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  • You Left Our Party for APC Because of Personal Reasons, PDP Replies Umahi

    You Left Our Party for APC Because of Personal Reasons, PDP Replies Umahi

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has tackled Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, of his defection to All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the governor left the opposition party for “personal reasons,” which Nigerians would come to know at the fullness of time.

    While thanking Umahi for services rendered to the people of Ebonyi State, as the state chairman of the party (2003 to 2007); deputy governor (2007 to 2015) and two term governor of Ebonyi State (2015 till date), all elected on the platform of the opposition party, PDP wished him “all the best in his adventure.”

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    President Buhari Proud of Ebonyi Governor’s Defection to Ruling APC

    “We call on the members of our party to remain calm and committed to the ideals of our party as no individual is bigger than PDP,” the party noted.

    Meanwhile, PDP National Working Committee (NWC) Tuesday held a crucial meeting where it announced the dissolution of the ward, local government and state executive committees of Ebonyi State chapter of the party forthwith.

    NWC also dissolved the South-east Zonal Caretaker Committee of the party.

    These decisions were pursuant to the powers conferred on NWC by PDP Constitution.

    Following the dissolution of Ebonyi State executive members of the party, NWC has constituted a state caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of PDP in the state in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

    Members of Ebonyi State Caretaker Committee include: Fred Udeogu (Chairman); Luke Nkwegu (Secretary); Gideon Osi (Publicity Secretary); James Alaka (Organising Secretary); Amaka Igboke (Women Leader); Mudi Irenede (Legal Adviser); and Ibeshi (Youth Leader).

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    ‘Emergency Security Meeting Deter Presidency from Attending South South Meeting’ – Presidency

    “The decision of the NWC in this regard is pursuant to the powers conferred on it by the provisions of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended).

    “All our leaders, members and teeming supporters in Ebonyi State and the South-east are by this guided accordingly,” the party said.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • President Buhari Proud of Ebonyi Governor’s Defection to Ruling APC

    President Buhari Proud of Ebonyi Governor’s Defection to Ruling APC

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the defection of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it “as a bold move driven purely by principle rather than opportunistic motives.”

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    ‘Emergency Security Meeting Deter Presidency from Attending South South Meeting’ – Presidency

    Reacting to the defection, President Buhari said:

    “I am proud of Governor David Umahi for taking this bold decision in accordance with his conscience and principles rather than any external influence or coercion.”

    According to the President, “Good governance is very important to us in the APC, and I’m glad that the governor has cited this as a major factor in his decision to join us. I urge our citizens to pay less emphasis on identity politics if we want our democracy to make a positive impact on our country.”

    He noted that “with men like Umahi, I foresee a brighter future for our democracy because the voters will be more motivated by performance records of parties and their candidates.”

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    ‘Emergency Security Meeting Deter Presidency from Attending South South Meeting’ – Presidency

    “Let me once again; commend the boldness of Governor Umahi for taking this courageous decision in a country where principles are in short supply among many. I know people might call him names, but that is the price men of principles have to pay for acting according to their conscience and convictions” President Buhari added.

  • ‘Emergency Security Meeting Deter Presidency from Attending South South Meeting’ – Presidency

    ‘Emergency Security Meeting Deter Presidency from Attending South South Meeting’ – Presidency

    The Presidency has explained the absence of the federal government delegation at the planned meeting with governors and stakeholders of the South-South region as necessitated by an emergency security meeting summoned by the President, certainly not out of disrespect.

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    According to Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Wednesday, the delegation to the meeting, under the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, ministers and heads of security and intelligence agencies were in full readiness to proceed to Port Harcourt until they were directed to stay back for the emergency security meeting.

    The presidency spokesman disclosed that the information on the change in plan and regret for the inconvenience caused were conveyed to the hosts of the meeting through what we believed were the right channels.

    “As may have been gleaned from the statement read by the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, the extraordinary National Security Council meeting, under the President, was called in view of the gravity of the security situation affecting all parts of the country, including the South-South in the aftermath of the ENDSARS protests, and the need to rise to protect our national security and territorial integrity.

