Business

PH Residents Decry Filling Stations’ Non-Compliance With New Pump Price

Published

6 years ago

April 8, 2020

Sequel to further reduction of fuel pump price from N125 per litre to N123.50 by the Federal Government, some Port Harcourt residents have decried the non compliance of petroleum dealers in Rivers State to the new pump price.
Some of the residents who interacted with The Tide complained that the filling stations in the State were still selling at N125.00 and urged the dealers to adjust to the new pump price without further delay.
A public analyst, Mr James Okogba, said the petroleum dealers in Rivers State had no excuse for not adjusting to the new pump price, pointing out that business is about profit and loss.
He noted that petrol dealers were in the habit of adjusting their price faster whenever there is an increase in pump price, but give flimsy excuses when there is reduction
Meanwhile, Dr Goodluck Nwibari of the Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, in a phone chat with our correspondent, enumerated several instances when pump price was adjusted, especially during the Obasanjo administration and dealers adjusted immediately.
He said that the last increase from N97 to N145 by this administration greatly favoured dealers which they adjusted immediately, but wondered why they find it difficult to adjust to the new N123.50 per litre.
The Tide reports that the Federal Government had recently reduced the pump price from N145 to N125, and further reduced it to N123.50 last week.
Our correspondent who went round Port Harcourt to observe the situation, reports that virtually all the filling stations in Port Harcourt, including the mega station at Lagos bus stop, were still selling at N125.00 per litre as at yesterday.
Most of the petroleum dealers who pleaded anonymity hinged their non compliance on high rate of loading at the depot to transportation, administrative depot renewal, among others.

Corlins Walter

Business

Shippers Council Vows Commitment To Security At Nigerian Ports

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC)has restated its commitment towards ensuring security at Nigerian seaports.

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr Pius Akuta, said this in Port Harcourt, while declaring open a one day workshop organized by the Nigerian Shippers Council in collaboration with the Nigerian police( Marin Division).

Theme for the workshop was ‘Facilitating Port Efficiency; The strategic Role of Maritime police “

Akuta who was represented by the Director, Regulatory Services, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mrs Margeret Ogbonnah, said the workshop was to seek areas of collaboration with security agencies at the Ports with a view to facilitating trade

Akuta said the theme of the workshop reflects the desire of the council and the Nigerian police to build capacity of police officers for better understanding and administration of their statutory roles in the Maritime environment.

He said Nigerian seaports has constantly been reputed as one of the Port with the longest cargo dwell in the world, adding,”This is so, because while it takes only six hours to clear a containerized cargo in Singapore Port, seven days in Lome Port, it takes an average of 21 days or more in Nigerian Ports” stressing that this situation which has affected the global perception index on Ease of Doing Business in Nigerian seaports must be addressed.

Akuta said NSC which is the economic regulator of the Ports has the responsibility of ensuring that efficiency is established in the Ports inorder to attract patronages.

“Pursuant to its regulatory mandate, the NSC has been collaborating with several agencies to ensure the facilitation of trade and ease of movement of cargo outside the Ports to avoid congestion”he said.

Also speaking the commissioner of police, Eastern Port Command, Port Harcourt, CP Tijani Fakai, said Maritime police has played some roles in facilitating Ports efficiency.

He listed some of the roles to include ensuring security and crime prevention at the Ports, checking of illegal fishing activities at the Ports, checking of human trafficking and drug smuggling and prevention of fire incident at the Ports.

Represented by ACP, Rufina Ukadike, the CP said police at the Ports have also helped in the decongestion and prevention of unauthorized Anchorage.

He commended the Nigerian Shippers Council for the workshop and assured of continuous collaboration.

Speaking on the dynamics of cargo handling, Deputy Controller of customs, Muhydeen Ayinla Ayoola, said the launching of electronic tracking system and dissolution of controller General Taskforce has helped to ensure efficiency at the Ports.

Ayoola who represented the custom Area Controller Port Harcourt 1 Area command, however raised concerned over rising national security threat , which according to him has affected efficiency at the Ports.

John Bibor

Business

Nigeria Risks Talents Exodus In Oil And Gas Sector – PENGASSAN

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) says Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.

Mr Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN, said this while briefing newsmen at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the sector was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.

“A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the U.S. or Abu Dhabi,” he said.

Osifo said the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.

He said PENGASSAN had recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.

“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.

He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.

Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.

He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.

“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.

On insecurity, Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.

“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.

He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.

Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.

He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.

“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said.

He urged government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.

“Translate macro results to food on the table,” he said.

Business

NCDMB, Others Task Youths On Skills Acquisition, Peace

Published

4 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatshola-Ogbe, alongside former acting Director-General of the Department of State Services(DSS), Matthew Seiyefa, and the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths Development, Kemepado Nimizigha, have charged youths of the Niger Delta region to maintain peace and tranquility in the region.

The trio gave the charge in their separate remarks at the Youths session of the 2025 edition of the NCDMB Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Tuesday.

In his opening remarks, Ogbe , represented by the Head of Department, Government Relations,Teddy Bai, noted that Nigeria stands at a defining moment as global energy systems were rapidly transforming adding that the nation must be deliberate in preparing for a future which balances traditional oil and gas operations with cleaner and more innovative energy solutions.

He said the 2025 PNC Youth forum themed, ‘Building Youth Capacity, Securing Investments, Sustaining Growth In The Oil And Gas Industry’ was not a mere gathering to discuss issues, but to chart new pathways toward meaningful youth engagement, responsible participation in the oil and gas value chain, and sustainable development for the local communities.

Ogbe emphasized that Nigeria’s energy sector was undergoing a transition, with the youths considered as great partners at the heart of the energy sector transition.

“As youths, you’re not just the leaders of tomorrow. You’re contributors and solution-creators today. Your creativity, digital literacy, and innovations are needed in the transitioning energy sector and its value chain.

“It’s my profound pleasure to address you at this year’s PNC 2025 Youth Event, a platform that continues to grow in importance as we collectively shape the future of our energy sector and, indeed, our nation.

“At the heart of this transition is you-the Nigerian youth. Your creativity, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial capacity are crucial assets for solving some of our most pressing challenges, including Pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, Environmental degradation, Skills gaps in emerging energy technologies, and innovations for local content development.

“The NCDMB recognizes your central role, and this event is one of many interventions designed to empower, inform, and prepare you for opportunities ahead.

“The Nigerian youth must be champions of protection- not destruction- of national assets”, he said.

In his keynote address, Pro-Chancellor of the Niger Delta University (NDU), and former acting Director-General of the Department of State Services(DSS), Mathew Seiyefa, called on youths to maintain the peace in the oil rich Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.

He cited instances of youth restiveness and their perceived causes in various parts of the region and other parts of the country, saying without peace no meaning development can take place in any part of the world as investors and Government need peace before siting developmental projects in any given area.

In his goodwill message, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Kemepado Nimizigha, represented by the Director-general of the State’s Centre for Youth Development, Robert Igali, lauded the NCDMB for the programme.

The Commissioner urged youths to engage in meaningful activities rather than taking to social vices, noting that the Governor Douye Diri’s led ‘prosperity administration’ would continue to embark on several initiatives and programmes aimed at empowering youths across the state.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa