₦airaland Forum

Average monthly West African petrol imports fell by 56 per cent in the second quarter, according to data sourced from Refinitiv Eikon.

June loadings from the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub to West Africa fell to 629,000 tonnes from 895,000 tonnes last year, Refinitiv data showed.

Loadings dropped to 627,000 tonnes in July so far this year from 1.5 million tonnes last year.

“The key point is that demand from West Africa is drying up,” said Refinitiv Lead Oil Analyst Raj Rajendran.



Inside Kwara Community, Ijara-Isin, Where Residents Have Own 'Currency'
Demand for petrol from Nigeria has also reduced since the removal of petrol subsidies on May 29.

Despite the decrease in demand, foreign refiners from Russia, the Middle East and Europe are currently competing to increase exports of their refined petrol to Nigeria.

The PUNCH last week reported how the importation of petrol from Russia shot up by 84 per cent in the last one year.

According to data sourced by The PUNCH from Argus on Nigeria’s gasoline European trade overview, the rising share of Russian petrol finding a home in Nigeria has so far risen to 24,000 barrels per day in 2023, compared with 3,700 b/d in 2022.

An increase in direct Russian gasoline flows into West Africa started in January, but cumulative volumes, while growing from virtually non-existent in recent years to around 800,000 tonnes year-to-date, are still small, according to Refinitiv Eikon data, the Reuters report said.


“One of Europe’s main markets for gasoline has shrunk, threatening to squeeze European refiners, after Nigeria removed fuel subsidies, which destroyed much of the country’s domestic demand and a regional market for smuggled fuel.

“North America and West Africa, with Nigeria at the helm, historically have been the top two destinations for petrol exports from Europe, which produces more gasoline than it uses, meaning its refiners rely on exports to support profit margins.

“A steady decline in European refining margins in recent years, as competition from the Middle East, the United States and Asia grew, was reversed when fears of fuel supply shortages boosted profits after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” the report said.

So far, benchmark profit margins for gasoline in northwestern Europe have held firm at around $27 a barrel, Refinitiv Eikon data shows.

They have been supported by demand from North America, a shortage of high-quality blending materials, disruption caused by low wave levels inland and local refinery outages.


But analysts say the reduction of flows following the upheaval in Nigeria would increase pressure on European refiners, and any winners would likely be newer Middle Eastern refineries.

Nigeria’s petrol demand reportedly fell by 28 per cent since the removal of subsidies.

Symptomatic of the fall in demand, onshore gasoline stocks in the country had climbed to 960,000 tonnes from an average 613,000 tonnes between January and June, said Jeremy Parker at the CITAC consultancy, which focuses on Africa’s downstream energy market.

Nigeria relies heavily on petrol importation because of its inadequate domestic refining capacity.


https://punchng.com/wafrica-petrol-import-dipped-30-in-q2-says-report/

The protesters marched from the Unity Fountain to the NASS Complex to demand the reversal of the pump price of petrol, amongst other demands.

By Kayode Oyero
Updated August 2, 2023




The protest by the Organised Labour against the “anti-people” policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration is getting intense as protesters, on Wednesday, morning broke down the first gate of the National Assembly (NASS) complex and forced their way into the premises.

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The protesters subsequently moved to the second gate of the Assembly Complex even as Senators immediately entered a closed-door session.

The Organised Labour including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliate unions, today, kicked off a protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and other states of the Federation including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.

The protesters in their hundreds convened at the Unity Fountain from where they marched to the NASS Complex.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio is expected to address the protesters ahead of today’s screening of ministerial nominees.



Earlier, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, told Channels Television at the Unity Fountain that there is “nothing stopping the protest, not even an overture from the government”.

He said that the Organised Labour won’t shelve the protest until there is a desired response from the government.

Ajaero said the response from the states will determine “whether the protest will be from today, or tomorrow or next or till thy kingdom come, it is not by using force”.

“We are here for the protest and to make a statement that since we started negotiation, that there is nothing we have in our hands,” he said.


Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, warned against “violent mass protests” across the country.

Tinubu had removed subsidy on petrol during his epic inauguration speech on May 29, 2023, with a litre of the petrol jumping from N184 to over N620 and food prices and general inflation galloping at an unprecedented rate.

Last week, the NLC issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and demanded “the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the federal government including the recent hike in PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) price, increase in public school fees, the release of the eight months withheld salary of university lecturers and workers”.