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    Nigeria Grants Flight Resumption to Air France/KLM, Lufthansa & Qatar Airways

    “The President is strongly and resolutely committed to hearing from leaders, stakeholders and our youth on burning issues affecting all parts of the federation, and to this effect, a new date for the meeting with the South-South will be agreed after due consultations with the parties concerned.

    “Once again, the unavoidable postponement of the meeting is regretted” Garba stated.

  • Nigeria Grants Flight Resumption to Air France/KLM, Lufthansa & Qatar Airways

    Nigeria Grants Flight Resumption to Air France/KLM, Lufthansa & Qatar Airways

    The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government Tuesday informed Air France/KLM, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways that they could now resume their international flight operations in and out of Nigeria.

    The notification for the Federal Government’s approval to these airliners were confirmed in a tweet by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

    The minister also explained the effort of the Ministry of Aviation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) and the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to ensure that some other three airports in Nigeria are reopened.

    According to him, “We are working with Ministry of Health, CACOVID and the PTF to open Kano, Port Harcourt and possibly Enugu airports before the end of the year.

    “Also Lufthansa, Air France/KLM have been given go-ahead to resume operations.

    “Qatar Airways is approved to start Abuja.

    “Thank you for your patience.”

    The Federal Government had March 2020 shut down all airports to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

    Domestic flights later resumed in all airports in July while international flights resumed at the Lagos and Abuja airports in September.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • We’re Determined to Pass PIB in Six Months, Says Gbajabiamila

    We’re Determined to Pass PIB in Six Months, Says Gbajabiamila

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has authoritatively declared that the Green Chamber is determined to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) within the next six months.

    “On the PIB, there are two things that the House would want to do. First, the House is determined to pass the bill within the next six months, or probably less, because the clock has already started running from the time it was presented.

    “Two, the House is determined to pass a PIB that is satisfactory to all. I know it’s difficult to satisfy everybody, but we will try our best to satisfy everybody,” Gbajabiamila said.

    Speaking when he played host to a delegation of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) under Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the speaker said the House would ensure that it carried all stakeholders along in working on the draft legislation until its passage.

    The speaker urged members of OPTS led by their Chairman, Mike Sangster, to avail themselves the opportunity they have at hand to reach out to the House Adhoc Committee on PIB to make their inputs.

    He expressed concern over the submission by Sangster that PIB in its present form, would not make the Nigerian oil and gas industry competitive globally.

    “PIB has been long coming. Because of the various interests, it’s difficult to pass a bill that addresses the interests of everyone. But PIB luckily will involve local content.

    “I’m very concerned about what you said that PIB as it is, doesn’t allow Nigeria to compete favourably in the global market,” he said, adding: “We’re not competitive, yet there’s the presence of oil majors here.”

    According to him, “We need to look at it, but I think it will be difficult to tell members that we should go back to the old arrangement that we had.

    “I need to ask the question that where were you when they were making this law? Your inputs should have been there. It’s never too late for you to have your inputs.

    “I’m sure the committee will do justice to the other issues you raised.”

    Earlier, Sangster raised concerns about the present form of PIB, which he said if passed the way it is, it would negatively affect Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.

    He noted that in the past years, the African continent attracted about $70 billion of investment in the oil and gas industry but that only about $3 billion came to Nigeria despite being a major player continentally.

    When the speaker sought to know from Sangster if PIB had any positives, OPTS chairman responded in the affirmative, noting that PIB represented the much-needed reforms in the sector.

    He noted, however, that in its present form, the bill “doesn’t provide the environment for future investments.”

    He raised other issues to include the preservation of the oil and gas business in the country, royalties, tax, how to handle NNPC’s outstanding liabilities, segregation of the upstream and downstream, complexities in the implementation of the bill, among others.

    Noting that the petroleum industry had the capacity to create thousands of jobs in the next 10 years, Sangster said: “We would encourage the House to reach out to other sources to have a better analysis of PIB.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • District Head, Son and 11 Others Murdered in Zangon-Kataf LGA

    District Head, Son and 11 Others Murdered in Zangon-Kataf LGA

    Military hierarchy under the auspices of Operation Safe Haven has confirmed the killing of the District Head of Gidan Zaki, Haruna Kuye, his son, Destiny, and 11 others in Kaduna State by unknown assailants.

