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Qatari Charity to re-launch, expand operations in Gambia
His Excellency, Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow on 18 July 2023 received in audience the resident coordinator and advisor to Qatar Charity Foundation in The Gambia, Hareth Tarawneh.
Mr Tarawneh affirmed that the purpose of their visit to the Vice Presidency was to inform the Vice President of their plan to re-launch and reactivate their operations in West Africa, including The Gambia.
The Vice President applauded the Charity for “having a big heart for The Gambia,” as evidenced in their plan to boost their operations in the country.
The Charity’s resident coordinator expressed good impressions about VP Jallow’s reactions. “We were very thrilled and excited to meet with His Excellency. He has provided us support in our humanitarian operations. His expertise and advice on the areas of intervention are great,” he attested.
He said that the Vice President is also opening doors for potential partnership with different institutions.
The priority areas of intervention for the Qatar Charity include: early prevention mechanisms of floods, education, health, food security and livelihoods. They hope to achieve this together with their local and international partners.
Credit to: thepoint.gm
Fuel hike unbearable, biting Nigerians hard — Gani Adams
Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has condemned the continuous hike in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol, saying its effects were biting very hard on Nigerian citizens and had put the entire nation on its knee.
The Yoruba generalissimo said this on Thursday in his reaction as Nigerians have been pouring out their minds on the incessant price increase of petroleum products in the country, insisting that Nigerians can no longer bear the hardship.
Iba Adams in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Aderemi, said the situation had added to the plights of ordinary Nigerians, saying such skyrocketing increase had never happened in nation’s history.
This was just as he noted that there was no oil-producing country like Nigeria in the entire world where the citizens were groaning in pain over insensitive increase in the prices of fuel, describing the situation as unfortunate and unexpected.
“This situation is becoming very unbearable. There is no country in the world like Nigeria (a major producer of oil) where the citizens are groaning in pain over insensitive increase in the prices of fuel.
“We know how much we buy fuel before now. Nigeria is yet to survive the subsidy removal that led to the sudden increase in the price of fuel from N187 to N500 per litre before it was jerked up now to N617 per litre within two months. It is painful. No sensitive government would be happy when the citizens are suffering.
“It is imperative for me to speak up, especially, with what we experience now in the country. It is unfortunate, this is not what we expect from a
president that is coming from the Southwest region of the country,” he said.
“As a product of this democratic struggle; a political activist and the father of the nation, President Bola Tinubu must know that the citizens are his children. Therefore, a father must work on the best way to solve the problem of the children.
“With the present situation in the country, three state governors have declared a three-day work-free day for civil servants in their respective states.
“The national leadership of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) had directed its members nationwide to attend their respective workplaces only two days a week.
“The new directive was premised on the recent price hike on fuel, and this has worsened the cost of transportation, food and other essential commodities increasing by over 300 percent,” he added.
Iba Adams further condemned the fuel price increase, noting that all over the world, many things, including Power, Healthcare, Food Items, among other necessities had been subsidized in the interest of the mass of the people. Power, health, food and other necessities of life are being subsidized.
According to him, an ordinary Nigerian worker travelling from Mainland to Island on a weekly basis would spend 25 litres of fuel per day, amounting to over N15,000; N75,000 per week, and over N300,000 a month.
Iba Adams described the present situation the country had found herself as too bad, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “to retrace his step in order to save the country from this hardship,” even as insisted that all over the world governments still subsidize critical sectors of the economy, including energy because of productivity’s sake as, according to him, n”o economy survives high cost of energy.”
“That is too bad for Nigeria and Nigerians. Energy, including petrol, diesel, or gas needs to be subsidized because of productivity’s sake. No economy survives high cost of energy.
“It is the responsibility of every government to subsidize food-that is what is called food security. When the government subsidizes energy that is energy security.
“Presently Germany has subsidized electricity, and it would cost 5 billion Euros for its industrial output in 2023. What it means is that the government of Germany has taken up about 80 percent of the cost from industrialists and major manufacturers in the country.
“This is added to the fact that in German government subsidized food, energy, health and housing and they have an enduring welfare and social security scheme that caters to the needs of vulnerable and indigent citizens of the country,” Adams said.
“As at 2022, China has subsidized energy with 130 billion dollars. And also, over 100 billion dollars is being used to subsidize energy supply in Britain.
“All over the world, governments are subsidizing energy to boost productivity. It is sad that presently people are losing their jobs, more businesses are collapsing, companies are folding up and tension is heightened in the country.
“Hyperinflation is setting in and it shows nothing but the insensitivity of the new administration.
“Nigeria runs an informal economy and PMS is the most important energy source in Nigeria, therefore, President Tinubu has to retrace his step in order to save the country from this hardship,” he concluded.
