Supporters of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress have called for a demonstration in Abuja on Monday.
Billed to defend the mandate of the party’s leader and president-elect, Bola Tinubu, the protesters said the failure or refusal to congratulate a new Nigerian leader could continue to fuel doubts over his mandate.
Suleiman Raji, one of the organisers who said he came in from Ilorin to attend the protest, said it was to condemn those who have been silent because their action or inaction could put Mr Tinubu’s mandate in jeopardy.
“They are refusing to congratulate him and that is why we keep seeing people coming with all manner of attacks on the president-elect,” Mr Raji said on Monday morning.
“It is very wrong because he was elected by Nigerians in a free and fair campaign.”John Onaiyekan, a frontline Christian leader in Nigeria, President Joe Biden of the United States and several other religious and political leaders in Nigeria and beyond appeared to have withheld congratulatory messages to Mr Tinubu.
Mr Tinubu was declared winner of Nigeria’s February 25, 2023, presidential election in a race that pitted him against three formidable challengers.
Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party came second, while Peter Obi of the Labour Party came third. Both politicians are now challenging Mr Tinubu’s emergence as president-elect, alleging Mr Tinubu’s ineligibility and irregularities in the conduct of the exercise.
While Mr Onaiyekan has publicly disclosed his reasons for withholding any messages to Mr Tinubu, Mr Biden’s office has yet to state any grounds for its decision.
Although the U.S. State Department congratulated Mr Tinubu, the president-elect’s supporters said a message from the White House would remove any doubts about the U.S. leader’s acceptance of the new Nigerian leader.
In 2015, President Barack Obama congratulated Muhammadu Buhari on his election in that year’s election.
“We have to defend the mandate freely given to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu because it is the right thing to do,” another protester Sherifat Yusuf said.
“We cannot sit down and allow them to rob us of a mandate that was freely given to Asiwaju.”
The protesters said they would make their demands regularly until Mr Tinubu is sworn in on May 29.
“Their silence is very loud at this sensitive period because people out there are thinking that something bad may happen to this new government,” Ms Yusuf said while on her way to the Unity Fountain venue of the rally.
“We have to show support to Asiwaju until he is successfully sworn in as president to take our country to the next level.”
The Abuja Electricity Distribution (AEDC) has announced there will be power interruption in parts of Abuja due to annual maintenance on its 2X15MVA B52 injection substation on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
AEDC management, in a statement in Abuja, said that the entire Wuse II, Aminu Kano Crescent, Kumasi, Libreville, Buchanan Crescent, Agadez Street, Parakou Crescent, FCDA Quarters would be affected by the outrage.Other areas are the FERMA headquarters, NEMSA office, Dar-Es-Salam Street, Lingu Crescent and environs.
Similarly, the company said 132kV Gwagwalada-Apo Line 1 in Abuja would be out of supply to enable the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to carry out maintenance on the line between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday.”
Areas and customers to be affected include Games Village, National Stadium, Eye Clinic, Galadimawa, Suncity Estate, Kabusa Gardens, Human Rights Radio, parts of Lokogoma, Trade More Estate (Lugbe), Aco Estate, Aso Estate, Lugbe Across, Railway Station, Karmajiji, Kuchigoro Villages, EFCC, Coca-Cola, Utako District, and Wuye District,” the electricity company said.
AEDC added;
While we regret the inconvenience, please be assured that it is intended to ensure better service delivery.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the new ECOWAS Commission Headquarters has been performed in Abuja.
The event took place at the commencement of the 62nd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in the Nigeria’s capital city.
The new headquarters project consists of a set of office buildings, comprising a central wing of ground floor plus 9 floors, framed by an east wing and a west wing (ground floor plus 7 floors) with a conference centre (ground floor plus 1 floor) and other buildings for maintenance, sports, care and bank.
The project, which is being financed by the Chinese Government through ChinaAid is expected to be delivered in 26 months.
In his opening address at the commissioning, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Alieu Omar Touray said the present activities of the ECOWAS Commission are being carried out in three seperate buildings across Abuja, Nigeria, and as such the need for a new secretariat that would accommodate all its staff in one location towards increasing productivity and efficiency.
He thanked the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for giving the land covering an area of seven hectares in the Institutions and Research Area located along the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport road for the building project.
Touray added that in July 2019, the ECOWAS Commission signed an implementation agreement with the Chinese Government who provided technical and financial support for the construction of the headquarters whose groundbreaking ceremony is being held, and praised the Heads of State and Government across the region for the cooperation and support towards the project and promised to ensure the completion of the project within the timeline proposed.
