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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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House Approves President Tinubu’s N1.767trn Loan Request

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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has granted approval for the implementation of the new external borrowing of N1,767, 610, 321, 779.00 (USD 2.209B).
The approval was sequel to the adoption of the recommendations of the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management Chaired by Rep. Abubakar Nalaraba, and presented at the Committee of the Whole on Thursday.
Presenting the report, the Committee Chairman, Rep. Nalaraba said the committee met and made the following recommendations, which he entreated the House to approve.
He said: “Approve the implementation of the New External Borrowing of one trillion, seven hundred and sixty seven billion, six hundred and ten million, three hundred twenty-one thousand, seven hundred and seventy-nine Naira (₦1,767, 610,321,779.00) (equivalent of USD2, 209, 512, 902. 22b) at the Budget
Exchange rate of USD1.00/800 in the 2024 Appropriation Act and that the amount should be raised from one or more sources. Namely; issuance of Eurobonds in the ICM, Issuance of debut sovereign Sukuk in the ICM, Bridge/syndicated loans, subject to market conditions;
“That based on availability and cost, to issue Eurobonds in the sum of USD1.70 billion or more, but not more than USD2,209,512,902,.22b, approved as New External Borrowing in the 2024 Act;
“Given the significant increase in the official exchange rate from USD1.00/₦800 to approximately ₦1,640, it is recommended that the exchange rate excess resulting from this adjustment be exclusively utilised for implementation of capital projects in 2024, to ensure that additional funds are
directed to impactful infrastructure & developmental projects that will contribute to the Nation’s long term growth and stability;
“Approve the Promissory Note Programme and Bond Issuance to settle outstanding claims and liabilities of the federal government. This approval prioritizes the issuance of Promissory Notes to address outstanding reimbursement debts owed to States, high-priority judgment debts, and other liabilities incurred by Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. This measure is critical to preventing additional interest costs, mitigating further increases in the Federal Government’s debt profile, and reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio;
“That the Hon. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, working with the Debt Management Office are authorised to take all necessary actions required to give effect to this.”
The lawmakers unanimously adopted and passed the recommendations.
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Reps Direct IGP, DG DSS To Deploy Personnel To Etsako LGA Over Worsening Insecurity

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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and Director General, Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi to urgently deploy personnel to tackle the worsening insecurity in Itsukwi, Imiakebu, Imiegba and Okpekpe communities in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “Urgent need to deploy security agents to Itsukwi, Imiegba, Okpekpe and Imiakebu communities to halt herdsmen’s onslaught against innocent citizens,” by Rep. Billy Osawaru, member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, Edo State on Thursday at plenary.
Rep. Osawaru, drew the attention of the House to the provision of Section 14 (b) of the 1999 Constitution (As amended) on the need for government to provide security and welfare for the people.
He stated that Section 17 (b) of the Constitution provides that the sanctity of the human person shall be recognised and human dignity shall be maintained and enhanced; governmental actions shall be humane.
According to him,  Chapter 4 of the nation’s Constitution in Section 33 (1) provides that “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.”
He said: “The House is aware that on Monday, October 28, 2024, herdsmen invaded Ugbereke, a popular farmland known for its fertility and destroyed completely the yam plantation of a youth leader in Itsukwi community (Ward 9, Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State), Mr Samuel Igbeneghu.
“The House is also worried that on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, three farmers by the names Umuagene Obey, Emuesugheli Obi and Ogbitabu Imoudumhe (all from Okpekpe community in Ward 10, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State were ambushed on the way to their farms and brutally murdered by suspected herdsmen.
“Same day, the killers made their way to Ugbereke, and killed one Undyar Aondongu (male) while  five women were beaten and left to flee with various degrees of injuries.”
The lawmaker stated that as a result of these violent campaigns, farmers in these communities no longer visit their farms for fear of being attacked or killed.
He therefore warned that if the Federal Government fails to take urgent steps to address the crisis, acute hunger owing to food scarcity would be the natural consequence, not just for the people of the area but the entire Etsako East Local Government Area and by extension, Edo State as a whole.
Then the presided officer, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put itcto a vote, the House unanimously adopted the motion, observed a minute silence in honour of the dead and directed the immediate deployment of security agents to the four communities.
The House also mandated the Inspector General of Police and other relevant security agencies to investigate this tragic incident and fish out the perpetrators for prosecution, while also tasking them to Immediately step up the security surveillance to contain the escalation of insecurity within Itsukwi, Imiakebu, Imiegba and Okpekpe communities and beyond.
The legislative body also urged the Inspector General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, DG, DSS, General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Commander, 4th Mechanised Brigade in Edpo State to deploy their personnel to Itsukwi, Imiakebu, Imeigba and Okpekpe communities to safeguard the lives and properties of the people.
The motion was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Army, Police, National Intelligence and Legislative Compliance with a timeframe of four weeks to report back for further action.
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BREAKING: Finland Police Nab Simon Ekpa, 4 Others Over Terror-related Activities

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The Central Criminal Police in Finland has announced the arrest of Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa and four other individuals over terror-related activities.

According to a tabloid in Finland, Ekpa, the self-declared Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, was remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

In a Thursday statement published on its website, the Central Criminal Police in Finland said it arrested five persons on suspicion of terrorist crimes.

The police said the main suspect was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, while four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime”.

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The police added: “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21.”

The statement reads, “The detention demands are related to the preliminary investigation, in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

“The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.”

The statement quoted the head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen from the Central Crime Police as saying that “the man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels”.

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“Four other persons are suspected of financing the aforementioned activity. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week.

“International cooperation has been carried out during the preliminary investigation,” the statement added.

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