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Economy

Pump-price: Youths close 7 petrol stations in Bayelsa

Closure

By Nathan Nwakamma

Yenagoa, March 27, 2020 (NAN) The Central Zone of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has locked down seven petrol filling stations in Yenagoa for allegedly not adjusting to the N125 pump-price.

The youth visited many filling stations in Yenagoa and locked down the affected stations.

NAN recalls that the Federal Government had reduced the pump price from N145 to N125 per litre to reflect the fall in crude oil prices.

The youth applauded four fuel dealers who had reviewed their prices downwards to reflect the new petrol price.

Mr Kenedy Olorogun, Chairman of IYC, Central Zone, explained that their action was informed by the attitude of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

 

Olorogun expressed displeasure over the refusal by petrol dealers to comply with fuel price reduction in Bayelsa, adding that other states in the federation had adhered to the new price.

He noted that  in Bayelsa, most filling stations were still selling at N145 in defiance of the directive to reduce the price.

 

He said that the youth would keep monitoring the filling stations that had yet to comply with the fuel price reduction, calling on DPR and other regulators to act.

Some of the filling stations that have complied with the new price are Total filling station, Unless God Oil, Sobaz filling station and Tamic Nig. Ltd. All in Yenagoa metropolis.

Those shut down by the youth include Pados, Ebi Egrin & Sons Nig. Ltd, Okpom’s Oil, Emitare Nig. Ltd, Watgo Petroleum, JJ Wak’s Nig. Ltd and the River Nun filling station.

However, the DPR in Bayelsa described the allegations of inaction on its part as baseless and cheap blackmail by the youth who were merely seeking relevance and recognition.

Mr Omasanjuwa Oshodi, a Public Relations Officer at DPR Office, Bayelsa told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview on Friday that the operations of the IYC in enforcing the new price of petrol was illegal and criminal.

He insisted  that the youth lacked the recognition of government and expertise to regulate the sector.

“For the avoidance of doubt, DPR in Bayelsa has increased its surveillance activities and is effectively enforcing the new price regime.

“The operations controller led a team of senior officials of DPR on Thursday on routine surveillance across Yenagoa to enforce compliance and many of the stations visited promptly adjusted their pumps to reflect the new regulated price.

“In spite of the Coronavirus, we are doing our best in the discharge of our statutory responsibility and we remain undeterred by the illegal activities and cheap blackmail by the youth and we cannot join issues with them.

“We will not get distracted as we are currently engaged in our work to ensure that the reduction in the pump price by the Federal Government brings relief to the people of Bayelsa.

“The DPR cannot tolerate the exploitation of the public by selling above the approved N125 or underdispensing, we are enforcing it,” Oshodi said.(NAN)

NN/KAY

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Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Politics

Gov. Diri preaches loyalty, unity among PDP stalwarts

PDP
By Nathan Nwakamma
Yenagoa, March 17, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has called on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders to adopt strategies that will prevent anti-party activities within their fold as part of efforts to reposition the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the call is coming ahead of the local government congresses of the party, slated for March 21.
A statement issued by the acting Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said quoted Diri as making the call during a meeting with members of the PDP Local Government Congress Management Committee at the Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor called on the committee to reach out to loyal and committed party faithful across the eight local government areas in the state.
He urged them to replicate the successes recorded during the just- concluded ward congresses, which he described as largely peaceful.
“I want to thank you all for the successes recorded in the just- concluded ward congresses.
“We had very peaceful ward congresses. Although in every event, there will be pockets of complaints and those complaints had been adequately addressed.
“We need committed PDP members who will stand by our party come rain, come shine. The charge is for you to go and ensure that you replicate what we have done with the ward congresses.
“Look out for trusted and faithful party members who will not be induced by any amount of money or promises,” he said.
Diri, who commended party leaders and members on their roles in ensuring successful ward congresses in the state, stressed the need to build on the existing peace and unity among members.
He underscored the need for members to respect the party structures from the national to the ward levels towards ensuring that PDP remained the dominant party in the state.
In his remarks, the PDP state Chairman, Mr Moses Cleopas, said that the meeting, which was at the instance of the governor, was aimed at appraising the conduct of the ward congresses, with a view to making amends, where necessary, ahead of the local government congress.
Cleopas, who described the ward congresses as very orderly and peaceful, attributed the development to the consensus-building approach adopted by the party leaders.
He noted that the national party officials, who were in the state to oversee the exercise, lauded the state government for the peaceful manner in which it conducted the ward congresses, as there was no petition in all the 105 wards after the exercise. (NAN)
NN/IKU/WAS
Edited by Tayo Ikujuni and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Health

IWD: NCWS calls for all inclusive policies for women

IWD: NCWS calls for all inclusive policies for women

Policies

By Dorcas Jonah

 

Abuja, March 8, 2020(NAN) The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), has called on Governments at all levels to ensure all-inclusive policies that would create opportunities for women in all sphere of life.

Mrs Gloria Shoda, NCWS President said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, to mark the 2020 International Women’s Day (IWD).

The 2020 IWD theme is: “I am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights”.

Shoda said that the day was marked every March 8, by the United Nations and other global organisations to bring to the fore issues that affected women.

The council boss said that in spite of efforts to expand the frontiers for women, there was a more urgent need to focus on women in the rural areas.

She said that those in the rural areas needed inclusive policies, financial support and social structures that would aid them in making positive contributions to development of the society.

According to the council boss, it is imperative to press for progress across different markers of development, especially for women, and ensure that spaces are created for them to achieve their potentials.

“As the world celebrates the International Women’s Day, it is important to stress the contribution of women to national development.

“But at the same time, it is an opportunity to call for inclusive policies and open space to address issues of gender parity.

“This will make it easier for women to not only reach their full potentials in politics and business, but also expand the space for representation in societal integration and growth,” she said.

Shoda noted that the council over the years had empowered millions of women and created opportunities for them to expand in businesses.

She called for support for the NCWS to help women achieve their goals.

According to her, the 2020 IWD’s theme ”I am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights” is an opportunity for government at all level to deliberate on the actualisation of the right of women.

”The Generation Equality campaign is bringing together people of every gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion and country, to drive actions that will create the gender-equal world we all deserve.

”Together, we want to mobilise to end gender-based violence; we are calling for economic justice and rights for all; bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health and rights; and feminist action for climate justice.

”We want technology and innovation for gender equality; and feminist leadership,” She said.

Shoda said the theme was apt as it called on government to pay particular attention to areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.

She said the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could only be achieved by trans-formative shifts, integrated approaches and new solutions, particularly in the area of advancing gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

She, however, said that based on current trajectories, existing interventions would not suffice to achieve a Planet 50-50 by 2030.

Shoda noted that innovative approach that disrupt “business as usual was central to removing structural barriers and ensuring that no woman, or girl was left behind.(NAN)

DE/ABI

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Economy

Alleged N33.69m fraud: Court issues warrant of arrest on 4 UBA staff

Fraud

By Nathan Nwakamma

Yenagoa, Feb. 20, 2020 (NAN) The Federal High Court in  Yenagoa,  on Thursday issued a warrant mandating the arrest of four staff of United Bank for Africa PLC (UBA) charged with alleged cyber crime, fraud and diversion of N33.69 million.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro made the order following failure of the suspects to appear in court to respond to charges in a suit with file number: FHC/YNG/10c/2019.

The bank and four other suspects allegedly manipulated the account of the Federal High Court in Yenegoa by reversing a deposit ordered by the court without authorisation.

The judge held that the warrant of arrest was an order that gave the Inspector-General of Police the legal impetus to arrest and present the suspects in court on March 30.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  Mr N.A. Timothy-Hart, the Prosecuting Counsel, from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), Federal Ministry of Justice had filed the motion for the warrant of arrest order on the suspects.

The UBA and four staff members are standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, fraud and cyber crime.

The suspects allegedly caused the fraudulent reversal of   N33.69 million already credited to the bank account of the Registrar of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa.

The court had ordered Nigerian Agip Oil Company to pay N33.69 million being compensation for an oil spill incident but the bankers to the oil firm UBA  allegedly reversed the payment shortly after compliance.

