Covid 19 / News

COVID-19: PSC lifts midnight curfew, movement restriction

The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 has reviewed the country’s response to the pandemic in view of declining number of cases.

Boss Mustapha, the Chairman of the committee and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said on Wednesday in a statement in Abuja that the decision followed reduced risk of importation of new variants.

He said the decision was also due to availability of vaccines and increasing number of people vaccinated in Nigeria and globally.

Mustapha said the social restriction recommendations were revised in line with the three established thematic areas – movement, industry and labor, as well as community activities.

The SGF stated that the safety protocols provide a baseline from which state governments could further build on to strengthen their responses based on their local circumstances.

“States should continue to consider them as the minimum guidelines required to ensure acceptable level of epidemic control nationwide,” he stated.

He said there were no more formal restrictions on movement within the country as the nationwide curfew imposed from midnight to 4 a.m. had been lifted.

He added that the advisory limiting Nigerians to essential travels had been lifted, although citizens need to refrain from non-essential movements and comply with non-pharmaceutical guidelines such as the mandatory use of facemask/facial coverings in public, given the risks involved.

“Use of face mask to be mandatory for indoor activities but at individual’s discretion during outdoor activities.

“Those aged 60 and above or with co-morbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are advised to uphold the use of universal precaution which includes the use of face mask, avoid crowd and frequent use of hand sanitizers,” he added.

According to him, no limitation on air travels – both domestic and international flights; but both international and domestic travelers must abide by existing protocols, including the use of face mask while onboard and taking personal precaution measures.

He stated that all arriving international passengers must register with the Nigeria International Travel Portal (https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng) and abide by the travel guidelines.

“No limitations on …

Covid 19 / News

We gave Lagos N10b, Kano N5b, others N1b each to fight COVID-19 ― PSC

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has disclosed that Lagos and Kano States got N10 billion and N5 billion respectively from the Federal Government to combat the pandemic as part of resources made available to the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory.

The Chairman of the PSC and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made this known on Monday.

Mustapha spoke in a presentation entitled: “National Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria-The Journey so Far,” at the summit on COVID-19 in Abuja.

According to him, while Lagos and Kano got N10 billion and N5 billion each, other states and the FCT got N1 billion each. The national response commenced under the then Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in March 2020.

It later transformed to the PSC with effect from March 2021.

The SGF said the PTF/PSC has till date submitted two major reports to the government, in December 2020 and March 2021, adding that the response remains a work in progress because COVID-19 has not abated.

He said: “Countries of the world including Nigeria, have experienced the third wave and currently a fourth wave is unfolding with the Omicron variant.

“We have steadily been implementing the COVID-19 protocols, joining the world to ease up restrictions The evolution of the pandemic showed us that remaining vigilant and consistent on our science-based approach is crucial until such time that we are all safe.

“The emergence of the omicron variant of concern highlights how fragile and vulnerable we are global.

“It is therefore important that we maintain pressure on the COVID-19 virus until we deny it the opportunity to continue to circulate and mutate.

“Our overall focus will be to scale up vaccination of our population to reach targets set by the WHO. Nigeria needs to continue to implement public health and social measures in place combined with effective vaccination now that we are getting the vaccines.

“With the emergence of Omicron, Nigeria, like some other countries have become targets of restrictive measures.

“This has to be only on …

Crime / News

PSC sets up panel to study report on DCP Abba Kyari

The Police Service Commission has set up a panel to study the documents available to it on the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

The Head of Press and Public Relations of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, said this in a statement on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Kyari, the Head of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team, was on July 31 suspended by the PSC following a recommendation by the IGP, Usman Baba.

The recommendation followed a bribery allegation brought against him by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI had alleged that the suspended DCP was paid a bribe by a serial internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, to arrest one of his friends in a $1.1 million deal.

Ani said the PSC panel would examine the facts of the allegations as contained in the FBI indictment as well as the extant rules to keep abreast with the matter, pending the submission of the Police Investigative Panel report.

The panel, headed by Tijani Mohammed, the Director of Discipline in the commission, would gather and document relevant information on Kyari in view of it being a disciplinary matter, Ani said.

He added that the idea was to analyse the information gathered and make appropriate recommendation/s to the commission.

The PSC spokesman said the report of the panel would assist the commission take an informed decision after the submission of the Police Investigative Panel report.

He said the panel had already been inaugurated by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Commission, Alhaji Abubakar Ismaila.…

Business / News / Oil & Gas

N320 billion earned by NNPC in Bonga PSC deal

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Bonga Production Sharing Contract (PSC) partners, have signed watershed agreements to unlock $700m (about N320bn) revenue to the federation.

The revenue is expected to be generated by way of gas revenue and lease renewal fees, adding that the pact would also unlock about two billion barrels of oil for Nigeria under the Oil Mining Lease 118.

Under the arrangement, the NNPC and Bonga PSC partners will be executing five agreements that will deliver about $700m of immediate benefit to Nigeria.

The five agreements signed include, dispute settlement agreement, settlement agreement, historical gas agreement, escrow agreement and renewed psc agreement.

It will also help to ensure $6bn savings of arbitral liability on the Federal Government and unlock 10 000 direct and indirect employment opportunities to Nigeria

This new agreement will also help to re-balance fiscal terms and address global competition in prioritization of investments by key players.

The OML 118 with its straddle fields, boast of the presence of the five Major Players in the deep water space not only in Nigeria but also globally.…