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Maryam Aminu

Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim , the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, has been conferred with the position of patron for the North Central People’s Forum (NCPF) by the National Executive Committee of the forum, in recognition of her personal integrity and sterling qualities.

The investiture ceremony was performed in her office in Abuja when the leadership of the forum paid her a courtesy visit.

In a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Maryam Umar Yusuf, the Minister in her acceptance speech called on the forum to focus mainly on harnessing the natural resources in the zone to prosper the people of the region instead of solely depending on the government.
“If I were not a minister, I would have still be blaming the government for not bringing development to the North Central Zone, but now that I am on the drivers seat in this Ministry, I have a different perspective” She added.

The Minister emphasized that because of the strategic location of the zone in the country, it requires more allocation of funds, especially for road construction and rehabilitation, because North Central is the link way to the South and North, hence the roads are more plied.

The Minister expressed her readiness to see that the North Central Development Agenda becomes a reality .

She advised the leaders to make sure that the agenda reflects all the challenges from insecurity, unemployment, poor engagement of young people, and poor infrastructures.

She enjoined the leadership to rise up to its vision and face their challenges head long while assuring them of her sincere and unflinching support in achieving their mandate.

Earlier, Engr. Sani Ndanusa (Marafa Nupe), Chairman of the forum, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment of the youth minister, which he described as a round peg in a round hole.

He pledged the forum’s support to the minister to ensure that she delivers on the expectations of the office and the aspirations of Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

Engr. Ndanusa further stated that the forum was established as a voluntary, non-profit, making organisation with the aim to enhancing the sustainable socio- political and economic development of the zone

Maryam Aminu

The federal government has expressed its willingness to work with the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Indigenous Youth Association for Peace and Justice to ensure their adequate representation and inclusiveness in the government in the FCT.

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim stated this when she received the leadership of the group in her office in Abuja.

According to a statement by Maryam Umar Yusuf, the director of press in the Ministry, Dr. Bio-Ibrahim disclosed that the FCT indigenes, especially the youth, will be included in the Ministry’s programmes.
“I am here to work with the indigenous people, and I will link them up with the Director of Network and Social Mobilisation to work with her team.”she said

She craved their understanding as the resources of the Ministry is limited, adding that the Ministry would want to do a lot of things, but it constrained with limited resources
“we hope the little we do goes a long way” she added.

Reiterating the readiness of her ministry to support youth entrepreneurs, the Minister cited an example of a youth entrepreneur, Hasiya, who set up a garment factory in Abaji with 50 sewing machines for training and empowering women and youth in FCT. Dr. Bio-Ibrahim gave the assurance that the ministry will help her to find partners who will be willing to support her, as the ministry may not be able to finance the project.
“We are here as a catalyst to support and implement programmes to ensure that the youth are empowered financially, physically, and education wise,” she stated.

Reacting to issue of drug abuse amongst youth in the FCT, she gave the hint that the Ministry would partner with NDLEA to tackle drug abuse among the youth.

She further mentioned that there is a team on mental health, working on holding its summit within the year.
“It is a disturbing issue among the youth, and we believe that it is only when people are of sound mind that they can be productive. We don’t want to be judgemental. We understand that times are hard and people are going through a lot. We are here to work with the young people” she emphasised.

Earlier speaking on behalf of the group, Abdullahi Yahuza Shawai (Madakin Matasa) stated that he believed that through collaboration with the ministry a lot could be achieved.
“we can harness the energy, creativity, and potential of our fellow youths in the FCT region, enabling them to become active contributors to the nation’s development”

Also speaking, the team lead and Chairperson of the Association, Hajiya Farida Odangi Suleiman
(Gimbiyan Abaji) called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create a genuine presence of the government in FCT by setting up programmes in the interiors of the federal capital territory instead of the cities alone.

She emphasised that the youths in the FCT have all it takes to work, as they are literate enough to handle any assignment and programme.

Maryam Aminu

Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim , the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, has been conferred with the position of patron for the North Central People’s Forum (NCPF) by the National Executive Committee of the forum, in recognition of her personal integrity and sterling qualities.

The investiture ceremony was performed in her office in Abuja when the leadership of the forum paid her a courtesy visit.

