News
NNPC, IPMAN Partner Against Fuel Scarcity …NUPENG Seeks FG’s Intervention On Product Import Delay
There are indications that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has formed a new alliance with the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) against scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol.
The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) had earlier warned that Nigeria will run out of fuel in five days due to acute shortage of products from the delay in the first quarter fuel allocation by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulating Agency (PPPRA).
The duo of NNPC and IPMAN, have however, debunked the statement as misleading, advising the public to avoid panic buying.
IPMAN’s National President, Aminu Abdulkadri, who made the new alliance with the NNPC known at a media briefing, on Monday, denounced the rumour of proposed fuel scarcity, warning marketers against causing panic.
“We are lodging petroleum products adequately from all NNPC depots across the country and we don’t think there is any proposed scarcity because NNPC and PPMC have assured us of sufficient stock in the country,” Abdulkadiri said.
In spite of the unending challenges posed by pipeline vandalism and product theft in the country, he said, the NNPC and its subsidiary have sufficient stock of products in their marine reserve and national strategic reserve to ensure that the country remains wet with petroleum products round the clock.
He cautioned members of the public against any form of hoarding or panic buying of petroleum products in anticipation of scarcity.
“The fuel situation in the country is quite stable; no cause for alarm, this smooth supply of products had been sustained for a period of two-years.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, through the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu, and the Managing Director, PPMC, Mr Haruna Momoh in conjunction with IPMAN president, we have been working tirelessly in ensuring we maintain the tempo,” he said.
According to Abdulkadri, “l want to assure our members that there is no cause for alarm, we need to step up our bridging in areas where products supply is lacking, and we should augment, because vandalisation of the products pipelines had been a serious menace in the country.
“NNPC, PPMC and the leadership of IPMAN have been on top of the situation; we should not encourage anybody that will portray the country bad by saying we are running out of fuel.
“What we have in the country currently is adequate. And we have equally agreed with the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) to ensure payment of marketers’ bridging claims as at when due, which at the moment, the agency is doing its best.
The IPMAN boss said that in furtherance to the realisation of democracy dividends by the Federal Government, the petroleum minister has agreed to sustain the supply of kerosene direct to Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) yesterday appealed to the Federal Government to step in and ensure timely approval of importation of petroleum products.
The Lagos Zonal Chairman of NUPENG, Mr Tokunbo Korodo, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
The call by NUPENG is coming on the heels of similar appeals by the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria and other interest groups in the oil sector.
“The danger in the delay is that it will cause artificial scarcity when you are not allocating as at when due.
“There is no way the distribution chain will not be disrupted and when the distribution chain is disrupted, it is going to affect the loading system at the depot.’’
According to him, if the loading system is affected there is nothing anybody can do about it.
“If it is not properly handled, then Nigerians will have to be on queue for hours before they get fuel.
Korodo said that although the year could be challenging for government because of the 2015 elections, priority must be given to things that must be done
“Government should be more proactive and do the right thing at the right time.
“We know that it is more challenging for government this time around but whatever they have to do to sustain the supply of petroleum product must be done.
“ I know this year is the year of politics but they should not abandon their responsibilities.
“They should face the primary assignment they canvassed for before they were elected into office,’’ he said.
Our Correspondent reports that the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has yet to give approval for the importation of petroleum products this year.
PPPRA gives the approval every quarter.
The non-release of the approval had apparently rattled oil marketers, who expressed fear that the country may be in for another round of acute fuel scarcity.
However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has assured that fuel scarcity crisis was not about to occur in the country.
Oil-producing Nigeria has often faced fuel scarcity crisis but the administration of President Goodluck appears to have checked the problem in recent times.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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