Business
Senate Permits Only Dangote, Other Refiners to Import Fuel Under New PIB
If the new provision on fuel imports inserted by the Senate in the Petroleum Industry Bill is adopted by the House of Representatives and the President, only active refinery licence holders will be allowed to import petroleum products into the country when the bill becomes a law.
Companies holding refining licences in the country include Dangote Oil Refinery Company, Waltersmith Refining & Petrochemical Company Limited, OPAC Refineries, Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, BUA Refinery & Petrochemicals as well as Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.
The PUNCH had exclusively reported on February 28 that Dangote Group had suggested for inclusion in the PIB a provision that the licence to import petroleum products should be assigned only to companies with active refining licences, saying this would encourage investment in local refining.
Currently, all companies duly registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission as providers of goods and services in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry are eligible to apply for petroleum products importation permit, subject to having access to appropriate storage facilities which could be owned or leased from third parties, according to the Department of Petroleum Resources.
A new provision (subsection (8) of section 317) introduced by the Senate into the PIB said the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority shall apply the backward integration policy in the downstream petroleum sector to encourage investment in local refining.
It said, “To support this, licence to import any product shortfalls shall be assigned only to companies with active local refining licences. Import volume to be allocated between participants based on their respective production in the preceding quarter.
“Such import to be done under NNPC Limited Direct Sale/Direct Purchase scheme. To safeguard the health of Nigerians, imported petroleum products shall conform to the Afri-5 specification (50ppm sulphur) as per the ECOWAS declaration of February 2020 on adoption of the Afri-Fuels Roadmap.”
Under the DSDP scheme, which was introduced by the NNPC in 2016, selected companies are allocated crude supplies in exchange for the delivery of an equal value of petrol and other refined products to the corporation.
The Senate and House of Representatives, according to copies of the passed bills seen by our correspondent, said in section 317 that from the effective date of the bill, the government, on behalf of the federation, may request the services of NNPC Limited as supplier of last resort to ensure adequate supply and distribution of Premium Motor Spirit for a period not exceeding six months.
“All associated costs shall be for the account of the federation,” they added.
Subsection (1) of section 205 provides that “subject to the provisions of this Section, wholesale and retail prices of petroleum products shall be based on unrestricted free-market pricing conditions.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, had last Tuesday named a seven-member committee to harmonise the different versions of the PIB recently passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, after which it would be sent to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, for his assent.
The Punch
Glo, Samsung Unveil Exclusive Galaxy S-25 Offer for Customers
Digital solutions company, Globacom, has teamed up with Samsung, world’s leading manufacturer of electronic devices, to bring a new offer to Glo subscribers. This tantalising deal allows Glo customers to pre-order the highly sought-after Samsung Galaxy S-25 smartphone and enjoy unique benefits.
Samsung Electronics unveiled its newest flagship smartphones: the Galaxy S25 series which comes with cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and was designed to elevate user experience and set new standards in the industry on January 22, 2025.
The pre-ordering exercise kicked off on January 22 and closes on February 18, 2025 at Gloworld shops across the country. It gives customers the opportunity to select from the Galaxy S25 lineup, including the S25 Ultra, the top-tier and most sophisticated model, as well as the S25+ and the standard S25. They, however, come with different processors and storage options.
Customers who pre-order the Galaxy S25 or S25+ will receive complimentary gifts, including a Buds FE, a suit cover, and Samsung Care, while those opting for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, will receive a free Buds 3, a standing grip case, and Samsung Care.
Globacom is also delighting customers who purchase any model from the Galaxy S25 series with 18GB bonus data for 6 months under smartphone festival data plans, while they can also secure their pre-order at any Gloworld shop with an advance payment of ₦500,000. Pre-ordered phones will be delivered to customers from February 19 onwards.
“We are thrilled to bring this offer to our subscribers, who will enjoy unparalleled benefits, including innovative packaging. This partnership with Samsung reinforces our commitment to providing value-added services that cater to the evolving needs of our customers”.
The company advises other phone lovers who are yet to pre-order the new device to visit any Gloworld outlet close to them and join the list of the new owners of the Samsung S-25 phone before the expiry date.
Technology company, Globacom, on Wednesday opened another Gloworld retail outlet in the Borno State capital, Maiduguri.
The new Gloworld shop is the latest in Globacom’s trademark customer interface shops, and is equipped with the latest technology for fast and efficient customer service and complaints resolution.
According to Mr. Augustine Mamuro, Globacom’s Regional Sales Coordinator, North East, the opening of the centre is in line with its “desire to bring its services closer to the people, create more platforms for customers to have access to Globacom’s wide range of products and services and give them more exciting experience on the network.”
He added that Globacom’s approach to customer service “is one that is underpinned by innovation and total inclusiveness. This is why we are consistently seeking innovative channels to make available our array of services to them”.
Mamuro assured the people of Maiduguri that the office is manned by well-trained, polite and customer-friendly staff who will provide first-class services and attend to customers’ enquiries as well as their service and product needs.
He also said the new shop will offer affordable Glo products, devices, smartphones and accessories, adding, that the people are assured of quick and satisfactory resolutions of all issues ranging from SIM replacement and registration to recovery of over-scratched cards, refill, unblocking of phones and laptop configurations for internet, as well as post paid bill payments and purchase of all Glo and other complementary products”.
The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Umar Umar Kadafur, who was the Special Guest at the event, eulogised Globacom for deeming it fit to open a new Gloworld in Maiduguri for the benefit of the people.
He lauded the management of the company for its thoughtfulness in bringing its products and services close to the people of the state.
Technology company, Globacom, on Monday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, presented Kia Picanto cars to two lucky winners in its ongoing loyalty reward promo, Festival of Joy. Sixty-five more winners went home with other exciting prizes including power generating sets, sewing machines and grinding machines.
One of the winners of Kia Picanto cars, 44-year-old Mr. Adeola Olatayo Silas, a Quantity Surveyor was short of words as he kept exclaiming, “wow,wow!” when he saw the sleek car on display. After recovering from the initial shock, he explained that he had always been a fan of Globacom who always hoped to win a prize in the company’s numerous giveaway promos. “I am so delighted my desire has today become a reality”, he said.
In the same vein, the other car winner, Mr. Seun Okeowo, 39, a Media practitioner, said he was conversant with Festival of Joy and had desired to win. He prayed God to grant Globacom the grace to go from height to height as it continues to spread joy across the country.
One of the winners of a power generator, Pastor Oluwole Abayomi, who resides in Akure said he didn’t believe when he received the call from Globacom. “In fact, my brother told me to be careful as it could be a ploy to kidnap me”, he said while praying for more prosperity for the company.
A sewing machine winner, Oluwole Babatunde Olusegun, an Ibadan-based teacher, said his next target is to win a car. “Meanwhile, this sewing machine has come in handy as my wife and children will learn fashion designing with it”, he said. Waheed Azeez, a 51-year-old trailer driver who won a grinding machine, disclosed that his wife would run a mill with it.
The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Lawal, who was the Special Guest at the event gave kudos to the Chairman and management of Globacom for putting the promo in place for Nigerians. He said he had witnessed Globacom’s good gestures many times and wished other companies could emulate the brand. ” Globacom is a pride of Nigeria, nay Africa. It has continued to offer affordable and quality products and services for the benefit of Nigerians as it has empowered several people through its loyalty reward promotions like Festival of Joy, ” he added.
“The network is not just attracting customers but also giving back to them. This shows that it means well not only for the customers but also for Nigerians”, he added.
Globacom’s Head of Business West, Mr. Abdulazak Ande, explained that to participate in the Festival of Joy promo, new and existing subscribers should dial *611#, opt into the promo and keep recharging to meet the threshold for the various prizes. He added that new subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.
The event was witnessed by representatives of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Engr. Akinwale Akanbi; brand influencers including comedian Seyi Law, Nollywood stars like Odunlade Adekola, Tunde Usman a.k.a. Okele, Bimbo Thomas and Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi as well as content creator, Kiekie.