The union also demanded an upward review of the minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000, saying that since the President’s “subsidy is gone” inauguration speech of May 29, 2023, the peace of mind of Nigerians has gone.


Several meetings between the Presidency and the unions on palliatives for Nigerians suffering hardship in the wake of the petrol subsidy removal proved abortive.

Also, the intervention of the Senate and the House of Representatives achieved no success as the unions insisted that the government’s palliatives’ package was out of touch with the economic realities that Nigerians face.

In a last-minute move to placate the aggrieved unions, Tinubu, in a broadcast to Nigerians on Monday night, promised to review workers’ salaries and minimum wage.

He also announced a N75 billion palliative for the manufacturing sector, saying 75 businesses would benefit within a nine-month period spanning the third quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of next year. Tinubu went on to declare a N125 billion fund to energise “this very important sector”.

According to him, provision has been made “to invest N100 billion between now and March 2024 to acquire 3000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses”.

However, the NLC immediately faulted the palliative measures announced by the President to cushion the biting effect of petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians, saying the programmes to be rolled out by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government are totally out of touch with economic realities and hardship currently being faced by poor citizens.

The union said “the promises and assurances made by President Tinubu is not the silver bullet that Nigerians expected”.

The NLC said the President was expected to tell Nigerians his plans to resuscitate public refineries which have been lying comatose for so many years but he was completely silent on the issue.

More to follow…


https://www.channelstv.com/2023/08/02/breaking-protesters-break-down-nass-gate-force-way-into-premises/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EEJlm_kNzY


VIDEO: Atiku at Tribunal for his final written address.

VIDEO: Atiku at Tribunal for his final written address pic.twitter.com/UEXvg4mf9F

— Daily Trust (@daily_trust) August 1, 2023

The police have confirmed that there was an attack by bandits on an immigration checkpoint in Sokoto.

The bandits’ attack on the checkpoint in the Gwadabawa area of the state occurred on Friday night.

The spokesman of the command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirm this in a phone conversation with our correspondent on Sunday morning.

He confirmed that the gunmen suspected to be Bandits attacked the Mamman Suka village checkpoint of the Gwadabawa Local Government area and killed 2 immigration officers. At the same time, some of them who sustained gunshot injuries were rushed to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto.


He further said five rifles were recorded by the immigration officers from the gunmen and were currently at the immigration headquarters office in the state.

Meanwhile, a driver who is an eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that the gunmen suspected to be kidnappers stormed the Immigration checkpoint point along Sokoto/ Illela road on Friday at around 7 pm, shot 2 Immigration officers, and abducted others.

Confirming the attack, the Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Immigration Service Illela Border Command, Bello Mohammed said, “We are currently in hospital please with the wounded, I will give you a call later.”


When called again, Mohammed said, “We are sorting out things to know the degree of the attack and the number of casualties” he said.

https://punchng.com/police-confirm-bandits-attack-on-immigration-checkpoint-in-sokoto/

Sexual harassment

While there are some women who seek sexual affairs in the gym, on the flip side other women decry the rate of harassment that comes from men in fitness centres.

According to Collins Dictionary, harassment is a behaviour that is intended to trouble or annoy someone. Similarly, sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted sexual behaviour that makes someone feel upset, scared, offended, or humiliated.

A study published in Women’s Health magazine indicated that two in three British women avoid exercising at the gym, 45 per cent choose to go with a friend, and four per cent go with a partner because “men make them feel uncomfortable.”

For instance, a banker, Bolanle Arowolo, bemoaned how she was groped by a man while working out at a gym.

She narrated her experience, “I was at a fitness centre which I used for a while. That day, I was working on my glutes and from behind me, I suddenly felt a hand grip me around my waist. I initially thought it was my instructor, only to turn around to see this creepy man who should be in his late 40s lustfully smiling at me.

“I was so shocked that I couldn’t even chastise him. He even leaned over and said ‘Fine girl.’ I just stopped whatever I was doing, went to change my clothes, walked up to him and hissed loudly at him and I walked out. I could hear him laughing as I stepped out.”


A media consultant, Omolola Bello, told our correspondent that women do feel uncomfortable when men glare at their bodies or laugh at them while working out.

