ome experts have expressed concern that the hike in the pump price of petrol could lead to malnutrition in the country.

The experts, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja, said the situation could occur due to the increased cost of living for many households.

NAN reports that the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited Ltd, NNPCL Retail Management on September 3 approved the upward review of petrol pump price from N568 – N617 per litre to N897 per litre.

A development economist, Mohammad Nazifi noted that low income earners would be worse hit by the new price, because of the likely increase in cost of transportation which would also affect food prices.

Mr Nazifi said that the situation could lead to health challenges such as malnutrition and increased food insecurity in the country.

“The rising cost of food and other essentials can lead to malnutrition or food insecurity, particularly among vulnerable populations. These factors can exacerbate health inequalities and strain public health systems,” he said.

According to him, the increased price can contribute to inflationary pressure on the economy, causing the cost of production to rise.

“The increase in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices contributes to overall inflationary pressure. Nigeria’s inflation rate is already high at 34.19 per cent as of September 2024.

“As transportation and production costs rise due to higher fuel prices, these costs are passed on to consumers, leading to higher prices across board.

“This can create a cycle of rising costs and wages, potentially leading to cost-push inflation, which further erodes purchasing power and can slow economic growth,” he said.

An economic expert, Mr David Ambi, who also spoke to NAN, said that petroleum prices were a critical determinant of inflation, particularly in economies that heavily rely on petrol for transportation and production.

JaizBank
He maintained that the rising fuel costs typically lead to higher expenses throughout the supply chain, which in turn affects the prices of goods and services, including foodstuff.

“This phenomenon is known as ‘cost-push inflation, higher transportation and production costs lead to more expensive goods, from food to consumer electronics,” he said .

A public analyst, Bulus Dabit, said that the increase in fuel prices could exacerbate poverty by reducing the purchasing power of citizens, particularly low-income households.

“The increase in pump prices may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations such as the poor and marginalised, who may not have the means to absorb the additional costs,” he said.

Mr Dabit said that the decision to increase the prices had been criticised for being driven by external and personal economic interests rather than by scientific economic imperatives.

He said that any decision on such matters should involve consultations with citizens and be predicated on empathy, justice, accountability, patriotism, and nationalism.

Also, Charity Bello, the Secretary of Small-holder Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria, SWOFON, in Plateau, said that as long as petrol prices keep increasing, prices of food commodities would not drop.

Ms Bello said that food prices could stabilise if the government addresses insecurity in rural communities where most farming activities occur, in addition to the downward review of the cost of petrol.

NAN

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said “very many” immigrants come to Europe expecting a free ride, in an interview aired Sunday on a US political affairs programme.

The comment comes against a background of Warsaw’s accusations against Moscow that it has tried to smuggle thousands of people from Africa into Europe by flying them to Russia and sending them to the Polish border via Belarus.

“If someone comes over to Poland in the false perception that one will stay here and get everything for free and will have a better life without working, well, we do not agree to such arrivals,” said Duda.

He was speaking to conservative news host Sharyl Attkisson on Sinclair Television’s “Full Measure” programme.

Asked by Attkisson whether great numbers of people were coming to Europe expecting a free ride, Duda said “yes”.

“I think that in very many cases, we have such a situation. That’s why there is such a reaction in the West of Europe,” he added.

The interview was also available online on the programme’s website.

Since summer 2021, thousands of migrants and refugees, mainly from the Middle East, have crossed or attempted to cross the border between Belarus — an ally of Russia — and Poland, a NATO and EU member.

In May, Warsaw announced it would spend more than 2.3 billion euros ($2.5 billion) on fortifying its eastern border with Belarus that it said Russia has used to destabilise the region with hybrid attacks.

The following month, a Polish soldier on patrol at the border was fatally stabbed through a five-metre-high (16-foot) metal fence that Poland had erected in 2022.

The Polish army also reported other attacks on troops at the border.

In July, Polish lawmakers voted to allow the security forces to use lethal weapons in response to active threats, including at the tense border with Belarus.

Workers in the nation’s telecommunications industry under the aegis of the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association, PTECSSAN, will Monday begin an indefinite nationwide strike over sack, and poor working conditions among others.

Among the employees going on strike include field maintenance engineers, transmission engineers, customer service engineers, fibre engineers, and other critical staff.

There are fears that strike could disrupt telecommunications services nationwide if not resolved quickly.

Vanguard gathered that PTECSSAN, has pending issues with no fewer than 39 telecoms servicing companies including the sack of three of its members by Specific Tools & Technology Limited.

The 39 companies provide critical support services to the telecommunications operators in the country.

