Business

LG Chiefs Task NNPC On Kerosene Distribution

Published

15 years ago

July 29, 2011

Some local government chairmen in Lagos State have charged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to sustain the mobile truck kerosene distribution to Lagosians.

They told newsmen in separate interviews recently that NNPC must ensure that the distribution was not a one-off thing but a sustainable effort that impacts on the lives of Nigerians.

The Chairman of Surulere Local Government Area, Dr. Rasaq Folami, described government-direct grassroots sale of kerosene initiative as laudable venture that needed the input of all stakeholders to sustain.

He said that Lagos citizens had over the years suffered from inadequate supply of kerosene following persistent racketeering of the product by most sale outlets.

“We hardly believed that common people could get kerosene in Lagos with the high prices in some filling stations but today I can see the good intention of government through mobile truck dispensing in Lagos.

“We appeal to NNPC and Capital Oil and Gas to ensure good sustainability of the `kero-direct to my people’ because this is the only products that affects my people directly,’’ he said.

Kunle Soname, the chairman, Ikosi/Isheri Local Council Development Area, also commended the initiative toward ensuring that rural people had access to kerosene. He said the council had fashioned ways of curtailing multiple purchase of kerosene as a means of ensuring that people do not re-sell the products.

Kosofe Local Government Chairman, Mr. Ademuyiwa Adedeji said that sustained direct dispensing of kerosene would contribute immensely in curtailing artificial scarcity in Lagos.

Adedeji said that the attention generated by the recent mobile-direct sale of kerosene was an attestation of the fact that kerosene remained the most popular fuel of the masses.

In a contribution, the Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Mr. Ayodele Adewale said that direct distribution of kerosene has provided succor to the residents of Festac Town and environs, who have suffered so much in search of the product.

“This programme is well deserved and appreciated by all in this community. We will ensure that everybody gets equal quantity of kerosene at N50 per litre as directed.

Over 1,300 residents of Festac and its environs bought kerosene from the mobile trucks and we hope this will continues until the least person get kerosene,’’ he said,

Adewale, however, assured NNPC/Capital that the council would ensure that the trucks and staff were adequately protected. He said the council had also put in place a mechanism to ensure that nobody buys more than 25 liters of kerosene at a time.

Reporters who monitored the mobile trucks kerosene dispensing in Lagos, say that five trucks of 22,000 capacity was stationed at some councils visited.

Our source also learnt that about 150,000 liters of kerosene were dispensed to over 5,000 household in Surulere, Ikosi/Isheri, Kosofe, Apapa and Amuwo-Odofin local Government areas of Lagos.

Business

Niger Delta Investment Summit Targets $5bn Inflows, 500,000 Jobs

Published

5 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has unveiled the plans to host a major economic and investment summit aimed at attracting five billion dollars, ( N7 trillion) investments in addition to creating about 500,000 jobs over the next five years.

The Chairman of NDCCITMA Board, Ambassador Idaere Ogan, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently.

Ogan stated that the initiative is designed to reposition the Niger Delta as a viable destination for sustainable economic growth and development.

He explained the summit would bring together investors, policymakers, manufacturers and business leaders from within and outside Nigeria to explore opportunities across key sectors of the regional economy.

According to him, the event is expected to attract high-profile participation, with President Bola Tinubu billed as Special Guest of Honour, while the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, is expected to deliver the keynote address.

Ogan said the summit would focus on critical sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and the blue economy, which he described as areas with significant untapped potential.

He called on state governments, development partners and private sector stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that collective efforts are required to unlock the region’s economic prospects.

NDCCITMA chairman further stated that improving security conditions and increasing economic confidence in the Niger Delta have made the region more attractive to both local and foreign investors.

He emphasised that ongoing economic reforms at the national level have also contributed to creating a more favourable investment climate.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, said the event would prioritise the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the region.

He noted the summit would provide a strategic platform for networking, business partnership and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening the private sector.

Edebiri disclosed that findings from a recent business roundtable revealed significant untapped investment opportunities, which the summit seeks to harness through targeted collaborations.

He revealed that the event would feature exhibitions of viable projects, facilitate business-to-business and business-to-government engagements, and also promote innovations across multiple sectors.

According to him, the expected outcomes of the summit include job creation, increased industrial activity and improved livelihoods for people in the Niger Delta.

To build momentum ahead of the event, NDCCITMA said the body would embark on awareness roadshows across states in the Niger Delta, as well as in Lagos and Abuja, to attract broad participation.

King Onunwor

Business

NPA Targets N1.489tn Revenue In 2026

Published

5 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has set N1.489 trillion as its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for the 2026 fiscal year.

NPA says the figure represents an increase of N21 billion over the N1.468 trillion target for 2025, which the agency exceeded with an actual revenue of N1.97 trillion.

The Managing Director NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, stated this during the agency’s 2026 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.

Dantsoho said the authority was set to begin groundbreaking projects for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports to enhance global competitiveness.

According to him, of the projected revenue: N945 billion is allocated for capital projects, N447.5 billion for operating expenses, and

N90.6 billion for remittance into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

The MD explained that the budget was anchored on the mantra, “Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.”

Dantsoho said that the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports were flagship projects aimed at boosting revenue.

“Apapa and Tin Can Island ports are old and no longer adequate for modern global port operations.

“Apapa Port is about 100 years old, while Tin Can Island Port is over 50 years old, with limited capacity for handling modern vessels and cargo volumes.

“Groundbreaking for their modernisation will commence within the next two to three weeks,” he added.

On the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Dantsoho said all revenues generated by the NPA are paid directly into the account managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“We do not retain any funds. The Central Bank is the signatory and we must apply for funds whenever needed,” he explained.

Earlier in his remarks,Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ports, Sen. Wasiu Eshinlokun (Lagos Central), said the committee’s oversight function was collaborative rather than adversarial.

“Our goal is to work with you to strengthen institutional capacity, eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that every naira appropriated serves the public interest,” he said.

Chinedu Wosu

Business

NPF Disburses ?21.68m To Fallen Heros’ Families …Reinforce Welfare Commitment

Published

5 days ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria Police Force has disbursed a total of ?21,678,120 to the deceased police officers families in Rivers State as part of ongoing welfare interventions by the force.

The gesture formed a major highlight of the activities marking the 2026 National Police Day celebration in the state, underscoring renewed institutional focus on personnel welfare and post-service support systems.

The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, who presided over the cheque presentation ceremony, said the initiative reflects the Force’s commitment to honouring officers who paid the ultimate price in their line of duty.

He explained that the financial support is designed to cushion the economic burden faced by bereaved families, while also reinforcing confidence among serving personnel about the Force’s long-term welfare structure.

Adepoju conveyed the sympathy of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to the beneficiaries, noting that the sacrifices of fallen officers remain invaluable to national security and public safety.

The police boss further stressed that sustained welfare interventions are critical to boosting morale, enhancing productivity, and strengthening institutional loyalty within the Force.

He reiterated that the welfare scheme aligns with broader reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force as a responsive and people-oriented institution.

Beneficiaries of the cheques commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for prioritising the welfare of officers and their families through consistent and impactful interventions.

They described the initiative as timely and compassionate, noting that it would go a long way in alleviating financial pressures arising from the loss of their loved ones.

The families also acknowledged ongoing reforms under the current police leadership, which they said have strengthened trust, improved service delivery, and enhanced the overall image of the Force.

The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining similar initiatives as part of efforts to uphold the dignity, sacrifice, and legacy of officers who served the nation with distinction.

King Onunwor