Hephzibah's Commentary 30072015

1. Banks seized debtor states’ share of NLNG dividend – Yari
Hephzibah: The whole thing is messed up, please. Poor risk management from banks; states are taking on more they can realistically do (without getting additional sources of revenue) just to gain political advantage. The next time a politician promises to give every unemployed graduate monthly allocations; ask him/her about how the plans will be funded...

2. Oil worth $13.7bn stolen under NNPC, says NEITI
Hephzibah: Why is Hajiya Zainab frowning na? Is it because of the $13.7bn? Wait oooo, I'm joining her in that frown...:(
The bit about NNPC remitting subsidy payments to the Federation account is confusing to me. Where does NNPC get subsidy payments from? Why is NNPC remitting subsidy payments to the Federation account? Shouldn't NNPC be disbursing the subsidy payments to marketers?

3. New DSS DG is APC member – PDP
Hephzibah: PDP, you'll need to substantiate the allegation, please. PMB, the DSS should not be politicised, please. It doesn't augur well for a democracy.

4. Corruption: FG goes after ‘super rich’ civil servants
Hephzibah: Good move but please don't prioritize this over building the economy...

5. Yar’Adua shouldn’t have cancelled refineries’ sale to Dangote –Obasanjo
Hephzibah: *Yawn*

6. GSM operators add two million new subscribers
Hephzibah: Is that a good thing or a bad thing? *Yawn*

7. P’Harcourt, Warri refineries begin crude production – NNPC
Hephzibah: Yippeee. Will the price of crude from local refineries also be subsidized? If no, please correct subsidy payment estimates to reflect that some of the nation's demand will NOT be subsidized. Thank you.

8. El-Rufai appoints commissioners
Hephzibah: At least someone has started waking up. *stretches*

9. PDP broke, plans to reduce staff by 50%
Hephzibah: Eh yah! Blame the economy (let's not ask what the party's source of income is, lol).

10. Ooni’s death ’ll be announced in due course — Source
Hephzibah: Hmmmm. Time will tell if he is truly alive or truly dead.

11. Tompolo hails Buhari over new Amnesty boss
Hephzibah: I just want to say that I'm uncomfortable with all the amnesty business (though I believe it may have SOME value in the Niger Delta situation)

12. $6bn stolen by ex-minister worries Sanusi
Hephzibah: It worries me too BUT we can't encourage people, no matter how highly placed, to make unsubstantiated allegations.

13. Ogun pays N496m WAEC debt
Hephzibah: At least, we now know one of the 19 debtor states...Go, and "sin" no more, Governor Amosun...Waiting for the other 18 states to do the needful. #PayYourDebts

14. FG to borrow N195bn via Treasury bills
Hephzibah: Please what can we expect the FG to do with this 195 billion Naira? I hope it's not for a) bailing out debtor states b) "fighting corruption"  c) crushing insurgency or d) welfare. As important as any of these are, they are not worth borrowing for. Only capital investments that will give a return on investment that is HIGHER than the interest you have to pay on the principal are worth borrowing for...Hephzibah's national contribution of the day...

15. FG overrules JAMB on new admission policy
Hephzibah: I guess that's more revenue from the sale of Post-UTME forms for Universities. I am not proud of parents who were protesting and whose desires have prevailed. In my opinion, the message they've passed to their wards is that it is acceptable to perform below expectation and then agitate...I am actually with JAMB and UNILAG on this one...

16. Placeholder for sports news...To be filled once I find anything worth commenting on. I'm still watching Coach Oliseh, by the way...

I am praying for my nation. I hope you are doing the same?

Enjoy your day.