Winlot lottery launches online apps

WINLOT lottery has launched an online lottery mobile app as part of the activities designed to generate more revenue to the government.

  The Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery Board, Lanre Gbajabiadi at the launch of Winlot Lottery mobile app in Lagos, said revenues which are generated from the lottery commission are used to finance other sectors of the state; health, education, infrastructure and environment sector.

  “Remitted revenues from the operation of lottery are used by the Lagos State government, which are beneficial to the citizens of the state.”

    He confirmed the online lottery mobile app to be the easiest and the most convenient way of playing a lottery game in the comfort of their homes.

  He said this platform was first of its kind in Lagos and a new distribution channel targeted to reach out to people. Accessing the standard living of Nigerians, opportunities are created by the lottery board to improve the standard of living.

  He commended the efforts of Winlot in making this mobile app launch a success and urged other operators to imitate this bold step in sharing Nigeria good vision of providing more revenue.

  He advised that lottery should be played through licensed operators endorsed by the regulator, stressing that Premier Lotto, Golden chance lotto, Superior lotto and Winlot lotto are the registered bodies licensed by the regulatory board to operate the lottery games.

  It was however, disclosed that upon launch, players will be able to play the lottery on iPhone, Android and later extended to Blackberry device and IOS mobile devices with option to download the app with either MTN or Glo telecommunication anytime anywhere with their mobile devices. By login for the first 5000 players’ N200 airtime bonus will be awarded for playing. Players can check the result and their prizes with ease.

  Already, statistics showed Nigeria has the potential to become the largest social media user in the African continent. According to report, Nigeria is the second largest social media user in Africa, closely following South Africa. 25 per cent of Nigerian mobile subscribers use smartphones, which account for four million smartphone users.

  The Chief Executive Officer, of Winlot Lottery, Nimish Bhatnagar revealed “We are happy to have this enriching experience to launch this interesting lottery mobile app with Glo and MTN that has enrich our gaming profile within the region. Most important of all, it can provide players with more convenient channel to enjoy our services”.

  Bhatnagar launched the website of downloading the mobile app” www.mywinlot.ng/mobile and the games are categorized into three stages; Winlot Gold Coast, Winlot International and Winlot Jackpot respectively”

At Awesome College, sports, academics play prominent roles

  Sports combined with education play prominent role in the upbringing of children and ‘that is what we encourage at Awesome College,’ the chairman of the school’s Sports Committee, Igbokwe Emmanuel, has said.

  Speaking at the end of Awesome College’s fourth annual inter-house sports competition at the University of Lagos Sports Centre, Igbokwe, who was delighted by the performance of the students, said “Nigeria would be a better country if students are encouraged to combine sports with their academics.

   "We have never celebrated it like this before. This year is more like the Olympic Games. We had nothing less than 60 sports during this year’s event.

   “Students should not lay emphasis on their classroom education alone, sports is also very important."

  He added: “Awesome College encourages pupils to fulfill their potential by giving them the opportunity to excel in all areas of life.

   "At Awesome College, there is no sport we can talk about that we do not train our pupils in. Among them is football, basketball, volleyball, athletic, tennis badminton and the likes.”

  Emmanuel urged parents to help their children discover their skills and nurture them by providing the necessary moral support, adding, “if not for any other reason, children should be exposed to sports activities for health reasons because promotes longevity.”

  The fourth edition of the biennial competition came to a thrilling end with Oikos Grace House (Blue) winning the over all best team trophy with 16 gold, 15 sliver and 13 bronze medals.

    Oikos Mercy House (Green) came second with total 12 gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals, while Oikos Red House (Red) was third with 10 gold 15 silver and 15 bronze medals, followed by Oikos Praise (Yellow), which placed fourth with nine gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medals.

There were races in different categories: 100 metres boys/girls, junior and senior, 200 metres, 400 relay boys/girls likewise baton exchange. There was also sack race and tug of peace.

Other sporting activities vied for by pupils and students of the various houses were, table tennis, skipping, lime and spoon, sack race, tug of peace, head balancing, badminton, football among others.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Foundation wants enforcement of child rights, physically challenged

GOVERNMENTS at all levels in the country have been urged to focus on the implementation of Child Rights Act and employment of physically challenged persons.

   Executive Director, Child Dignity Foundation, Amaka Awogu, at the celebration of 2014 World Down Syndrome Day organised by United Nations in collaboration with Down Syndrome Foundation on Friday in Lagos, said the high percentage of people with the syndrome ought to be treated same way all children like to be treated: with respect, fairness and friendship.

