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Fuel Scarcity Bites Harder, Cripples Soci-economic Activities in Kebbi

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The lingering fuel scarcity is biting harder in Kebbi crippling soci-economic activities, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Investigation conducted by NAN in Birnin Kebbi and its environs reveals that only few filling stations sell Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, at exhorbitant prices.

NAN reports that non of the filling stations in the state capital and its environs sells the product at the regulated price of N185, while the few stations that open for business sell at between N280 and N300 per litre.

The Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Kebbi Central Motorpark (Sabuwar Tasha), Birnin Kebbi, Alhaji Garba Dan-Malam, said the situation had become worrisome.

Dan-Malam, who expressed optimism that the government would bring the situation under control, said the scarcity, which had been lingering for a while had negatively affected his members.

He observed that the fuel scarcity and hike in its price had crippled soci-economic activities of Nigerians, noting that for commercial activities to take place, people, goods and services must move from one place to another.

The chairman said despite the increase in fuel price, transport fares charged by members of the union were reasonable.

He, however, lamented that members of the union were not happy with the current situation.

“As leaders, we keep advising our members to be patient; things will be better. This is because we have hope in the present administration.

“As motorists, we are not only concerned with high cost of fuel but also high costs of vehicle spare parts.

“A typical example is, just last year, we used to buy a tyre from N27,000 to N28,500 but now it goes for between N59,000 and N61,000.

“However, for those travelling outside the country will bear witness that the current inflation is not restricted to Nigeria. It is a global trend that engulped economies across the globe,” he advised.

In view of the hike, “We advised our members engaged in long journeys not to use all the passengers’ money to purchase fuel, instead, they should break it into three.

“So that in the event of vehicle breakdown, they can have some money on them to get another vehicle for the passengers to carry on with their journey.”

On his part, a motorist, Malam Aliyu Yusuf, lamented that the hike in fuel price had affected his monthly budget, saying that he had to cut down some expenses of less value to meet his fuel needs.

“Apart from cutting down some of my expenses, I also minimised my movement, I go to my place of work which is obligatory upon me but as far as visits are concerned, I visit places that are extremely necessary and important.

“My brother runs a business centre and he uses petrol to power his generating sets but the hike in fuel forced him to review some of his charges.

“However, it it’s not everybody that understands, he bitterly complained about low patronage.

“The experience is actually terrible, buying fuel at the rate of N290 to N300, this is unacceptable; government needs to do something urgently to address the situation for the good of Nigerians as well as the nation,” he said.

When contacted, the Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), North-West Zone, Alhaji Muhammad Tila, blamed the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) for the lingering problem.

He said NNPCL was the only company responsible for importing fuel into the country, saying that many drivers used to spend seven to eight days on queues to lift the commodity to the north.

“The frustration is too much, sometimes they end up waiting in vein. As such, the last option is to buy the commodity from major marketers at exhorbitant price of N250 per liter, transport it to the North at the cost of N30 per liter.

“When we bring it here, we cannot sell it at N280, therefore, people should reason with us,” he noted.

The chairman recalled that the Department of Security Services (DSS) gave the statekeholders in the petroleum idustry 48 hours ultamatum, yet, the fuel was not available, especially in the north.

Tila said before Nigeria used to have 10 to 20 ships on the sea waiting to offload, “but now you hardly see two ships on the shores of Nigerian sea.”

He stressed the need for government to allow private registered depots to import the commodity. (NAN)

Oil & Gas

NNPC Ltd. Disclaims Fake Financial Scheme

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has disowned a fake AI-generated video circulating on social media featuring a cloned voice of the Group CEO, Mr Bayo Ojulari, promoting a fictitious poverty alleviation scheme.

The Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd.

, Olufemi Soneye in a statement on Thursday clarified that the company had no such investment initiative.

Soneye urged the public to disregard the video, originally shared by an account named Mensageiro de Cristo on Facebook.

“NNPC Ltd. has warned the perpetrators to cease their fraudulent actions or face legal consequences,” he said. (NAN)

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NEWS

NGEP Urges Gas Reticulation In Buildings

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By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, April 29, 2025 The National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) has called on stakeholders to promote the integration of gas reticulation systems in estates, districts, and industrial areas, following best practices seen in developed countries.

Chairman of NGEP, Prof.

Mohammed Ibrahim, made the call on Tuesday during the Builders’ Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), FCT Chapter, in Abuja.

The conference, themed “Gas Reticulation in Building: Design, Safety, Environmental Compliance and Prospects for Builders,” focused on enhancing energy infrastructure in Nigeria’s built environment.

Ibrahim noted that with Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves, gas reticulation offered a sustainable solution to improve energy accessibility, affordability, and reliability in homes and businesses.

“Gas reticulation in buildings presents a compelling pathway to a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient built environment.

“By prioritising sound design principles and ensuring strict adherence to safety and environmental standards, we can unlock the full potential of natural gas to drive progress,” he said.

He highlighted the key benefits of gas reticulation, including energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, versatility, and reliability.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, Samson Opaluwah, stressed the importance of capacity building for safe and efficient gas distribution.

He said this involved training engineers, technicians, and other professionals in system design, installation, and maintenance, while also strengthening regulatory frameworks and encouraging local innovation and manufacturing.

The Chairman of NIOB, FCT Chapter, Usman Okehi, emphasised the growing need to incorporate gas systems in residential, commercial, and industrial developments across Nigeria due to rising energy demands and gas availability.

According to him, with this advancement comes the need for strict adherence to design standards, rigorous safety protocols, and full environmental compliance.

“It is our responsibility as professionals and regulators to ensure these systems are functional, safe, and environmentally sound,” Okehi said.

He described the conference as a platform where stakeholders could explore the evolving landscape of gas infrastructure in building projects, share best practices, examine safety and environmental considerations, and assess future opportunities for builders in the sector.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Institute of Building is the professional body for builders in Nigeria. It traces its origins to the Builders’ Society, established in London in 1834.

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Oil & Gas

FG Inaugurates Committee to Enhance Gas Distribution in Urban Buildings

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The Ministry of Petroleum Resources has inaugurated a Technical Working Group to enhance gas reticulation practices in Nigeria’s building industry.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Amb. Nicholas Ella inaugurated the Technical Working Group (TWG) between the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) and the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) on Wednesday.

Reports= says that reticulation refers to the process of creating a network of pipes or tubes to distribute gas or other utilities to buildings or industrial sites.

The permanent secretary restated the importance of creating energy smart cities, saying that modern urban development relies on efficient gas and utility distribution systems,

“Most modern cities in developed countries have evolved to energy smart cities where energy, specifically gas and other utilities are piped to districts and estates.

“However, one of the key tools in creating energy smart city is the National Building
Code which, in essence, sets the guidelines on Building Pre-design, designs, construction and post-construction stages,” he said.

The permanent secretary reiterated the benefits of reticulated gas systems for households and businesses alike, adding that it ensured metered supply akin to water and electricity,

According to him, it eliminates the need for cumbersome refills, and also enhances safety by burying pipes and incorporating advanced safety equipments.

“The TWG is tasked with designing a comprehensive policy to implement best practices for gas reticulation using LPG, PNG, and Bio-Gas across Nigeria’s building sector.

“Key responsibilities include reviewing the current National Building Code, examining global gas distribution systems, and proposing quality standards for materials used in gas installations,” he said.

The permanent secretary emphasised the need for rigorous safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the efficient and safe use of gas in construction.

He urged the group to prioritise environmental sustainability in its recommendations, adding that the group is expected to submit its report by Nov. 15.

Earlier, Mr Samson Opaliwah, the Chairman of CORBON. expressed the council’s commitment to collaborate with the group to ensure safe uptake of gas for use in houses and housing estates in Nigeria.

“I assure you of the williness of CORBON to leverage the expertise and resources at her disposal to ensure that steps are put in place for gas infrastructure in buildings and estates.

“The gas infrastructure will be safe, sustainable and world-class.

” Our collective efforts will yield clear, standardised guidelines for safe and effective gas systems in buildings, matched with a skilled workforce to meet growing demands in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)

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