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Fuel Scarcity Worsens as Petrol Prices Surge: November 12th, 2024 Update

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

As Nigerians face the impact of a recent increase in fuel prices announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, citizens continue to grapple with both rising costs and a scarcity of petrol, which has disrupted daily life.

Gists9ja reports on the latest developments surrounding petrol availability, escalating prices, and the reactions of both government officials and the public.

A significant step toward addressing these challenges was recently taken by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), which secured a new agreement with the Dangote Refinery for direct fuel supply. This partnership is seen as a strategic move to stabilize fuel distribution nationwide.

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At a press briefing held in Abuja, IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Garima, announced the partnership after discussions with the association’s National Working Committee. Garima stated that the primary goal of this collaboration is to ensure an uninterrupted and reasonably priced supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to consumers across Nigeria.

Following meetings with Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos, Garima shared that Dangote Refinery agreed to provide IPMAN with PMS, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK). These products will be supplied directly to IPMAN’s depots and retail outlets to streamline distribution channels.

“We are very pleased to have reached an understanding with Dangote Refinery. This agreement will allow us to source PMS, AGO, and DPK directly from the refinery,” Garima explained. He also encouraged IPMAN members to embrace this partnership, highlighting that the initiative would contribute to local economic growth and reinforce Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves by reducing dependence on imported fuels.

Garima emphasized the broader economic potential of this deal, noting that this move toward self-sufficiency supports the administration’s agenda for a revitalized Nigeria. “By relying on local refineries like Dangote, IPMAN members can contribute to job creation and help advance President Bola Tinubu’s vision for economic stability and prosperity,” he said.

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After extensive negotiations spanning several months, this agreement aims to boost efficiency in fuel supply, reduce fuel prices for consumers, and stimulate economic development.

The financial implications of fuel importation have shifted recently, as the cost of landing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria decreased by approximately 20.34 percent over the past three months, reducing from ₦1,219 per litre to ₦971.57 per litre. This reduction in landing costs, which include expenses for importation and distribution, is attributed to changes in global oil prices and adjustments within the supply chain. Yet, despite these lowered landing costs, Nigerians have seen retail petrol prices rise significantly.

Since August 2024, the price of petrol has surged by ₦443, marking a 71.79 percent increase from ₦617 per litre to ₦1,060 per litre as of November 8, 2024. Independent marketers, facing their own rising costs, have been selling petrol at rates as high as ₦1,180 per litre in some regions.

Data from the Major Energies Marketers Association’s energy bulletin illustrates the pricing shifts. In August, oil marketers imported petrol at ₦1,219 per litre when Brent crude was priced at $80.72 per barrel, with an exchange rate of ₦1,611 per dollar. At that time, petrol was retailing at ₦617 per litre. By November, the landing cost had decreased to ₦971.57 per litre, with Brent crude priced at $75.57 per barrel, and the exchange rate at ₦1,665.84 per dollar

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In response to the price hikes, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) issued a statement condemning the policy of repeated fuel price increases. The organization’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, argued that the government’s approach to fuel pricing appears to benefit a select few rather than address the needs of ordinary Nigerians.

According to HURIWA, the successive hikes in fuel prices have led to a rise in the cost of essential goods, pushing millions of Nigerians into deeper financial hardship. “The policy of incessantly increasing the pump price of petroleum products does not serve the interests of the Nigerian populace,” Onwubiko stated. “It primarily benefits the associates and business affiliates of those in power, rather than providing relief for average Nigerians.”

HURIWA expressed concerns that the rising fuel costs have driven up food prices, which many households can no longer afford. This has resulted in widespread malnutrition, increased hunger, and an alarming rise in the number of out-of-school children as families struggle to make ends meet. The organization noted that while most Nigerians face these difficult conditions, only a few in the oil and gas industry are profiting from the current situation, as recent statistics indicate.

HURIWA’s critique underscores the growing public frustration with the economic burden that fuel price hikes impose on Nigerians. Many are hopeful that initiatives like the IPMAN-Dangote partnership will alleviate these issues by ensuring a more stable and affordable fuel supply across the nation.