She said, “I don’t feel comfortable going to the gym if there are many men there because I know they will be glaring at my backside while I’m working out and that disturbs my energy.

“This is not something that is uniquely my experience, I know several women that will tell you the same. Apart from the fact that it’s rude, some men are in the habit of catcalling you or following you because you are in the gym with them.

“Some will even be making a jest of you and poking fun at you as it happened to me. These kinds of unwelcome remarks towards women are disrespectful and yes, they qualify as harassment.”

A Gender Studies for Men survey asked respondents if they thought women wearing tight and skimpy clothing at the gym is a form of sexual harassment of men.

It is interesting to note that about 83 per cent of respondents said they saw it as sexual harassment while 17 per cent dissented, describing it as women’s empowerment.

In February, videos with hashtags such as #GymCreep and #GymWeirdo became viral on TikTok and garnered more than 100 million views.


The terms were used to describe male gym-goers staring at or approaching women who were trying to have a workout. Based on the comments, many people could relate to the uncomfortable situation.

However, some social media users suggested that men were unfairly targeted by the videos, and there was criticism of people filming without permission.

Decrying the rate of sexual harassment in Nigeria, a legal practitioner and founder of Emeka Chinenye and Co., Mrs Chinenye Emeka, explained to Saturday PUNCH that such unwarranted acts could be verbal or physical and could also happen in a workplace or within a community.

She stated, “Sexual harassment is an illegal act punishable under Nigerian laws, however many women are timid to complain of sexual harassment because of fear and shame. Sexual harassment at any level has negative emotional, physical and psychological health effects on the victim such as anger, fear, depression, shame, humiliation, loss of control, etc.

“Section 360 of the Criminal Code provides that any person who unlawfully and incidentally assaults a woman or girl is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for two years.

“Other authorities that protect the interest of women include the Nigerian Constitution, the Sexual Offences Act Bill of 2013 and the Violence Against Persons Provision (Prohibition) Act 2015.”

Highlighting steps that could be taken by individuals being sexually harassed at the gym, Chinenye urged them to document their evidence and seek legal assistance.


She added, “You can confront the person because someone might be harassing you sexually not knowing that they are committing an offence. In such a situation, let the person know of the offence and warn them not to repeat such act.

“If the offence continues after confrontation, start documenting your evidence to build your case. Report to the appropriate authority of the police with a trusted supportive close person like a family member and engage legal assistance.”

n this feature, VICTOR AYENI writes on how the thriving fitness culture in the country has provided a cover for men and women to engage in intimate affairs, sometimes leading to sexual harassment the gyms

Isaac Madu’s legs swayed in excitement as he chugged on his smoothie and relished the taste of grilled chicken set before him.

His light brown eyes dimmed each time he laughed; his fingers intermittently handling his long thick beard as he leered at some ladies who passed by the pub at Surulere, Lagos.

Madu, a 29-year-old native of Orlu, Imo State, works part-time as a gym instructor at a fitness centre on Lagos Island.




He cut the picture of a Hollywood hunk, with his fitting black shirt and trousers which made his bulging caramel arms, well-toned and muscular thighs quite apparent.

The graduate of International Relations waxed eloquently with our correspondent about how his profession regularly brings him in touch with enlightened people, a privilege he admitted had changed his outlook on life.

However, there is often a salacious, even lewd currency of exchange that often takes place with certain learners – some of whom he unashamedly admits are married women.


“I am not a bad guy and I don’t go all out seeking to have sex with my clients,” Madu told Saturday PUNCH with a wry smile on his face.

“I respect boundaries and understand what unwanted sexual solicitations can bring. But in my profession – shall I say the location too plays a big part – there are women who come to the gym not just to be fit but also to fulfil their sexual needs.

“Such ladies come to the gym because they are bored with their relationships or marriage; they want some spice in the bedroom. They want someone younger and athletic to take them to new dimensions, if you get my drift. Gym instructors like us are their easy choice because they come under the guise of the desire to be fit.

“One of them always described her husband as ‘old and fat,’ and, maybe as a reflex, she didn’t hide her motive for coming to our gym from day one.”

When our correspondent asked for more details, Madu initially declined and looked around carefully to be sure no one was eavesdropping.

“The devil is in the details,” he said with a giggle, as he brought out his phone which had been beeping in order to respond to his messages.

