The world leader in mobile phone, Nokia, has unveiled a ground-breaking messaging solution on the new Nokia C3, which among other features, offers instant messaging to its users.
The good-looking, affordable handset that allows users to stay continually connected to communities that suits their lifestyles – whether it’s via email, social networks or IM buddies, the new Nokia C3 offers access to Yahoo mail & Messenger, Gmail, MSN Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger, Facebook & Twitter, according to the Communications Manager, West Africa, Osagie Ogunbor in a statement issued, the mobile device is built with social networking in mind.
“The Nokia C3 offers instant access to favorite social communities such as Facebook and Twitter straight from the home screen, which allows users to easily view, post, comment and update their status.
Getting messages across is quick, thanks to the full QWERTY key board and managing email, chat, calendar and music is simple with dedicated widgets on the home screen.
In addition, he also stated that Nokia has also announced that users of this device would be required to pay a revolutionary data monthly subscription of N1000 only on the MTN network, as the device was launched in partnership with MTN Nigeria. This means that they will have access to all their email, chat, social networks and internet and chat online at a very affordable cost. Nokia is also offering all consumers 1 month free on the MTN Network.
At an interactive media launch held at Silver bird Galleria, Lagos recently, Nokia’s representative in Nigeria, Mr. Marcel Van-de-pas also noted that this solution meets the desire of Nigerians who are always on the lookout for a stylish and superb business device as the Nokia C3
“The Nokia C3 also allows users to surf the web where ever they are so they can be sure to keep in touch with their friends and family, whenever they like. Nokia is the number one leader when it comes to giving consumers solutions to their mobile needs and with Nokia’s Ovi mail and Ovi chat on board, email and chats can be set up straight from the device.
Friday 17 September 2010
Power Sector to Get N400bn from Pensions Fund •CBN rejects bids for some rescued banks •MPC to tackle inflation, rising expenditure
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said yesterday that about N400 billion from Pension Funds will be deployed in the power projects to encourage investment in that sector.
He also said some bids for the rescued banks may be rejected.
Sanusi was quoted by Bloomberg as saying at a conference in London that the role of the apex bank would be to “provide the comfort and the guarantees to allow the release of the money to viable and eligible power projects.”
President Goodluck Jonathan had last month announced a plan to end the Federal Government monopoly of the power sector and expand electricity generation through private investment.
The government proposed to sell 11 distribution units of Power Holding Company of Nigeria and allow private companies to build gas-fired, coal-fuelled and hydroelectric plants.
It also plans to increase output to 14,019 megawatts by 2013.
Sanusi told Bloomberg that out of about N2 trillion of pension funds in the country, the CBN is working with the Pensions Commission “to see how we can unlock about N400 billion of that into power infrastructure.”
The Finance Minister, Mr Olusegun Aganga, had said that the country could achieve an annual growth rate of 10 per cent if the government improves its power and transport capacity.
Nigeria achieved growth of 7.4 per cent in the first half of the year, compared with 5.9 per cent in the same period last year, the Bloomberg report quoted Sanusi to have said further.
The CBN Governor pointed out that the apex bank is targeting an inflation rate of less than 10 per cent.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) changed the CPI basket last month, reducing the weighting of food to 50.7 per cent from 63.7 per cent.
Prior to the re-weighting, inflation was at 10.3 per cent.
“Last month’s reduction of the weighting of food in the inflation basket may help the bank achieve that goal by reducing the impact of rising costs on the overall inflation rate. For cosmetic reasons, it is extremely important to make sure that we attack inflation.
“Reducing the weight given to food actually improves the efficacy of monetary policy in checking inflation so we should be able to target single digit and basically address that through adjustments in monetary variables,” Sanusi said.
The CBN Governor also told Reuters that the CBN had received good bids for some of the rescued banks but he needed to protect shareholder value “and not every bid would be accepted.”
He said: "We would like to complete deals as soon as possible but we need to protect shareholder value. Many people are of the opinion that these banks are there for the taking and they can get them for nothing. Some of the bids are very good, some of them are acceptable given where we stand. Given that we have AMCON and they can recapitalise the banks, we can get a better deal, so we don't have to accept every offer."
On what to expect at the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) scheduled for next week in Abuja, the apex bank chief said: “The discussions at MPC next week will be on the relative balance of inflation and expenditure.”
The governor said the country must fashion out strategies to “attack” inflation, which he noted reached an annual 13 per cent in July after a re-weighting of the consumer price index.
Sanusi disclosed that bank lending has not been growing as expected while the upside risk to inflation is very high.
He said that higher government spending, with elections due next January, and the establishment of the Asset Management Company (AMCON) to soak up bad bank loans should help put more money into the system, meaning the inflation risk was not zero.
"(The risk) is there with an election year and with money likely to come in with the asset management corporation," he said.
He also said some bids for the rescued banks may be rejected.
Sanusi was quoted by Bloomberg as saying at a conference in London that the role of the apex bank would be to “provide the comfort and the guarantees to allow the release of the money to viable and eligible power projects.”
President Goodluck Jonathan had last month announced a plan to end the Federal Government monopoly of the power sector and expand electricity generation through private investment.
The government proposed to sell 11 distribution units of Power Holding Company of Nigeria and allow private companies to build gas-fired, coal-fuelled and hydroelectric plants.
It also plans to increase output to 14,019 megawatts by 2013.
Sanusi told Bloomberg that out of about N2 trillion of pension funds in the country, the CBN is working with the Pensions Commission “to see how we can unlock about N400 billion of that into power infrastructure.”
The Finance Minister, Mr Olusegun Aganga, had said that the country could achieve an annual growth rate of 10 per cent if the government improves its power and transport capacity.
Nigeria achieved growth of 7.4 per cent in the first half of the year, compared with 5.9 per cent in the same period last year, the Bloomberg report quoted Sanusi to have said further.
The CBN Governor pointed out that the apex bank is targeting an inflation rate of less than 10 per cent.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) changed the CPI basket last month, reducing the weighting of food to 50.7 per cent from 63.7 per cent.
Prior to the re-weighting, inflation was at 10.3 per cent.
“Last month’s reduction of the weighting of food in the inflation basket may help the bank achieve that goal by reducing the impact of rising costs on the overall inflation rate. For cosmetic reasons, it is extremely important to make sure that we attack inflation.
“Reducing the weight given to food actually improves the efficacy of monetary policy in checking inflation so we should be able to target single digit and basically address that through adjustments in monetary variables,” Sanusi said.
The CBN Governor also told Reuters that the CBN had received good bids for some of the rescued banks but he needed to protect shareholder value “and not every bid would be accepted.”
He said: "We would like to complete deals as soon as possible but we need to protect shareholder value. Many people are of the opinion that these banks are there for the taking and they can get them for nothing. Some of the bids are very good, some of them are acceptable given where we stand. Given that we have AMCON and they can recapitalise the banks, we can get a better deal, so we don't have to accept every offer."
On what to expect at the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) scheduled for next week in Abuja, the apex bank chief said: “The discussions at MPC next week will be on the relative balance of inflation and expenditure.”
The governor said the country must fashion out strategies to “attack” inflation, which he noted reached an annual 13 per cent in July after a re-weighting of the consumer price index.
Sanusi disclosed that bank lending has not been growing as expected while the upside risk to inflation is very high.
He said that higher government spending, with elections due next January, and the establishment of the Asset Management Company (AMCON) to soak up bad bank loans should help put more money into the system, meaning the inflation risk was not zero.
"(The risk) is there with an election year and with money likely to come in with the asset management corporation," he said.
Ribadu, Tofa Declare, Atiku Writes All PDP Delegates •‘EFCC never investigated Jonathan’s wife’
Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC), Mallam Nuhu Ribabu, has finally confirmed his intention to contest in the 2011 presidential election, saying he wants to “remake” Nigeria.
He also dismissed the long-held belief that the EFCC investigated the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, for money laundering.
Today, the presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the June 12, 1993 election, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, will launch his presidential bid on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP),
And in a novel gesture to woo support for his aspiration, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar yesterday wrote letters to over 3,400 statutory delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including President Goodluck Jonathan, urging them to give him their votes in the party’s primary election.
Ribadu promised that Nigeria would become a new country within two years if he is elected. Although, Ribadu said he was yet to decide on which platform he would run, he passionately said he had a dream for a new Nigeria. He said he wants to see a "new thing, a fresh thing" and build a nation out of the country.