    The military said they were killed in the early hours of Tuesday (November 17) in their residence at Gidan Zaki, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The eleven persons killed were identified as Amadu Mallam, Idi Gefefe, Isah Goma, Awwalu Goma, Babangida Iliyasu, Lado Iliyasu, Ya’u Jumare, Hamza Umaru, Shehu Jibril, Tukur Albasu, and Musa Adamu Muruzuwa.

    The military added that the District Head’s wife sustained machete wounds on her hand while his daughter had a gunshot wound on her finger.

    Other persons who sustained various degree of injuries include: Muazu Albasu, Samaila Chairman, Junaidu Husaini, and a yet to be identified woman earlier thought to have been killed.

    The security report also stated that the act was carried out by about five men wielding AK-47 rifles and machetes, who also tried to burn the house and a vehicle.

    The military said three empty cases and a live round of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered at the scene, adding that the troops in collaboration with other security agencies are carrying out investigations and trailing the assailants.

    Meanwhile, the Governor Nasir El-Rufai-led Kaduna State Government has condemned the killings, describing the act as evil and violation of the sanctity of the human lives.

    The governor also described the assailants as enemies of peace, saying they must be fished out and made to face the wrath of the law.

    El-Rufai, who condoled the Kuye family and the Atyap Traditional Council, prayed for the repose of the souls of the District Head, his son and other victims.

    He praised the district head for his contributions to the peace-building efforts in Zangon-Kataf.

    The governor has, besides, directed Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and Director of the Department of State Services to team up with the military forces on the ground to ensure diligent investigations.

    In a related development, security agencies have also reported attacks in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where armed bandits attacked Fatika, Kaya and Yakawada villages.

    Two persons were killed and some kidnapped.

    In another development, security agencies have given more information regarding Monday’s attack at Albasu village of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The security agencies have, similarly, identified the local killed by bandits on Sunday after they kidnapped two persons at Maraban Kajuru in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The victim has been identified as Albarka Addu’a, a former village head of Kyemara Gari.

    Kaduna State Government has, however, assured that the El-Rufai administration would continue to give security updates to the citizenry, as it continues to work assiduously with security agencies on the protection of life and property across the state.

    The government enjoined citizens to furnish the incumbent administration with relevant information on: 09034000060, 08170189999, and via email: Internal.Security@kdsg.gov.ng

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • #EndSARS: Osinbajo, Gbajabiamila, Sanwo-Olu, Others Move to Rebuild Lagos Infrastructure

    #EndSARS: Osinbajo, Gbajabiamila, Sanwo-Olu, Others Move to Rebuild Lagos Infrastructure

    It’s a gathering of prominent people from all walks of life as the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government formally inaugurated an eight-man team led by the Chairman of Citibank Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso, at an event tagged “Consultative Forum on Rebuilding Lagos” held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa.

    The forum was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; Senator representing Lagos West, Solomon Adeola; Chief Judge of Lagos, Kazeem Alogba; and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, represented by the group’s Executive Director, Mansur Ahmed.

    Also, captains of industry, members of organised private sector and members of diplomatic corps graced the event aimed at restoring the infrastructure destroyed in the wake of violence that trailed the #EndSARS protests.

    Speaking at the event, Osinbajo described Lagos as a critical federating unit around which Nigeria’s fortune is tied.

    He said as a city with flourishing economy, Lagos deserved the support of both the government and private sector to heal, noting that the task of reconstructing the destroyed assets would be painful and costly.

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    Osinbajo charged the rebuilding committee, which was announced fortnight ago, not to be discouraged by the enormity of the task before them, while also urging them to pursue the rebuilding process with an objective to restore trust between the government and citizens.

    The vice president pledged President Muhammadu Buhari’s support for the Lagos State-led recovery effort, but said the presidency still awaits the full report of Lagos destruction in order to know the level of support required from the Federal Government.

    According to him, “On behalf of the Federal Government, let me assure you that we stand with the great people of Lagos as you undertake this difficult journey of rebuilding the lost assets. It my conviction that Lagos and the nation at large will emerge from this crisis better and stronger.”

    Also speaking at the event, Gbajabiamila said the level of destruction was heartbreaking and the loss on hardworking people was monumental, praising Sanwo-Olu for his doggedness and courage to lift the spirit of Lagos State in the face of devastation.

