional award letters were issued immediately following the commercial bid conference on July 21, 2026, it means 30 days have already elapsed, and companies have 60 days left to remit the funds.
This shows that the regulator expects the signature bonuses to be paid on or before October 19, 2026.
If a winning company fails to complete the payment of its statutory signature bonus along with first-year rent within this 90-day window, the company automatically forfeits its bid guarantee. The provisional award will be revoked and immediately reassigned to the designated reserve bidder for the asset.
Governors Converge in Abuja for Crucial NGF Meeting
NFF Crisis Deepens as Congress Summons Emergency Meeting in Abuja
‘Provide Evidence’ — Police React to VDM’s Explosive Kidnap Allegation
GTI Commends NPFL’s Historic Euromatch Partnership Deal
Domestic Refineries Supply 75% of Nigeria’s Petrol
2027: Massive Turnout as Adebutu, Iyabo Obasanjo Kick Off PDP Campaign in Ogun
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
