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Ex-militants Seek Decentralisation Of Surveillance Contract, Vow To Resist Imposition
Published
6 months agoon
By
EditorFormer Niger Delta militants in Ondo State have called on President Bola Tinubu to decentralise the surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services.
The PUNCH reports that Tantita, a private security company owned by an ex-Niger Delta agitator, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, was awarded a multi-billion naira contract to secure the oil pipelines in the country in 2022.
The ex-militants, under the umbrella of The Niger Delta Coastline Vanguard, said the group had been preventing the activities of vandals in the area, adding that the surveillance contract should be decentralised to accommodate them.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the president of the group, Job Omotuwa, appealed to the president to allow his group to cover Ondo, Ogun, and Lagos State littoral corridor.
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Omotuwa said, ”The Niger Delta Coastline Vanguard is a group of ex-militants who, under the Presidential Amnesty Program submitted weapons and were granted pardoned in 2017 with a promise to be properly integrated into the Federal Government Amnesty program with all accrued benefits.
“‘We are also licensed to operate under a registered company called Steve-Latcon Security Services and Niger Delta Coastline Vanguard which have impressive records of waterway security within and outside the state over a long period.
“It is on records that on 14th November 2021 at Abereke, a riverine community in iIlajelocal government, about 8 persons were arrested in four boats loaded with drums of Automotive Gas Oil popularly called diesel, this arrest was carried out by our security service, the NDCV Patrol Team lead by me(General Omotuwa) in conjunction with the Antivandal Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Ondo State Command. In an earlier effort, on 28th October, of the same year, a vessel was equally arrested by our team when the suspects engaged in illegal dealings in petroleum products business on the high sea.”
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He called on the president to consider the group’s appeal for the sake of equity, fairness, and peace in the region.
Omotuwa said, “We appeal to the President to consider NDCV in the ongoing decentralization plan of the pipeline surveillance contract to handle the entire corridor of the South West littoral States (Ondo, Ogun, Lagos) in the project for equity, fairness, and peace in the region. Also, for the Presidential Amnesty Commission to give full integration of this body into its plans, policies and program.”
He vowed that ex-militants in the state would resist the imposition of any organisation to secure pipelines in the region.
“We shall not allow or accept any deliberate attempt by government or agent of the government to impose someone from another region who does not belong to our ethnic nationality on us to sustain the existing peace in the region, ” Omotuwa added.
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Lagos, Ondo, Taraba Top In Highest Okada Fares In March – NBS
Published
4 hours agoon
April 28, 2024By
EditorA recent National Bureau of Statistics report shows Lagos, Ondo, and Taraba recorded the highest Okada (motorcycle) fares in March.
The data indicates substantial differences in transportation costs across various Nigerian states.
In March 2024, the average fare for Okada rides per trip in Nigeria rose by 2.15% compared to the same period last year, with fares reaching N472.16, up from N462.21 in March 2023.
This was contained in the most recent National Bureau of Statistics Transport Fare Watch report for March 2024, published on the agency’s website.
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However, fares in Lagos, Ondo, and Taraba states were notably above the national average for March 2024.
Lagos had the highest Okada fare at N850 per trip, with Ondo following at N725 and Taraba at N670, illustrating significant differences in transportation costs across regions.
Imo and Yobe states, with average Okada fares of N655 and N630 respectively for March 2024, ranked fourth and fifth among Nigerian states for the highest motorcycle journey costs per trip.
News
Trouble Looms As OAU Students Threaten Shut Down With FG Over Fuel Crisis
Published
4 hours agoon
April 28, 2024By
EditorThe students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University said on Sunday, said the challenges faced by students due to the sudden surge in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit and the scarcity of the product have reached unprecedented levels.
The President of the union, Abbas Ojo, in a statement released on the campus in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and sent to The PUNCH, urged the Federal Government to immediately address the issues.
The union threatened to hit the streets in protest if the situation persisted.
Since the weekend, queues have surfaced across some filling stations in Ogun and Lagos states as some stations also remained shut.
The PMS also known as petrol has been selling between N700 and N800 at some filling stations. Some persons claim to buy the fuel at prices higher than N800 in Lagos and Ogun with the situation causing a hike in transport fares.
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had said some supply issues were responsible for the queues, urging customers to exercise patience.
A resident, Tomisin Bakare, who said he bought PMS from a filling station around the Lagos State University-Igando axis stated that he was shocked when the attendant said fuel was N700 per litre.
“This is after I had already spent over 50 minutes in the queue,” he added.
According to the students’s union president, the situation is not different in Osun, particularly around the campus environs where he noted bus drivers had increased fares.
“We, as students, can no longer endure the burden imposed by the government’s economic policies,” Ojo said.
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“Last year, when the decision to remove fuel subsidy became public knowledge, many, including students, harboured doubts about its impact on the nation’s economy. Even those who supported the removal of subsidies were skeptical, given the absence of concrete plans to alleviate the ensuing challenges,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, during his swearing-in, announced the removal of fuel subsidy. Since then, Nigerians have been grappling with harsh economic realities coupled with the depreciation of the naira against the dollar.
“From soaring electricity tariffs to the skyrocketing cost of living, the adverse effects of the government’s capitalist policies have spared no one.
“Despite these challenges, students persist in their pursuit of education and academic endeavours. However, recent events such as fuel shortages and fluctuating prices have left students stranded both on campus and outside campus,” Ojo stressed, noting the students had been pushed to limits.
The union demanded immediate action from the FG to address the fuel scarcity, curb suspected hoarding of fuel, and regulate prices.
“We also demand that the government should revive the country’s refineries. The government must not test our will by not addressing these demands within the next 48 hours. Failure to do so, we shall hit the streets till the government addresses the fuel crisis which constitutes a threat to our academic pursuit,” the statement added.
Popular Gospel singer Morenikeji Adeleke, also known as Egbin Orun, is dead.
Her colleague Esther Igbekele, confirmed the death in an Instagram post on Sunday.
The gospel singer expressed shock and sadness, sayin Egbin Orun departed suddenly without bidding farewell.
According to her, the two had recently spoken, unaware of the impending tragedy.
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Igbekele praised Egbin Orun’s beauty, kindness, and strong support for her ministry.
She wrote, “I got home from my program to hear about this great loss.. Prophetess Morenikeji Egbin Orun you left without saying goodbye..
“We spoke together last week not knowing you are about to embark on a journey to the great beyond.. You are such a beautiful and kind hearted woman and a very good supporter of my ministry.
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“I am deeply saddened with your demise but God knows best. You will be greatly missed and your good deeds will continue to linger in our hearts.
“Ah Egbin Orun. Good night! Keep resting in the bosom of Christ.. Ah Gone too soon..Yeeee.”
The cause of her death remains undisclosed and no official statement has been issued.
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