PUNCH

04 August 2018 : Customs intercept N1.5bn smuggled petroleum products: The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit,, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, said that it had intercepted N1.5bn worth of petroleum products about to be smuggled out of the country to Benin Republic.

Nigeria’s external debt rises by $11.77bn in three years: Nigeria’s external debt commitment rose by $11.77bn in the last three years, investigation has shown.

Stock market extends losing streak to five days:  The nation’s stock market declined for the fifth straight day on Monday as 19 companies recorded price losses at the end of trading.

External reserves drop by $1.2bn: The nation’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $1.2bn in one month, latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed on Monday.

China announces fresh $60bn for Nigeria, other African countries: The President of the Republic of China, Xi Jinping, on Monday, announced a fresh assistance of $60bn to finance infrastructure in Africa.

Chinese firm to secure $2.38bn for Ajaokuta-Kano pipeline project: China National Petroleum Corporation says that it will secure the financing required for the execution of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline project.

FG extends Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project completion date to Dec 2019:  There are indications that the completion date for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project has been extended by another one year to accommodate additional work already approved by the Federal Government.

VANGUARD

CBN to disburse N220bn to Enterprises Development Fund: Mr. Isaac Okorafor, Director, Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, announced the plan while addressing newsmen in Gombe on Monday during the bank’s program on Promoting Financial Stability and Economic Development.

CBN returns N65bn excess charges in 7 years:  he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said it has returned to N65 billion excess charges deducted from bank customers’ account in 7 years.

Why China has an edge over UK, US in Africa —Kachikwu: Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, weekend, said China has an edge over the US and UK in Africa because it was providing what Africa needed.

THISDAY

Stakeholders Put Size of Nigeria’s Artisanal Mining at 80%:  Artisanal mining in Nigeria, mostly solid minerals, has grown to about 80 per cent, stakeholders in the sector have stated.

Chevron Put Commitment to Nigeria’s Local Content at $2bn: Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has said its financial commitment to the development of Nigeria’s local content law in the operations of the country’s oil and gas industry has now reached $2 billion.

THE NATION

CBN forex interventions hit $963m in August: The total foreign exchange (forex) interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stood at $963 million in August.

REUTERS AFRICA

ExxonMobil says blockade threatens oil production at Nigeria oil terminal:  ExxonMobil said on Monday that a blockade by former employees threatens crude production at one of its oil terminals in Nigeria.

Reporting for EasyKobo on Tuesday , 04 August 2018 in Lagos, Nigeria