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Seplat CEO, Roger Brown, steps down over allegations of racism

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Seplat Energy says Roger Brown, its chief executive officer (CEO), has stepped down from his position.

In a statement on Friday, signed by Basil Omiyi, the board chairman of Seplat, the company said the decision followed the court order of a federal high court in Lagos.

Yesterday, we reported that the court had restrained Brown from carrying out his official duties pending the determination of a suit filed against him and other respondents by aggrieved stakeholders of the company over allegations of racism, favouring of expatriate workers, discrimination against Nigerians, and breach of good governance.

The court restrained Brown as well as his proxies, privies, and agents from continuing to participate in the “day-to-day running and management of Seplat Energy or in any manner whatsoever pending the determination of [the] hearing and determination of the petitioners’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction”.

In response to the court ruling, Seplat said Brown has delegated his authority to Samson Ezugworie, the chief operating officer of the company.

According to the statement, Ezugworie will continue to act as CEO during the period that Brown is required to step back from his executive duties.

“Seplat Energy Plc reports that on March 9, 2023, it was served with court processes and ex-parte interim order of the honourable Justice C. J. Aneke of the federal high court, Lagos, Nigeria, restraining the chief executive officer, Mr. Roger Brown from participating in the running of the company [for a period of seven days],” the statement reads.

“The interim orders are premised on allegations of unfair, prejudicial, and offensive acts by the chairman, CEO and all of the independent non-executive directors (INEDs) of Seplat Energy.

“The allegations include that the CEO organised a site visit for a number of its major shareholders to the company’s operations, cancelled some catering and landscaping contracts, and introduced a new job performance rating.”

‘NIGERIANS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO SEPLAT’S MOST IMPORTANT POSITIONS’

Seplat had on Thursday, described the allegations against Brown as a “spurious and vindictive reaction” to the enforcement of corporate governance standards in the company by its board.

Reiterating its position, the firm refuted the allegations, noting that since Brown became CEO in 2020, Nigerian nationals have been appointed to the “company’s most important positions”.

These positions include chairman, senior independent non-executive director, chief financial officer and chief operating officer, it said.

“The board believes these allegations are a spurious and vindictive reaction to the board’s enforcement of corporate governance standards and a determination to continue to uphold their fiduciary duties and loyalty to the company. The board of Seplat Energy has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Mr. Brown as the CEO,” Seplat said.

“The order allows the chairman, Mr. Basil Omiyi, and all the INEDs of Seplat Energy to continue running the affairs of the company on the basis that it is in accordance with Nigerian law. Mr. Brown has delegated authority to Mr. Samson Ezugworie, chief operating ffficer, to act as CEO during the period that he is required to step back from his executive duties.

“The injunction was filed by Messrs. Moses Igbrude, Sarat Kudaisi, Kenneth Nnabike, Ajani Abidoye and Robert Ibekwe, who purport to have shares in Seplat Energy Plc.

“Seplat will follow the due processes of law in responding to the allegations before the courts.”

The company added that it will continue to maintain its operational excellence and act in line with the best corporate governance standards.

Meanwhile, Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, had revoked the work permit, visa, and residence permit of Brown following a petition sent to the minister of interior (against Brown) by employees of Seplat.

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FG terminates Julius Berger’s Abuja-Kaduna road contract

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The federal government has terminated the contract for the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna road by Julius Berger, a construction company.

In a statement on Monday, Mohammed Ahmed, director of press at the ministry of works, said the termination was based on non-compliance with the reviewed cost, scope and terms, stoppage of work and refusal to remobilise to the site as directed by the ministry.

The contract covers section one of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway.

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According to Ahmed, negotiations had been ongoing for several months without any significant progress.

“It is a sad commentary on the company that rather than accepting the offer, they tinkered with the Bills of Quantities, as well as that of Engineering Measurements and Evaluation via a letter to the Ministry dated 29th October, 2024,” Ahmed said.

“The company was summoned for a meeting with the Management of the Ministry, today, 4th November, 2024 but refused to show up, hence the termination of the contract based on effluxion of time and non-performance.

“Based on non-compliance with reviewed cost, scope and terms, stoppage of work and refusal to remobilise to site, as directed, the Federal Ministry of Works has issued a 14-day Notice of Termination to Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc for the Rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway in FCT, Kaduna and Kano States, Contract No.6350, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna), today, 4th November, 2024.

