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Fuel Marketers Threaten Strike ’Morrow …As FG Sues Oil Coys, EFCC Arraigns 19 Suspects
The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMA), yesterday threatened to shut its operations within 48-hours if government fails to pay subsidy claims to marketers.
Mr Dapo Abiodun, President of the association, made the ultimatum in a telephone interview with newsmen in Lagos.
Abiodun said that failure on the part of the government to pay all verified and outstanding subsidy claims would lead to members’ suspension of supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.
“We are not fighting government but what we are saying is that government should pay all our outstanding subsidy claims which have affected our operations.
“If after 48-hours government fails to effect payment, we, the members of DAPPMA are going to put our operations on hold nationwide pending when it is paid.’’
Abiodun said that banks were charging marketers about N1.80k as interest on a litre of petrol on a monthly basis due to non-payment of the subsidy claims by government.
He said that it cost members about $30 million dollars (N4.68 billion) to import 30,000 metric tones of petrol, adding that non-payment of subsidy has resulted to huge debts from funds borrowed from banks.
According to him, the bank loans used to finance importation of petroleum products have continued to accrue interest over and above the 45 days.
Abiodun also said that the decision of Federal Government to suspend indefinitely all verified and outstanding subsidy payments since January had exposed its members to financial crisis.
“Our members have been exposed to harsh effects of the devaluation of the Naira that will make it impossible to fully repay the outstanding dollar denominated loans when eventually payments are made by the Federal Government.”
Abiodun said the situation has made it imperative for them to demand also the payment of all accrued interests over and above the contractual period.
He said the association was not against the ongoing investigation of the 2011 subsidy claims by marketers, but requesting for the full payment of 2012 subsidy claims so far.
“We have subjected ourselves to the various panels of investigations but nothing came out of the reports.
“The government does not have any reason to hold the payment of claims when marketers have duly imported the products.”
Our correspondent reports that the Jetty and Tank Farm Owners Association of Nigeria (JEPTON) on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike over the non-payment of subsidy claims.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday filed a suit against two oil companies and their managing directors, who allegedly collected about N2 .5 billion for the importation of petrol but did not import the commodity.
The defendants are Integrated Resources Ltd. and its Managing Director, Durosola Omaggenigun; and Pinnacle Oil and Gas and its Managing Director, Peter Mba.
They were charged before a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) will arraign the defendants on Thursday before Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson.
In a four-count charge signed by Mrs Olabisi Fatunde, the Director of Public Prosecution of the federation, the government said that the defendants committed the crime between 2010 and 2011.
The charge stated that they collected the money under false pretence of importing 32.3 million litres of petrol.
The government said that the defendants claimed to have used the money to import about 19.3 million litres of petrol from the Nimex Petroleum Ltd.
It further alleged that they also claimed to have purchased about 13 million litres of the product from the Alcamo International Ltd.
In a related development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on yesterday said that it had concluded plans to prosecute the first batch of 19 suspects involved in the fuel subsidy fraud.
In a statement issued by its Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, in Abuja, EFCC said that some of the suspects including Nasaman Oil Services, Eternal Oil and Gas Plc, Ontario Oil & Gas Plc and Nadabo Energy Limited would be arraigned in Lagos, today.
Also to be arraigned in Lagos are Pacific Silver Line Limited, Axenergy Limited, Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited and 12 individuals.
The statement also listed the 12 individuals to include Mamman Ali, Christian Taylor, Mahmud Tukur, Ochonogor Alex, Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi, Fakuade Ebenezer.
Others are Ezekiel Ejidele, Abubakar Peters, Jude Abalaka, Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo and Abdullahi Alao.
Some of the suspects are among the over 140 individuals and organisations suspected of being involved in the subsidy payment scam, currently under investigation.
The accused persons are expected to be arraigned before Justices Adeniyi Onigbanjo and Habeeb Abiru of the Ikeja High Courts.
According to the charge sheet dated July 19, 2012, the accused persons are facing a 9-count charge bothering on conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences, forgery and use of false documents.
The EFCC alleged that they had on April 28, 2011 in Lagos, fraudulently obtained N676.9 million from the Federal Government, purporting same to be payment accruing to Eterna Oil under the Petroleum Support Fund.
The commission also accused the marketers of falsifying claims to have purchased 33, 288, 388 litres of Premium Motoring Spirits (PMS) from Mercury Energy Trading AS and imported to Nigeria through Ex-MT Fulmer, Ex-MT Emirates Star and Ex-MT Panther.
Alao will also face another 7-count charge bothering on obtaining money under false pretences, forgery and use of false documents before Abiru.
He is accused of fraudulently obtaining N2.5 billion in December 2010 from the Federal Government as subsidy payments for supplying 13,364,284 and 20,014,627 litres of PMS from Ex- MT Gavros and Ex-MT Nippon Princess.
They are also facing a 9-count charge bothering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretext, forgery and use of false documents.
The EFCC, in the charge sheet signed by Mrs O.O. Fatunde, alleged that the accused persons fraudulently obtained over N1.9 billion from the Federal Government under the Petroleum Support Fund from July to December 2010.
All the accused persons were also alleged to have forged bills of lading and other vital documents which they allegedly used in perpetrating the fraud.
The anti-graft agency said their alleged offences contravened Sections 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.
The offences also contravened Sections 467 and 468 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State 2003, it added.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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