Credit to: Tribuneonlineng.com
WAEC does not keep certificate of candidates, official tells Ogun Tribunal
An official of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Mr Olufemi Olaleye, yesterday, told the Ogun State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital, that the examination body, does not keep duplicate copies of candidates’ certificates.
Olaleye stated that to confirm whether or not somebody partakes in the council’s examination, “the original certificate given to the candidate will be forwarded to WAEC” for verification.
The examination council had earlier been subpoenaed by the tribunal to produce a copy of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s 1978 WAEC certificate as attached to the form he filled with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ladi Adebutu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18 governorship election, had alleged that Abiodun forged his WAEC certificate.
In his petition, Adebutu stated that Abiodun “presented a forged West African Examinations Council School Certificate of June 1978 to the 1st Respondent” (INEC) on July 25, 2022.
The petitioner further stated that he had written a letter to WAEC to verify the authenticity of the said examination certificate presented by Abiodun to INEC.
While appearing before the tribunal, the WAEC official, who did not enter the witness box, said “the requested certificate is not here with me.”
However, Olaleye was allowed to tender in evidence, a copy of the subpoena issued to the examination body, upon which he was at the tribunal.
The WAEC official was discharged immediately and was recorded as having testified before the tribunal as PW73.
Credit to: vanguardngr.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETER OBI
Happy 62nd birthday Peter Gregory Obi, the pilot of the new Nigeria. We pray you have many more great years and may your desire for a great better Nigeria come to fulfillment.
Happy Birthday 🎉🎂 💥
First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio met with National Women’s Leader of the SLPP Madam Hawa Foray and the newly appointed Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Dr ISATA Mahoi.
It was so refreshing for myself and our National Women’s Leader of the SLPP Madam Hawa Foray to meet with the newly appointed Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs
Dr ISATA Mahoi.
Her agenda aligned perfectly with what I believe Sierra Leone needs. I look forward to working with her positively as we continue our journey in making Sierra Leone safe for all our women and children.
– First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio
NELSON MANDELAS DAY
By celebrating Nelson Mandela Day, we pay tribute to a visionary leader and inspire future generations to continue the pursuit of justice, equality, and peace. It is a reminder that the fight against injustice is ongoing and that each of us has the power to leave a lasting impact on the world, just as Nelson Mandela did.
Sierra Leone bans meat imports from Liberia over anthrax spread
Sierra Leone has banned the movement of livestock and meat imports from neighbouring Liberia after 36 cows died near the border, the government said, adding that it was stepping up surveillance for possible anthrax.
Liberian authorities said the cattle deaths began in July near the town of Kelima Bendu in Lofa County, about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the Sierra Leonean border and 15 kilometres from the border with Guinea. Tests are being carried out to find the cause.
In a statement received Tuesday by AFP, the Sierra Leonean government said that the movement of all cattle, goats and sheep had been banned along the border, and livestock markets had been temporarily closed in bordering areas.
It did not give details about the suspected animal deaths in Liberia, but said that in the Sierra Leonean districts of Kailahun, Kenema and Pujehun, surveillance measures had been stepped up at slaughterhouses “for sick animals and humans with signs and symptoms of anthrax.”
In May 2022, an anthrax outbreak in Sierra Leone killed more than 200 animals.
Anthrax is transmitted by spores that can remain inactive for decades in the soil. It is transmissible to humans and sometimes fatal.
“Thus far, there has been no report of dead cattle being discovered in other parts of Lofa or other counties”, the Liberian agriculture ministry said on July 7.
Credit to: vanguardngr.com
LGCI: GPPA staff infers flouting of due procurement process at BAC
Ebrima Sanyang, who has more than a decade and a half of procurement experience and doubles as the director of procurement at Policy and Operations Unit, was testifying before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry, which is currently assessing procurement practice of councils and their levels of compliance.
As the director, he provides specialist advice, guidance and service on leading procurement practice to management all procurement organisations in the country and regularly reviews standard documents to comply with national obligations and commercial laws.
In addition to running the daily management of the policy unit at GPPA, he also supports the implementation of public procurement laws and guidelines.
During Monday’s proceedings, a document that was dated 30 May and identified by the witness as his statement was tendered by the deputy lead counsel and admitted as evidence.
Progressing into the hearing, the witness was referred to the 2019 procurement review of BAC. “We learnt that it is mandatory to send reports to GPPA. Are these reports sent yearly or quarterly, monthly? What is the requirement?” deputy Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez asked, referring to page 26 of the report.
In his response, the witness stated: “According to the Act, procuring organisations are obliged to be reporting on a monthly basis on procurement that has not been subjected to their (GPPA) review.
“I think Mr Tambura must have told us we have different kind of reviews – post and prior. He must have told you the threshold [500,000 or below] and Procurements like single source and request for quotations are in most cases within the threshold. They are done within the procuring organisation without coming to the authority (GPPA).
So the law requires that such procurement that was not subjected to the authority’s prior review approval be sent on a monthly basis.
He admitted that Brikama Area Council has not been acting in line with this provision.
Again, the witness also stated, as contained on page 22, that “Brikama Area Council did not develop specifications in some of the procurement of laptops and desktop computers in contravention to section 25 (1) (2) (3) and (4) of the GPPA Act.”
“Specifications are important because they guide you. They tell you what is exactly needed. Otherwise you may buy things that are not fit for purpose. The specifications will tell you what you want to buy, what it is meant for and the price and so on and so forth,” he told the Commission.
On the implications, the witness agreed with the deputy lead counsel that the value for money may not be attained and the quality could be compromised.
credit to: thepoint.gm
Fuel Price Climbs To N617 Per Litre
The price of Petrol has increased to about N617 per litre in the nation’s capital, Daily Trust can confirm.
A visit to an NNPC filling station in the Central area of Abuja on Tuesday morning showed that the fuel price had been adjusted from N539 to N617 per litre.
A customer confirmed to Daily Trust that he bought at the new rate.
“It is true, I just bought at N617 per liter,” he said.
The immediate reason could not be ascertained but it ight be connected to the recent projections by oil marketers that fuel price will hit N700 per litre soon.
Some oil marketers had predicted that petrol prices could rise above N700 per litre in the northern region and around N600 in Lagos once independent marketers start importing the products from July.
Their predictions were based on the current high exchange rate, crude price and landing cost.
The trend caused tension and panic buying as queues of motorists sprung up in some filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
But the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) denied plans to increase petrol price to N700 per litre.
The associations in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) dismissed reports of the alleged increase of pump price as speculations.
They said fuel price was being driven by market forces and given the current high exchange rate, the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol could increase, hence the prediction.
The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NDMPRA) is yet to comment to Daily Trust inquiry on the sudden pump price increase as at the time of filling this report.
During his inaugural speech on May 29, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had announced the removal of fuel subsidy, leading to the increased price of petrol from N195 to N540 per litre.
Daily Trust reports that the increase in petrol prices has already led to a hike in the prices of goods. Worst affected are foodstuff and transportation.
Nigerians have been lamenting the effect of subsidy removal on their lives, but the Tinubu administration has promised relief.
Last week when he hosted class of 1999 Governors, Tinubu appealed for more patience from Nigerians.
He assured Nigerians that the framework for palliatives to remedy the effects of fuel subsidy removal was being worked out.
“I understand that our people are suffering yet there can be no childbirth without pain. The joy of childbirth is the relief that comes after the pain. Nigeria is reborn already with fuel subsidy removal. It is a rebirth of the country for the largest number over a few smugglers. Please tell the people to be a little patient.”
“The palliative is coming. I don’t want cash-transfer to fall into wrong hands. I know it pinches and it is difficult. In the end, we will rejoice in the prosperity of our country,’’ he had told the governors, who were led by former Governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion.
Tinubu had earlier written to the House of Representatives to seek an amendment to the 2023 supplementary appropriation act to accommodate N500 billion for provision of palliatives for Nigerians.
The parliament subsequently approved the request.
Credit to: dailytrust.com
Nigerian petrol prices reach record high after subsidy removal
Almost two months after Nigerian President Bola Tinubu scrapped a popular but costly fuel subsidy, petrol prices have risen to 617 naira ($0.78) per litre, the highest in the history of Africa’s largest oil producer.
Prices were updated nationwide on Tuesday from 557 naira ($0.70) per litre at fuel stations operated by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Co (NNPC), according to a circular seen by the Reuters news agency.
The NNPC did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment.
Tinubu, who has embarked on some of Nigeria’s biggest reforms in decades to tackle issues including its high debt burden, ended the subsidy on May 29 during his inauguration speech.
The subsidy, introduced in the 1970s, had kept fuel prices cheap for decades but had become increasingly expensive, costing the government $10bn last year.
“Subsidy” became a national buzzword in 2012 when then-President Goodluck Jonathan announced its removal. Fuel prices increased from 65 naira ($0.14) to 140 naira ($0.30) per litre and triggered almost two weeks of protests known as Occupy Nigeria, causing Jonathan to reverse the decision.
Since ending the subsidy this year, 56 private firms have been licensed to import petrol, and 10 of them are due to start deliveries in the third quarter. The NNPC had previously been the sole importer of petrol using crude swap contracts.
“Out of these 10, three of them have already landed cargoes, … and others are also indicating interest to import in August and September,” Farouk Ahmed, head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), said in a statement.
Nigeria imports almost all its refined fuel due to inadequate refining capacity and neglect of existing refineries.
In June, average daily petrol consumption fell to 48.43 million litres (13 million gallons), down from a daily average of 66.9 million litres in January through May before the subsidy was removed, according to figures from the NMDPRA.
Credit to: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES
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