Fani-Kayode accuses private operators of undermining Port Harcourt Refinery

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has alleged that private operators seeking monopoly in the petroleum refining sector are working to discredit the Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC), which was reopened on Tuesday.

In a post on his X handle, Fani-Kayode said: “It is a pity that some elements in the private sector who are new in the field are doing all they can to undermine and understate this great victory for Nigeria. The oil business is not the same as selling sugar, spaghetti, cement, or rice, and no matter how hard you try, you cannot muscle your way and create a monopoly on the sale of refined products as you did for other commodities over the years.”

Fani-Kayode described the revival of the refinery as one of the most promising developments in Nigeria’s petroleum sector in years, crediting the achievement to President Bola Tinubu and the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC.

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He expressed optimism that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) would continue to grow and, once its other refineries are fully operational, bring relief to Nigerians.

JUST IN: Osun govt to commence payment of N75,000 minimum wage Dec. 1

The Osun State Government will begin payment of a N75,000 minimum wage to civil servants on December 1, 2024, including one month of arrears.

The approval for the implementation was granted at the Exco Lounge in the Governor’s office, Abere, on Friday, in the presence of the Executive arm of the state led by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi and labour leaders led by the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Chris Arapasopo.

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At the signing, Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi disclosed, “We are going to commence payment of N75,000 minimum wage on December 1, 2024, and we will also pay one month arrear.”

“This is part of the commitment of the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke to improve the welfare of workers in the state.

“We raise the bar above the approved minimum wage of the federal government’s N70,000 wage.”

JUST IN: Osun govt to commence payment of N75,000 minimum wage Dec. 1

Terrorism: Court discharges, acquits 50 persons alleged to be IPOB members

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, discharged and acquitted no fewer than 50 persons alleged to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of allegations bordering on terrorism.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the Nigerian Police Force failed, in its entirety, to established a prima facie case against the 50 defendants, including four women.

Justice Omotosho, who upheld the no-case submission of the defendants, said that the prosecution failed to adduce any credible evidence, linking the defendants with the allegations they were charged for.