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Former Reps member, Temilola Adibi is dead

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Hon. Temilola Adibi, a former member of the House of Representatives, has died.

He was aged 64.

He represented the Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire federal constituency in Oyo State from 1999 to 2003 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy party.

His death reportedly happened on Tuesday morning.

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Adibi reportedly died after going for a jog in Ilorin, Kwara State, where he had been living.

A close associate said that Adibi had been in good health prior to his sudden death.

He had spoken with people the night before and even posted on his WhatsApp status at 4 a.m. before his death.

Adibi was well-known and respected in Oyo State for his contributions to local governance and community development.

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In addition to his time in the House of Representatives, he also held important roles, such as Chairman of the Oyo State Sports Council and Director-General of the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA).

He further served as Director-General of the Bill and Signage Board during Governor Seyi Makinde’s first term.

Earlier in his career, Adibi had been the Chairman of the Ogbomoso North Local Government Area.

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Sokoto govt intensify operations against bandit, terrorists

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*Alerts residents as bandits flee military operations

By Francesca Hangeior

The Sokoto State Government has issued a warning to residents to remain vigilant as military operations against bandit terrorists intensify in the eastern part of the state and surrounding areas.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security Matters, retired Colonel Ahmed Usman, the government highlighted the success of the ongoing joint military operations, which have left the bandits disorganised.

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The statement explained that multiple terrorist enclaves have been destroyed, dozens of bandits neutralised, and hundreds of kidnapped victims rescued.

The statement urged residents to be cautious and report any suspicious activities in their communities.

“As security forces increase pressure on the bandits, some of them are fleeing to other areas with injured members. We are raising awareness to ensure our people remain alert, as these bandits may attempt to hide in villages or seek medical treatment at local clinics under disguise,” the statement read.

The government reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies to restore peace and stability in the state, adding that residents were encouraged to play an active role by reporting unusual activities to the authorities to support the ongoing efforts to secure the region.

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“This proactive measure aligns with the governor’s nine-point agenda to create a safer and more economically viable Sokoto State.

“The government remains determined to work collaboratively with security operatives to protect citizens and maintain peace in the state,” the statement concluded.

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Families weigh risk of sending kids to school over Trump immigration crackdown

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By Francesca Hangeior

As President Donald Trump cracks down on immigrants in the U.S. illegally, some families are wondering if it is safe to send their children to school.

In many districts, educators have sought to reassure immigrant parents that schools are safe places for their kids, despite the president’s campaign pledge to carry out mass deportations. But fears intensified for some when the Trump administration announced Tuesday it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches and hospitals, ending a decades-old policy.

“Oh, dear God! I can’t imagine why they would do that,” said Carmen, an immigrant from Mexico, after hearing that the Trump administration had rescinded the policy against arrests in “sensitive locations.”

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She plans to take her two grandchildren, ages 6 and 4, to their school Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area unless she hears from school officials it is not safe.

“What has helped calm my nerves is knowing that the school stands with us and promised to inform us if it’s not safe at school,” said Carmen, who spoke on condition that only her first name be used, out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials.

Immigrants across the country have been anxious about Trump’s pledge to deport millions of people. While fears of raids did not come to pass on the administration’s first day, rapid changes on immigration policy have left many confused and uncertain about their future.

At a time when many migrant families — even those in the country legally — are assessing whether and how to go about in public, many school systems are watching for effects on student attendance. Several schools said they were fielding calls from worried parents about rumors that immigration agents would try to enter schools, but it was too early to tell whether large numbers of families are keeping their children home.

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Missing school can deprive students of more than learning. For students from low-income families, including many immigrants, schools are a primary way to access food, mental health services and other support.

Tuesday’s move to clear the way for arrests at schools reverses guidance that restricted two federal agencies — Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection from carrying out enforcement in sensitive locations. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said: “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”

Daniela Anello, who heads D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School in the nation’s capital, said she was shocked by the announcement.

“It’s horrific,” Anello said. “There’s no such thing as hiding anyone. It doesn’t happen, hasn’t happened. … It’s ridiculous.”

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An estimated 733,000 school-aged children are in the U.S. illegally, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Many more have U.S. citizenship but have parents who are in the country illegally.

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