Fuel: Nigeria Being Held To Ransom By Marketers Who Won’t Sell At Official Rate – Minister

July 6, 2022

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva has said that some oil marketers are holding Nigeria to ransom because they have refused to sell the fule at the current official rate of N165 per litres, leading to the lingering queues in Abuja and other parts of the country.

Speaking with journalists today, July 6, shortly after the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential villa in Abuja, the minister said that the fuel queues are as a result of shortages in supply as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd has enough stock of the product that can last the country for about 32 days.

According to him, there were queues in Abuja because selling at the recommended N165 per litre of fuel is considered by the marketers as unprofitable and the marketers have resolved to divert the product to other areas where they can make abnormal profit.

“If you look at it, there are no queues when you leave Abuja. In most places, only in the Abuja metropolis you continue to have these queues. So, is it that there is less supply to Abuja than to the rest of the country? It is not so.

“It is because if you go out of Abuja, they can afford to probably sell at higher prices. And I’m sure a lot of you must be buying at higher prices.

“But within Abuja, because of the watchful eye of the federal government, they cannot sell at those prices. So it’s not a very attractive market for them. I think these are all things that we might have to be dealing with for a while until we’re able to fully deregulate.”

Speaking on the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries, Sylva said the Port-Harcourt refinery would soon become operational, adding that the Dangote Refinery would commence operation by January next year.

The NNPC last year reached a deal with Dangote Oil Refining Ltd valued at $2.76bn to acquire 20 per cent ordinary shares of 200,000 units put of the 1,000,000 total units in Dangote Oil.

Dangote Refinery is a 650,000 barrels per day integrated refinery and petrochemical project under construction in the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, Nigeria. It is owned by the Dangote Group and is expected to be Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility, upon completion.

The integrated refinery and petrochemical project which will meet 100 per cent of Nigeria’s refined petroleum product requirement and even have a surplus for export when completed is expected to be completed in 2023 after some delays and will generate 9,500 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs.

The Minister said: “So, these issues will gradually be resolved and we will get to the point where Nigeria will be fully supplied from in-country refined products.”

On why Kaduna and Warri Refineries’ workers are still receiving salaries even when they are not producing anything, the minister of state explained that most of the workers have been redeployed to other units of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) with a few others doing skeletal services to prevent pilfering at the facilities.

“But I can assure you that most of the workers in the refineries have been redeployed to other parts of NNPC.”

Buhari Raises Many Questions On Bombing Of Kuje Prison, Escape Of 63 Boko Haram Inmates

Editorial staff

July 6, 2022

“How did the defences at the prison fail to prevent the attack? How many inmates were in the facility? How many of them can you account for? How many personnel did you have on duty? How many of them were armed? Were there guards on the watchtower? What did they do? Does the CCTV work?”

These are loads of Questions after questions which President Muhammadu Buhari asked today, July 6, when he visited the Medium Security Custodial Centre (Prison), Kuje, Abuja, which was attacked last night, July 5, by terrorists.

The President, who spent over 30 minutes being briefed about the attack by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Mohammad Lamido Belgore and the Controller General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, was apprised that, at the end of it, none of the 63 terrorists are accounted for.

Buhari said that though records are not lost as such records have been backed up, but that he, like most Nigerians, was shocked by both the scale and audacity of the attack.

The President was informed that the security forces have recaptured 350 of the escapees while about 450 others are still unaccounted for, and that rapid work is under way to recapture the rest.

After inspecting some of the points impacted by the attack, President Buhari spoke to newsmen, expressing disappointment with the utilization of intelligence system.

“I am disappointed with the intelligence system. How can terrorists organize, have weapons, attack a security installation and get away with it?”

The President, accompanied by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff, said that he is expecting “a comprehensive report” on the incident.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has said that Governments don’t stop working because nations face terrorist threats.

Reacting to what he called mounting criticism of the proposed trip by President Buhari to Dakar, Senegal, the senior special assistant, Garba Shehu said: “to cancel the trip to Senegal would mean that the terrorists are successful in calling the shots, something that no responsible government in the world will allow.”