   In the word of the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, “Too often, persons with disabilities, including those with Down Syndrome face stigma, discrimination and exclusion. The lack of full participation of those with Down Syndrome affects not only individuals and their families, but also society at large.”

   “Let us therefore, take concrete action toward the inclusion of all persons with disabilities, including those with Down syndrome,” Ban said.

   Ban’s message was presented by the Head of Lagos Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mrs. Josephine Smith.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Coscharis partners Ford to tackle spare-parts counterfeiting

BUOYED by the frenzy that heralded the new automotive policy, which has brought in various brands of vehicle, Coscharis Motors in collaboration with Ford Motor Company recently launched a world-class garage that takes care of maintenance and genuine spare-parts access to motorist.

    The initiative tagged Certified Pars Wholesale Dealer (CPWD), is expected to midwife Quick Service Centers and Quick Lane Facilities to be manned by certified technicians, which would be replicated in strategic locations across the country.

     Speaking at the launch in Lagos, the Chairman, Coscharis Motors, Cosmos Maduka said the idea to set up this dealer network came as a result of effort to assist the firm’s valuable customers and other stake-holder, through feedback mechanism.

    He said, “some of our customers live in or operate their businesses in remote areas of the country and as such do not have easy access to our facilities whenever they have issues bothering on spare-parts, lubricants and other after-sales products and services.”

    According to him some of these customers end-up patronising unscrupulous spare-parts dealers who specialise in selling counterfeit and sub-standard spare-parts to the public

   “The use of these counterfeit spare-parts has exposed some motorists to untold and avoidable hazards include, breakdowns, part failures accidents, which has lead to loss of property and lives,” Maduka said.

   While giving insight into the motive behind the project, Maduka said, “we cannot provide all the after-sales needs all by our self, the idea of collaborating with well intended spare-parts dealers in our local market to make Ford Motorcraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) spare-parts available and accessible in every nook and cranny of this country.

    He disclosed that the company has appointed over 100 certified spare-part dealer who, with the support of the oversea partner-Ford Motor Company, will be empowered to stock and sell genuine Ford Motorcraft spare-part to customers.

    The Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Chidi Nkwonta said that human factor constitutes about 90 per cent of Road Traffic Crashes (RTC).

    He said Road Safety required not only driver fitness but also vehicle fitness. “A well maintained vehicle speaks volume.”

   Speaking on the importance of effective maintenance of vehicles, Nkwota said “effective and proper maintenance provides many benefit to the vehicle which includes, saving fuel and money, reducing long-term maintenance cost.

    The Dealer Operations Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa Ford, David Lawrence, said Ford was committed to providing customers throughout Sub-Sahara Africa with exceptional customer service. 

   The facility has begun operation in the country and the services are now available in Yaba,  Lagos.

   The Commissioner of Transport, Lagos State, Kayode Opeifa, who spoke through Director, Control and Regulation of License, Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), Mr. Bunmi Odukoya said this development was a welcome relief to all its Ford customers and applauded Ford Motor Company for such strategic intent and programme.

   He urged Coscharis to extend the gesture to other brands that they deal with towards ensuring service excellence and also to the mechanics. 

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Firms introduce security printers to Nigeria

TO manage the ongoing challenge of documents fraud faced by many organisations most especially the banking sector, Crosswalk, a Nigeria database company in collaboration with TROY Group a worldwide leader in secure on-demand printing has enhanced HP Printers which is consumables for use in secure printing work flows.

  TROY's line security printers provide built-in features, which safeguard your preprinted forms against unauthorised removal.

  The Regional Manager Europe and Middle East and Africa, TROY Group, Mark Bond at an exhibition on costs effective high-end document security printing solutions, said that each printer utilised the built-in capabilities of HP print drivers providing the ability to map to specific tray and the ability to release print job utilising PIN authentication.

  Bond said that TROY security printers integrated paper tray locks and security shielding on the back of the paper tray assuring the highest level of protecting against paper and documents theft.

  Other features included disable jam recovery, which helped to prevent fraudulent creation of cheques by the unauthorised operation, who might choose to create a jam.

  "It help enterprise to manage frauds, operational risk and comply with regular issues and government regulation related to protecting information privacy,” he stated.

  Security features on the finished document with TROY secure check flow secure print enterprise and transactions.

  He said that TROY 601 security printers provide customers 45 pages per minute; MICR 602 printer series price to 52 pages per minute. The 602 MICR printer series low cost of ownership, increased speed and higher Input capacity bring a new class of printing to all levels aspect of a secure check printing work flows.

  With MICR 806, it robust print capabilities is 55 pages in a minute. TROY 806 is integrated to secure document production in high end distributes printing environment. It has a vast array of accessories providing the ability to meet high production demands.