In a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Maryam Umar Yusuf, the Minister in her acceptance speech called on the forum to focus mainly on harnessing the natural resources in the zone to prosper the people of the region instead of solely depending on the government.
“If I were not a minister, I would have still be blaming the government for not bringing development to the North Central Zone, but now that I am on the drivers seat in this Ministry, I have a different perspective” She added.

The Minister emphasized that because of the strategic location of the zone in the country, it requires more allocation of funds, especially for road construction and rehabilitation, because North Central is the link way to the South and North, hence the roads are more plied.

The Minister expressed her readiness to see that the North Central Development Agenda becomes a reality .

She advised the leaders to make sure that the agenda reflects all the challenges from insecurity, unemployment, poor engagement of young people, and poor infrastructures.

She enjoined the leadership to rise up to its vision and face their challenges head long while assuring them of her sincere and unflinching support in achieving their mandate.

Earlier, Engr. Sani Ndanusa (Marafa Nupe), Chairman of the forum, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment of the youth minister, which he described as a round peg in a round hole.

He pledged the forum’s support to the minister to ensure that she delivers on the expectations of the office and the aspirations of Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

Engr. Ndanusa further stated that the forum was established as a voluntary, non-profit, making organisation with the aim to enhancing the sustainable socio- political and economic development of the zone

Maryam Aminu

The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development has inaugurated the National Committee for the review of National Youth Policy (NYP) 2019 -2023.

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim who inaugurated the committee in her office via Zoom said that the National Youth Policy serves as the national framework for youth development, which will guide the operations of the Ministry, while embodying the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration for the youth sector.

In a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations Maryam Umar Yusuf, Dr. Bio-Ibrahim said that the Ministry is committed to engaging with stakeholders across the youth sector in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, as the review approach will be inclusive, extensive, global in view and local in implementation.

“This engagement is critical to ensure that the revised policy is responsive to the evolving needs, challenges, and opportunities facing our young people,” she said.

According to the minister, the committee’s mandate includes the development of a National Youth Policy that broadly addresses youth priorities in key areas such as education, employment, health, and civil engagement; emphasising inclusivity and intergration of modern technologies and social considerations in youth development.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim charged the committee to apply international best practices in carrying out their responsibilities drawing valuable insights from sources such as the UNESCO Youth Policy Toolkit to ensure that the policy aligns with global standards while reflecting the unique context of the Nigerian Youth.

She added that the review process is expected to involve a series of activities including development of inception draft and consultative meeting with relevant stakeholders across target priority sectors as well as in the 6 geopolitical zones.

The Minister disclosed that the process will culminate with a national validation workshop for the final draft document, which will be presented for the approval of the National Council on Youth Development and the Federal Executive Council.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim assured the committee members of the ministry’s confidence in their capabilities while urging them to dedicate their utmost effort and expertise to this important national assignment.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Dunoma Ahmed Umar in his welcome remarks, explained that the National Youth Policy, like other government policies, constitutes the guide document on youth development as it represents the declaration and commitment of Nigerian government to the practical support it intends to give to its youth.

The inaugurated steering committee which is dominated by young people, is constituted by 38 members made up of government representatives and local and international youth organisations such as UNFPA, UNESCO, Commonwealth Youth Council, NESG, LEAP Africa, Youth Alive Foundation, Mind The Gap, FlexiSaf Foundation, Oxfam in Nigeria and others

Maryam Aminu

It is becoming common place to hear violent attack on hospital.
When hospitals are damaged or destroyed in conflict, the loss is far greater than the physical structures: safe spaces are lost, health outcomes worsen and trust in health institutions is undermined

The Nigeria Youth Congress, Kogi State Chapter has condemned the recent violent attack on the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State on the 22nd January, 2024.”

In a statement signed by the State Co-ordinator, Comrade Ebune Alfa,
and made available to journalists, he urged patients and their relatives to always channel their grievances through the constituted authority or better still change hospital rather than resort to the use of physical violence in seeking to redress their grievances

” The Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja is an institution that has a constituted authority that can look into grievances of clients or patients as the case may be, and get them resolved amicably. People should not take laws into their hands at anytime at all.
Also the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and law courts are also always there for the individuals that may be aggrieved to vent their grievances if need be” he said

It was gathered that the hoodlums who carried out the ugly incident were allegedly sponsored by a member of the Kogi State House of Assembly

“We in the Nigeria Youth Congress are compelled to respond to this ugly and dastardly development because it is now becoming a recurring tradition for the perceived number one ranking hospital in the State, owned by the Federal Government, to be attacked by thugs in recent years.”he said

The State Co-ordinator angrily expressed that similar shameful incident had happened about four years ago in which the hospital infrastructure was destroyed and staff molested physically by alleged sponsored thugs, and the hospital suffered closure for so many months.

“To us in the Nigerian Youth Congress, this kind of horror and senseless attacks on medical facilities and personnel are uncalled for, cruel and barbaric, not minding the level of provocation.” He said

“As we speak, the health-givers are overwhelmed in their various departments and offices, patients are coming in their droves for one health challenge or the other – this we all need to understand clearly. The number of doctors have reduced while the number of patients have increased.”

While condemning the act, he disclosed that the group doesn’t support indolence or dereliction of duty by doctors and nurses of the hospital as alleged by the patrons of the thugs, but rather the group wants a peaceful resolution of thorny issues that may lead to chaotic situation around human relationship.

He called on those encouraging and engaging in attacks on the hospital to desist from this primitive and unwarranted abuse of power because the angers of God and that of the masses will soon visit them.

While calling on the government to solve some of the current pressing challenges of the hospital to improve healthcare delivery at the centre, he tasked the public to remain calm and patience with one another

The Executive Director, National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, Amb. Blessing Akinlosotu, at a press conference in Abuja Tuesday, said Aduda had built enough capacity to handle affairs of a mainstream and sensitive Ministry.

He said, “We appeal to the Head of Service and the Presidency to urgently reconsider the redeployment, and retain Amb Gabriel Tanimu Aduda as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources for positive continuity.

“Aduda obviously has acquired remarkable experiences and built enough capacity to handle affairs of a mainstream and sensitive Ministry that is of great importance to the National Economy, which is clearly shown in his impressive performances in just one year.

“Staff of the ministry have testified that they have never had such dynamic and results-driven leadership as his. We therefore do not understand why such impeccable track record should be sacrificed on the alters of political mediocrity in clear violation of all that the civil service holds dear by removing and replacing him with a first-time newly appointed Permanent Secretary and who has only one year to retire from service. What exactly could be the sinister motive for this unholy action?

“The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria has resolved to occupy the Office of the Head of Service and National Assembly indefinitely if our appeals fall on deaf ears.”

To this end, the Council opined that redeploying Aduda to another Ministry would mean Nigeria losing the seat of Chairmanship of OPEC Board of Governors in 2025.

Maryam Aminu

Nigerian youth constitute one of the largest populations among migrants travelling to different part of the world. A large number of youth migrate to urban areas or resort to risky irregular migration outside the country in search for better livelihood and opportunities, leading to heightened risk of exploitation. In light of the above, the Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to curb the irregular migration of youths in Nigeria.

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim disclosed this when a team from IOM paid her a courtesy visit in her office at the Federal Secretariat complex Abuja.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim revealed that her Ministry had planned some areas of collaboration with IOM.
“We are proposing to collaborate with IOM in the areas of youth sensitization /advocacy on the dangers of irregular migration and advantages of Regular Migration nationwide, specifically at the grassroot level across the six (6) geo-political zones”.She said.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim further said that the Ministry would appreciate collaborating with IOM in rehabilitating the Ministry’s 42 youth development centres with the view to converting them into centres of excellence .

On the issue of youth policy review, she stated that the Ministry will really need some support from the IOM in reviewing its National Youth policy, which is already due this year.

“It will be important for the Director General of IOM to be on board with the Ministry as a partner to support the policy review process because of his wealth of experience and knowledge which will help in guiding the committee through the process”. she emphasized.

Speaking on the planned celebration of International day of happiness slated for 20th of March, 2024 by IOM, the Minister noted that the initiative is a very good one as it is centred on projecting a different narrative other than the negative stories and the gloomy sides of life.

Earlier, in his opening remark, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Dunoma Umaru Ahmed pointed out that the Ministry had proposed to allow collaboration with IOM to ensure easy access to the regular migration pathway abroad .

The Permanent Secretary added that the Ministry would also collaborate in the area of Youth Empowerment to build self-reliant skills for intending and returning youth migrants.

