Metro
NARTO President insists that NNPC retail outlets are making genuine efforts to address scarcity
The National President of Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, (NARTO) Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, has applauded the composition of 14-man Steering Committee on Petroleum Products Supply and Distribution Management, to be chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This was coming after the federal government seized the initiative to address scarcity of petroleum products in the country which he said would ensure monitoring of products loaded from depots.
The 14 man team which has Minister of State Petroleum, Timpire Sylva as alternate chairman has among its terms of reference the mandate to ensure national strategic stock management, visibility on the NNPC Limited refineries rehabilitation programme and ensure end-end tracking of petroleum products, especially PMS to ascertain daily national consumption and eliminate smuggling.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the President of NARTO decried what he referred to as the deliberate distortion of narrative surrounding the shortfall and non availability of the products by certain forces in the downstream sector who continued to blame the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL) retail outlets for scarcity of the products.
Alhaji Othman dismissed the claim as unfounded as he noted
that certain players in the sector who lack the capacity for storage and effective distribution are deliberately pushing false narrative into the public domain to demonise the NNPCL retail outlets.
He maintained that public expectations are met by the oil giant retail outlets as it does not sell above the officially stipulated price for Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS) otherwise called petrol.
He said:” Whatever is written is not true, it is false. As far as we are concerned the NNPCL retailers are the largest retail outlet in the country.
“As of today, they are the only marketing company that sells fuel at the same price everywhere in the country.
“The same price in Lagos, same price in Abuja. So you will see some envy by other marketers and from experience, personally my own company has been working with NNPC retail in the last 15 years. I know their pedigree and their capacity.”
Alhaji Othman appealed to his members and others involved in the haulage of petroleum products to refrain from activities that could sabotage the federal government efforts to surmount the challenge crippling effective movement of goods and services.
“Let me use this opportunity to call on our law abiding and patriotic members who are into the transportation of petroleum products to please desist from illegal bunkering, smuggling and diversion of petroleum products because these actions are detrimental to the economy of our great nation.
“This Association will not support, defend, or sympathize with anyone caught committing these crimes. “
Asked to give timeline for the end to scarcity, the NARTO President noted that some of the contributing factors were beyond the control of the federal government.
“Relating to the current supply and availability of petroleum products is not unconnected with the current Russia-Ukraine war. Two, is the high cost of transporting from the mother vessels to the daughter vessels to the tank farms.
“Three, the exchange rate. But I know we have adequate fuel.”
He equally pleaded with the federal government to look at the high operational cost of doing business being experienced by players in the haulage of petroleum products.
‘In terms of our rising operational cost, we are merely trying to break even. The most important and primary input in our operations is Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) which is the major energy source used by our trucks. Unfortunately, however, the Averaged the major energy source used 5 at November 2022, was N808.87 against N277.89..
“Even our Mass Transit Segment was not spared from the high operating cost: According to figures obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as at November, 2022 was N202.46 pe/liter against N167.60 per liter in the corresponding period of 2021, which was an increase of 20.81%.
“The situation has worsened in the new year with PMS prices reaching up to N300 per liter in many states amidst acute fuel scarcity that is persisting in thé country since the last couple of months.”
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Metro
Plane Crash Averted Hours After Enenche’s Prophetic Warning at Prayer Session
In a mindblowing prophetic insight, Senior Pastor Dr. Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre led prayers against an impending plane crash during his Commanding The Day Midnight Prayers on Thursday, which many believe averted a disaster just hours later.
During the early hours at the Glory Dome in Abuja, Dr. Enenche urged his congregation to pray fervently against a possible plane crash, asking for divine intervention to “cancel” any agenda of harm in the skies. “We must pray against a plane crash,” he declared, adding, “I stand anointed to cancel every agenda of the devil to cause any crash…it is canceled in the name of Jesus.”
Six hours after the prayer session, an incident involving an Air Peace flight traveling from Abuja to Lagos appeared to validate his warning.
