Lagos Govt Announces 8-Week Traffic Diversion on Eko Bridge for Repairs

The Lagos State Government has announced an eight-week traffic diversion on the Eko Bridge to accommodate emergency repairs by the Federal Ministry of Works. The diversion will commence on Monday, September 16, 2024, and will involve phased closures of the bridge, either partial or full, depending on the repair schedule.

The announcement was made by Lagos Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, who also provided alternative routes to reduce congestion. Motorists traveling to and from the island are advised to use alternative routes via Funsho Williams Avenue, Costain, Apongbon, and Third Mainland Bridge, among others.

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officers will be stationed along these routes to manage traffic flow and minimize delays during the repair period.

PDP Suspends Senator Dino Melaye Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Senator Dino Melaye following accusations of engaging in anti-party activities. According to a letter obtained by Punch on Friday, the suspension was executed by the Ayetoro/Iluagba Ward 1 executive committee after reviewing findings from a disciplinary investigation into Melaye’s conduct.

The decision comes as Melaye’s recent actions were seen as damaging to the party’s interests and unity. This isn’t an isolated case; the PDP has previously taken similar disciplinary steps. In August 2024, Osun State chieftain Peter Babalola faced suspension for anti-party behavior and failing to attend meetings for two years. Former Benue Governor Samuel Ortom also faced suspension over similar allegations.

Further reinforcing the party’s stance, Senator Gabriel Suswam and others were recently summoned by the Benue PDP on charges of gross misconduct and anti-party activities.

Melaye’s suspension reflects the PDP’s resolve to uphold discipline within its ranks, with the party citing Article 59 (1) of the PDP constitution, which grants ward executives the authority to sanction members for misconduct.

Tyrese Haspil Sentenced to 40 Years for Murder of Gokada Founder, Fahim Saleh

Tyrese Haspil, a 25-year-old former assistant, has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the murder of Fahim Saleh, the 33-year-old founder and CEO of Nigerian transportation company Gokada. The sentencing took place two months after Haspil was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury.

Saleh was murdered in his Lower Manhattan apartment in July 2020 after discovering that Haspil had embezzled nearly $400,000 from him. Haspil, who had been Saleh’s executive assistant since 2018, killed him to prevent being exposed. Despite Saleh’s kindness in offering Haspil a second chance after discovering the theft, Haspil resorted to murder.

Surveillance footage captured Haspil attacking Saleh with a taser before stabbing him in the neck and torso. The following day, Haspil returned to dismember and decapitate Saleh’s body, placing the remains in pre-ordered construction bags. Saleh’s body was discovered by his cousin, who alerted the police.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. expressed hope that the sentencing would offer Saleh’s family some closure, describing the Gokada founder as a kind and generous person who made a positive impact on the world.

Gokada, which was founded in 2017, is a ride-hailing service in Nigeria that later expanded into logistics and food delivery.

CBN Directs PoS Operators to Use Licensed Aggregators within One Month

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a directive mandating all Point of Sale (PoS) operators to route their transactions through licensed Payment Terminal Service Aggregators (PTSAs) within the next month. This move aims to enhance the tracking and management of electronic transactions in Nigeria.

According to a circular posted on the CBN’s website, the new regulation is designed to improve transaction oversight and address previous concerns about consolidating all PoS transactions through a single aggregator. The CBN had granted a second PTSA licence to Unified Payment Services Limited on April 19, 2024, to diversify the aggregation process.

The circular stipulates:

  1. Transaction Routing: All PoS transactions must be routed through any of the CBN-licensed PTAs. This includes transactions from both physical and electronic PoS terminals at merchant and agent locations.
  2. Processor Integration: PTAs are required to forward PoS transactions to processors certified by the relevant Payment Scheme and licensed by the CBN.
  3. Flexibility for Acquirers: Licensed processors must integrate with both PTAs, allowing acquirers to choose their preferred service providers.
  4. Device Configuration: Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs) must ensure their devices and applications are compatible with any PTSA selected by acquirers.
  5. Reporting Requirements: PTSPs and PTSAs must submit monthly reports detailing the number of merchants and agents managed, as well as transaction volumes, to the CBN.

