The Edo State Forestry Commission has condemned the recent killing of a hippopotamus in Anegbete community in Etsako Central local government area.

It was gathered that the Anegbette community celebrates hunters who kill wild species and celebrated the killing of the Hippopotamus by a local hunter.

But a statement by the Chairman of the Commission, Hon Valentine Asuen, said the animal killed is an endangered species and that rather than killing it, it could have become a tourism attraction to the community.

He urged members of the public to support the Commission in sustaining a safe environment and other natural endowments for the benefit of the state.

The statement reads “This amphibious animal is not only an endangered species, but also a potential source of tourism, education, and sustainable livelihood for the Anegbette Community, the State and Nation in general.

“The loss of such an endangered animal is not just the loss of a species; it is the loss of a rare opportunity. The Okumuzo riverside location could be developed into a tourist attraction, drawing visitors from far and wide to see these unique animals in their natural habitat, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.

“We urge members of the public to: Support Edo State Forestry Commission to protect and conserve aquatic wildlife for future generations.

“Report any hunting or killing of protected species to the Edo State Forestry Commission

“Work with the Edo State Forestry Commission to promote eco-tourism and sustainable development.

“We therefore call on members of the public to join hands with Edo State Forestry Commission to preserve nature for posterity and turn our natural heritage into a source of pride, income, and sustainable growth.”

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted rain and thunderstorms across the country from Sunday to Tuesday.

‎NiMet’s weather outlook released on Saturday in Abuja envisaged moderate rain over parts of Jigawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa states during the morning hours on Sunday.

‎The agency also forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, and Taraba states later in the day. ”There is a high possibility of flood occurring in parts of Kebbi, Gombe, and Bauchi states during the forecast period.

‎”For the central region, there are prospects of light intermittent rains over parts of Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory, and Niger State during the morning period.

‎”In the afternoon or evening hours, intermittent light rains are anticipated in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kwara, and Kogi states.

‎”There is a high possibility of flood occurring over parts of Niger, Plateau, Kogi, and Benue states during the forecast period,” it said.

‎The agency anticipated cloudy skies over the southern region during the morning period. According to NiMet, moderate rains ‎are expected in parts of Enugu, Anambra, Oyo, Osun, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Delta, Rivers, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Lagos states later in the day.

‎It predicted a high possibility of flood occurring in parts of Osun State during the forecast period. The agency predicted thunderstorms on Monday with moderate rains in parts of Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Yola, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna states during the forecast period.

‎”For the central region, there are prospects of light rains in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as Nasarawa, Benue, and Niger states during the morning period.

‎”In the afternoon or evening hours, intermittent light rains are anticipated in parts of Niger, Plateau, Kwara, and Benue states,” it said.

‎It also indicated that there would be cloudy skies over the southern region during the morning hours with light rains in parts of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa, and Lagos states later in the day.

‎NiMet anticipated morning thunderstorms on Tuesday with moderate rains in parts of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Jigawa, Kano, and Kaduna.

‎Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected in parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, and Adamawa states during the afternoon/evening hours. ”For the central region, cloudy skies are expected over the region during the morning period.

‎”In the afternoon/evening hours, moderate rains are anticipated in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, and Plateau states.

‎”For the southern region, ‎cloudy skies are expected over the region during the morning period. Later in the day, light rains are expected in parts of Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Cross River, and Lagos states,” it said.

‎It, therefore, urged the public not to drive in heavy rain.

‎NiMet advised states with the possibility of flash floods to activate emergency response plans, especially the ‎places highlighted in red. ‎

‎”To avoid leaching of nutrients, farmers should refrain from applying fertiliser and pesticides right before the rains. ‎

‘Ensure warm clothing for the vulnerable persons due to low night-time temperatures.

‎”Ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collision.

“Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets, and stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.

‎‎”Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has warned cronies and political associates not to bother calling him for slots in civil service job openings in the state, as they will be disappointed.

