The 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that Nigerians are essentially funding corruption and inefficiencies within the Federal Government.

Atiku made this assertion in a statement released on Tuesday to commemorate this year’s International Workers Day.

On May 1, International Workers’ Day is celebrated worldwide, with many nations acknowledging workers’ achievements and advocating for fair compensation and better working conditions through demonstrations and marches.

The theme for this year’s Workers’ Day is “Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate.”

The former Vice President, who characterised the dire situation of Nigerian workers as a harsh reality, asserted that no administration has disregarded workers’ rights to the extent of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He stated “Despite prolonged pledges and flowery words by the government, the much talked-about prospects of wage increment for the Nigerian worker remains a mirage. Every dawn unveils renewed hardships and harsh living conditions.

“After the contraction and contradictions by the government about whether the subsidy regime has gone or it is still being implemented, the country is today facing the angst of frustration by Nigerians who waste precious man-hours in queues at petrol stations across the country.”

He added that although the petrol subsidy has supposedly been removed, its effects persist, exposing the incompetence of the present federal government.

Atiku said “In an unprecedented manner and condescending of both the Nigerian worker and the general public, this current federal government announced a unilateral removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit without consultations with representatives of the Nigerian worker.

“The continued increase in tariffs in different service offerings without addressing the corruption and inefficiencies in the system only amounts to long-suffering Nigerians subsidising the corruption and inefficiencies in the system.

“Since the days of legendary, Pa. Michael Imoudu, to later day firebrands such as Pascal Bafyau and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Nigerian worker has been at the forefront of the fight against tyranny and bad governance.

“No administration in our history has trampled workers’ rights like this one. Daily, workers face uncertainty over skyrocketing prices of essential goods.”

Atiku stated that the handling of the nation’s microeconomic situation resembles a cumbersome laboratory experiment, leaving the Nigerian worker in a vulnerable position.

“The Nigerian worker has had it so rough under this current administration and it is unfortunate that while the living conditions of the Nigerian worker remain at a miserably low ebb, the Nigerian government continues to regale its international audiences with tales of how the masses are being weaned of their wasteful dependence on government.

“It is thus beginning to appear, that as far as the current federal government is concerned, the management of our country’s micro-economic outlook is an unwieldy laboratory experiment, to which the Nigerian worker is laid prostrate.

“While I cannot but share my sympathy with the Nigerian worker for the way the current government has ridiculed her for far too long, I must equally express my felicitations with the Nigerian worker on this year’s Workers Day”, he concluded.

[Punch]

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says it will take decisions that will cripple the supply of petrol due to the non-payment of over N200 billion bridging claims.

The development comes amid a scarcity of petrol, which has led to an increase in transport costs.

Bridging claims entails the cost of transporting fuel from depots to approved zones to ensure a uniform pump price across the country.

In a communique released after a press conference on Tuesday, Oliver Okolo, the association’s unit chairman and spokesperson, Aba Depot, said the debt is being owed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA).

Okolo said NMDPRA failed to pay the N200 billion debt, accruing since September 2022 — despite a directive for payment from Heineken Lokpobiri, the minister of petroleum resources (oil).

“We are poised to take far-reaching decisions that may cripple the supply and sales of petroleum products across Nigeria, if our demands are not met within the shortest period,” he said.

He said the NMDPRA’s delay in offsetting the debt has led to the “deaths of many of our members and the unfortunate collapse of their businesses”.

“As businessmen and women, our members acquired bank loans to keep their fuel retail outlets running daily across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, to serve the teeming population of Nigerians,” he said.

“However, it is demoralising to know that many of our members have gone bankrupt and have become financially insolvent as a result of their inability to meet their financial obligations to their banks, arising wholly from their inability to get their monies from the NMDPRA.

“Consequently, also, the banks have taken over the business premises of many of our members.

“As indigenous organisations, and Depot Chairmen, we are unhappy that rather than receive support from the government to boost our businesses, we are being discouraged, by the head of NMDPRA.

“It is noteworthy to recall and state here that at a stakeholders meeting held on the 20th of February, 2024 with Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), and the NSA Nuhu Ribadu, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Authority of NMDPRA, was mandated by Mr. Heinehken Lokpobiri to clear the entire debt in 40 days.”