The CBN emphasized that PTSPs must regularize their operations with the PTSAs within 30 days. Failure to comply with this directive will result in appropriate sanctions.

This directive follows an earlier requirement by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for PoS operators to register with it before September 5. The CBN’s new regulations are expected to streamline electronic transactions and enhance the overall payment system infrastructure in Nigeria.

IPMAN Sets Condition for Purchasing Petrol from Dangote Refinery

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has signaled its willingness to buy Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from Dangote Refinery, provided the price is competitive compared to current rates.

IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi, stated that while his members are open to purchasing petrol from the Dangote facility, they are awaiting details on the pricing. He emphasized that the association will consider buying from Dangote Refinery if the price is lower than what is currently available from other sources.

Maigandi clarified, “After today’s meeting with our members, we are prepared to buy petrol from Dangote Refinery under the condition that the price is not higher than what we are paying elsewhere. Currently, NNPCL supplies us at an average of ₦875 per liter, which we sell at ₦930 or ₦940 depending on procurement. At the depot, the price is ₦990 per liter.”

He continued, “We haven’t received the price details from Dangote Refinery yet. We cannot boycott Dangote’s petrol if it proves to be cheaper. We don’t have any issues with Dangote Refinery.”

This statement follows allegations by Edwin Devakumar, Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, who accused local marketers of boycotting Dangote Refinery’s petrol despite offering it at lower prices. Devakumar highlighted that only 3% of local marketers showed interest in purchasing the refinery’s petrol during an X Space session organized by Nairametrics.

Dangote Refinery Forced to Export 95% of Petrol Due to Local Market Challenges

Dangote Refinery has revealed that it is compelled to export between 95% and 97% of its Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) due to insufficient demand from local marketers.

Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, shared this information during an X Space session organized by Nairametrics on Wednesday. He highlighted that the refinery only sells about 2% to 3% of its petrol to local traders who are willing to buy.

The refinery’s heavy reliance on exports comes as it faces a looming deadline for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to begin lifting fuel from the facility without a clear plan in place.

In related news, NNPC has requested dedicated office space for 6 to 10 of its staff at the Dangote Refinery. This request is part of an agreement where NNPC will supply crude oil, oversee production, and repurchase refined products in Naira. The arrangement involves purchasing crude from the government in Naira and selling the refined petrol in the same currency, rather than in dollars.

Edwin noted ongoing negotiations with the government regarding the pricing structure and exchange rates. Despite potential financial losses due to exchange rate fluctuations, Aliko Dangote has agreed to the proposal from the Federal Government, recognizing the urgent need for foreign exchange and expressing his willingness to absorb the cost for the country’s benefit.

Rivers Lawmakers Accuse Governor Fubara of Illegally Creating New Agency

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of unlawfully establishing the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency. The lawmakers assert that the creation of this new agency is not sanctioned by any existing law.

In a statement issued by the media aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, the Assembly expressed its concerns during its 41st sitting in Port Harcourt. They argued that there was no legal framework for the agency and that the governor had failed to inform the House about its formation.

The controversy emerged following a report presented by Gerald Oforji, Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce and Industry. The report described the inauguration of the agency’s board by Governor Fubara as “purported” and noted the absence of legal backing for such an agency.

The committee’s report acknowledged that a properly established agency could potentially enhance the business environment in the state but criticized the lack of legal foundation for its creation. According to the report, any law establishing such an agency would require confirmation of its board members by the House of Assembly.

Members of the Assembly, relying on the committee’s findings, condemned the governor’s actions. Speaker Amaewhule denounced the governor’s decision to appoint individuals to an unlegislated agency, deeming it a breach of proper governance practices.

In a decisive vote, the House strongly rejected the governor’s actions, declaring the establishment of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency illegal and questionable.

Met Police Officer Under Investigation for Advising Nigerian Women Against Reporting Domestic Disputes

A Metropolitan Police officer is under investigation after a video surfaced showing him advising Nigerian women not to involve the police in domestic disputes with their husbands, but rather to “manage it” themselves. The incident, which occurred in 2018 at the Divine Restoration International Church in Camberwell, UK, has sparked widespread outrage.