The team lead and Director General of IOM, De -Boeck Laurent, in his speech stated that the essence of his visit was to affirm their readiness to collaborate with the Ministry in promoting humane and orderly migrations among the youth as a leading organisation within the United Nations system.

Mr. Laurent informed the house that they are working with the private sector on job creation, targeting a specific zone like Maiduguri in Borno state because of the concern for the youths in that region.

“We are offering the youth some skills so that they can contribute to the development of the construction of the region,”he said.

He further said that his organisation had entered into an agreement with the University of Maiduguri and Modibo University in Borno and Adamawa to enable the youths to access formal education.

Ahead of the public presentation of 2024 seasonal climate prediction (SCP), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, on Tuesday, 23rd January, 2024, hosted stakeholders in Abuja, to discuss the socio-economic impact of the SCP.

The stakeholders who cut across different sectors of the economy ranging from aviation, agriculture, oil and gas, construction, marine, insurance and financial services, tourism, academia and so on, praised NiMet for its invaluable services towards Nigeria’s economic development, through release of the SCP over the years.

It will be recalled that in 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), released a statement which said; “By heeding to NiMet’s advisory in 2022 on flood prediction in the country, we saved the country more than N120bn”.

While welcoming the stakeholders, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has clearly outlined his government’s eight-point agenda aimed at moving the Nigerian economy forward through Food Security, Ending Poverty, Economic Growth, Job Creation, among others. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) through actualisation of its mandate is climate proofing the economy by providing timely weather and climate information”.

Continuing, he said; “Over the years the SCP has evolved in scope, including the concept of co-production which is adequately supported by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). This allows critical stakeholders to be part of the production process of weather and climate information in order to increase the depth of knowledge, improve accuracy and enhance relevance of information provided. This concept also makes the stakeholders to co-own the weather and climate information generated”.

Concluding, Prof. Anosike said; “As we collectively take a deep look at the draft 2024 SCP to enrich it, especially the socio-economic implication, relying on our years of knowledge, expertise, and experience in our various fields, I hope that by the end of the stakeholders meeting, we would have produced a document that is scientific, relevant and actionable. Together, we will be proud of being part of a climate resilient socioeconomic development of our dear nation, Nigeria”.

The Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo said; “All economic sectors are affected by weather and climate. This poses financial risks to governments, individuals and organizations. Climate information helps to mitigate and reduce the impact. I commend the Nigerian Meteorological Authority (NiMet) for the excellent job it is doing regarding Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP). I further acknowledge the positive impact the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) has had on Aviation safety. For example, NCAA has found the annual SCP released by NiMet to be very useful in issuing Advisory Circulars to warn Pilots and Operators of the inherent dangers associated with the onset of rainy season and the harmattan season. These Circulars have provided appropriate guidance to assist in preventing accidents and incidents which would otherwise be caused by thunderstorms and dust haze during their respective seasons. This, invariably, has reduced incidents/accidents associated with adverse weather to zero in Nigeria over the years”.

Concluding, Capt. Najomo encouraged NiMet to provide data that shows the level of accuracy of the SCP, for instance, in terms of number of Wind Shear phenomena recorded at airports across the country due to thunderstorm activities. “The NCAA calls for enlightenment on efforts being made by NiMet to (1) ensure Aerodrome Met Office
personnel possess a good understanding of thunderstorm events and (2) efforts to provide appropriate equipment that easily detect and accurately predict such events.
I charge NiMet to consolidate on its compliance with the provisions of Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations Part 14.6 –
Aeronautical Meteorological Services – particularly with respect to training of personnel and modernization of observing, forecasting and data gathering techniques, dissemination and storage equipment/instruments for flight planning and aerodrome development in Nigeria”.

The representative of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Nigeria, Dr. Bernard Gomez commended NiMet as it has been issuing the seasonal climate prediction for 10 years. “WMO has established a protocol that mandates users of climate and weather information to co-produce. NiMet is following this protocol so as to meet the needs of the stakeholders. The agency can not do this alone hence the need to partner and collaborate with sectoral”.

“The stakeholders forum serves as a feedback mechanism for NiMet as it produces the final SCP draft. Stakeholders must ensure that the final SCP product meets everybody’s expectations”, Mr Gomez concluded.