The Chinese Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS, Cui Jianchun said the government of China is keen on expanding diplomatic relations with Africa through support for construction projects like the new ECOWAS Commission heaquarters.
He said that new ECOWAS headquarters is the second interregional building to be sponsored by the Chinese government after the AU Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa.
He highlighted the principle of sincerity, real results and mutual partnerships which form the fulcrum of China’s strategy in Africa towards commitment to great good and common interests.
He however stated that these buildings demonstrate China’s sincere determination to support the unity, peace and development of the African region along her efforts to promote the Belt and Road Initiative to support Africa’s infrastructure development programme.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the host of the 62rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government,in a brief remark, said it is a great day for ECOWAS-China partnership after the signing of the implementation agreement for the construction of the new ECOWAS Commission Headquarters.
He said the construction of the building represent China’s commitment to West Africa’s sub-regional bloc and an evidence of a strong and mutual cooperation between Africa and China, adding that the new complex represent the unity and brotherhood of ECOWAS Member States and signifies a re-commitment to regional integration and development of the countries in the sub-region.
He thanked the Chinese Government for their technical and financial support for the building of a modern and befitting complex to house the ECOWAS Commission, and also praised the previous and current management of the ECOWAS Commission for working in collaboration with Nigeria and China towards the realization of the project.
The Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, said it is an honour to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the new ECOWAS Commission headquarters.
He thanked the Governments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Peoples Republic of China for their contribution towards the realization of the building complex.
He said the new and modern headquarters will enable the staff of the ECOWAS Commission perform their duties better and provide a suitable working environment.
The United States government on Thursday October 27, ordered its non-emergency diplomatic staff and their families to leave Abuja.
The US Consulate in Nigeria cited “heightened risk of terrorist attacks” as reason for the directive in its latest travel advisory.
The US State Department did not specify the threat, but its country summary for Nigeria warns that “terrorists may attack with little or no warning,” targeting malls, markets, hotels, restaurants, bars or schools.
It read;
“The Travel Advisory for Nigeria has been updated due to a heightened risk of terrorist attacks in Abuja.
“We recommend U.S. citizens do not travel to Abuja at this time.
“In addition, on October 27, 2022, the Department ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees from Abuja due to heightened risk of terrorist attacks, following on the October 25 authorization of departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members from Abuja due to heightened risk of terrorist attacks.
“U.S. citizens should consider departing Abuja using available commercial options. U.S. citizens who wish to depart but are unable to secure commercial options to do so can contact the U.S. Consulate in Lagos at LagosFM@state.gov for assistance.
“The U.S. Embassy Abuja is only able to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Abuja. The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. U.S. Citizens in Nigeria who require assistance should contact LagosACS@state.gov or +234 1 460 3410.”
A popular shopping outlet in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jabi Lake Mall has been temporarily closed.
The development comes after some foreign missions in Nigeria issued separate security advisories warning of likely terror attacks in Abuja.
The United States Embassy, British High Commission and three other foreign missions issued a warning notice to their citizens to avoid non-essential trips to FCT.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 27, 2022, the management of the shopping outlet said the decision was taken in the overall interest of the safety of all its staff and customers.
“Jabi Lake Mall will be closed today, Thursday, 27 October 2022. This decision has been taken in the overall interest of the safety of all staff and customers of the mall,” the statement read.
“Centre Management is committed to minimising any disruptions; however, the safety of our staff and shoppers remains our highest priority. Management is constantly reviewing the security situation in consultation with relevant security authorities and will inform you when the mall will be re-opened.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope to provide you with a quality shopping experience soon. Thank you”
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has appealed to residents to remain calm following the security alerts issued by the UK and US embassies.
Muhammad Sule, Director of Information and Communication of the FCTA in a statement released after a security meeting convened by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Bello, said measures have been taken to sustain the current state of security and prevent any breach.
The statement read;
“As part of proactive measures, the minister of the federal capital territory, Malam Muhammad Bello, convened an emergency security meeting where issues concerning the security alert given by some embassies in Abuja to their citizens were exhaustively discussed and measures taken to sustain the current state of security and prevent any breach.
“The minister, during the meeting, charged the security agencies to do all within their powers to protect FCT residents from being harmed by criminals and other unscrupulous elements.
“The administration has not authorised the closure of any school; accordingly, the schools that have closed should, therefore, reopen forthwith.”
Residents and visitors to the FCT were asked to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear as security agencies are working to ensure their safety.
