Business
FG Probes Indorama, Total, 10 Others Over Expatriate Quota
The Federal Government has identified Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Limited, International Business Machines West Africa, Stallion Motors Limited, Liaoning-Efacec Electrical Equipment Co. Nig. Ltd; and Total Nigeria Plc, for allegedly abusing the Expatriate Quota Positions in the country.
Other companies under investigation include AMNI, Sinohydro Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project Company Limited, Alliance Nigeria Insurance Limited, Yinson West Africa Productions, Sevier Pharmaceutical Development Limited, Jaiz Metal Ltd., and Macha Design and Construction Limited.
Specifically, the government accused the firms of engaging in EQP racketeering and violation of extant policies, rules and regulations on EQP.
The Ministry of Interior, in a report to the National Assembly disclosed that the firms were being investigated by its Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection unit in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the National Assembly.
The report dated April 5, 2022, said a complaint was received from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on the alleged abuse of EQPs by AMNI Ltd. The board recommended sanctions and withdrawal of subsisting EQPs from the errant firm.
It said the inspection team visited the company but it had yet to make any submission, adding that a repeat visit would be made next within two weeks after which appropriate recommendations would be made to the permanent secretary and the interior minister for a final decision.
The ministry stated, ‘’It is important to state that various committees of the National Assembly forward letters to the Ministry of Interior to investigate the activities of some companies in the utilization of the approved Expatriate Quota Positions. This substantiates the need for the creation of the Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection Unit in the C&B Department as requested by the Honourable Minister and the Permanent Secretary and as approved by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
‘’Some of the companies being investigated by the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives/ICPC through the Enforcement, Investigation & Inspection Unit are Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Limited; International Business Machines West Africa; Stallion Motors Limited; Liaoning-Efacec Electrical Equipment Co. Nig. Ltd; and Total Nigeria Plc.’’
The ministry revealed that SinohydroZungeru Hydroelectric Power Project Ltd. was reported for the racketeering of EQPs, adding that the company was alleged to have over 300 expatriates as against the 33 it claimed.
‘’The company evaded tax payment and (posed) a threat to the internal security of Nigeria. The company failed to defend the allegations or submit requisite documents,’’ the report further said, noting that the Nigeria Immigration Service arrested over 200 illegal expatriates at the firm on March 10, 2022.
The ministry observed that Alliance Insurance Company Limited violated various laws and regulations governing the approval and utilization of EQPs.
The report further said the company has no file with the ministry ‘’but has EQPs secured through fraudsters from 2011,’’ noting that the Investigation and Inspection Unit of the ministry is assessing the level of the infractions and would take appropriate decisions.
Yinson Operations and Production West Africa Limited were said to have smuggled 58 expatriates into its two floating production storage and offloading units without approval.
The report noted, “Sevier Pharmaceutical Development Limited, a multinational company incorporated on September 27, 2016, is in serious breach of EQPs abuse. The company does not have any record on the E-citibiz platform to show evidence of the initial Business Permits and EQPs.
‘’Since inception, the ministry automation system revealed that the company does not have its profile on the platform to indicate any EQPs approval by the ministry.
The investigation is ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the initial grant of Business Permit and EQPs to the company.’’
The government pointed out that Metal Works and Macha Design Ltd could not be located at their registered addresses at DeiDei, and Central District, both in Abuja and on the e-cibiz platform.
The report further said, “It is noteworthy that petitions about the abuse of EQPs are regularly submitted to the ministry with regard to violations of policies, programmes, rules and regulations that concern the internal security of the country.
‘’The existence of companies/organisations that have not obtained Business Permits or that engage the services of prohibited aliens is a challenge to the internal security of Nigeria, especially at this time when banditry, kidnapping and other vices are threatening the peaceful co-existences of the nation.
‘’Many stakeholders, organisations and professional bodies that are concerned about the security of Nigeria and negative impacts of illegal aliens have informed the Honourable Minister about abuses and racketeering of Expatriate Quota Positions.’’
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with a firm, Sweetcrude Ltd., has announced detailed selection criteria for the inaugural “Champions of Nigerian Content Awards”, designed to honor outstanding contributions to local content development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The Tide learnt that the event, scheduled to hold 21st May, 2025, at the NCDMB’S content tower headquarters in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, will recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing Nigerian Content in 2024.
The Tide further gathered that the ceremony will coincide with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), which promises to spotlighting industry excellence and contributions to national economic transformation.
A statement by the Board’s Directorate of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination says the event has 12 Award Categories, which include, “Nigerian Content Icon of the Year”, “Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award”, “Nigerian Content International Upstream Operator of the year”, and the “Nigerian Content Independent Upstream Operator of the year”.
Others are, “Nigerian Content Midstream Operator of the year”, “Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the year”, “Nigerian Content International Service Company of the year”, Nigerian Content Indigenous Service Company of the year”, and the “Nigerian Content Innovator of the year”.
Also included are, “Nigerian Content Financial Services Provider of the year”, “Nigerian Content Media Organization of the year”, and “Women in Leadership Award for Promoting Gender Equality and Empowerment”.
According to the NCDMB, the criteria for oil and gas operators will include key and empirical benchmarks such as Production output for crude oil and gas volumes, Compliance with Nigerian Content Plans (NCPs) and Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates (NCCCs).
Other criteria are adherence to NOGICD Act reporting requirements, such as submission of Nigerian Content Performance Reports and Employment & Training Plans.
The Board’s statement added that similar criteria will apply to financial institutions, media organizations, and individuals, ensuring a transparent and merit-based selection process.
“Winners for the Nigerian Content Icon of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and Women in Leadership Award will also be selected based on measurable performance indicators.
“The Advisory Committee of Industry Titans will Oversee the process to uphold the prestige of awards. The Committee consist of distinguished experts set up to oversee nominations and validate winners”, the NCDMB said.
Members of the committee, according to the Board, include: Pioneer Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Dr. Ernest Nwapa; Secretary-General, African Petroleum Producers Organization, Dr. Omar Farouk; and former Zonal Operations Controller, DPR, Mr. Woke Akinyosoye.
The Statement quoted the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, as emphasizing that the awards aim to becoming the oil and gas sector’s equivalent of the Oscars, celebrating genuine impact rather than mere participation.
“This recognition is reserved for those who have gone beyond compliance to drive tangible growth in Nigerian Content.
“With a focus on credibility, compliance, and measurable impact, the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards is poised to set a new standard for excellence in Nigeria’s energy sector”, the NCDMB Executive Scribe said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Nigeria’s apex Banking institution, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has declared that Federal Government’s debt servicing increased to N696billion in January 2025.
The CBN’s recently published Economic Report revealed a precarious fiscal position, which worsened in January 2025 as debt servicing obligations exceeded total retained revenue by a wide margin.
According to the report, the Federal Government’s debt servicing obligations for the month stood at N696.27bn, while total retained revenue amounted to only N483.47bn, indicating that debt service alone consumed about 144 per cent of all government earnings.
This development highlights the growing debt burden and dwindling fiscal space facing Africa’s largest economy.
According to the report, despite slight improvements in some revenue categories, the retained earnings were grossly inadequate to cover obligatory debt repayments, exposing the government’s continued reliance on borrowing to meet basic obligations.
The report further revealed that retained revenue in January 2025 only recorded a marginal 0.89 per cent increase when compared with the N479.21bn generated in the corresponding month of 2024.
”FGN retained revenue declined in the review period, owing largely to lower receipts from Federal Government Independent Revenue and FGN’s share of exchange gain.
“At N0.48tn, provisional FGN retained revenue was 69.19 and 70.40 per cent below the levels recorded in the preceding period and monthly target, respectively”, it revealed.
While this points to stagnation rather than growth, the marginal rise was wiped out by the overwhelming debt service obligations.
The retained revenue components showed that the Federation Account contributed N167.69bn, while the VAT Pool Account delivered N90.73bn.
By: Corlins Walter
The Federal Government has announced plans to commence the payment of the outstanding N35,000 wage award arrears owed workers in the Federal Civil Service.
A statement issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), which was signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, said the outstanding arrears will be paid in instalments, with workers set to receive N35,000 per month for five months.
It clarified that the first tranche of the wage award arrears would be released immediately after the April salary payment.
“The wage award arrears was not paid with the April 2025 salary; it will come immediately after the salary is paid”, the statement read.
The Federal Government had earlier disbursed wage awards to federal workers for five months as part of efforts to cushion the impact of economic reforms. However, five months’ arrears remained unpaid.
The AGF office further reiterated the government’s commitment to fully implementing all policies and agreements relating to staff remuneration and welfare, noting that such efforts were geared towards enhancing productivity and operational efficiency across ministries, departments, and agencies.
The N35,000 wage award was introduced in 2023 as a palliative measure to support workers following the removal of the petrol subsidy and other economic adjustments.
In January this year, the Federal Government assured workers that it would clear the arrears of the N35,000 wage award, just as it also said the government had resumed the payment of the wage award.
The government also reiterated its commitment to addressing issues in the National Minimum Wage agreement reached with the Organised Labour in 2023.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, had disclosed the government’s commitment towards implementing agreements with trade unions during separate meetings with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress and Congress of University Academics, in Abuja.
The Nigeria Labour Congress had criticised the Federal Government over the delay in the payment of the minimum wage for certain workers in the federal civil service.
Also, the Federal Government had earlier blamed the delay in payment on the prolonged approval of the 2025 budget.
By: Corlins Walter