News
Fuel Scarcity: Groups Plan Protest
A group of civil society organizations and social media activists and commercial drivers in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, have said they are ready to embark on mass protest to demonstrate their displeasure over the lingering fuel scarcity in the state.
Specifically the civil society groups said they have collected signatures of Nigerians for ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protest in Port-Harcourt on Thursday, against the unending scarcity of petroleum products and current economic hardship in the country.
One of the facilitators of the proposed protest, Livingstone Wechie, said the action is due to hold on Thursday in Port-Harcourt.
He said the action seeks to draw the attention of the Federal Government on the need to take urgent steps to end the current economic hardship facing Nigerians due to the lingering fuel scarcity across the country, especially Rivers, Lagos states, and Abuja.
Wechie emphasised that the protest in Port-Harcourt also seeks to demand that the Federal Government end the era of blame game and evolve measures that will restore confidence in the citizens.
However, both private and public filling station owners have also called on the Rivers State Government, to extend the mandate of the task force to include the monitoring of the activities of depot owners, and not only filling stations.
In an interview with the dealer of Sky Mint Energy Limited filling station along Iwofe-Wimpey Junction, Mr Onyema Otata, said government should enforce the compliance of filling stations with the regulated pump price of petrol.
He said that this can only be possible if government ensures that private depot owners sell the product to filling stations at government-regulated pump price.
Otata further said that the inability of the task force to force compliance has made depot owners to consistently sell the product to willing filling station owners at very high prices.
According to him, “since we buy at very high prices at private depots, we are also forced to sell to our customers at prices which allow for marginal profit,” admitting that “on Friday, we sold at N300 per litre but today (Saturday), we are selling at N200.”
At Propel Filling Station along Ada-George Road, Miss Juliet Njiedika told The Tide that, “as at yesterday (Friday), we sold N300, but today (Saturday), we are selling N250.”
She admitted that the excruciating hardship was hitting hash blow on both owners of filling stations, motorists and other customers resident in the state.
A motorist, Peter Israel, regretted that the task force set up by the state government has achieved little result as private filling stations sell the product at very high prices, while some major filling stations, which have stock of petrol either concentrate on selling to black market operators or completely hoard to product in order to hike the price when customers become desperate to get it at all cost.
Israel said most private filling stations sell the product at between N250 and N300 per litre, complaining that in spite of announcements by the state Ministry of Environment that many filling stations have received the product for sale, only very infinitesimal number across the state capital are actually open to the public, and are selling at official pump price.
He said that the situation has made queues at the few major filling stations longer than necessary, and customers staying, sometimes, two to three days at filling stations before they are able to buy petrol at government-approved pump price.
Another motorist, Ifeanyi Onyechukwu, said “right now, there is no fuel anywhere, and worst still, if you see to buy, it is very expensive”, adding that high cost of procuring petrol has had ripple effect on transport fares, which he said has skyrocketed by over 300 per cent.
Efforts to talk with the NNPC mega station management proved abortive as few officials seen at filling stations in Port Harcourt declined comments, and rather referred our correspondents to NNPC headquarters for answers to the festering enigma.
The situation which became more serious over the weekend caused most motorists operating in the city to park their auto mobiles as there was no petrol to buy.
Few stations with the product who were besieged by long queues sold at the rate of N200.00 per litre while at the back market, a litre sold for N300 and above.
Black marketers s also sold 10 litres for between N2,500 and N3,000 and 20 litres at between N5, 500 and N7,000.
Transporters increased their charges by 100 per cent.
From Rumuokoro to Mile 3 Park that normally cost N100 went up to N200, from Mile 1 Flyover to Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) that normally went for N50 by taxi went up to N100.
Investigation further revealed that Iloabuchi to UST backgate is now N100 from the former N50, while Port Harcourt to Ahoada is now N600 from the previous N500.
Similarly, Port Harcourt to Andoni is now N900 from N600, Port Harcourt to Omoku N800 from N600, while Port Harcourt to Bori is now N500 from N400, while the fare from Port Harcourt to Okrika which was previously N250, is now N300.
Infact, passengers said, every stop by taxi and bus within the Port Harcourt metropolis is now N100 instead of the usual N50.
Chris Oluoh & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
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