ISWAP Claims Responsibility For Attack On Kuje Prison

Editorial staff

July 6, 2022

The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for the audacious attack on Kuje Prison in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

In a 38 second video, released today, July 6, the terrorist group showed some of its men shooting their way into the facility as they chanted: Allahu Akbar!

Tens of fighters were seen marching in groups while vehicles and buildings were on fire in the video.

An elderly man dressed in native attire also joined the young men who were shouting on top of their voices.

The Islamic State’s A’maq Agency released the video with the Arabic caption: “Fighters of Islamic State attacked Kuje prison in Abuja yesterday and succeeded in freeing dozens of prisoners.”

Activist Audu Bulama Bukarti provided a translation: “Islamic State fighters penetrated the prison of the Nigerian government yesterday, in Kuje city, on the outskirts of the capital, Abuja, after demolishing its walls, and successfully liberated dozens of prisoners.”

When he visited the prison on Wednesday morning, Bashir Magashi, Minister of Defence, said the attackers headed towards the direction where 64 Boko Haram suspects were kept.

Magashi said after the attack none of the suspects in custody could be located.

“The prison is accommodating about 994 inmates and over 600 escaped. Many people have been recaptured and brought back to the prison. Maybe by the close of the day, more will have been captured and returned.”

Source: PM news.

Minister Orders Traditional Ruler To Join In Search For Escaped Kuje Prison Inmates

Editorial staff

July 6, 2022

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has given marching order to traditional ruler to work with relevant security operatives to apprehend all the escapees from the Kuje Correctional Centre (Prison) during a violent attack carried out by terrorists last night, July 5.

The minister, who visited the facility today, July 6, for an on-the-spot assessment of damage after the attack, called on the Gomo of Kuje, Haruna Tanko Jibrin to summon all traditional chiefs in Kuje Area Council to combine intelligence with security agencies to fish out the escaped inmates from the community.

He called on members of the communities to provide appropriate intelligence to the security agencies to enable them do their work, even as he expressed confidence that, with maximum cooperation from the communities, all those who escaped would be traced, found and brought back since no one could go into any community and blend without being spotted by members of the community.

The minister described the incident as very sad and unfortunate, saying that such incidents threaten everybody, hence the need for everyone to support the security agencies in carrying out their assignments.

He said that efforts are being made to strengthen security, not only around the facility, but the Kuje Area Council and other parts of the territory.

Presidency Was Preparing Befitting Welcome Back For Barkindo When He Died – Minister

Editorial staff

July 6, 2022

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva has hinted that the Presidency had planned to organize a welcome back gig for the retiring Secretary General of the Organization of Petroleum Countries (OPEC), Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo when he died last night, July 5.

The minister, who spoke to news men today, July 6, shortly after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential villa, described his death as “quite sad.”

“Mr. President received him in audience and directed that we give him a very benefiting welcome home. We were really trying to roll out the drums for him according to Mr. President’s directive, and unfortunately, this sad event happened last night.”

He said that Barkindo was a dear friend who really served this country, both in Nigeria and internationally meritoriously.

“Barkindo has contributed a lot. He was GMD of NNPC, as you know, and he helped to stabilize the oil industry. He is a very, very towering figure in the oil industry. And from there, he proceeded to become Secretary General and represented Nigeria very effectively, and served meritoriously for the full two terms, and was coming home, of course, and was here to be received.”

The minister said that he and the deceased were at the Nigerian oil and gas conference yesterday where he made a very brilliant speech as was characteristic of him.

“To hear that by this morning, he was already gone, it’s very sad news for all of us.

“My heart goes to his family and to all of us and to Nigerians for this very great loss.

Meanwhile, President has expressed deep sadness over the death of Barkindo, describing him as remarkable gentleman and enormous national asset, who from his youthful days worked meritoriously in the service of the nation in various national and international capacities, and never stopped being a beacon of light to the country he loved until his last breath.

In a statement today by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, the President said that Barkindo’s undeniable brilliance and legacies as a dedicated public servant will remain a reference point in the oil and gas industry, international development and the environment sector.