The former anti-corruption Czar made these known when he met with journalists in Abuja yesterday, promising a formal declaration later.
“I have a dream of a new Nigeria, a changed Nigeria; I want to see if there is a possibility of opening a new chapter and those who are in charge somehow certainly need to give chance for the country to move forward," he said.
His areas of priority, he said, would be security, fighting corruption, providing electricity, improving education, building hospitals and helping Nigeria become an industrialised nation.
Giving reasons why he is running at the federal level in spite of his little or no experience in politics, Ribadu said: “I have experience in public service. I put 25 years of my life into service to the Federal Government of Nigeria in the executive capacity. After that, of course, I served outside Nigeria, I worked and have acquired international experience.
“I had the chance to set up an agency and ran it for five years and I was in the economic team as well as a federal prosecutor, probably more than any other person in that capacity. I was a police officer, a public worker, I put all my life to service in the federal level and it is really natural for you to put all of that into where the experience best fits, yes I will contest for the presidency.”
Asked how he intends to fund his campaign, he explained that contributions from ordinary Nigerians would be used by his team.
Ribadu also denied allegations that he mishandled a corruption case against Dame Patience, when her husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was governor of Bayelsa State.
He said that it was propaganda to taint his image and that of Jonathan during the 2007 polls.
Ribadu explained that the EFCC never handled any case against Patience. “The case had to do with a lady and a man who lodged huge sums of money in the bank. The EFCC was alerted by the bank and an investigation was carried out,” he said.
According to him, it was found that they legitimately earned the money through contracts executed in the state. All the reports in the media were lies, he insisted.
“For instance, it was initially reported that N70 million was lodged into the bank. Later, it was reported that the money ran into millions of dollars. Such was the extent of the lies,” he said, maintaining: “We never handled a case against Patience Jonathan.”
Meanwhile, Tofa is set to declare his presidential ambition on the platform of ANPP today in Abuja.
The declaration which is billed to take place at Chelsea Hotel is expected to hold in the evening
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday nullified the positions of the two factions of the ANPP who have been fighting over the control of the party.
INEC, in a letter dated 15th September, 2010 and addressed to the Chairman of the convention committee, said the resolutions of the two factions of the party which took place on the 27th August and 2nd September, 2010 respectively were not supported by any provision in the constitution of the ANPP nor the Electoral Act as amended in 2010.
The commission said the two transition committees set up by both factions remained null and void, maintaining that it would deal strictly with the National Convention Planning Committee “until a new National Executive Committee is validly constituted”.
At a press conference to harmonise the positions of the two factions, Chairman of the convention committee and Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam, stated that both warring factions have all agreed to work together for the interest of the party.
He added that the suspension of the Sen. Muhammed Muhammed-led faction taken by the former National Chairman of the party, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, has been set aside, saying that they are now welcome back as bona fide members of the party.
Though INEC’s letter did not state categorically which of the convention committees it would recognise, the governor while presenting the position of the commission adopted the convention committee set by the Ume-Ezeoke’s faction with Chris Amah as the Secretary.
Meanwhile, Gaidam’s committee tentatively shifted the day of the convention by one day.
THISDAY checks revealed that the shift in the date from September 17-18 to 18-19 may not be unconnected with the decision of President Jonathan to declare tomorrow at the Eagle Square, the same venue ANPP intended to use for its national convention.
The meeting was attended by Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Senator Kabir Gaya, Alhaji Gambo Maigaji, former Governors, John Odigie Oyegun, Audu Abubakar and Ahmed Yerima. Also in attendance were Prince Ebuta Ayuk, former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Hassan Hadeja, former Minister of State, Defence, Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu among others. Presidential candidate of the party and Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, was absent at the meeting.
In the meantime, among those expected to receive Atiku’s letters are Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole.
Other recipients of the letter include governors, deputy governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, state Houses of Assembly, local government council chairmen, PDP chairmen in the Local government councils and PDP state executive officers.
This is in line with the statutory delegate list published by THISDAY newspaper in the last four weeks, which was confirmed by the guidelines released by the PDP on Wednesday.
THISDAY calculates that there would be 3,400 delegates but the PDP is yet to come up with the official list which is not expected to be significantly different.
In the letter, Atiku said that delegates hold the key to the realisation of his vision of a prosperous, secure, peaceful, democratic, caring and confident Nigeria.
“I am seeking the presidency of our great country to chart a new course for our beloved country and lead our people to their manifest destiny,” Atiku wrote.
“We need to create millions of jobs to keep our youth gainfully employed and help to tackle the high level of insecurity in the country. We must invest in education, research and modern technology, and infrastructure so that our productivity can increase significantly. We have to improve on our healthcare delivery so that our people will no longer die needlessly.
“With your support, we will put in place attractive incentives for people to invest in our economy and create well-paying jobs. We will fix our crumbling schools, roads, and hospitals. We will fix the electricity problem by taking advantage of the varying energy resources and needs in different parts of the country.
“We will address desertification, gully erosion and other lingering environmental challenges. We will wage a genuine war on corruption by instituting a better reward and punishment system, ensuring true independence of the anti-corruption agencies and the speedy trial of corruption cases.
“This is the time for an experienced, committed and visionary leader to rescue our country from imminent collapse. I am ready to lead. Together, we can make good things happen for our people and our country,” he said.
He also dismissed the long-held belief that the EFCC investigated the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, for money laundering.
Today, the presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the June 12, 1993 election, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, will launch his presidential bid on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP),
And in a novel gesture to woo support for his aspiration, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar yesterday wrote letters to over 3,400 statutory delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including President Goodluck Jonathan, urging them to give him their votes in the party’s primary election.
Ribadu promised that Nigeria would become a new country within two years if he is elected. Although, Ribadu said he was yet to decide on which platform he would run, he passionately said he had a dream for a new Nigeria. He said he wants to see a "new thing, a fresh thing" and build a nation out of the country.
The former anti-corruption Czar made these known when he met with journalists in Abuja yesterday, promising a formal declaration later.
“I have a dream of a new Nigeria, a changed Nigeria; I want to see if there is a possibility of opening a new chapter and those who are in charge somehow certainly need to give chance for the country to move forward," he said.
His areas of priority, he said, would be security, fighting corruption, providing electricity, improving education, building hospitals and helping Nigeria become an industrialised nation.
Giving reasons why he is running at the federal level in spite of his little or no experience in politics, Ribadu said: “I have experience in public service. I put 25 years of my life into service to the Federal Government of Nigeria in the executive capacity. After that, of course, I served outside Nigeria, I worked and have acquired international experience.
“I had the chance to set up an agency and ran it for five years and I was in the economic team as well as a federal prosecutor, probably more than any other person in that capacity. I was a police officer, a public worker, I put all my life to service in the federal level and it is really natural for you to put all of that into where the experience best fits, yes I will contest for the presidency.”
Asked how he intends to fund his campaign, he explained that contributions from ordinary Nigerians would be used by his team.
Ribadu also denied allegations that he mishandled a corruption case against Dame Patience, when her husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was governor of Bayelsa State.
He said that it was propaganda to taint his image and that of Jonathan during the 2007 polls.
Ribadu explained that the EFCC never handled any case against Patience. “The case had to do with a lady and a man who lodged huge sums of money in the bank. The EFCC was alerted by the bank and an investigation was carried out,” he said.
According to him, it was found that they legitimately earned the money through contracts executed in the state. All the reports in the media were lies, he insisted.
“For instance, it was initially reported that N70 million was lodged into the bank. Later, it was reported that the money ran into millions of dollars. Such was the extent of the lies,” he said, maintaining: “We never handled a case against Patience Jonathan.”
Meanwhile, Tofa is set to declare his presidential ambition on the platform of ANPP today in Abuja.
The declaration which is billed to take place at Chelsea Hotel is expected to hold in the evening
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday nullified the positions of the two factions of the ANPP who have been fighting over the control of the party.
INEC, in a letter dated 15th September, 2010 and addressed to the Chairman of the convention committee, said the resolutions of the two factions of the party which took place on the 27th August and 2nd September, 2010 respectively were not supported by any provision in the constitution of the ANPP nor the Electoral Act as amended in 2010.
The commission said the two transition committees set up by both factions remained null and void, maintaining that it would deal strictly with the National Convention Planning Committee “until a new National Executive Committee is validly constituted”.
At a press conference to harmonise the positions of the two factions, Chairman of the convention committee and Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam, stated that both warring factions have all agreed to work together for the interest of the party.
He added that the suspension of the Sen. Muhammed Muhammed-led faction taken by the former National Chairman of the party, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, has been set aside, saying that they are now welcome back as bona fide members of the party.
Though INEC’s letter did not state categorically which of the convention committees it would recognise, the governor while presenting the position of the commission adopted the convention committee set by the Ume-Ezeoke’s faction with Chris Amah as the Secretary.
Meanwhile, Gaidam’s committee tentatively shifted the day of the convention by one day.
THISDAY checks revealed that the shift in the date from September 17-18 to 18-19 may not be unconnected with the decision of President Jonathan to declare tomorrow at the Eagle Square, the same venue ANPP intended to use for its national convention.
The meeting was attended by Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Senator Kabir Gaya, Alhaji Gambo Maigaji, former Governors, John Odigie Oyegun, Audu Abubakar and Ahmed Yerima. Also in attendance were Prince Ebuta Ayuk, former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Hassan Hadeja, former Minister of State, Defence, Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu among others. Presidential candidate of the party and Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, was absent at the meeting.
In the meantime, among those expected to receive Atiku’s letters are Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole.
Other recipients of the letter include governors, deputy governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, state Houses of Assembly, local government council chairmen, PDP chairmen in the Local government councils and PDP state executive officers.
This is in line with the statutory delegate list published by THISDAY newspaper in the last four weeks, which was confirmed by the guidelines released by the PDP on Wednesday.
THISDAY calculates that there would be 3,400 delegates but the PDP is yet to come up with the official list which is not expected to be significantly different.
In the letter, Atiku said that delegates hold the key to the realisation of his vision of a prosperous, secure, peaceful, democratic, caring and confident Nigeria.
“I am seeking the presidency of our great country to chart a new course for our beloved country and lead our people to their manifest destiny,” Atiku wrote.
“We need to create millions of jobs to keep our youth gainfully employed and help to tackle the high level of insecurity in the country. We must invest in education, research and modern technology, and infrastructure so that our productivity can increase significantly. We have to improve on our healthcare delivery so that our people will no longer die needlessly.
“With your support, we will put in place attractive incentives for people to invest in our economy and create well-paying jobs. We will fix our crumbling schools, roads, and hospitals. We will fix the electricity problem by taking advantage of the varying energy resources and needs in different parts of the country.
“We will address desertification, gully erosion and other lingering environmental challenges. We will wage a genuine war on corruption by instituting a better reward and punishment system, ensuring true independence of the anti-corruption agencies and the speedy trial of corruption cases.
“This is the time for an experienced, committed and visionary leader to rescue our country from imminent collapse. I am ready to lead. Together, we can make good things happen for our people and our country,” he said.
Tuesday 14 September 2010
Procter and Gamble Nigeria is recruiting for Media Purchases Manager, West Africa Read more: http://ngcareers.com/2010/09/procter-and-gamble-nigeria-
Job Ref: PUR00000694
Description
Media Purchases’ Manager Job Description :
Overall responsibility:
· The media Purchases’ manager is responsible for all media sourcing done on behalf of the MDO, either through direct negotiations with media suppliers or via managing the agency which negotiates on behalf of P&G.
· He/she will ensure the MDO sourcing strategy meets the MDO business needs as outlined by media operations.
· He/she will be responsible for compliance to purchases’ stewardship processes.
Key expectations:
1- Knowledge of the MDO business needs:
· Ensure via close collaboration with media operations team a deep understanding of the MDO business need.
· Ensure alignment of Media operations on local sourcing strategy
2- Sourcing of the MDO Media business needs (from media suppliers and media agencies):
· He/she will develop/update the local -media sourcing strategy, linked to the global media sourcing strategy and leveraging other local MDOs’ -media sourcing strategies for similar markets.
· He/she will lead the negotiations with media providers and agencies either directly or with the support of the buying AOR
3. Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies:
· He/she will be responsible to develop SRM strategies for key local suppliers (where appropriate) and to leverage local SRM strategies for global/regional vendors (media suppliers and/or agencies). This includes: sourcing the media agencies, leading the annual evaluation process for media agencies.
4- Reporting:
· He/she will be responsible for on going reporting of negotiation results to both media Purchases’ management and local media operation team.
· He/she will be responsible for quarterly reporting of media cost development and value creation (hard savings and cost avoidance) as well as updating the cost savings’ tracking systems (CSTS or other).
· He/she will also share on quarterly basis information on development of local media market (evolution of investment; market cost, investments from our competitors, plus any relevant industry news). Note for the biggest countries (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland and AP in EMEA), the sourcing manager will also provide a brief update on a monthly basis.
5- Stewardship compliance:
· He/she will ensure full compliance with purchases’ stewardship policies (as described in sourcing CSA), including writing business allocation recommendations for all deals above $100M, implementing contracts in due time with the right approvals, correct tracking of rebates, parked credits, …etc
· Complete media sourcing CSA (due every year)
6- Collaboration with the regional media sourcing and Brand Building team:
· He/she will contribute to the regional media sourcing team by attending regular calls and attending 2 face to face meetings per year in order to drive sharing and reapplication.
· He/she will also participate in key BBP (brand Building Purchases) team events/calls.
· Pending capacity, He/she is e expected to actively lead/contribute to the regional/global Media sourcing strategy action plans and projects, either in BBP or media related
· At an MDO level he/she will link to other BBP members to drive scale wherever appropriate. This should also enable a integrated BBP engagement with the local stakeholders (ie. Brand operations, marketing, General Manager…)
Qualifications
Minimum Qualification of a Bachelors’ degree or equivalent with good academic results.
Fluent written and oral French is a MUST
Good Written and Oral English Skills
Proven Demonstration of Leadership and Analytical Skills.
Job: Purchasing
Primary Location: Lagos
Schedule: Full-time
Job Type: Standard
APPLY ONLINE
Read more: http://ngcareers.com/2010/09/procter-and-gamble-nigeria-jobs-media-purchases-manager/#ixzz0zYWRh68q
Description
Media Purchases’ Manager Job Description :
Overall responsibility:
· The media Purchases’ manager is responsible for all media sourcing done on behalf of the MDO, either through direct negotiations with media suppliers or via managing the agency which negotiates on behalf of P&G.
· He/she will ensure the MDO sourcing strategy meets the MDO business needs as outlined by media operations.
· He/she will be responsible for compliance to purchases’ stewardship processes.
Key expectations:
1- Knowledge of the MDO business needs:
· Ensure via close collaboration with media operations team a deep understanding of the MDO business need.
· Ensure alignment of Media operations on local sourcing strategy
2- Sourcing of the MDO Media business needs (from media suppliers and media agencies):
· He/she will develop/update the local -media sourcing strategy, linked to the global media sourcing strategy and leveraging other local MDOs’ -media sourcing strategies for similar markets.
· He/she will lead the negotiations with media providers and agencies either directly or with the support of the buying AOR
3. Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies:
· He/she will be responsible to develop SRM strategies for key local suppliers (where appropriate) and to leverage local SRM strategies for global/regional vendors (media suppliers and/or agencies). This includes: sourcing the media agencies, leading the annual evaluation process for media agencies.
4- Reporting:
· He/she will be responsible for on going reporting of negotiation results to both media Purchases’ management and local media operation team.
· He/she will be responsible for quarterly reporting of media cost development and value creation (hard savings and cost avoidance) as well as updating the cost savings’ tracking systems (CSTS or other).
· He/she will also share on quarterly basis information on development of local media market (evolution of investment; market cost, investments from our competitors, plus any relevant industry news). Note for the biggest countries (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland and AP in EMEA), the sourcing manager will also provide a brief update on a monthly basis.
5- Stewardship compliance:
· He/she will ensure full compliance with purchases’ stewardship policies (as described in sourcing CSA), including writing business allocation recommendations for all deals above $100M, implementing contracts in due time with the right approvals, correct tracking of rebates, parked credits, …etc
· Complete media sourcing CSA (due every year)
6- Collaboration with the regional media sourcing and Brand Building team:
· He/she will contribute to the regional media sourcing team by attending regular calls and attending 2 face to face meetings per year in order to drive sharing and reapplication.
