Magazine
The Unending Fuel Crisis
Thus, uncertainty over the PIB, which is supposed to serve as the grundnorm of the country’s Petroleum industry and particularly the possible date for the commencement of deregulation is seen as one of the causes of the current fuel crisis.
As a guest on Viewpoint, a phone-in programme of a Port Harcourt based station, about a fortnight ago, Mr. Peter Esele, a former President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian (PENGASSAN) and current President of the Trade Union Congress, hinted that the on-going fuel crisis would abate as early as February. On the same programme, the Rivers State Commissioner for Energy, Dr. Dawari George, while admitting that the matter was one on the exclusive list, said the state government would soon call a stakeholders meeting on how to improve the fuel situation in the state.
Less than a week later, a small army of drivers and car owners with their vehicles queuing for fuel at a filling station near the Abali Motor Park, passed their hours at the filling station expressing doubts and pessimism about every word of hope that had been raised by Mr. Esele and other persons of authority that contributed to the programme. The impromptu “talk show” of the drivers and motorist ended in a sad but familiar scenario, the filling station declared shortly after noon that they were stopping sales because they had finished the available stock. Curses and sighs that followed only reaffirmed their pessimism about the promise in Mr. Eseles’s interview in which the former PENGASSAN President analysed the fuel situation and suggested the way out of the quagmire that had stymied Nigeria’s Petroleum sector.
In a nutshell, he declared that it would be premature to deregulate the downstream sector now as the critical infrastructure for the policy to succeed was not yet in place. By Friday, last week some national newspapers were awash with reports that the Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman had conceded that the federal Government was not ready for full Deregulation. It remains to be seen whether the Minister may after wards publish clarifications and say he was quoted out of context. However, without wavering from the governments position that full deregulation of the downstream sector was the open sesame that would lead to a regime of fuel availability and better pricing of petroleum products, the measures for the policy to thrive were not in place.
“I would like to take a look at the issue of refineries, it is public knowledge that successive governments have granted refining licences to many companies , with the hope of increasing our domestic production of refined products. But to this day no single refinery has taken off. Our analysis has led us to the conclusion that the enabling environment for the establishment of refineries does not exists in the country today. We have identified what constitutes the enabling environment and these have been incorporated in the Petroleum industry Bill.
Mr. George Ugochukwu an oil industry staff, and one of the vehicle owners referred to earlier, had cited the developments around the petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) as one of the reason he had lost faith in Federal Government’s reassurances about the fuel supply situation improving. He said he had reverted to power inverter mitigate to the effect of perennial power shortages and uninspiring effort of government to meet its own target of generating and distributing 6,000 mega watts of electricity. He muttered curses to lament his inability to do same with his fuel need for petrol premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or Diesel.
PENGASSAN President, Babs Ogun has expressed the association reservations about the PIB and expatriate quota issues, but reservations of PENGASSAN could mean another debilitating fuel situation while some think that the PIB is still floudering in the National Assembly.
Thus, uncertainty over the PIB, which is supposed to serve as the grundnorm of the country’s Petroleum industry and particularly the possible date for the commencement of deregulation is seen as one of the causes of the current fuel crisis. Still, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN) maintained, during a recent inspection of a fuel depot in Lagos that he would not cite any date as the date for the commencement of de-regulation as it may lead to further hoarding of Petroleum products.
It seems afterall that government is beginning to come clean on the causes of fuel scarcity in the country, said Mr. Wakama, another vehicle owner. Wakama remarked that government had finally admitted that there was a gap in fuel supply. He averred that what the Rivers State government may achieve with its stakeholders conference may not be much more than reducing the number of fuel cans that manifest around filling stations that claim not to have fuel and other forms of hoarding. He wondered if the Ministry of Energy has the capacity to do the local policing that can check malpractices that undermine distribution of petroleum products in the state.
But the bigger picture is that while the NNPC can readily supply the statistics of Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption rate, it has so far failed to meet the needs. It is becoming common knowledge that the country’s daily fuel consumption approximates 32 million litres of PMS, 12 million litres of DPK (Kerosene) 18 million litres of Ago (Diesel) and 780 metric tonnes (1.4 million litres) of cooking gas; which increase the wonder that when the NNPC elected to take full charge of the supply of the products, it did not make contingences or gradually reduce the contribution of those fuel importers it granted licenses to import more than 50 percent of the nations needs.
One of the theories peddled as the crisis bloomed late last year was that it was just a ploy to give the credibility to the federal governments case for deregulation of the downstream sector.