He recalled that his profound decency and mien greatly endeared him to Nigerians and other nationals who came in direct contact with him as a young Principal Administrative Officer with the Nigeria Mining Corporation; Special Assistant to the Minister of Mines, Power and Steel as well as Minister of Petroleum Resources; and later in his 24 years of service in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Nigerian Delegate to OPEC Ministerial Conferences; Nigeria’s Governor for OPEC; and leader of Nigeria’s technical delegations to the climate change negotiations since inception in 1991 that produced the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC.

The President hailed Barkindo’s leadership at OPEC, including during very turbulent times in 2016 and 2020, noting that the Declaration of Cooperation birthed under his watch helped strengthen and consolidate OPEC/non-OPEC cooperation and dialogue.

While conveying his deepest condolences to Barkindo family, colleagues at OPEC, as well as the government and people of Adamawa State, President Buhari also prayed God almighty to grant repose to the soul of the departed and comfort to all who mourn.

There’s Still Much To Be Done For Nigeria, Buhari Reminds New Ministers

Editorial staff

July 6, 2022

“There is still so much to be done for our country in the areas of infrastructure development, energy, access to finance, access to justice, technology and innovation, trade, agriculture, education and security. The list is inexhaustible.”

These were the words of President Muhammadu Buhari when he swore-in seven new ministers and assigned them portfolios today, July 6, at the Presidential villa, Abuja.

The President charged them to serve the nation diligently, maintain unalloyed loyalty to the country and office of the President.

He said that the new redeployment of the new and old ministers is aimed at reinvigorating certain sectors where the government desires to accomplish improved results.

The President said that as his administration is now on the home-stretch of its second term, more work still needs to be done in diverse areas of the economy and national life.

President Buhari urged the newest members of his cabinet to consult and collaborate with older cabinet colleagues and focus on driving key programmes already initiated by this administration.

He warned all members of the cabinet against corrupt practices, reiterating that public officers must be above board and those caught in corrupt practices would face the full wrath of the law.

“The appointment of these new Ministers is in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which prescribes that the Federal Executive Council shall be made up of members from every state of the Federation.

“I therefore urge you to consider your emergence out of millions of equally qualified Nigerians within the purview of selection from your State, as a call to duty which imposes the obligation to serve the nation diligently and presents to you the unique opportunity to work hard in service to the Government and the country.

“At the valedictory session for six former Ministers that departed to pursue other political careers, I promised that their replacement shall be a matter of priority so that the business of governance would not experience delays or setbacks.

“This administration has been in the saddle since 2015 and is now on the home-stretch of its second term, as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections. All through, it has vigorously pursued the three main electoral objectives namely: Securing the nation; Diversifying & growing the economy as well as fighting corruption.

“You are all coming on-board at this time with new energy, ideas, experiences and vigour, to join the existing team so that the implementation of policies, programs and projects associated with these electoral objectives would be escalated and accelerated.

President Buhari urged the newly appointed ministers to be conscious that time is of the essence as they assume office.

“As I assign you portfolios, therefore, I expect you to carefully study your sectors, take wise counsel, reach out to key stakeholders, consult and collaborate with older cabinet colleagues and focus on driving key programs already initiated by this administration. Above all, be loyal to your President and your country.”

He emphasized the need for the old and new members of his Cabinet to work with common objectives of leaving indelible legacies for Nigerians and ending strongly with verifiable accomplishments, the President warned: “you must resist bad counsel, resist temptation and be circumspect in your utterances and conduct. You must totally eschew corruption and be above board because if caught there will be no sacred cows.”

The newly appointed ministers and their portfolios are:

Ikechukwu Ikoh, Minister of State, Science and Technology

Umana Umana, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs

Udi Odum , Minister of State, Environment

Ademola Adegoroye, Minister of State, Transport

Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub, Minister of State, Works and Housing

Goodluck Opiah, Minister of State, Education

Nkama Ekumankama, Minister of State, Health.

