Fuel Crisis: Marketers deny receiving payment from govt, say strike continues

Despite the claim by the Federal Government that N156 billion was released on Thursday to oil marketers to facilitate the quick resolution of the current fuel crisis, the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), has said normal lifting of fuel will not resume till their members’ accounts are duly credited by the banks.

As at 4.35 p.m. on Thursday, the Executive Secretary, Depot & Petroleum Products Marketers Association(DAPPMA), Odufemi Adewole, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview that none of its members and their counterparts in the Major Oil Marketers Association(MOMAN), had confirmed receiving any payment.

“The money government said it was paying to marketers has not yet hit our accounts. So, there is little we can do about the situation,” Mr, Adewole said. “The money the Minister of Finance promised to pay us last February did not get into our hands till about four or five weeks later.

“If all members are not getting the money today, it means we have to wait till Monday. But, the truth is that nobody is going to call off the strike till the money is paid,” he added.

With Friday declared work-free day to mark workers’ day, it means consumers would have to grapple with terrible fuel supply crisis till next week when the payment may hit the marketers’ accounts.

Since February, Mr. Adewole said both DAPPMA and MOMAN have been writing letters to the Minister of Finance, who promised to pay both foreign exchange differentials, the interest on loans and outstanding subsidy in three tranches.

However, the DAPPMA scribe said despite the Minister’s assurances, nothing seems to be happening, adding that no marketer was willing to take the risk of calling off the strike only for the government to fail to pay the money.

Mr. Adewole regretted that the situation was allowed to degenerate to the present level, pointing out that although the government was owing a total of N256 billion, it said it was now paying N156 billion, without any mention about the balance of N100 billion.

“Who is going to pay that N100 billion for subsidy?” he asked, adding that although media reports have confirmed there was no provision in the budget for subsidy this year,  the marketers have since this year ordered fresh cargoes of petroleum products.

The additional cargoes since the beginning of the year, he said, amounted to over N40 billion in subsidy, while nobody has talked about what would happen to the cargoes already ordered that are yet to arrive the country.

But, even as the money was still being awaited by the marketers, the Finance Minister’s spokesperson, Paul Nwabuikwu, said the Ministry had prioritised the payment of about N156 billion to the marketers in spite of revenue constraints to government.

The payment, Mr. Nwabuikwu said, consisted two components, made up of the cash backing of the N100 billion IOU paid to the marketers in March, while the N56 billion was interest payments for the marketers, according to the PPPRA template.

“The N156 billion is the latest in a series of significant payments made to the oil marketers within the last five months, including over N300 billion in two instalments in December last year and N31 billion in interest differentials recently, totalling over N500 billion paid to marketers within the past five months.

Although the fall in oil prices significantly reduced national revenues, the Minister noted that the government still prioritized payments to marketers to help remove the pains Nigerians were suffering as a result of fuel scarcity.

Source: Premium Times

Nigeria’s power generation drops to 2,800MW

Nigeria’s total electricity generation has dropped to a meagre 2,800 Megawatts, the lowest in nearly a year, as Nigerians struggle with mini-heat waves due to rising temperature.

The Ministry of Power said Thursday that power output dropped from a recent peak of 4,500MW on April 3, to 2,800 as of March 30.

Godknows Igali, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry blamed the huge cut on “vandalism of gas pipelines”.

Mr. Igali spoke at a meeting with the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ade Abolurin, where he called for increased protection of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
He said the affected pipeline is the Escravos route.

“As at April 3, which is the nearest reference point for us, we were able to generate about 4,500MW on the grid, but as at this morning we had gone down to about 2,800MW.

“So you can see how much power we have lost as a result of vandalism, that is why power supply has become very bad all over the country because of these strange Nigerians that continue to deliberately blow up our gas pipelines,” Mr. Igali said.

All Nigerian cities, including the capital Abuja and Lagos, have witnessed one of the worst electricity supplies in recent years, with power available for less than five hours a day in many areas.

The supply has dropped even more in the last weeks as many Nigerians struggle with rising temperatures.
The permanent secretary decried the activities of the vandals and described their action as national economic sabotage.

He said the ministry of power was working more closely with the security agencies, especially the NSCDC to adequately protect power infrastructure across the country.
Mr. Igali said the damaged pipelines were being repaired to boost power generation and distribution across the country.

Earlier, the Civil Defence boss, Mr. Abolurin, who strongly condemned the activities of the vandals, said personnel were working to curtail the menace of pipeline vandalism in the country.

He said the NSCDC had acquired more vehicles, boats and gadgets to aid its operations, especially in the Niger Delta region.

Mr. Abolurin said in 2015, about 50 culprits have already been convicted by the law courts while several others had been arrested and awaiting prosecution.

He said the NSCDC would not relent in his effort to ensure adequate security and protection of critical power infrastructure across the country in line with its mandate.