Even with the admission that the fuel situation, had worsened because a of gap in supply. doubts and pessimism still linger and the bogus explanation many have decided to be content with is that it is a case of corruption. Government had in the past allowed the public to assume that its official explanation, petrol-tanker Drivers strike, damage to pipelines and with increasing appreciation of the fuel importation regime, lack of credit facilities was responsible sorry state of fuel supply ans consumption in the country. In fact, the NNPC was severally quoted as saying that it had enough stock to last weeks while its fuel cargoes were on the high seas heading to Nigeria. What has come to the fore is that if its cargoes were actually on the seas they were inadequate. And its volte face to get others import the product has not produced any cheering news as the marketers are said to be claiming that they have not been issued permits, while the NNPC subsidiary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPRA) was adamant that the marketers still had subsisting permits with they they could import fuel the allocation for the first quarter of this year.
Hence it is rather likely that shortages will continue beyond February. Even before this apprehension the TUC like other diffident Nigerians had put its backing for deregulation on-hold. TUC President said the labour body would be disposed to deregulation of milestones and mechanisms are in place to ensure that whatever is realised from the total removal of fuel subsidy or full deregulation is put to judicious use and not used to line private pockets or fund political campaign. He lamented that there was no account of the subsidies removed in the past and there was no infrastructure or integrity to justify the commencement of full deregulation.
In the view of the president of the Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) “increasing the pump prices or even the removal of subsidies will not make any difference in the service delivery of government as long as it is business as usual”. “Why can’t the government fund refineries he queried.
“we believe that the continued importation of refined petroleum product by the government is a matter of choice. Our refineries can be fixed and remain in production only if government summons courage and does the right thing,” he added.
To organised labour government has been unable to summon the will to tackle the fuel situation especially checking the cartel that is said to be benefitting from the continued under-capacity production of the nation’s refineries.
But in the short term, former Minister of Finance and President of the World bank, Dr. Okonjo Iweala said the Nigerian Petroleum Industry needs to be made less opaque and deregulate.
“We need to pursue policies that are very transparent” we need to ensure more supply in the economy so that we don’t have a monopoly situation she said”. But indeed, what the industry actually needs, which is less emphasised, is transparency!
Noble Ikpamii
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has assured navigational safety for all stakeholders operating legally in the Warri Pilotage District, despite the urgent need for breakwater reconstruction.
This is just as NPA pilots enabled the safe berthing of inbound vessels – MT Zonda and MT Stellar as well as outbound vessel MT Duke, MT Vardar and MT Igbinosa last week with six vessels at anchorage outbound and inbound for Bonny Island, Koko and Escravos.
NPA stated that although the Escravos breakwaters constructed to prevent the siltation of the Warri channels had collapsed decades ago, it has concluded the survey and mapping of the channel.
The authority also noted that it is at the conclusive stages of securing relevant approvals for the best financing option to fund its reconstruction and has put measures in place to ensure safe berthing of legally operating vessels in the spirit of trade facilitation.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, said the up-to-date local and international training as well as simulation and maneuverability competence building of the highly experienced pilots of the NPA, have ensured zero incidences of vessels running aground.
Bello-Koko said the authority had procured and installed adequate buoys for the Warri channel and realigned the entrance buoys as well as docked and reclassified vessels.
He said the authority has also stipulated frequent simulation training and retraining for all the pilotage crew to enable them to respond to the exigencies of the channel.
According to him, the occasionally reported incidents of vessels running aground cannot impede the channel, as they are vessels operating illegally without NPA’s marine pilot onboard.
He said the vessels ran aground because they veered off the channel and safety-marked areas due to incompetence.
Bello-Koko said to enhance domain awareness capability to detect and frontally keep illegal vessels at bay, the authority recently awarded consultancy for the installation of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) across all its port locations with the first phase already completed.
Every year some toys emerge as popular among children across all ages. These toys are considered a “must have” by most kids and are often on their Christmas wish list. The year 2018 is no different with some toys making it to the favorite list of most children. Most times, the toys vary in terms of size, color and design giving kids a chance to choose the ones that appeal to them. Nevertheless, it is essential to start your shopping early to get the best deals without having to stretch the available funds.
What to look for when buying toys in 2018
Apart from having your kids’ preferences in mind when purchasing toys in 2018, you should also check if they are suitablefor children.Some of the things you should consider when buying toys are listed below.
- Age of child – Most toys have a label that indicates the age of the child that is allowed to play with them. Ensure that you read the label before buying a toy, so that gets all the benefits meant to be derived from using it. Age-appropriate toys contribute to the development of children, making it vital that they get the right type of plaything.
- Safety – Majority of the favorite toys can be a great addition to your child’s collection in 2018. However, it is essential to check the toys for corners, sharp edges, and harmfulpoints which might not have been mentioned on the warning label. Toys that are easy to dismantle and have loose parts should also be vetted to see whether they are appropriate for the child. Focus on buying toys that cannot lead to injuries and are durable for different kinds of play.
