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Reps plans to include downstream stakeholders on NNPCL board

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The House of Representatives says it is working on plans to amend the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to include downstream stakeholders on the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited(NNPCL).

The Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Rep. Ugo Chinyere (PDP-Imo) said this when he briefed newsmen after a stakeholders meetings on Friday in Abuja.

He said that the meeting was to  find permanent solutions to reoccurring strikes by the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Petroleum Product Retail Outlet Owner of Nigeria (PETRON).

He said that the aim was to ensure efficient distribution of energy to ensure availability, stability and affordable.

“And also, were agreed to consult further on the issue of amending Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to provide room for inclusion of stakeholders in the downstream sector, petroleum distribution and retailing chain in the board of NNPCL so that they can be part of those decision making process.

“So that they will be able to resolve challenges when they come up without us waiting for warning a strike before stakeholders can come together and start tackling it.

“And also the committee agreed with NARTO and PETRON to find sustainable solution to the present challenges facing the petroleum product distribution and retail outlets owner to avert any further strike or disruption of the supply or retail channel.

“The committee agreed with NARTO and PETRON for an all inclusive meeting with leadership of the National Assembly, regulators and other key stakeholders to tackle issues of multiple charges, shall practices and rising costs of transportation to help achieve sustainable and affordable product distribution and pricing system,” he said.

Chinyere said that the committee would investigate alleged sharp practice by retail owners in the supply of petroleum products.

The lawmaker said that the committee would also investigate causes of poor functioning of pipelines and refineries in the country.

Earlier, the NARTO Board Chairman, Alhaji Kassim Bataiya, said that the association was not happy with the developments in the petroleum industry.

He said that the establishment of the association became necessary following the failure to sustain the nations pipelines to distribute petroleum products.

He said that since the enactment of the PIA and removal of subsidy, efforts to get markers negotiate new rates with transporters had not been successful.

“It is for this reason, we find it very difficult to operate after nobody listening to negotiate with us, we have no option other than to pack the trucks and wait for further intervention.

“Let me give you a typical example; we are paid N30 per litre to lift Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from Lagos to NNPC depot in Suleja.

“N30 per liter for 40,000 litres is N1.2 million and the truck consume a minimum of 900 litres of diesel at N1500 per liter, which is about N1.4 50 million.

“In addition, the N1.3 million freight rate is subject to 5 per cent withholding tax deducted and payable to the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) which would be shared to the three tiers of governments,” he said.

He said that transporters were faced with high cost of spare parts as a result of exchange rate fluctuations, lack of access to forex for spare parts, high cost vehicle maintenance, bad roads and insecurity.

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Lagos-Calabar coastal project: Landmark commences refunds to customers

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The management of Landmark Resort Beach said it has commenced the refund process for customers affected by the recent demolition of portions of its properties by the Federal Government.

Landmark Africa, the parent company of Landmark Resort, made this known on Friday in a post on its X handle.

The firm acknowledged the patience of their customers, advising that completion of the refund process may be delayed due to the volume of requests.

t said: “Dear Landmark Citizens, we would like to assure you all that we have started issuing refunds to those who requested a refund of their money on the Landmark Citizen App.

“Please be patient with us, due to the volume of requests, this process will take some time. Be rest assured that all refund requests will be processed. Thank you all for your support and patience.

A portion of Landmark Beach on Victoria Island, Lagos, was recently demolished to accommodate the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

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NiMet forecasts 3-day sunny, cloudy atmosphere conditions

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and sunshine from Friday to Sunday across the nation.

NiMet weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja forecast sunny skies in hazy atmosphere on Friday over the northern region with exception of Taraba state where pockets of clouds could be visible during the forecast period.

According to the agency, sunny atmosphere patches of clouds are anticipated over the North Central region during the forecast period.

“The Cloudy atmosphere is expected over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

The agency said later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Abia and Imo states.

NiMet predicted sunny skies in a hazy atmosphere on Saturday over the northern region with prospects of afternoon and evening thunderstorms over parts of Kaduna state.

It anticipated sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central region during the morning period.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi and Plateau states.

“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the southern region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers states in the morning hours.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over the region,” it said.

According to NiMet, sunny skies in hazy atmosphere are expected over the northern region during the forecast period on Sunday.

The agency predicted sunny atmosphere with patches of clouds over the North Central region during the morning period.

NiMet forecast isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory later in the day.

NiMet predicted Cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

It anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Ekiti, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Lagos states later in the day.

“Strong winds may precede rains in the areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, the public should take adequate precaution.

“Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

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Nigeria accedes to Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Devt agreement

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Nigeria has become the latest signatory to the Establishment Agreement of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development impact-oriented subsidiary of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

This is contained in a statement signed by Vincent Musumba, Manager, Media Relations, Afreximbank, in Abuja on Friday.

Musumba said Nigeria joined the ranks of countries acceding to the Establishment Agreement of FEDA, becoming the 16th nation to do so.

He said this underscored the increasing backing the Fund enjoyed among African nations.

“This announcement comes three decades following Afreximbank’s establishment in Nigeria, a key milestone that boldly demonstrates Nigeria’s continued commitment to supporting Afreximbank and FEDA’s missions.

“ FEDA sees new memberships as critical to broadening its scope of interventions and its mission of delivering long-term capital to African economies, with a focus on industrialisation, intra-African trade and value-added exports.”

Musumba said the signing of the FEDA Establishment Agreement was expected to pave the way for the ratification of the agreement in due course.

“This will in turn bolster FEDA’s interventions in Nigeria.”

He quoted Prof. Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank and Chairman of the Boards of both Afreximbank and FEDA, as saying: ”we extend our sincere appreciation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the signing of the FEDA Establishment Agreement.

“This significant achievement further strengthens the already robust partnership between Afreximbank and Nigeria, one of the bank’s foremost supporters.

“The partnership will enhance investments in sectors critical to the development journey of Nigeria.”

Musumba said FEDA is the impact investment subsidiary of Afreximbank set up to provide equity, quasi-equity, and debt capital to finance the multi-billion-dollar funding gap (particularly in equity) needed to transform the Trade sector in Africa.

He said other countries who had acceded to FEDA’s Establishment Agreement included Rwanda, Mauritania, Guinea, Togo, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

Musumba said others are Kenya, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Egypt.

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