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Tariff Hike: Falana Backs Picketing Of NERC, DISCO Offices
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, on Sunday threw his weight behind the planned picketing of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission headquarters and offices of the Electricity Distribution Companies across the country on Monday over the hike in electricity tariff.
The Organised labour under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, had a few days ago issued NERC a May 12 deadline to reverse the hike in electricity tariff to N65/kwh or risk having its commission and DISCO offices nationwide picketed.
To show they meant business, the unionists directed its state branches and affiliates in a warning letter jointly signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, to mobilise their members in readiness for the picketing if the Federal Government and NERC fail to heed their warning.
Reacting to the development, Falana argued that the proposed action is justified and is equally provided for in Nigeria’s Labour Act.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria endorsed the planned picketing when he was featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday.
According to him, NERC failed to follow due process and did not engage the stakeholders before taking such an unpopular decision.
He said, “There is provision for picketing under the Labour Act in Nigeria and that is what the Labour centres will begin tomorrow. They are going to picket the headquarters of NERC and offices of the DISCOs to register their protest against the illegal increase in electricity tariff.
“This is because the Nigeria Electricity Regulation Commission did not follow due process and didn’t conduct a public hearing as required by the Electricity Act 2023. I hope the NERC will engage and discuss with the Labour movement and see what can be done to reverse the hike.
“Again, the increase was anchored on the assumption that there will be regular electricity supply for at least 20 hours. But that has not been the case. If DISCO cannot meet the electricity supply, people have no right to pay the increased tariff.”
Continuing, the senior lawyer raised a concern that it would be unfair and insensitive of any government to supply darkness and expect its citizens to pay for electricity tariffs.
He also frowned at the development, saying it is becoming obvious that privatisation has failed ‘woefully’ in Nigeria.
“By virtue of Section 116 of the Electricity Act 2023, you can only justify a hike in tariff if you supply the electricity. There must be evidence that there is an improvement in electricity supply. But if Nigerians have to power their offices or business premises with generators in the face of epileptic electricity supply, it is difficult to justify.
“Again when they talk about unbundling, to the best of my knowledge, the majority of the DISCOs have been acquired by the government because of their toxic loans. As of the time, the DISCOs were distributed and sold in 2013. That sector has become self-sufficient. The government was no longer subsidizing the sector.
“So we must find out what happened between then and now. If the government is thinking of unbundling again, it must sit down with the workers and engage in consultation in the country. This is because privatisation has failed woefully in Nigeria. I think the Senate has once called on the government to take back all the DISCOs and take firm control.
“We cannot increase tariffs when the majority of our people are supplied with darkness. I am not even talking of those in Band B, C and D. We are only talking of Band A for now and there is no basis for such discrimination.”
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Petrol Crisis: Tell Nigerians Your Price – Marketers Tell Dangote Refinery
Nigeria’s petroleum marketers have asked Dangote Refinery to unveil the price of its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) to Nigerians.
The President of the Products Retail Outlets Owners Association, Billy Gillis-Harry and the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN Abubakar Maigandi disclosed this to DAILY POST in separate interviews on Thursday.
The petroleum marketers were reacting to a statement by the Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin that local marketers were boycotting Dangote Refinery petrol for imported ones despite its lower prices.
However, Gillis-Harry explained that marketers have yet to know the price of Dangote Refinery’s petrol which they claim has lower prices than imported ones.
According to him, petroleum marketers in Nigeria are willing to patronize Dangote Refinery Petrol based on a fair price.
“Why don’t Dangote Refinery give us a price list of what his price is? They cannot tell the price of Dangote Refinery’s PMS which they claim is cheaper than imported petrol. What is the price of DRL petrol?
“How come they are saying marketers are boycotting their petrol? We don’t know how much Dangote is selling its petrol.
“We are willing to partner with him but we partner on the basis that we would be able to sell with a human face”, he said.
On his part, Madigan said that local marketers can’t boycott Dangote Refinery’s petrol as claimed by Edwin.
He stressed that oil marketers were yet to know the price of Dangote Refinery’s petrol.
According to him, petroleum marketers are ready to patronize Dangote Refinery petrol provided the price is not more than the price they are currently buying
“We don’t know the price of Dangote Refinery’s Petrol. We are ready to buy Petrol from Dangote Refinery in any condition provided the price is not more than the price we are getting from other places”, he said.
