Niger Delta
Fuel Scarcity Persists In Delta
Motorists and motorcycle operators in Asaba last Sunday bemoaned the persisting scarcity of petrol in the city and called on the Federal Government to arrest the situation immediately.
The scarcity of the product has been on for about 10 days and has led to the high cost of the commodity at filling stations and black markets.
The situation has also brought back long queues at the few filling stations where the product is available.
Consequently, the development has brought back sights of jerry-can carrying black marketers in the state capital and its environs most of whom sold the product to motorists at cut-throat prices,
A litre of fuel currently sells for between N120 and N140 instead of the official price of N97, at the filling stations, while the same quantity goes for between N200 and N250 in the black market.
However, in spite of the high cost of petrol, transport fares for both intra-city and inter-city journeys have remained stable.
Commercial motorcyclists and taxi operators still charge N50 and N30, respectively per trip for short distances.
Mr Chikaodi Zulu, a commercial motorist, said that transport fares could not be increased further in spite of scarcity and exorbitant prices of petrol because the people would resist it.
“We are all currently facing one challenge or the other. Besides, the scarcity places equal burden on all of us.
“Any attempt to increase the price, we know we will be asking for trouble because the masses will resist the price as they are ready to trek to their destinations,’’ he said.
Another taxi driver, John Onyeka, said while fares had remained stable on regular routes, the drivers made up for the high price they paid for petrol whenever they were lucky to have “charter contracts”.
He said: “we still charge N30 for short distances while charter service has increased from N250 to between N350 and N500 per drop within Asaba metropolis.”
However, a commercial motorcyclist, Ismail Adewole, said that he was not happy that passengers were resisting fare increases.
He said passengers needed to sympathise with taxi and commercial motorcycle operators, who had no option than to buy fuel at exorbitant prices to remain in business for survival.
“We go the extra mile to queue up and get fuel even at high cost, yet passengers don’t want to understand that. They forget that the price we quote will take care of repairs, fuel and our profits,” Adewole said.
A business woman, “Madam Philo”, however, cautioned commercial motorists and motorcyclists not to expect “a win-win situation all the time”.
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.