The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has accused the former executives of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) of mismanaging a whopping $500 million on projects deemed unproductive.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by The Petroleum Club in Lagos, Lokpobiri minced no words as he shed light on what he described as egregious financial mismanagement within the organization.

Lokpobiri, during the interactive session, alleged that substantial sums were squandered on ventures that yielded little to no tangible results.

Among the projects cited was the infamous Brass modular refinery in Bayelsa State, for which a staggering $35 million was purportedly disbursed without any discernible progress.

Similarly, Lokpobiri raised concerns about a $20 million investment in a fertiliser factory, questioning its whereabouts and efficacy.

The minister’s accusations didn’t end there. He underscored what he termed the imprudent disbursement of funds, highlighting instances where significant amounts were released in lump sums against professional advice.

Lokpobiri stressed the need for a comprehensive review of these investments, lamenting the magnitude of the financial losses incurred.

Furthermore, Lokpobiri pointed fingers at the mismanagement of loans totaling approximately $350 million, which were intended to support investors.

According to him, a staggering 90% of these loans ended up as non-performing, exacerbating the financial hemorrhage experienced by the NCDMB.

Addressing the crisis between himself and the incumbent NCDMB boss, Felix Ogbe, Lokpobiri clarified that his intervention was grounded in the oversight responsibilities vested in him as the chairman of the council overseeing the NCDMB.

He stated the importance of due diligence in governance and reiterated his commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability within the organization.

In response to Lokpobiri’s accusations, the immediate past Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, vehemently refuted the allegations, asserting that they lacked substantiation.

Wabote defended the integrity of the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, hailing it as a pivotal initiative with an impressive 96% payback rate.

Wabote also defended the NCDMB’s investment decisions, citing instances of successful ventures such as the equity investment in Waltersmith’s modular refinery, which has shown promising returns.

He attributed challenges faced by certain projects to external factors and legal disputes, maintaining the organization’s commitment to prudent financial management.

As the allegations continue to reverberate across the industry, stakeholders await the outcome of the government’s review, which could potentially reshape the trajectory of the NCDMB and its approach to investment and governance.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has successfully brought about N2.36 trillion in discretionary and non-discretionary funds under custody.

This achievement follows the implementation of updated guidelines for Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) in Nigeria.

Last December, the SEC proposed amendments to address grievances within the Collective Investment Scheme segment of the capital market.

These amendments sought to enhance investor safeguards and address concerns raised by market participants.

In a notice published on its website titled ‘Exposure Of New And Sundry Amendments To The Rules And Regulations Of The Commission,’ the SEC outlined the new regulatory changes.

Among these changes was the requirement for all CIS funds, including those in discretionary and non-discretionary windows, to be placed under custody.

This move was aimed at strengthening investor protection and mitigating risks associated with fund management.

Dr. Okey Umeano, the Chief Economist at SEC, provided insights into the impact of these regulatory updates during a media briefing after the first-quarter Capital Market Committee meeting.

He highlighted that prior to the regulatory amendments, only funds designated as Collective Investment Schemes were subject to custody.

However, with the new guidelines in place, all funds, regardless of their discretionary or non-discretionary nature, are now required to be custodied.

Umeano revealed that the SEC conducted inspections to ensure compliance with the new regulations, resulting in N2.36 trillion of discretionary and non-discretionary funds being brought under custody.

This move underscores the SEC’s commitment to safeguarding investor interests and fostering trust in the capital market ecosystem.

Former SEC Director-General, Lamido Yuguda, emphasized the importance of segregating asset management and custody functions to mitigate risks.

He noted that while the separation of these functions was standard practice for public CIS products, it was not uniformly applied to bilateral arrangements.

However, with the implementation of the new rules, all investment management activities, whether in public CIS or bilateral spaces, are mandated to be in custody.

Yuguda stressed that the objective of these regulatory changes is to improve trust, protect investors’ assets, and bolster market confidence.

By ensuring that investment management activities are segregated, with custody handled by duly licensed custodians, the SEC aims to create a more resilient and transparent capital market environment.

The Lagos State Government has issued a demolition warning to the proprietor of the $200 million Landmark Beach Resort, a renowned tourist destination in the region.

The resort nestled along the picturesque coastline faces imminent destruction to make way for the construction of a 700-kilometer coastal road linking Lagos with Calabar.

Paul Onwuanibe, the 58-year-old owner of the Landmark Beach Resort, revealed that he received a notice in late March instructing him to vacate the premises within seven days to facilitate the impending demolition.

The resort, which spans a vast expanse of land and hosts over 80 businesses, is a hub of economic activity, sustaining over 4,000 jobs directly. Also, it contributes more than N2 billion in taxes annually.

The news of the resort’s potential demolition has sparked concerns among investors and stakeholders in the tourism sector. Onwuanibe expressed dismay at the government’s decision, highlighting the substantial investments made in developing the resort’s infrastructure.

He explained that the planned demolition would not only lead to significant financial losses but also jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of employees and businesses associated with the resort.

The Landmark Beach Resort is a popular tourist destination, attracting approximately one million visitors annually, both local and international. Its unique amenities, including a mini-golf course, beach soccer field, and volleyball and basketball courts, make it a favorite among tourists seeking leisure and recreation.

The prospect of the resort’s demolition has triggered widespread panic among international and domestic investors associated with the Landmark Group. Many are now considering withdrawing their investments, citing concerns about the viability of the business without its flagship beach resort.

The Lagos State Government’s decision to proceed with the demolition is part of its broader plan to construct the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, a 700-kilometer roadway connecting Lagos to Calabar.

The government had earlier announced its intention to remove all “illegal” constructions along the planned route of the highway, including the Landmark Beach Resort.