Eno gave the warning while speaking at the Monthly Prayer Service at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo, on Saturday.

He disclosed that the screening for the job would be computer-based to ensure a level playing field for every Akwa Ibom youth who applied, adding that out of the 15,000 who applied, only 3,000 would be offered engagement.

“I am told that about 15,000 Akwa Ibom youths applied for the civil service job. 3000 is what we want to engage. The truth is, it will be a computer-based test. As you finish, the result comes out for you to see whether you passed or not.

“So, don’t bother sending me texts for slots. It is not just possible. For once, we will do this one like that. If you don’t understand computers, you don’t have to bother.

“Let’s give the right people the opportunity to go and do this job. We will take time, engage them to sit on the computer, there will be a test, and as they finish and submit, they will receive an instant result.

“This is so that we can weed out twelve thousand, consider three thousand and begin the oral interview. Please don’t be angry with us; that is the approach we would adopt for this process,” he said.

The Governor urged prospective applicants interested in one job or the other to visit the portal, adding that many have secured different kinds of jobs without knowing anyone.

The governor, who recalled the 2-day intensive project inspection across the State, expressed delight at the pace of work and the large number of youths engaged at the different sites.

“We spent the last two days in a row for inspections, and I want to thank members of the Council, and all of the Delivery Advisors who went around with me physically inspecting the projects in this State. We have about 60 projects, not only roads, but we were able to inspect just 23 key ones.

“So what we have to know is that the State is steadily moving in the right direction, and there is no doubt about it. By the time we come around, maybe next year, to commission those projects, you will know that God is helping us.

“Everywhere I went, my joy was that I saw young people working, and they were happy. It shows that our people are engaged.

“Please help me beg our young people, let’s stop this sense of entitlement. There are projects spread around all the local government areas. We are engaging our young people and providing work for them. I saw young female engineers, and that thrilled me so much. Please go to the portal and apply, and you will be considered.”

“There are things that we must do right; we can’t afford to disappoint those who are expecting so much from us, and we must win this race in Jesus’ name,” he added.

He disclosed that the third phase of the food distribution for the vulnerable will begin on August 20, 2025, and that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs will post dates for the different local government areas.

He called on stakeholders to get involved in the coordination in their respective areas, and urged youths to desist from fomenting trouble during the process, as only vulnerable citizens with food vouchers are expected at the distribution centres.

Earlier in his message on the theme “Run the Race”, taken from Hebrews 12:1-2, Bishop Nkanang, who is the General Overseer of Word Tabernacle, admonished Christians on the need to exercise patience and run the race of life in the right way.

Some members of the rice farmers’ associations have blamed the continuous hike in the price of the product in Nigeria on the activities of unscrupulous farmers and middlemen in the sector.

The rice farmers’ leaders made this known in separate interviews with Our Correspondent in Lagos.

The vice-chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, said the consistent fluctuations in the price of rice could be linked to human manipulations in spite of the government’s efforts.

“As regards the high price of rice, I think we are taking one step forward and five steps backward.

“Some few months ago, the Federal Government came out with a waiver, giving some companies a small waiver to import rice into the country in order to crush the price. And while that was on, did they mobilise the local farmers? That is where the issue lies.

“Although few farmers were empowered by the Federal Government with a 75 per cent reduction on the cost of production, others were given fertilisers for free.

“Now, the question is this. Those local farmers who were empowered, did they really cultivate anything?

“The main issue is that the rice price hike can be linked to a cartel that wants to frustrate government’s effort,” Agbayewa said.

According to him, while the waiver was on, they actually imported rice into the country, and the price came down, but while they were importing, they were also warehousing.

“Now that the importation waiver is over, the cartel is creating artificial scarcity.

“Also, some of the farmers who cultivate local rice—it’s not that we do not produce enough, but some farmers only capitalise on the shortage in the system.

“And with the shortage, they are now repacking local rice in foreign bags for selfish reasons. They do this to sell at high cost because they know Nigerians have this high taste for foreign things.

