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Fuel Subsidy: Fix Old, Build New Refineries, NUPENG Tasks FG
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged the Federal Government to urgently fix the refineries before removing subsidies to boost the economy.
The Lagos Zonal Council Chairman of the union, comprising Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos and Kwara states, Tayo Aboyeji, stated this in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after his inauguration into the office for a four-year tenure.
Aboyeji, stated that what Nigeria needed was more refineries built by either the private sector or the government to refine and sell the products locally.
He lamented the delay by the Federal Government in actualisation its promise to ensure that modular refineries take off in the Niger Delta since 2016.
He noted that the current scarcity as a result of the time lag in returning the adulterated fuel and bringing in a good product.
He said: “This current scarcity is as a result of importation of bad fuel because we cannot use it in Nigeria. The time-lag of retrieving the bad one and bringing another one has caused this scarcity.
“So, as a union, we condemn it and we want to call on the Federal Government to punish those responsible in bringing in the bad fuel.
“In fact, we recommend their sack and prosecution because Nigerians did not bargain for this kind of situation.”
The new chairman said deregulation could not be implemented now because it would add to the suffering of the masses.
“What I will ask the government to do is to, as a matter of urgency, fix all the refineries. We don’t have to depend on the importation of fuel and as long as we are depending on the importation of fuel, we will have problems with the possibility of the price going up every other time.
“Deregulation is good but not import driven deregulation. If we have the product locally, we can deregulate but you cannot sell our crude to some people to refine it and bring it back and say you want to deregulate. That is double jeopardy,” he said.
Aboyeji pledged his renewed commitment to the union and to continue to proffer solutions to various challenges in the sector.
However, National Vice President, NUPENG, Mr. Haliru Bello, said the current scarcity should be seen as a temporary issue.
He said: “If removal of subsidy is what will better the economy of this country, let it be, but if it’s something that will put us into the crisis we are already in, I think it should not be.”
But in an interview, National Chairman, Petroleum Tanker Drivers, a branch of NUPENG, Mr. Salimon Oladiti, said that deregulation should be liberal and not placed under regulated law.
Oladiti said: “The unions are supporting deregulation but we don’t want deregulation under importation.”
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene