NEWS
FG Moves to Convert 1m Petrol Vehicles to CNG in 2 Year, says Official
The Federal Government says it hopes to achieve conversion of one million petroleum vehicles in the country to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by 2027.Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, the Programme Manager of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG) Initiative, made this known at the ”Park to Park” CNG Mobilisation Programme and signing of MoU with some conversion centres and distribution of free CNG conversion kits in Abuja.
The programmes was organised by the Pi-CNG. ” We are here to commemorate the handing over the pysical conversion materials, especially to our conversion centre partners.“President Bola Tinubu has given us the the mandate, to convert one million commercial vehicles in the next two years.“Today is just the beginning for this region that include the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa State, Niger and Kogi.“We are here to handover this conversion kits to different stakeholders like National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and many others.“We had seven conversion centers last year, but now, we have over 120 across the country. We are also partnering with the private sector to ensure availability of CNG refueling stations across the country, Oluwagbemi said.He further explained that the stakeholders would participate in the conversion programme by nominating vehicles of their members to be converted at the centres.The Pi-CNG Programme Manager said that Nigeria is sitting on a pillow of gas, which is cheaper and more reliable to power transportation.“It will lead to between 40 and 70 per cent savings for road transport users or operators. The operators will pass on the savings they are realising to the consumers.“This will lead to reduction in the price of transportation of goods, people and services.“It also worthy to note that we are focusing on mass transit which form about 90 per cent of the transport operators.“But I can assure you that the private sector and some conversion partners are developing financing programmes to enable private sector, especiallyemployee who earn regular salary to be able to get this opportunity as well.“It will go round, but, we are focusing on mass transit. And in the agreement, we have iron clause concerning its utilisation and protection of the materials. We are properly tracking them,” Oluwagbemi said.He also stressed that there are proper certification to ensure that vehicles are properly converted and reliable, adding that after conversion, the vehicle will be running on petrol and gas alternatively.“However, our intent is for them to run on gas as the number of gas stations becomes more available in this region”.Also speaking Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, the Global Vice-President of International Transport Federation, urged members of transport unions and others to use the opportunity and be CNG complaint.“They should also be patient and support the current administration. By the time the CNG start working, everything will come down including price of transportation and food stuff”.Similarly, the NARTO National President, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal commended Tinubu, adding that, the Pi-CNG was a good development.“This is one of the initiatives of President Tinubu and the initiative is trying to carry all stakeholders along. Please, Nigerians should be patient with Tinubu”. Report says that on May 13, in line with his commitment to ensure energy security, drive utility, and cut high fuel costs, president Tinubu directed the mandatory procurement of compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicles by all government ministries, departments, and agencies.The president’s directive is also in furtherance of Nigeria’s effort to transition to cleaner energy as CNG-enabled vehicles have been adjudged to produce lower emissions, even as they present a more affordable alternative for Nigerian energy consumers.Addressing members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House, Tinubu affirmed that there is no turning back in the energy reforms initiated by his administration.“This nation will not progress forward if we continue to dance on the same spot. We have the will to drive the implementation of CNG adoption across the country, and we must set the example as public officials in leading the way to that prosperous future that we are working to achieve for our people.”It starts with us, and in seeing that we are serious, Nigerians will follow our lead,” he said.The president further directed the rejection of all memos brought by members of FEC seeking the purchase of traditional petrol-dependent vehicles, tasking the affected members of the council to go back and diligently seek value-driven procurements of CNG-compliant vehicles. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
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