Business
NNPC Demolishes Illegal Structures Along Arepo Pipeline
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has demolished all illegal structures constructed along its pipelines’ right of way, at Arepo in Ogun State.
Report also say that the affected structures include shops, fences, street gates, block industries, welder workshops and churches.
Armed soldiers and other security officials, including those of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were seen supervising the exercise.
Also, some people whose properties were affected were seen removing the debris, while others were seen in groups discussing the development.
Farmers who planted cassava plant along the route were also seen removing them pre-maturedly.
An official of the NNPC, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, noted that the exercise was as a result of the pipeline explosion that killed over 30 suspected petroleum pipeline vandals in the area recently.
It would be recall that Dr Ade Abolurin, Commandant General, NSCDC, recommended the demolition of the structures to curb incessant explosions caused by vandals.
Ogun State Commandant, NSCDC, Mr Aboluwoye Ebenezer, said that the exercise started on Monday, adding that his men were fully on ground to monitor the situation.
Pastor Remi Johnson, Celestial Church of Christ, whose church was affected, told newsmen that they were not aware that their structure was close to the NNPC’s right of way.
“When we bought this place, we were told that the pipeline was far from us. We are not happy that part of our church was demolished.
“There is nothing we can do. The main people that caused this problem are the vandals.
“The government should go after the vandals, who are destroying the NNPC pipes”, Johnson said.
A dry cleaner, whose shop was pulled down, Mr Etim Epko, said that they were not angry with the government, rather, they were vexed with the vandals that exposed them to the current problem.
“We will still manage the remaining part of the shop for our business. We were only given two weeks’ notice of the demolition exercise.
“We never knew there was NNPC pipeline when we bought this plot, “ Ekpo said.
Business
NAFDAC Decries Circulation Of Prohibited Food Items In markets …….Orders Vendors’ Immediate Cessation Of Dealings With Products
Importers, market traders, and supermarket operators have therefore, been directed to immediately cease all dealings in these items and to notify their supply chain partners to halt transactions involving prohibited products.
The agency emphasized that failure to comply will attract strict enforcement measures, including seizure and destruction of goods, suspension or revocation of operational licences, and prosecution under relevant laws.
The statement said “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the growing incidence of smuggling, sale, and distribution of regulated food products such as pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste currently found in markets across the country.
“These products are expressly listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are not permitted for importation”.
NAFDAC also called on other government bodies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Shippers Council, and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), to collaborate in enforcing the ban on these unsafe products.
