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90 percent of diesel in fuel stations are products of illegal refineries - N’Delta security firm alleges
AFOLABI
Oil companies buy refined Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, from illegal refineries in various host communities in the Niger Delta region, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited allegedly declared on Monday.
It declared this in the presence of international and domestic oil and gas companies at the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week Conference holding in Abuja. This was not contested by the oil firms present at the event.
Tantita is a security company headquartered in Warri, Delta State, focusing on the oil and gas sector, and offers security solutions specifically designed for oil and gas assets. The firm currently offers security services to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Speaking as a panellist at the session titled, “Exploring Nigerian Content Solutions to Meet Energy Demand,” the Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Services, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh said illegal refineries produce diesel in large volumes and their customers include many downstream operators.
He said the outfits get patronage from not just smugglers, but also from oil companies, stressing that the clampdown of these refineries by Tantita and other security agencies was the reason why diesel prices had been on the increase.
“Why is there no scarcity of diesel while there is scarcity of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol)? The story is simple, most of the diesel you buy is produced by the communities.
“About 90 per cent of the diesel in the fuel stations is produced by the communities. It will also interest you to know that even the oil companies patronise the local communities. Don’t let anybody deceive you, they (oil companies) also patronise the local communities,” he declared.
Enisuoh explained that to provide Nigerian content solutions to meet energy demand, concerning infrastructure, “we might need to focus more on the local communities.”
He insisted that if not for the interventions of security agencies such as his firm, the production of diesel illegally would continue to increase.
“The reason why the price of diesel is high today is because of the works of private security companies like my company Tantita Security Services.
“This is because we have been able to somehow cut down on a lot of the businesses of the illegal refineries. This is why you see the cost of diesel going up,” he stated.
On April 10, 2024, The PUNCH reported that NNPC declared that a tugboat conveying suspected illegally refined diesel was apprehended by operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited.
NNPCL had stated that the tugboat was being escorted by a marine police boat in Rivers State before it was arrested by the security outfit, adding that five persons on the boat were currently being interrogated by Tantita.
“On Monday, April 1, 2024, the Tantita Security Services team on patrol pursued and arrested a tugboat – Aya Oba Olori II, which was being escorted by a marine police boat in Rivers State.
“The tugboat was laden with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally refined AGO which was loaded from a barge at Onne dock on March 31. Five persons onboard the tugboat were arrested by Tantita team and are undergoing interrogation,” NNPC had stated.
In another development on the sidelines of the NOG conference, the Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, led Nigeria’s delegation in a meeting with the African Petroleum Regulators Forum.
He said members of the forum, comprising regulators from various countries on the continent, would work together to harness and judiciously utilise the 125 billion barrels of crude oil reserves in Africa.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards fostering a more collaborative, innovative, and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa.
“The establishment of the AFRIPERF signifies our commitment to working together to overcome common challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead so that we can achieve our national aspirations in the development and utilisation of our hydrocarbon resources.
“Currently, Africa holds substantial oil and gas reserves. The continent’s proven oil reserves are estimated to be around 125 billion barrels, representing approximately seven to nine per cent of the world’s total oil reserves, while the proven natural gas reserves are estimated at around 620 trillion cubic feet, which is about seven to eight per cent of the global total (Mondaq),” Komolafe stated.
He noted that aside from hydrocarbon resources, Africa is blessed with potential for green and blue hydrogen, solar, wind, biomass and critical minerals for the development of clean energy technologies as well as a growing population predominated by young people representing a huge economic asset.
…Says FG’s Planning ‘National Social Housing Funds’ For All
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa on Monday, lamented that 80 per cent of Nigerians cannot access affordable housing because of financial constraints.
This, the Minister noted, accounted for the major causes of the housing deficit in the country.
The Minister stated this in his keynote address at the opening of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition, held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Kaduna on Monday.
He noted that the major issue governments at all levels have to address in their desire to deliver sustainable to the the citizens, was the issue of affordability.
