SERAP to Tinubu: Publish spending details of N400bn fuel subsidy savings – Newstrends
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SERAP to Tinubu: Publish spending details of N400bn fuel subsidy savings

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

SERAP to Tinubu: Publish spending details of N400bn fuel subsidy savings

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use his good offices and leadership position to “urgently publish details of spending of about N400bn so far saved as a result of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol.”

SERAP urged him to “provide details of the plans on how subsequent savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol, including specific projects on which the funds would be spent, and the mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure that any such savings are not embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.”

According to reports, the Federal Government has saved N400bn within the four weeks following the implementation of the policy on the removal of payment of subsidy on petrol.

In the letter dated 1 July 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Your government has a legal responsibility to ensure that the savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol are spent solely for the benefit of the 137 million poor Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the removal.”

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SERAP said, “Prevention of corruption in the spending of savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol and preventing and addressing the challenges caused by the removal are serious and legitimate public interests.”

According to SERAP, “Nigerians have the right to know how the savings are spent. Publishing the details of the spending of the savings would promote transparency, accountability, and reduce the risks of corruption in the spending of the funds.”

The letter, read in part: “SERAP is concerned that the savings from subsidy removal may be embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.”

“Opacity in the spending of the savings from subsidy removal would have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens and the public interest.”

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“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“Unless the government is transparent and accountable to Nigerians in how it spends the savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol, the removal will continue to undermine the rights of Nigerians, and increase their vulnerability to poverty and social deprivation.”

“Transparency would ensure that the funds saved from the removal of subsidy are not diverted into private pockets, and increase public trust and confidence that these savings would be used to benefit Nigerians.”

“The implementation of the National Social Safety Net Programme (NASSP) and spending on the programme have been mostly shrouded in secrecy.”

“Publishing the details of the spending of the N400bn and other savings from the removal of subsidy would also ensure that persons with public responsibilities are answerable to the people for the performance of their duties including the management of the funds.”

SERAP to Tinubu: Publish spending details of N400bn fuel subsidy savings

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BREAKING: Explosion rocks Rivers APC secretariat hours to LG election

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BREAKING: Explosion rocks Rivers APC secretariat hours to LG election

There is currently tension in Rivers State as individuals suspected of arson reportedly detonated explosives at the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday morning.

Newstrends reports that the APC is the principal opposition political party in Rivers State.

The state is preparing to hold its local government elections today, Saturday, October 5.

However, just a few hours before the exercise, the secretariat of the APC located in Port Harcourt was reportedly attacked.

According to Leadership, video clips obtained online indicate that the incident, believed to involve dynamite, caused damage to the main gate and the security post of the APC secretariat, as well as to portions of a nearby building.

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In a brief message sent to journalists in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, the chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, attributed the attack on the secretariat to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Okocha wrote: “At the wee hours of Saturday, pro-Fubara civilian soldiers detonated dynamites at our office.

“The second attempt to set it ablaze was foiled as the security at the gate quickly put out the fire.”

The APC had previously declared its intention to abstain from the local government elections scheduled for this Saturday throughout the state.

In a surprising turn of events, the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron, also announced its decision to refrain from participating in the election.

BREAKING: Explosion rocks Rivers APC secretariat hours to LG election

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Internet fraudster, girlfriend burnt to death for refusing to share fraud proceeds with gang members

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Internet fraudster, girlfriend burnt to death for refusing to share fraud proceeds with gang members

In a shocking incident in Kasoa, Ghana, a 22-year-old man named Kwabena Osei and his 19-year-old girlfriend have tragically lost their lives after being set ablaze by friends over GHS 190,000 allegedly made from internet fraud.

According to a report by GhPage, Osei, an alleged member of a gang of internet fraudsters, was targeted after he refused to share the substantial spoils with his associates. Friends of Osei had repeatedly confronted him, urging him to reconsider his decision to keep the money for himself. However, their appeals went unheeded, escalating tensions within the group.

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In a desperate act, Osei’s friends allegedly doused his residence with petrol and ignited the flames, resulting in the complete destruction of the property. Sadly, his girlfriend, identified as Princess, was present at the time and also succumbed to the fire.

Sources told GhPage that Princess was also involved in the fraudulent activities, allegedly serving as the voice of a supposed white lady to facilitate calls on behalf of Osei and his gang.

 

Internet fraudster, girlfriend burnt to death for refusing to share fraud proceeds with gang members

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Students count losses as flood wreaks havoc in UI hostels

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University of Ibadan

Students count losses as flood wreaks havoc in UI hostels

Flood has reportedly wrecked havoc in some of the hostels at the University of Ibadan (UI).

Newstrends gathered that the affected hall of residence is Awo Hostel where about 16 rooms in the underground floor were completely submerged with students’ properties floating on water.

Documents, books, foodstuff and other valuable properties of the students were said to have been destroyed.

One of the affected students, who pleaded anonymity said: “This is the third time everywhere is getting flooded but the first time our rooms are getting flooded like this.

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“Peoples’ foodstuff,, documents and properties, especially those that went to exam and are not around were destroyed. Someone even left her laptop on the floor charging and she went out.”

Videos showed some of the students who are around in the hostel struggled to save some of their properties, many of which could be seen floating on the water inside their rooms.

The videos showed that the floods took over students’ rooms, toilets, kitchens and all the entrances to their hostel.

A female student could be heard lamenting that the flood took over her room, destroying everything she has including the ones in her cupboard, her bed, and that she has been unable to go out and buy what she wants to eat.

Effort to reach spokesperson of the institution for reaction proved abortive as call put to her phone was not going.

Students count losses as flood wrecks havoc in UI hostel

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