Fuel Scarcity Bites Harder, Marketers Blame NNPCL

 IPMAN to sell petrol at N270/litre as supply gap widens, lingers

•NNPC GMD defends subsidy, oil production now 1.52mbpd

As the petrol scarcity across the country continues to linger, oil marketers have accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited of politicising the supply process and making vain promises.

The oil marketers under the aegis of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria claimed they had get fuel, despite the assurances from the Managing Director of the NNPCL Retail, Hubb Stocksman, in December that they would receive direct product supply at the government-regulated price of N148/litre from this month.


“We have yet to see any product supply. Well, the man (Stockman) has been in Nigeria for some time now and is probably beating us to our game. He’s playing politics and we don’t see the situation abating soonest,” the Chairman of Satellite Depot, IPMAN, Akin Akinrinade, told The PUNCH.

The IPMAN official said this as fuel queues worsened on Wednesday.

Akinrinade added that marketers as of last Friday bought products from the depots at between N235-N240 per litre, saying there was no way they would sell products below N270/litre even within the Lagos metropolis.


On what could be the lasting solution to fuel scarcity, he advised the Federal Government to revive the refineries to enable local production.

“The lasting solution is for the refineries to start functioning and we begin local refining,” he said.

Also speaking, the National Operations Controller of IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, told The PUNCH that the removal of fuel subsidy and deregulation was the key to resolving the fuel scarcity menace.

“The permanent solution is to deregulate and remove subsidies. Allow the market to be a free market, where marketers other than the NNPC will be able to bring in products. Since the government said the subsidy would be removed in June, let’s wait and see, but until then, we have to manage,” he told The PUNCH over the phone.

Oil marketers

The Chairman of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Olumide Adeosun, also said the deregulation of the downstream sector would eradicate fuel scarcity.

“Having subsidised PMS for so long, Nigerian institutions now have a diminished capacity to deal with the current local energy crisis. A disruption in any part of the supply chain causes ripple effects and results in queues at stations. As a country, we must begin the process of price deregulation to reduce this inefficient subsidy,” he said.

According to him, if the country wishes to implement a subsidy, it must be in areas targeted to help those it should help such as in agriculture and transportation to reduce food inflation and generate more jobs for Nigerians.

He said, “We must find a way to liberalise supply. We must bring transparency and competition into supply to ensure steadier, more efficient supply at optimum prices. Imported products must compete with locally refined products to find a meeting point between the need for local refining and competitively low but cost-recovered prices for Nigerians for sustainability.

“The exploration, production, refining of crude oil and the distribution of refined products is an international business with ebbs and flows and has specific models, guidelines, rules, and norms designed to protect and sustain consumers of this type of energy and populations impacted by its supply chain. The government and the industry in Nigeria must demonstrably apply this accepted health, safety, environmental protection, and quality norms to be seen to care for its local populations. To cut corners would be irresponsible, unaccountable, and unsustainable.”

Long fuel queues were still seen across Lagos on Wednesday. Some motorists were seen queuing up for N170 per litre of fuel at stations belonging to MOMAN members, but stations belonging to IPMAN members rarely had customers, as those who could afford products sold for N250/litre and above, were seen freely driving in and out of their (IPMAN) stations.

Findings showed that while MOMAN members get fuel directly from NNPCL at a government-deregulated price of N148/litre, IPMAN members patronise private depots where prices are determined by market indices.

The Executive Secretary for the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Olufemi Adewole, had told The PUNCH that just like the NNPCL, its members were on a “recover all” regime, adding that its members faced high costs of renting vessels, illegal fees, lack of forex at Central Bank of Nigeria’s official rate among others, as reasons behind increasing prices of products.

The spokesperson for NNPCL, Garba Deen, could not be reached on his official line for his comment on the lingering fuel crises.


NNPC defends subsidy

Meanwhile, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, Mele Kyari, on Wednesday said the oil firm was comfortable with the policy of the Federal Government on the subsidy of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, despite the trillions of naira being spent subsidising the commodity.

He also announced that Nigeria’s crude oil and condensates production climbed to as high as 1.52 million barrels per day towards the end of December 2022.

Soludo Suspends Tax Payment For Heavy Duty, Slashes Rate For Transport Operators

 The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has approved weekly payments instead of monthly ones, temporarily suspended tax payments for heavy duty, loading, offloading, and commerce, and slashed the tax rate that transport operators must pay.

The State Government, Transportation Operators, and other key stakeholders met at the Dr. Dora Akunyili Women Development Center in Awka to discuss these new rules in the transportation tax system.

Keke operators will now pay N2500 per week or N10,000 per month, Shuttle Bus drivers N3000 per week or N12,000 per month, Mini Truck drivers N3750 per week or N15,000 per month, Okada drivers N1000 per week or N4000 per month, and Taxi drivers N3000 per week or N12,000 per month.

The Governor stated that the meeting was called to inform them that he had heard their complaints about the method of tax collection.

He also stated that he understands the concerns raised regarding rate reduction, mode of payment (daily or weekly), and the issue of multiple taxes.

He assured them that his government is determined to have a progressive tax system because APGA is a party for the common man!

"This Government will protect and promote the common man's interests." To make the system more equitable, we are working on comprehensive tax reform. Tax collection from hawkers, wheelbarrow pushers, and vulcanizers has been prohibited.

"As a progressive government, we are determined to ensure that the poor are not burdened by taxes and that the wealthy pay their fair share. "The truth is that you are paying more than you should," Soludo emphasized.

"I understand what you're going through; I feel and touch it, and that's why we're going all out to declare a total emergency on state roads to alleviate your suffering."

"It is true that the government requires funds!" There is no such thing as a society that has developed without people paying taxes. Last year, Anambra's total tax contribution as revenue was barely N20 billion, which is insufficient for the massive road construction we have begun, let alone other sectors.

"Nobody likes paying taxes, but we've started a tax revolution. Our main challenge is being harassed by touts and being taxed multiple times. "The vast majority of what you pay goes into private pockets and never reaches the government," Soludo explained.

"We called this meeting because some of the things we designed to work aren't working as well as we hoped."

"When we organized open bidding for concessions, we agreed that old prices would remain the same, but operators are complaining about price increases that are not part of the agreement, so it's a major concern," Soludo said.

"We want unions, but only unions of operators." This will be possible once your enumeration is complete. The government will come and supervise your election, after which you will be able to choose your chairman for a specific term.

"We want to do away with professional lifetime unions! A union without a bus, shuttle, or keke Unions must be run by operators, according to Soludo.

The Governor assured that technology will be deployed to collect daily taxes in accordance with their demands, but that it will take some time to be implemented. He claims that this is the only way to avoid returning to the old ways of touts and unions.

He stated that his government is working on developing a progressive, simplified tax system free of multiple taxation as well as deploying technology to completely eliminate taxes.

"We're putting together an implementation enforcement team and a help desk. Send a picture and video evidence if you have any information. We will make it go viral in order to apprehend the perpetrators.

"There will be phone numbers of enforcement agencies provided so that people can communicate and file complaints on whatever challenges they are facing," he said.

Soludo urged transport operators to include waste bins in their vehicles so that passengers could dispose of dirt in the bins, thereby assisting the government in keeping Anambra clean.

Mr. Richard Madiebo, Chairman of the Anambra Internal Revenue Service, revealed that he met with members of the Anambra Transport Union last week and that there were many complaints and ideas.

He stated that the government is a listening government and that stakeholders would interact for the benefit of the state.

Mr. Madiebo revealed that some transport operators complained about rate reductions, others said they wanted to pay on a daily basis, and still others complained about Touts.

He stated that the meeting's purpose is to listen to more people so that adequate feedback can be obtained.

The meeting was attended by Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, Speaker Anambra State House of Assembly, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, Commissioner for Special Duties Sir Paul Nwosu, Commissioner for Information, Engr. Cele Anere, MD Ocha Brigade, Ms Chiamaka Nnake, Commissioner for Budget & Economic Planning, AVM Ben Chiobi (Rtd.), Special Adviser on Security, Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike, Commissioner for Transport, Mr Foster Ihejiofor, Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Okoye, Youth Leader ASATU, Mr. Bob Manuel Udokwu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Entertainment, Mr Fred Agbata, MD ICT, Arc. Mike Okonkwo, Chairman Anambra Urban Regeneration Council amongst others.

Tinubu’s St Paul Aroloya Primary School Never Existed, Plaintiff Tells Court

 A group, under the aegis of the Incorporated Trustees of Advocacy for Social Right Advancement and Development Initiative, ASRADI, on Wednesday, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging that St. Paul Aroloya Primary School, Lagos, which the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu claimed to have attended, was never in existence.

Consequently, the plaintiff, through its team of lawyers led by Mr Chukwunweike Okafor, obtained the permission of the court to file an application for an order of Mandamus to compel the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba, to investigate Tinubu for allegedly lying on oath.

It told the court that the APC flag-bearer also claimed that the school was his alma mater, in documents he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in 1999.

Therefore, ASRADI, in its ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2197/2022, which was granted by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, sought for leave of the court to file an application for an order of judicial review, compelling the IGP to investigate Tinubu in respect of the educational qualification claims he submitted INEC.

The group told the court that the application was necessitated by the repeated refusal by the IGP to investigate a petition it brought against the APC candidate.

According to the Applicant, up till the time the suit was filed, the Respondent (IGP), has “willfully refused to investigate and/or prosecute Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the offence of perjury where he is found culpable”.

It told the court that it had in a letter dated November 1, 2022, which was signed by its Executive Director, Mr Adeolu Oyinlola, urged the IGP to commence investigating its allegation “within two weeks of the receipt of this correspondence, and initiate prosecution if it is established that he swore to an affidavit – knowing full well that what he stated therein was and is false”.

In the letter titled: “Investigation of Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Lying on Oath”, ASRADI, said its findings revealed that the APC presidential candidate “lied on oath in every material particular. As a matter of fact, St. Paul Aroloya (Lagos) has never existed”, it added.

It averred before the court that documents it obtained from the INEC regarding the form CF 001 that Tinubu submitted in aid of his qualification to contest the position of Governor, Lagos State in 1999, listed St. Paul Aroloya (Lagos), Children Home School, Ibadan and University of Chicago as institutions he attended.

The Applicant argued that the non-disclosure by Tinubu in the INEC Form CF 001 of the qualification he got in respect of the primary school he attended after stating that he attended St. Paul Aroloya, Children Home School Ibadan, from 1958 to 1964, was a gap that needed to be investigated, as the said school never existed.

Maintaining that the IGP is under constitutional and statutory obligation/duty to investigate Tinubu for the alleged offence of perjury, the Applicant said it would be in the interest of justice for the court to compel the police to look into the matter.

More so, it told the court that due to the actions and inactions of the police over the matter, Tinubu, “is walking free without answering to his past deeds and is contesting for the presidency of Nigeria with dubious educational qualification claims”.

It is among other things, praying the court to declare that “by virtue of Section 215(1) (a) and 2 of the Constitution and Sections 7(1), 31 and 32 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the IGP is under both constitutional and statutory obligation to investigate Tinubu for the offence of perjury contained in the INEC Form CF 001, sworn to by him on December 20, 1999, regarding his educational qualification”.

It is equally sought an Order of Mandamus compelling the Respondent to investigate the filings made by Tinubu and where he is found culpable be referred to the Attorney General of the Federation for prosecution.

In his ruling, Justice Olajuwon granted the Applicant the leave to file for an order of Mandamus to be issued against the IGP, even as he adjourned the matter till February 16 for a hearing.

Gambia's Vice President, Badara Joof Is Dead

 Fellow #Gambians, it is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing away of my #VicePresident, His Excellency, Badara Alieu Joof. The sad event took place in India after a short illness. May Allah grant him Jannahtul Firdawsi.

Oluremi Tinubu: We Have Tried Muslim-christian, Let Us Try This One Too

 Oluremi, the wife of Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged Nigerians to ‘drive out’ her husband if he’s elected president of Nigeria and fails to perform. 

Mrs Tinubu, currently representing Lagos Central senatorial district at the National Assembly, also asked Nigerians to not be focused on the religious leaning of whoever takes over the presidential seat. 

“Let’s leave religion aside; I am a Christian. Have you ever thought that one day a Christian-Christian candidate would emerge? What would be the reference point?

“We have tried the Muslim-Christian ticket, let us try this one too and after four years if they don’t do well, you can drive them out,” she said on Tuesday in Owerri, Imo.

Mr Tinubu, a former Lagos governor, is among eighteen candidates contesting the February 25 presidential election. 

He would be contesting the seat with other top candidates including Messrs Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (LP), and Rabi’u Kwankwaso (NNPP). 

Speaking at the South-East women’s rally for Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign in Imo, Mrs Tinubu said next month’s election should be about capacity to perform with the fear of God, not religion. 

“When you have a person who fears God, not a person who is a Christian or Catholic or Muslim, but a God-fearing person. When a man who fears God is in power, he will treat you right,” she added. 

Assuring that women would form a large percentage of her husband’s administration, the wife of the APC presidential candidate urged women to continue to rally their support for Mr Tinubu’s candidacy. 

Mrs Tinubu also stressed that the election was about a renewed hope of a country that is safe with investment in entrepreneurship and human capital.

“This is work time for Nigeria. We are not playing games. Women, we will remember you and I can assure you that Asiwaju for sure will remember you.

“So, the Tinubu/Shettima have a big package for our youth. We will sit down and work with every region on their needs,” she said.

I don't know these ladies: Dino Malaye Threatens To Sue Gistlovers

 I will sue you this time. Will locate you. I dont know any of these ladies. Agent of APC. You will not get away with your lies and unfounded story this time. Yiu just dialed the wrong number. Apologize within 24 hours or face the consequences.

BBC Apologises After Sex Noise Was Heard In The Studio During A Live FA Cup

 BBC release statement after on-air sex noises sabotage FA Cup coverage

On-air sex noises disrupted the BBC's pre-match coverage ahead of an FA Cup replay between Liverpool and Wolves, with a prankster claiming credit for the incident.

The BBC's press office has issued a statement after sex noises were heard on air during a live broadcast.

The noises were heard during the pre-match build up ahead of Liverpool's FA Cup third-round replay victory over Wolves at Molineux. Presenter Gary Lineker was left red-faced by the incident, which appeared to be the result of a phone taped to the back of the studio set.

Lineker himself described it as a "quite amusing" sabotage, while a prankster has claimed credit for the act. There was also a quick response from the BBC, too, with a statement put out during the half-time break.

"We apologise to any viewers offended during the live coverage of the football this evening," a statement from a spokesperson read. "We are investigating how this happened."

Co-commentator Alan Shearer had joked that the phone belonged to studio pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy. "The floodlights going off, Danny Murphy's phone going off in the studio; what else can happen?" he quipped.

YouTuber Daniel 'Jarvo' Jarvis claimed to be behind the prank, live streaming the whole episode. "Here we are, we have set up a phone with a loud sex noise in the BBC studio at the Wolves versus Liverpool FA Cup replay," he said on the stream.