“There is a high level of insincerity and dishonesty among our people. Some unscrupulous farmers, middlemen, and even retailers can be blamed for the current hike,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, Mr Raphael Hunsa, called on the government to relate with the real farmers for the price of rice to drop.

“The price of rice will continue to go up if the government fails to support local rice farmers.

“The price will go higher and higher because cultivation of local rice is quite different from importing rice.

“And what we can do to resolve the issue of consistent price hikes in rice is to support the rice farmers in the right way.

“Though government is trying, and we don’t dispute that, but they should let their interventions get to the right hands.

“They should invite local rice farmers to a roundtable for formulation of the right policies and programmes for the sector.

“So, we know our problem, they should ask us and we will tender our problem. It is now left for the government to resolve the problem through the normal channel. And with that, the price of rice will come down,” Hunsa said.

He also urged local rice farmers not to sell off the interventions provided by the government, but should utilise them for the growth of the sector.

“We will also use this opportunity to tell our farmers that any input being given to them should not be sold.

“They should not sell it out. They were given the input for continuity.

“The continuity is what government is after. So let government continue to try their possible best to help farmers and not relent,” the RIFAN boss said.

On his part, a rice dealer at Oja Oba Market in Agege area of the state, Mr Mustafa Aliu, said the price of rice rose few weeks back due to the expiration of the waiver on rice imports.

“The price of rice is currently between N70,000 and N80,000 for a 50 kg bag. We can only sell it the way we bought it.

“There is no foreign rice among my products. I sell only local rice, and it’s clean and healthy,” Aliu said.

Also, another trader, at Iddo area of the state, Mr Temitayo Hakeem, said, “With the high demand for foreign rice, we will continue to witness this rise in the price of rice.

“There are bags of rice that still sell as high as N145,000 or N150,000, depending on the choice of the consumer,” Hakeem said.

The reports said that a 50 kg bag of local rice currently sells between N65,000 and N80,000, depending on the species.

The same quantity sold for between N45,000 and N55,000 two months ago.

The Federal Government has unveiled a tax reform package aimed at simplifying compliance, reducing the burden on small businesses and low-income earners, and strengthening Nigeria’s revenue system.

At a sensitization forum held on yesterday at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, Mrs Chioma Nweze, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Southeast zone told participants that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to make taxation fairer and more beneficial to ordinary Nigerians.“Our women, especially market women, must understand why government collects tax, what government does with it, and how they should pay without exploitation. “The president has removed fuel subsidy, unified the exchange rate, and increased allocations to states. These reforms will ensure more projects are delivered to benefit citizens,” she said.She emphasized that sensitizing women was deliberate, recalling that historical revolts such as the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929 were caused by unfair taxation.“When women are informed, they carry the message to their families and communities. We don’t want exploitative practices to return; instead, women should be empowered to benefit from government initiatives,” she said.

Presenting his paper, Barrister Chukwumeka Eze, Chairman of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, Southeast Zone, explained that four new tax acts were signed into law on June 26, 2025, and now consolidated more than 20 scattered tax laws.

He noted that businesses with an annual turnover below N50 million are exempted from Companies Income Tax and Value Added Tax, while minimum wage earners will no longer pay personal income tax.“This is progressive taxation. The rich will now pay more within their means, while the poor will be protected. The days when wealthy individuals paid little tax are gone,” Eze stressed.

He added that the reforms also introduced a Tax Dispute Resolution Mechanism that allows citizens to lodge complaints free of charge, with resolutions provided within 7–14 days.

Also speaking, a tax professional and Chartered Accountant, Mr. Innocent Chinyere Ohagwa, said the reforms were necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal base, describing SMEs as the “lifeblood” of the economy.

“SMEs account for more than 90 percent of businesses and nearly 60% of jobs in Nigeria. By removing multiple taxation and unfair levies, government is giving them space to grow, create wealth, and support economic diversification,” he said.

Dr. Zino Ugboma, representing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), highlighted how tax revenues were being used to expand access to education.

He explained that undergraduates in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education can now access tuition and living-cost loans, repayable only after gaining employment, two years post-NYSC.

“This is a direct way of showing that taxation is not just about collection, but also about giving back to the people,” Ugboma said.

The forum, which drew officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), women leaders, professionals, and community stakeholders, ended with a call for stronger collaboration to ensure the success of the reforms.

Participants, including Mrs. Nnenna Otuonye, commended President Tinubu for pushing a fairer system and urged Southeast residents to embrace compliance for economic growth.

Governor Hope Uzodimma has congratulated Comrade Ezenwa Adiuku on his emergence as the Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the first Imo State indigene to be so elected in such position.

Adiuku was elected at a bye-election held Tuesday, August 12, 2025 in Kano by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NUJ to fill the vacant position for the South East (Zone C).

He was unanimously nominated, voted and returned unopposed to emerge the Vice President of the body in charge of the South East by the entire South East delegates who participated during the bye-election.

During the Triennial Delegates Conference held in Owerri last year, most of Adiuku’s colleagues who showed interest in the position were found not qualified, hence the position was pronounced vacant.

Adiuku was, before his election as Vice President, the Zonal Secretary of the NUJ for the South East.

A statement by OguwikeNwachuku, Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser Media to Governor Uzodimma said his principal feels greatly enamoured that Imo State media practitioners in Nigeria are contributing enormously to the growth and development of the nation, and by so doing, helping to sustain democratic governance in the country.

Governor Uzodimma said it was heartwarming to note that Adiuku’s  colleagues, both from the South East and at the national level, repose huge trust in his ability to lead them in the capacity he had been elected, and that he was prepared to leave behind a legacy of service that those coming after him will be glad to emulate and sustain.

While encouraging Adiuku to be magnanimous in victory, by carrying along all his colleagues in matters concerning their welfare, professional advancement and relationship with government and development partners, Governor Uzodimma assured him of the preparedness of his administration to work closely with him and his colleagues to serve Imo State in particular better, and at large, Nigeria and the society.

He said as the first Imo indigene to occupy the exalted position of Vice President of the NUJ, Adiuku cannot afford to disappoint the expectation of his colleagues, his family and the State, reminding him that he now carries the burden of being the Imo Ambassador in the office he occupies.

“Go and do Imo proud in the office you have been elected. Be exemplary in your thoughts, acts and actions, and posterity will be kind to you.”

By his election, Adiuku oversees activities of practicing journalists under the umbrella of the NUJ in the South East (Zone C) and serves as their eye at the national level of the body where the NEC and the Central Working Committee (CWC) members are regarded as the decision making organ of the NUJ.

Adiuku, an alumnus of the University of Calabar and International Institute of Journalism, also edits the Independent Voice Online Newspaper.

By Ben Duru

The Chairman of Oru West Local Government and also Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Imo State Chapter, Engr. Anthony IkennaAdikibe, has charged members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC that served in the area to debunk the false tale of insecurity in Oru West and Imo state.

Speaking at Mgbidi, the headquarters of the Council area, while honouring the best Corps member,AyomiposiOluwatobi with N100, 000, he reiterated that Governor Hope Uzodimma has reduced insecurity in the state to the barest minimum.

Adikibe, who is also the National Deputy President of ALGON  urged him, the outgoing and incoming Corps members to be good ambassadors of the state, adding that there is hardly any area today that normalcy has not returned, because of the spirited efforts of the governor.

He described the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, as a noble endeavour, where opportunity is given to individuals to visit places, other than their own to states the diversity of the nation and that it has really succeeded in that area.

According to the Council boss, such interaction with the people from other tribes and of different tongues is expected to build a strong and egalitarian society, where people see themselves as one, irrespective of their states of origin.

“You have served in Oru West and you have enjoyed the peace and hospitality of the people. You have seen that the narrative, that Imo State is not safe is a lie told by unscrupulous people, who hate the state and the progress that is being enjoyed by the people.”