The Minister added that statistics had shown that almost half of Nigeria’s population of over 200 million were poor and had weak purchasing power.
He said, “in fact of the 43 million households, over 85% have less than N1.1 Million Purchasing Power. Of this 40% (about 17.2million households fall into the poverty income group and 47% (about 20.2million) fall into the low-income group.
“On the whole, statistics reveal that Nigeria is a low-income country as it has only 13% of its population as middle class. The recent macroeconomic challenges including inflation have made things worse.”
Against this backdrop, the Minister said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, was planning to establish a National Social Housing Fund.
According to the Minister, under the NSHF, the Federal Government is aiming to pull funds from the government budget, philanthropic organisations and well-meaning Nigerians towards providing decent shelter for Nigerians with no income, low income and vulnerable brackets who cannot afford to own their homes.
“Some of these units will be delivered at no cost. We have developed the concept note that is undergoing review. Once concluded we will present it to the Federal Executive Council for approval and legislation.
“Social housing is not only a necessity, it is also a security insurance for the rich and the poor. Because housing is capital intensive and the government has limited funds, we must find alternative collective avenues to help our brothers and sisters who are underprivileged. It is for our collective good.
“In this way, the underprivileged will know that we are one; that we are our brother’s keeper and that will help social cohesion, understanding and peace. This is because home ownership gives individuals a sense of belonging and a stake in the community,” the Minister said.
The Minister also commended the Governor Uba Sani-led government of Kaduna State for its practical, inclusive and pragmatic vision for housing delivery which led to the organisation of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition.
Earlier in his remarks, the governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, said provision of affordable houses for citizens of Kaduna State, was a key priority of his administration and committed to addressing the housing deficit across the State in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He said that the state government had adopted a holistic approach towards filling the identified gap through partnership with local and international investors to frontally address its housing deficit.
He said, “Qatar Charity in partnership with the Kaduna State Government is constructing Mass Housing for the Less Privileged and Kaduna Economic City, all in Millennium City, Kaduna. I recently performed the groundbreaking for the construction of the 3319 Hectares Nuru Suraj Ungwar Dosa New Extension Layout.
“This project is being executed through a Public – Private Partnership. Nuru Suraj and Kaduna State Government are working together to develop 35,000 plots for our people.
“The Social Housing Scheme was introduced in order to provide affordable accommodation as a social service for the vulnerable populace (the low income earners). Efficient design and construction methods, which are key indicators that drive the affordability target of the scheme, were employed.”
The Governor also stated that his administration has attracted many investors (Real Estate Developers) and has partnered with them in the construction of mass housing estates across Kaduna metropolis under PPP arrangement.
On his part, the Managing Director Kaduna State Development and Property Company, Abubakar Rabiu-Abubakar announced the launch of two social initiatives: ‘the Arewa Construction Academy and the KSDPC Housing Cooperative Society,’ demonstrating the state’s commitment to social investment, skill development, and addressing the housing needs of low and middle-income families.
He also said KSDPC was set to embark on certain key housing and housing infrastructure projects including the Ultramodern Mechanics Village for the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis, featuring an Electric Vehicle (EV) Assembly Plant, CNG Conversion Stations, EV Charger Manufacturing, and strategically located EV charging points, A 5-star Hospital with Doctor Quarters.
“A private university to be known as ABSAAR University, a Building Materials Village to service the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis, A Trucks and Heavy-Duty Mechanics Village, which are expected to attract and facilitate the construction and delivery of at least 2000 mixed-type housing units across Kaduna metropolis within the next 5 years.
“This exhibition is a testament to our efforts to transform aspirations into tangible results, ensuring that Kaduna State remains a beacon of progress and opportunity for all its residents,” the KSDPC boss said.
[PRESS CONFERENCE] Customs Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR Addresses Media at Nigeria Customs Service Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne
Admin![[PRESS CONFERENCE] Customs Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR Addresses Media at Nigeria Customs Service Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne](/media/k2/items/cache/6284afa11af357960e1c3393e6bd3123_M.jpg)
Gentlemen of the Press,
- Good day and welcome to this important press conference at the Nigeria Customs Service Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne. Today, we gather to inform you about the recent significant developments in our operations to secure our nation's borders and ensure public safety.
