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Kerosene Scarcity Bites Harder In S’South, S’East
Households in Rivers State and most parts of the South-South and South-East states of the country have resorted to the use of firewood and charcoal for domestic cooking as kerosene scarcity bites harder in the geo-political zones.
Investigation reveals that the lingering scarcity of the product has also increased its price across the zones.
A market survey carried out by The Tide in Port Harcourt reveals that 20 litres of kerosene which used to sell for N2,400 is now N4,300, while a bottle of kerosene which used to sell for N100 to N150 now sells for N300.
The Tide also learnt that the situation has created the opportunity for the influx of adulterated kerosene into the market.
The Tide also discovered that a number of filling stations across the city had no kerosene in their stock, while at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega Filling Station, Lagos Busstop, buyers had to purchase the product through a third party.
However, efforts to reach the manager of the station proved abortive as he was said to be out of office, but another officer of the station, however directed the reporter to the Public Relation Officer of the Pipeline Product Marketing Company of Nigeria (PPMC) whom he said was the only one competent to speak on the matter.
A number of households who also spoke to our correspondent, however grumbled over the situation, noting that it had worsened their plight.
For Madam Eno Adah, a resident of Diobu, Port Harcourt, adulterated kerosene was more attractive than the real product which she said was out of stock.
She noted that the urgent intervention of the government would save the situation.
When contacted, a senior official of the Rivers State Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources who spoke under condition of anonymity, however, assured that something would be done about the situation.
In Auchi, Edo State, most residents now make use of charcoal and firewood for cooking as scarcity of kerosene has persisted across the state.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that most filling stations in Auchi and its environs had long run out of kerosene with a few still managing to sell the product at N160 per litre.
The situation, The Tide investigation revealed, had led to many thriving black market spots in Auchi and adjoining communities.
Black market operators, who are found mainly around major street junctions in Auchi, sell a litre of kerosene for between N200 and N250.
Some residents, who spoke to newsmen, described the scarcity as shameful.
One of the residents, Mrs Edith Elajah, said: “Is it not shameful that what we produce in this country we can’t find it to buy?
“It is even more shameful that it has become easier to get food than to get kerosene to cook it.’’
Elajah said the scarcity of the product and its attendant high cost had forced her into using firewood and charcoal for her cooking.
“ I have made a makeshift kitchen in my compound where I use firewood for cooking as I can no longer afford high cost of kerosene,’’ she said.
Another woman, Mrs Munirat Audu, told newsmen that even firewood and charcoal had become expensive because of the demand for them.
Audu, who said a bottle of kerosene was now being sold for N200 in her area, noted that the development had brought hardship to many poor homes.
At the only filling station on Igbe Road where kerosene was being sold in Auchi last Saturday, an official who does not want to be mentioned, told newsmen that the price of the product was determined by the cost of importation.
“We do not just increase price arbitrarily, but because we spend so much in getting the product into the country, we have to sell at a price that will ensure recovery of our investment,’’ he said
With the scarcity of kerosene in Asaba and its environs, firewood, which was seen as a cheaper alternative, has also become expensive.
Our correspondent recalls that there had been reports of high price of the product across the country due to its unavailability.
In the Delta State capital, a litre of kerosene currently sells at N150 in filling stations while the price is between N200 and N500 in the various black market spots in the city.
But firewood which many residents had resorted to has also witnessed a steady rise in price.
The Tide investigation revealed that a small bundle of eight pieces of firewood, which was sold at N350 towards the end of 2010, currently sells at between N500 and N600.
The same quantity of firewood, it was gathered, was sold at between N250 and N300 in 2010 and at between N150 and N200 in 2009.
A firewood seller in Asaba, Mrs Nedi Onodu, attributed the increasing price of firewood to the current high demand for it by residents.
Besides, she explained that the increasing demand for firewood by users had put pressure on the sellers, leading to upsurge in demand from suppliers.
She said the bulk of the firewood being sold in Asaba came from neighbouring Onitsha in Anambra State, adding that dealers were rationing their stock to meet the increasing demand.
“Even with the reduced quantity that we now get from Onitsha due to the rationing, our suppliers have increased the price of firewood as demand for it increases,’’ Onodu said.
She, however, said that the rush for firewood had reduced, adding, however, that the business was still booming.
Some firewood users in Asaba told newsmen that they resorted to it due to the scarcity and high price of kerosene.
“ Now that the price of firewood has also started going up, we have started going to the bush and building construction sites to look for it,” Mrs Fumnanya Ijeuwa, a civil servant, said.
Two women, who were spotted buying firewood at Issele-Uku, headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area, said the purchase might be their last as they would resort to charcoal.
Mrs Agnes Iwu and the other buyer, who only identified herself as Juliana, said they had discovered that charcoal was cheaper.
Apart from Asaba and Issele-Uku, the high price of firewood was also noticeable in Agbor, Ogwashi-Uku, Akwukwu-Igbo and other communities in the area.
In parts of Enugu State, the cost of obtaining kerosene for domestic cooking needs is fast getting out of reach of the common man.
A check in Enugu last Saturday revealed that the cost per litre of kerosene has increased by between 200 per cent and 250 per cent against the approved pump price of N50 per litre.
PIX 1; L-R : Resident Electoral Commissioner for Cross River State, Mr Mike Igini, Returning Officer, Prof. Hilary Edoga and Supervisory Officer, Aniedi Ikoiwak, announcing the results of Imo supplementary governorship election in Owerri , last Saturday
L-R : Resident Electoral Commissioner for Cross River State, Mr Mike Igini, Returning Officer, Prof. Hilary Edoga and Supervisory Officer, Aniedi Ikoiwak, announcing the results of Imo supplementary governorship election in Owerri , last Saturday
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.