After a while, he continued, “There was this Lekki babe who registered and started coming to our gym. And as an instructor, it’s my job to figure out what is the best way forward from wherever you are starting and I like motivating people I work with.


“I told her to start slowly on one of the treadmills which she struggled with it for a while. So, I was always there to guide her. From there, I began to see just how beautiful she is, her curves and contours were well set. But I tried hard to focus on my work and not give her undue attention.”

He dived into the details.

“One day, while taking her through some deep stretches and beginner-friendly exercises, she looked at me in the eye with a seductive smile and smacked her lips. I caught the code but there were other people in the gym so I acted like nothing happened. But from that day on, we would give each other lusty eye contact even when I am with another guest.

“I would make her bend over while my hands supported her and put pressure on her lower back, and as she writhed in pain it would send a rush of blood down my system. It became a routine. I deliberately wanted to take things slow with her.”

From there, Madu told this reporter in graphic detail what started out as a workout session but eventually became a full-blown sizzling sexual affair.

“Sometimes, she came to the gym in the evenings and we would start right there if no one is around. There are times we use a hotel and sometimes she spent the night at my house. Our affair lasted for more than a year until she relocated out of the country. She is now married,” he added.

Thriving fitness culture


There has been a burgeoning global awareness of the need for stable physical and mental health, and Nigeria is not left behind in this regard.

More citizens, both young and old, have adopted different regular exercises to keep their bodies and mind in good shape. Also, organisations encourage their staff to engage in physical activity to stay healthy.

In Nigeria, many fitness centres or studios have sprung up, especially in the major cities and highbrow areas, and like magnets, they attract enlightened citizens who have a high consciousness of physical fitness and can afford it.

The thriving fitness culture has created a viable space for fitness enthusiasts to work as trainers, helping women who feel insecure about their physique and weight as well as men who hit the gym in order to regain their confidence.

A biomedical scientist, Nnaemeka Duru, told our correspondent that going to the gym was one of the best things to happen to his body.

He explained, “I used to be physically flabby and had low self esteem but since I hit the gym and have been consistent in going, I now feel good about myself and my body confidence has increased. Working out is one of the best things I did for my body.

“Within a few months of workout, I notice I have greater stamina and better self esteem. I learnt that physical exercises naturally boost testosterone and I must say, even in the other room, the story has changed.”


Another fitness enthusiast, Emmanuella Mnena, described it as a lifestyle that more people need to adopt in order to improve their well-being.

“When I started out in the gym, I would wake up the following day with body aches and I almost gave up but the gym instructor was very patient, always encouraging me, telling me ‘no pain, no gain’. That motivated me to continue and now, I see it as a health-boosting lifestyle that more people need to adopt,” she said.

Commenting on the benefits of physical exercise, a physiologist, Ifeolouwa Ojo, told Saturday PUNCH that regular exercise helps to lower the risk of developing chronic conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.

He said, “Exercise is a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle, and engaging in regular physical activity has several advantages. The beneficial effects of exercise on cardiovascular health are among its most important advantages.

“Regular exercise can assist to increase blood flow, lower blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, it may be helpful in boosting muscular strength and stamina, which can enhance overall physical performance and lower the chance of injury.

“Exercise can be good for your physical and emotional health in addition to being physically beneficial. Regular exercise has been shown to lessen the signs of depression and anxiety, boost mood and encourage sound sleep. In addition, it can help in lowering stress levels, which may have a big effect on general well-being.”

He stressed that a healthy lifestyle must include regular exercise, which everybody could benefit from.


He added, “Regular physical activity has numerous advantages and is a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle. It can help to strengthen and sustain muscles, increase energy levels and lower the chance of developing chronic conditions.

“Increased energy and decreased weariness are two additional advantages of exercising. Regular exercise can assist metabolism, which can result in more energy and better overall health.”

Gym sexpreneurs

Saturday PUNCH learnt that monthly registration for gyms in Lagos falls between N15,000 to N80,000, depending on the location, fitness regime involved and the type of facilities available.

Some fitness enthusiasts, however, tend to spend more money to hire personal trainers and fitness coaches to meet their specific workout needs.

A number of gym trainers are professionals who are often reached by clients through mutual contacts or social media, while the others work part-time as club bouncers, personal escorts and ‘hook up’ guys.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines hook up, as “to begin a romantic or sexual relationship with someone.”