Vanguard was informed that the union had earlier given a seven day strike notice to the affected companies to address its demands or risk indefinite strike.

Among PTECSSAN’s demands include immediate recognition of the fundamental right of the employees to freely associate with the Union, immediate recognition of the Union as negotiating body for the employees on workers welfare and

immediate remittance of membership dues into the Union’s account as earlier provided.

The demands equally are immediate recognition of the years of service of these workers, immediate commencement of appropriate pensions deduction and remittance of same as required by the Pension Act, immediate approval of the National Health Insurance Scheme that covers the employees, their spouses and four of their dependents, immediate enrolment of Union members in the Group Life Insurance as stipulated in the Pension Reform Act 2004, Section 9(3).

The Union is also demanding immediate implementation of leave and leave allowance in accordance with the international best practices, immediate negotiation on review of salaries of the workers to meet the economic reality in the country today, and immediate provision Operational Vehicles or in the alternative immediate negotiation on review of the Self Drive/Self Rental to meet the economic reality in the country today.

Also in the Union’s demands are immediate stoppage of 24-hour job and introduction of work hours in accordance to the international best practices, immediate stoppage of work overload (combining passive tasks to theirs) on the workers, and immediate adherence to occupational health and safety for the workers in line with international best practices.

Announcing the commencement of strike, General Secretary of PTECSSAN Abdullahi Okonu said “We have made every effort to engage with employers, but our legitimate demands have been disregarded.

“This strike is a last resort to protect our members’ rights and well-being. We urge the public to understand our position and support our struggle for fair treatment.”

While pleading with Nigerians to bear with the Union throughout the period of the strike, PTECSSAN “assures that it will engage with employers and the government to resolve the issues, but the strike will continue until their demands are met.”

The soaring cost of domestic air travel in Nigeria is forcing many citizens to abandon air transportation, as one-way tickets now sell for over N200,000 on several routes.

Routes such as Lagos to Abuja, Enugu, Kano, and Owerri have seen unprecedented price hikes, with some flights costing as much as N650,000, depending on the airline and the time of booking.

A one-way economy class ticket from Lagos to Abuja, previously priced between N50,000 to N65,000, now ranges between N130,000 and N220,000.

Similarly, flights from Lagos to Kano and Lagos to Owerri have reached staggering prices, with tickets costing up to N650,000 and N600,000, respectively.

Business Day reports that the surge in prices is attributed to a combination of factors, including the scarcity of foreign exchange, increased maintenance costs, and the grounding of some domestic airlines, such as Dana Air.

According to the report, many airlines are struggling to maintain their fleets, with fewer aircraft available to meet demand, creating a virtual monopoly on certain routes.

Passengers like Patience Kofo, who used to frequently travel with her children from Lagos to Abuja, have been priced out of flying.

“I used to spend between N500,000 to N600,000 on return tickets, but now it costs over N1.5 million,” she said.

Similarly, frequent business traveller Musa Iyal had to cancel his trip after discovering that a one-way ticket from Kano to Lagos was priced at N230,000, citing that such high costs would erode his business profits.

With rising costs and reduced fleet availability, many Nigerians are turning to alternative forms of transportation, making air travel increasingly a luxury reserved for the wealthy.

The Naira raced to N2,000 per dollar at the black market on Saturday despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s sale of dollars to the Bureau De Change operators.

A BDC operator, Dayyabu Ashiru confirmed to DAILY POST that Naira was exchanged for N1,670 per dollar on Saturday from the N1665 exchange rate last Friday.

“We buy at N1665 per dollar and sell at N1670”, he said.

DAILY POST recalls that the apex bank announced that it sold $20,000 each to legible BDC operators at N1580 per dollar rate last week.

Meanwhile, the appreciated last Friday at the official market to close the week at N1593.32 per dollar exchange rate.

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of an officer involved in the brutalization and extortion of N3 million from a Ghana returnee in Bayelsa State, South-South Nigeria.

The police also confirmed that the extorted N3million had been recovered.

The Spokesperson for the police Zone 16 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, SP Gunn Ewhoborwo Emonena, confirmed to SaharaReporters on Saturday that "the team leader has been arrested and the money had been recovered and he has been sent to Abuja for further action."

He added, "He's in Abuja for trial, dismissal and charging to court. We the Nigerian police, we're the only organisation that disciplines our own. As I talk to you he's in Abuja; he has been moved to Abuja since Wednesday."

This comes after one Liberty Isaac Kelechi raised an alarm that he was brutalised and robbed of N3million at gunpoint by five policemen on duty in Bayelsa State.

Kelechi alleged that the five policemen at a checkpoint in Bayelsa stopped his vehicle and brutally compelled him to transfer N3 million to two different accounts they provided.

SaharaReporters had reported that narrating his ordeal in a viral video, Kelechi said he was travelling to Imo State with others on August 26, 2024, when five policemen on duty at a checkpoint seized their phone and compelled him to transfer N3 million to them in two separate accounts, operated by a virtual bank, moniepoint.

He further alleged that the law enforcement officers threatened to kill them if he would not transfer the said money.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to use his "leadership position and good offices to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately reverse the apparently illegal and unconstitutional increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets".

SERAP urged him to "direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies "to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC, including the spending of the reported $300 million 'bailout funds' collected from the Federal Government in August 2024, and the $6 billion debt it owes suppliers, despite allegedly failing to remit oil revenues to the treasury."

SERAP said, "Suspected perpetrators of alleged corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any proceeds of corruption should be fully recovered."

In an open letter dated 7 September 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: "The increase in petrol price constitutes a fundamental breach of constitutional guarantees and the country's international human rights obligations.

"Nigerians have for far too long been denied justice and the opportunity to get to the bottom of why they continue to pay the price for corruption in the oil sector."

The letter further reads: "Rather than pursuing public policies to address the growing poverty and inequality in the country, and holding the NNPC to account for the alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector, your government seems to be punishing the poor.

"The increase in petrol price has rendered already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their minimum needs for survival.

"The increase is not inevitable, as it stems from the persistent failure of successive governments to address allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector and the impunity of suspected perpetrators.

"Corruption in the oil sector and the lack of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds to support the operations of the NNPC have resulted in persistent and unlawful hike in petrol prices.

"Holding the NNPC to account for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector would serve legitimate public interests.

"The increase is causing immense hardship to those less well-off. We are concerned that as the economic situation in Nigeria deteriorates, the increase in petrol price is pushing people further into poverty.

"We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest." 

SERAP noted that the “government has a legal obligation to mobilize the maximum of the country's available resources to ensure people's socio-economic rights and to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Nigerians".

"Your government also has the legal obligations to probe and prosecute allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPC, and to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims of corruption," it said.

"Investigating and prosecuting allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution, and the country's international anti-corruption obligations."

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited recently increased the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets.

SERAP said, "The price of the product increased to N855 per litre, from about N600, and in some instances above N900 per litre. The apparently unlawful increase in petrol price followed a scarcity caused by the reported refusal by suppliers to import petroleum products for the NNPCL over a $6 billion debt.

"The NNPC reportedly failed to remit USD$2.04 billion and N164 billion of oil revenues into the public treasury, as documented in the recently published 2020 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation."

President Bola Tinubu is on the verge of a significant cabinet reshuffle this week, a move aimed at revitalizing his administration with new perspectives and energies.

A high-ranking source close to the presidency disclosed to the Sunday Tribune that this decision is intended to address the stagnant performance issues that have marred the current cabinet’s tenure.

The president, fresh from his trip to China, is reportedly planning to finalize the dissolution before he departs for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

This timing suggests a strategic clearing of the deck, enabling him to engage on the international stage unencumbered by domestic political uncertainties.

Criticism of several ministers’ performances has not gone unnoticed by the presidency.

“President Tinubu is not satisfied with the performances of a number of his ministers and is determined to show them the exit door,” the source revealed, indicating that a new list of candidates is already prepared to take over the soon-to-be-vacant posts.

Speculations about whether the recent resignation of the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, was linked to the impending cabinet overhaul were dismissed by insiders.

The source clarified that Ngelale’s departure was unrelated to the broader administrative changes.

Intriguingly, the reshuffle may see the return of familiar faces, as a former minister from the Buhari administration is rumored to be among those considered for a ministerial role.

Petroleum filling station workers in Nigeria have expressed frustration over their stagnant and inadequate salaries, which have remained unchanged despite multiple increases in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

Ibrahim Zango, spokesperson for PSW disclosed this in a recent press conference in Kaduna State.

He noted that Petroleum Station Workers earn between N10,000 and N20,000 per month.

According to him, Petroleum Station Workers are treated like slaves despite their significant role in the Nation’s economy.

He called for recognition and organization under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.

“Despite our vital role in the economy, we are treated like slaves. Our salaries are meager, and we face dangers such as toxic environments and fire hazards without adequate healthcare,” he said.

Recall that on Tuesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Retail outlets increased its petrol pump price to N897 and N855 per liter from N617.

This comes after the pump price was increased in June last year to N545 from N238 per liter upon the fuel subsidy removal.