NEWS
Fuel Scarcity Persists As FG Halts Dangote’s Direct Sale To Marketers
Fuel queues in parts of Lagos and other states continue to expand due to a significant shortfall in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
Numerous filling stations across the city have been without fuel for weeks, placing immense pressure on the few stations still providing fuel.
The situation has worsened traffic, as many motorists occupy multiple lanes while waiting for petrol.
Several fuel marketers, speaking anonymously to Daily Sun, reported that fuel distribution from Dangote is insufficient to meet local demand.
This claim aligns with an earlier statement from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
On September 15, when the Dangote refinery began supplying PMS to domestic marketers, NNPCL confirmed that 16.8 million litres of petrol were loaded from the refinery—well below the 25 million litres per day that the refinery initially promised to supply NNPCL.
“I can confirm that Dangote’s daily output is less than 15 million litres, which is far short of the 40 million litres required domestically,” a source said.
NNPCL has continued to import petrol to address the deficit, but queues are likely to worsen in the coming weeks unless imports are significantly increased to offset the shortfall from the Dangote refinery.
As of Wednesday, a vessel carrying petrol imported by NNPCL had arrived at the Atlas Cove depot. However, the distribution will be limited.
“My company is only getting 2,000 metric tonnes, which translates to a mere 150 trucks. Yesterday, we didn’t even load 10 trucks,” a marketer revealed.
Meanwhile, Daily Sun learned that a directive from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, for Dangote to sell directly to registered marketers has been delayed.
A source familiar with Tuesday’s meeting between Dangote and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) stated that NNPCL will continue its role as the sole offtaker until the existing agreement with Dangote is terminated.
At an IPMAN National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja yesterday, it was announced that the pricing dispute between NNPCL and IPMAN had been resolved.
IPMAN’s National President, Mr. Abubakar Garima, had earlier criticized NNPCL for selling petrol to marketers at N1,010 per litre in Lagos—much higher than what NNPCL paid to acquire it from Dangote.
“I am pleased to inform you that during the NEC meeting, it was confirmed that NNPCL and IPMAN have agreed on a new price of N995 per litre,” Garima announced.
NEWS
Drug Trafficking: This Is A Direct Attack On The NDLEA – HURIWA Reacts To Senator’s Corruption Allegation
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has reacted to a corruption allegation levelled against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) by Kwara South Senator, Oyelola Yisa Ashiru.
Ashiru had claimed that the drug agency was the most corrupt and compromised government agency in Nigeria.
He alleged that there was a high rate of drug trafficking going on in the country because of the corruption within the agency.
However, HURIWA has stated that the politician’s stand could be politically motivated since he failed to back his claims with tangible and traceable evidence.
They argued that the lawmaker’s claim may be a figment of his imagination.
The Association wondered why those elected to lead and represent the people could be speaking on serious and sensitive issues without control.
Speaking on Wednesday during a press conference, the group called for an urgent investigation into the senator’s claims, insisting that the issue should not be swept under the carpet.
HURIWA said, “We find it alarming that a lawmaker would make such a ‘reckless’ and generalized allegation against one of Nigeria’s agencies (without any evidence).
“We at HURIWA suspect that the introduction of this bill is a game plan orchestrated by certain forces who are unhappy with the current NDLEA leadership’s determination to intensify the drug war.
“The NDLEA already has departments dedicated to drug awareness and rehabilitation.
“The proposal to create another agency with similar functions would only serve to weaken the NDLEA’s capacity and could be seen as a deliberate attempt to destabilize its operations.
“This bill is not just redundant; it is a direct attack on the NDLEA. The NDLEA’s public awareness programs and rehabilitation efforts are already effective, so there is no need for another agency. The only thing this bill will achieve is to divide resources and energy, ultimately weakening the fight against drug barons.”
President Bola Tinubu has expressed grieve over the death of 105 people in the petrol tanker explosion that occurred on Tuesday in Majia town, Jigawa State.
Naija News reports that Tinubu, in a statement through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, to lead a high-level delegation to Jigawa state to console the residents.
He said the delegation, while in Jigawa, would visit the incident scene to assess the situation and visit injured persons in the hospital.
Tinubu prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved families and the peaceful repose for the souls of the departed.
He also reassured the nation that the Federal Government, in collaboration with states, is committed to the swift and comprehensive review of fuel transportation safety protocols nationwide.
The statement reads, “President Bola Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to lead a Federal Government delegation to Jigawa in response to Tuesday night inferno in Majia town, which claimed over 100 lives.
“The government delegation will comprise the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali; Corps Marshall of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Shehu Mohammed; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North West), Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai.
“President Tinubu further directs that emergency aid, including medical supplies, food, and shelter, be extended to the 50 victims receiving treatment and others affected by the fire.
“The President, with a heavy heart, joins the Vice President in extending his deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this devastating incident.
“He expresses his heartfelt prayers and support to the government and people of Jigawa during this time of tragic loss and grief.
“He restates his directive to the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) to strengthen night travel measures, such as increased patrols, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, and other highway safety mechanisms.
“He said those found responsible for breaches of safety standards will be held accountable, reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring such incidents do not recur.”
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, announced that the minimum wage for civil servants in the state is ₦85,000.
Sanwo-Olu spoke on Wednesday during an interview with Channels Television.
He said, “I’m glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we have discussed with our union, is ₦85,000 today.
“It is not a competition. I am not going to say that we are paying more than some people, it is a function of affordability and capacity.
“We know too well that when people live in Lagos, Lagos has a premium in terms of the cost of living. We are fully aware.
“We also increased our salary earlier in the year. I will want to come back in January and say that I have been able to increase the minimum wage of Lagos to ₦100,000, not because I want to make anybody look bad, but because I want my people to have a living wage.”
Naija News understands that the Federal Government early in the year had approved ₦70,000 for civil servants after negotiation with organised labour, which consists of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other affiliate unions.
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