He added that marketers buy Petrol at various prices depending on location.
Recall that the president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, while announcing the rollout of his petrol in the first week of September said that the price will be determined by the Federal Executive Council headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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Polaris Bank Inducted Premium Member of Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce
Polaris Bank has been inducted a premium member of the prestigious Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), marking another milestone in the Bank’s journey towards enhancing profitable trade between businesses in Nigeria and promoting global commercial partnerships with businesses in United Kingdom.
The induction ceremony which took place recently in Lagos with few other enterprises has swelled current membership of the Chamber representing a broad sectoral spectrum of top players operating in the banking; consulting; education, energy, pharmaceuticals, oil & Gas, Trading, health, manufacturing companies, among many others.
The Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal speaking at the induction expressed gratitude to the Chamber for the recognition and highlighted Polaris Bank’s commitment to “leveraging this platform to drive sustainable economic development and deeper engagement with stakeholders.”
“Distinguished guests, members of the Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce, and esteemed colleagues, it is truly an honour to accept this induction, on behalf of Polaris Bank. Being part of this esteemed Chamber is a significant milestone for us, as it aligns with our vision to build stronger partnerships and contribute meaningfully to the growth of trade and investment between businesses in Nigeria and the UK.”
He further added that Polaris Bank is committed to using its membership of the NBCC to exchange innovative ideas and provide long-term and mutually beneficial relationships that promote growth of businesses in Nigeria and beyond.
“We are available for business and ready to work with stakeholders to ensure impactful and a win-win collaboration,” Mr. Lawal reiterated.
The Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce continues to play a critical role in promoting trade relations and investment between Nigeria and the UK, and Polaris Bank’s induction reflects the Bank’s strategic focus on contributing to these bilateral efforts.
Polaris Bank was adjudged Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year in 2023, 2022 and 2021 and MSME Bank of the Year 2022 and 2023 in Business Day’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI)
Awards.
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Seven Day Curfew Declared Over Monarch Owa Obokun’s Death
A seven-day curfew has been imposed in six local government areas of Osun State following the death of Oba Adekunle Gabriel Aromolaran, the Owa Obokun of Ijesa land.
The 87-year-old monarch passed away on Wednesday evening after a brief illness, ending his 42-year reign.
The affected local government areas, which constitute Ijesa land are Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Ori-Ade, and Obokun.
The Ogboni of Ipole-Ijesa, Oba Oyebade Samson Kehinde Oyeleye, speaking on behalf of the Owa-in-Council and kingmakers, announced that the curfew will run from 10 pm to 6 am daily, effective Thursday
Additionally, all markets in the affected areas will be closed for three days.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, through his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, expressed his condolences over the monarch’s death.
He described the late Oba as “a father figure, a pillar of support, and a teacher” committed to the development of Ijesa land and Osun State.
Adeleke added, “Kabiyesi was a deeply selfless father, who took no prisoners when it came to matters of development and wellbeing of the people. He was a friend of good governance, no matter the colour or race.
“The last time I was with him was the flag off of the dualisation of Brewery – Palace road. I am glad our late erudite scholar witnessed a new phase of development for Ijeshaland.”
Former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, praised the late monarch’s contributions to the state and nation.
“Kabiesi was known for brilliance, bravery and bluntness as these virtues, exhibited throughout his reign, culminated to many successes recorded not only in Ijesaland but in the state and the country as a whole.
“No doubt, the departed Aromolaran was an epitome of culture, character, integrity and dignity. Being the symbol of Ijesas, he spent all his entire life to serve God and humanity. His over 42 years reign indeed witnessed a myriad of developments cutting across different aspects of life,” said Oyetola.
Prince Dotun Babayemi, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun West Senatorial District, described the monarch’s passing as a big loss.
“Late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran was a highly principled traditional ruler whose body of knowledge and reign, will never be forgotten in our history.
“He occupied his space robustly and contributed immensely to the growth and development of our dear state, Osun and beyond,” stated Babayemi.
Governor Ademola AdelekeOba Adekunle Gabriel Aromolaran IIOba Oyebade Samson Kehinde Oyeleye
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