According to the charge, the suspects claimed to have relied on a non-existing Court of Appeal order to effect such reversal. (NAN)

NN/OSA/OMO/EEE

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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Martins Odeh/Ese E. Ekama

General news

Attack on Radio Bayelsa: GM suspends 9 staff as NUJ seeks investigation

Attack on Radio Bayelsa: GM suspends 9 staff as NUJ seeks investigation

By Nathan Nwakamma

Attack

Yenagoa, Feb. 15, 2020 (NAN) The Management of Radio Bayelsa has suspended nine workers over an attack on the station by hoodlums in protest against Supreme Court’s judgment that sacked erstwhile governor-elect, David Lyon.

Mr John Idumange, the General Manager of the station, in a statement, said the nine staff were advised to proceed on a one-month compulsory leave to allow the radio station to conduct a preliminary investigation into the incident.

The News Agency of Nigeria ((NAN) reports that the state-owned FM station, christened Radio Bayelsa, was amongst facilities attacked by the protesters, who also destroyed the private residences of immediate-past governor of the state, Seriake Dickson, and his successor, Douye Diri, on Friday.

Part of the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was also burnt during the protest, which made the Bayelsa Police Command to impose a three-day dusk-to-dusk curfew in the state.

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by its Secretary in the state, Mr Alabo Martins, had on Feb. 14 staged a protest on the streets of Yenagoa to register their grievances ahead of the swearing-in of PDP’s Diri as governor.

The apex court had ruled that Lyon’s Deputy, Degi Ereminyo, submitted forged documents which made them ineligible to contest the state’s governorship election in the first instance.

INEC, in compliance to the judgment, on Friday issued a certificate of return to the PDP candidate, who took the oath of office amidst tight security in the car park at Government House, Yenagoa.

Also, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa Council, in a statement, condemned the attack.

The council Chairman and Secretary, Mesrrs Samuel Numonengi and Ojio Ipigansi, respectively, signed the statement, urging the station to refrain from victimising union leaders without investigation.

They urged security agencies to fish out the culprits, while decrying any form of political violence.

They described the incident as very unfortunate as the radio was celebrated all over the world few days ago as a powerful medium for celebrating humanity and a platform for building a virile democracy.

“Security agencies in the state should fish out the perpetrators of the act and bring them to book in order to serve as deterrent to others in the future.

“The people of Bayelsa should learn to shun violence and see one another as brothers, irrespective of party affiliations.

“The management of Radio Bayelsa should not victimise union members of the station by accusing them of the violent attack but allow the police to do their job,” the statement read in part.

NAN reports that two of the suspended staff are chairmen of Radio Bayelsa chapter of NUJ, and Radio and Television and Theatre Workers Union (RATTAWU). (NAN)

NN/TOA/MST

Edited by Taiye Agbaje/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Oil & Gas

Explosion: We are investigating Agip oil export terminal –NSCDC

 

Explosion

By Nathan Nwakamma

Yenagoa, Feb.13, 2020 (NAN) The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) says it is investigating the cause of a recent explosion at the Brass Oil Terminal, located off Bayelsa coastline.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that a pipeline explosion on Monday hit a line feeding the oil export facility operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), compelling it to shut down.

According to Eni, the Italian parent company of NAOC, the facility has the capacity to handle exports of 90,000 barrels of crude per day.

Mrs Christina Abiakam-Omanu, Bayelsa Commandant of NSCDC who confirmed the development in a telephone interview with NAN on Thursday said the incident’s site had been cordon off.

She further stated that the oil leak that resulted from the explosion had been contained.

“The explosion incident and resulting pollution is being investigated, we are already interrogating some suspects in our custody to unravel the cause and their involvement.

In a response to an e-mail request from NAN, a spokesman of the company said the line was shutdown to effect repairs.

The Eni spokesman who preferred anonymity said that incident did not have any substantial impact on the 90,000 barrels per day crude export terminal.

“The line is an intra-field one in a minor field, the impact on production is minimal. The flow on the line has been immediately halted and preparations for repair are underway,” the spokesman said. (NAN)

NN/AZU/EAL

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Edited by Azubuike Okeh/Ekemini Ladejobi