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Northern Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Limited CNG Facilities in Region

Published

1 year ago

May 8, 2025

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By Gloria Ikibah

Some northern lawmakers have expressed worries over the none availability of Compressed Natural Gas conversion centres in the North-East and North-West geopolitical zones.

The lawmakers stated this during the consideration of a motion by the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Aliyu Madaki, titled “Call to establish more compressed natural gas conversion centres across Nigeria”, on Thursday at plenary.

Rep. Madaki who represents Dala Federal Constituency of Kano State, recalled that in the implementation of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, the Federal Government distributed CNG conversion kits across the country.

He stated that the advantages of the conversion to CNG are enormous, and said “It will bring down the cost of living in Nigeria and reduce air and noise pollution, which makes it environmentally friendly.

“CNG burns more cleanly than the Premium Motor Spirit, which means less carbon buildup in the engine, thus reducing the need for frequent engine repairs and prolonging the life of engine components;

“The House is aware that vehicles powered by CNG experience less wear and tear on critical components such as spark plugs and exhaust systems.”

“For the take-off of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, the Federal Government proposed to establish CNG conversion Centres in some states, including Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Ebonyi, with one centre each.

“Akwa Ibom has five centres, Delta- centres, Edo-11 centres, Ekiti seven centres, Enugu and Kogi with three centres each.

“The Federal Capital Territory has three centres, Kaduna 10 centres, Kwara eight centres, Lagos 70 centres, while Nasarawa has two, Ogun has seven, Oyo with 17 and Rivers has eight centres”, he said.

The Deputy Minority Leader queired that in the North West, only one state Kaduna, is benefiting from the presidential initiative, while no State in the North East is listed as a beneficiary.

“We are worried about the exemption of other states from the initiative, as commuters of those states are not taken into consideration, states like Kano, Borno, Katsina, and Sokoto, which are commercially viable, are exempted”, he emphasised.

Madaki therefore called on the Federal Government to establish more CNG conversion centres in the North-West and North-East to facilitate legitimate business operations for all citizens.

Contributing to the motion, Rep. Sada Soli,member representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency of Katsina State, said that in the establishment of the CNG centres, the North-East was completely ignored.

He said, “The North-East was completely ignored, the same with the North-West. The CNG Presidential initiative was to assuage the pains of Nigerians over the removal of fuel subsidy.

“We need to find out why many corridors in the North and cities were exempted from the allocation of CNG centres. I do believe that this initiative, instead of addressing a problem, is creating a lot of problems in the country.”

Also Rep. Ahmed Jaha, member representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency argued: “If there is any place that deserves these CNG centres, it is the North-East. There is no single CNG centre in the whole of the North-East.

“I want to commend the President for initiating this presidential initiative to cut costs and improve the standard of living of all Nigerians. But the policy implementers should bear at the back of their mind that if one region of a nation has issues, the remaining regions cannot sleep with their two eyes closed. It’s because of the neglect in the past of the North-East sub-region that led to what is happening now in the country.

“We have Boko Haram insurgency and other forms of criminality, because even before then, the North-East used to be the poorest region in the nation, and they were neglected. Instead of the nation giving attention to the North-East, so that other parts of the country can remain in peace, the North-East was neglected. This is why we have insurgency and insecurity in the North Central, North-West and other parts of the country”.

Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun) in his contribution, said some advanced nations are already moving away from CNG to Hybrid Vehicles (HV), preparatory to migration to Electric Vehicles (EV).

Rep. Osoba called on the Federal Government to think more about the area of electric cars for cleaner energy.

Also Rep. Kafilat Ogbara, member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, want an all-inclusive ad-hoc committee of members from the various zones to monitor the implementation of the Presidential Initiative on CNG.

“I will advise that the committee on Gas Resources should include members from all the regions, whether they are in that committee or not, so that as honourable members, we will be able to monitor these things and oversee them in our constituencies properly,” she stated.

Apart from resolving to set up the ad-hoc committee, the House urged the Federal Government to establish Compressed Natural Gas Conversion centres equitably across the country to give Nigerians a sense of belonging.

The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated the Committee on Gas Resources to ensure compliance and report within four weeks for further legislative action.

News

Delta Govt Suspends Commissioner For Works(Highway and Urban Roads) Hon.Izeze Indefinitely

Published

18 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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The Delta State Government has announced the indefinite suspension of Hon.Izeze Rume Yakubu Reuben, Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads) with immediate effect.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Eze Emu, the suspension is to enable the Security Agencies carry out an unbiased investigation of allegations associating him with the assault on the Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Mr. Simon Mudi also known as (Temple) at the Petroleum Training Institute(PTI) Effurun,recently.

The statement added that the State Government remains committed to the maintenance of public safety in all circumstances which guarantees law and order and the sanctity of lives.This position is upheld even when institutions of state are involved.

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Confusion as Cross River deputy gov escapes death in Ugep crash

Published

26 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Dr Peter Odey, has reportedly escaped an accident involving his convoy in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred at about 2pm on Sunday while Odey and his entourage were returning to Calabar from Obanliku Local Government Area, where they had attended a stakeholders’ engagement on the proposed concession of the Obudu Ranch Resort.Government Although the condition of the deputy governor could not be independently confirmed as of press time, several members of his convoy were reportedly injured in the crash.

Although the condition of the deputy governor could not be independently confirmed as of press time, several members of his convoy were reportedly injured in the crash.

A Government House press bus conveying some appointees and staff attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor was said to have veered off its lane near an Army checkpoint in Ugep before crashing into three sandbag barricades.News One of the occupants, whose identity was not immediately known, reportedly sustained an injury to the leg, while another was said to have suffered bleeding from the nose.

The extent of the injuries could not be immediately ascertained, as those involved were expected to undergo medical assessment.History Sources also disclosed that several vehicles were damaged in the accident, although the extent of the damage remained unclear.Lakes & Rivers The incident is reportedly the third accident involving the deputy governor’s convoy in the past two months, raising concerns over the condition and availability of vehicles attached to his office.

Further checks indicated that the fleet attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor had been depleted, with vehicles from the governor’s convoy reportedly being deployed for official movements when necessary. Officials in the Office of the Deputy Governor declined to comment on the incident when contacted. Further details on the crash, including the condition of the deputy governor and other persons involved, were still being awaited as authorities assess the incident.

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Titilola Adeleke, leads women in protest against arrest, violence

Published

32 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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The Osun State First Lady, Titilola Adeleke, on Monday led a protest by women in the state against what they considered “indiscriminate arrest and violence” ahead of Saturday’s guber election.

Adeleke, who was joined by women from different groups of traders and artisans in the state, led the march, which commenced along the Osogbo-Ilobu Road and terminated at the road leading to the Osun State Police Command along the West Bypass.

Also present at the protest were the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ayobola Awolowo, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Market Affairs, Eniola Omotosho, among others.

The protesters, armed with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Election is not war,” “Stop indiscriminate arrest of our husbands,” “We want a free and fair election” and “Police must be neutral,” were prevented from proceeding to the main entrance of the command.

They were, however, attended to by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Samuel Etaifo, who assured them that the command would address their concerns.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Adeleke said the women were on the streets to demand a peaceful election and called on the police to invite some notable chieftains of the All Progressives Congress for questioning over the rising incidents of violence in the state.

She said, “We are demanding a free and fair election in the forthcoming poll. We want peace; let there be peace. Invite APC chieftains for questioning. They should stop killing our husbands and children. Make them sign an undertaking. From what we heard, we learnt that they will start picking our leaders up this week.

Last Friday, they picked up the Commissioner for Environment. He was brought here, stripped naked. This is not good enough. They should leave our people alone.”

The governor’s wife subsequently presented a letter containing the protesters’ demands to the police commissioner.

Responding, Etaifo said the command had worked hard to de-escalate tension in the state since his arrival and assured the protesters that their demands would be considered.

“I have been here for the past two weeks. The IG was here because of the heightened tension in the state. For the first time in history, the IG directed the CP election to come three weeks to the election.

“If you notice, since I came, we have relative peace in the state, but the problem we have is that we cannot continue to tolerate what you have done today because it will not contribute to peace; it will cause tension again. Let us assume that you come out now and the other party comes out, then both of you meet; what will happen?” Etaifo said.

He added, “We are going back and restrategising to attend to all your demands. Why I am discussing with you is because we don’t want tension before the election; we want peace. We cannot conduct an election in an insecure environment.

“I have a mandate from the IG to come to the state to stabilise things, give an enabling environment for every political actor to exercise their franchise, and create public confidence for everyone to come out to vote on election day.”

Etaifo warned that the police would not tolerate any act capable of negatively affecting Saturday’s election, adding that anyone caught violating the law would be arrested and taken to Abuja.

“If you are a manipulator of any election, that is even the worst.

The IG and Nigeria will not forgive you. I will arrest you and take you to Abuja because this election is a federal election; we must get it right,” he said.

The police commissioner commended the protesters for conducting a peaceful demonstration but urged them to return home to prevent any incident.

“I want to applaud you for this protest being peaceful, but I want to implore you to go back so that nothing will happen to you. I will assign my men to escort you back to where you started the protest from,” he said.