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PPRA denies knowledge of subsidy payment

As Senate demands cost of importation of fuel for 12 months

Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPRA, on Tuesday denied knowledge of details of payment of subsidy of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The representative of the Executive Secretary of Agency, Joshua Peter stated this when he appeared before Senate Committee on Public Accounts.

Peter told the committee that PPRA was no longer in charge on payment of subsidy as it used to be

He said, “We are not in position to give you details of payment of subsidy. As told you we only witness discharged and truck out. Things have changed we don’t know much about subsidy payments. On the issue of amount paid so far on subsidy, PPRA does not have that information to give to you.”

Read Also: Ex-PPPRA chief joins Ekiti governorship race

A member of the committee, Senator Usman Bayero Nafada however insisted that PPRA is in best position to give the committee information on pricing of petroleum products “because that is there primary function.’

Nafada said, “Your primary purpose is details of landing cost. That is your primary function and nobody is more competent to respond to the issue of landing cost than PPRA.”

The committee while responding to PPRA submission said that the agency should furnish the panel with details of cost of fuel importation between January 2017 to December 2017..

February 20, 2018
Killings: Attempts to force emergency rule on Zamfara aborted in Senate

Attempts to force a state of emergency in Zamfara State over the unabating killings in the state were yesterday aborted in the Senate.

The Senator representing Zamfara Central, Kabiru Marafa, prayed the upper chamber to resolve to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the state as part of the measures to deal decisively with those behind the killings.

Marafa who used unprinted words to described the handling of security in the state by the government insisted that those behind killings were known.

Although Marafa argued the declaration of state of emergency in the state was the only way out of the worrisome situation, the motion was not seconded.

Because the proposition was not seconded, it was dead on arrival

Marafa again moved that the Senate should adopt a resolution calling on the state governor Abdulazizi Yari to stay in the state and do his work instead of always staying out the state.

The motion was also not seconded.

The Senate however agreed that its ad-hoc committee on security situation in the country should go to Zamfara to ascertain the extent of destruction of lives and property in the state.

This followed a motion on the “Urgent need to look into the killings that took place in Zurmi L.G.A of Zamfara State” sponsored Senator. Tijjani Yahaya Kaura (Zamfara North)

Kaura in his debate noted that cross border banditry has brought Nigeria’s frail security system to the lime light having triggered an orgy of violence in Zamfara State which left 39 people dead in Zurmi LGA on Wednesday 14th February 2018;

He recalled that following a motion that I moved on the 23rd of November 2017 on the ” Urgent need to look into the killings and arson that took place in Shinkafi L.G.A of Zamfara State” as a result of which the Senate suspended plenary to discuss the deterioration of Internal Security in Nigeria, which led to the recently concluded Security summit;

The lawmaker regretted that despite the notice and warnings to the Law enforcement agencies on the impending attack by the Zamfara State Government 24 hours before the attack no precaution was taken to avert the unfortunate event;

He said that he is aware that Zamfara State Government has over the years taken a lot of measures to bring an end to the Menace including but not limited to providing logistics to security agencies as well as engaging the bandits on dialogue with a promise of laying down their arms to be reintegrated back into the society;

He added that he also aware that the Federal Government since the last Shinkafi attack had deployed 1 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in the troubled area. In addition to the directives given by the President to security agencies to identify and bring the perpetrators to book;

Kaura said that he is concerned that hundreds of lives have been lost to such attacks in the State over the last four years.

He expressed worry that the latest attacks have caused fears across the State, especially around rural communities who have had similar experiences in the past and are helpless;

He also express sadness that these security breaches are on the increase despite the huge resources being expended by the Federal and Zamfara State Governments,

He prayed the Senate to resolve to urge the federal government to direct the Nigerian Air force to use air surveillance to identify the location of the armed bandits within the sparse forest and flush them out as well as urge the Federal Government to mount diplomatic pressure on Niger republic and Chad to forestall criminals from using their territories to launch attack on Nigeria.

The two prayers were adopted.

February 20, 2018
Hubby to court: My wife beats me at will

A 43-year-old driver, Mr Sharafadeen Olawuyi, on Tuesday urged an Ikorodu Customary Court to dissolve his 12-year-old marriage, citing his wife’s adulterous lifestyle.

Olawuyi, who resides at Temidire Estate, Adamo in Ikorodu in Lagos State, told the court that his wife, Khadjat, had turned him into a punching bag.

“She beats me anytime I ask about her whereabouts.

“My wife derives pleasure in making trouble, she fights in our neighbourhood. She has never been a peaceful person since the day she moved into my house and she had refused to change.

“I tried as much as possible to change her lifestyle but anytime I caution her she usually slap me.

“We relocated to another house just to save us from the shame and embarrassment but only for her to start making trouble with the landlord in our new apartment,’’ he said.

Olawuyi said he reported her misdemeanor to his mother-in-law, but she refused to yield to her mother’s advice.

Read Also: Court jails man for stealing cable wire

“I actually wanted to desert her but I felt divorce would be better, please separate us,” he pleaded with the court.

The respondent, Khadjat, 28, a hairdresser, denied being a wayward woman, but admitted fighting or beating her husband.

“I fight or beat him because he married another wife secretly.”

Khadjat, however, urged the court to save her marriage and reconcile her to her husband.

The court’s President, Mrs Funmi Adeola, urged the husband to allow his wife to remain in his apartment until the case is disposed off.

She urged the woman to ensure that there is peace in the house, saying she would be held responsible if anything happens to her husband.

Further hearing has been fixed for March 1.

NAN

February 20, 2018
No apology for rejecting cattle colony in Rivers – Wike

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the stands of the state against the creation of cattle colony in the state.

Wike who spoke at a solidarity rally in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Tuesday by Rivers south-Eaat senatorial zone.

He said he has no regrets for his stands saying that he will not apologies to anyone for rejecting cattle colony in the state.

He said: ‘I am a proper Rivers man in all ramifications, therefore I owe no one apology for rejecting cattle colony in Rivers State.”

“I will stand by that, whether you are in Abuja or wherever you may be hear me well, I do not owe any body any apology.”

Wike however, accused his predecessor of selling off state assets worth $308 million and expending N50 billion on the Rivers Monorail, a project he said Rivers people do not need.

He added “I will not let the people of Rivers East senatorial district and the entire Rivers people down; PDP is the only hope for this country come 2019, Buhari led APC has failed in all its promises.”

Read Also: ‘Wike is fulfilling his campaign promises’

“All they are doing is to kill the economy of Nigeria but by the grace of God they will not succeed.”

Meanwhile, former Governor Celestine Omehia has apologized to the people of the state on behalf of the minister for transportation and the for governor of Rivers state Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

Omehia who apologized to Rivers East senatorial district on behalf of former Governor Amaechi, whom he called his younger brother, alleged that the problems face in the area was caused by Amaechi.

He said “I am sorry that the problem Rivers East is facing is led by a person from the zone, I am in a position to say sorry for what my younger brother is causing for the senatorial district and am advising him to stop now for if the people of the Rivers East senatorial district decide to cook for him (Amaechi) to eat, he cannot be able to eat it.”

February 20, 2018
Senate probes NNPC/Agip N34.423bn secret account

The Senate on Tuesday mandated its committee on Public Accounts to carry out a holistic investigation into the activities of the operation of a N34.423 billion account belong jointly to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Agip Oil company.

This followed the adoption of a motion on “Urgent need to investigate NNPC, Nigerian Agip Oil Company 1PP Security” sponsored by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West).

Melaye in his lead debate prayed the Senate to notes with serious concern the operation of an account by the NNPC/Agip Oil Company;

He observed that the account opened with the name NNPC/ Nigerian Agip oil Company IPP Security account with address NNPC Garki, Herbert Macaulay Way, is domiciled in First Bank Nigeria Plc with account number 2006367288

He also observed that the opening balance was N31, 704, 807, 979.2 with a closing balance of N34, 423, 738, 086.4 as at 25th April, 2017.

Melaye said that he is aware that there has been lodgment and withdrawals since January, 2017.

He said that a lot of questions are begging for answers as regards this account a. The objectives of the account? b. The Signatories to the Account? c. Is the account known to the Federal Government? d. What are the sources of the account’s fund?

The lawmaker said that he is convinced that there is an urgent need to investigate the rationale behind the operation of this account in the interest of the country

The motion was not debated before it was referred to the public accounts committee to investigate.

February 20, 2018
MOSOP urges Buhari to intervene, end threat to peace in Ogoni

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and end the threat to peace in Ogoniland by putting a check to the activities of Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited.

It accused the two indigenous oil firms of desperation for Ogoni oil, which it insisted had created local groups that were sharply divided against one another, with potential for serious crisis in the four Ogoni Local Government Areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme.

MOSOP, through its Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke, yesterday in Port Harcourt, stated that the divide and conquer tactics of Belema oil producing limited and Robo-Michael limited, described as associates of the Anglo/Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), were seriously pitching Ogoni people against one another, which could degenerate to crisis.

