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FG Decries Massive Effect of Corrosion on Nation’s Economy

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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

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KARAN Appeals for Support for the ministry of Livestock Development

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KARAN Appeals for Support for the ministry of Livestock Development

By: Michael Mike

The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently support the Ministry of Livestock Development in getting its office ready.

The association decried that nearly eight months after the establishment of this crucial ministry, the renovation of the permanent office allocated to it for its operations is yet to be started, noting that this delay has impeded the
implementation of essential policies and programmes aimed at promoting the livestock sector and its value chains across Nigeria.

KACRAN, in a statement on Saturday, signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Bello said: “When the Ministry was established on July 9, 2024, we, Nigeria’s pastoralists, viewed it as a long-awaited answer to our prayers and a significant step towards addressing over 50 years of
neglect in the livestock sector.

“However, the lack of progress since then has been disheartening, preventing the Ministry from fulfilling its critical role in ensuring food security and contributing to
the national economy.

“Currently, the Ministry functions more as a Directorate of Animal Husbandry Services, lacking the resources and infrastructure necessary for it to operate independently and effectively.

“Despite the critical nature of its mission, the allocated office space/building remains unrenovated and a timeline for starting the renovation or completion has not been provided. This situation severely hampers the ability of the Honorable Minister, Permanent Secretary, Directors and staff to coordinate effectively and execute
their responsibilities.

“Moreover, the financial resources allocated to the Ministry for the 2025 fiscal year are
insufficient for the Ministry to achieve its objectives.

“KACRAN is deeply concerned that without immediate attention to these challenges, the foundational goals of the Ministry will remain unattainable. As the political landscape evolves, it is vital that the focus remains on policy timely implementation rather than allowing the future of this very important Ministry to be muddling through uncertainties.

“We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize the renovation and operation of the Ministry’s office so that the Honourable Minister and staff can effectively promote and develop the livestock sector.

Additionally, we implore the President to invest significantly in the livestock
sector, for enabling the Ministry to actively engage in ensuring food security, enhancing the nation’s GDP, and reducing heavy reliance on imported milk and food products, which costs Nigeria billions of
dollars annually.

“Finally, KACRAN expresses gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing Professor Muhammadu Attahiru Jega as an Advisor on Presidential Livestock Reform Programmes. We hope that under his
guidance, the Ministry can achieve its goals and bring tangible benefits to Nigeria’s pastoralists and the wider population.”

KARAN Appeals for Support for the ministry of Livestock Development

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Crime

Armed Robbers Kill Watchman, Injure Another in Katsina School Attack

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Armed Robbers Kill Watchman, Injure Another in Katsina School Attack

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed robbers attacked Government Secondary School Yashe in Kusada Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing one night watchman and injuring another before escaping with a solar inverter.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred at about 5:00 a.m. when the hoodlums stormed the school and assaulted the security guards with machetes.

One of the watchmen, Abdullahi Sanusi, 50, died on the spot, while his colleague, Aliyu Ahmed, 65, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Kankia General Hospital for treatment.

Armed Robbers Kill Watchman, Injure Another in Katsina School Attack

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Crime

Police, Security Operatives Foil Kidnap Attempt in Kaduna EX LGA Chairmans home

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Police, Security Operatives Foil Kidnap Attempt in Kaduna EX LGA Chairmans home

By: Zagazola Makama

Security operatives in Kaduna have rescued a former Executive Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, Seimon Matthias, from a kidnap attempt at his Kagoro residence.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred on February 14 at about 11:00 p.m. when an unspecified number of kidnappers stormed Matthias’ residence, shooting sporadically in an attempt to abduct him.

However, the sound of gunfire attracted the attention of police officers and other security operatives stationed nearby, leading to a fierce exchange of fire.

The assailants, overwhelmed by superior firepower, abandoned their victim and fled to the mountains.

Police said the victim was rescued unhurt, and a joint operation involving the Army and Kaduna Vigilante Service (KadVS) was ongoing to flush out the criminals from the surrounding bush areas.

Police, Security Operatives Foil Kidnap Attempt in Kaduna EX LGA Chairmans home

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