Reps Direct NNPC To Suspend Companies That Imported Adulterated Fuel

The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to suspend the four companies which recently imported adulterated fuel into the country.

The lawmakers also mandated its committee on petroleum downstream to investigate the release and sale of the off-spec Premium Motor Spirit by petrol stations across the country and to bring the culprits to book.

Following an investigation , the group managing-director of the NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, had on Wednesday night, said the methanol blended petrol was imported into the country by the suppliers through four Premium Motor Spirit cargoes under its Direct Sales Direct Purchase (DSDP) arrangement. Kyari had listed listed the companies – MRS, Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium, Oando, and Duke Oil as the importers of the contaminated product.

Some of the lawmakers lamented that the system is completely compromised, considering the processes which the fuel must go through before reaching the fuel stations. They asked that Nigerians whose vehicles and equipment were directly affected by the adulterated fuel be compensated.

Gov. Udom Appoints Seven New Permanent Secretaries in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has approved the appointment of new Permanent Secretaries into the state civil service.

A total of seven senior civil servants in the state have been added to the rung of new Permanent Secretaries in the State Civil Service.

They are Joseph George  Esidem; Godwin Jimmy Udo, Engr. Udosen Ephraim Udoh, Asuquo Selong Edem, James Ndarake Edet, Effiong Christopher Nicholas and Regina Isaac Okonko.

In a press release titled “APPOINTMENT OF NEW PERMANENT SECRETARIES,” endorsed by Elder Effiong E. Essien, Head of Civil Service and made available to THEWILL in Uyo, the swearing-in will be performed by His Excellency, the governor on a date to be announced.

Nigerian government imports 300m litres of PMS to tackle scarcity

The Federal Government has imported at least 300 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as succor, following scarcity of the product in major cities within the country.

Revealing this in a tweet on Thursday, The Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, Bashir Ahmed, quoted the CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed.

According to him, the newly imported 300 million liters would close the gap and ensure availability of the product for Nigerians.

The Federal Government, after confirming that the scarcity was birthed by the importation of over 100 million adulterated fuel into the country, vowed to investigate the cause of the matter.

3 policemen, four others dead as armed robbers attack bullion van in Ibadan

Armed robbers have attacked a bullion van transporting money to a bank at Idi-Ape in Ibadan North East Local Government area of Oyo state, killing three police officers and four others.

FirstNigeriaTv reports that the armed robbers, who were said to have dressed in police uniform, trailed the van to Idi-Ape and, tried unsuccessfully to intercept the bullion van at the area.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the robbers allegedly fired several shots at the escort van in a bid to intercept the van and cart away the money.

Unconfirmed report said the robbers were not able to loot the van as the driver managed to escape with the van. It was further learnt that the police command launched a manhunt for the fleeing robbers, with the assurance that they would be arrested.

NYSC threatens sanctions against schools involved in fraudulent mobilisation of Corps members

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has threatened heavy sanctions against the schools or officials caught aiding and abetting the fraudulent mobilisation of corps members for national service. The Scheme said such action led to the blacklist of some schools guilty of such infractions in the past three years.

NYSC Director-General, Major-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, made this known on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Mobilisation Workshop, in Abuja, with the theme: ‘Enhancing the Credibility of the Mobilisation Process through Effective Data Control’.

Earlier, the NYSC Director, Corps Mobilisation, Mrs. Victoria Ango, stated that despite the success story, stakeholders must be mindful of the increasing number of dishonest people abusing the (mobilisation) technology for personal gain.

“This is a challenge that should be taken very seriously because the NYSC is determined not to take further excuses from the CPIs about data being compromised by whatever method or individual directly or indirectly connected with the scheme’ mobilisation process,” she warned.

Lawmakers Propose 7yrs Jail, N500m Fine For Public Officials Using Public Funds To Seek Medical Treatment Abroad

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed for a bill seeking for second reading to amend the National Health Act, to provide sanction of N500 million or 7 years imprisonment for public officials who travel abroad for medical care at public expense.

The bill is sponsored by Hon. Sergius Ogun (PDP-Edo) titled, “Bill for an Act to Amend the National Health Act, 2014; and for Related Matters (HB. 1611).”

He explained the bill was borne out of a desire to discourage medical treatment abroad at the detriment of the country’s indigenous health institutions and the need to revamp the poor state of the health care sector in Nigeria among other things.

Hon. Ogun added that when the bill becomes law, it will reduce the export of medical doctors abroad, curtail excessive medical trips of public officers abroad and direct their attention to fixing the poor state of the country’s health sector. He also said the bill will reduce cash flight abroad and redirect the same to the development of the economy.

Hon. Orogwu Describes Governor Umahi As A Presidential Material

The Co-ordinator of Ndufu-Ikwo Development Centre, Elder Brutus Orogwu,yesterday boasted that Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state is the only competent and presidential material in the country.

The Co-ordinator, adduced that going by the infrastructural rebirth that had taken place in 13 local government areas of Ebonyi state, it would only take Umahi fellow technocrats to surprise Nigerians with infrastructural revolution.

Hon. Orogwu further disclosed that when the governor was a member of the defunct People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, he ranks top among other governors in the party in the areas of human and infrastructure development.

According to him, political platform is only a name, but what makes a man dwells inside him, adding that the perchant for development runs in his blood.

MTN Nigeria denies strike notice by telecoms workers

MTN Nigeria Communications PLC has denied receiving any communication regarding an impending disruption of telecommunications services by telecoms workers over anti-labour practices.

In a statement signed by the Company’s Secretary, Mr Uto Ukpanah, on Thursday, the company said that since it was unaware of such notice, it, therefore, would be unable to validate or comment on the issues.

The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) had on Feb. 8 threatened to disrupt services if their demands were not met. The workers had demanded that MTN Nigeria agrees on a two-week physical meeting to round off a Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiation and sign off the document.

The workers also called for the immediate lifting of the embargo the company placed on some workers from membership of the union to allow the workers join the union, among others. The statement, however, said that MTN Nigeria remained committed to continued engagement with PTECSSAN and its representatives via established channels.

Kidnappers kill Farmer in Ondo State

A farmer was reportedly killed by suspected herdsmen in separate attacks in Ondo State. It was gathered that at Molege, a farmer, Zacheus Olotu, from Oka Akoko, Akoko South West council area, was kidnapped and later found dead.

The victim and his wife were said to have been on their way to farm when they were abducted between Ifon and Molege by the herdsmen, but the wife was released hours later to source the ransom money.

However, FirstNigeriaTv gathered that a search carried out by security operatives after they were informed led to the discovery of Zacheus corpse in the forest.

The traditional ruler of Oka, the Olubaka of Oka, Oba Yusufu Adebori Adeleye, has urged the security agencies in the state to get to the root of the matter and arrest the culprits.

Delta to recruit 1,500 teachers

Delta State  Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has said the state has concluded plans to employ 1,500 teachers in core subject areas into the Unified Teaching Service of the state.

Aniagwu, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the recruitment became necessary due to vacancies created as a result of retirement, death and establishment of new schools across the state.

He stated that the recruitment would not have political influence but based strickly on candidates passing Computer Based Test, CBT, in relevant subject areas.