- Affordability-The price of toys vary from one store to another, with some being cheap and others quite expensive. When going shopping, have a budget that will guide the quality and quantity of toys that you can purchase for your children. You can consider buying one expensive toy that is their favorite and adding others that are low cost to achieve a balance.
- Versatility –Toys that can only be used for a short time or appeal to children of a specific age group may not be the best ones to buy for kids. Go for toys that can be used to entertain and educate the child over a long period without them getting bored.
- Durability –Most children, especially toddlers enjoy picking apart toys as a way for them to explore its workings. It is therefore vital to buy toys that made from sturdy material, and all their parts are screwed on tightly so that they are not easily spoilt. Also, ensure that paint used on the toys do not easily peel off and are non-toxic.
Top 6 favorite toys in 2018
The number of toys launched in 2018is many with several appealing to both boys and girls of different ages. Some of the toys that have been ranked as favorites this year include:
- LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Building Kit
The game is designed to resemble Hogwarts Great Hall Building in the popular Harry Potter movie. It is 878 pieces which when arranged reveal the Great Hall which is a famous building in the film. Some of the pieces that stand out are the treasure room, spiral staircase, and potions room. Popular figurines are also part of the set with characters such as Nearly Headless, Nick, Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore, Ron Weasely, Hagris, Draco, Professor NacGonagall and Susan Bones among others.
- Barbie Care Clinic Vehicle
Barbie has been part of the favorite toy list for many years, and in 2018 she is in charge of a mobile clinic. She has a twenty piece set that includes a gift shop, exam room and waiting room which are used to tackle emergencies of varying magnitudes. The ambulance in the collection has lights as well as siren sounds that are turned on using a button which is quite exciting for kids who are three years and older.
- Paw Patrol – Ultimate Rescue Fire Truck
Kids that love the Paw Patrol cartoon will enjoy playing with the truck whose sounds, and flashing lights keep them entertained. The truck has a Marshall who sits in the cab looking out but can also jump into the fire cart when they need to rescue animals. The extendable ladder and working claw are fun to use to save animals stuck in trees.
- Smart Learning Home
Fisher price has always focused on making playtime fun for babies for many years. In 2018, they introduced a toy that helps small children learn about the weather, numbers, and shapes. The interactive toy also has sounds, music, and lights to keep your baby entertained. To find out more about interactive toys for babies, visit https://www.bestreviews.guide/topics/toys-kids-and-baby.
- Sesame Street Lets Dance Elmo
Elmo is loved by many children that have interacted with him and his friends on the Sesame Street show. In 2018, he is dancing and grooving to different types of music, making him an excellent toy for children working on their motor skills. The toy has musical modes namely songs, colors and animals which gives kids a variety to choose from. When the modes are changed, Elmo begins to wiggle, or dance and the color on his heart begins to turn as well.
- Radio Flyer busy buggy
Toddlers that are active and always on the move will enjoy having this ride-on toy. The carriage has several features that make its fun to ride over short distances. Some of the fancy features that make it one of the most interactive toys in 2018 include an adjustable dashboard, horn, moving windshield, and sliding beads among others. Active youngsters get to develop their motor skills as they cruise within the home while adjusting their reflective mirror.
Overall, no matter the choice of toys you buy for your children, ensure that they are educational, fun and safe.
More than 5,000 freight forwarders have so far registered with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN) in its on-going membership drive.
The CRFFN Director (Education and Research), Mr Alban Igwe, told our correspondents on Thursday in Lagos that the initiative was part of efforts to re-organise the freight forwarding business in Nigeria.
He said that freight forwarders, who failed to register with the council, would at the end of the exercise be regarded as fake businessmen.
According to him, the council plans to enforce its operational code which allows only registered members to practise.
“The registration, which started last year, is on-going. The enforcement, which should have started already, will start shortly as soon as all logistics are on ground.
“We have a tribunal that will try all illegal freight forwarders and any forwarder found guilty will be sentenced.
“Education of freight forwarders continues because over 70 per cent involved in the business do not have more than school certificate,” he said.
Igwe said that the association had concluded plans to conduct intensive training across the country in line with the provision of the Act that established the council.
He said that education remained the key role of the CRFFN in assisting freight forwarders to acquire professional skills and knowledge.
Igwe said that the council had signed memoranda of understanding with 10 training institutions to facilitate achievement of this objective.
The CRFFN Director also said that the training programme had made it possible for interested freight forwarders to acquire PHD degrees, stressing that the era of quacks had gone.