Fuel scarcity hits Lagos, Kano, and other parts of Nigeria – Newstrends
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Fuel scarcity hits Lagos, Kano, and other parts of Nigeria

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Fuel scarcity hits Lagos, Kano, and other parts of Nigeria

Long queues and fuel scarcity have begun to plague various parts of Nigeria, according to reports.

Across major cities such as Lagos, Kano, and Abuja, it has been observed that most fuel stations are either not dispensing fuel or are experiencing extended queues of vehicles.

In Kano State, commuters feel the pinch as commercial transport fares have surged due to the increased fuel prices. Signs of fuel scarcity started to emerge a few days ago, and it is now evident as many filling stations in Kano State have closed down, causing the pump price to rise.

Only a few filling stations are operational, but they are dealing with long queues. The price of fuel in these operational stations has surged to between N640 and N660 per liter, compared to the initial range of N615 to N620.

Tricycle operators, like Usman Umar, are concerned that they may have to halt their operations because people can hardly afford the elevated transport fares. Aminu Bala, a car owner, has already parked his car and opted for a motorcycle due to the high fuel prices.

Alhaji Gana Girgir, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Kano, explained that many marketers had to close down their operations because of the recent increase in the landing cost of petrol and the surge in diesel prices.

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In Lagos State, many major filling stations in the Ikeja metropolis are not selling fuel due to a supply disruption across the state.

Akin Akinrinade, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) at Ejigbo Satellite Depot, stated that the main depot supplying IPMAN has not been dispensing fuel for close to three months. He cited this as a result of the main supplier’s inactivity and the inability to approach private depots due to their pricing.

Meanwhile, independent oil marketers are requesting that the federal government grant qualified members access to official foreign exchange to import fuel. They argue that this would enable them to compete fairly with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and break its monopoly.

Independent marketers have been operating at a loss at the current government-fixed fuel pump price. The NNPC is currently the sole company importing fuel into the country, even though the government has issued licenses to private companies. Access to the official exchange rate is currently limited for independent marketers, and the insufficient supply of dollars through the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I&E) window is exacerbating the issue. Additionally, freight costs pose a challenge, as the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) require payments in dollars.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) organized a meeting in Abuja to address these issues, seeking input from all relevant stakeholders in the oil industry to ensure fuel availability in the country.

Fuel scarcity hits Lagos, Kano, and other parts of Nigeria

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Pension bill: Police retirees to embark on protest

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Pension bill: Police retirees to embark on protest

The National Union of the Police Retirees, Kaduna State Branch has arranged for what it called a mother of all protest to remain at the National Assembly until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signs the Pension Exit Bill.

The Bill to exit the Nigeria Police from the Contributory Pension Scheme and the bill for the establishment of the Nigeria Police Pension Board, as the police retirees are patiently waiting for, and there is the tendency that, the promise may not be fulfilled, as September is winding up.

This is contained in a press release signed by the chairman of the Police Retirees Kaduna State Chapter, CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria Rtd and the Vice Chairman ASP Danlami Maigamo Rtd and distributed to journalists in Kaduna.

CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria Rtd lamented that the police retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme are dying immensely due to poverty and hunger.

“The union is also pleading that, as the death toll is on the increase among the police retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme and the prices of commodity of any type is also on the increase.”

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He said: “Federal government should come to the aid of the police retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme before they all perish, by immediately paying the following allowances to the police retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme.

“Two point five percent differential, the Federal Government Palliative and three consecutive pension increases by the Federal Government as well as the minimum wage increase.

“During the Police Retirees, Kaduna State Branch monthly meeting held last Wednesday at Police Officers Mess Kaduna. Members became shocked and worried, as there is a sign of unfulfillment of a promise that began to manifest itself because it can be recalled that, on 22/09/24.

“The National Union of the Police Retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme carried out a nationwide peaceful protest to the National Assembly Abuja.

“During the protest, the Chairman of Senate Committee for Police Affairs, Senator Ahmed Abdulkadir Malamadori, addressed some of the retirees in his office, where he promised the retirees that, before September 24, they would be exited from the Contributory Pension Scheme to the Define Benefit Scheme (DBS) that the two Police Bills would be Harmonize.

“Sequel to this, the blood pressure of many concerned police retirees has risen above maximum. Therefore, the Kaduna Branch has unanimously agreed that, if by the end of this September, the Nigeria Police is not exempted from the contributory Pension Scheme,” he said.

Pension bill: Police retirees to embark on protest

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Edo poll: Court gives fresh order on APC candidate Okpebholo

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Senator Monday Okpebholo

Edo poll: Court gives fresh order on APC candidate Okpebholo

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has ordered a judicial review concerning the criminal summons issued against Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming Edo governorship election.

The court’s decision follows an application submitted by Okpebholo’s legal counsel, Adaze Emwanta.

The presiding judge, Justice O.C. Agbaza, delivered a ruling after hearing an ex-parte motion on Wednesday. He agreed to the reliefs sought by Okpebholo’s counsel, setting the next hearing for October 28.

The criminal summons was initially issued by Magistrate Abubakar Mukhtar of Wuse Zone 2, who had ordered Okpebholo to appear in court on September 20.

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The summons stemmed from allegations that the APC candidate provided false information regarding his date of birth on forms submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The case, which was filed by an Edo indigene, Honesty Aginbatse, accused Okpebholo of conflicting dates of birth in his nomination documents. In response, Okpebholo sought intervention from the FCT High Court to prevent the summons from proceeding. His legal team argued that the criminal charge was part of a plot to tarnish his image ahead of the election.

According to Okpebholo’s defense, the issue of his birthdate had already been addressed and resolved at the Supreme Court’s registry through a Deed of Regularisation, which was officially gazetted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria in August. The APC candidate also alleged that the summons was not served to him directly but circulated on social media to damage his reputation on the eve of the election.

Meanwhile, in a separate but related case, the Federal High Court in Abuja is set to rule on a motion filed by the APC seeking to amend its summons in a lawsuit involving INEC, Asue Ighodalo, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Justice Peter Lifu has reserved his judgment on the case, with both the PDP and Ighodalo contesting the jurisdiction of the suit.

The legal battles surrounding Okpebholo continue as the Edo governorship election approaches, raising questions about their impact on the candidate’s campaign.

Edo poll: Court gives fresh order on APC candidate Okpebholo

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JUST IN: Edo declares Friday work-free day for gov election

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JUST IN: Edo declares Friday work-free day for gov election

The Edo government has declared September 20 as a work-free day to facilitate travel for workers and residents ahead of the state’s governorship election.

The election is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, across 18 LGAs in the state.

In a statement, Joseph Eboigbe, secretary to the state government (SSG), assured that adequate security arrangements are in place for a secure and democratic election process.

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“This is to enable workers and other electorates travel to their voting areas ahead of the September 21 governorship election in the State” he said.

“The government wishes everyone journey mercies and reassures that security measures have been provided to ensure a free, fair and credible election.”

JUST IN: Edo declares Friday work-free day for gov election

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