Residents were also urged to cooperate at all times with the security agencies by volunteering useful and timely information that would assist in nipping any form of criminality in the bud.
The Nigeria Police Force has reassured Nigerians and all other residents and visitors in the country that it will effectively review the United States of America Embassy in Abuja’s security advisory which was issued, widely circulated, and published by the media on October 23rd, 2022, indicating an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, particularly in the capital city of Abuja.
Both the UK and the US embassies released security advice to their nationals in Nigeria, warning them of a possible terrorist attack in Nigeria, especially the FCT.
A statement released by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, says a review of the advisory is necessary due to the fact that Police, as the lead agency in internal security, will not take any threat intelligence, either actionable or not, for granted; thus, there is no cause for alarm as all hands are on deck to collectively nip threats in the bud.
”The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc, CFR, has however ordered the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, heads of tactical squads domiciled in the FCT, and other State Command CPs to restrategize security management within their jurisdictions, as the Force Headquarters will continually avail them with required support, logistics, and deployments necessary for providing safety to all and sundry in Nigeria.
While the NPF will continually work with other security agencies to make every part of Nigeria safe, especially the FCT.
In furtherance of his zeal and strategies to decimate activities of non-state actors and other criminal elements in the FCT and other parts of the country, and to analyze and de-escalate threats gathered from various intelligence at the Force’s disposal, U.S advisory inclusive, the IGP has announced the immediate commencement of a Counter Terrorism Incident Simulation Exercise codenamed “Operation Darkin Gaggawa” will hold within the Force Headquarters and the Police Officers Wives Association School opposite the Force Headquarters, Abuja, between Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th October, 2022.
The exercise will involve diversion of traffic, use of blank ammunition, and other operational manpower and assets, and is designed to improve interoperability and synergy between different Units and Formations of the Force in response to terrorist incidents and other violent crimes. The NPF thereby urges the general public not to panic at the sounds of explosives and gunshots during the exercise.” the statement in part reads
The United States embassy in Nigeria has warned Americans in Nigeria to be cautious of their movement in response to elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja.
In a security alert issued today October 23, the US embassy advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel or movement, stay alert and avoid crowds.
The security alert in part reads
“There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations.
The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice.
Actions to Take: Avoid all non-essential travel or movement. Stay alert. Avoid crowds.Review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency. Carry proper identification.”
Several attacks including the attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre as well as the one on the Presidential Guards Brigade in Abuja, have been recorded in recent times.
Operatives of the Department of State Service DSS have arrested a soldier identified simply as Nafiu and attached to the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Tungan Maje, Federal Capital Territory, for allegedly hiring out and selling guns to kidnappers.
The soldier was arrested last week at Dankogi Park, Zuba, with the support of members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in the area.
According to sources at the DSS, the soldier allegedly hires guns to kidnappers for N200,000 or N300,000.
He was reportedly arrested after some kidnappers, who were arrested, implicated him.
“They were asked to contact him for another deal to supply them with AK-47 rifles for N3m and he agreed.
But he was arrested by operatives of the DSS with a fully loaded AK-47 rifle which he was about to exchange for N3m at the location where the transaction was supposed to take place in Zuba” a source told Punch.
Some parts of the country including Lagos and Abuja have been thrown into total blackout as the national grid collapsed again today September 26.
This will be the 6th time it will be collapsing this year The last national system collapse was recorded on the 13th of June 2022.
In a notice to its customers, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC, EEDC, said
“The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) wishes to inform her esteemed customers of a system collapse which occurred at 10:51am today, 26th September,2022.
This has resulted to the loss of supply currently being perienced across the network.Due to this development, all our interface TCN stations are out of supply, and we are unable to provide service to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States.
We are on standby awaiting detailed information of the collapse and restoration of supply from the National Control Centre (NCC), Osogbo”, the statement by Emeka Ezeh, Head, Corporate Communications, stated.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, which manages the grid is yet to give reasons for the latest collapse as at the time of filing in this report.
An impostor, one Obiako Chukwuemeka pretending to be a medical doctor working with the United Nations as a humanitarian aid at the National Hospital, Abuja has been uncovered and handed over to the police.
An impeccable source within the Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed to our correspondent that Chukwuemeka whose origin and age are yet unknown, has since been detained pending his arraignment.
The source said,
“The National Hospital Abuja, handed over a fake doctor, one Obiako Chukwuemeka who disguised as a UN doctor on humanitarian aid, to the police at Central Police Station on Thursday.“He is currently in our custody, and will soon be charged to court.”
