The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Supply shortfall cause of fuel scarcity – Kachikwu

    Supply shortfall cause of fuel scarcity – Kachikwu

    Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, says the major cause of the fuel scarcity currently being witnessed across the country is shortfall in supply of petroleum products.

    Kachikwu, who stated this in a news briefing on Thursday in Abuja, however, said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ) was making efforts to ensure that queues at filling stations disappeared in a couple of days.

    “Presently, queues in Lagos have reduced. We know that Lagos, Abuja, Benue, Port Harcourt were among the worst-hit areas.

    “Benue has been dealt with; Port Harcourt is quite moderated. Apart from these areas, other places in the country are probably liquid.

    “The major problem is the gap in terms of volume, because NNPC is the only one importing the product to the country,” he said.

    The minister assured that there was adequate storage facility for imported products, adding that emergency measures were in place to ensure that the products were available during the Yuletide and post-January.

    He said that four vessels laden with petroleum products would “berth in a few days and a total of 20 cargoes are also expected with petroleum products’’.

    Kachikwu said that the NNPC had, as at Wednesday, discharged products at its depots, adding that emergency supply, quick truck delivery and stricter monitoring were measures adopted to ensure that queues disappeared.

    He added that NNPC would use additional trucking to major cities using strategic reserves from Suleja, Minna, Gusau and Gombe.

    This, he said, would help to service Abuja, Kano and Sokoto axis to feed the North-West, North-East.

    “I have asked the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency to ensure stricter sanctions on any station that refuses to abide by the rules.

    “They need to take a firm action to ensure that we get quick results,’’ he said.

    Kachikwu further assured that the market would be flooded with more products to cushion effects of over-subscription through Kaduna refinery production, adding that Port Harcourt was expected to start producing 2.1 million litres of petrol per day.

    He said that it was expected that with the adopted strategies, the queues would “slide down’’ in one week.

    On long-term strategy, he said that ultimate result would come when the refineries resumed optimal production.

    The minister said that work would commence effectively in the refineries in January.

    Executive Secretary of DPR, Mr Modecai Ladan, said that many sanctions awaited filling stations found compromising the dispensing process, warning that the stations would be shut down or charged N275 per litre.

    He said that any station found hoarding products would either be sealed or its product auctioned or dispensed free-of-charge to consumers.

    Ladan added that depending on the offence, defaulters may be shut down for six months or blacklisted.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a drive round Abuja metropolis and highways revealed that only a few filling stations were opened for operation, serving long queues.

    NAN

  • Man jailed three months for drug peddling

    Man jailed three months for drug peddling

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced a 32-year-old man, Shola Adewuyi, to three months imprisonment for dealing in 33.3g of hemp.

    The convict faced a charge of dealing in restricted narcotics, brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA )

    Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo sentenced Adewuyi after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

    Oguntoyinbo held that the accused was guilty as charged.

    “You are hereby sentenced to three months imprisonment, beginning from the date of your arrest,’’she said.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on September 22 at Coker Estate, Shasha Egbeda, Lagos.

    He said the accused was caught with about 33.3 g of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as hemp.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    In his review of the facts of the case, Aernan tendered in evidence a written statement of the accused, the hemp, a request for scientific aid form and a drug analysis form as exhibits.

    The court, accordingly, admitted and marked them as exhibits.

    Before his sentence, the accused had begged the court to temper justice with mercy, promising that he would never commit such crime again if pardoned.

    NAN

  • Adamu selects 10 players for COPA Lagos

    Adamu selects 10 players for COPA Lagos

    Ten players have been selected at the Brinin Kebbi camp of the Super Sand Eagles for the COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament, opening in Lagos on December 8.

    The Head Coach of the team, Audu Adamu, said in Lagos on Thursday that the new team would represent Nigeria at the CAF Beach Soccer tournament, billed for Egypt next year.

    “These selected players will represent us at the World Cup qualifiers in Egypt. I have so much hope in them and I’m confident that they will deliver.

    “Our performance in COPA Lagos will further reveal to us where we need to work on and improve on,’’ Adamu said.

    The players selected are Paul Danjuma of Kastina United, Arome Isah of Sambrin FC Kogi, Victor Tale (Captain) of Kogi United FC, Emmanuel Oweferia and Taiwo Adams both of Owibeseb FC Ojo.

    Others are Ekujumi Eganosi and Emeka Ogbonna both are of Lead UTD FC in Ojo, Lagos, Abu Azizz of Rangers FC Enugu, Suleiman Muhammed of Ifeanyi Uba FC and Bulangi Umar of Kebbi Beach Soccer.

    The four new players, who made the team are Muhammed, Umar, Eganosi and Ogbonna.

