News
IPMAN Seeks Death Penalty For Pipeline Vandals
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged the Federal Government to extend the death penalty to saboteurs of the nation’s petroleum products pipelines.
The call for the ultimate price stemmed from the increasing activities of some unpatriotic elements who had been destroying the nation’s economy through vandalism of the pipelines.
Alhaji Dele Tajudeen, chairman of the Ogun State chapter of IPMAN, told newsmen, Saturday in Lagos, that only severe sanctions could curb the destruction of oil pipelines.
Tajudeen identified the NNPC system 2B network and other channels of products transportation as the worst sabotaged pipeline network in the country.
“Government should enforce death penalty on pipelines vandals in other to curb incessant vandalism along its network. In the last one year, Ogun State chapter of IPMAN has contributed immensely to the effective monitoring and surveillance of NNPC products networks,’’ he said.
Tajudeen said that IPMAN had in the last one year spent more than six million naira to acquire pipelines monitoring equipment to complement the efforts of the NNPC.
According to him, IPMAN members contribute between N500,000 and N600,000 monthly to curb destruction of NNPC petroleum products pipeline network in Ogun.
He described as unacceptable to IPMAN, the linking of high unemployment in the country with vandalism of the pipelines.
“We cannot leave government alone in the effort to curb pipeline vandalism and the only way to demonstrate such support is through acquiring of tools and equipment to checkmate vandals. We have bought various items such as vehicles, motorcycles, rain coats, rain boots, touch lights and pipeline detectors,” he said.
He said that IPMAN remained committed to the Federal Government’s effort toward sustainable pipelines surveillance.
“We don’t want anything that would hinder our distribution network; so we want to ensure effective surveillance of our pipelines. Marketers can no longer fold their hands and watch a few individuals destroy the nation’s natural endowment. Illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and products’ theft have particularly impacted on the capacity of Nigeria’s oil and gas assets to function optimally,’’ he said.
Tajudeen also pledged the association’s support in ensuring adequate protection of the pipelines.
The NNPC had announced a loss of N174 billion in revenue to pipeline vandalism in the past 10 years.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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