“Nigerians may wish to know that the contract for the Rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, which was divided into three (3) Sections was awarded to the company on 20th December, 2017 and flagged off by the then Minister of Power, Works and Housing, H:E. Babatunde Raji Fashola at an initial sum of N155.7bn on 18th June, 2018.

“Sections II (Kaduna – Zaria) and III (Zaria – Kano) were partially completed and handed over during the twilight of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. Since then it has been one variation and augmentation or the other and finally, the present Minister of Works directed for the redesigning and re-scoping of the Section I of the contract.

“The alignment was divided into two with one phase redesigned to be on continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP), while the remaining with asphaltic pavement. Approval for the Section I, Phase 1 for a length of 38 (thirty-eight) kilometres on concrete pavement was given to Messrs Dangote Industries (Nig.) Ltd, while the remaining 127 (one hundred and twenty-seven) kilometres remained with the substantive contractor. The Phase 1 was flagged off on 17th October, 2024 with a 14-month completion period.”

‘CONTRACT TERMS WERE NOT AGREED UPON’

The director said a request to rescope the project was approved by the federal executive council (FEC), but the contractor did not agree upon the contract’s terms.

“Due to the stalemate of the contract and, most importantly, the desire of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda infrastructure initiative, to see to the completion of this laudable project, also to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians plying the road, the ministry re-scoped it and got the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC),” he said.

“The award for the re-scoping and downward review of contract for the rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway in FCT, Kaduna and Kano States, Contract No.6350, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) in favour of Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc from the sum of N797.2bn to N740.7bn was granted by FEC on 23rd September, 2024 and conveyed to the company on 3rd October, 2024.

“As due to the socio-economic importance the road as a vital artery connecting Abuja, the FCT to the North, the Ministry conveyed the approval for a Final Offer on the Abuja – Kaduna Dual Carriageway to the company on 23rd October, 2024, stating that it should agree, in writing, to accept the reviewed contract sum of N740.7bn within seven (7) days or risk the termination of the said contract.”

On September 23, Dave Umahi, minister of works, said the Abuja-Kano road project handled by Julius Berger received approval for N740 billion.

Umahi said the project, which was initially valued at N155 billion, was revised to N797 billion by the previous administration and further increased to N1.5 trillion.

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Air Peace Abuja-bound flight turns back mid-air over ‘technical snag’

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Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, says its flight heading to Abuja from Benin could not continue the trip due to a technical snag the aircraft encountered shortly after takeoff.

In a notice on Monday, Ejike Nduilo, head of corporate communications, said the 12:50pm flight returned to Benin due to necessary safety measures.

He said passengers disembarked normally after the aircraft landed in Benin.

The airline spokesperson also said an alternative aircraft was made available to avoid disruptions.

“Our maintenance team are currently troubleshooting the cause of the snag,” Nduilo said.

“We are deploying replacement aircraft to Benin for us to minimise the disruptions and ensure passengers continue their journeys as soon as possible.

“We appeal for understanding of the passengers affected and others whose flights will be delayed as a result of this unforeseen development.”

Air Peace said it remained committed to upholding safety standards.

On May 30, Air Peace discontinued one of its foreign trips due to a low-pressure tyre.

The aircraft which was in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, disrupted flights bound for Gambia and Senegal.

On April 25, Air Peace said its Port Harcourt-Lagos flight landed at the destination airport earlier than scheduled, following a presumed fire incident on the aircraft.

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Governor Abdulrazaq approves bonus for Kwara workers to ease economic burden

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Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved a financial bonus that is equivalent to the monthly PAYE obligation for every civil servant in the state, including local government workers.

The emergency support measure will last for at least three months, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Finance Dr. Hauwa Nuru.

“This bonus has been approved as a buffer to bridge the gap that the correct PAYE deduction may have wrought on the newly implemented mininum wage. It is meant to serve as a soothing balm as workers adjust to the PAYE that was just correctly implemented in line with the Personal Income Tax Act,” she said.

“The payment of the bonus is effective from October and will run till December 2024. This is a significant step by His Excellency to support workers.”

The statement added that workers who have not registered with the Kwara State Residents’ Registration Agency (KWSRRA) should do so immediately because anyone without it will not get the bonus for November and December.

The statement said labour unions have also agreed to a refund of the special levy deducted from workers’ salary and suspension of deductions of same until further notice.

“Governor AbdulRazaq’s directive to deliver this relief speaks volumes about his humanity and his commitment to the welfare of Kwara workforce,” Dr. Nuru stated.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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