On a broader perspective, hook up culture is one that accepts and encourages casual sex encounters, including one-night stands and other related activities, without necessarily including emotional intimacy, bonding or a committed relationship.

Far from leading clandestine lives, many Nigerian hook-up men and women meet their clients via social media or are mediated through an adult agency.

A ‘hook up’ bouncer and gym trainer whose Instagram name is Donatus (surname withheld) admitted to our correspondent that he receives much patronage across several states from both women and men.

He stated, “I am a fitness trainer and I work as a bouncer. I tend to meet more beautiful and high-class women when I am doing my bouncer job than in the gym. You know, in clubs and parties, these women openly approach me and tell me they want me. They could send their drivers to give me their contact or they give me personally.

“It is a matter of negotiation. We talk about what they desire and we get busy; we are adults. Transactional sex is nothing to be ashamed of, except in a hypocritical society like ours. Some men too approach me, though some just admire my body and keep it moving.”

When our correspondent inquired if he also has sexual liaisons with ladies who come to his gym, he added that it could come with conditions.

He stated, “If I like her and she really wants us to have fun, fine, we do it. There is usually no transaction involved. But if she is wealthy and she can afford my service, I am game. There are women who actually come to the gym to find men that will satisfy them and we do satisfy them, even with threesomes sometimes.


“I’m not ashamed of what I do. See, I worked so hard on this body for me to be giving it away to just anybody for free. It’s not easy to become a bodybuilder. It takes years of workout and taking supplements to reach this point and now it gets me gigs too.”

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A mother of two, who gave her name as Anike, disclosed that some women do form cliques when they go to the gym to hunt for sex partners.

She stated, “Those who do these things might not tell you but I can tell you that it happens. I used to visit a gym in Isolo area of Lagos where a woman was the ringleader of women who were there to look for sex partners under the guise of workout. They go after young men who come to the gym and only those who know this will know.

“When these women saw that I wasn’t joining them in their prostitution, they began to display antagonism towards me and I had to stop going to that gym.”

Reacting to the trend of those who use gyms as an avenue for sexual affairs, Ojo stressed that exercise improves people’s sexual appeal.

He added, “Some could contend that the main reason individuals go to the gym is to find partners for sex when it comes to gym culture. While it’s true that some people might use the gym as a networking opportunity, it’s crucial to keep in mind that exercise offers numerous advantages beyond just improved health and sex appeal.

“Additionally, it has advantageous impacts on mental health, including lowering stress and anxiety, boosting mood and facilitating better sleep. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the advantages of exercise go well beyond only physical beauty or sexual appeal, even though some individuals may use the gym as a way to meet new people.”


Married men differ

Our correspondent inquired from several married men whether they would allow their wives to go to the gym or have a personal trainer.

While some men saw no problem in the idea, others raised their objected to it.

A civil servant and father of three, Mr Damilare Olalekan, said, “I won’t allow my wife to go to the gym. I have seen some social media videos of how some of these men inappropriately touch women, in the name of training and I can’t allow such a thing.

“There are home exercises that she can do and there are female personal trainers and wellness therapists she could consult.”

Similarly, a clothier, Ahmed Ojomo, told Saturday PUNCH that as a Muslim, his religion frowns on men physically touching other men’s wives.

“My religion frowns on a man touching other men’s women, and some of the things these women wear to the gym are too revealing. The men attending to them are not made of wood,” he said.


Conversely, an architect and father of two, Mr Deji Alatiba, said there was nothing wrong with the idea.

He stated, “I registered my wife in a gym because I want her to be physically fit and burn off excess calories and we even workout together. It is a matter of perception and emotional security. If men could have no problem going to the gym, why should women be barred?

“If you don’t trust your partner, then you can devise a means of physical exercise that works for both of you, but if there is trust and true love in a marriage, you won’t be bothering your head with all of that.”

Buttressing Alatiba’s view, a data analyst, Prince Njoku, said, “Unless there is a gym where I am credibly sure that women are being sexually harassed or my wife has given me reasons to doubt her fidelity, she can get registered at any gym.”

Meanwhile, a fitness instructor, Osaze Innocent, described the reports of sexual liaisons in gyms as being rooted in a wrong but widely held misconception about gym trainers.

He said, “The allegation that ‘no one gets free sex than a gym instructor’ is a lie and a misconception that needs to be challenged because this is how a narrative gains a life of its own when repeatedly used without being countered.