· He/she will also participate in key BBP (brand Building Purchases) team events/calls.
· Pending capacity, He/she is e expected to actively lead/contribute to the regional/global Media sourcing strategy action plans and projects, either in BBP or media related
· At an MDO level he/she will link to other BBP members to drive scale wherever appropriate. This should also enable a integrated BBP engagement with the local stakeholders (ie. Brand operations, marketing, General Manager…)
Qualifications
Minimum Qualification of a Bachelors’ degree or equivalent with good academic results.
Fluent written and oral French is a MUST
Good Written and Oral English Skills
Proven Demonstration of Leadership and Analytical Skills.
Job: Purchasing
Primary Location: Lagos
Schedule: Full-time
Job Type: Standard
APPLY ONLINE
Read more: http://ngcareers.com/2010/09/procter-and-gamble-nigeria-jobs-media-purchases-manager/#ixzz0zYWRh68q
Procter and Gamble Nigeria is recruiting for Media Purchases Manager, West Africa Read more: http://ngcareers.com/2010/09/procter-and-gamble-nigeria-
Job Ref: PUR00000694
Description
Media Purchases’ Manager Job Description :
Overall responsibility:
· The media Purchases’ manager is responsible for all media sourcing done on behalf of the MDO, either through direct negotiations with media suppliers or via managing the agency which negotiates on behalf of P&G.
· He/she will ensure the MDO sourcing strategy meets the MDO business needs as outlined by media operations.
· He/she will be responsible for compliance to purchases’ stewardship processes.
Key expectations:
1- Knowledge of the MDO business needs:
· Ensure via close collaboration with media operations team a deep understanding of the MDO business need.
· Ensure alignment of Media operations on local sourcing strategy
2- Sourcing of the MDO Media business needs (from media suppliers and media agencies):
· He/she will develop/update the local -media sourcing strategy, linked to the global media sourcing strategy and leveraging other local MDOs’ -media sourcing strategies for similar markets.
· He/she will lead the negotiations with media providers and agencies either directly or with the support of the buying AOR
3. Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies:
· He/she will be responsible to develop SRM strategies for key local suppliers (where appropriate) and to leverage local SRM strategies for global/regional vendors (media suppliers and/or agencies). This includes: sourcing the media agencies, leading the annual evaluation process for media agencies.
4- Reporting:
· He/she will be responsible for on going reporting of negotiation results to both media Purchases’ management and local media operation team.
· He/she will be responsible for quarterly reporting of media cost development and value creation (hard savings and cost avoidance) as well as updating the cost savings’ tracking systems (CSTS or other).
· He/she will also share on quarterly basis information on development of local media market (evolution of investment; market cost, investments from our competitors, plus any relevant industry news). Note for the biggest countries (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland and AP in EMEA), the sourcing manager will also provide a brief update on a monthly basis.
5- Stewardship compliance:
· He/she will ensure full compliance with purchases’ stewardship policies (as described in sourcing CSA), including writing business allocation recommendations for all deals above $100M, implementing contracts in due time with the right approvals, correct tracking of rebates, parked credits, …etc
· Complete media sourcing CSA (due every year)
6- Collaboration with the regional media sourcing and Brand Building team:
· He/she will contribute to the regional media sourcing team by attending regular calls and attending 2 face to face meetings per year in order to drive sharing and reapplication.
· He/she will also participate in key BBP (brand Building Purchases) team events/calls.
· Pending capacity, He/she is e expected to actively lead/contribute to the regional/global Media sourcing strategy action plans and projects, either in BBP or media related
· At an MDO level he/she will link to other BBP members to drive scale wherever appropriate. This should also enable a integrated BBP engagement with the local stakeholders (ie. Brand operations, marketing, General Manager…)
Qualifications
Minimum Qualification of a Bachelors’ degree or equivalent with good academic results.
Fluent written and oral French is a MUST
Good Written and Oral English Skills
Proven Demonstration of Leadership and Analytical Skills.
Job: Purchasing
Primary Location: Lagos
Schedule: Full-time
Job Type: Standard
APPLY ONLINE
Read more: http://ngcareers.com/2010/09/procter-and-gamble-nigeria-jobs-media-purchases-manager/#ixzz0zYWRh68q
Description
Media Purchases’ Manager Job Description :
Overall responsibility:
· The media Purchases’ manager is responsible for all media sourcing done on behalf of the MDO, either through direct negotiations with media suppliers or via managing the agency which negotiates on behalf of P&G.
· He/she will ensure the MDO sourcing strategy meets the MDO business needs as outlined by media operations.
· He/she will be responsible for compliance to purchases’ stewardship processes.
Key expectations:
1- Knowledge of the MDO business needs:
· Ensure via close collaboration with media operations team a deep understanding of the MDO business need.
· Ensure alignment of Media operations on local sourcing strategy
2- Sourcing of the MDO Media business needs (from media suppliers and media agencies):
· He/she will develop/update the local -media sourcing strategy, linked to the global media sourcing strategy and leveraging other local MDOs’ -media sourcing strategies for similar markets.
· He/she will lead the negotiations with media providers and agencies either directly or with the support of the buying AOR
3. Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies:
· He/she will be responsible to develop SRM strategies for key local suppliers (where appropriate) and to leverage local SRM strategies for global/regional vendors (media suppliers and/or agencies). This includes: sourcing the media agencies, leading the annual evaluation process for media agencies.
4- Reporting:
· He/she will be responsible for on going reporting of negotiation results to both media Purchases’ management and local media operation team.
· He/she will be responsible for quarterly reporting of media cost development and value creation (hard savings and cost avoidance) as well as updating the cost savings’ tracking systems (CSTS or other).
· He/she will also share on quarterly basis information on development of local media market (evolution of investment; market cost, investments from our competitors, plus any relevant industry news). Note for the biggest countries (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland and AP in EMEA), the sourcing manager will also provide a brief update on a monthly basis.
5- Stewardship compliance:
· He/she will ensure full compliance with purchases’ stewardship policies (as described in sourcing CSA), including writing business allocation recommendations for all deals above $100M, implementing contracts in due time with the right approvals, correct tracking of rebates, parked credits, …etc
· Complete media sourcing CSA (due every year)
6- Collaboration with the regional media sourcing and Brand Building team:
· He/she will contribute to the regional media sourcing team by attending regular calls and attending 2 face to face meetings per year in order to drive sharing and reapplication.
· He/she will also participate in key BBP (brand Building Purchases) team events/calls.
· Pending capacity, He/she is e expected to actively lead/contribute to the regional/global Media sourcing strategy action plans and projects, either in BBP or media related
· At an MDO level he/she will link to other BBP members to drive scale wherever appropriate. This should also enable a integrated BBP engagement with the local stakeholders (ie. Brand operations, marketing, General Manager…)
Qualifications
Minimum Qualification of a Bachelors’ degree or equivalent with good academic results.
Fluent written and oral French is a MUST
Good Written and Oral English Skills
Proven Demonstration of Leadership and Analytical Skills.
Job: Purchasing
Primary Location: Lagos
Schedule: Full-time
Job Type: Standard
APPLY ONLINE
Read more: http://ngcareers.com/2010/09/procter-and-gamble-nigeria-jobs-media-purchases-manager/#ixzz0zYWRh68q
First Bank of Nigeria Plc Recruiting Graduates
irst Bank of Nigeria Plc is one of the foremost/leading financial in Nigeria and Africa.
Are you interested in a productive and deeply rewarding banking career at FirstBank, one of Nigeria’s most diversified and leading financial services institution? If your answer is yes, we welcome you to this graduate recruitment exercise and urge you to apply for a position within the Bank.
With our deep commitment to excellent customer service, FirstBank is currently restructuring to emerge as the leading financial services group in sub-Saharan Africa.
As part of this process, FirstBank seeks intelligent, creative and dynamic persons who are willing to succeed through professionalism, smart work and honesty to take up challenging positions within the Bank.
Requirements:
Maximum Age: 27 years by October 31st 2010
Academic Qualification:
Bachelors Degree( 2nd Class Lower )
HND( Upper Credit )
Year of Graduation: not earlier than 2007
Nysc Certificate: must be in hand
Other Information:
Please note that only suitable applicants who provide all the required information will be contacted.