“His Excellency, the Governor of Imo state, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, despite all the distractions, has done very well in containing the spate of insecurity in the nooks and crannies of Imo state and this is destabilizing the enemies of the state.”

“I want to use this opportunity to tell all the outgoing corps members in Oru West to be good ambassadors, and let those outside the state know that there is peace in Imo State, and that the narrative of those outside is false in its ramifications.”

The recipient of the Best Corper award, AyomiposiOluwatobi, who was elated, described his stay in the area as totally different from the stories he had heard before coming to the area, and for which he was skeptical if he would really complete his service.

He said the outgoing corps members will surely miss the peace and convivial atmosphere under which they carried out their primary assignments, saying that the attention paid to them by the Council Chairman totally disarmed them.

“You made us to relax and feel at home, even though, we were very far from home. There was no day that any of us was molested, harassed, intimidated or threatened. We totally enjoyed our stay and the memory will remain with us for a long time to come.

“You tackled all our problems whenever we bring them to you. You treated us as an integral members of your family, providing us with tap water, steady power supply, monthly allowance, as and at when due, among other necessities”, assuring the chairman that they will not fail to add their voice to the fact that Imo is safe.

Also speaking, the Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Victor Nwoke described the kind gesture of the chairman as unprecedented and urged the incoming members to do their best in order to receive the appreciation of the chairman

President Bola Tinubu yesterday directed a review of deductions and revenue retention practices by Nigeria’s major revenue-generating agencies.

The move is in a bid to boost public savings, improve spending efficiency, and unlock resources for growth.

The agencies include the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Tinubu gave the directive during the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

The President’s directive was disclosed to journalists by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

According to Edun, Tinubu specifically called for a reassessment of NNPC’s 30 per cent management fee and 30 per cent frontier exploration deduction under the Petroleum Industry Act.

He tasked the Economic Management Team, chaired by Edun, to present actionable recommendations to FEC on the optimal way forward.

The President said the directive was part of efforts to sustain reforms that have dismantled economic distortions, restored policy credibility, enhanced resilience, and bolstered investor confidence.

According to him, these reforms have created a transparent, competitive business environment attractive to local and foreign investors in critical sectors such as infrastructure, oil and gas, health, and manufacturing.

Reaffirming the Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu said Nigeria’s goal of a $1 trillion economy by 2030 requires growth of at least seven per cent annually from 2027 a target he described as “not just economic, but a moral imperative,” as higher growth is the surest path to tackling poverty.

He cited the July 2025 International Monetary Fund Article IV report, which he said endorsed Nigeria’s economic trajectory and the need for investment-led growth.

On grassroots empowerment, the President pointed to the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme a ward-based initiative covering all 8,809 wards across the country designed to lift economically active citizens through micro-level poverty reduction strategies in collaboration with states, local governments, and private partners.

Tinubu noted that public investment accounts for just five per cent of Gross Domestic Product due to low savings, stressing that optimising “every available naira” is vital, especially under current global liquidity constraints.

Edun said macroeconomic indicators were improving, with a more stable exchange rate, easing inflation, rising revenues, and debt-to-GDP ratios now within range.

He described savings as the foundation of investment and said the President’s directive aims to quickly raise public sector savings by reviewing deductions and retention practices.

Meanwhile, Edun said he presented two memoranda to Council — a $125m Islamic Development Bank financing for infrastructure in Abia State, covering 35 kilometres of roads in Umuahia and 126 kilometres in Aba; and a plan to refinance N4tn in outstanding electricity sector obligations.

The electricity debt resolution will be executed in phases, with the first phase expected within three to four weeks under the coordination of the Debt Management Office and other agencies.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has accused the Federal Government of undermining its moral authority to prosecute unruly air passengers following its decision to pardon Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, over alleged misconduct at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Inspector-General of Police’s office had opened an investigation into allegations that the musician poured the contents of a flask on a pilot, a security officer, and some passengers at the airport. However, before the probe could be concluded and charges filed, the Federal Government accepted KWAM 1’s apology and announced plans to appoint him as an ambassador for airport security protocol.