- Gentlemen of the Press, you may recall that at a press briefing of this nature held recently at the Tin Can Island Port Lagos, I had disclosed attempts by criminal elements seeking to exploit our trade facilitation friendly posture to compromise our processes and procedures. With our robust Risk Management System, we have always remained a step ahead of their moves. When these attempts revolve around revenue generation, our automated audit systems at different level enable us to trace, track and recover the revenue. However, when efforts are geared towards creating actions that will produce irreversible consequences on national security, our alert level is elevated to match the threats posed to us.
- And so it was the case with this 1X40 foot container MAEU165396, which originated from Turkey, and based on a number of risk factors, became a subject of interest. We had followed its sail across the Continents, as we benefitted immensely from credible information produced through our collaboration with the intelligence communities, both at the local, national and international levels.
- Working within our local structures, we followed diligently as the Importer attempted to circumvent our procedure through the outlet of a Private Bonded Terminal. Consequently, on Friday, 21 June 2024, the suspicious container was subjected to thorough physical examination. The examination result revealed the following alarming contents:
- Eight Hundred and Forty-Four (844) units of rifles
- One Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Five Hundred (112,500) pieces of live ammunition
The breakdown is as follows:
- 764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles
- 10 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles
- 50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles
- 20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Single Barrel Rifles
- Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition 34g - 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM)
- The rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags. The duty-paid value of the container is Four Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦4,171,710,000.00).
- In connection with this, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice. Furthermore, a thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure all those involved face the full wrath of the law.
- In another development, our officers, through synergy, collaboration, and intelligence sharing, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, intercepted yet another 8x40-foot container transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port. The container numbers are TCKU6879285, CMAU5985012, CMAU7515384, CMAU4297020, SEKU5488437, BMOU4363156, MRKU4616024, and MRSU3068928. Upon examination, they were found to contain the following:
Six containers laden with:- 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml)
- 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg)
- Duty-paid value: Nine Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira
(₦9,600,000,000.00)
Two containers laden with:
- 720 bales of used clothes
- With Duty-paid value: ₦144,000,000.00
The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is Thirteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦13,915,710,000.00).
- In line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the following decisions have been taken with respect to these containers:
- The 40-footer container of evil, bearing 844 units of assorted Rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition is hereby seized, alongside the other contents previously highlighted.
- The items would be handed over to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser for diligent investigation, and ultimately rigorous prosecution.
- The suspects arrested would be handed over to the Centre for further processing. We will work diligently with other Agencies of Government to apprehend all other cohorts and Death Merchants involved in this monkey business.
- The Eight Containers whose contents were wrongly declared to evade duty payment and Prohibition Order are hereby declared seized.
- The Licences and Permits issued for the operation of all the Warehouses and Terminals as well as those of their Customs Agents involved in these cases are hereby suspended pending the determination of their involvement.
- Customs Officers who are found complicit in the perpetration of these nefarious act would be heavily sanctioned in a manner that would be approved by the Board of the Nigeria Customs Service.
- Officers who kept faith with the Oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and refused to be bribed into releasing these containers will be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
- As I conclude, let me warmly commend the professional commitment of the Customs Area Comptroller Onne Port, Mohammed Babandede and through him his Officers and Men, for the meticulous approach deployed to this operation. I also acknowledge our various partners, local and international who provided us the much needed information to successfully prosecute this operation.
- Finally, this seizure serves as a strong warning to others who may be contemplating similar misadventures, my message to them is simple; we will run you out of business. The Nigeria Customs Service, under my leadership, will not tolerate any action that compromises the economy and security of our beloved nation.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has said the removal of fuel subsidy and devaluation of naira by President Bola Tinubu were right policies wrongly implemented.
The Professor of Political Economics said both the petrol (fuel) subsidy and defence of naira by the previous administration of ex-president, Muhammadu Buhari, and CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele was not the best policy for the country.
