A
document emanating from leaders of the northern region has revealed that the
administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has extended huge economic
goodies to the region.
document emanating from leaders of the northern region has revealed that the
administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has extended huge economic
goodies to the region.
The Northern Economic Summit, in its “Progress Report on Actions
taken by the Federal Government on Economic Development Issues Raised from the
Report of the First Northern Economic Summit held in Kaduna in 2011” admitted
that since 2011, Jonathan has really taken good care of the region’s economic
development. The Northern Economic Summit, which plans its second summit in
June, is headed by Prof. Jerry Gana.
taken by the Federal Government on Economic Development Issues Raised from the
Report of the First Northern Economic Summit held in Kaduna in 2011” admitted
that since 2011, Jonathan has really taken good care of the region’s economic
development. The Northern Economic Summit, which plans its second summit in
June, is headed by Prof. Jerry Gana.
A 12-page report itemised 10 areas in which Jonathan has
extended economic interventions to the region in two years. With N16 billion,
the latest of the lifelines, made available early this week to the North for
oil field search and discovery, the region has gained about N1.2 trillion
exclusively from the administration.
extended economic interventions to the region in two years. With N16 billion,
the latest of the lifelines, made available early this week to the North for
oil field search and discovery, the region has gained about N1.2 trillion
exclusively from the administration.
The last fund goes into the establishment of the “Frontier Basin
Exploration Agency that would work in Benue, Sokoto, Adamawa, others.”
Exploration Agency that would work in Benue, Sokoto, Adamawa, others.”
The handout is known as an offer to grease the palms of the
North and make them support the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) still in the
works.
North and make them support the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) still in the
works.
Allocation for the yet-to-be established agency is already
captured in the 2013 Appropriation Act signed by President Goodluck Jonathan in
February.
captured in the 2013 Appropriation Act signed by President Goodluck Jonathan in
February.
A source in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) told Saturday
Sun: “Although the government has a duty of making such provisions for the
development of the nation, when it is essentially targeted at a region, to the
exclusion of others, the agenda becomes political.”
Sun: “Although the government has a duty of making such provisions for the
development of the nation, when it is essentially targeted at a region, to the
exclusion of others, the agenda becomes political.”
The source, a former national executive of the PDP from the
South West, also said: “These are incentives from the Federal Government to buy
the friendship of the North. I am sure my region can’t say it ever got such
carrot from the Federal Government. It is possible only the South South, to
some extent, apart from the North, can boast of an incentive this big from
President Jonathan. The possibility is high that such staggering fund is
extended to the North for political gains concerning his 2015 interest and
partly because of the insecurity situation that is worst in the North.”
However, at least 50 per cent of the projects involved in this assignment have
been completed.
South West, also said: “These are incentives from the Federal Government to buy
the friendship of the North. I am sure my region can’t say it ever got such
carrot from the Federal Government. It is possible only the South South, to
some extent, apart from the North, can boast of an incentive this big from
President Jonathan. The possibility is high that such staggering fund is
extended to the North for political gains concerning his 2015 interest and
partly because of the insecurity situation that is worst in the North.”
However, at least 50 per cent of the projects involved in this assignment have
been completed.
The document of the Gana-led group, at the opening page,
indicated that the Federal Government has made “provisions of substantial funds
to facilitate exploration for oil and gas in the Chad Basin, Benue Trough, Bida
Basin and Sokoto-Rima Basin, among others.
indicated that the Federal Government has made “provisions of substantial funds
to facilitate exploration for oil and gas in the Chad Basin, Benue Trough, Bida
Basin and Sokoto-Rima Basin, among others.
“Upon assumption of office, this administration renewed the
commitment of government to systematically and aggressively explore and rapidly
assess the hydrocarbon resource potentials of the seven inland basins in
Nigeria.
commitment of government to systematically and aggressively explore and rapidly
assess the hydrocarbon resource potentials of the seven inland basins in
Nigeria.
“This is to facilitate the much desired diversification of
Nigeria’s oil exploration and production base with resultant increase in the nation’s
oil and gas reserves to deliver strategic, security and socio-economic
benefits.”
Nigeria’s oil exploration and production base with resultant increase in the nation’s
oil and gas reserves to deliver strategic, security and socio-economic
benefits.”
