Nation
Tension In Imo As Petroleum Dealers Embark On Strike
Commuters and Motorists in various parts of Imo state were on Wednesday thrown into confusion and lamentation following a strike embarked upon by the state chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
The strike which cut members of the public unawares expectedly precipitated a hike in transport fares by the few commercial vehicles and motorcycle operators on the roads, who increased their fares above 50 percent from the normal fares.
Our roving reporters report while all petrol filling stations that in Owerri metropolis were locked, road side hawkers of the product who sold in jerry cans had a field day as anxious consumers scrambled to obtain the commodity at exorbitant prices, for commuters who usually pay N100 fare from such places as Amakohia, Akwakuma to Owerri metropolis now pay N200,000 while those from Obinze, Umuguma, Irete, Orogwe and Ogbaku pay N300 as against N150.
It was gathered that the strange development was fallout of a running battle between the state government and the oil marketers arising from the refusal of the former to honour an agreement between the duo.
The oil marketers had reportedly reached an agreement with the State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS) for its members, who operate within the Owerri metropolis to pay an annual levy of One hundred thousand naira while those on the outskirts of the town should pay N50,000.
Curiously, the Hope Uzodimma-led administration, allegedly shortly on assumption of office in January 2020 unilaterally hiked the due to N1million.
This was to the consternation of the oil marketers, just as the blunt refusal of the state government to abide by the recent count ruling in favour of the oil marketers whose member in Orlu lost his filling station through demolition did not help matters.
As at the time of filing this report, only few vehicles operated on the roads, while some business centres who operate their gen sets packed up for lack of fuel to remain in business.
Contacted, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba, who had earlier in a radio announcement pleaded with the marketers to drop the strike, said that efforts were on top gear to resolve the matter.
By: Joe Nwachukwu, Owerri
Nation
Rivers Deputy Governor Hails PH City One Love For Humanitarian Gesture
Rivers state Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Nma Odu has commended “The Port Harcourt City One Love,”a Port Harcourt based humanitarian orgnisation For it’s commitment towards alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in the society.
Professor Ngozi Nma Odu said this while speaking at this year’s edition of “operation feed the needy” a yearly outreach program of “The Port Harcourt City One Love ” in Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor said by feeding more than sixty thousands hungry people within the past six years, the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement has distinguished itself as a club that cares for the less privilege in the society.
She commended the , organization for listing eleven thousand persons to be fed in the current exercise.
Meanwhile The Port Harcourt City One Love has planned a permanent solution to the problem of feeding the poor in the state.
The leader of the group Mr Idaere Gogo Ogan who said this in an interview with newsmen during the distribution of food items to the poor and vulnerables in Port Harcourt said the organization is planning a permanent food kitchen where poor and vulnerable persons can work in anytime and get fed.
Idaere Gogo Ogan said more than sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons across Port Harcourt City and environs have been fed since the inception of “The operation feed the needy” program six years ago,adding that so far sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons have beneffited.
He described the group as a platform to promote friendship, brotherhood, community development empathy and feeding the less privilege and hungry people
“That’s what we are doing today here,so we started the exercise six years ago”.he said.
Ogan said the effort was a private sector driven initiative but added “it also involves people in Government because the platform does not recognize any division,we bring everybody together in unity , friendship and brotherhood”he said.
He said the effort will go along way in alleviating hunger especially following the prevailing hunger in the country.
According to him “you know the country is very tough, people are hungry people are starving, there is a whole lot of economic hardship,so for us, this is just our own way of reaching out, our own social contribution to what is very difficult”he said.
Over eleven thousand persons were fed in the just concluded exercise.
Areas of coverage include, Isaac Boro park, Port Harcourt prison/Macoba, Borokiri/Enugu waterside Bundu areas Waterlines and others.
Some of the beneficiaries including an 80 years old widow commended the movement for the annual programm and urged other organizations to emulate them
John Bibor,/Esuuk Oyet/Suotor Memoye /Jeremiah Hannah
Nation
We’ll Partner Private Sector to Industrialize Rivers State – Fubara …Hints Revitalization of Ahoada, Trans Amadi Industrial layout
Nation
SheVentures Open Zero-interest Loan Applications for Women Entrepreneurs
“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively. Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.
“This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs”, Edun said.
Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo said access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs.
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