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N42 BILLION FRAUD ROCKS PENCOM…… THE DG’S INVOLVEMENT AND SHADY DEALS EXPOSED!

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The Centre for Public Accountability (CPA), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to order an immediate investigation into alleged sundry fraudulent practices in the National Pensions Commission, (PENCOM).
The group specifically alleged that about N42billion collected by PENCOM in 2012 cannot be accounted for by the Director General, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu.
In a petition addressed to the president and signed by the Executive Director of the Centre, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, CPA said the petition is intended to bring to the attention of the president the long list of infractions, mismanagement and maladministration that is ongoing at the commission under the leadership of Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu.
A copy of CPA’s petition which was made available to newsmen, read: “Mr. President, as you may be aware, the Pension Reform Act was enacted in 2004 for sustainable management of retirement benefits of citizens who worked within the public or private sectors of the federation. As at today, the accumulated pension assets stand at about N5.4 trillion. From that period to date, we want to assert that the commission has never been in the worst state than it is today.
“We affirm that the commission is bedeviled with multiple infractions, violations of the law and widespread corruption that warrant immediate and urgent attention of Mr. President.”
Raising its first issue on the annual collection, the Centre alleged that the Commission is mismanaging the 0.3 per cent annual fees on pension assets, thereby calling for a thorough investigation into it.
“The commission collects annually, 0.3 per cent on the total pension assets which presently stands at N5.4 trillion. Annually the commission collects about N15billion as fees which it spends without any accountability.
“We challenge the commission to publish how it has expended that annual fund which is regarded as slush fund by insiders. As at December 2015, the  current Director General of PENCOM has collected N42 billion which she cannot account for till date.
“We specifically call on the President to order an immediate investigation into how the N42 billion fees collected by the commission was expended from 2012 to date.
Similarly, the Center alleged that the Commission’s DG is involved in illegal application of regulatory powers, stating that there are obvious cases of harassment and selfish tendencies in the leadership of the commission.
“In addition to not implementing statutory provision as above, records showed that the commission under the current Director General has deployed regulatory powers of the commission for selfish, illegal and family usage.
Pension administrators and custodians are harassed and subjected to unholy surcharges including share takeover among others.
Currently, the families of commission Director Generals are the owners of Premium Pension. May we also inform you, that the commission also took over First Guarantee Pension under flimsy excuses and has refused to obey court orders directing a return of the firm to the owners. For more than five years, the commission held on to the firm and is scheming to sell it to interest known to be close to its Director General.”
While describing the annual World Pension being hosted by PENCOM as a wasteful expenditure, the Centre said the country is set to waste almost a million naira for a jamboree like event at a time the country is in recession.
“Annually, the commission plays host to the World Pension Summit, a body owned by two brothers from the United States. The commission forced pension administrators and custodians to pay participation fees while the commission itself spends almost a billion naira annually to host the annual event. The 2016 edition of that event is scheduled to hold by September 27 to 28   in Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
“In this era of recession, this is not just wasteful but corruption laden and out of tune with the spirit of the era. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Director General to stop the summit forthwith as Nigeria and pensioners can ill afford such wasteful and extravagant event meant to enrich a family alleged to be working on behalf of the commission management.”
CPA also highlighted the non-implementation of transfer window by the Commission, stating that, “Nigerians deserve to know why depositors are not allowed to migrate if they so wish. We want to know why billions are spent without such migration being realized.”
Urging the president to urgently beam a searchlight on the activities of the commission, the CPA said, “that sector needs urgent clean up if the world, pensioners and workers are to take the administration seriously.
Among other requests to the president, the Center said, “We also call for an immediate investigation into the activities of PENCOM, under its present leadership, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corruption Practices and other related offences related Commission, ICPC.”
All efforts to speak with Emeka Onuora, the Corporate Affairs manager of PENCOM proved futile as his mobile number was not reachable as at press time.

 

 

 

Source: THE CPA

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Asiko deepens gas penetration, unveils 300 metric tonnes LPG/CNG depot in Benin

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to grow in geometric progression- Alex Ogedegbe

… We are going to expand into CNG, LNG Gas Station- Abubakar Folami 

 

 

Asiko, a leading provider of clean energy solutions operating in Nigeria’s energy sector, has continued to contribute to the economic development of the country with its sterling efforts to ensure in-country utilisation and deepening of gas penetration in the nation, as it unveils 300 Metric Tonnes Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) depot in Utesi, Ikpoba Okha local government area of Edo state.

 

This project invariably aligns with the federal government’s priority objective to attain 5 million MT of LPG consumption by 2023.

 

Speaking at the official commissioning of the gas depot, the Chairman of the Asiko Group, Engr Alex Ogedegbe, expressed that the gas potential of Nigeria is enormously huge and the LPG/CNG depot is designed to provide much-needed energy solution to Nigeria and beyond.

 

“Today, we are excited to launch our 300MT LPG and CNG depot. The multi-product gas depot, promises to improve gas availability and distribution in the region.”