“Yes, some gym instructors do sleep with female learners, just as we have some lecturers who sleep with their students, but that doesn’t mean it happens everywhere or even ethical. Many of us are in serious relationships and we respect our partners not to sleep around.


“I know I can’t speak for everyone, but personally I don’t know any gym instructor who sleeps with their learners, though I won’t say such things don’t happen. People get these ideas from porn materials and from there they start making general claims that are false.

“Like so many other professions, some unscrupulous people with impure motives come into the sector, but people like these need to be stopped and if non-consensual, be made to face the consequences.

“I once had a client whose husband always called on the phone to monitor her movements whenever she was in the gym because of this widely believed misconception. These are issues we all need to speak against.”

In his reaction, a psychologist, Kolawole Afolabi, explained that more Nigerians need to have a full understanding of sexual addiction.

He added, “Although there are no available data that can be referenced, it would seem that some of these men and women who have turned fitness centres into sexual trysts might actually be suffering from sex addiction. This is a disorder that is now recognised by the World Health Organisation and is defined as “a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour.

“Symptoms of sex addiction may include repetitive sexual activities becoming a central focus of the person’s life to the point of neglecting health and personal care or other interests, activities, and responsibilities; numerous unsuccessful efforts to significantly reduce repetitive sexual behaviour; and continued repetitive sexual behaviour despite adverse consequences or deriving little or no satisfaction from it.

“So, we should be alert to the possibilities that individuals who indulge in repetitive sexual acts in public places, without regard for the consequences, might be sex addicts. They would need to see a professional counsellor and go through therapy.”




https://punchng.com/erotic-workout-how-instructors-patrons-use-gyms-for-intimate-affairs/

National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Portal has been down for weeks now!
Trying to get enrollment for NIN for International Passport has not been going through because, your NIN will not drop for enrolment.
The staff are claiming their National portal is down. This is more than four weeks now. Please how can a national entity of such magnitude be down for weeks!

A transparency group, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre has described the subsidy policy on petrol in Nigeria as a failure.

According to a statement released by the group on Friday, titled, ‘CISLAC Response To Proposed Subsidy Palliatives’, and made available to The PUNCH, the group said while other developing countries of the world introduced consumer subsidies to improve the welfare of their citizens and alleviate poverty, among other reasons, petrol subsidy in Nigeria failed to address or solve any of the reasons it was introduced in the first place.

The PUNCH reports that President Bola Tinubu wrote to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, seeking approval of N500bn to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal on vulnerable Nigerians.

Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter sent to the National Assembly and read during plenary by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.




The president announced the petrol subsidy removal during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023.

However, the statement signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), reads: “While welfare, poverty alleviation and election cycle politics largely underpin the reasons for which consumer subsidies are introduced in developing countries, it has been a fool’s errand in Nigeria’s case as it has failed to address any of the issues that birth its introduction.

“The arguments for the removal of fuel subsidy have always bordered on the need to free resources and take necessary steps towards long-needed reform, since the country can no longer sustain the cost, especially as the economy braces for a possible recession.


“It is expected that the fiscal space created by the subsidy withdrawal must be provided for wider public goods and the resources saved could be reallocated to those groups most affected by the reform by adopting complementary measures.”

The statement added that one major challenge the Tinubu administration currently faces is winning the trust of Nigerians.

It also stated that because 27 per cent of Nigeria’s average household budget is dedicated to fuel-related expenses, subsidy savings should be reallocated to fixing the challenges faced by the energy and transport sectors.

“However, a real challenge the present government faces is winning the trust of the people who want to know that the government has a credible and sustainable plan. With 27% of the country’s average household budgets dedicated to fuel-related expenses (petrol-powered generators and vehicles and heavy reliance on the poor public transport system), reallocation of subsidy savings should be directed to fixing the energy and transport sectors as opposed to another round of jamboree in the name of succour.

Loans are being desperately sought to fix and build roads and rail lines, so there are concerns that the new government is mis-prioritizing the utilization of sparse funds that may only end up lining a few pockets,” the statement said.


The statement further stated that it may even be more difficult for Nigerians to express confidence in the government’s transparent disbursement of the N500bn palliative, as the memories of how the COVID-19 palliative was hoarded and eventually looted still remain fresh.

