News

Fuel Scarcity: RSG Seals Two Filling Stations …As PPPRA, PPMC Warn Against Panic Buying

Published

12 years ago

February 26, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle), cutting the tape to inaugurate the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation in Abuja yesterday. With him are Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Sen. Lawan Ahmed (left) and the Auditor-General for the Federation, Mr Samuel Ukura.

The Rivers State Government yesterday sealed off two filling stations, Oando and Conoil, in Eleme Local Government Area of the state for allegedly hoarding petroleum products.
Rivers State Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Hon Okey Amadi, who announced this said the filling stations, apart from hoarding petroleum products, were also involved in fraudulent meter adjustment.
Hon Amadi, who expressed disappointment at the attitude of some marketers described the acts as economic sabotage, and warned that any filling station found hoarding products or adjusting their meters would be made to face the full weight of the law.
The commissioner advised members of the public to desist from panic buying and inform his ministry of any station embarking on such illegal practices.
He warned those hoarding and storing petrol in their houses of the consequences.
By hoarding petrol in your house you can cause wide spread fire outbreaks that can take lives and you can never imagine the level of damages to properties’, he said.
He also advised landlords and neighbours to be part of the campaign against storage of petrol in their homes because they might be affected irrespective of whether they are innocent or not.
He restated that normal supplies were coming to the state from the refineries, adding that the supplies from tank farms complement supplies from the refineries.
However, our correspondent who visited some filling stations in Port Harcourt and its environs reported that most filling stations were not selling while long queues were seen in the few ones selling.
From the entrance gate of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Nkplou, Port Harcourt, to Education Bus Stop on the busy Ikwerre Road only two filling stations (Chindah Oil and Conoil) were selling while the rest were locked up.
Mr Ejike Ozmene, a businessman told The Tide that he spent three hours at a filling station along East-West Road and that at last the fuel got exhausted before it got to his turn.
At Total Filling Station, near Kampala Busstop along Ikwerre Road, a supervisor who identified himself as Mr Service said, “we don’t have product”.
He said virtually all major marketers do not have supply except some independent marketers who are managing to sell”.
At Conoil Filling Station, motorists and petroleum users were scrambling to purchase fuel with queues of vehicles and jerricans stretching to Udi Street.
An attendant who declined to mention his name said, the company paid for the product since 24 January and was only getting product today (yesterday).
The situation was not different at Aba Road, Chidi Nwakanma who was interviewed at Eternite Oil said for over two weeks, they have not got any supply and do not know when the station would get supply.
Chairman of Abali Park branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Bethel Dappa said, “our members now struggle to get fuel and where they get, they pay between N120-N140 per litre.
“It is obvious that if the situation persists, commercial drivers would be forced to increase fares”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) says the reappearance of long queues at filling stations across the country is artificial and uncalled for.
The PPPRA spokesperson, Mr Lanre Oladele, told newsmen yesterday in Abuja that there was no basis for the scarcity currently being experienced.
Oladele said that there was enough stock to keep the country going for days, adding that with the release of allocation of licences to marketers for the first quarter of 2014, there was no reason for the fuel scarcity.
He described claims that the scarcity was due to the delay in the release of import allocation to marketers as false and unfounded.
Oladele said the last allocation was enough to sustain the market till when the next allocation would be released.
He said contrary to insinuations by marketers that their allocations for the third quarter of 2013 expired on December 31, 2013, they actually covered transactions up to January.
Oladele staid that the allocation was usually done in such a way that it would overlap into another quarter, to make provision for any exigency.
According to him, the marketers create the impression that allocation has been delayed for over one month and they engaged in hoarding of the products to create false impression.
He advised Nigerians not to engage in panic buying, adding “what we have is artificial scarcity, we have enough stock to keep the nation wet for days”.
Chris Oluoh

News

Forum Expresses Confidence In APC Candidates’ Performance In Rivers

Published

1 day ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.

By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi

News

Okafor, Eminent Nigerians Celebrate Osagwe-Ogo At 70

Published

1 day ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.

News

Fubara Commended For Sustaining Peace In Rivers As Sirawoo Receives Democracy Day Recognition

Published

1 day ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.

By: Jessica Sambol