You will be scheduled for the assessment based on your state of residence.
Application Deadline: 15th September 2010
Are you interested in a productive and deeply rewarding banking career at FirstBank, one of Nigeria’s most diversified and leading financial services institution? If your answer is yes, we welcome you to this graduate recruitment exercise and urge you to apply for a position within the Bank.
With our deep commitment to excellent customer service, FirstBank is currently restructuring to emerge as the leading financial services group in sub-Saharan Africa.
As part of this process, FirstBank seeks intelligent, creative and dynamic persons who are willing to succeed through professionalism, smart work and honesty to take up challenging positions within the Bank.
Requirements:
Maximum Age: 27 years by October 31st 2010
Academic Qualification:
Bachelors Degree( 2nd Class Lower )
HND( Upper Credit )
Year of Graduation: not earlier than 2007
Nysc Certificate: must be in hand
Other Information:
Please note that only suitable applicants who provide all the required information will be contacted.
You will be scheduled for the assessment based on your state of residence.
Application Deadline: 15th September 2010
Military Pledges Support for 2011 Polls •As service chiefs hand over
The military yesterday renewed its commitment to the sustenance of democratic rule and pledged to support Federal Government’s determination to conduct to a free and fair election in 2011.
The pledge came as the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike, formally handed over to his successor, Air Marshal Oluseyin Pentinrin, who in turn handed over to the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the new service chiefs, who spoke separately, said the success of the country’s democracy would be determined by the military’s dedication to duty, discipline and subordination to democratic rule and pledged to support government in its transition programme.
Dike, who said he was handing over to Pentinrin, a second time, the first while moving up as Chief of Defence Staff when Pentinrin took over as Chief of Air Staff two years ago and the second one being his handover to him as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
He thanked President Jonathan for giving him the opportunity to serve and expressed confidence in Pentinrin’s ability to take the armed forces to greater heights.
In his remarks, Pentinrin thanked President Jonathan for the opportunity given him to serve as the new Chief of Defence Staff. He said he would continue the good work started by Air Chiefa Marshal Dike.
He stated that his administration would adopt the team spirit in taking the armed forces to greater heights.
Speaking while handing over to his successor at the Airforce, Pentinrin listed some of his achievements to include budgeting, welfare, training and establishment of a company for the force among others and hoped that his successor would continue with the running programmes.
Speaking at the occasion, the new Airforce boss promised to continue with Pentinrin’s programmes whom he said was “an achiever per excellence” even as he said there might be slight adjustments if the need arose.
He pledged the loyalty of the military and the airforce in march to sustain democratic rule.
The pledge came as the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike, formally handed over to his successor, Air Marshal Oluseyin Pentinrin, who in turn handed over to the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the new service chiefs, who spoke separately, said the success of the country’s democracy would be determined by the military’s dedication to duty, discipline and subordination to democratic rule and pledged to support government in its transition programme.
Dike, who said he was handing over to Pentinrin, a second time, the first while moving up as Chief of Defence Staff when Pentinrin took over as Chief of Air Staff two years ago and the second one being his handover to him as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
He thanked President Jonathan for giving him the opportunity to serve and expressed confidence in Pentinrin’s ability to take the armed forces to greater heights.
In his remarks, Pentinrin thanked President Jonathan for the opportunity given him to serve as the new Chief of Defence Staff. He said he would continue the good work started by Air Chiefa Marshal Dike.
He stated that his administration would adopt the team spirit in taking the armed forces to greater heights.
Speaking while handing over to his successor at the Airforce, Pentinrin listed some of his achievements to include budgeting, welfare, training and establishment of a company for the force among others and hoped that his successor would continue with the running programmes.
Speaking at the occasion, the new Airforce boss promised to continue with Pentinrin’s programmes whom he said was “an achiever per excellence” even as he said there might be slight adjustments if the need arose.
He pledged the loyalty of the military and the airforce in march to sustain democratic rule.
Voter Registration: INEC Targets UN System•How Haier, Zinox, Avant made shortlist •BPP decides today, FEC next week
Fresh facts have emerged on how China-based computer manufacturer, Haier, US-based Avant Technology and Nigerian-owned Zinox Computers were shortlisted for the supply of 132,000 units of Direct Digital Data Capture (DDC) machines for the voter registration.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sent requests for quotations (RFQs) to the three shortlisted firms, and THISDAY can confirm that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), otherwise known as the Due Process Office, will take a final decision on the award of the contracts today.
The decision will be communicated to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for onward transmission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval at next week’s council meeting.
INEC, which had earlier sent an RFQ to Lenovo, a Beijing, China-based original equipment manufacturer, recommended Haier for the supply of the bulk of the equipment based on the company’s track record with the United Nations.
THISDAY learnt that INEC had made contact with foreign embassies in Nigeria seeking advice on how to procure the equipment in record time because of the urgency associated with the preparations for the 2011 general election.
INEC got in touch with the UN procurement system because of the organisation’s global experience in conducting elections, especially in difficult circumstances.
Haier, one of China’s Top 100 IT companies, specialises in technology research, manufacture industry, trading and financial services. Its Thermocool refrigerators and freezers are produced under licence in Nigeria by PZ.
The track record of Haier is said to have impressed INEC, which also discovered that the Chinese company has the capacity to produce all the DDC machines it requires for voter registration.
INEC is said to have been swayed by the ability of the company to meet the deadline because it could be too risky to entrust the project to a contractor who may not be able to deliver in record time.
However, in asking Haier to quote for 90,000 units and Avant 20,000 units, INEC also asked Zinox to quote for 22,000 units because of the agitation for local content in the contracts.
Although only 120,000 units would be needed for the registration, INEC has made plans for 132,000 in the event of breakdowns and redundancy.
In another development, INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega yesterday raised hopes that the commission could use the Modified Open Ballot System in the conduct of the 2011 general election.
However, he said that the extant law in the statute book is the Open Secret Ballot System.
Jega, who spoke when a delegation of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) led by Pastor Tunde Bakare visited him, said: “The legal framework on the mode of election currently provided for is what is called the open secret ballot system. You are calling for a Modified Open Ballot System; we go and look at it.
“If there is call for it within the legal framework, and we do the cost benefit analysis and we weigh all the pros and cons and it turns out to be the best, certainly, we will give it the consideration it deserves.”
MOBS allows accreditation of voters and voting to take place at the same time nationwide, with the votes counted and scores announced on the spot.
But the current system allows voters to vote at various times before 1pm and they are to disperse immediately after voting without waiting for the announcement of the results.
On the funding of election monitors, Jega said that the commission would no longer fund the activities of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that monitor the elections.
He promised to help the election monitors in areas of logistics, but categorically said: “Don’t expect INEC to pay your bills, we cannot foot their bills.”
Jega said a mechanism had been put in place to check the activities of the staff of the commission that are corrupt.
According to him, there are in-built checks and balances, and any member of staff caught in the act would “face the music”.
He said that the era of the Resident Electoral Commissioners and Electoral Officers of the commission conniving is a thing of the past.
Earlier, Bakare had brought to the attention of the commission a six-point case to be addressed to checkmate rigging.
The six issues are: the Modified Open Ballot System, connivance of election monitors and observers with the state governments to rig the election, management of security personnel during election, connivance of resident electoral commissioners and electoral officers to rig election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sent requests for quotations (RFQs) to the three shortlisted firms, and THISDAY can confirm that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), otherwise known as the Due Process Office, will take a final decision on the award of the contracts today.
The decision will be communicated to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for onward transmission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval at next week’s council meeting.
INEC, which had earlier sent an RFQ to Lenovo, a Beijing, China-based original equipment manufacturer, recommended Haier for the supply of the bulk of the equipment based on the company’s track record with the United Nations.
THISDAY learnt that INEC had made contact with foreign embassies in Nigeria seeking advice on how to procure the equipment in record time because of the urgency associated with the preparations for the 2011 general election.
INEC got in touch with the UN procurement system because of the organisation’s global experience in conducting elections, especially in difficult circumstances.
Haier, one of China’s Top 100 IT companies, specialises in technology research, manufacture industry, trading and financial services. Its Thermocool refrigerators and freezers are produced under licence in Nigeria by PZ.
The track record of Haier is said to have impressed INEC, which also discovered that the Chinese company has the capacity to produce all the DDC machines it requires for voter registration.
INEC is said to have been swayed by the ability of the company to meet the deadline because it could be too risky to entrust the project to a contractor who may not be able to deliver in record time.
However, in asking Haier to quote for 90,000 units and Avant 20,000 units, INEC also asked Zinox to quote for 22,000 units because of the agitation for local content in the contracts.
Although only 120,000 units would be needed for the registration, INEC has made plans for 132,000 in the event of breakdowns and redundancy.
In another development, INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega yesterday raised hopes that the commission could use the Modified Open Ballot System in the conduct of the 2011 general election.
However, he said that the extant law in the statute book is the Open Secret Ballot System.
Jega, who spoke when a delegation of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) led by Pastor Tunde Bakare visited him, said: “The legal framework on the mode of election currently provided for is what is called the open secret ballot system. You are calling for a Modified Open Ballot System; we go and look at it.
“If there is call for it within the legal framework, and we do the cost benefit analysis and we weigh all the pros and cons and it turns out to be the best, certainly, we will give it the consideration it deserves.”
MOBS allows accreditation of voters and voting to take place at the same time nationwide, with the votes counted and scores announced on the spot.
But the current system allows voters to vote at various times before 1pm and they are to disperse immediately after voting without waiting for the announcement of the results.
On the funding of election monitors, Jega said that the commission would no longer fund the activities of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that monitor the elections.
He promised to help the election monitors in areas of logistics, but categorically said: “Don’t expect INEC to pay your bills, we cannot foot their bills.”
Jega said a mechanism had been put in place to check the activities of the staff of the commission that are corrupt.
According to him, there are in-built checks and balances, and any member of staff caught in the act would “face the music”.
He said that the era of the Resident Electoral Commissioners and Electoral Officers of the commission conniving is a thing of the past.
Earlier, Bakare had brought to the attention of the commission a six-point case to be addressed to checkmate rigging.
The six issues are: the Modified Open Ballot System, connivance of election monitors and observers with the state governments to rig the election, management of security personnel during election, connivance of resident electoral commissioners and electoral officers to rig election.
Contract Row Threatens 1,000mw Alaoji Power Plant
Nigeria’s power sector roadmap, a comprehensive plan to ensure adequacy of electricity supply in the country recently unveiled by President Goodluck Jonathan, has come under a major threat, THISDAY investigation has revealed.
An unnamed petitioner is said to have pointed out irregularities in the gas contract award for the 1,074 megawatts Alaoji Power Station, the biggest of the country’s gas fired power plant under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) which is expected to contribute significantly to the roadmap.
The contract for the supply of gas to the power station was tagged “emergency” to avoid the scrutiny of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and allegedly awarded under questionable circumstances to a contractor with no track record of building gas pipeline.
The scope of the project includes construction of 18-inch x 2.5kilometre gas pipeline system with associated facilities from intermediate pigging station to Alaoji metering station; construction of 18-inch x 1.2kilometre gas pipeline system with associated facilities from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Imo River station to Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), Owaza Compressor Station; and Hot Tap existing Imo River-Aba gas pipeline and SPDC Imo River flow station tie in points.
It also includes testing and commissioning the early gas supply system; relocation of 30 million standard cubic feet per day capacity early gas delivery facility from Omotosho to Alaoji Metering Station site; review of an existing design already carried out and procurement, supply and transportation to site, all materials and equipment for the construction, testing and commissioning of the pipeline system.
However, all the materials, including line pipes are already procured by the NGC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and are to be issued free to the contractor.
A source at the NNPC, who was aware of the deal, told THISDAY at the weekend that a top Group Executive Director (GED) of the corporation had deceived the NNPC Group Executive Council (GEC) to invite a sole bidder for the project instead of calling for an open bid from qualified indigenous contractors, thereby subverting public procurement process.
The GED, according to the source, also allegedly misinformed the NNPC GEC to approve the contract for the sole bidder at its meeting of June 18, 2010, at the cost of $8.4 million, with a provisional sum of $807,102.71 plus N5 million.
It was alleged that this cost, which covers only construction and commissioning, was fraudulent as the total project, including detailed engineering design and supply of the line pipes and metering station, was initially meant to cost $30 million, while construction and commissioning was meant to cost about $4 million.
“How come this project is awarded at $8,400,000.00 for only construction and commissioning, when all the materials are to be supplied by the NGC?” queried an NNPC source, who was familiar with the deal.
The contract, it was alleged, did not pass through due process as the top GED was said to have tagged it “emergency gas supply to PHCN power plant at Alaoji”, to ensure that it was not subjected to due process.
Director-General of BPP, Mr. Emeka Eze confirmed to THISDAY that the contract was not in the data base of the agency, which was a contravention of relevant regulations that stipulate that any contract that is up to N1 billion must pass through BPP for due process certificate.
“Any contract that is up to N1 billion is supposed to pass through us. But this one did not pass through us; it is not in our data base. So, I would not know if the contract has been awarded,” he said.
On the alleged use of the word “emergency” to subvert due process, Eze expressed doubts if the project qualifies for emergency.
“It is actually in the case of emergency that someone can award contract before coming to us for due process certificate. For instance, if a bridge collapses or heavy rainfall cuts a road into two, you can find someone to fix it quickly and later come for due process certificate. But I don’t think what they have done qualifies for emergency,” he added.
It was also alleged that the contractor has no track record of building gas pipeline as the current project it is handling for an unnamed oil company is crude oil pipeline and not gas pipeline – which requires a different technology.
According to investigation, the NGC on a routine check with the oil company got a damming report on how the contractor had delayed the execution of the crude oil pipeline project, but the top GED at NNPC, who was bent on awarding the NGC’s gas pipeline contract to the same contractor, directed the NGC to “step it down” – that is, to bury its findings.
It is feared that the Alaoji gas pipeline contract, which is expected to be completed within three months, is a clear attempt to derail President Jonathan’s efforts to improve power supply as it will be delayed the same way as the crude oil pipeline contract being executed by the same contractor.
“The only reason the contractor was singled out for an arranged contract award is to ensure that there is no completion that will bring value to NNPC,” an insider said.
“It is wrong to ask for only one contractor to submit a bid of this type. It would have taken the same time to evaluate bids of three contractors that are known to NGC to be fully qualified for this scope of work. NGC has a data base of good contractors to get the best value for their money. There are clearly more qualified indigenous contractors that are available and if included, would have brought the required competition and value to NNPC,” he added.
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP), Professor Barth Nnaji however told THISDAY that his task force does not get involved in such contracts.
“Believe me, I don’t know anything about the contract. We leave the award of such contracts to the NNPC and we expect them to do proper due diligence. It is only when there is problem that we begin to look into such contracts,” he said.
Nnaji further disclosed that the first phase of Alaoji Power Station would come on stream by the first quarter of 2011.
Another NNPC source, who called for the re-award of the contract to a competent contractor, argued that the project is technically flawed, stressing that planning an 18-inch gas supply to come off from a 12-inch Imo River-Aba gas pipeline does not make technical sense.
“An 18-inch line is being built to take gas from the existing 12-inch line. The 12-inch line is a Low Pressure (LP) line built in the 1960s to deliver gas to Aba industries – Aba Textile Mills; Nigerian Breweries; and International Equitable Industries. This line is an LP and is very old with suspect integrity. The power station requires higher pressure to operate and the quantity of gas from the old line will not suffice for this requirement,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the NNPC has stated that due process was undertaken in the award of the pipeline power plant contract.
Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, alleged that contrary to an anonymous petition being circulated to media houses by a disgruntled contractor, the management of the corporation took all relevant measures in ensuring that transparency ensued all through the award process.
He said the contract was revoked after the said contractor failed to deliver on the project six years after the award.
"It is common knowledge that the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan attaches huge importance to the issue of power supply to Nigerians. Thus after waiting in vain for six years for the contractor to perform, NNPC Acting on the instruction of the Presidential Committee on Power Chaired by the Vice President Alhaji Namadi Sambo, was mandated to re-award the contract to a competent contractor under a matter of urgent national importance to a competent contractor that can deliver on time. So tell me what is wrong with that?" Ajuonuma said.
