News
Senate Postpones Public Hearing on Petroleum Crisis for Wider Consultation
The Senate has announced the postponement of its public hearing regarding the alleged sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis within the sector.
The hearing was initially scheduled to take place from September 10 to 12, 2024, and was expected to feature discussions with key stakeholders from the nation’s oil and gas industry.
In a statement released on Sunday, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee responsible for investigating the crisis, confirmed the postponement.
He explained that the delay was necessary to allow for broader consultations with additional stakeholders both within and outside the petroleum sector.
The Senate also cited legislative considerations, emphasizing the need for a more thorough and comprehensive approach to the investigation.
“While we understand and deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause to all involved parties, both collectively and individually, this decision has been made strictly in the national interest,” Bamidele said in the statement.
He reassured the public that the postponement was intended to enhance due diligence and ensure that the inquiry is conducted in a more effective and transparent manner.
Originally, the Senate had summoned various critical players in the petroleum sector to participate in the hearing, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), representatives from Dangote Refinery, and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).
The investigation comes at a time when tensions are high over the recent increase in petrol pump prices by the NNPCL.
The price hike has sparked widespread criticism from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the general public, all of whom have been calling for an immediate reversal of the price adjustments.
The delay in the public hearing has only added to the anticipation, as many Nigerians await the Senate’s next steps in tackling the petroleum sector’s challenges.
As the Senate continues its consultations and prepares for the rescheduled hearing, all eyes remain on how it will address the complex issues facing the oil and gas industry, including the allegations of sabotage and the impact of rising fuel prices on the nation’s economy.
News
‘He Was a Giant’ — President Tinubu Mourns Veteran Actor Olu Jacobs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to late Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs, recalling his contributions to the creative industry and his impact on Nigeria’s cultural identity.
In his tribute, Tinubu described Jacobs as a giant of the Nigerian creative industry and said “He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry. His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts. His remarkable body of work will continue to speak to generations yet unborn.
“The nation recognises the enormous contributions of Nigeria’s creative practitioners to the country’s cultural identity, global image and economic development. Olu Jacobs played a big role in creating this identity.”
News
Deji Adeyanju Demands Action From Tinubu Over Counterfeit Products
Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency over the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs and consumer products in Nigeria.
Adeyanju also called for the removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, as well as the heads of other regulatory agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“Nigerians are being exposed to dangerous products daily, from fake and substandard medicines to unsafe consumer goods, with reports of drugs being sold wholesale in the open under the hot sun. No responsible government should expose its citizens to such risks and expect mortality rates not to rise.”
Adeyanju also called out NAFDAC over what he described as failures in regulating the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products in the country.
It can be noted that various counterfeit products continue to circulate in Nigerian markets, while NAFDAC has also reported seizures and destruction of counterfeit, expired and substandard products.
News
‘Two Hours on the Road’ — Lagosians Groan Over Kara Bridge Traffic
Lagosians have lamented heavy traffic caused by ongoing construction work at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Federal Government announced that repairs on the damaged expansion joints at Kara Bridge would begin on September 8, 2026. The project, initially scheduled to begin in August, was delayed to allow further traffic management planning due to concerns over its impact on motorists.
Since work began, traffic around the Kara area has become heavy, with Lagosians sharing updates on social media about spending two hours or more on the road.
Some commuters say the delays have made their 9-to-5 routines difficult, with several hours spent travelling to and from work.
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