It said: “The way forward is a peaceful settlement through dialogue, taking into strong consideration, the interest of the Ogoni people, as articulated in the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) of August 26, 1990.

“We wish to express displeasure with the officials of the Federal Government of Nigeria for feigning ignorance, while companies representing its interest, notably Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited, continue to sponsor local actors who have turned themselves into rival groups, projecting the various interests of their sponsors and representing real threats to the peace of Ogoniland.

Read Also: MOSOP urges Buhari to protect Ogoni

“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call to order, Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited. Ogoni people have at no time approved the resumption of oil mining in the area..

“President Buhari should also prevail on all stakeholders involved in the remediation of Ogoniland to immediately release their counterpart funds for the clean-up of our polluted lands.

“We note the threats faced by our people due to the continued delay in the clean-up of Ogoniland and are dismayed that while the reality of the death sentence passed on our people by Shell’s poor business operations remains with us, the Federal Government is rather silent and by implication encouraging Nigerian companies representing its interest, notably Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited, to continue to sponsor groups and cause strong division, with potential to ignite serious conflict in Ogoniland.”

The umbrella organisation of Ogoni people also urged President Buhari to take full responsibility for the peace of Ogoniland by prevailing on the indigenous oil companies not to cause crisis in the area, through the various groups being sponsored to advance their interests in Ogoniland.

MOSOP declared that oil resumption in Ogoniland was not its priority for now, stressing that the Federal Government must initiate discussions involving all parties to the prolonged conflict, including Shell, to ensure peaceful resolution.

February 20, 2018
NURTW hails police for arrest of suspected killer

The Lagos state council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has commended the police for its efforts to arrest those alleged to be behind the killings of union members in the state.

Chairman of the union Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, gave the commendation in a statement on the parade of one Rafiu Akanbi Olohunwa and Ade Lawyer by the police in connection with the killing of Ganiyu Pinero at Idumota area of Lagos recently.

During the parade, Ade lawyer was reported to have confessed to having killed four other men in the past.

The state Chairman thanked the Police for exposing the alleged killers, urging the leadership of the Police not to relent in their efforts to get to the roots of the matter by ensuring that other people behind the killings of union members are exposed, adding that Alhaji Rafiu Akanbi Olohunwa had been expelled from the union following series of unlawful activities traced to him”, in the past.

Read Also: I killed four persons for ex-NURTW boss, suspect alleges

” You see, Olohunwa and some others got into our union through the back door, but after some time, their mission to cause confusion in the union was exposed and he was expelled from the union. His plans and that of his friends was to create tension and to force the state government to descend on the union.

“We thank God that their mission has been exposed”

We appeal to the inspector General of Police to go after all those suspended to be involved in the killing of our people.

“The people we have lost to the killers include People Hamburger from Oshodi, Mados Salawe etc.

Police should help us get to the root of the matter. Our election is coming next year and these people if allowed to remain in our midst would continue to cause more havoc.

Agbede stated that the union has absolute trust in the ability of the police to get to the roots of the matter to prevent future occurrence.

He equally appealed to members of the union in the state not to take laws into their hands”, saying l will enjoin our members in the state to remain law abiding and co-operate with the police by furnishing them with information that can help their investigation”.

February 20, 2018
FRSC @30: Security agencies hail Corps for reducing road crashes

Some security agencies have lauded the contributions of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC to nation building, saying its operations in the past 30 years were significant in reducing road crashes.

They made the commendation in Yenagoa on the occasion of the FRSC Anniversary Evening with Stakeholders, tagged, “FRSC at 30: The Journey So far”.

AVM Stephen Onuh, Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Bayelsa Mobility Command of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), commended the roles of FRSC in the past 30 years and urged the Corps to `keep the flag flying’.

Onuh, represented by Air Commodore Wale Ogunmedede, Command Logistics Officer, described the contributions of the FRSC as `giant strides’ in national growth.

“Looking at the history of the FRSC, you will see that road traffic crashes have reduced drastically; in the 80’s, people drove without license but with the effectiveness of the Corps since inception, people became conscious of rules on the use of roads,” Onuh said.

Brig.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, Commander 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Bayelsa, said the FRSC contributions, especially in safeguarding lives and property on the roads, could not be over-emphasised.

Aligbe, represented by Lieutenant- Col. Olusegun Olenigbogbe, described safety on the road as `Safety to Mankind’ and commended the FRSC on its achievements, so far.

“The enforcement of safety rules and regulations for road users has been so significant to the society.

“We as the Military, will continue to support the operations of the Corps so that the nation’s roads become completely safe for road users,” he said.

