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Okowa advocates PIA enforcement to check oil theft
Okowa advocates PIA enforcement to check oil theft
Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for proper enforcement of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to effectively check oil theft in the country.
Okowa stated this on Sunday while featuring on Channels Television’s ‘People’s Townhall’, a special programme for presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections.
He said that Nigeria wasn’t getting the maximum benefit from its oil production because it was hamstrung by high-profile oil theft, including illegal oil bunkering, which had negatively affected the country’s oil production quota.
He stated that Nigeria was losing out on natural gas resources due to its inability to harness it like other nations, but assured that the Atiku Abubakar administration would continue with the country’s gas development plan as an alternative source of revenue.
“While other countries are getting a lot more resources from oil to develop other sectors of their economy, we don’t seem to benefit from that because we are producing less than what we ought to produce.
“There is the need to ramp up production by dealing with illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta through strong community engagement and by ensuring implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“We can also achieve that by ensuring the communities have buy-in and also work with security agencies to deal with oil theft.
“The gas sector is one sector that we tend to ignore. When we come in next year we will ensure the continuation of the gas development plan, and that reforms are carried out critically to rake in more resources for the country,” Okowa said.
On subsidy removal, the vice-presidential candidate said the PDP administration would be headed by Atiku Abubakar would be committed to fueling subsidy removal because it was draining resources of the country.
According to him, Nigeria cannot continue to borrow to fund fuel subsidies while other critical sectors are facing inadequate funding.
“Subsidy removal is important because other critical sectors like Education and Health are suffering; so, removing subsidy would free more funds for the development of those sectors which provide critical services to those at the lower rung of the society.”
He said that Abubakar would provide the much-needed leadership to salvage the nation from its current travails.
Okowa advocates PIA enforcement to check oil theft
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Nigerian lawyers Ask to Collaborate with Chinese Colleagues in Law Relating to Investment and Dispute Resolution
Nigerian lawyers Ask to Collaborate with Chinese Colleagues in Law Relating to Investment and Dispute Resolution
By: Michael Mike
Legal practitioners in the country have been advised to collaborate with their Chinese counterparts to address emerging legal challenges in investment frameworks and dispute resolution.
This call was made by a Nigerian judiciary journalist John Azu during the presentation of his book, “Contemporary Legal Cooperation: China and Africa – A Comparative Survey of Legal Systems”
in Abuja.
Azu while highlighting the absence of Nigerian representation at key legal conferences organised by the Chinese government, which have previously included participants from South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, and Kenya, said: “I was privileged to interact with Chinese lawyers and participate in conferences aimed at fostering cooperation with African lawyers.
“At one such event, I noticed no Nigerian lawyers were present. Organisers expressed hope to include Nigeria in future programmes.”
He explained that these programmes, address critical legal issues such as copyright infringement, labor rights, land disputes, and contractual agreements, which are highly relevant to Nigeria.
Azu stressed the importance of learning from China’s legal system, especially given the substantial investments the country has made across Africa.
“China has invested billions of dollars in Africa, but these investments require comprehensive legal frameworks to prevent prolonged disputes,” he said, citing past cases of Nigeria facing asset seizures due to unresolved breaches in investment agreements.
He further emphasised that understanding China’s legal philosophy and fostering collaboration could help Nigeria protect its interests.
“This collaboration provides insights into legal systems that underpin large-scale investments, ensuring mutual benefits for both parties,” Azu stated.
He said with Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy, it is vital for the country’s legal professionals to seize such opportunities to shape the future of cross-border investments and legal cooperation.
In his remarks, the Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, represented by the Vice-Director of the China Cultural Centre, Liu Zhanping, stressed the importance of law in safeguarding citizens’ fundamental rights.
Zhanping highlighted that legal systems play a crucial role in ensuring the protection of individuals within any society. “Law is essential to protect every citizen of a country and their fundamental rights,” he stated.
Azu’s book serves as a resource for legal practitioners, policymakers, and academics, offering strategies to strengthen legal ties between Nigeria and China.