The following ministers were re-assigned:

Senator Adeleke Mamora, Minister of Science and Technology (formerly Minister of State, Health)

Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, Minister of Transportation (formerly Minister of State, Works and Housing)

Sharon Ikeazor, Minister of State, Niger Delta (formerly Minister of State, Environment)

Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development (formerly Minister of State, Transportation).

Escaped Boko Haram Detainees From Kuje Prison Roam Around, Begging For Foods

Greenbarge Reporters

July 6, 2022

File photo: Boko Haram members in operation

Members of the Boko Haram and other hardened criminals who escaped from the Kuje Correctional Centers (Prison) after bomb attacks last night, July 5 are now roaming about, especially in Chibiri, a suburb of Kuje town, Abuja, on the way to Gwagwalada.

Our correspondent who went round Kuje today, July 6, said that there were reports of the escaped detainees being sighted, walking aimlessly around half naked, with small bag hanging from their shoulders.

An old woman narrated how she went to her farm this morning, ignorance of what was happening.

She said that while on her farm near Chibiri river, she saw about 15 well-built men wearing only nickers with no shoes, no shirt and no trousers approaching her.

“The men asked me to show them the way out of the bush. They also asked me to give them water to drink, but I told them that I’m a stranger in the village.

“Few minutes after they left me and headed north, my husband called my line and told me what was happening in the town, asking me to start coming back home immediately.

“On my way home, I came across six other men, some of them limping, with the same mode of dressing. They too asked me to show them the way out of the bush.”

There was another suspected escapee who, dressed half naked, appeared in a provision store at Chibiri, wanting to buy some snacks but was rearrested by prison officer in mufty. The suspected escapee was found to be in possession of huge amount of money. Investigation by Greenarge Reporters online newspaper indicates that most of the escapees headed towards Gwagwalada, through bush path.

It was gathered that before daybreak today, some of them slept on top of trees.

Kuje In Tension: Boko Haram, Robbery, Other Detainees Escape From Attacked Prison

Greenbarge Reporters

July 6, 2022

Residents of Kuje, headquarter of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja now live in fear following bomb attacks on the medium prison (Correction Centre) in the town by suspected Boko Haram insurgents and bandits last night, July 5.

Report reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that many inmates of the prison, including Boko Haram members and their Commander, hardened armed robbers and other detainees escaped into the houses around the Correctional Centre.

According to the prison officials, about 150 terrorists escaped even as a resident nearer to the Centre confirmed that his compound was filled up by escaping prisoners before the daybreak today, July 6.

“When the bombing and shootings were going on, terrorists were ordering their members and other criminals to escape. The prison door is still opened and people are escaping,” an official of the prison narrated.

Another officer said that no enforcement of security personnel arrive at the scene two hours after the attack, adding: “nobody came for assistance. The Centre has been completely taken over and terrorists have escaped.

“All the major, biggest terrorists, including the Commanders as well as armed robbers and kidnappers have escaped.”

Our correspondent, who visited Kuje early this morning, July 6, reports that police helicopter has been hovering around the town, especially the prison area for possible detection of the escaping inmates.

The town is currently under heavy security surveillance.

The Bible Says You Are Liar And False prophet, By Uzoma Ahamefule

Editorial staff

July 5, 2022

The way and manner many Africans worship their pastors/priests instead of God makes one to think that they do not read their bible, and even if they do, they do not understand what they read.

It is alarmingly worrisome. When the German philosopher Karl Marx wrote in 1843, “Religion is the opium of the People,” perhaps he had Africans unconsciously in his mind. It is a very unfortunate and a sad situation that looks hopeless, no thanks to slave trade and lack of qualitative leadership in Africa that have turned the people “hewers of wood and drawers of water.”

In today’s Africa, many religious leaders callously exploit their congregations as they use the sorry state of the societies impoverished by corrupt, visionless and selfish politicians as a tool to influence the minds of their gullible followers to see them as Lord, thereby cunningly milking people that deserve mercy and help without conscience.

