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Pro-Wike lawmakers write Fubara over ‘Constitutional Breaches,’ give 7-days to represent budget

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A faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has written Governor Siminialayi Fubara, highlighting his actions that allegedly breached the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

They also give the Governor 7-Days in which to represent the state’s 2024 budget which the only three lawmakers loyal to Fubara claimed to have passed into law.

The faction comprising about 27 members and led by the purportedly impeached Speaker, were rendered redundant by a Rivers State High Court which ruled that they had lost their seats in the House of Assembly for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in violation of extant law.

However, the Appeal Court, in a ruling last week, nullified the High Court ruling, thereby restoring the 27 pro-Wike Assembly members back to their positions.

Consequently, the 27-member factional House led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, sent the letter dated July 8, 2024 and signed by its Speaker, Amaewhule, to Governor Fubara shortly after rising from its plenary on Monday.

In the document titled: “Resolutions reached at the first legislative day of the second session of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly”, the House drew the Governor’s attention to the 2024 Appropriation Bill, saying he was yet to present it before them as lawmakers.

Addressing the governor, the House said: “You are yet to present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, 2024 in line with Section 121(1) of the 1999 Constitution as altered and in compliance with the judgement delivered on the 22nd day of January 2024 by Honourable Justice J.K Omotosho of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.”

The factional House insisted that the governor had yet to present the bill to a duly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly under the speakership of Amaewhule in line with Section 122 of the Constitution.

“The Rivers State Government under your watch is now barred from spending funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state. The House hereby gives you the opportunity to present same within seven days from the date of this resolution,” the House said.

The Rivers Assembly also drew the governor’s attention to his breach of 192(2) of the Constitution, accusing him of inaugurating members of the Rivers State Executive Council as commissioners without confirmation of the House.

The lawmakers told the governor that he also breached Section 7(1) of the Constitution and the Rivers State Local Government (amendment) Law 2023 for swearing-in certain unelected individuals to manage the affairs of the 23 local government area councils in the state in flagrant disobedience to the judgement delivered by Justice Omotosho.

“The learned Judge restrained you from dealing with the three suspended members, who with your connivance are parading themselves as Rivers House of Assembly in total disobedience to the order of the learned Judge,” the House told the governor.

The lawmakers said the governor in total disregard to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and the judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal, continued to transact with the three suspended members of the House in contempt of the orders of the court.

The House said the governor refused to direct all impostors in his government to stop parading in their purported positions.

The House said: “These infractions by you on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered, other extant laws and judicial pronouncements constitute gross misconduct and abuse of office on your part.

“We call on you to do the needful and act lawfully without further delay and please accept the assurances of our high regards,” the letter stated.

 

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Petrol price to drop by N50 as independent marketers load at N990/litre at Dangote

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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN has disclosed that over 30,000 of its members are set to buy Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in bulk.

IPMAN also revealed that the price of petrol from the refinery was N940/litre and N990/litre when purchased using ships and trucks, respectively.

Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, IPMAN President, Abubakar Garima, said the pump prices of petrol at its retail outlets will drop following the agreement with the Dangote refinery to lift products directly from the plant.

On Monday, IPMAN agreed with the Dangote refinery to directly lift petrol, diesel, and other petroleum products.

This agreement follows months after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation suspended its plan to serve as the sole off-taker of petroleum products from the 650,000 barrels per day refinery.

The IPMAN president explained that the Dangote refinery had been obliged to allow marketers to lift PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for onward supply to their depots and retail outlets but didn’t reveal the price.

Giving an update on pricing during the interview, the IPMAN national officer said the Refinery has provided two different rates for marketers based on their preferences.

He said marketers can load at the gantry at a price of N990 per litre or N940 through vessel transportation.

Garima said, “Presently, we have been given two different arrangments on how to buy fuel from the refinery. There is the one that we can load the vessels and carry to our various depots at the rate of N940 per litre. Then for the depots, it is at the rate of N990 per litre.

“The difference is because we have to load it and carry it to another part of the state. We use vessels to carry these products and there is another one to load from the gantry.

“For Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar, we have to use vessels because there is no Dangote loading gantry there, we have to carry it to our private depot and discharge and distribute it to our members.”

 

 

 

 

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Zulum reinstates 23 suspended health workers, deploys others

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Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the reinstatement of 23 health workers previously suspended for absence from their duty posts at Gwoza General Hospital.

This decision was announced during the Governor’s inspection of the hospital’s newly renovated maternity and child center, as well as other ongoing projects.

Dauda Iliya, Spokesperson and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, in a statement Tuesday, said the health workers had initially been suspended after Zulum’s earlier visit, where he found them absent from their duties.

Addressing the staff, Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of dedication to work and assured them of improved working conditions and other incentives.

“Complaints were made about the 23 medical workers who were absent during my last visit,” he noted. “No one is perfect, so the government has pardoned them, although no arrears will be paid.”

In response to a staff shortage raised by the Principal Medical Officer of Gwoza General Hospital, Dr Nuhu Nasiru Wakawa, Governor Zulum directed the immediate deployment of four additional doctors and ten nurses to the facility.

He further announced that Gwoza General Hospital will be upgraded to support training for nursing students from the new school of nursing under construction.

“The Commissioner of Health, together with the Chief Medical Director of the Hospitals Management Board, will work on this deployment,” Zulum added. “We will also recruit community health workers from Gwoza to strengthen local healthcare services.”

In addition to his healthcare initiatives, Governor Zulum inspected the crusher plant base under construction in Pulka, which will produce up to 300 tonnes of stones per hour.

He said the completion of the crushing and asphalt plants is expected to facilitate new road networks across Borno State.

The Governor also visited other development sites, including the 500-unit mass housing project in Wala B, Gwoza Local Government Area, and a proposed site for a high Islamic school in Bama, underscoring his administration’s commitment to infrastructure and educational advancement.

 

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Dangote to begin direct supply of petroleum products to marketers

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Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has secured an agreement with Dangote Refinery to lift products directly.

IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Garima, announced this at an ongoing press briefing on Monday in Abuja, following a meeting of the National Working Committee of the Association.

He said the partnership would ensure a steady, affordable supply of PMS products nationwide.

“After meeting with Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos, we are pleased to announce that Dangote Refinery has agreed to supply IPMAN with PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for distribution to our depots and retail outlets.”

Garima urged IPMAN members to support Dangote Refinery, citing the benefits of backward integration and its positive impact on Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.

“IPMAN members should rely on Dangote Refinery and Nigerian refineries for white products, creating more job opportunities and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.”

The latest development concludes several months of negotiations between both parties and is expected to increase efficiency, affordability, and economic growth.

The Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa and Europe, has already commenced the production of petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel, with plans to supply products to over 30,000 IPMAN members and 150,000 retail outlets nationwide.

 

 

 

 

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