    The Managing Director of Kinetic Sports, Samson Adamu, the organizers of COPA Lagos, said that this year’s event would be huge because of the partnership with the Lagos State Government.

    “We have come a long way and with our partnership with Lagos State, we know things will only get better.

    “Already because of this partnership, one of the most renowned coaches in the world Tehina Rota of Tahiti would help train our home-based coaches,’’ he said.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode was partnering with the tournament organizers as part of his commitment to making Lagos a centre of attraction.

    Read also: Arsenal Beach Soccer Team Arrives Today as Lagos State Supports COPA Lagos

    “Tourism, arts and sports are sectors that our amiable governor understands to be the oil sector, we have seen Kinetic Sports manage COPA Lagos and the tournament has all these traits.

    “We believe in the future of COPA Lagos and we are ready to continuously work harder to ensure that we tap into every area this tournament comprises of.

    “Talking about sports, fashion, music, tourism, all these and more are embedded in COPA Lagos and will keep our youths engaged during the festive period,’’ he said.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Deji Tinubu, said that Lagos State was proud to be a part of the success story of Kinetic Sports.

    “Samson is a Nigerian youth that has single-handedly organised a tournament of this magnitude for almost a decade now; because of his consistency he is a success story.

    “I want our youths to challenge themselves, nothing is too small as long as you have passion for it and you have a vision that sees beyond your challenges.’’

    The COPA Lagos tournament is to hold from December 8 to December 10 at Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    NAN

  • Lagos advises miners, dredgers on environmental protection

    Lagos advises miners, dredgers on environmental protection

    The Lagos State government has urged sand miners and dredgers to protect the environment of their operation.

    The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, gave the charge at the World Soil Day held in Ikeja.

    He said in line with the theme of  event, which was “Caring for the planet starts from the ground,”the government decided to raise awareness on the importance of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the challenges in soil management through the seminar.

    He said organisations, communities and individuals should give attention to the problems affecting soils, such as soil contamination, degradation, over mining, oil spills, poor waste disposal, flood and erosion among other activities impacting negatively on soils.

    He stressed that the soil must be protected because it was responsible for our food, shelter and sustenance while the quality of the soil impacts so many other critical elements like water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, plant growth and crop production.

    “The message must be loud and clear; we must do all we can to protect and improve soil and its resources because it is the only home we have,” he said.

    Adejare said the ever-growing population of the state with the attendant increase in demand for shelter and food brought about aggravating pressure on sand mining and dredging on land and water, adding that these activities contribute to the impact of climate change and sea water rise, resulting in heavy erosion of coastal communities and flooding in the state.

    He said it was imperative for the government to engage the stakeholders in regular seminar to address the soil challenges and threats as well as regulations required for the overall achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda 2015-2030.

    “The seminar will review some environmental challenges associated with sand mining and dredging in the state and appraise the prospects of the activities if carried out in sustainable patterns, showing scientific evidence as applicable across the globe,” he asid.

    The Environment commissioner reiterated that ensuring a safe, resilient and sustainable Lagos, through the conservation, protection and restoration of terrestrial and aquatic natural resources for the well being of the citizenry in urban and rural areas of the State remained imperative to the government.

    He advised residents to desist from indiscriminate disposal of spent oil, uncontrolled tree felling and urged tree planting to protect the soil from the ravaging effects of erosion.

    Stressing the government’s commitment to the protection of the soil as a vital resource, Adejare warned those involved in illegal sand mining to desist as such would not be tolerated.

    December 5 has been designated by United Nations as the World Soil Day, following the adoption of the 68th UN General Assembly Resolution in 2013.

    The maiden edition was commemorated by Lagos State last year.

  • ‘Stop cursing elected officials’

