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FG Decries Massive Effect of Corrosion on Nation’s Economy
FG Decries Massive Effect of Corrosion on Nation’s Economy
By: Michael Mike
The federal government has decried the massive effect of corrosion on the nation’s oil production and economy.
Speaking at the 2023 Nigerian Corrosion Association conference, NICA in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako said according to Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) over 270 million barrels of national commercial crude oil production was lost between 2016 and 2020, at an estimated revenue loss of $14.6 billion, due to corrosion, operational faults and other factors.
He said furthermore, in 2021, 193 million barrels of crude oil deficit was allegedly recorded, which translated to an estimated $3.5 billion of revenue, about 10% of the country’s foreign reserves, noting that: “Corollary to revenue deficits are incidents of air and water pollution, loss of vegetation, land contamination, climate effects, manifesting in loss of livelihoods, quality of life, pollution burdens of diseases in impacted communities and huge costs of remediation and rehabilitation.”
The Minister, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Engineer Dilichukwu Etigbue said: “The costs associated with corrosion impacts on critical assets and associated losses are rapidly becoming unacceptable, but really hardly completely mitigatable, in today’s world where sustainability is a priority.
“Therefore, deploying appropriate eco-friendly strategies for corrosion management is not only the best sustainable infrastructural development, but a smart investment preventing highly expensive industrial failures and accidents. It also mitigates other safety hazards, linked indirectly with health,
quality of environment and carbon-footprints. The cumulative benefits thereof include an increased public safety, reliable performance, maximised assets life, environmental protection, and more cost‐effective operations on the long term.”
He assured that: “Federal Ministry of Environment places a premium on inclusive stakeholders’ participation in environmental governance,” soliciting for the support of NICA and other critical players in advancing a paradigm shift from traditional control processes with carbon and human/environmental exposure footprints, to sustainable effective, economic and environmentally friendly corrosion protection technologies/processes, in order to guarantee long-term sustainability of our national infrastructures and structures.
On the international level, he said a two-year study by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE), United States of America, estimated the corrosion cost as $2.5 trillion per year, or around 3% of global Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
He noted that: “The study, however, projected that implementing best practices in corrosion prevention could result in as much as $875 billion in savings. This claim was also corroborated by the World Corrosion Organisation (WCO).”
He decried that corrosion is also one of the major legacy challenges facing Petroleum Refineries and Chemical Process Industries globally, some of which have recorded incidental accidents leading to destruction of infrastructures and loss of personnel, he added that: “Among these are the Caribbean Petroleum Refining Tank Explosion and Fire Puerto Rico, 2009; Chevron Refinery in Richmond, California (2012); and Bhopal Pesticide Plant, India Incident of 1984, one of the world’s largest industrial disasters, resulting in the ill-fated death of nearly 8,000 people.”
The Minister of Transportation, Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola said that prevention and control of corrosion cannot be undertaken by the government alone, especially in the face of emerging innovations and advances in technological developments in addressing this phenomenon.
Oyetola while was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Engineer Shogo Omotayo said; “The significance of this conference in terms of addressing the critical issue of corrosion in building environmentally resilient infrastructures and the need to maintain their integrity over their service life couldn’t have come at a better time as the Nigerian Government intensifies its commitments to expanding public Infrastructures and utilities for improved economic and social development.”
According to him, “This conference will produce workable and implementable outcomes to address the challenges of corrosion in the development of public infrastructures and utilities in all sectors for the Nation’s benefit.”
On his part, the President Nigerian Corrosion Association, Mr Ese Ochoga said the conference aimed to educate and enlighten the society on the best practices in physical assets protection management in improving the GDP, as well as public and environmental safety.
“The theme of our conference this year is an inclusive one, as it hones on the impact of corrosion on the public infrastructure and utilities, which is common to us all,” he said.
Ochoga noted that the conference would also help present the unique perspective of the materials and corrosion specialist insights and recommendations in managing and maintaining public infrastructures.
He said: “We are here today at the Annual Conference of the Nigerian Corrosion Association, importantly, the corrosion is addressing the issue of building sustainable infrastructure by ensuring that there is corrosion resistant or resilient to corrosion. Corrosion comes from environmental sources and as the environment varies, the corrosion impact also varies some lower and some higher, the corrosion professional is always monitoring this to ensure that infrastructure or structures are viewed to be able to withstand the peculiar environment that is bound to a counter because of his service, that’s why we’re here and the conference is going to address this issue.”
The Nigerian Corrosion Association established in 1988 by industry practitioners and academicians, provides opportunities for excelling in the fields of corrosion science and engineering practices.
It also assess and proffer solutions to the interwoven adverse effects of the environment and corrosion on modern civilization.
”Corrosion Control of Public Infrastructures and Utilities,” was the theme of the 2023 Annual National Conference. It was organised by the Nigerian Corrosion Association (NICA) and hosted by Federal Ministry of Environmennt.