The Director General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Engineer Clement Nze, represented by the Acting Director of Hydrogeoinfomatics, Bashir Suleiman, said that the stakeholders meeting was timely. “NIMet is fulfilling its mandate by bringing the stakeholders together. NIHSA is pleased to be part of this especially in the area of flood predictions”.

The Executive Director of Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Mr Arigbabu Sulaimon, congratulated NiMet for keeping to time regarding the impending release of SCP. “NiMet’s work is critical to the protection of livelihoods of people and also diversifying the economy of Nigeria. It’s not only the aviation sector that benefits greatly from NiMet’s services, the food and agricultural sector benefits too”.

In his goodwill message, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh Jnr., represented by Mr Abdulsalam Abubakar, AGM Operations in the agency, appreciated NiMet for keeping to standards through the yearly and timely release of SCP. He said that NSIB has always collaborated with NiMet and assured that the partnership will continue.

The public presentation of NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction holds on Tuesday, 20th February, 2024, as approved by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN.

Maryam Aminu

In today’s interconnected and dynamic world, youths are the driving force of our present. With our vibrant and energetic youth population, Nigeria recognises the imperative of harnessing this demographic dividend for sustainable economic development.

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development Dr Jamila Bio-Ibrahim has called for collaboration between Nigerian and Indian youths in order to harness the business and investment opportunities that the two nations have to offer.

The Minister made this call while delivering her goodwill message on the occasion of the Nigerian – India Business Forum with the theme “Expanding Trade and Investment Opportunities Between Nigeria and India”, which took place at Transcorp hotels Abuja.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim said, “Collaboration between Nigeria and Indian youths can extend beyond borders, creating a network of innovation and creativity that knows no limits”

She explained that joint initiatives, mentorship programmes, and knowledge exchange can be the bedrock upon which the youth from both countries build enduring partnerships that go beyond geographical boundaries.

The Minister asserted that the youths can be empowered to become trailblazers in the growing partnership between the two countries.

She said, ” I am keenly aware of the crucial role that our youth play in driving economic diversification.”

The Minister noted that India’s rich history and technological prowess provide a fertile ground for collaboration and innovation .

Speaking further on the pivotal role of the young people in the economic prosperity of any nation, Dr. Bio-Ibrahim argued that the youths are active contributors and stakeholders in shaping the economic health of any nation.

The Minister hinged this argument on the fact that young people are job seekers, job creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

She, therefore, called for their empowerment with the tools, skills, and opportunities that will enable them to become the catalyst for change in trade and investment.

The Secretary General of Nigeria -India Business Council. Rekha Sharma disclosed plans to expand the partnership between the two nations especially in the medical sector by bringing doctors that will help in the treatment of various health problems, and manufacturers for partnership in the manufacturing of medical equipments.

“We want to bring hospitals that could perform different operations concerning ailments that people are suffering from.” She said.

By Emmanuel Daudu

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, NCSCN, in discharging it’s watchdog duty in the Nigerian community has torch lighted and brought to limelight the secret deal of SHELL trying to sell off its company to Renaissance Consortium and that the acquirer will be expected to take over responsibility for dealing with issues related to oil spills, theft and sabotage.

The Executive Director of the Council, Blessing Akinlosotu, while addressing journalists in a Press Conference in Abuja held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 on the Divestment Deal Of SHELL Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC) With The Renaissance Consortium stated that the position of the Civil Society Community says no to Divestment Deal, as currently being pursued by SHELL, and hereby issues a firm warning that any attempt to ignore its positions and conditions, and to proceed in the execution of the Divestment Deal without satisfying the interest of the Nigerian People shall be met with stiff resistance and nationwide protests, with occupation of all SHELL Offices and that of all involved Parties indefinitely.
“This Matter Directly Affects Our Economy, Hence, The Well-being Of The People”, Blessing said.

While giving a background details in his speech, he said, “NCSCN is aware that the Crude Oil business remains highly profitable, and oil companies follow the investors ‘money. Across the world, Oil companies are divesting from – and investing in – oil projects. This seemingly incoherent position makes perfect business sense if your calculus is based on profit and shareholder value.

“According to Shell, Renaissance will be expected to take over responsibility for dealing with issues related to oil spills, theft and sabotage. This statement is an indictment on SPDC, suggesting that they created some of the issues and are involved in some. It is the responsibility of SPDC to restore the environmental status of its operational areas.