“The concerns about the transparency of palliative disbursement processes are cogent as Nigerians have a fresh memory of palliative administrations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In more recent times, we have witnessed the inefficiency and lack of transparency that trailed interventions like the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Microfinance Bank SME/Household loan and Anchor Borrower’s Programme, just to mention a few.


“More worrisomely, a breakdown of the amended N819.5 billion supplementary budget shows that N500 billion is set aside for palliatives to cushion the effect of recent fuel subsidy removal, N185 billion for the Ministry of Works and Housing to alleviate the impact of the flooding disaster suffered in the country in 2022 on road infrastructure across the six geopolitical zones, N19.2 billion for the Ministry of Agriculture to ameliorate the massive destruction to farmlands across the country during the flooding experienced last year; N35 billion to the National Judicial Council; N10 billion to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for critical projects; and N70 billion for the National Assembly to support the working conditions of new members. There is a seeming lack of clarity and sincerity of purpose behind this sharing formula and its illogical rationale as a further breakdown suggests that each of the 469 legislators gets about N24 million each, while the more vulnerable public beneficiaries get N8000 each monthly.

“The insensitivity behind this is alarming, particularly in light of the country’s growing and unsustainable debt profile. At this crucial time of post-covid recovery when the increasing cost of governance underpinned by high personnel and overhead costs are weighing down on the federation purse; steps should be taken towards restructuring and rationalizing government parastatals, agencies and commissions to address these costs; 30% of the annual budgets barely goes into capital projects; the government has never achieved more than 40% budget performance; and domestic and local debts are piling.

“Given our current fiscal situation, there must be stringent measures to address these depletions and deficits. Nigeria’s external debt is about 40% of its projected N77 trillion debt stock, most of which is to multilateral creditors like the World Bank at 47% and more worrisomely to Commercial lenders (private creditors) at 39%, with debt service to revenue ratio projected by the World Bank to increase from 100.2 per cent in 2022 to 123.4 per cent of federal revenue in 2023 and possibly hit 160 per cent in five years except broad-based reforms are implemented to “unfreeze” the financial landscape.

“The past Assembly was culpable in the Federal Government’s acquisition of these unsustainable domestic and international loans, even above public interest, and all established fiscal and statutory thresholds. The legislators as elected representatives of the people should not betray their mandate and constituents, and thus owe Nigerians and posterity a duty to grant further loan approvals only upon requests from the executive arm are accompanied by clear and publicly accessible frameworks for the implementation of the proposed measures and administration of the loans to finance them.”

However, the group urged the Federal Government to always make sure its policies and programmes are sound so that they will be widely accepted by Nigerians.

“It is instructive to note that for government policies and programmes to be effective and efficient, they must be technically sound, widely accepted and administratively feasible. Towards more satisfactory medium- and long-term outcomes, the government should start considering fast-tracking the implementation of the outlined recommendations of the Energy and Natural Resources sub-committees of the President’s Policy advisory council, which produced its detailed report in May 2023. All efforts should be balanced with a drive to maximize revenue generation in a way that respects the principles of transparency, equity and fairness.

“The opportunity for this to create a sound fiscal policy environment presents hopes for the common man as we await the report of the Presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms, charged with the primary objective to enhance revenue collection efficiency, ensure transparent reporting, and promote the effective utilization of tax and other revenues to boost citizens’ tax morale, foster a healthy tax culture, and drive voluntary compliance.


“Also, there needs to be a guarantee of transparency and accountability in the administration of these new palliatives, if we are to proceed with this decision. The funds should be administered through the 774 local governments at N1.04 billion per LGA, with each setting up a committee that will consist of community leaders, civil society groups, religious leaders and political leaders for effective monitoring. On the other hand, the LGAs could be required to utilize the funds (N1.04 billion) in a manner that is consistent with maximizing social benefits in public expenditure, for instance through effectively monitored establishment or rehabilitation of public health care centres, health insurance schemes, skill acquisition centres or similarly robust initiatives.

“Lastly, the need for wider stakeholder consultations cannot be over-emphasized as it is crucial to public trust and acceptability. We encourage the new government not to tow the path of the previous one in excluding Nigerians from planning and monitoring processes both from a rights-based and outcome-based perspective. Civil society actors have harmonized positions on various economic issues which should be given due consideration and space should be provided for engagement with civic actors as voices of the people”, the statement said.


https://punchng.com/fuel-subsidy-policy-was-a-failure-says-cislac/

The Nigerian Navy in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, says it has uncovered a huge mechanism installed in the Oil Mining Lease 18 wellhead being used to siphon crude oil into waiting barges.