The NSCDC chief also appealed to the private investors operating the power infrastructure to make their own provisions for security to compliment government’s effort.

Source: NAN

“Personal information” reason we can’t disclose our budget – National Assembly

Two civil society organisations, BudgIT and Public and Private Development Centre, have threatened to​ sue the National Assembly for refusing to disclose the details of its budget in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.
The National  Assembly has had a budget of N150 billion per year since 2011.

The budget of the National Assembly comes on first line charge as statutory transfer from the Federal Government’s Appropriation Act (annual budget) and  therefore cannot be tampered by the Executive arm.

The Nigerian legislative arm excused its refusal to disclose its budget on the basis that it contains personal, third party related and privileged information, the BudgIT and PPDC said in statement on Tuesday.

The organisations said they had collaboratively made an FOI request, dated March 17, 2015, to the clerk of the National Assembly requesting the detailed breakdown of NASS budget of N150bn for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; a​s​ well as the performance report for National Assembly budget of N150bn for 2011, 2012 and 2013.

“This request was made following the long-standing secrecy around the budget of the National Assembly, the organisations said. “From 1999 to date, an estimated budgetary provision of N1.26 trillion has been made to the National Assembly, with Nigerians kept in the dark on what or how this huge sum was spent.

“On the 27th of April, a response letter, dated 23rd of March, 2015 was received from the Legal Services Department of the NASS, refusing this request, on the basis that:

“Some of the information in the National Assembly Budget for 2011-2014 is “personal, third party related and privileged and are all exempted under Sections 14 and 15 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and that the other information you requested for are published and available in public libraries and cannot be applied for by virtue of Section 26 of the Freedom of Information act, 2011”
Section 14 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 exempts personal information  including “files and personal information maintained with respect to clients, students, patients, residents, students or individuals receiving social, medical, educational, vocational, financial, supervisory or custodial care or services directly or indirectly from public institutions, personnel files and personal information maintained with respect to employees, appointees or elected officials of any public institution or applicant for such positions, files and personal information maintained with respect to any applicant, registrant or licensee by any government or public institution cooperating with or engaged in professional or occupational registration, licensure or discipline; information required of any taxpayer in connection with the assessment or collection of any tax unless disclosure is otherwise requested by the statute; and information revealing the identity of persons who file complaints with or provide information to administrative, investigative, law enforcement or penal agencies on the commission of any crime.​”​
The civil society organisations said ​it is difficult to imagine that a publicly funded budget falls within the category of information that the Freedom of Information Act exempts under Section 14 or would fall under Section 15 which provides exempts information that contains,

“…Trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person or business where such trade secret or information are proprietary, privileged or confidential…, information the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with contractural or other negotiations of a third party and proposals or bids…”

While dismissing the NASS claim that its budget falls under the categorisations in Section 14 or 15 of the FOI Act, the organisations noted that even the Act in Section 14(3) requires disclosure of personal information as described in Section 14(1) quoted above if such disclosure would be in the public interest and if the disclosure clearly outweighs the protection of privacy. Likewise, Section 15(4) also requires disclosure of information in Section 15(1) if the public interest in the disclosure clearly outweighs in importance any financial loss or gain to, or prejudice to the competitive position of or interference with contractual or other negotiation of a third party.

BudgIT and PPDC said the response by the National Assembly was outrageous as there were no grounds, even in Section 14 and 15, to deny the information they requested; rather, all elements of public budgets fall squarely under information that are statutorily required to be proactively available as provided by Section 2(3) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
The organisations added  that if the budget contained sensitive information such as personal addresses, these sections could be redacted before the release.

They stressed that the time when public’s requests for information will be treated with disdain is over.
“This is a challenge we relish and will see to its logical conclusion,” they said. “On behalf of every Nigerian, see you in court.”

Source: Premium Times

N7billion CAN bribe: Pastor threatens legal action against SSS

A pastor, Kallamu Dikwa, on Tuesday threatened to sue the State Security Service for alleged violation of his fundamental human rights.

Mr. Dikwa lamented that his ordeal at the SSS started at the beginning of the year when he publicly alleged that the Christian Association of Nigeria received N7 billion from the Goodluck Jonathan administration to garner support among the Christian community for the re-election of Mr. Jonathan.

The Borno pastor petitioned the SSS Director General, Ita Ekpenyong, through his lawyers from the Right And Democracy Volunteers.
He reminded Mr. Ekpenyong of how SSS officials stripped him and forced him to make statement under duress.

“On the 16th March, 2015, Pastor Dikwa returned to the DSS headquarter with his lawyers in Abuja under their invitation through one Mr. Paul,” the petition stated.