Moghalu said what was wrong with the execution of the removal of the fuel subsidy and suspension of naira defense against the US Dollar was that President Tinubu failed to put measures in place to cushion the effects of the policy on the citizens.
He said the President “hurriedly”, without proper planning for consequences, removed fuel subsidy. He added that the President announced the floating of the naira without monetary tightening and a substantive CBN governor.
“The petrol subsidy and the forex subsidy were unsustainable. The fact that wrongheaded execution of their removal – removing the petrol subsidy hurriedly without proper planning for consequences and alternative transport solutions for the people, and floating the exchange without first tightening monetary policy and without a substantive Central Bank of Nigeria Governor with a real plan in place — is a very different thing from whether those reforms were needed.
“The issue was, and is, competence of conception and execution. Framing and executing evidence-based public policy is a real challenge for Nigeria and many African countries. I say this because the reality of the suffering faced by Nigerians should not confuse us as to why the situation is this way. My position on the fuel subsidy and exchange rate subsidy, given our country’s fiscal realities in 2023, remains consistent and not populist,” the former CBN Deputy Governor said.
Experts have continued to question “fuel subsidy is gone” statement of President Tinubu on his inauguration day on May 29, 2023. Also questioned was the government’s decision to allow naira to gain its strength against foreign currency.
An Economist, Olayiwola Adejare Lawal, in an interview, said Nigeria’s economy being import-dependent requires subsidies to grow.
Lawal said the federal government’s decision was against the local economics of Nigeria. He said economic advice against fuel subsidy and in support of naira floating would affect Nigeria’s economy.
Moghalu, however, said if policies to incentivize productivity and exports were put on ground before the fuel subsidy removal and naira float were carried out, the policy would have been beneficial.
The President of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation Africa further said the leaders have also failed to sacrifice while asking citizens to bear the pains of necessary but poorly executed policy,
“Beyond this, executing painful reforms requires the legitimacy of shared sacrifice. That such a sacrifice on the part of the political leaders of Nigeria is absent, while asking citizens to bear the pain of necessary (although incompetently executed) reforms damages the legitimacy of the reforms.
“If it is accompanied by policies to incentive productivity and exports it would be beneficial,” he added.
French election first-round results show gains for far-right, drawing warnings ahead of decisive second-round
Admin
A far-right, anti-immigration party is in reach of becoming the biggest political force in France after the first of two rounds of voting in parliamentary elections drew a historically high turnout. The first-round results in the French election are the latest evidence of surging support for the far-right in Europe, but the real test of that trend nationally will come when France opens the polls for the second, decisive round of voting in one week.
French President Emmanuel Macron took a huge gamble by calling the snap election this year, and he's now issued a battle cry urging the nation's voters to come out in force on July 7 to stop the far-right, which made its best showing ever in round one, from rising to the very top of government in round two.
Turnout was unusually high as many voters said they either wanted to block the far-right, or just get rid of Macron's government.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said her National Rally party had "virtually wiped out" Macron's centrist power base in the first-round Sunday vote. National Rally took a third of the votes in that round.
Macron called these elections hoping to rally voters against the far-right, after parties like Le Pen's fared well in Europe-wide elections for the European parliament, which governs the European Union, in the spring.
"President Macron made a colossal error in judgment," political analyst Douglas Webber told CBS News. Webber said the first round results show Macron could be forced to share power with National Rally — a party that is anti-immigration, wants to roll back the power of the European Union, and has even threatened to pull France out of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance.
If the National Rally wins enough votes in the second round, party president Jordan Bardella could find himself in the country's second-top job, as prime minister. He wants to pull back on France's support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing invasion.
"That would be a very good result for Vladimir Putin, a very bad result for Ukraine and President Zelenskyy," said Webber.
That outcome is not a foregone conclusion. The French have a history of voting more ideologically in the first round — "with their hearts," as the saying goes — but then more tactically, "with their heads," in the second round.
Macron and the thousands of left-wing supporters who gathered in central Paris on Sunday to voice their concern at the far-right's performance will be hoping that's the case, and that the actual gains in parliamentary seats won't mirror the windfall seen for Le Pen and Bardella's party in round-one.
"Right now, we have big problems with the right wing," said one young woman before the results came in. "We want more democracy, you know, we don't want people to feel afraid or scared about living in France."
But the political winds across much of the continent have been blowing decidedly to the right for more than a year. Should the far-right parties win big in France on July 7, Webber warned it could leave a power "vacuum at the heart of Europe," which has been dominated for years by the influence of its two biggest economies, France and Germany.
"No one, or no other group of countries, could conceivably fill the role that's historically been played by France and Germany," he said. "That's, of course, the main reason why so many people, observers, are extremely worried."
Among the worried Europeans voicing their angst on Monday was Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who said the first-round results in France indicated a "very dangerous" political turn.
"This is all really starting to smell very dangerous," said Tusk, who suggested without offering specific evidence that "Russian influence" was behind the rise of "many parties of the radical right in Europe."
"Even the complete victory of the radical right of Ms. Le Pen's camp does not signal the loss of power by the center represented by President Macron," Tusk told reporters. "But it is a very clear sign of what is happening not only in France, but also in some other countries, also in Western Europe."
Tusk said France "will be forced to confront these radical forces," and he warned that, "foreign forces and enemies of Europe are engaged in this process, hiding behind these movements."
Macron has called on voters from across the political spectrum to block the far-right's precipitous rise with their votes in the final round on Sunday.
[CBS]
The United Kingdom will hold its first national election in almost five years on Thursday, with opinion polls suggesting that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party will be punished for failing to deliver on promises made during 14 years in power.
The center-right Conservatives took power during the depths of the global financial crisis and have won three more elections since then. But those years have been marked by a sluggish economy, declining public services and a series of scandals, making the Tories, as they are commonly known, easy targets for critics on the left and right.
The Labour Party, which leans to the left, is far ahead in most opinion polls after focusing its campaign on a single word: Change.
But the Tories face other challenges as well. The new Reform Party is siphoning off votes from the rightwing of the Conservatives after criticizing the Tory leadership for failing to control immigration.
How will the election work?
People throughout the United Kingdom will elect all 650 members of the House of Commons, one for each local constituency. There are no primaries or run-offs, just a single round of voting on July 4.
Britain uses a “first past the post” system of voting, which means that the candidate that finishes top in each constituency will be elected, even if they don’t get 50% of the vote. This has generally cemented the dominance of the two largest parties, Conservatives and Labour, because it is difficult for smaller parties to win seats unless they have concentrated support in particular areas.
How is the prime minister chosen?
The party that commands a majority in the Commons, either alone or with the support of another party, will form the next government and its leader will be prime minister.
That means the results will determine the political direction of the government, which has been led by the center-right Conservatives for the past 14 years. The center-left Labour Party is widely seen to be in the strongest position.
Who is running?
Sunak, a former Treasury chief who has been prime minister since October 2022, is leading his party into the election. His primary opponent is Keir Starmer, a former director of public prosecutions in England and leader of the Labour Party since April 2020.
But other parties, some of which have strong regional support, could be crucial to forming a coalition government if no one wins an overall majority.
The Scottish National Party, which campaigns for Scottish independence, the Liberal Democrats, and the Democratic Unionist Party, which seeks to maintain ties between Britain and Northern Ireland, are currently the three largest parties in Parliament after the Conservatives and Labour. Many observers suggest the new Reform Party, fronted by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, may siphon votes from the Conservatives.
Why are the Conservatives under pressure?
The Conservatives have faced one challenge after another since they took power in 2010. First there was the fallout from the global financial crisis, which swelled Britain’s debt and caused the Tories to impose years of austerity to balance the budget. They then led Britain out of the European Union, battled one of the deadliest COVID-19 outbreaks in western Europe, and saw inflation soar after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Regardless of the circumstances, many voters blame the Conservatives for the litany of problems facing Britain, from sewage spills and unreliable train service to the cost-of-living crisis, crime and the influx of migrants crossing the English Channel on inflatable boats.
On top of that, the party has been tarred by the repeated ethical lapses of government ministers, including lockdown-busting parties in government offices. The scandals chased former Prime Minister Boris Johnson from office and ultimately from Parliament after he was found to have lied to lawmakers. His successor, Liz Truss, lasted just 45 days after her economic policies cratered the economy.
What are the big issues?
The economy: Britain has struggled with high inflation and slow economic growth, which have combined to make most people feel poorer. The Conservatives succeeded in controlling inflation, which slowed to 2% in the year through May after peaking at 11.1% in October 2022, but growth remains sluggish, raising questions about the government’s economic policies.
Immigration: Thousands of asylum seekers and economic migrants have crossed the English Channel in flimsy inflatable boats in recent years, triggering criticism that the government has lost control of Britain’s borders. The Conservatives’ signature policy for stopping the boats is a plan to deport some of these migrants to Rwanda. Critics say the plan violates international law, is inhumane, and will do nothing to stop people fleeing war, unrest and famine.
Health care: Britain’s National Health Service, which provides free health care to everyone, is plagued with long waiting lists for everything from dental care to cancer treatment. Newspapers are filled with stories about seriously ill patients forced to wait hours for an ambulance, then longer still for a hospital bed.
The environment: Sunak has backtracked on a series of environmental commitments, pushing back the deadline for ending the sale of gasoline- and diesel-powered passenger vehicles and authorizing new oil drilling in the North Sea. Critics say these are the wrong policies at a time the world is trying to combat climate change.
Why is the election being held now?
Sunak surprised pundits and most of his own lawmakers six weeks ago when he set the election for July 4, at least three months earlier than expected.
While most observers thought the vote would take place in the fall, Sunak gambled on a summer election, hoping that positive economic news would help him persuade voters that Conservative policies were beginning to work.
The decision was so startling that it landed the Tories in hot water. Allegations have emerged that party members and police officers assigned to protect government officials had placed wagers on a summer election, suggesting they had inside information and damaging Sunak’s ability to claim that his party is more trustworthy than Labour.
Commentators had been speculating about the timing of the election for months because the parliamentary term was scheduled to end in mid-December. While each parliament is elected for up to five years, the prime minister can call an election whenever it is most advantageous politically.
[AP]
Religious leaders in Siaya want the government to engage an international mediator in solving the current impasse that saw young Kenyans take to the streets to protest the passage of the finance bill.
Through the Siaya Church Leaders’ Forum (SCLF), the clerics say that the situation may get out of hand if urgent steps will not be taken to address it, adding that government will only succeed if an independent international mediator is brought on board to engage the youths.
Led by the chairman of the church leaders’ forum, Archbishop James Opiyo Anyango, the clerics lauded the efforts that the government was putting in place to ensure that the youths are engaged and their demands taken into account.
The forum organizing secretary, Bishop Wilfred Amollo said Kenyan youths seem to have lost hope and trust in the current government and may not feel comfortable engaging President William Ruto.
The church leaders lauded the Kenyan youths for standing firm in exercising their rights, but called on them to embrace peace and avoid destruction of properties during their anti-government protests.
Other leaders who addressed the media during the occasion were Bishop Elias Sewe and Bishop Martin Arara who called on the government to minimize wastage of public resources to quell the Gen Z protests.
[https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/]
According to Shettima, 42 persons were brought to the specialist hospital, but 14 have been discharged after receiving treatment.
The Vice President noted that 26 are still receiving treatment.
Shettima, who made a personal donation to all the victims, condoled with the families of those killed by the multiple explosions.
He also conveyed the condolences of President Bola Tinubu to Gwoza people and Borno State.
The Vice President was in the company of the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Babagana Kingibe, Senator Ali Ndume, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, former Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed Jidda, the Director General of NEMA and other government functionaries.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has described criminals responsible for the suicide bombing in Borno State as cowards who would soon face the wrath of justice.
