News
Lagos Task Force Arrests Six for Illegal Roadside Fuel Sales Amid Scarcity
The Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences has apprehended six individuals, including two women, for their involvement in the unlawful sale of petroleum products by the roadside.
The task force’s spokesperson, Mr. Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed the arrests on Tuesday in a statement.
According to Abdulraheem, the task force carried out a coordinated operation targeting illegal fuel sales at several locations, including Fadeyi, Maryland, Charity Bus Stop, and Airport Road.
During the operation, the six suspects were caught engaging in the illicit activity of hawking petrol to motorists at inflated prices.
This opportunistic act further strained an already challenging situation for Lagos residents, who are grappling with ongoing fuel scarcity.
Leading the operation was the task force chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, who emphasized that the current fuel shortage should not be seen as an excuse for unscrupulous individuals to exploit the public.
The hawkers, who purchase large quantities of fuel in containers such as gallons and kegs, resell the petrol on the streets, a practice that not only worsens the hardship of motorists but also poses significant dangers due to the highly flammable nature of the product.
Abdulraheem highlighted the substantial risks posed by these activities, noting that the improper handling and storage of fuel could easily result in a devastating fire.
He stated, “The actions of these black market operators are not only exploitative but also endanger public safety.
The task force is fully committed to cracking down on such illegal practices to ensure the safety of Lagosians.”
He also issued a stern warning to those who collaborate with petrol stations to engage in these illegal sales.
Abdulraheem made it clear that individuals involved in such schemes would face legal consequences, urging them to cease their activities immediately.
The Lagos State Task Force remains resolute in its efforts to address this issue, pledging continued action to eliminate the black market for petroleum products in the state.
The spokesperson reiterated that public safety is a top priority and that the agency will not relent until these illegal sales are fully eradicated.
News
“You Can Still Have Subsidy Without Long Queues” — Rufai Oseni Speaks On Subsidy
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
News
Sanwo-Olu Speaks on Lagos’ Power Challenges and the Need for Change
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
News
Sanwo-Olu Declares August 20 Public Holiday in Lagos for Isese Festival
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