This comes about a week after the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, accused visitors from neighbouring states, traders, and beggars of being behind the security breaches witnessed in Abuja, adding that his administration would send them packing.
“The Security agencies in the FCT have up their game. People who have no business being here, are being sent away. Some of them come under different guises such as begging, street trading, among others.
They usually come from neighbouring states and are causing security breaches here. That is why we have decided to send them out.”
Bello said in a statement on Friday, August 26, 2022.The FCT Police Commissioner, Sunday Babaji, has also said the G-7 Joint Security Operation that was being revived had received the support of sister security agencies as well as the Commissioners of Police in the member-states, who had all agreed on the need to collectively flush-out these criminals.
He revealed that the security agencies have gathered useful and actionable intelligence and would soon go after all criminals within its jurisdiction.
The body of a yet-to-be-identified 11-year-old boy was found hanging in his family compound at the Federal Housing Estate, Kubwa, in Abuja over the weekend.
The father of the deceased, Umar Yahaya told DailyTrust that he and the mother of the deceased boy were not at home when the incident happened.
It was their neighbours who found their son who is an SS2 student dangling from an overhead tank.
“I travelled out of Abuja, while the boy’s mother was at the City Centre, where she went to condole with a relative.
Our neighbours found him hanging around this overhead tank, and immediately rushed him to Kubwa General Hospital where he was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty”
Yahaya said According to neighbours, the boy had a misunderstanding with his elder sister for beating their younger sibling while their parents were away.
“He may have been annoyed by that, and thereafter tied his neck with a rope used for hanging clothes inside the compound.
He was found dangling, with the rope around his neck” one of the neighbours said the matter has been reported to the police while his body has been evacuated from the scene of the incident.
Some residents of Durumi 3, Gaduwa area of Abuja have been rendered homeless after the Federal Capital Territory Administration demolished their houses.
The joy of an Abuja-based family became tears after the death of their newborn baby at the Kubwa General Hospital, Abuja, due to alleged negligence.
It was gathered that the baby died after the nurse on duty allegedly refused to attend to the mother, Mrs Blessing Okwor, when she arrived at the hospital.Okwor said she got to the hospital around 4pm and the nurse checked her but said she was only two-centimetre dilated and needed to be 10cm before she could put to bed.
“She asked me to go home and return at 10pm. When it was 10pm, we came back but she didn’t touch me. She said I wasn’t close to giving birth. Again, she asked me to go back and come in four hours.“When we returned four hours later, she touched my tummy while I was still standing. She said I was not ready to give birth and that I should come back in another four hours. Then I left the hospital.
“When my water broke around 2.36am, I was taken back to the hospital. I told her that my water had broken and I was vomiting. I told her I was tired and losing strength. She didn’t touch me; she said I should go and I wasn’t close to giving birth.
“I told her I couldn’t walk again. She asked me to lie on a bed in the delivery room. She didn’t touch me, everywhere was open and mosquitoes were many.
“Nobody was with me; I had to stand to go outside to meet my husband and sister that went with me to the hospital. My husband asked them to give me a bed but they refused because I was not their patient; then we left,” she added.
The woman said shortly after she got home, her condition became critical and she was rushed back to the hospital.
“This was around 6am the next day. She asked me to lie down but nobody attended to me until another nurse asked her to assist me. That was when she came to me and noticed that I was due.
“She was standing and asking me to push. I pushed once; she didn’t ask me to push again as she used scissors to cut me.
Another nurse told her she would have allowed me to push at least five times before cutting me.“The other nurse and another cleaner helped me to push and my baby came out,” she added.
The baby was said to have died around 2am on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.Okwor, who fought back tears while speaking to our correspondent, said she had yet to recover from the shock of her baby’s death.
She said, “When the baby came out, the next thing I heard was that the baby pooed inside me and drank dirty water.
They placed him on oxygen and were treating him but I was complaining that if she (the nurse) had attended to me when I came, this wouldn’t have happened. She then said it’s not her fault that my baby didn’t make it.”
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Muideen Lasisi, while sympathising with the woman, said only God determines what happens during childbirth.He said,
“The word medical negligence is what you feel should have been done and they didn’t do but there are two sides to it. Not even two sides in the context of how you are seeing it; the two sides in the context of the person that is alleging, so the person has to be very specific about what exactly she’s talking about.