FG Decries Massive Effect of Corrosion on Nation’s Economy
Gombe 2027: Pantamiyya Movement to galvanise grassroots support for Gwamna’s guber bid
The Pantamiyya Movement Brothers, led by prominent grassroots mobiliser, Sanusi Hamisu Usman, popularly known as Ameer Sanusin-Gombe, has declared its full support for the governorship ambition of APC candidate in Gombe State, Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a solidarity visit to Dr Gwamna, Ameer Sanusin-Gombe described the meeting as strategic and timely, noting that the movement was determined to support what he called “the emergence of a worthy successor” capable of consolidating the achievements of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The movement, which boasts more than 100 coordinators spread across all wards in the 11 local government areas of the state, said its decision to align with Dr Gwamna was driven by his growing acceptability within the APC family and among the wider grassroots population.
Sanusin-Gombe appealed to the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, and other aspirants in the APC governorship race to close ranks with Dr. Gwamna in the overall interest of the party and the development of Gombe State.
He stressed that unity among party stakeholders remained critical to securing a landslide victory for the APC in both the governorship and presidential elections.
According to him, Dr Gwamna’s political experience, grassroots connection, and wide acceptance across different blocs within the party made him the right choice for the task ahead.
“We are here to demonstrate our solidarity and commitment to the project of ensuring APC remains united and victorious in 2027. Dr. Gwamna has shown humility, experience, and the capacity to carry everyone along,” he said.
Responding, Dr. Gwamna expressed appreciation to the Pantamiyya Movement for placing party unity above other interests, describing the visit as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to the future of the APC in the state.
The APC governorship candidate assured party members that he would pursue an inclusive leadership style that accommodates all interests and tendencies within the party.
He called on all former contestants and stakeholders to set aside differences arising from the primaries and work together as one family toward sustaining the developmental strides recorded under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration.
Dr. Gwamna, therefore reaffirmed his commitment to mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections, insisting that unity and collective purpose would remain the party’s greatest strength in Gombe State.
Gombe 2027: Pantamiyya Movement to galvanise grassroots support for Gwamna’s guber bid
NIMC Pushes Digital Identity Reforms to Boost Service Delivery, Security
By: Michael Mike
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) through the deployment of secure digital identity systems aimed at improving governance, enhancing national security, and expanding access to public services.
Speaking at a digital conference in Abuja themed “Building Africa’s Digital Foundations Together,” the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, represented by the Head of Infrastructure Technology and Identity Databases, Mr. Sulaiman Falade, said the commission is driving reforms and institutional partnerships to build an inclusive and interoperable digital identity ecosystem.
According to her, the National Identification Number (NIN) has become central to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, serving as a key tool for identity verification, biometric authentication, and access to both government and private sector services.
She noted that following the Presidential Directive issued on April 5, 2024, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were mandated to integrate the NIN into digital services, particularly in areas involving data capture, identity verification, and authentication processes.
Coker-Odusote stated that NIMC has already established implementation structures to ensure compliance with the directive and to deepen the adoption of digital identity solutions across the country.
She further stressed that the Federal Government’s vision is to establish a unified, secure, and transparent digital identity framework capable of supporting efficient service delivery and accountability in governance.
The NIMC boss added that the commission is also advancing Nigeria’s broader digital governance goals through the deployment of the National Public Key Infrastructure (nPKI), a system designed to strengthen trust in digital transactions, safeguard citizens’ data, and promote secure online interactions.
She called on stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to continue supporting the implementation of Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem, noting that the initiative is critical to national development and economic growth.
According to her, NIMC remains committed to leveraging technology and innovation to build a more connected, efficient, and resilient nation.
NIMC Pushes Digital Identity Reforms to Boost Service Delivery, Security
Tinubu Sweeps Zulum’s Ward with 100% Votes in APC Presidential Primary
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recorded a landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election in Mafa Ward of Borno State, securing all valid votes cast in the exercise held in the home ward of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.
The direct primary election took place at Mafa Central Primary School under the supervision of the Chairperson of the Presidential Primary Election Committee, Hajiya Inna Alkali Imam.
According to the results announced at the ward level, Tinubu polled 2,175 votes, representing 100 per cent of the valid votes cast during the exercise. Out of the 2,277 registered APC members in the ward, 2,175 were accredited and participated in the voting process.
Tinubu’s challenger, Stanley Osifo, an APC chieftain and businessman from Edo State, failed to secure any vote in the ward.
Governor Zulum, who served as the Coordinator and Collation Officer for the presidential primary in the state, said he participated in the exercise as an indigene of Mafa Ward.
“I am from Mafa Ward, and that is why I am here to witness and participate in the exercise. We have two candidates, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr Stanley Osifo,” Zulum stated.
The governor also commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and the turnout of party members.
“So far so good, we have conducted the presidential primary election for Mafa Ward, and I am very impressed with the turnout. We have a total of about 2,277 registered party members in Mafa Ward, out of which 2,175 were accredited for the voting, and all of them voted for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while the other candidate scored zero,” he said.
The APC presidential primary is ongoing in several states across the country, with the party expected to collate and announce final nationwide results at a later date.
Tinubu Sweeps Zulum’s Ward with 100% Votes in APC Presidential Primary
Gombe 2027: Pantamiyya Movement to galvanise grassroots support for Gwamna’s guber bid
APC Primary peaceful, as Tinubu clears vote in Adamawa South -Abbati
NIMC Pushes Digital Identity Reforms to Boost Service Delivery, Security
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