 

According to him, “The LPG/CNG depot is poised to become a hub for a wide range of gas products. Under its licensing agreement, the depot is authorised to store Propane, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Currently, it stores LPG and CNG, with plans for future development to enable the storage of LNG in the near future. The 300MT depot, the biggest in Benin, marks an added step towards contributing to a clean energy future and the realisation of the Federal Government’s decade of gas initiative.”

 

Ogedegbe said, “Nigeria is endowed with up to 183 trillion cubic feet of gas deposit, and we have not consumed up to 5% of that deposit in Nigeria today. Imagine how much we can distribute to Nigerian society and beyond if we have installations and facilities like this that we are commissioning today.

 

 

Also speaking to newsmen at the event, Mr Abubakar Folami, a Director at Asiko, said that the company has similar inland depots and plants across Nigeria, with an impressive inland Propane and LNG terminal currently under construction in Ijora, Lagos.

 

Similarly, the Utesi Community head, (Okaighele) Mr Monday Edo, said he was very happy about the project commissioning.

 

This LPG/CNG depot is not just a beacon of progress for the energy sector; it also carries a profound impact on the local community. The depot is expected to generate over 100 job direct and indirect job opportunities, contributing significantly to the economic welfare of the region. The creation of these jobs underscores Asiko’s commitment to empowering and uplifting the economic activities of its host communities.

 

Asiko is a leading provider of clean energy solutions in Nigeria, dedicated to delivering a comprehensive network of sustainable, accessible, and innovative clean energy solutions. With a focus on LPG, LNG, CNG, propane, and renewable energy, Asiko drives the region’s clean energy transition and ensures energy security.

 

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Tingo Media CEO Agbonwaneten to bury mum in PH

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It will be a carnival of sort as the Chief Executive Officer of Tingo Media, Mr. Ebuwa Martins Agbonwaneten has concluded plans to hold the funeral of his mother, Princess Karina Namikpoh who passed away at 68.

A statement by Agbonwaneten, who is also the CEO to The Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation, a non-governmental organisation owned by billionaire technology entrepreneur, Dozy Mmobuosi on behalf of the family, said their matriarch will be laid to rest in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on September 29- October 1, 2023.

A service of songs and tributes hold in her honour on Friday, September 29 at Azny Place, No 2 Louis Drive, opposite Nextime supermarket, GRA Phase 3, along Abacha Road, Port Harcourt.
Funeral service hold on Saturday, September 30 at Vaults & Gardens, Aggrey Road, off Cemetery Road Port Harcourt.

An interment reception will take place at The Palacios Event Centre, 63 Woji Road, Phase 2 Port Harcourt.

On Sunday, Oct 1, thanksgiving service will take place at Hilltop International Christian Centre, 7 Hilltop Drive Waterlines/Elekahia Link Road Port Harcourt.

Agbonwaneten extended invitations to colleagues, associates and business partners, saying interesting activities have been lined up for their unforgettable experiences.

“As you may already know, my mother’s burial is scheduled for the 29th – 30th of September, 2023, in Port Harcourt. This event is not just a somber occasion; it’s a celebration of a remarkable life and a chance to bid farewell to an extraordinary woman.

“I want you to be a part of this grand celebration. It’s an opportunity to join me in giving my mother the dignified and joyous send-off she deserves. I assure you; we have prepared an unforgettable experience for all who attend!

“Transportation will be seamless, with arrangements and adequate security in place for those traveling from Lagos, Benin, Abuja and all all over the world to Port Harcourt—all free of charge.

“We’ve secured top-notch hotel accommodations to ensure your stay is comfortable and convenient. Our event planning team and funeral directors rank among the industry’s finest, ensuring that every detail is meticulously attended to.

“You may already know my reputation as a gracious host, and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Our menu boasts a delectable array of cuisine, from continental delights to local favorites like ‘nkwobi,’ ‘pepper soup,’ ‘bolé,’ ‘starch and banga’, and more. The drink selection is equally impressive, featuring a range of choices from Champagne, Hennessy, Glenfiddich, Jack Daniels, cocktails, assorted wines, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and more,”he stated.

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Nationwide Blackout As National Grid Collapses Again…

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Nigeria has again been thrown into darkness after the national grid system, operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) from Osogbo in Osun State collapsed.
A check by The Guardian in the early hour of today showed that the grid plummeted to a meagre 273 megawatts of electricity coming from two out of the over 27 electricity generation.
This comes barely a week after TCN, rolled out the drum to celebrate a questionable 400 days of grid stability.
A number of Distribution Companies confirmed to The Guardian that the grid went down at 00:41 AM, disclosing that most of their feeders are out.
As of 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, five generating plants were on the grid. Afam VI had 0.70MW, Dadinkowa was generating 0.00MW, Ibom Power had 32.90MW, Jebba had 240MW and Olorunsogo was on the grid with zero generation.
At about 1AM midnight, the total power on the grid was 35MW, indicating that the country experienced a total collapse.
The grid went to 193MW at about 3AM before climbing to 273MW when this report was filed.
The TCN has not responded to inquiries by our correspondent about the development.

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