    The Speaker said the effort to restore Lagos would go beyond budget, adding: “It requires special intervention from the Federal Government.”

    In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu described the proportion of the devastation suffered by Lagos State as unprecedented, saying the coordinated violence set Lagos economy, the fifth largest in Africa, back by hundreds of billions of Naira.

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    The destruction, the governor said, tore down the fortress of Lagos commerce built over centuries ago, adding that those who carried out the violence made an attempt to ruin values that stood the state out as centre of creativity and innovation in the country.

    Sanwo-Olu said the consultative forum was to set the stage for the necessary public-private partnerships and collaborations required for the task of rebuilding and restoration of the infrastructure that was destroyed.

    He said: “The violence we witnessed last October is the most widespread carnage the state has seen in decades. Every aspect of life and livelihood in Lagos was affected – government buildings, offices, public monuments and historical archives, public infrastructure and very sadly too, private property and investments.

    “The violence has, no doubt, set our economy back by hundreds of billions of Naira, and impacted our confidence.

    “We have, however, found hope and great strength in the offers of assistance from far and wide, which culminated in the constitution of the Lagos Rebuild Committee to coordinate our efforts to rebuild and upgrade our state.

    “We seek to restore the infrastructure that was destroyed, to revive the energy and confidence of everyone who has been affected by these losses, to help restore the confidence of the people of Lagos in the infinite potentials of Lagos. Lagos State Government cannot do this alone. We need all the help that we can get.”

    The governor disclosed that his administration would be setting aside a huge amount of money as the state’s collateral in the recovery effort, adding that the Cardoso-led team that would be coordinating the Trust Fund would be given legislative backing through an Executive Bill that would soon be transmitted to Lagos State House of Assembly.

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    He promised that money that would be donated into the Trust Fund would go into rebuilding and re-tooling security infrastructure, strengthening public transportation systems, restoring judicial and local government operations, rebuilding damaged public monuments.

    Sanwo-Olu emphasised that transparency and accountability would be foundational elements in the implementation of the mandate of the rebuilding committee, noting that the fund-raising and disbursement would be supervised by FBN Trustees Limited.

    Emefiele, on his part, said the unrest impacted greatly on the national economy, adding that Lagos particularly must sustain the recovery effort to protect its economy from catastrophic consequences.

    Given the magnitude of losses and devastation that trailed the unrest, the CBN governor disclosed that Bankers’ Committee and key stakeholders in the private sector would be unveiling a recovery blueprint next week to support all households and businesses affected by the crisis.

    The intervention being delivered under Coalition Against COVID-19 (Ca-COVID) Alliance would lead to an effort of rebuilding all the razed police stations and a five-year plan to generate millions of job for the youth.

    “I am pleased to note that the Ca-COVID Alliance will, over the next week, be unveiling a blueprint that will provide details of our planned support that positively affect households and businesses. This is in addition to measures that will create millions of jobs for our youths over the next five years. Many parts of the country were affected by the unrest, but Lagos remains the worst hit.

    “The Ca-COVID Alliance is fully aware of the vital relationship between security and a prosperous economy. The damage done on police stations in different parts of the country can undermine provision of adequate security, which is vital to households and businesses.

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    “The Ca-COVID Alliance is committed to the rebuilding and rehabilitation of all the 44 police stations destroyed in the unrest. More than half of the police stations are in Lagos; funds will be provided to rebuild these stations,” Emefiele said.

    He added that Bankers’ Committee had started to take stock of private businesses destroyed in the violence, pointing out that those with existing loan facilities and those with no loan would be supported to come back on their feet.

    Also speaking, Cardoso promised that members of the rebuilding committee would give their full commitment to the recovery process, pointing out that the best decision Sanwo-Olu took was to get the private sector involved in the rebuilding effort.

    “The task may seem though and arduous, but it is not unachievable. We will do it,” Cardoso assured.