“The lawyer was denied being present during the chat. The interrogation officers, Felix and Tony stripped the pastor naked and ordered him to make a statement under duress when they ordered him to copy verbatim a statement scripted by the DSS.”

A copy of the petition, made available to journalists in Kaduna, informed the SSS that the constitution of Nigeria guaranteed Mr. Dikwa’s inalienable rights, including the right to freedom of expression, respect to the dignity of his person, and right to liberty which were conveniently violated by the SSS.

The lawyers demanded an apology and compensation as enshrined in Chapter 4 of the constitution.

“In this circumstances, we believe that Pastor Dikwa is entitled to N300 million compensation and a guarantee that he would no more be intimidated or harassed by operatives of the SSS without regard to the laws of this country,” the petition said.

“Having regard to the exigency of the situation, we have instructed our legal team to proceed to file a court action to protect the fundamental rights of Pastor Dikwa if after seven days hereof the SSS in its wisdom fails to remediate the matter in compliance with the petition.

” Pastor Dikwa may be a lone victim of circumstances, but he shall not be alone in fighting this violation of his rights.”

Source: Premium Times

Fierce battle in Sambisa; Boko Haram’s top commanders killed, more women, children rescue

One soldier died, four others were injured as Boko Haram terrorists battled in vain to retain nine major camps in the dreaded Sambisa forest where more women and children were found and rescued.
Troop commanders said hundreds of Boko Haram insurgents were killed in hours of gun battle.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, who made this known to newsmen in a statement, said two major combat tanks and high calibre ammunitions used by the Boko Haram terrorists were recovered while many others were destroyed.

The statement reads in full; “I wish to inform you that today (Wednesday) evening, troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army also cleared several terrorists strong points and training camps within Sambisa forest, Borno State, Nigeria.

“The troops have also rescued additional women and children. They have been evacuated to a safety zone for further processing.

“During the encounter unfortunately we lost a soldier, while 4 others were wounded in action. The troops have also killed several Boko Haram field commanders and foot soldiers and destroyed 2 Armoured Personnel Carriers, 2 Buffalo vehicles mounted with Anti-Aircraft Guns, a truck and several Hilux vehicles.

“The gallant soldiers also recovered 1 Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade and several AK-47 rifles. Sadly, 1 woman died and 8 other women sustained gun shot wounds.

“So far, the troops have destroyed 9 terrorist camps in the forest. This is in addition to the 4 destroyed yesterday. The destroyed camps includes Wulari Bukar, Gangala, Anguwar Bakwai and Jigide. Others include Kotorima, Lagara Bello and Lagara Fulani among others.

“I am glad to say that troops’ morale is very high as they are poised to accomplish the task of destroying all terrorists camps and rescuing all those held hostage by the terrorists”.
Meanwhile, the Director Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, a Major General, will today provide updates on the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in North-Eastern Nigeria.

Source:Premium Times

Nepal: Four months old baby rescued from rubbles

A photo of a baby boy being pulled from the rubble of the Nepal earthquake has become the defining image of a disaster that has devastated the country.

His tiny face is coated in dust from the debris that crashed around him as the earth shook on Saturday, April 25, killing more than 5,000 people and injuring at least twice as many more.

His name is Sonit Awal, and he's just four months old.

On Saturday, Sonit was at home in Muldhoka, Bhaktapur, east of the capital Kathmandu, when the 7.8-magnitude quake sent tremors through Nepal and neighboring countries, according to Kathmandu Today.

Baby Sonit Awal spent 22 hours buried in the rubble of his home.
The house collapsed, burying the child, leaving his father Shyam Awal frantically searching for him amid the rubble.

A desperate Awal called the Nepalese Army, and they too scrambled through the dirt and debris until midnight, before giving up hope and leaving.

Sonit's father had lost all hope of finding his son alive, the paper reported, until he heard faint cries from below.

On Sunday morning, the soldiers returned and at 10 a.m they lifted Sonit clear of the fallen rocks, beams, bricks and dust that had trapped him for 22 hours.

Nepali soldiers had given up their search on Saturday night but returned when Sonit's father heard cries.

Sonit's face was exposed during the whole ordeal, though a hooded top and shawl protected his head and body during the cold night spent under rubble.

The baby was taken to Bhaktapur Hospital and found to be uninjured;

His unlikely rescue provides some hope to a country that has experienced so much loss.

Jonathan sacks NPA managing director, appoints Sanusi Lamido as replacement

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), a statement by the presidency has said.

Mr. Sanusi, a lawyer, from Kano State, takes over from Habib Abdullahi, who has been relieved of his appointment as Managing Director of the Authority.
No reason was given for Mr. Abdullahi’s removal.

The appointment of the new NPA boss takes effect from Thursday, April 30.

“President Jonathan thanks the outgoing Managing Director for his services and wishes well in his future endeavours,” the statement said.

Source: Premium Times