Mr Don Awunah, the Police Commissioner in Bayelsa, pledged the support of the police to the activities of the FRSC in Bayelsa and Nigeria to enable it achieve more success.

Awunah said the Police would continue to collaborate with the Corps in the enforcement of driving rules and regulations.

Mr Godwin Nwachukwu, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bayelsa, said that FRSC had been very crucial in maintaining peace, order and tranquility, especially safety on the roads.

The FRSC’s Sector Commander in the state, Mr Ikechukwu Igwe, noted that the journey so far in the past 30 years, yielded momentous results in the reduction of road crashes.

Igwe expressed gratitude over the achievements recorded and reiterated their commitment to ensuring safety of lives on the highways.

“In the 60’s, we recorded high rate of crashes till 90’s and early 2000, but with the efficient operations of the Corps, road traffic crashes have reduced across the country,” he said.

February 20, 2018
Air Force deploys troops against bandits in Niger state

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Tuesday that a substantial number of troops has been deployed by the service in support of the on-going Operation Karamin Goro, targetted at bandits, cattle rustlers and kidnappers in Niger state.

Its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in a statement that the one month joint operation with the army is at the behest of the Niger state government.

AVM Adesanya said : “As part of efforts to curb the menace of kidnapping, armed banditry, cattle rustling and other forms of criminalities in Niger State, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has contributed a substantial number of troops to the ongoing Joint Operation codenamed, OPERATION KARAMIN GORO.

“The NAF personnel are participating in the one month Joint Operation, which is at the behest of the Niger State Government, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services.

Read Also: Air Force offers free medical care in Enugu

“The operation commenced on 18 January 2018 and is part of the efforts by the Niger State Government to enhance security of lives and properties in the State.

“The NAF, as part of its statutory responsibilities of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria, has been involved in various Internal Security operations across the country. These include the fight against insurgency in the North East, cattle rustling, kidnapping and armed banditry in the North West, militancy in the South-South and pipeline vandalism in the South West.

“Only recently, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar announced the establishment of additional Forward Operational Bases (FOBs) in Taraba as well as the Benue-Nassarawa States Axis, as part of plans to further tackle the incessant herdsmen-farmers clash in the country.

“It is also recalled that the NAF has been training personnel of its Regiment Specialty in Special Warfare, a major part of which is aimed at enhancing their ability to protect the lives and properties of civilians during Internal Security situations.

“This is in recognition, by the NAF leadership, of the mostly asymmetric nature of the security challenges confronting the nation in recent times. OPERATION KARAMIN GORO could come to an end by 21 February 2018 unless situation demands otherwise”.

February 20, 2018
I have not relented in fighting corruption – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said that his administration has not relented in fighting corruption in the country in the last two and half years.

Apart from open letters by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, some Nigerians also felt that the President’s anti-graft battle has been selective.

In a keynote address at the first Adamawa State Anti-corruption Summit in the state, the President said that it was very encouraging that a State Government on its own is venturing into the subject matter of fighting Corruption.

He said “You may recall that on 29th May 2015, when I stated that we are faced with enormous challenges in this Country, with insecurity and institutionalized pervasive corruption being key and that my confidence remained high that together we will tackle them head on.

“As I had predicted, today I am proud to note that we have not relented in our determination to fight corruption. We are fixing our problems together.

“Even though under our system the Federal Government cannot directly interfere in the details of the operations of States, but to see that the gross corruption at the local level is being checked and transparently reported is a thing of satisfaction and joy for me.” he said.

Read Also: Buhari’s aide to APC members: Don’t undermine Tinubu’s reconciliatory assignment

According to him, the administration will try to ensure that there is more responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country.

He said “I note with satisfaction the logical steps taken by Adamawa State Government in the last two and a half years to demonstrate that transparency, fiscal responsibility, accountability and timely delivery of strategic goods and services to develop the state and enhance the confidence of its people is a viable template to fighting corruption.

“Team work, the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Legislature, the respect and compliance with fiscal and procurement laws, the institutional reforms to improved efficiency, the drive to achieve value for money, as demonstrated by this administration, are worthy of note.

“I recommend to other states this model along with all other winning approaches to enhance the progress and development of our Nation.

“The projects and progress I have seen in Yola along with the reports and presentations made here have given me encouragement on the future of the State. I hope this momentum will be sustained.

“To the Government of Adamawa State, I say “well done and keep it up”. To the people of Adamawa State, I congratulate you all on supporting the Government and encourage you to continue to give your maximum support to the State Government in its drive for a much better future.” he said

February 20, 2018