“These two sides are conflict-prone because what you think is right might actually be right to other people and the judgment of what is wrong is not a public judgment and it has to be professional judgment by people that do such a thing.”When asked why the nurse cut Okwor after the first push, Lasisi said,
“Madam, I am telling you that these things are medical procedures. How they do it is training, people are trained to do it. If they need to cut, they’ll cut, if they don’t need to cut, they’ll leave it.
Cutting during delivery is a normal process; it’s part of the process of delivery, especially for people giving birth for the first time.”
It also said that the Islamic terrorists had declared war against Christians in Nigeria, saying that was why they attacked the Kuje Correctional Centre and released some of their fighters to sustain the attack.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has raised the alarm over planned attacks by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on selected targets in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It also said that the Islamic terrorists had declared war against Christians in Nigeria, saying that was why they attacked the Kuje Correctional Centre and released some of their fighters to sustain the attack.
NSCDC disclosed this in letter with Ref: No; NSCDC/CMDT/FCT/INT/VOL.X/188 addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration and was by FCT Commandant, Peter Maigari. Â The letter obtained by Leadership which SaharaReporters sighted on Sunday, was dated July 8, 2022, and titled: “Security Alert: Renewed Threat Of Attack By ISWAP Terrorist On Targets within The FCT”. The letter reads, “Certified intelligence reveals that members of the decimated terrorist group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have concluded plans to launch more coordinated and spontaneous attacks on selected targets within the federal Capital Territory (FCT) and had declared war against Christians in Nigeria. “Intelligence abounds that ISWAP terrorist group has claimed responsibilities of the Tuesday 5th of July, 2022 attack on Kuje medium security custodial centre, releasing their adherent members.
“The foregoing is to enable them hibernate in targeted communities (FCT) and re-strategize for further terrorist activities, especially on soft targets to keep the agenda of the group alive to the public. Â “Comment: Taking into consideration the recent terrorist attack on Kuje medium security custodial centre for good two hours without any security resistance indicated their readiness to carry out more coordinated attacks in selected cities/towns, security formations, schools, and worship centres in FCT, hence the released of their members for more formidable squad to achieved their dastardly act.
“Recommendation: Against this backdrop, it is advised that counter measures be emplaced, and there is need to review existing security measures around such targets and other sensitive facilities with security formations, in FCT to frustrate the planned attack. “This report is submitted for your information and necessary action sir.”
Last Tuesday, ISWAP terrorists attacked Mike Correctional Centre, freeing hundreds of inmates, including Jihadists held at the prison facility.Â
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, Babaji Sunday, alongside a representative of the State Security Service, addressed over 150 chairmen of commercial motorcyclists’ units and associations across Abuja during a meeting held at the Command’s Headquarters, on Tuesday.
In a press statement by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Omotayo Oduniyi, said the CP charged the commercial motorcyclists to turn a new leaf, work in synergy with the police to fish out the bad eggs among them, obey traffic rules and eschew the habit of resorting to violence at the slightest provocation.
The statement read, “The recent spate of the outbreak of violence largely traceable to commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, has become a menace occasionally playing out as self-help in obtaining justice known as jungle justice, vandalization of government and private properties, and sundry antisocial behaviours demanding an immediate redress.
“CP Babaji warned that, forthwith, sanctions according to the rule of law will be meted on erring persons.
“During the meeting, some of the chairmen in attendance, who spoke on behalf of the commercial motorcyclists, promised to play by laid down rules.
“The CP, however, reassures the good people of the Territory of the Command’s unflinching commitment to rid the Territory of criminal elements and bring crime and criminality to the barest minimum.
“Members of the public are, therefore, urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police.”
Fuel queues hit major cities of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun on Monday, forcing motorists to spend hours at filling stations.
In Lagos and Ogun states, The PUNCH witnessed long queues at several filling stations such as Mobil, Capital, Fatgbems, Enyo, TotalEnergies and NNPC.
Though there were products at these filling stations, which also sold at N165/litre, motorists struggled to get gasoline with which to run their economic lives.
There were also queues in states bordering the FCT, including Nasarawa and Niger.
In the Federal Capital Territory, there were long queues at various filling stations such as the NNPC, Mobil, A.A. Rano, AYA Ashafa, Enyo, among others.
Hundreds of motorists besieged the few filling stations that dispensed petrol at various states, spending hours on queues in a bid to buy PMS.
Oil marketers blamed the development on the drop in supply, stating that the demand for petrol was currently higher than what was being provided by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
NNPC is the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria, shouldering this responsibility for more then four years.