The President said the action of the terrorists is due to the pressure mounted against them by security forces which have degraded their abilities to mount attacks.
While consoling all those affected by the attack, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that the government would not allow the nation to slither into an era of fear, tears, sorrow, and blood.
He added that his administration would take every necessary step to ensure citizens are protected, and criminals are brought to justice.
[NaijaNews]
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has lashed out at the senator representing the territory, Ireti Heebah Kingibe.
Speaking during the flag-off of the construction of the Mabushi Bus Terminal in Abuja, Wike said Kingibe would lose the support of FCT residents in the next election.
The former Rivers State Governor said it was disheartening that instead of collaborating with the FCT Administration, Kingibe was instead angry that residents are reportedly praising him (Wike).
“I overheard somebody on Arise TV this morning. Unfortunately, I heard the person is a member of the National Assembly and it is unfortunate I say so. With all due respect, what you don’t know, you don’t know, what you know you know, and the good thing for you is to tell people you don’t when you don’t know, then people will educate you.
“The Honourable Minister of State and my humble self-have not been in office for more than 11 months and the person is angry that they are praising us. If you don’t want or you are angry about that, go and hang yourself on a transformer.
“If we have done well, we have done well. If we haven’t done well, we haven’t done well. I am proud to say that in the short time that Mr President has appointed us, we have done well.
“You said there are no hospitals. You, as a legislator, what have you done? How many bills have you sponsored for us to improve our education and health sector,” he queried.
He challenged Kingibe to contest in 2027, insisting that she would fail woefully.
According to Wike, what happened in the last election that brought Kingibe into power would not repeat itself.
He stressed that FCT is his territory and he is not afraid.
Wike urged people to accept the truth, stressing that he would not beg anyone to be their friend.
DAILY POST recalls that Kingibe had, during the television programme, criticised the Wike-led administration in the FCT, saying she is not a friend of the minister.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Monday fumed over the allocation of land meant for a bus terminal in the Central Business District, Abuja.
Wike, who made the complaint at the inauguration of the construction of Mabushi Bus Terminal, Phase I, in Abuja, described the action as a gross distortion of the Abuja Master Plan.
He explained that the FCT Administration decided to build three terminals, one each in the Central Business District, Mabushi and Kugbo, to ensure a secure and convenient travel experience for commuters in the territory.
He, however, said that the land designated for the bus terminal in the Central Business District, where a train track was expected to pass through, had been allocated to somebody.
“When we went there to start preparation for the inauguration project last Tuesday, I received a text that I had taken somebody’s land, and I was surprised.
“In fact, in that text message, the person said, ‘after his sacrifices and inputs to the party, is this what he will suffer?”.
“When I enquired, we found out that the place has been given out and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) had been signed, even consent judgement has been entered between FCTA and the person,” he said.
He explained that he directed that the Mabushi location should be used for the inauguration of the terminal project, pending when the issue would be resolved.
The minister noted that leadership was all about taking decisions, noting that in taking decisions, not everybody would be happy, but a decision must be taken.
“This is just to let people know some of the things we face; how the Master Plan of the FCT had been distorted.
“When you want to make a decision, so many people will be angry and when you are complaining, they won’t come with sincere facts; they will come with distorted facts,” he said.
The minister added that Abuja was supposed to be one of the best cities in the world but lacked the necessary infrastructure to be a first-class city.
He particularly pointed out that a city like Abuja does not have bus and taxi terminals, thereby forcing people to park and board vehicles on the road, and taxis all over the place.
This, according to him, is contributing to the level of insecurity in the territory, including the proliferation of “one chance” criminal elements.
He explained that the construction of the bus and taxi terminals was part of efforts to reduce the level of insecurity under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“To reduce insecurity, we made a proposal to the National Assembly explaining that part of the security problem we are facing is because we have not been able to know who the people operating taxis and buses in FCT are and where they are loading from.
