Uncategorized
ActionAid Nigeria Demands Transparency in Crude Oil Transactions, Warns Against Policy Failures Pushing Citizens into Hardship
ActionAid Nigeria Demands Transparency in Crude Oil Transactions, Warns Against Policy Failures Pushing Citizens into Hardship
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has expressed concern over the ongoing crisis in the petroleum sector, particularly the suspension of the sale of petroleum products in naira by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
AAN, while noting that this decision has triggered panic buying, hoarding, and speculative price hikes, worsening the economic hardship faced by Nigerians, decried that the Federal Government’s failure to provide clear information on the status of local refining and crude supply raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and governance in the petroleum industry.
ActionAid Nigeria, Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, in a statement on Tuesday said: “The Federal Government must immediately explain why the naira-for-crude arrangement has been abandoned despite its initial promise to stabilise fuel prices and increase local refining capacity. It is unacceptable for citizens to suffer the consequences of policy inconsistencies while a select few benefit from opaque crude oil transactions.”
He further lamented that: “The preference of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for importing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) instead of prioritising local refining raises further concerns. Locally refined fuel, particularly from the Dangote Refinery, has been argued to be cleaner and more durable. Yet, there is no clear justification for why locally refined fuel is not being prioritised in national fuel distribution. If NNPCL can seamlessly conduct international transactions, why can’t local refineries access crude in naira under fair terms? If unchecked, the suspension of the naira-for-crude agreement will push more Nigerians into multidimensional poverty, worsen social inequalities, and lead to further economic instability. Rising fuel prices will drive up transportation costs, making it even more difficult for low-income earners to afford daily commutes, access essential services, or sustain small businesses. Key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education – all of which directly or indirectly depend on petrol or diesel—will also be severely impacted.”
Mamedu also noted that the opacity surrounding NNPCL’s crude oil transactions raises concern about who truly benefits from these deals. If local refineries are struggling to access crude in Naira while international transactions continue seamlessly, then fundamental questions must be asked: Is the government prioritising foreign interests over national economic stability? Who benefits from the refusal to supply local refineries with crude in naira, and at what cost to Nigerian consumers? ‘‘ActionAid Nigeria strongly calls for independent third-party monitoring of crude oil transactions, fuel pricing, and distribution to ensure transparency and accountability. This should include a public audit of all crude oil sales, including forward contracts entered by NNPCL, as well as the establishment of a transparent mechanism to ensure that local refineries have priority access to crude oil under fair and stable terms. Additionally, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive review of pricing models to prevent exploitation by depot owners and marketers.’’
He said: “Nigerians cannot continue to be victims of policy inconsistencies, regulatory failures, and corporate profiteering,” urging the Federal Government to take immediate action to restore public confidence, protect citizens from further economic hardship, and ensure a fair and transparent energy sector.
ActionAid Nigeria Demands Transparency in Crude Oil Transactions, Warns Against Policy Failures Pushing Citizens into Hardship
Zulum donates N100m to wounded soldiers; families of fallen heroes
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has donated N100 million to aid the families of slain soldiers and those wounded in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the northeast region.
The donation was made on Saturday at an Eid El-Kabir Sallah luncheon hosted jointly by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, held at Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri.
Zulum, while presenting a cheque of N100 million to the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdussalam Abubakar, stated that each of the soldiers wounded in action would be given N500,000, while the remaining amount would be distributed among families left by the soldiers killed in action in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
The presentation of the cheque was witnessed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar and the Force Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Godwin Mutkut.
Other prominent personalities present include a member of the House of Representatives, Engr. Bukar Talba, Secretary to Borno State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, Head of Service, Dr Muhammad Ghuluze, Ag Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Borno APC Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba, among many senior government officials.
Zulum commended the resilience and patriotism of the Nigerian Armed Forces, emphasising that their sacrifices should never be forgotten. He said: “Your commitment on the frontlines, often under extreme conditions and far from your families, is not lost on us. We remain eternally grateful for your service and will never take your sacrifices for granted.”
The Governor also assured the military leadership of his continued support, stating that: “Borno State will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Nigerian Army and all security agencies in the fight against insurgency and rebuilding our communities for a peaceful and prosperous future.”
Zulum donates N100m to wounded soldiers; families of fallen heroes
Yobe: One killed as Fulani attacks traders in Fune local government
By: Yahaya Wakili
One person was reportedly killed and many injured on Monday, during a market day in Kayeri village of the Fune local government area of Yobe state, where an alledged Fulani bandits reportedly invaded the market, and started beating the people, and looted their properties.
Eyewitnesses said that as a result of this, one person was killed and properties worth thousands of naira were looted by the bandits, and some people are alledging that the incident was caused by the negligence of the government.
They narrated that this has been happening every year either as the Eid-el-Fitr or Eid-el-Kabir Sallah celebration is approaching.
“On every market day, the government used to reinforce security and vigilantes to protect the lives and properties of the people from Fulani looters. But not this time. ” One of the victim said.
According to them, this time around, the local government didn’t send any security or vigilantes to the market day, so the bandits took advantage of this: they invaded the market, started beating the people, killed one person, and looted people’s properties.
When contacted the chairman of the local government, Alhaji Baba Goni Mustapha Bade, he started reacting violently to our reporter for attempting to make findings on the incident.
“Why are you journalists doing this? I will not say anything about this. Go and write whatever you want to write.” Bana Goni said
Yobe: One killed as Fulani attacks traders in Fune local government
Marwa describes Prof. Jubril Aminu an epitome of knowledge
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has described former Minister of Education, Prof JubrilAminu as an epitome of knowledge who made positive impacts in medicine, education, foreign policy, politics, oil industry, and all other sectors where he served Nigeria at different times.
Marwa, in a statement on Friday, said the death of Aminu on Thursday 5th June “is a monumental loss that leaves a multitude of people grief-stricken in Nigeria and outside the shores of this country.”
He said: “Even at 85, we would have loved to see him live much longer, for many more years, so that Nigeria can continue to benefit from his depth of knowledge and wealth of experience that cuts across critical sectors of human development.”
Marwa said the outpour of tributes in the past 24 hours is an indication of Prof Aminu’s far-reaching influence and impact across various spheres of life, all of which further exacerbated the sense of loss for Nigerians.
He added that: “Yet, in our state of bereavement, we cannot but celebrate the life and times of an extraordinary man, an epitome of knowledge who, until he passed on, was and is still one of Nigeria’s finest examples in medicine and academics, where he made lasting impacts.”
The NDLEA boss said apart from coming from the same state with the late Senator, who once represented Adamawa Central in the National Assembly, he has good memories of the various times and stages their paths crossed in the service of the nation.
Marwa describes Prof. Jubril Aminu an epitome of knowledge
Zulum donates N100m to wounded soldiers; families of fallen heroes
Fadile Pays Tribute to Late CJN Mohammed Uwais, Describes Him as “My Father in the Judiciary.”
Yobe: One killed as Fulani bandits allegedly attacks traders in Fune local government
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics10 months agoKashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident
