IPMAN Strike Triggers Fear Of Fresh Fuel Scarcity

Fresh fuel scarcity is looming in northern states of Nigeria including Abuja, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and neighbouring states as independent marketers, Yesterday, announced a three-day warning strike over non-payment of outstanding fuel transportation costs, otherwise referred to as bridging claims. The Chairman of IPMAN, Suleja Depot Branch of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Yahaya Alhassan said marketers had stopped the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the depot, as the union had prevented trucks from moving product to the northern states. According to Alhassan said marketers were withdrawing their services until the Federal Government settled their outstanding bridging claims of N50.5bn. “The Petroleum Equalisation Fund has not paid our money. We have N50.5bn (to be paid by PEF) and because of that we are withdrawing our services,” he said.

2023 Census: NPC To Recruit Three Million Nigerians

The National Population Commission (NPC) during a town hall meeting with stakeholders on the trial census for 2023 in Kafanchan has disclosed that it would recruit three (3) million ad-hoc staff for the 2023 population census. The Commission added that the recruitment website will be opened in September and interested persons should apply. 

FG Suspends Proposed 5% Tax On Telecoms

The Federal Government yesterday suspended the proposed excise duty on telecommunication services. The suspension was made public by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Monday during the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Committee on Excise Duty for the Digital Economy Sector in Abuja. According to Pantami, the telecommunications sector is already overburdened by excessive and multiple taxation. The committee includes: Pantami Chairman, the Minister of Finance and National Planning, the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Representatives of all the telecom companies in Nigeria are members.

FNBC President: Macron Reappoints Abdulsamad Rabiu

President Emmanuel Macron of France has reappointed the Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu as the President of the France-Nigeria Business Council (FNBC) during the council’s July 2022 Meeting held in Paris, France. Speaking during the event, Abdulsamad stated that it was his personal honor to be a member of FNBC, serve as the Council’s pioneer president, and now be reappointed as president.

Trapped Funds: CBN Releases $265m To Foreign Airlines

In a bid to check the current crisis in the country’s aviation sector, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  on Friday released $265 million to foreign airlines operating in Nigeria, in order to settle outstanding ticket sales. A breakdown of the funds shows that $230 million was released as special foreign exchange intervention while the sum of $35 million was released through Retail SMIS (Secondary Market Intervention Sales) auction.

Manufacturers Threaten To Down Tools Over Increasing Cost OF Diesel

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has warned that a shutdown of manufacturing activities is imminent if nothing is done to address the soaring cost of energy bedeviling the sector. According to a statement by the Director-General of the association, Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, over the years, the manufacturing sector has been battered by numerous challenges which have reduced the number of industries in Nigeria and converted industrial hubs in many parts of the country to warehouses of imported goods and event centers.

New 'Langya' Virus Found In China Infects Dozens

A new animal virus that can infect people has been identified in eastern China. But scientists say they are not overly concerned because the virus doesn't seem to spread easily between people, nor is it fatal. The newly discovered virus identified as Langya henipavirus or LayV can cause respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, and fatigue, and is closely related to Nipah and Hendra viruses, but cannot spread easily in people. These also cause respiratory infections and can be fatal. Researchers think LayV is carried by shrews, which might have infected people directly or through an intermediate animal. The pathogen did not cause any reported deaths, but was detected in 35 unrelated fever patients in hospitals in Shandong and Henan provinces between 2018 and 2021, the scientists said,

FCCPC: Consumers Can Seek Redress, Refund On Unsafe Goods

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) advised Nigerian consumers to seek redress from supermarkets and service providers for the purchase of unsafe, defective goods. This was disclosed in an interview by the Commission’s, Executive Vice Chairman, Babatunde Irureka.

President Buhari Officially Unveils NNPC Limited

President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled the new identity and logo of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, now a limited liability company. The motto of the new logo reads, ”NNPC: Energy for today, Energy for tomorrow”.

FEC Approves Reforms To Boost Revenue From Oil, Non-Oil Sectors

The Federal Government through the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved reforms to annually generate N3.8tn and N160bn from non-oil and oil sectors respectively. This was disclosed to State House Correspondents on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande after the Council's meeting which was presided over by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.