Niger Delta
Asaba Residents decry Persistent Kerosene Scarcity
Residents of Asaba, the Delta State capital, have decried the continued scarcity of kerosene and its attendant high cost in the city.
Our correspondent reports that households in the city and its environs have been experiencing scarcity of the commodity for more than three years.
The situation had led to exorbitant cost of the product, which was currently being sold at between N120 and N150 per litre at few filling stations selling the commodity.
Our investigation revealed that the development had boosted black market operations because filling stations hoard the item from the public and sell to black market operators.
At the black market spots, a litre of the product sells for between N160 and N180.
In the circumstance, most families have resorted to supplementing kerosene with firewood, which they get from scavenging construction sites and farms as well as patronising wood dealers from neighbouring villages.
A bundle of wood sells for between N100 and N300 depending on its size, as against its previous rates of N50, N80 and N120.
Residents who spoke to newsmen on the issue, accused petroleum marketers of sabotaging government’s efforts by selling kerosene and other products above regulated prices.
They were also of the opinion that the marketers create artificial scarcity in order to exploit the people and advised the government to set up different teams to constantly monitor the supply and sale of the product.
A house wife, Mrs Grace Anyasi told newsmen that the “frustrating situation” had forced her to resort fully to the use of firewood.
“Before now we can walk into a filling station and buy the product but now even with the price at N120 or N130 depending on the filling station, the product is not readily available.
“I am a mother of five and a civil servant and for me to cope I have resorted to the use of firewood. At least, it’s available and we can source them from ongoing building sites,’’ she said.
A restaurant operator, Mrs Eunice Abanom, said that she would have been operating at a huge loss if she had depended on kerosene for cooking.
“I get my regular supply of wood from Okpanam and other villages. I have customers who do not fail in making the supplies; all I do is just to contact them and the firewood will be here.
“I only use kerosene at home for lantern and I buy that at black market price of N150 per litre from the Ogbeogonogo market,’’ she said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.