MINUTES OF THE 9TH MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF FEPSAN

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B. OPENING

The meeting started with a prayer led by Dr. Alkaleri at 12:00 noon.  The meeting was chaired by Alhaji Saidu Zakari.  The agenda was adopted as folllows:-

1. Opening prayers
2. Chairman’s opening remarks
3. Minutes of last meeting
4. Matters arising
5. Issues for consideration at this meeting

a)    Executive Secretary’s report

b)    The new constitution

c)    Election of Officers of the Association

d)    Sustainability of the Association

e)   2006 Budget

f)    Refund of money spent by Executive Secretary

g)   Recovery of legal fees from AHMED UWAIS & CO

h)    Visit Honorable Minister of Agriculture on following policy issues:

1. • 1. Need for a fertilizer policy, and promulgation of the amended fertilizer law and regulation

1. • 1. Assistance to develop the fertilizer market.

– Incentives for investing in fertilizer production/supply

– Development of fertilizer dealer networks

– Introduction of voucher system for subsidy administration

1. • 1. Waiver of some port charges.

1. • 1. Arrange a courtesy call on Mr. President.

1. Any other business
2. Closing remarks and prayers.

C.       CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS

The Chairman started by wellcoming members present to the meeting and apologised     for the late start.  He explained that Alhaji Sani Dangote the substantive Chairman had to travel out of the Country at short notice and has sent his appologies for his inability to attend the meeting.  He urged members to contribute constructively and precisely to enable the meeting close in good time.

D.       READING AND ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.

The last meeting was held on Thursday 12th May 2005.  Members took time to read the minutes.  Thereafter the Chairman called for any observations/corrections by perusing through the minutes page by page.  In the absence of any corrections the minutes were adopted following a motion moved by Alhaji Misbahu Bello and seconded by Ms. Bolaji Ajewoli.

E.       MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING.

The matters arising from the last meeting were noted as reported by the Secretariat,  and the following decisions were reached:-

• Committee on fertilizer Supply strategy was noted to have been overtaken by   events.  However Secretariat was mandated to put up a proposal for  consideration at next meeting.
• The money (N100,000.00) paid to Ahmed Uwais & Co should be treated as additional costs for registering the Association.  This is to avoid unnessary litigation, extra expenses and time wasting, so that the matter can be closed once and for all.
• Members noted that FEPSAN is being given recognition by various stake-holders and resolved that the momentum should be sustained.
• The Executive Secretary was mandated to be following up with the Federal Ministry of Agric on the review of the Fertilizer Board Act and the Regulations.
• A letter of appreciation to be sent to Alhaji Falalu Bello of MBS Merchants Limited for providing free office accomodation for the Association.

F.       EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S REPORT

The Executive Secretary presented his report on activities since the last meeting and  attached detailed 2005 annual report and a write up on FEPSAN.  Members commendated the Executive Secretary for a well articulated and comprehensive report.  They noted that FEPSAN is really making impact and is receiving recognition from many quarters.  They however, observed that a lot more needs to be done to ensure sustainability of the Association.  The following points were raised, discussed and agreed that:-

• There is need to evolve ways on how to stategise the Association and its activities.
• There is need for members to pay their dues and to explore other sources of revenue to sustain the activities of the Association.
• There is need for all members to assist the Secretariat in the publicity of the Association during any oppotunity.
• There is need to be more visible and be  associated with quality – adopt a self regulatory approach to doing business.  Logo of the Association can be used by members on their products as a sign of quality in due course.
• Members will have direct benefit if fertilizer industry is developed because fertilizer accounts for a substantial part of the funds spent on agricultural production.

The Chairman urged members to take serious note of these points and urged them to support the development of the Association as members stand to benifit if the industry thrives and prospers.  Dr. Alkaleri said he can introduce a reputable Public Relations Organisation to assist in the publicity drive of the Association.  The Chairman then thanked the Exective Secretary for a very good report.