In the video, the officer, addressing a predominantly female audience, spoke in both Yoruba and English. While discussing issues like knife crime and parental influence, he controversially suggested that Nigerian women should avoid calling the police over domestic issues and instead handle them privately.

The video has been forwarded to the Metropolitan Police’s standards unit, prompting criticism from advocacy groups. Afruca, a children’s safeguarding charity focused on African communities, has formally complained, arguing that the officer’s remarks could discourage victims of domestic violence from seeking help.

Debbie Ariyo, Afruca’s Chief Executive, condemned the officer’s comments as minimizing the severity of domestic violence. She emphasized that domestic abuse encompasses more than physical harm and criticized the officer’s apparent disregard for the UK’s Domestic Violence Act of 2021, which prioritizes victim safety.

Ariyo also highlighted the broader issue of underreporting violence against Black women, noting that 43% of femicide victims in 2022 were Black despite their smaller population proportion. She expressed frustration at the lack of attention given to violence against women from African and Caribbean communities.

In response, Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh stated that the officer’s comments do not reflect the Metropolitan Police’s stance on domestic violence. He emphasized that the Met is committed to supporting victims and has established dedicated teams to address domestic abuse.

The investigation is ongoing, with a focus on ensuring that such harmful messages do not undermine efforts to combat domestic violence and support diverse communities.

NNPC Requests Permanent Office Space at Dangote Refinery as Part of Crude Oil Supply Agreement

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited has requested dedicated office space for 10 of its staff at the Dangote Refinery as part of a crude oil supply agreement.

During a discussion hosted by Nairametrics on the topic “Unlocking How Dangote Refinery Shapes Price,” the Vice President of Oil & Gas at Dangote Group, Devakumar V.G. Edwin, disclosed that the NNPC made the request because it will be responsible for supplying crude oil to the refinery, monitoring production, and repurchasing the refined products in Naira.

“NNPC has informed us that they intend to station a team of 6 to 10 people permanently at our refinery. They’ve asked us to provide office space for them since they will be supplying the crude, overseeing the production, and buying back the products in Naira,” Edwin revealed.

The arrangement involves the refinery purchasing crude oil from the government in Naira and selling refined products like Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the same currency, rather than in dollars.

Edwin further explained that negotiations are ongoing with the government concerning the pricing structure for crude oil and the exchange rate mechanism to be applied. While no final agreement has been reached, Edwin noted that several critical details are still under discussion.

Speaking on behalf of Dangote, Edwin shared that Aliko Dangote had agreed to the Federal Government’s proposal to sell NNPC’s products back in Naira, even though it may result in financial losses due to exchange rate fluctuations.

“Dangote said we are going to accept this because the country desperately needs foreign exchange, and the value of the Naira is deteriorating every day,” Edwin noted. He quoted Dangote as saying, “I understand that I am going to take a loss because, by the time we sell the product and convert it to dollars, the exchange rate may have worsened. I am willing to take this loss in the interest of the country.”

Despite the risks involved, Dangote expressed his readiness to take this financial hit for the benefit of the nation, acknowledging the dire economic situation and the need for decisive action.

Nenadi Usman Reveals How Labour Party Avoided Deregistration by INEC

Senator Nenadi Usman, Chairman of the Labour Party National Caretaker Committee (LP-NCC), has disclosed how the party narrowly avoided deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to Usman, the Labour Party faced the possibility of being de-registered, a move that was averted through the intervention of party leaders during a crucial September 4 Stakeholders meeting in Umuahia, Abia State.

Speaking to journalists after the inaugural meeting of the LP-NCC in Abuja, Usman explained that the party was at risk due to internal conflicts, which could have led INEC to remove the party from its official records. She credited the quick, decisive actions of the party’s leadership for preventing this outcome.

Usman emphasized her commitment to unity, noting, “On September 4, no faction of the party was defeated. We all won as one political family, escaping INEC’s threat to deregister us due to the lack of legally acceptable leadership.”

She also urged aggrieved members to reconcile and collaborate with her committee, whose mandate is to organize state congresses and a transparent national convention within the next three months, ensuring a united and stronger Labour Party.

Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, acting Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, echoed Usman’s call for unity, urging members to set aside their differences for the future of the party.