    Majority Leader in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade, has urged the electorate to demand explanations from council officials rather than merely cursing them.
    Agunbiade said the public needs to exercise its right to know how elected officials are performing and that this is more effective than raining curses, which cannot improve people’s lives.
    The lawmaker spoke in Ikorodu, Lagos on Wednesday at a public lecture on good governance and community participation at the local government level.
    It was organised by African Democratic Development Initiative (Afridevi) in collaboration with Gbawat Foundation (GF) with the theme ‘The roles of community participation in good governance at the local government level: challenges and prospects.’
    Chairperson of Ikorodu West LCDA, Olajumoke Ademehin; Vice Chairman  Sesan Dada; Ikorodu West All Peoples’ Congress (APC) party chairman, Alhaji Nafiu Olakitan; Council Leader, Ikorodu West LCDA Agbaje Olomu and Afridev Director, Olusesan Olukoya were some of the guests at the event.
    Agunbiade discouraged the public from making too many financial and other demands of council officials, because their sources of incomes are limited to salaries and sitting allowances.
    He noted, for instance, that different groups are already expecting gifts from elected officials for Christmas and that this occurs for every national festival.
    Agunbiade said: “Please pray for us. Support us with your prayers, not curses. Ask questions, ask us questions about what we are doing, don’t just jump to conclusions.
    “….You have the power to call your councillors and ask them questions. Christmas is coming, call your representatives in government to ask them what they have been doing.”
    The lawmaker urged the public to be reasonable. He cited the example of a community leader who prevented him from providing water for the residents of the area because “he was not consulted.”
    “I told the workmen who had already started work to pack their tools and we moved the project to another community. I had no choice,” Agunbiade said.
    Council chairperson Ademehin said a programme she initiated which related to the people ward by ward, had found that their major concerns were about roads, healthcare and education.
    “We are tackling the problems as funds become available. In Ward A for instance, they complained of water, and we have solved that problem by sinking a borehole for them.”
    Host, Olomu, who is also Gbawat founder, said the non-governmental organisation (NGO) focus was on youths, the elderly and the infirmed.
    “We provided entrepreneurial skills for young people, we assist the aged as well as widows.
    Afridev director, Olukoya, said the programme was aimed at sensitising the people at the grassroots about the rights and responsibilities towards the people in government.
    “People need to be enlightened about their roles towards the government. Who is the government? People need to know that we ourselves are the government. They need to know this,” Olukoya said.

    The officials also fielded questions from participants including several residents of the LCDA.

  • Fuel Scarcity: Give Lagos priority in fuel distribution – DPR

    Fuel Scarcity: Give Lagos priority in fuel distribution – DPR

    The Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR ) has directed private depots with petroleum products to give priority to Lagos State in the distribution to end scarcity in the state.

    Mrs Ijeoma Otti-Onyeri, the Assistant Director, Retail Outlets Monitoring, Downstream Division of DPR, gave the directive during inspection of some depots in Lagos.

    Otti-Onyeri said most of the trucks that loaded petrol in all the depots visited were going outside Lagos State.

    The assistant director said that this had led to scarcity of the product and prolong queues of motorists in many filling stations.

    “There is panic buying because there is speculation that there will be increased in the pump price of petrol, that is why we are monitoring depots to find out those that have fuel.

    “From Obats, Dee Jones, Sahara, NIPCO and Aiteo Depots, we observed that they all have stock that can last for five to seven days.

    “The issue now is for them to concentrate on local distribution instead of giving priority to the trucks that are going to other states.

    “We are all aware that if scarcity of the product reduces in Lagos, the noise about scarcity of fuel will go down. The concentration should be in Lagos Metropolis,” she said.

    Otti-Onyeri called on marketers who complained of buying the product at N141 per litre to report to the department with evidence.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that loading of petrol was ongoing in the five depots visited.

    At Sahara Depot, Mr Saheed Omotosho, the Operation Officer, said that the depot had 1.3 million litres of petrol in stock.

    Omotosho said that the depot had loaded 13 trucks as at the time of the visit, promising that they would extend loading time.

    Also at NIPCO Depot, Alhaji Taofeek Lawal, the Head, Corporate Communications, said that the company has 16.6 million litres of petrol in stock.

    Lawal said that 98 trucks were loaded with about 3.9 million litres on Tuesday.

    According to him, of the 98 trucks loaded, 28 trucks were meant for Lagos, while 70 were for outside Lagos.

    He assured DPR monitoring team that NIPCO would concentrate more on local distribution to reduce the scarcity in Lagos.

    At Aiteo, the representative of the company, Emmanuel Oguntula, said that 26 million litres of petrol were available, adding that 43 trucks had loaded most of which were going outside the state.

    Oguntula blamed the scarcity on lack of access road to the depots, adding that tankers spent many days before getting to depot.

  • Man, 21, beats neighbour to pulp

    Man, 21, beats neighbour to pulp

    A 21-year-old man, John David, who allegedly beat his neighbour to a pulp, was on Wednesday arraigned in an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    The accused, a resident of Kirikiri area of Apapa, Lagos, is standing trial on a charge of assault, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The police prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Nov. 23, at their tenement building.

    He alleged that the accused assaulted the complainant, David Orji, by biting him on the hand and beating him up.

    Kokoye said the fight started as a result of an argument which ensued between the duo.

    According to the prosecutor, the accused claimed that the complainant was abusing him without any reason.

    Kokoye said that efforts made by other tenants to settle the dispute proved abortive.

    He said that the complainant reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested.

    The offence contravened Section 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Section 172 prescribes three years imprisonment for assault occasioning harm.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A. Etti, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    He adjourned the case until Jan. 8, 2018.

