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DMEA NEWS IN BRIEF DMEA

by Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom (NAN) Benin. another major reason for product scarcity in
Wike, in the campaign against illegal oil He said that persons who could work from the country.
refining. home as was done during the early days of the He said that while some persons were
He said with the support of the governor, Coronavirus outbreak should be permitted to moving the product out of the country others
the Nigerian Navy has launched several do so. at the same time were selling the product at
operations in Rivers State to combat the “By this, I mean that government and increased prices.
menace. employers who know their workers can work “Racketeering is another reason this
“It takes political will for a leader to say, from home should allow them to do so. scarcity persists.
‘any local government chairman in my state He also advised that as the scarcity “There are some gas stations that sell as
that does not bring out the culprit involved in persisted, if possible to reduce the number much as N200 per litre, some N185, and you
such illegality will be removed from office’,” he of days that employees go to work, should be start wondering why they are selling at that
added. done. rate.
“We took that and because of the support “These can serve as a temporary measure “Then, there are the few selling for N165;
of the Rivers State Government for us, we because, out there, it is really tough and the this is where you find queues of cars stretching
launched ourselves into that operation.” fares for transportation have increased, some for as far as one kilometer. So it’s really tough.
The Navy chief urged Niger Delta by 100 per cent. “I’m hoping that this gets out of the way as
communities to take advantage of “This is also affecting productivity because soon as possible and NNPC finds a solution to
opportunities initiated by the Nigerian if you look at the faces of Nigerians at the all these.
National Petroleum Company (NNPC). various bus stops’ queues you notice that “And my prayer again is that Dangote
“NNPC has opened a window of everybody is angry. Refinery comes up as soon as possible.
opportunities for such communities to form “This is also affecting our mental health “Because if you cannot meet your local
corporations; perhaps to establish modular because the pressure is just so much. consumption, you are held, hostage. Right
refineries and then get crude oil from NNPC “So, the government needs to find a way now we are held hostage,” he said.
partners legally and refine them so that they around everything,” he said. Esele, also a former president of the Trade
stay away from such illegal activities,” he said. While also advising Nigerians to only go Union Congress (TUC), further said that
Illegal oil refining in the Niger Delta has out if extremely necessary and important he although the price of crude oil had increased
continued to endanger the environment and called on the government to do everything to between $100 per barrel and $113 per
residents of the region who live at the mercy possible to make the product available. barrel, Nigerians might not feel the benefit yet.
of soot pollution. “Government should also ensure that the According to him, when you have that,
THE TIDE actual price at the depot is what is paid. ordinarily, Nigerians are supposed to be happy
“Because one of the major reasons for this because it means much money because of our
scarcity is that most gas stations no longer sell export.
FUELS fuel for N162.5 per litre. “But since we buy petrol in dollars and
“And this is because the ex-depot price sell in naira, and we have a weak naira, the
Treat fuel scarcity as in era has been increased. Now the question is who government has to subsidise it.
“We are actually not going to enjoy the
authorised such an increase?
of pandemic increase, because subsidy payment is still benefit of the 113 dollars because of the
“They are not supposed to carry out any
landing cost of petrol.
Peter Esele, a labour activist, on Friday being made,” the former PENGASSAN “I appeal to Nigerians, it may be difficult,
advised that the lingering fuel scarcity in the president said. but this too will pass.
country be treated as in the era of pandemics. He noted that although there were no “It is also difficult for the government,” he
Esele, former President, Petroleum and products in many petrol stations the black added.
Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of market was thriving due to the availability of GUARDIAN
Nigeria (PENGASSAN), gave the advice in an products to them.
interview with the News Agency of Nigeria Esele also identified racketeering as

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