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Just in: Afenifere Asks President Tinubu To Reverse Petrol Price Hike Immediately
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere, has called on the Federal Government to stick to the claim by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, that President Bola Tinubu administration did not instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to increase the fuel pump price by ordering the corporation to reverse the announced increment.
Naijablitznews reports this was contained in a statement signed by the organization’s spokesman, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere asserted that Nigerians are currently going through a lot of challenges as a result of the biting socio-economic crunch and the attendant hardships.
“It is therefore a wrong time to come up with any policy that will increase the undesirable challenges Nigerians are going through presently. Failure by the NNPCL to reverse the latest increment in fuel price will rub off negatively on some policies of the Tinubu administration to ease things for the citizens. Policies such as the Students Loan Scheme and Consumer Credit Scheme that are just taking off”.
It would be recalled that the NNPCL, on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, raised the pump price of petrol to N897 per litre from the official price of N617. The announcement came just a few days after the national oil company said it was facing challenges of a huge debt burden estimated at $6.8 billion.
Ironically, the announcement of the debt came just not long after the same corporation announced that it made a profit of N3.3 Trillion Net Profit in its 2023 Audited Financial Statement.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Lokpobiri, on Tuesday, announced, through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr. Nnemeka Okafor, that his Ministry did not authorize the NNPCL to increase fuel pump prices.
It is crucial, therefore, that the government order the corporation to reverse the price hike forthwith as it is already causing untold hardship for the people”.
With the latest increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol to N897 per litre, the cost of fuel in Nigeria has risen by 460 per cent in 15 months.
Afenifere contended that it is curious that an organization that declared a profit running into trillions of Naira could, almost in the same breath, claim that it is indebted to the tune of nearly seven billion US dollars.
“Why not pay off the debt from the available fund before declaring it as profit?”
The statement further argued that the oil corporation seems to be making Nigerians pay for its inefficiency.
“It is common knowledge that the cost and availability of energy such as petrol, gas, electricity, diesel and kerosine are major factors not only in production and services but also in the quality of well-being that Nigerians can enjoy.
“Hikes in prices of these energy sources have astronomically increased the costs of services and commodities, reduced the disposal incomes of average Nigerians and heightened their health risk.
“The combination of all these is making a daily living an onerous task for the majority of the citizens. Considering the fact that millions of Nigerians had been described as being ‘multi-dimensionally poor’, the recent hike in costs of fuel and electricity are uploading the number of people in that category phenomenally”.
While urging the federal government, through the appropriate channel(s), to immediately order the NNPCL to reverse the price increase, Afenifere feared that failure to do so may imperil the assurances being given by President Bola Tinubu that Nigerians’ pains will soon be over”, he said.
News
Police arrest 38-year-old man for spreading fake news
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested one Destiny Ekhorutomuen, a 38-year-old suspect, in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.
Police said the suspect allegedly created and operated multiple social media accounts to disseminate false and inciting content aimed at provoking the public against the Nigeria Police.
A statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “The Nigeria Police Force has taken decisive action to curb the spread of fake news, disinformation, and incitement capable of widening the trust gap between the Police and members of the public who are critical stakeholders in national peace and security. On December 8, 2024, operatives of the Force apprehended.
“The Nigeria Police reiterates its zero tolerance for acts aimed at threatening the nation’s stability or tarnishing the reputation of the police and other government institutions. This deliberate spread of falsehoods erodes public trust, undermines social cohesion, and poses significant risks to national security.
“In this regard, the Nigeria Police Force strongly warns against the misuse of social media and other communication platforms to propagate fake news or incite disorder. Such acts are criminal and punishable under the law. Citizens are urged to exercise caution and responsibility in their use of information, as the collective peace and unity of the nation depend on it.
“The NPF reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to upholding law and order. It will continue to identify and prosecute individuals or groups engaging in activities that threaten Nigeria’s peace and security.”
News
Sanwo-Olu inaugurates seven roads, pledges equitable development
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equitable development across the state with the inauguration of seven new road networks.
The governor said the newly completed infrastructure, spanning 4.7 kilometers across Somolu, Lagos Mainland, and Kosofe local government areas, will enhance commuting, boost real estate value, and improve the quality of life for residents.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sanwo-Olu declared: “Joy is coming to every part of Lagos as we fulfill our commitment to equitable development,”
The roads are St. Finbarr’s College Road, Asani, Tijani Ashogbon, Jagunmolu, Shogbamu, and Diya Streets, which connect iconic landmarks such as the University of Lagos, St. Finbarr’s College, CMS Grammar School, and the Deeper Life Headquarters.
He emphasised that the project aligns with his administration’s THEMES+ agenda, which prioritises transformative development across all sectors.
The governor highlighted the strategic importance of the new infrastructure, noting how they support education, commerce, and residential communities.
“These roads are equipped with walkways, service ducts, and solar-powered streetlights, showcasing our unwavering focus on quality and delivering impact-driven initiatives across Lagos,” he said.
He urged residents to maintain the infrastructure, saying: “With proper maintenance, we can channel resources to new projects, scaling up our infrastructure focus.”
The governor also affirmed his administration’s resolve to deliver a “Greater Lagos” through sustained infrastructural investment.
He expressed optimism that ongoing and future projects would bring more transformational progress to the state.
News
Otti assures adequate compensation for airport project land owners
The governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has assured that the state government would adequately compensate land owners of the proposed federal government planned airport project in the state.
Otti also commended the people of Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North local government area of the state and their spirit of commitment and sincerity of purpose in identifying with the plans and purposes of his administration in making sure that the airport project kickstarted in their community was completed on schedule.
Governor Otti who made the commendation at Government House Umuahia, during an enlarged meeting with Nsulu Airport Communities Landowners Forum, said the meeting was necessary in order to carry the landowners along in the quest to actualise the Abia Airport project.
The governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his magnanimity in making sure that the airport was brought to Abia, adding that a lot of sacrifices was expected from the host communities and major stakeholders towards the timely realisation of the project.
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