Falana criticised the move, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent.

“By this action, the Federal Government has lost its moral right to arrest and prosecute any passenger who commits an offence at any of the nation’s airports,” he said.

He cited the recent withdrawal of charges against Ms. Comfort Emmanson accused of unruly behaviour on an Ibom Air flight as evidence that the government’s selective handling of such cases risks accusations of discrimination.

“Since citizens have equal rights, obligations, and opportunities before the law, the government will henceforth be accused of discriminatory treatment whenever it prosecutes other passengers for similar conduct,” Falana added.

The Senior Advocate stressed that pardoning KWAM 1 without trial contradicts the principle of equal application of the law and erodes public confidence in the justice system.

The Federal Road Safety Corps has advised that women travelling with their husbands should be co-drivers instead of rubbing powder, looking at mirrors and adjusting headgears.

The Costain Unit Commander of FRSC in Lagos State, Chief Route Commander Victor Okelola, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen.

According to Okelola, women sitting in front, making observations, cautioning and advising their husbands while driving will minimise road accidents.

“It has been observed that most times, wives do not pay attention to the driving attitude of their husbands.

“They engage in making up and tying headgears in the car.

“Also, in this age of mobile phones, they tend to concentrate on their phones and not minding their surroundings,” he said.

Okelola urged wives to be observant and caution their husbands when speeding and exhibiting other forms of reckless driving.

He said that driving above 100km per hour was dangerous.

Okelola appealed to motorists to abide by road traffic rules and regulations to ensure road safety.

He also appealed to them to ensure that their vehicles would be in good condition before embarking on a trip.

The official said that overloading, excessive speeding and driving without licence remained traffic offences,  among others.

He emphasised that 18 years is the minimum age requirement for driving and noted that 26 years is the minimum age requirement for driving for commercial purposes.

He added that the maximum age was 65 years.

Ahead of the commencement of the direct distribution of petroleum products to retail outlets from Dangote Refinery on August 15, members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have begun registration for the transactions.

It would be recalled that the refinery had on June 15, 2025, announced it would deploy 4,000 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers for nationwide distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol and diesel directly to marketers, petrol dealers, manufacturers, telecom firms, aviation companies, and other large consumers, bypassing traditional depots and intermediaries.

Although some other associations as the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) had cried out over the plan that is targeted at phasing out middlemen like them from the value chain, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) described it as a welcome development.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday, its National President, AlhajiAbubakarMaigandi, said the plan will boost the energy security drive of the country.

He recalled the ordeal the country went through while the petrol was always scarce.

Maigandi said members of his association are enthusiastically awaiting the supply of the direct products from the refinery.According to him, the marketers have started cleaning their retail outlets of the products.Asked how far the association has gone with Dangote Refinery on the direct supply, the National President said,

“We are praying for him, let him start. We have already started cleaning our filling stations, waiting for his trucks to come and discharge. We have been holding meetings with him on how the system will go, and already we have authorised all our marketers to start registration. “Most of them have registered, just waiting for the program.

It is better. We had been crying; we were not getting products.”

He said the prices of products are not determined solely by the prices of crude oil, stressing that the exchange rate and other factors are also on the pricing template.

According to him, lower crude oil prices may not always be sufficient to reduce petrol prices.Maigandi, however, said the refinery has crashed the price to N820 per litre from N840 per litre at the gantry.He noted that marketers were already computing what the new pump price should be in order to recalibrate their pumps.

His words, “It is not only the cost of the crude oil that determines the price of PMS, even the dollar rate, exchange rate too determines the price. Tuesday,Dangote has reduced the price to N820 per litre at the gantry. We are calculating what the pump price should be. The price will be out today (Wednesday).