However, after the 40-day deadline, Okolo said a paltry sum of N13 billion has been paid.

The NMDPRA and IPMAN have a history of disputes over bridging claims, with the latter often threatening to withdraw services.

[TheCable]

The House of Representatives on Tuesday directed the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to halt the rollout of the new electricity tariff.

The decision was reached after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, spearheaded by Nkemkanma Kama, a lawmaker from the Labour Party (LP) representing Ebonyi state.

Recall that on April 3, NERC approved an increase in electricity tariffs for customers belonging to Band A, which led to legislative action.

Customers in this category, who receive 20 hours of electricity per day, were supposed to start paying N225 per kilowatt (kW), a significant increase from the previous tariff of N66.

Meanwhile, yesterday, during a hearing at the Senate Committee on Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, defended the tariff hike by stating that the Federal Government could no longer afford to provide subsidies on power.

He said for the sector to be revived, the government needs to spend about $10 billion annually in the next 10 years.

“This is because of the infrastructure requirement for the stability of the sector, but the government cannot afford that,” the minister had said.

Adelabu has stated that the electricity sector is attracting more investors due to the increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers.

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, has slammed President Bola Tinubu’s administration for going on with the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project in defiance of public outcry.

He expressed displeasure that the government is embarking on a project threatening jobs at a time of rampant unemployment.

According to him, it’s not too late to discontinue the Lagos-Calabar highway project, adding that urgent necessities are nationwide security, poverty eradication, healthcare, and education, especially for the poor and underprivileged.

Obi described the reported demolition of businesses and residences in the designated right of way for the project as insensitive and heart-wrenching.

He lamented that livelihoods are being wiped away, lifetime investments wasted, and jobs disappearing as a result of the demolition.

In a post on his X handle on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor said that the hasty flag-off of the project defies the widespread outcry by the public, especially business and property owners directly affected by the project.

He said: “Contrary to reason and the necessity for compassion in public policy, the federal government has commenced the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

“The outcry against this project has been overwhelming due to the current situation in the country. However, reports as of yesterday indicate that demolition of businesses and residences in the designated right of way for the project has commenced from the Lagos end.

“The sight of this insensitive demolition is heart-wrenching. Livelihoods are being wiped away, lifetime investments are being wasted, and jobs are disappearing as bulldozers roar through. The homes of the elderly are being overturned by the power of bulldozers.

“This hasty flag-off defies the widespread outcry by the public, especially business and property owners directly affected by the project. Nobody knows the outcry that will accompany this project as it progresses towards poor rural landscapes.

“Thousands of jobs are about to be lost, with investments above $200 million at risk. Over 100,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector face imminent extinction, along with 80 small businesses and their 4000 mostly youth employees.

“At a time of rampant unemployment, the government is embarking on a job-losing project. The economic losses currently observed are primarily limited to the initial kilometers in the Lagos area.

“However, the 700 km stretch of this road will pass through rural regions where affected individuals lack the voice, power, or influence to assert their rights. Significant sections of the public have questioned the process preceding the project’s approval, yet the government remains deaf to reason and caution.

“While acknowledging the economic value of the road, its conception dating back to Tafewa Balewa’s time, several parameters have changed. Insecurity and poverty are rampant, placing this project lower on today’s national priorities.

“It’s time to question the rationale and timing of this and similar projects. The nation is in its worst economic state in history, with poverty and hunger spreading. The basic necessities of life are beyond reach for most Nigerians.

“This is a moment when a committed government cannot embark on non-essential projects. Existing highways urgently need maintenance, and insecurity makes travel unsafe.

“Just a few days ago, many lives were lost, and over 70 vehicles were burned in a fuel tanker explosion that occurred on the East-West road in Rivers State. This tragic accident was primarily caused by the extremely poor condition of the road, which has been neglected for years and urgently needs attention. Our economy is struggling, and our health institutions are ill-equipped. Why embark on an expensive new highway project when there are close to 50 abandoned federal highway projects across the country?

“The urgent necessities are nationwide security, poverty eradication, healthcare, and education, especially for the poor and underprivileged. It’s not too late to discontinue the Lagos-Calabar highway project.

“We cannot afford another expensive abandoned project. Nigeria’s urgent development needs are more real and essential. We do not need landscape decoration escapades.”