G.       NEW CONSTITUTION

The Executive Secretary explained that in the final process of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the former constitution had to be reviewed by the new lawyers to conform with the Commission’s requirements.  The new constitution accepted by the CAC for registering the Association was circulated and read by members.  It was subsquently adopted following a motion moved by Alhaji Misbahu Bello and seconded by Alhaji Shehu Garko.

H.       ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

This item was shelved till further notice.  A date will be fixed for the next general meeting and more potential members are to be invited to that meeting.

I.        SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ASSOCIATION.

This item was throughly discussed under the Executive Secretary’s report.

J.        2006 BUDGET

The Executive Secretary presented a budget proposal for 2006.  The summary of which was as follows:-

– Expected Revenue           –          N15,750,000.00

– Expected Expenditure     –          N10,666,000.00

– Expected Surplus            –          N  5,084,000.00

and the following limits of allowances:-

• Hotel accommodation @ N7,000.00 per night.
• Perdium for meals & incidentals @ N3,000.00 per day.
• Kilometer allowance @ N20.00 per km using personal vehicle or @ N5.00 per km public transport.

After thorough discussions of the details presented by the Executive Secretary, the meeting approved the Budget as proposed and urged the Secretariat to work hard to realize the budget and ensure prudence in expenditure.  Members were equally urged to honour their obligations/commitments to ensure full realization of the budget and sustainability of the Association.

K.        REFUND OF MONEY SPENT BY EXECUTIVE SECRETARY.

The Executive Secretary briefed the meeting that he had been financing the expenses of the Association since January 2005 because the account of the Association was not operational due to lack of registration, and that the Chairman could not continue to provide the cash as earlier agreed due to logistics, distance and other reasons.

The Executive Secretary reported that with registration Certificate made available to the Bank (Habib Nigeria Bank) the account is now operational.  There is a balance of N3,424,928.76 in the account as at 28^th February 2006.  The money spent by the Executive Secretary as at 28^th February 2006 amounted to N3,012,886.00.  He therefore requested for reimbursement.

The meeting after some discussions on the matter, agreed with the submission, but in the absence of the detailed vouchers/documents and time constraint, advised the Executive Secretary to meet the substantive Chairman with all the detailed documentation of the expenditure for consideration and approval for reimbursement.

L.        RECOVERY OF LEGAL FEES FROM AHMED UWAIS & CO.

This matter was treated under matters arising.  The amount (N100,000.00) is to be considered as additional costs for the registration of the Association and the matter closed once and for all.

M.       VISIT HONOURABLE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

This activity was shelved because the Honourable Minister though he accepted to meet the association, had to go on an urgent Presidential assignment to Borno State.  The visit is to be arranged later.

N.        OTHER BUSINESS.

1.   Dr. Umaru Alkaleri informed the meeting that though DAMINA Project was closed since December 2005, IFDC as an Organization is very much in Nigeria.  IFDC is currently implementing MISTOWA and MIR Projects, and is coordinating the preparations for the Africa Fertilizer summit which is an initiative of NEPAD sponsored by some African countries to be hosted by Nigeria in June 2006.  Already a National Steering Committee, Local Organizing Committee and other Committees have been formed in preparation for the summit.  FEPSAN is represented in some of these committees.  This is to inform FEPSAN to be alert and ready to face the challenges that will come up during and after the summit.  The information was noted and appreciated by the members.

2.   The meeting resolved that a letter of appreciation be sent to Alhaji Falalu Bello (OFR) for his generousity in providing free office accommodation with utilities for the Association.

O.       NEXT MEETING.

Next meeting was proposed for Tuesday 11^th April 2006 by 11:00am at the same venue.

P.        ADJOURNMENT.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45pm after a closing prayer led by Eng. Mike Okigbo.

_____________________                                                                  ______________________

Alhaji Sa’idu G. B. Zakari                                                                    Alhaji Ahmed Rabiu Kwa

         Ag. Chairman                                                                                 Executive Secretary

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