NEWS
Fuel Scarcity: PMB Orders Sylva to Restore Normalcy
Frantic efforts to restore normalcy in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has seen the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva undertake an inspection tour of the facilities of some filling stations in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Sylva told the media during the weekend that he was complying with a directive of President Muhammadu Buhari that normalcy in the supply of PMS be restored nationwide without delay.
He said, “Mr President directed that we must ensure that the fuel supply situation is normalised quickly. And that is why I have to ensure that we sort out this problem.
“A lot of things have been done. All hands have been on deck, the NNPC Limited, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and stakeholders in the supply chain have come together to ensure that the problem is resolved.”
On who could be held responsible for the scarcity, Sylva counselled to seek solutions first before looking for culprits.
“This is not the time for us to apportion blames as the most important thing is that the problem has been resolved and you can see now the queues are no longer there, at least in the FCT we are going around to ensure they have disappeared,” he said.
He described self-regulation, which has seen many marketers selling above approved price, in several parts of the country as a regulatory issue, within the purview of the NMDPRA, which should attract sanctions.
Biztellers reports that that several filling stations have been selling PMS at different prices per litre in different states. The popular price band per litre has been N250 in some parts of Lagos State, to N350 in Ogun State, N600 in Rivers and Bayelsa States, and N400 in Enugu, Anambra and Abia States.
The scarcity of PMS has also been fueling the infamous black market, where people make brisk business of buying and selling the product in kegs with the rate oscillating between N400 to N700 per litre depending on the location or bargaining power.
The Minister admitted that the Federal Government was abreast of the situation and would tackle the matter.
On conflicting ex-depot price, Sylva described it as commercial details under the purview of the NNPC Ltd.
He assured that he would see to it that all issue fueling these problems were resolved.
Recall that President Buhari constituted a 14-man Steering Committee on Petroleum Products Supply and Distribution management to find lasting solution to the disruptions in distribution of petroleum products.
In response to allegations of a conspiracy to impeach him and other high-ranking officials of the Assembly, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku of the Edo State House of Assembly took decisive action on Monday by suspending three lawmakers.
Among those suspended is Donald Okogbe, representing the PDP in Akoko-Edo II constituency, who notably refrained from endorsing the petition that resulted in the impeachment of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, a close ally.
The other two lawmakers he suspended are Addeh Emankhu Isibor of the APC representing Esan North-East I, and Iyamu Bright, representing the PDP in Orhionnwon II.
Agbebaku also alleged that the trio had arranged for the presence of traditional healers at the Assembly premises on May 1st, around 1 am, purportedly for ritualistic purposes.
Agbebaku declared the indefinite suspension of the three lawmakers, asserting that external influences were driving them to disrupt proceedings and oust the Assembly’s leadership.
However, the suspension sparked tension within the House as the affected lawmakers vehemently protested against their suspension.
During a chaotic session, the three suspended lawmakers vocally objected, arguing, “Mr. Speaker, you lack the authority to unilaterally suspend any member(s) of the house. You must put it to a vote. Let the members vote on the issue.”
Following the commotion, the Speaker abruptly adjourned the plenary session.
In a significant development, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has announced a tariff reduction for its Band A customers.
Effective immediately from Monday, May 6, 2024, customers in Band A will see their tariff lowered to N206.80 per kilowatt-hour, down from the previously approved rate of N225/kWh by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
This decision, disclosed by IKEDC spokesperson Olufadeke Omo-Omorodion on Monday, marks a proactive measure by the company to provide relief to its Band A customers.
Notably, while this adjustment ensures a minimum of 20-hour daily power supply for those on Band A feeders, tariffs for customers on other bands remain unchanged.
IKEDC said “Dear Esteemed Customers, please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kWh to N206.80/kWh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily. The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged.”
Recalls that on April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) revised the electricity tariff for Band A customers dramatically, soaring from N68 per kilowatt-hour to N255/KWh. It’s worth noting that this tariff hike did not affect other customer categories.
Since the release of the supplementary Multi-Year Tariff Order, consumers categorized as Band A have been expressing discontent, citing the significant impact of the tariff increase on their finances.
They have been calling on the Federal Government to reconsider this policy.
However, during an investigative hearing before the Senate Committee on Power last Monday, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, issued a stark warning.
He emphasized that if the electricity tariff hike was not implemented, the nation could face a total blackout within the next three months.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris has voiced concerns about influential figures allegedly undermining his administration’s goals.
However, at the Uhola Festival and Agricultural Show in Zuru, Gov Idris reaffirmed his commitment to staying focused despite these challenges.
He disclosed instances where individuals from the state reportedly interfered with road development plans he had submitted to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja.
He said, “It might interest you to know that someone went and changed the submission we already made on the Koko Dabai Road with that of Bui-Kangiwa-Kamba Road up to the border with Niger Republic at the Ministry of Works in Abuja.
“Whereas the KoKo-Dabai Road needs more urgent attention than the Bui-Kamba Road which is still motorable. I feel sad whenever I come to Zuru because all the three roads linking the town to other places are in bad shape.”
Governor Idris pledged to assemble key figures from the Zuru Emirate, including traditional rulers, for a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja, aiming to swiftly address the concerning situation.
Emphasizing his administration’s commitment, he affirmed support and financial backing for the annual Uhola Festival, recognizing its importance in fostering cultural promotion for economic development and social unity.
British Actor Bernard Hill, Star Of ‘Titanic’, Passes Away At 79
I Found A Good Wife – Taiwo Cole Responds To Wedding Controversy
EPL: Referee To Wear Camera For Crystal Palace vs. Man Utd Match
Chaos As Edo Speaker Suspends Shaibu’s Ally, Two Others
Burna Boy Is Big, But Wizkid Is The GOAT – Terry G
Grammy No Longer My Goal, I Want Headies – Whitemoney
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