While many are highly qualified fraudsters in white garments, many are pure business people on pulpits who use every single opportunity and possible means to manipulate the minds of the needy and the underprivileged in the name of miracles and prosperity just to sustain their unimaginable, expensive and unlike-Christ lifestyles. Many of the acclaimed men of God have private jets, exotic cars and many edifices etc. when many members of their congregations are living in abject poverty and are dying from curable diseases.

All you false prophets that prophesize doom and evil, and see the high level of your members’ ignorance and poverty as manipulative tools to preach more on prosperity than salvation because of selfish interests, this very article is for you with some bible quotations on your iniquities.

Deuteronomy 18:22: “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed”.

If you claim to be a man of God and made a prophecy in the Lord’s name that did not come to fulfilment, the above bible verse says that you spoke when “the Lord has not spoken”. And that simply means that your prophecy did not come from God and that you lied. You are a false prophet. Repent from your iniquity.

In further attestation to the above statement that you lied, the book of Mark 13:31 affirms you as a false prophet when it says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” The host of heaven, “Ancient of Days” and “I Am That I Am” is the creator of heaven and earth, and He has never said a word that did not come to pass. The bible says that the words of the Lord never come back to Him empty or unfulfilled, they all bear fruits. “So My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it,” Isaiah 55:11. As one who claims to be a servant of God, if you have ever prophesized anything in the name of God and it did not come to pass, you are a manipulator and a liar. You are a false prophet. “For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations within the house of Israel,” Ezekiel 12:24. This bible verse knows that people like you exist.

While so many of you preachers are beyond redemption from your sinful acts of manipulation, many of you have been overwhelmed by the juicy money you make from your congregations that included poor innocent widows/widowers through forceful offerings. Therefore, I say unto you today: “verily verily,” stop telling the members of your church to bring out their offerings during service and raise them up for blessings – because offering is something that should be between the giver and his/her God.

It is not biblical. It is rather one of the coded and unchristian ways people like you have adapted to influence or indirectly force people to give money or more during offering time. It is a crooked way of obtaining money from the congregation because your acts are stimuli that make some of them feel ashamed and perhaps give more than they would have ordinarily.

Because of this your action as a priest/pastor, some people have stopped coming to Church or they come only on a day they have money especially in notes to give as offering. That is not what the house of God is meant for. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” Mathew 11:28. The house of God is the perfect place of love, trust, truth and comfort. It is a place for spiritual food and to worship God and not money.

If you are one of those deceptive preachers who are too conscious of money instead of people’s salvation, turn back from your old ways or perish. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction,” 2Peter 2:1.

Uzoma Ahamefule, a concerned patriotic citizen, and an African traditionalist, wrote in from Vienna, Austria.

uzomaah@yahoo.com

+436607369050, WhatsApp messages only

Ebonyi Shuts Down GTBank For Non Payment Of Over N100 Million Tax

Editorial staff

July 5, 2022

Ebonyi State Government has shut the Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), in Abakaliki, over the bank’s inability to pay what is believed to be over N100 million accumulated tax.

Task force team from the State Board of Internal Revenue Service stormed the bank in the early hours of today, July 5 and ordered its immediate closure until the management complies.

Head of Integrated Revenue in the State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Okoro Celestine said that the State Government decided to seal the bank over its failure to respond to demand notices to pay the accumulated taxes.

According to Okoro Celestine, a court order was sought by the Board before coming to seal the bank, adding that several demand notices had been served to them from January 14th till date but have failed to clear the taxes.

“The reason why we sealed the bank was that they have not been paying their taxes and levies which have accumulated.

“This is not the first time we are coming here; several demand notices have been served to them from January 14th, 2022 till date, and we have a procedure. We don’t just come and seal.

“A court order has been granted for us to come and seal it. First demand notice was given to them; a reminder notice was also given to them but they refused. We don’t have any other option, we are not going to fight them other than to do the needful by getting a court order to seal the Bank.

“We feel that it must be sealed today. We are not going to unseal it until they comply. We did not just start this journey today, it has been from January till date, which is seven months.”

It was gathered that the bank was owing over a hundred million Naira to Ebonyi State Government.

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