“We noticed that SPDC is diverting the onshore businesses and still holding the offshore because we can monitor their activities and the level of contamination towards bringing them to answer.

“We frown at this ploy to avoid paying up for decades of pollution and evading justice. We must stop this attempt to cause the laying-off of workers. This will create unemployment and corresponding restiveness.

“We doubt the sincerity of purpose expressed by SPDC: though we agree that the business in the petroleum industry remains profitable, we question the reasons for divesting some of their assets in Nigeria. A Look at what is being divested will notice old, crude theft high-risk oil assets, and unprofitable assets that in the not-too-distant future will be considered “stranded assets”. A critical feature of potentially stranded assets is not who owns them now but who can be persuaded to buy them now, and the new owner holds full responsibility for the liabilities of the former.

“It is no secret or news that Nigeria runs almost a mono-economy revolving around the Oil and Gas Industry. Hence, the need for continuous surveillance of the activities and developments within this sector by the Civil Society Community cannot be overemphasised.

“The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) have observed with serious Concerns and Reservation, the hurried attempts by SHELL Global to sell off huge Onshore and shallow water assets to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), known as the Renaissance Consortium made up of ND Western, Aradel Energy, First E&P, Waltersmith and Petrolin. Petrolin, Aradel, Waltersmith and First E&P formed ND Western which was first used by SHELL as Special Purpose Vehicle to manage OML 34 an asset bought from it in 2012.

“It has come to the knowledge of the Council that SHELL has reached an agreement to sell its onshore Nigeria business to a group of five {5} local companies under Renaissance for $1.3 billion.

“SPDC owns 15 licences onshore and three in the shallow water, OML 74, 77 and 79. It has 458 million barrels of oil equivalent in proved reserves, as of the end of 2022. The sale deal will allow SHELL to focus on deep-water Oil and gas – including its retained stake in Nigeria LNG (NLNG).

“Therefore, Renaissance will acquire Shell Petroleum Development Co. (SPDC) in the following Deals conditions; In addition to the $1.3bn paid, Renaissance will pay up to $1.1bn, on receivables and cash balances for the business. The joint venture will pay most of this on completion. On closing, Shell will provide $1.2bn in secured loans. It will also provide additional financing of $1.3bn in the future to cover the development of feed gas for NLNG and its share of “specific decommissioning and restoration costs.
SPDC staff will continue to be employed by the company as the ownership changes occur. Shell will also play a role in managing SPDC facilities that provide gas to NLNG.
NCSCN’S POSITION ON THE ABOVE-STATED ISSUE:

“As an Organization, we consider this deal as an unclean criminal getaway by SHELL from Nigerian, environmentally damaging Niger Delta further, leaving behind monument atrocious situations, liability, high remediation cost of polluted environment, and compensation fees.

In the same vein, there are also serious issues of abandonment, decommissioning, and relinquishment costs associated with ageing Assets and Environmental disasters already happening in the Niger Delta.

“NCSCN thinks that there are a plethora of pending court cases by Stakeholders, Farmers, and Host Communities against SPDC, which they are running away from through these Divestment deals by transferring these Liabilities to the new Owners, who may not have the capacity to address and solve these years of criminal neglects and environmental injustice Environmental experienced by particularly the Niger Delta people and the Nigerian population through heightened exposure to pollution and corresponding health risks, limited access to adequate environmental services, and loss of land and resource rights.

“The patriotic intentions of NCSCN are to categorically put a Caveat Emptor, that is a BUYERS BEWARE notice and CALL on the Nigerian Government through the Regulatory Authorities to decline approval of the deal pending when Civil Society Council based on the adopted National Principle on Divestment, must have undertaken independent visits to host communities to ascertain the level of compliance with Nigerian and international laws on Divestment, Abandonment and Decommissioning.

“Secondly, SHELL must show publicly, credible and verifiable evidence that the issues of Abandonment, Decommissioning, and Relinquishment cost and proper compensation have been duly settled and filed before Nigerian Regulatory Authorities.

“Thirdly, the consortium must show it has the Technical expertise, modern Technologies to mitigate negative Environmental impact and enough Financial Capacity to continue investment and production activities on the Assets”, he added.