As the flight was about to take off, a bird strike at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport forced the plane to halt immediately.
Passengers onboard, including Lagos-based lawyer Inibehe Effiong, were shaken as the aircraft came to a sudden stop. Effiong shared his experience on social media, expressing relief that the incident occurred before takeoff, which could have led to a graver situation. “Thankfully, it didn’t happen after takeoff. It would have been scarier,” Effiong wrote.
As a replacement aircraft was brought in and passengers reboarded, Effiong called for the adoption of bird detection radar technology to prevent similar incidents.
Dr. Enenche’s congregation took to social media to celebrate what they saw as divine intervention, expressing gratitude for his timely prayer, which they credit with averting a national tragedy.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual vigilance and has inspired many in the congregation to deepen their faith and remain steadfast in prayer.
A video of Dr. Enenche’s prophetic declaration is now being widely shared, with many inspired by his foresight and the significance of this near-miss event.
Metro
ENSG Cracks Down on School Bullying, Orders Arrest of Culprits
The Enugu State Government (ENSG) has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of students involved in the bullying and physical assault of a fellow student at the Federal Government College, Enugu.
This is coming after a disturbing video of the incident surfaced on social media, sparking widespread condemnation.
In a statement, Commissioner for Education Prof. Ndubueze Mbah expressed deep concern, labeling the incident as “emotionally distressing” and underscoring the government’s zero-tolerance policy for bullying and abuse in schools.
He confirmed that the state government is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that all those involved, including any school authorities who failed in their duties, face appropriate consequences.
“The safety and welfare of our students are paramount,” Prof. Mbah stated, pointing to the state’s significant investment in education under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration as evidence of its commitment to providing a safe learning environment.
He warned that acts of harassment, intimidation, and violence will be met with strict repercussions.
Meanwhile, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at FGC Enugu sought to clarify the situation, dispelling rumors of cult involvement.
PTA Chairman Dr. Chinedu Mba explained that the disturbance began when a student was found with Indian hemp.
He emphasized that parents should counsel their children on avoiding harmful behaviors and reassured the public of the PTA’s commitment to student safety.
Metro
Group Calls for Suspension, Investigation, Prosecution of FERMA MD Over Alleged Corruption
A group, Coalition for National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (CNRR), has issued a formal plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the immediate suspension, investigation, and potential prosecution of the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
Their call is coming amid series of damning allegations surrounding corruption, incompetence, and misuse of office.
The group who converged on Thursday morning at the Headquarters of the FERMA at the Wuse 11 in the Federal Capital Territory carried banners and placards with inscriptions calling for the investigation and possible sack of the Managing Director of the Agency, Engr Emeka Agbasi.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the President and Commader in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Three Arms Zone, and read by the National converner of the coalition Alhaji Ali Abacha, they outlined numerous accusations against the FERMA boss.
They accused him of gross mismanagement and criminal activity, which threaten to undermine the government’s anti-corruption drive. Key allegations include the sale of contracts for financial gain, abuse of Direct Labor Agencies for unauthorized projects, and financial irregularities involving the illegal virement and swapping of payments without due process.
According to the letter, the FERMA MD is also accused of laundering money through fronts operating via Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and Zenith Bank, living lavishly in Abuja hotel suites such as Pinnatech Suites Ltd., and sidelining experienced contractors in favor of cronies.
Furthermore, the MD is being accused of ignoring directives from the Ministry of Works, acting independently and awarding contracts unrelated to federal road maintenance.
Abacha stressed the importance of suspending and investigating the official to maintain public trust and uphold the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to take immediate action.
The statement warned that allowing such actions to continue unaddressed would reflect poorly on President Tinubu’s administration, which has made fighting corruption a key priority. CNRR urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further damage to its image and credibility.
As of now, there has been no official response from the Presidency or FERMA regarding these allegations. The Nigerian public and stakeholders in the construction sector are closely watching for developments in what could become a significant test of the government’s resolve in combating corruption.
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