Nigerian lawyers Ask to Collaborate with Chinese Colleagues in Law Relating to Investment and Dispute Resolution
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ECOWAS Court Declares Case Filed by Togolese Diaspora Groups Against Togo Inadmissible
ECOWAS Court Declares Case Filed by Togolese Diaspora Groups Against Togo Inadmissible
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has dismissed the case filed by le Collectif pour la Vérité des Urnes TOGO-DIASPORA et le Réseau de la coordination de la diaspora togolaise indépendante – (CVU- TOGO-DISPORA ET CONSORTS (RCDTI) against the Republic of Togo. The Court ruled the application inadmissible due to the lack of legal standing of the applicants.
The applicants, le Collectif pour la Vérité des Urnes TOGO-DIASPORA et le Réseau de la coordination de la diaspora togolaise indépendante – (CVU- TOGO-DISPORA ET CONSORTS (RCDTI), alleged violations of the 1992 Constitution of Togo (amended in 2019) and the rights of Togolese citizens. The case referenced constitutional and legislative changes, electoral irregularities, and alleged misconduct by Togolese institutions, seeking accountability and reparations for victims.
The Republic of Togo, despite being notified, did not file any written defense.
The applicants requested the Court to declare the constitutional amendments invalid, annul all acts stemming from them, and order reparations totaling 3.870.000 euros for damages. They also sought the release of political prisoners, accountability for crimes against humanity, and reforms in governance.
In the Judgment delivered by Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, the Judge Rapporteur, the Court determined that the applicants, as an association operating outside Togo, failed to prove their legal status under Togolese or any other ECOWAS Member State’s law. Additionally, it said that the absence of a legal registration document rendered the applicants ineligible to initiate proceedings before the Court. Therefore, it declared the application inadmissible due to lack of legal standing.
The three-member panel of the Court were Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves (presiding judge and judge rapporteur), Honourable Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma (panel member), and Honourable Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara (Panel member).
ECOWAS Court Declares Case Filed by Togolese Diaspora Groups Against Togo Inadmissible
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HMOD LAUDS NAF’S OPERATIONAL READINESS, SYMBOLICALLY FLAGS OFF AIR CAMPAIGN UNDER OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
HMOD LAUDS NAF’S OPERATIONAL READINESS, SYMBOLICALLY FLAGS OFF AIR CAMPAIGN UNDER OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
By: Olusola Akinboyewa
The Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), Dr Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON mni, visited the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in Katsina and Sokoto States today, 18 November 2024. The visit emphasized the need for operational readiness and sustained air superiority in the fight against banditry and insurgency in Northwest Nigeria.
During his visit, the HMOD symbolically flagged off the re-invigorated air campaign under Operation FANSAN YAMMA. This marks a key milestone in neutralizing criminal elements and restoring peace to vulnerable communities.
The Minister praised the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for its dedication and successful execution of air interdiction campaigns. “Your bravery and professionalism serve as an inspiration to the Nigerian people. We’re witnessing positive changes: farmers returning to farms, children back in school, businesses reopening, and Nigerians sleeping in peace.”
The HMOD acknowledged the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing NAF’s effectiveness. “Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, we’ve prioritized investments in advanced technologies and resources. The President has provided state-of-the-art aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, boosting our capabilities.”
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, thanked the Minister for his visit and support. “Your servant leadership inspires us. Your operational visits have heightened morale and renewed the fighting spirit of our troops.”
The CAS reaffirmed the NAF’s loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. He also assured the nation of the NAF’s relentless determination to restore peace and stability to troubled areas. “We understand peace and stability are crucial for Nigeria’s prosperity. Rest assured, the NAF remains committed to safeguarding national unity and progress.”
The visit included inspections, discussions with field commanders, and briefings on the air campaign, as well as a breathtaking fly-past by daring young NAF fighter pilots. The HMOD praised NAF’s use of intelligence and technology in striking bandit strongholds.
The visit served as a morale booster, highlighting air power’s critical role in safeguarding Nigeria’s citizenry and territorial integrity.
HMOD LAUDS NAF’S OPERATIONAL READINESS, SYMBOLICALLY FLAGS OFF AIR CAMPAIGN UNDER OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
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