“One of the things that people don’t understand about the Renewed Hope Agenda, is that it is not just about human capital development; it is also about empowerment of our people.” he said.
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The Federal Ministry of Works has terminated contracts with three companies due to non-performance on the dualization of the Obajana-Benin road project.
The companies are Mothercat Ltd, Dantata & Sawoe Construction Ltd, and RCC Ltd.
In a statement on Monday by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works, Orji Uchenna, said the termination was necessary due to the inordinate delay and failure of the companies to fulfil their contractual obligations.
The Minister, David Umahi, directed engineers to take over the sites and measure the work done to facilitate the takeover from the companies.
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He noted that the contracts, worth billions of naira, were awarded in 2012 but were abandoned by the contractors, leaving road users to suffer due to the deplorable condition of the road.
The Minister warned that the government will not tolerate acts of unseriousness and sabotage by contractors, stating that “going forward, all funded but non-performing contracts shall be terminated.”
This move is seen as a bold step by the Renewed Hope administration to address the country’s infrastructure challenges.
“We will not condone any act that will hinder our progress. We are determined to change the narrative of Nigeria’s road infrastructure”, Umahi said.
The terminated contracts include Contract No. 6136 with Mothercat Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section II (Okene-Auchi) in Kogi/Edo State; Contract No. 6137 with Dantata & Sawoe Construction Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section III (Auchi-Ehor) in Edo State; Contract No. 6138 with RCC Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section IV (Ehor-Benin) in Edo State.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, has announced that it has fixed the date to conduct local government elections in the state for October 5.
The Commission, on Monday, released its guidelines in view of the conduct of the council elections in the state.
This was coming as the police in the state have maintained the occupation of the local government area council secretariats following the leadership crisis rocking the councils.
Following the expiration of the tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors of the 23 LGAs, the governor of the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, inaugurated Caretaker Committees pending the conduct of council elections.
However, the development had sparked protests by the outgone chairmen loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
They are insisting that the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly had extended their tenure by six months in the repealed Local Government Administration law of the state.
However, RSIEC met with the leaders of political parties and major stakeholders in the state, over conducting the elections.
Rep James Faleke (Ikeja Federal Constituency) has called on Nigerians to treat the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country with the same level of seriousness they applied to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faleke made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently reported that 53 deaths due to cholera had been recorded in the country.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, stated that the Federal Government had activated the National Emergency Operation Centre for cholera.
Idris said, “As of June 24, 2024, 1,528 suspected cases and 53 deaths were recorded across 31 states and 107 LGAs with a case fatality rate of 3.5 percent since the beginning of the year.”
Reacting, Faleke said Nigerians should do more to curb the cholera outbreak.
“Every Nigerian needs to be careful; our attitude to cleanliness matters,” he said.
Faleke urged Nigerians to be more cautious about what they eat and drink.
“The way we took COVID-19 seriously is the way we should take this cholera outbreak.
“Cholera has killed many people. We expected that, in this modern age, we should not be experiencing an outbreak of cholera in Nigeria.
“However, it has come; so, we have to deal with it. People should be more careful with what they eat and drink.
“There are many fake products out there. Stop consuming fake products. You don’t have to drink just anything; take clean water,” he advised.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has declared that he has no regret as governor because he surpassed all his election promises.
Obaseki said he has impacted all areas and sectors since assuming office as governor.
Addressing journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital, the governor said his government has laid a solid foundation for the state’s progress and development.
According to Obaseki: “As Edo State Governor in these last few years, I don’t have any regrets. In fact, when I look at my manifesto, what I said I was going to do; I’ve surpassed everything I said I will do.
“I have exceeded everything I said I will do and there was not one area I mentioned, that I talked about that I didn’t have a kind of impact on.
“I’m a realistic person. One administration or one governor cannot do it all. What I have done is to lay a foundation and by the grace of God, we have a successor who will continue to build on that, in the direction that I started with and someone who shares the same values of service to the people.
“Democracy is not a destination in itself; it is a process. It will always be better; things will always be better than when you met them.”