Metro

Bear with me, local refineries will begin production soon— Tinubu begs Nigerians again

Published

1 year ago

November 27, 2023

President Bola Tinubu has once again pleaded with Nigerians to bear with him in the face of the hardship they are going through as a result of the sudden removal of fuel subsidy in his inaugural speech on May 29, without adequate palliative measures put on ground.

President Tinubu who, on different occasions, has called on Nigerians to bear the pains his administration has inflicted on them saying they are only temporary, once again reiterated that the four refineries in the country would soon commence operations for the production of petroleum products which would bring succour to the people.

During his maiden speech, Tinubu had also vowed to do everything possible to see that one of the biggest local refineries located in Port Harcourt would recommence operations by December 2023; but with a month to the end of the year, anxiety is building as to whether it would be yet another failed promise.

However, during the 11th Convocation ceremony of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) on Saturday, Tinubu once again promised that not only would he do all it took to fix the refineries, but that they would soon resume optimum production which would ultimately bring down the high cost of petroleum products in the country.

“Very soon, some of our local refineries will start production, and the current exorbitant prices of fuel energy will be greatly reduced,” Tinubu said through his representative, the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Professor Garba Sharubutu.

Acknowledging the economic hardship in the country, Tinubu appealed for patience and continued support from Nigerians for his administration as efforts were made to address the challenges in the country.

“Bear with us and remain resolutely in support of this administration, as we would leave no stone unturned in reversing the severe hardships that our people are currently passing through.

“Part of the supplementary budget that the Parliament has approved will be applied to bring interventions to critical segments of the agricultural sector.

“The burden of insecurity is clearly a major challenge in Nigeria, but I assure you that in no distant time, it will become history,” he added.

The previous day, the Group Managing Director of state-owned oil firm, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, had also announced that the country would end the importation of refined petroleum products by December 2024, while briefing lawmakers on steps being taken by the corporation to achieve the deadline.

Kyari said that all the four refineries in the country located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna would be operational by then.

“I can confirm to you that by the end of December this year, we will start the Port Harcourt refinery; early in the first quarter of 2024, we will start the Warri refinery; and by the end of 2024, Kaduna refinery will come into operation.

“We will no longer be talking about fuel importation by the end of 2024. I am very optimistic that this will crystallize,” he had said.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.