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Concerns Over N142bn E-customs Contract Approval By Buhari’s Government

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Concerns of palpable wrongdoing have been raised over the recently approved N142.24 billion e-custom project by the Federal Executive Council.

Wole Badmus, the National Coordinator Forum of Non-Governmental Organizations in Nigeria, FONGON, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists in Abuja.

FEC okayed the e-Customs modernization project at N142.24 billion despite controversy.

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The project was awarded to Trade Modernization Project Ltd (TMPL).

READ ALSO: Senate Approves Restructuring Of N22.7tn Debt

But, Badmus claimed that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN; and the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Col Hameed Ali, are collaborating to deplete the Comprehensive Import Supervisor Scheme (CISS) and Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme accounts.

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He said the contract approval controversy is some of the clear landmines for the incoming administration.

He also alleged that Ali is collaborating with the Executive Secretary of Buhari Support Group, Hajia Zainab Jummai Ajijola, using TMPL to siphon the nation’s commonwealth.

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari, billed to exit the seat of power in less than 26 days, must come clean to Nigerians on why he allowed Ali to hijack the e-customs project in favour of TMPL.

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READ ALSO: Nigeria Serviced Debt With 96% Of Its Revenue In 2022 – World Bank

The fraudulent intention of the CG Customs further manifests in the fact that investigations at CAC show that Trade Modernisation Project Limited and Buhari Support Organization, BSO, are Siamese twins. Hameed Ali is the Chairman, while Hajia Zainab Jummai Ajijola is the Executive Secretary of BSO.

“The foregoing has exposed the intention of Hameed Ali, with the support of the AGF and HMOF, to deplete the CISS/NESS accounts with funds running into hundreds of billions of naira.

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“These are clear landmines being laid in place for the incoming administration. The desperation to access the CISS/NESS accounts before the departure of the current administration is quite suspicious.”

However, in an interview with DAILY POST, CSC Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), described the claim as false and baseless.

According to him, the e-custom project, when actualized, would improve service delivery of Nigeria Customs.

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READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Rising Debt Stock Will Affect Infrastructural Projects, Economy – Expert

This is a distraction to the successful implementation of the e-customs project. The project would improve Nigeria’s customs service delivery and reduce corruption within the sector”.

“There is no truth in the claim”, he added.

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Similarly, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mr Yunusa Abdullahi, said the allegation is untrue.

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Umar Gwandu, has yet to respond to a text and call by DAILY POST on Thursday.

The development comes amid some Nigerians’ concerns about the project’s hasty approval amounting to billions by the Buhari administration in the twilight of its exit.

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Why We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO

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Dr. Elvis Abuyere, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Skyewise Group, an automobile firm, has explained the reason for establishing a branch of the company in Benin City, the Edo State capital, describing the ancient city as “a growing economy full of enormous potential for vibrant youth.”

He added that the company considers Edo State one of the most interesting states, noting that the decision aligns with its long-term vision.

Abuyere, who spoke in Benin on Monday while taking journalists on a tour of the new automobile facility, said:
We started very small — from Abuja to Lagos and now Benin. It is a joy and privilege for us to have completed this amazing regional office with Skyewise Group.”

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READ ALSO:BREAKING: Wike Picks Alabo George For Rivers Governorship

According to him, beyond the automobile business, Skyewise Group is in Benin to invest in real estate, logistics, youth empowerment, and credit management. “Aand also to lend our support to what the Edo State Government is doing, knowing the fact that there is an agenda,” he added.

The young CEO urged youths in Nigeria, particularly those in Edo State, to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that “we believe it is the future of Africa,” especially Nigeria.

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He said Nigeria stands as the giant of Africa and that its youth must take bold steps in the entrepreneurship landscape.

According to Abuyere, to ensure Edo youths actualise their entrepreneurial potential, the company has prepared soft loans to help them start businesses, adding that Skyewise Group is not limited to automobile operations.

READ ALSO:Senatorial Seat: Ogbakha-Edo Warns Against Imposition Of Candidates In Edo South

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He said: “More importantly to us is youth empowerment. We want our youth to be empowered, and this is where the Skyewise Foundation comes in.

“We believe the future of Africa is entrepreneurship, and that future lies in the hands of the young people of Nigeria. We want to empower them to stand the test of time, build something meaningful, and reduce unemployment and insecurity in our land.

“I believe we need to begin taking bold steps by refining the mindset of our young people. We need to give them a sense of belonging and direction.

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“We have been addressing the liquidity gap in society by providing microloans to support businesses in our environment and in Benin City.”

When asked why he chose Benin City for the multi-billion naira automobile firm, Abuyere noted: “I think this is the first automobile showroom in Edo State where you can see a car lifted from the ground floor to the first floor and beyond.”

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JUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike

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Nigerian filling stations reduced their Premium Motor Spirit price on Saturday, barely 24 hours after the hike.

Checks by DAILY POST showed that Ranoil, Empire Energy, and other filling stations in Abuja adjusted their petrol pumps to N1,365 and N1,375 per litre respectively, down from N1,440 per litre on Friday.

This means that petroleum marketers dropped their fuel price by N65 and N75 per litre. DAILY POST reports that the move was to attract patronage from customers.

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READ ALSO:Pipeline Surveillance Contracts Decentralisation May Fuel Chaos In N’Delta, Itsekiri Youths Warn

Recall that three days ago, Nigerian filling stations had raised their petrol pump price to between N1,365 and N1,440 nationwide after Dangote Refinery and depot owners increased ex-depot prices to around N1,275 and N1,290 per litre.

According to DAILY POST, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and MRS Bovas filling stations raised their petrol price to around N1,365 per litre, others adjusted theirs above N1,440 per litre.

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READ ALSO:Drivers Protest Fuel Increase, Raise Fares in Benin

However, with the latest fuel price reduction by Ranoil and Empire Energy, the majority of filling station outlets now dispense petrol between N1,365 and N1,375 per litre.

This development comes as the ripple effect of crude oil prices continues to impact Nigeria’s domestic fuel price.

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Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $114 and $105 per barrel before dropping to $108 and $101 after the filing of this report.

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Dangote Refinery Hikes Petrol Price

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Dangote Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75.

The refinery announced the increase on Wednesday, hiking the the price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.
In the same way, coastal prices have gone up to N1,215 per litre.

READ ALSO:Dangote Sugar Announces South New CEO

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This adjustment amid Brent crude trading at $114.80 per barrel marks a 3.15% increase.

DAILY POST reports that Brent crude has increased to $115 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to $103 per barrel on Wednesday.

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