Speaking on the development, the President, Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, Billy Gillis-Harry, said, “Lagos is having queues today, Kaduna is almost not having any PMS in its retail outlets.
“So, it is simply a situation of demand overwhelming supply. The supply process is not efficient to be able to meet the demands for products.”
Asked to explain whether there was not enough product, Gillis-Harry replied, “Well, clearly, if there is product, it should be delivered. However, I know the authorities are doing their best to make sure that everyone is monitored and encouraged to sell products at the approved pump price.
“But there are no products in the retail outlets, which is why there will be queues. So, it clearly shows that demand has overwhelmed supply.”
But lastThursday, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority had stated that there were over 32 days sufficiency of petrol by the NNPC.
Also, The PUNCH learnt that the NNPC intentionally cut down supply of products to fuel marketers.
A source familiar with the matter told The PUNCH that marketers, two weeks ago, had a meeting with the marketing arm of the NNPC and the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company, PPMC, where they were quizzed on diversion of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.
According to the source, the supply of products to oil marketers was subsequently reduced due to issues around product diversion.
“We had a meeting with PPMC two weeks ago where we were told that the volume of product we load is too high. So, the NNPC has reduced the volume they give to us,” the source said.
Nigeria consumes an estimated 60 million litres of fuel per day. However, findings showed that by PPMC’s record, marketers loaded as much as 106 million litres per day as of April.
“So, PPMC kept lamenting and asking us where the extra products go. Of course, we all know that they go to neighbouring countries where they are being sold at higher prices. Apart from the fact that diesel price for transporting products is on the high side, fuel is a product highly subsidised by Nigeria, and Nigerians are not allowed to enjoy the benefits,” our source disclosed.
Diesel is a deregulated product. Checks on Monday showed that the product was sold between N780-N820/litre.
“That’s why marketers find it difficult to take products to the North. I don’t know why Lagos is experiencing scarcity. Already, buying and transporting the product to my station is at N170 per litre. So, how much will I sell? That means price has increased itself. If you go to states like Ibadan, Ekiti, Akure, it’s impossible to see the price at N165 because cost of transporting one litre is already N20. So, by the time you take it to states like Ekiti, you already have it at N182,” our source added.
A former chairman, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria and Chairman/CEO, 11 Plc, Tunji Oyebanji, told The PUNCH that the scarcity was temporary.
“As of last week, there were some talks about low stock and suppliers not giving products, but I think it’s a temporary glitch because NNPC told us they have sufficient stock of fuel,” he said.
Fuel sold at N165/ltr in places like Ikorodu, Anthony, Surulere, Ikeja, Festac, Ago and VI in Lagos on Monday, but prices were higher at Isheri and its neighbouring towns.
In a telephone interview with The PUNCH, the National Operations Controller, IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, said the scarcity was no fault of oil marketers.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Akeem Balogun, in a statement on Monday, said that considering the current price, it is impossible for the product to be sold at N180 per litre.
Balogun advised members to sell at a sustainable price within their environment adding that they should ensure that the price is on their pump.
“Distinguish marketers, the Chairman and executives in conjunction with some senior members of our unit, organised a press conference where we explained our predicament with the current price of PMS at private depot. We explained that with the current price, there is no way we can sell less than N180 per litre”
According to him, “On this note, members are hereby advised to sell at a sustainable price within their environment. Just make sure that the price is on your pump. Kindly contact the Secretariat should you have any authority challenging your operations”
Police operatives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arrested six suspected drug peddlers in the city.
The operatives also recovered large quantities of prohibited substances, including dry leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa of different variants like “Loud,” “Arizona,” “Crack” Cocaine, and bottles of Codeine syrup.
The spokesperson for the FCT police command, DSP Josephine Adeh disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, in Abuja.
She said the arrest of the suspects was in line with the command’s crusade against crime and criminality in the FCT.
Adeh said the suspects were arrested during tactical sweep operations following actionable intelligence by the Command’s Anti-Narcotic unit at different blackspots within the city.
“Upon the arrest, the suspects were in possession of large quantities of dry leaves suspected to be Cannabis sativa of different variants like Laud, Arizona, Crack Cocaine, and bottles of Codeine syrup,” she said.
A section of the Federal Secretariat in Abuja was destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening.
Some vehicles parked on the premises of the secretariat were also destroyed by the fire which started at about 5:00 p.m.
However, the cause of the inferno which began at the generator house within the secretariat has not been ascertained.
Personnel from the Federal Fire Service, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service came and other emergency responders were mobilized to the scene to quell the inferno.
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Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