  • Lagos pays N1b to 301 public service retirees

    Lagos pays N1b to 301 public service retirees

    The Lagos State government has paid N1,075 billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) of 301 Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) retirees for November.The beneficiaries are drawn from the  public service, including local government and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) retirees.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson, at the 45th Retirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation Ceremony in Ikeja, Lagos, said he was interested in the retirees’ well-being, adding that the state was in the process of providing ID cards to pensioners  to enable them enjoy some benefits which they would have paid for.

    He noted that the administration, through the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), has been able to disburse more than N32 billion in accrued pension rights to 7,976 retirees from August 2015 to November, 2017.

    Describing the feat as an achievement other states would wish to attain, he said pensioners under the Pay-As-You-Go scheme receive their monthly pensions the same time active workers receive their salaries.

    He thanked the retirees for their services which brought out a better Lagos.

    LASPEC Director-General, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, admonished the retirees on the importance of healthy living for them to enjoy their life in retirement.

    She also advised them to make decisions on either to receive their pension entitlement through the Life Annuity or Programmed Withdrawal, urging them to  critically study the educative materials on the two options and make decisions that they are comfortable with.

    One of the retirees, Mr. Adebayo Olayinka, prayed for the governor and wished him a second term in office. He also lauded LASPEC workers for their diligence.

    Another retiree, Mrs. Olufunke Atitebi, said there is a ‘big’ difference in the way Lagos retirees get their entitlements under Governor Ambode compared to what obtained before the governor came on board. “The monthly payment has made Lagos to stand out,”she said, urging the governor to keep up the good work and prayed God to continue to uphold and assist him in governance.  She, however, asked the government to find a way of assisting retirees and their families, adding that priority should be given to retirees’ children during recruitment exercise into the state civil service.

  • George preaches unity as Lagos endorses him

    George preaches unity as Lagos endorses him

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship aspirant Chief Olabode George has pledged to unite all rival groups within the party and enthrone peace and harmony if he is elected at the convention on Saturday.

    He told Ogun State delegates other stakeholders at the Park-Inn Hotel, Abeokuta, Ogun State yesterday.

    He said he would ensure that all litigations involving the party were amicably resolved as the party could not afford to waste the little time between the convention and the 2019 elections on unnecessary infighting and other distractions.

    He noted that PDP lost Ogun State to the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of disunity adding that the time had come for all to come together and take the state back.

    George had also preached the same message of unity and harmony in Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states which he visited at the weekend.

    He assured party stakeholders that unity, peace and harmony were top on his agenda because they are necessary ingredients for a strong and formidable platform to win elections.

    In Ekiti state, he visited Governor Ayo Fayose where he commended him for his good governance.

    Governor Fayose commended George for his invaluable contributions to the party in the South-West and nationally.

    The Lagos State Chapter on Sunday endorsed him.

    State Chairman Dr. Moshood Salvador gave the certification at a feedback meeting between George and members of the party.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that George had been on campaign in the Southern states of the country to seek support for votes ahead of the National Convention.

    Salvador said: “ On behalf of Lagos PDP, we must vote for Chief Bode George come Dec. 9;  the South west is the rightful region to have the chairman of our great party.

    “In the last dispensation, Ekiti produced the Vice- Chairman while Osun and Oyo states took the highest office. It is only Lagos that is left and what we want is the chairman.

    “The South-east and the South-south have produced a chairman before that is why it is our turn to have the chairman of PDP,’’ he said.

    George assured members that if given the opportunity to serve, he would re-establish the culture and tradition put in place by the founding fathers of  the PDP.

    “If I am given the opportunity, I will not be new to the management of this party because the party’s constitution is not going to be new to me; I know its provisions as I know the back of my hand.”

  • Yuletide: NURTW bans alcohol sale in Lagos motor parks

    Yuletide: NURTW bans alcohol sale in Lagos motor parks

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ) says it has banned sales of alcoholic drinks in all motor parks in Lagos State ahead of the festive period.

    Mr Tajudeen Agbede, the Lagos State Chairman of NURTW, made this known on Monday in an interview.

    Agbede said that the union has set up a task force to enforce the ban in various motor parks across the state.

    “We don’t want to experience any form of accident on the highways as a result of alcoholic drinks during the festive period.

    Read also: Lagos moves to check drink-driving

    “We have four units of the task force going round the motor parks, at least three times a week, to enforce the ban on sales of alcoholic drinks within and outside our parks,” he said.

    The union chairman said the ban was not only meant for the festive seasons, adding that it would continue after the festivities.

    Agbede also appealed to the commuters to board vehicles at the designated motor parks for security of their lives and property instead of boarding unsafe vehicles by the roadside.

    He said that the union has also put in place some security measures in all the parks to guarantee safety of the commuters.

    “Our motor parks are safe to board vehicles to anywhere you are going to in the country,” he said.

    NAN