The bottom-line of the projects to the North is that the region
admitted it got: “In 2011, US$70m, in 2012, US$70m and in 2013 US$100m for the
hydrocarbon exploration in the Lake Chad Basin and other Northern Hydrocarbon
basins.”
admitted it got: “In 2011, US$70m, in 2012, US$70m and in 2013 US$100m for the
hydrocarbon exploration in the Lake Chad Basin and other Northern Hydrocarbon
basins.”
The figures for the three years represent about N47.4 billion
and with the latest largesse this week, the North, since 2011, has got from
Jonathan N63.4 billion lifeline in the oil and gas sector only. According
to the document, almost the entire subventions are for search for oil not yet
found.
and with the latest largesse this week, the North, since 2011, has got from
Jonathan N63.4 billion lifeline in the oil and gas sector only. According
to the document, almost the entire subventions are for search for oil not yet
found.
Further, the Gana revelation also noted: “In 2011, NNPC had,
through the technical consultants, concluded the search, evaluation and
identification of capable airborne geophysical survey companies for hydrocarbon
exploration of the inland basins of Nigeria.”
through the technical consultants, concluded the search, evaluation and
identification of capable airborne geophysical survey companies for hydrocarbon
exploration of the inland basins of Nigeria.”
The source of the facts is the document of the Summit’s
Conference Organising Committee (email:nps_g20@yahoo.com). The acronym, G20, is
the alias for the organization, indicating it overseas the economic interest of
the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. The document was made
public and given participants on the day the Summit announced its second summit
for June in Abuja.
Conference Organising Committee (email:nps_g20@yahoo.com). The acronym, G20, is
the alias for the organization, indicating it overseas the economic interest of
the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. The document was made
public and given participants on the day the Summit announced its second summit
for June in Abuja.
Power sector
The target projects in the region in this sector are the Zungeru
and Mambila Plateau power contracts. It noted: “This administration has renewed
its commitment to speedily implement the Mambila Hydro Power Project with
vigour to generate 3050mw of power.”
and Mambila Plateau power contracts. It noted: “This administration has renewed
its commitment to speedily implement the Mambila Hydro Power Project with
vigour to generate 3050mw of power.”
The revised schedule for the completion of the project was
broken down into seven segments commencing from the second quarter of 2012 with
the resolution of the legal breaches in the project and terminates at the first
quarter of 2013 with a “bidding process and financing arrangement in progress.”
broken down into seven segments commencing from the second quarter of 2012 with
the resolution of the legal breaches in the project and terminates at the first
quarter of 2013 with a “bidding process and financing arrangement in progress.”
The segments also include, according to the report: “MOU for construction
works signed with two Chinese companies at a construction cost of US$6.4b or
N936b.
works signed with two Chinese companies at a construction cost of US$6.4b or
N936b.
“It is important to note that government has awarded the 700
megawatts Zungeru hydro power project at a cost of US$1.2 (N170b).
Groundbreaking ceremony will be performed in April 2013. The Kashimbila Dam has
reached advanced stage of construction, while Gurara Phase 1 has been 100%
completed. Detailed design and tender documents for 360 megawatts Gurara phase
II and 40 megawatts Itisi Dam have been completed and PPP bidding process in
progress.”
megawatts Zungeru hydro power project at a cost of US$1.2 (N170b).
Groundbreaking ceremony will be performed in April 2013. The Kashimbila Dam has
reached advanced stage of construction, while Gurara Phase 1 has been 100%
completed. Detailed design and tender documents for 360 megawatts Gurara phase
II and 40 megawatts Itisi Dam have been completed and PPP bidding process in
progress.”
Power transmission lines
There have also been expansions of power transmission lines,
especially the proposed super grid and “contracts for the expansion of
transmission lines have been awarded and works in progress. Ajaokuta-Abuja is
progress; Kaduna-Kano, awarded; Kaduna-Saminaka-Jos, awarded.
Makurdi-Nasarawa-Jos, awarded; Gombe-Yola-Jalingo, completed;
Gombe-Potiskum-Damaturu-Maiduguri, work in progress; Mambila-Jalingo-Makurdi
and Mambila-Yola-Maiduguri, design works.”
especially the proposed super grid and “contracts for the expansion of
transmission lines have been awarded and works in progress. Ajaokuta-Abuja is
progress; Kaduna-Kano, awarded; Kaduna-Saminaka-Jos, awarded.
Makurdi-Nasarawa-Jos, awarded; Gombe-Yola-Jalingo, completed;
Gombe-Potiskum-Damaturu-Maiduguri, work in progress; Mambila-Jalingo-Makurdi
and Mambila-Yola-Maiduguri, design works.”
Roads
Gana’s group admitted unequivocally: “Government has commenced
rehabilitation works for all federal roads and appreciable progress has been
made in the northern part under FERMA’s zero pothole programme.”
rehabilitation works for all federal roads and appreciable progress has been
made in the northern part under FERMA’s zero pothole programme.”
Agriculture
For the North, the report said: “The agricultural value chain is
targeted at rice, corn, wheat, tomatoes, onion, pepper and watermelon in the
North West, North East and North Central. The rice transformation plan
envisages the establishment of 14 integrated rice processing mills under a PPP
arrangement. Of these 14 mills, 10 will be located in the northern part of the
country. To provide the necessary raw materials for the rice mills, government
plans to expand and/or rehabilitate existing projects and construct additional
ones with N42.25b representing 63.1% of the N67b allocated to the water sector
for the development of irrigation at 33 locations around the northern states.”
targeted at rice, corn, wheat, tomatoes, onion, pepper and watermelon in the
North West, North East and North Central. The rice transformation plan
envisages the establishment of 14 integrated rice processing mills under a PPP
arrangement. Of these 14 mills, 10 will be located in the northern part of the
country. To provide the necessary raw materials for the rice mills, government
plans to expand and/or rehabilitate existing projects and construct additional
ones with N42.25b representing 63.1% of the N67b allocated to the water sector
for the development of irrigation at 33 locations around the northern states.”
It also revealed: “Full implementation of the water sector
component of government intervention is expected to boost food production in
northern Nigeria by an estimated 1,461,328 metric tons out of a total national
estimate of 1,684,408 tons.
component of government intervention is expected to boost food production in
northern Nigeria by an estimated 1,461,328 metric tons out of a total national
estimate of 1,684,408 tons.
“Irrigation revival is already taking place. Lake Chad (6,000Ha)
has been redeveloped in conjunction with the Borno State government, Gurara
irrigation scheme of 4,000Ha, completed. Rima Basin 5,000 revived; Zobe dam
irrigation, revived and several others.”
has been redeveloped in conjunction with the Borno State government, Gurara
irrigation scheme of 4,000Ha, completed. Rima Basin 5,000 revived; Zobe dam
irrigation, revived and several others.”
In addition to the various projects already either executed or
in the course of completion, there are “10 mini hydro studies already completed
and additional studies for 17 existing dams are ongoing.”
in the course of completion, there are “10 mini hydro studies already completed
and additional studies for 17 existing dams are ongoing.”
Solid minerals
In this sector, the Federal Government has conducted geochemical
mapping in over 40 locations in the North to aid in getting proper knowledge of
their diverse minerals availability and concentration and also made remarkable
efforts at exploring them.
mapping in over 40 locations in the North to aid in getting proper knowledge of
their diverse minerals availability and concentration and also made remarkable
efforts at exploring them.
For instance, the report said: “The Federal Government has
equipped and upgraded the Geosciences Research Laboratory in Kaduna to world
class, thereby providing means of analyzing mineral samples locally. Monthly
mineral clinics are organized to disseminate geo-scientific information/data in
all the zones of the North.
equipped and upgraded the Geosciences Research Laboratory in Kaduna to world
class, thereby providing means of analyzing mineral samples locally. Monthly
mineral clinics are organized to disseminate geo-scientific information/data in
all the zones of the North.
“Government has also established the Nigerian Institute of
Mining and Geosciences in Jos to provide practical orientation and post
graduate training in mining engineering. The combined effect of these
deliberate initiatives in the mining sector is targeted at generating and
sustaining employment and income generation to our unemployed youths in the
North.”
Mining and Geosciences in Jos to provide practical orientation and post
graduate training in mining engineering. The combined effect of these
deliberate initiatives in the mining sector is targeted at generating and
sustaining employment and income generation to our unemployed youths in the
North.”
Source: Sun
