News
Labour Leader Wants NNPC Unbundled
The President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Mr Peter Esele, on Wednesday advocated unbundling of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as part of efforts at ending the problem of the nation’s oil and gas sector.
Esele told newsmen in Lagos that the corporation should be allowed to run as a business for the sector to improve.
“Fifty percent of Nigeria’s problem is solved if government unbundles NNPC. If you talk of gas to power, it is from NNPC. Power cannot be run with the current state of the NNPC.
“The government should unbundle NNPC because the corporation is difficult to understand, and until government unbundles NNPC to make it run like a business, the oil sector will continue to have problems,’’ Esele said.
He observed that the government must carry out a Value for Money (VFM) survey on every naira spent to realise the impact of the planned removal of subsidy on the people.
The labour leader noted that if the government deregulates without looking into the important issues affecting the nation, the economy would suffer.
Esele noted that various sectors of the economy, including the media and its workers, would be affected as a result of petroleum products subsidy removal.
“For instance, there is no way newspaper publishers will not increase their advert rates and cover prices of newspapers because of the cost of the newsprint that will also be increased because of the removal of the oil subsidy.
“The implication is that the opportunity for us to read papers will drop and that will increase the illiteracy level of the country,’’ he said.
Esele said it was sad that labour does not know how the government arrived at the calculation of intending to raise the pump price of petrol from N65 to N150, if subsidy should be removed.
He noted that majority of Nigerians might not be able to pay the expected N150 per litre for petrol when subsidy would have been removed.
“If you can pay N150 for petrol conveniently, it does not mean that every other person can do that. Government has to look at the economy from a composite perspective,” he said
The labour leader urged the government to have a rethink on the issue because it would worsen the living condition of the average Nigerian.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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