    Other members of the rebuilding committee are: the Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN; Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman; Co-founder and CEO, Flutterwave, Gbenga Agboola; Vice Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola – all representing the private sector – and a representative of an International Donor Agency.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Jimi Hotonou, are members of the committee representing the public sector.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • #EndSARS: House of Reps Commits to Supporting FG’s Efforts to Rebuild Lagos, Others

    #EndSARS: House of Reps Commits to Supporting FG’s Efforts to Rebuild Lagos, Others

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that the House is ready to support the interventions of the Federal Government to rebuild Lagos and other states worst hit by the recent EndSars protests.

    Gbajabiamila also tasked Lagosians to put heads and resources together to rebuild the state in view of the destruction of properties worth billions of naira in the state.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund on Monday in Lagos, Gbajabiamila said he was heartbroken after going round the state for an on-the-spot assessment of the devastation that followed the unrest.

    He said it is time for Lagosians to put aside partisan politics and stand up to rebuild the state, saying “I believe more than ever before that saying, Eko o ni baje, and the quick reply is, O baje ti’.

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    “I believe in my heart, that this saying can never be truer than now, that Eko o ni baje, o de baje ti. (Never will Lagos go bad, never).

    “We will rebuild this state with everything that we need, with all the tools at our disposal, we will rebuild Lagos. This is the time to prove it, that Eko o ni baje,” he said.

    He said in rebuilding the state, there should be a public-private partnership, which he said would be one of the best ways to face the task.

    “I think it goes beyond budget or appropriation. It will call for a special intervention from the Federal Government to make sure that monies are devoted, not just to Lagos, although Lagos bears the major devastation.

    “So it’s going to be panoramic; it’s going to be for all the states, but we all know that Lagos bears the brunt of the devastation.

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    Gbajabiamila said in working for Nigerians, the 9th House would try as much as it could to abide by its slogan, which is ‘Nation Building: A Joint Task.

    “So we will pull all our friends and colleagues and talk to them that we don’t look at this from a state or political prism but a nationalistic point of view and make sure that what needs to be done would be done.

    “We will remain our brother’s keepers. That’s what we do in the National Assembly, be our brother’s keepers, and that’s what we will do for Lagos State and the rest of the country.”

  • Labour Union in Nigeria Rejects Another Hike in Petrol, Knocks Government on Failed Responsibilities

    Labour Union in Nigeria Rejects Another Hike in Petrol, Knocks Government on Failed Responsibilities

    The immediate reversal of the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol has been demanded by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday.

    The demand was made known In a statement by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who condemned the increase in the price of the product by the Federal Government.

    It stated that the recent hike in petrol pump price has worsened the level of pain and anguish in the country.

    According to the NLC, it is worrisome to make Nigerians continue to suffer for the failures of successive governments to properly manage the nation’s refineries.

    It added that the development has questioned the explanations made by the government on the payment of subsidy.

    The union insisted that the nation would not have been in its present position if the government had been alive to its responsibilities.

    It warned that Nigerians have a limit to tolerate the continued increase in the price of refined petroleum products and other essential goods and services.

    On the way forward, the NLC asked the government to fix the nation’s refineries, stressing that several options were available to tackle the trend of high prices of refined petroleum products.

    Among other recommendations, it asked the government to declare a state of emergency in the downstream petroleum sector and seal refining deals with refineries closer to Nigeria.

    A file photo of an attendant filling the fuel tank of a car.

    The union was, however, silent on what action it would take if the increased price was not reversed.

    The Federal Government had announced a new pump price band for petroleum products, raising the ex-depot price of petrol to N155.17, making marketers sell between N165 and N173 per litre to consumers.

    Read the full statement by the NLC below:

    THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS CONDEMNS AND REJECTS THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF PETROL (PREMIUM MOTOR SPIRIT)

    There is no doubt that there is great disquiet in the land over the extraordinary level of inflation in the country. The recent increase in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has only exacerbated the current level of pain and anguish in the country.

    The recent increase in the pump price of PMS is clearly against the spirit and content of what Organized Labour agreed with government at the last negotiations over the last fuel price increase.

    It has also cast in very bad light our utmost good faith with regards to government explanations that it lacks funds to continue bankrolling the so-called subsidy payments as such would sooner than later cripple the entire economy, throw the country into severe economic crisis and cause loss of jobs in millions.