The News Agency of Nigeria learned that OML 18 wellhead is owned and operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The Commander, of Nigeria Navy Ship, Pathfinder, Commodore Sulaiman Ibrahim, took newsmen to the site in Kala Ekweama community in the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“The terrain (site) was discovered by our naval helicopter on routine aerial patrol of the waterways and creeks in our area of responsibility.



I feel damaged for life, says 24-year-old lady allegedly defiled at childhood by uncle, dad’s...
“Immediately after it was spotted, we deployed our gunboats to the site and kept watch of the facility to ensure the illegality perpetrated here is discontinued.

“The Nigerian Navy has put everything on the ground to ensure that it curbs illegal crude oil theft in the Niger Delta,” Ibrahim said.

He said troops recovered from the already sabotaged facility, boats, equipment, and other machines being used to steal crude oil from the wellhead.


“We have contacted the operators of OML 18 to send their technical team and skilled manpower but the team said the wellhead has been greatly compromised.

“So, all efforts to get products out (of the wellhead) has been quite difficult at the moment except higher skilled and technical team are brought in.

“However, we are fully on the ground and committed to curbing all activities of oil thieves in this general area and the region at large,” he added.

The naval officer urged members of the public to come forward with useful information about anyone in their communities involved in oil theft, noting that war against the menace could only be won with Nigerians’ support.

“The Federal Government is aware of the efforts of the Armed Forces and in particular the navy in doing everything humanly possible to stop oil theft in the country.

“Some people have alleged that military personnel connive with oil thieves, and I have on several occasions challenged them to name such personnel so that they can be shamed,” Ibrahim said.

Security agencies had on Tuesday set ablaze a vessel laden with 150 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil earlier intercepted on Escravos sea in Delta State.


The vessel, MT TURA II (IMO Number:6620462) with Registration Number, RC 813311, owned by Holab Maritime Services Limited, was conveying crude oil from Nigeria to Cameroon when it was arrested last Friday with 11 Nigerians and one Ghanaian onboard.

It was set ablaze at exactly 1.09 pm on Tuesday at a creek close to Bennett Island in Warri South West Local Government Area of the state.

Top hierarchy of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as well as officials of the Delta State Government were on the ground as security operatives and personnel of the NNPCL set the vessel ablaze.

Speaking with journalists while the ship was burning, Executive Director on Technical Operations, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, disclosed that the government had made “a swift decision” to destroy the vessel.

He said, “The whole idea of destroying the vessel is to send a strong message to all would-be investors that this is what they are to face if they do this type of business.”

He further stated that illegal bunkerers and their sponsors should be ready to lose their assets as the government and security forces would do all it takes to bring them to book.



https://punchng.com/navy-uncovers-vandalised-nnpcl-oil-wellhead-in-rivers/

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, on Monday, said Nigeria witnessed the ugliest face of corruption during the last administration led by ex-president Muhammadu Buhari.

He spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, during a lecture he delivered at the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the call to bar of the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN).

The lecture was titled ‘The future of constitutional democracy in Nigeria: Imperative of a new constitutional order’.

While clarifying that the trend didn’t start under Buhari, the cleric maintained that corruption festered under the ex-president’s watch.




He said, “We have seen the worst phase of corruption in Nigeria. Femi Falana, my friend here, will speak about that because he has published a series of articles talking about what happened under the Buhari administration.


In his lecture, Kukah made a case for men of integrity in the judiciary particularly at the Supreme Court.


The bishop, who called on the Federal Government to avoid sentiments in the process of the country’s democratic journey, said upholding the provisions of democracy required selfless service which should not be sentimentally driven to foster development.

He frowned at leaders who limited development to their hometowns, saying, “This does not project democracy. This does not speak well of our democracy.

“Nigeria needs to grow democratically and developed politically. Every federal institution must reflect what Nigeria should reflect all over the country. The country should stop reinforcing inequality. There must be sanctions and consequences for those who go against our democracy and the constitution of the land for us to have a better society”.


https://punchng.com/nigeria-witnessed-worst-corruption-under-buhari-kukah/