An unnamed petitioner is said to have pointed out irregularities in the gas contract award for the 1,074 megawatts Alaoji Power Station, the biggest of the country’s gas fired power plant under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) which is expected to contribute significantly to the roadmap.
The contract for the supply of gas to the power station was tagged “emergency” to avoid the scrutiny of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and allegedly awarded under questionable circumstances to a contractor with no track record of building gas pipeline.
The scope of the project includes construction of 18-inch x 2.5kilometre gas pipeline system with associated facilities from intermediate pigging station to Alaoji metering station; construction of 18-inch x 1.2kilometre gas pipeline system with associated facilities from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Imo River station to Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), Owaza Compressor Station; and Hot Tap existing Imo River-Aba gas pipeline and SPDC Imo River flow station tie in points.
It also includes testing and commissioning the early gas supply system; relocation of 30 million standard cubic feet per day capacity early gas delivery facility from Omotosho to Alaoji Metering Station site; review of an existing design already carried out and procurement, supply and transportation to site, all materials and equipment for the construction, testing and commissioning of the pipeline system.
However, all the materials, including line pipes are already procured by the NGC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and are to be issued free to the contractor.
A source at the NNPC, who was aware of the deal, told THISDAY at the weekend that a top Group Executive Director (GED) of the corporation had deceived the NNPC Group Executive Council (GEC) to invite a sole bidder for the project instead of calling for an open bid from qualified indigenous contractors, thereby subverting public procurement process.
The GED, according to the source, also allegedly misinformed the NNPC GEC to approve the contract for the sole bidder at its meeting of June 18, 2010, at the cost of $8.4 million, with a provisional sum of $807,102.71 plus N5 million.
It was alleged that this cost, which covers only construction and commissioning, was fraudulent as the total project, including detailed engineering design and supply of the line pipes and metering station, was initially meant to cost $30 million, while construction and commissioning was meant to cost about $4 million.
“How come this project is awarded at $8,400,000.00 for only construction and commissioning, when all the materials are to be supplied by the NGC?” queried an NNPC source, who was familiar with the deal.
The contract, it was alleged, did not pass through due process as the top GED was said to have tagged it “emergency gas supply to PHCN power plant at Alaoji”, to ensure that it was not subjected to due process.
Director-General of BPP, Mr. Emeka Eze confirmed to THISDAY that the contract was not in the data base of the agency, which was a contravention of relevant regulations that stipulate that any contract that is up to N1 billion must pass through BPP for due process certificate.
“Any contract that is up to N1 billion is supposed to pass through us. But this one did not pass through us; it is not in our data base. So, I would not know if the contract has been awarded,” he said.
On the alleged use of the word “emergency” to subvert due process, Eze expressed doubts if the project qualifies for emergency.
“It is actually in the case of emergency that someone can award contract before coming to us for due process certificate. For instance, if a bridge collapses or heavy rainfall cuts a road into two, you can find someone to fix it quickly and later come for due process certificate. But I don’t think what they have done qualifies for emergency,” he added.
It was also alleged that the contractor has no track record of building gas pipeline as the current project it is handling for an unnamed oil company is crude oil pipeline and not gas pipeline – which requires a different technology.
According to investigation, the NGC on a routine check with the oil company got a damming report on how the contractor had delayed the execution of the crude oil pipeline project, but the top GED at NNPC, who was bent on awarding the NGC’s gas pipeline contract to the same contractor, directed the NGC to “step it down” – that is, to bury its findings.
It is feared that the Alaoji gas pipeline contract, which is expected to be completed within three months, is a clear attempt to derail President Jonathan’s efforts to improve power supply as it will be delayed the same way as the crude oil pipeline contract being executed by the same contractor.
“The only reason the contractor was singled out for an arranged contract award is to ensure that there is no completion that will bring value to NNPC,” an insider said.
“It is wrong to ask for only one contractor to submit a bid of this type. It would have taken the same time to evaluate bids of three contractors that are known to NGC to be fully qualified for this scope of work. NGC has a data base of good contractors to get the best value for their money. There are clearly more qualified indigenous contractors that are available and if included, would have brought the required competition and value to NNPC,” he added.
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP), Professor Barth Nnaji however told THISDAY that his task force does not get involved in such contracts.
“Believe me, I don’t know anything about the contract. We leave the award of such contracts to the NNPC and we expect them to do proper due diligence. It is only when there is problem that we begin to look into such contracts,” he said.
Nnaji further disclosed that the first phase of Alaoji Power Station would come on stream by the first quarter of 2011.
Another NNPC source, who called for the re-award of the contract to a competent contractor, argued that the project is technically flawed, stressing that planning an 18-inch gas supply to come off from a 12-inch Imo River-Aba gas pipeline does not make technical sense.
“An 18-inch line is being built to take gas from the existing 12-inch line. The 12-inch line is a Low Pressure (LP) line built in the 1960s to deliver gas to Aba industries – Aba Textile Mills; Nigerian Breweries; and International Equitable Industries. This line is an LP and is very old with suspect integrity. The power station requires higher pressure to operate and the quantity of gas from the old line will not suffice for this requirement,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the NNPC has stated that due process was undertaken in the award of the pipeline power plant contract.
Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, alleged that contrary to an anonymous petition being circulated to media houses by a disgruntled contractor, the management of the corporation took all relevant measures in ensuring that transparency ensued all through the award process.
He said the contract was revoked after the said contractor failed to deliver on the project six years after the award.
"It is common knowledge that the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan attaches huge importance to the issue of power supply to Nigerians. Thus after waiting in vain for six years for the contractor to perform, NNPC Acting on the instruction of the Presidential Committee on Power Chaired by the Vice President Alhaji Namadi Sambo, was mandated to re-award the contract to a competent contractor under a matter of urgent national importance to a competent contractor that can deliver on time. So tell me what is wrong with that?" Ajuonuma said.
Babangida Picks Odili As Running Mate
ormer military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida, is in advanced talks with Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers State, as he closes in on a running mate for the 2011 presidential elections.
A source within Mr. Babangida's camp said that the choice of Mr. Odili was strongly influenced by Raymond Dokpesi, chairman of DAAR Communications, and director general of Mr. Babangida's presidential campaign. The two men have a history of mutually beneficial dealings. Mr. Dokpesi was the director general of Mr. Odili's campaign when he ran for president in 2007. At the time, Mr. Odili was alleged to have invested N400 million of funds taken from the Rivers State treasury, into Mr. Dokpesi's company.
The EFCC, under Farida Waziri, quizzed Mr. Dokpesi over the money, but no charges were ever filed. According to the source, "Odilli will be groomed as the person that will succeed General Babangida, come 2015."
A Controversial Choice
Mr. Babangida, who is at the centre of several allegations, will be picking an equally controversial character if he settles on Mr. Odili as a running mate. Mr. Odili was elected governor of Rivers State in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003. His tenure was marred by human rights violations, insecurity, and widespread accusations of fraud.
During his governorship, Rivers State was, in theory, one of the wealthiest states in the country owing to its enormous oil revenue, but Mr. Odili instituted relatively few improvements. Instead, the former governor is on record for acquiring a South Africa-based hospital, and two Brazilian jets.
In November 2006, Peter Odili announced that he would run for president in the 2007 election under the ruling PDP. However, a day before the PDP's presidential primaries, Mr. Odili stepped down from the contest, paving the way for fellow governor, Umaru Yar'Adua, to emerge as the party's flag bearer.
Reports say Mr. Odili was forced out of that contest when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) led by Nuhu Ribadu, released a report implicating him in fraud, mismanagement of state funds, money laundering, and abuse of office.
In February that year, Mr. Odili filed a suit challenging the powers of the EFCC to probe his administration. The court granted him an indefinite injunction stopping any investigations into his finances, describing it as a breach of his civil rights.
The Declaration
It was expected that Mr. Odili would be unveiled at a rally for the official declaration of Mr. Babangida's intention on Wednesday in Abuja.
However, a text sent out by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP. Rufa'i Ahmed Alkali. inviting all party executives to an emergency meeting on that same day , is raising eyebrows.
The coincidence in the timing is leading to speculation that this may be an attempt to steal the thunder from Mr. Babangida's declaration. As of the time of going to press , we were unable to contact Mr. Babangida to find out if he intends to change his plans. . Text messages to Mr. Alkali seeking clarity on the matter, remained unanswered
A source within Mr. Babangida's camp said that the choice of Mr. Odili was strongly influenced by Raymond Dokpesi, chairman of DAAR Communications, and director general of Mr. Babangida's presidential campaign. The two men have a history of mutually beneficial dealings. Mr. Dokpesi was the director general of Mr. Odili's campaign when he ran for president in 2007. At the time, Mr. Odili was alleged to have invested N400 million of funds taken from the Rivers State treasury, into Mr. Dokpesi's company.
The EFCC, under Farida Waziri, quizzed Mr. Dokpesi over the money, but no charges were ever filed. According to the source, "Odilli will be groomed as the person that will succeed General Babangida, come 2015."
A Controversial Choice
Mr. Babangida, who is at the centre of several allegations, will be picking an equally controversial character if he settles on Mr. Odili as a running mate. Mr. Odili was elected governor of Rivers State in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003. His tenure was marred by human rights violations, insecurity, and widespread accusations of fraud.
During his governorship, Rivers State was, in theory, one of the wealthiest states in the country owing to its enormous oil revenue, but Mr. Odili instituted relatively few improvements. Instead, the former governor is on record for acquiring a South Africa-based hospital, and two Brazilian jets.
In November 2006, Peter Odili announced that he would run for president in the 2007 election under the ruling PDP. However, a day before the PDP's presidential primaries, Mr. Odili stepped down from the contest, paving the way for fellow governor, Umaru Yar'Adua, to emerge as the party's flag bearer.
Reports say Mr. Odili was forced out of that contest when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) led by Nuhu Ribadu, released a report implicating him in fraud, mismanagement of state funds, money laundering, and abuse of office.
In February that year, Mr. Odili filed a suit challenging the powers of the EFCC to probe his administration. The court granted him an indefinite injunction stopping any investigations into his finances, describing it as a breach of his civil rights.
The Declaration
It was expected that Mr. Odili would be unveiled at a rally for the official declaration of Mr. Babangida's intention on Wednesday in Abuja.
However, a text sent out by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP. Rufa'i Ahmed Alkali. inviting all party executives to an emergency meeting on that same day , is raising eyebrows.
The coincidence in the timing is leading to speculation that this may be an attempt to steal the thunder from Mr. Babangida's declaration. As of the time of going to press , we were unable to contact Mr. Babangida to find out if he intends to change his plans. . Text messages to Mr. Alkali seeking clarity on the matter, remained unanswered
PDP Meeting Deadlocked over Order of Primaries •To convene emergency NEC tomorrow •Saraki meets Jonathan
fter a six-hour meeting, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday failed to agree on the order of the primaries for the 2011 polls.
THISDAY learnt the party could not come to an agreement specifically on whether the presidential primary should precede the governorship primary election.
Another bone of contention is the sequence of the convention since PDP has already opted to use the staggered presidential primaries on zonal basis to pick its presidential flag bearer.
Following the disagreement, the party has summoned an emergency meeting of its National Executive Committee for tomorrow.
The NEC meeting is expected to resolve the issue around the order of the polls and also approve dates for the various congresses and national convention of the party.
It was learnt that the NWC would continue at its meeting today to fix tentative dates for the various electoral programmes, which will be considered at the NEC meeting.
In the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the presidential election has been fixed for January 22 ahead of the gubernatorial and state house of assembly polls scheduled for January 29.
The parties have between last Saturday, September 11 and October 30 to pick their candidates for the various elective offices.
PDP had been reported earlier to be favourably disposed to conducting the presidential primary before the gubernatorial primary election.
The party stalwarts believed to be sympathetic to the aspiration of President Goodluck Jonathan argue that holding the presidential primary first could play to the advantage of the president as it would avoid a situation where some governors gang up against the president after they had won their own tickets.
The governors are also said to be suspicious that the president may dump them after securing his own ticket first.
In the usual tradition of PDP, presidential primaries usually come last after the gubernatorial and National Assembly primaries had taken place.
In the meantime, Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki on Sunday informed President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo about his presidential aspiration and decision to resign as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
This comes as he officially throws his hat into the ring for the presidential race on Friday in Abuja .
THISDAY gathered that Saraki was at the State House around 5pm on Sunday where he met and briefed President Jonathan of his intention to contest the presidential nomination election of PDP.
The governor also told the President that as a result of his decision to contest for the PDP presidential ticket he would resign as the Chairman of NGF.
Sources said the president did not express surprise over the development.
The president was said to have wished Saraki well and the meeting ended.
Saraki also went to the Akinola Aguda Lodge, the official residence of the Vice-President where he told Sambo of his intention as well.
THISDAY gathered that Saraki will officially declare to contest at the PDP presidential primary on September 17 in Abuja.
Saraki is said to be tipping Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi as his running mate.
Also, the six governors that are coordinating the presidential aspiration of President Jonathan are expected to meet at the residence of the Cross Rivers State Governor Liyel Imoke.
THISDAY gathered that the six governors have appointed Imoke as the chairman of the zonal coordinators for Jonathan’s aspiration.
The meeting, according to a top source, is to map out plans for the eventual declaration of the president.
In another development, officials of the State Security Service (SSS) yesterday visited the campaign office of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, as part of the security checks.
Babangida is due to make his official declaration for the PDP presidential race tomorrow, September 15 at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
The Director of Media and Communications for Babangida’s campaign, Prince Kassim Afegbua, confirmed the visit of the SSS officials to the office.
He, however, said the visit was part of security checks for Babangida’s official declaration.
THISDAY learnt the party could not come to an agreement specifically on whether the presidential primary should precede the governorship primary election.
Another bone of contention is the sequence of the convention since PDP has already opted to use the staggered presidential primaries on zonal basis to pick its presidential flag bearer.
Following the disagreement, the party has summoned an emergency meeting of its National Executive Committee for tomorrow.
The NEC meeting is expected to resolve the issue around the order of the polls and also approve dates for the various congresses and national convention of the party.
It was learnt that the NWC would continue at its meeting today to fix tentative dates for the various electoral programmes, which will be considered at the NEC meeting.
In the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the presidential election has been fixed for January 22 ahead of the gubernatorial and state house of assembly polls scheduled for January 29.
The parties have between last Saturday, September 11 and October 30 to pick their candidates for the various elective offices.
PDP had been reported earlier to be favourably disposed to conducting the presidential primary before the gubernatorial primary election.
The party stalwarts believed to be sympathetic to the aspiration of President Goodluck Jonathan argue that holding the presidential primary first could play to the advantage of the president as it would avoid a situation where some governors gang up against the president after they had won their own tickets.
The governors are also said to be suspicious that the president may dump them after securing his own ticket first.
In the usual tradition of PDP, presidential primaries usually come last after the gubernatorial and National Assembly primaries had taken place.
In the meantime, Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki on Sunday informed President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo about his presidential aspiration and decision to resign as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
This comes as he officially throws his hat into the ring for the presidential race on Friday in Abuja .
THISDAY gathered that Saraki was at the State House around 5pm on Sunday where he met and briefed President Jonathan of his intention to contest the presidential nomination election of PDP.
The governor also told the President that as a result of his decision to contest for the PDP presidential ticket he would resign as the Chairman of NGF.
Sources said the president did not express surprise over the development.
The president was said to have wished Saraki well and the meeting ended.
Saraki also went to the Akinola Aguda Lodge, the official residence of the Vice-President where he told Sambo of his intention as well.
THISDAY gathered that Saraki will officially declare to contest at the PDP presidential primary on September 17 in Abuja.
Saraki is said to be tipping Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi as his running mate.
Also, the six governors that are coordinating the presidential aspiration of President Jonathan are expected to meet at the residence of the Cross Rivers State Governor Liyel Imoke.
THISDAY gathered that the six governors have appointed Imoke as the chairman of the zonal coordinators for Jonathan’s aspiration.
The meeting, according to a top source, is to map out plans for the eventual declaration of the president.
In another development, officials of the State Security Service (SSS) yesterday visited the campaign office of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, as part of the security checks.
Babangida is due to make his official declaration for the PDP presidential race tomorrow, September 15 at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
The Director of Media and Communications for Babangida’s campaign, Prince Kassim Afegbua, confirmed the visit of the SSS officials to the office.
He, however, said the visit was part of security checks for Babangida’s official declaration.
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