    While we await the full recovery of our refineries as contained in our agreement with government, Nigerians cannot be made to bleed endlessly for the failures of successive government to properly manage our refineries, ensure value for money for the numerous Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) which were poorly and barely executed and the horrifying lack of interest in prosecuting public officials and private business people who have profited from the rot in our petroleum sector and the collective misery they have imposed on the general population.

    The truth is that we would not have been in this precarious situation if government had been alive to its responsibilities. There is a limit to what the citizens can tolerate if this abysmal increases in the price of refined petroleum products and other essential goods and services continue.

    While we fix our refineries, there are a number of options open to government to stem the tide of high prices of refined petroleum products. One is for government to declare a state of emergency in our downstream petroleum sector. As a follow up to this, government should enter into contract refining with refineries closer home to Nigeria.

    This will ensure that the cost of supplying of crude oil is negotiated away from prevailing international market rate so that the landing cost of refined petroleum products is significantly reduced.

    Government should also demonstrate the will to stamp out the smuggling of petroleum products out of Nigeria. We need to see big-time petroleum smugglers arraigned in the court of law and made to pay for their crimes against the Nigerian people. Government has the resources available to it to ensure this economic justice to Nigerians.

    The question in the minds of many Nigerians is if government is willing to go headlong against major financiers of the major political parties known to the public as the architects of the current national woe.

    We also demand that Nigerians should be carried along on the distribution of refined petroleum products. Information of the distribution of petroleum products to petrol stations should be advertised and made public knowledge.

    It should not be difficult to establish the average time it takes a petrol station to exhaust its supplies. There is already an established market trend which will help government fix the rot in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

    Second, we call on government to review the entire process of licensing for modular and bigger refineries. It is queer to depend on the enterprise of one man to fix Nigeria’s downstream petroleum subsector. The more public and private refineries in play, the higher the competition.

    This would serve end consumers who would benefit from lower prices. Organized Labour will not accept a fait accompli of the monopoly of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector or the emergence of a cartel of Oligarchs whose end game is mass pauperisation.

    Third, in line with our recent agreement with government, we will be receiving updates in the next few days from our unions in the petroleum sector which have been given the mandate to keep surveillance on government promise to overhaul our public refineries.

    We will also receive updates from our representatives in the electricity review committee. The updates we receive will determine whether the government has kept to its side of the bargain which is to take serious steps to recover and reposition our public refineries.

    The outcome of this engagement will determine our response in the coming days. But while we are at that, we condemn the recent price increase, and we call for its reversal with immediate effect.

    Comrade Ayuba Wabba, mni

    President

    16th November 2020

  • Nigerian Troops Kill Armed Bandits, Rescue Kidnapped Victim

    Nigerian Troops Kill Armed Bandits, Rescue Kidnapped Victim

    In continuation of aggressive clearance operation to stamp out banditry and sundry crimes in North-West zone of the country, troops of Operation ACCORD have recorded significant successes.

    Troops of Operation ACCORD on Sunday 15 November 2020 while on Night patrol at Yar Tasha village made contact with armed bandits and engaged them in firefight, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche said in a statement on Monday.

    “During the encounter, 3 armed bandits were neutralised while others escaped with various degree of gunshot wounds. Equally, 3 AK 47 rifles were recovered during the operation.

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    In another development, the defence chief said: “following credible intelligence on movement of bandits, troops conducted fighting patrol to Natsinta and Dawanna villages in Jibia Local Government Area along Katsina-Jibia road.

    “In the course of operation, 10 suspected bandits migrating with rustled livestock were arrested. Upon interrogation, suspects claimed that they migrated from Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State to Niger Republic.

    “Suspects were arrested with 88 cows and uncomfirmed number of sheep.

    “Suspects are currently in custody undergoing further investigation.”

    Similarly, troops deployed at Ungwan Doka on 15 November 2020, rescued one kidnapped victim named Adamu Yahaya.

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    According to General Enenche, preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was kidnapped at Unguwar Sa’ida village in Faskari Local Government Area.

    “The victim has been reunited with his family. Currently, the gallant troops have continued to dominate the general area with patrols to provide security for locals and deny bandits freedom of action”, General Enenche stated.

    He added that the Military High Command commends the gallant troops for their professionalism and encourages them to intensify the onslaught against the criminal elements in the country.