  Bond added that HP also introduced the low melt toner requiring less energy by reducing less energy by reducing the fusing temperature.

  "The adding of the troy software, hardware utility allows users to easily add digital signatures, logos, customised patterns or forms macros to their printers.

  "A unique watermark of user defined variable data printed diagonally across the back of each prescription with field and quantities this intelligent anti tampering technology help to verify that each prescription has to be altered,” he said.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

NIBSS, banks up advocacy on use of e-payment platforms

The Nigeria Interbank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS) and deposit money banks have urged Nigerians to embrace e-payment platforms as the best option for payments of business transactions. 

  The appeal, which is part of the renewed awareness campaign aimed at enlightening the public on the benefits of e-payment, may have become necessary as the nationwide rollout of the cash-less project by July 1, 2014, is fast approaching. 

  The e-payment platforms like Point of Sale (POS) and Instant Payment, among others, have been promoted for assessed convenience, safety and receipt of instant value, facilitating payments for transactions through ATM cards, mobile phones, laptops, desktops, notebooks and I-Pads.

  Already, banks in conjunction with NIBSS have commenced a communication awareness campaign to enlighten Nigerians on the benefits of these e-payment platforms, encouraging their usage and adoption.

  According to a statement from the Head, Corporate Communications, NIBSS, Lilian Phido, the need to embrace the e-payment platforms was due to its safety, reliability and efficiency offerings, coupled with the attendant security issues associated with cash transactions.

 “There is also need to embrace the e-payment platforms because they have become globally acceptable means for financial transactions.

 “The e-payment platforms enhance greater penetration and accessibility to financial services by the unbanked and under-banked populace and can be enhanced with improved infrastructure,” Phido said.

  The statement added that the on-going media campaign for the new payment platform will be complemented by the use of consumer engagement activities- road shows, one-on-one contact marketing, digital and online advertising.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Unified examination for Lagos private schools begin June

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Lagos State Chapter says it would commence unified examinations for pupils in private schools in the state in June.

  The association’s President, Mr. Abayomi Otubela, speaking in Lagos said the development was part of efforts to ensure standards in private schools in the state.

  Otubela said that the examination to be held every session would enable all proprietors to assess the performance of their pupils and make improvements where necessary.

  “All private schools will be writing a joint examination aside from their final exams, these are all measures to ensure qualitative education.”

  According to Otubela, a maiden quiz competition among private schools is scheduled to hold on March 19 at the ward level during the NAPPS South-West Delegates Conference.

  Otubela also spoke on the gruesome murder of students just as he condemned the abduction of 15 female students in Yobe State by gunmen, describing the act as barbaric.

  “We challenge them to direct their cause if any, to their target enemies and not at innocent school children. We also call on the Federal Government to do more in tackling the excesses of these insurgents.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Centre for Democracy holds lecture May 7

TOWARDS enlightening citizens on expectations in a democracy, the non-profit Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa (CDGA) will focus on “Achieving, Sustaining Democratic Dividends of the Grassroots: A Function of Purpose-Driven Leadership”, at its fourth annual public lecture and award presentation.

  Renowned Economist and former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, will chair the event, which holds at the Grand Ball, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on May 7. Special guests of honour include former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd); First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan; Senator Hope Uzodinma and Olorogun Oscar Ibru, among others.

  The CDGA Director General, Dr. Dafe Akpocha, told newsmen yesterday that the lecture is programmed to enlighten people that democracy and good governance lay the foundation for people to realise sustainable development.

  He noted that “democratic governance facilitates human rights in all fairness, freedom and equity and produces dividends for the citizens and observance of human rights.”

  According to him, democratic governance enables people to attain sustainable growth, as it also needs to be translated into tangible socio-economic development for people in rural communities.

  Expected discussants are the Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, Dr. Charles Korede Ayo; a legal practitioner, Victor Ukutt and Femi Akinboboye, while the Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliu, would deliver lecture on “Sustaining Momentum for Social Service Delivery in Governance.”

  Also, CDGA will recognise some prominent Nigerians with gold service award for their contributions to the development of Nigerian government.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Fenog lays 20" pipes across 3.49-kilometre river

An indigenous company in Delta State has laid 20" pipes across 3.49-kilometre river in the ongoing Amukpe/Escravos pipeline project. The company achieved the pioneering feat within six weeks.

  The company had laid 24" pipes across the 1.7-kilometre Escravos River in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State and 24" pipes across 2.82-kilometre/ObOb Kwale River in Delta State for Agip Nigeria Oil Company (NAOC).

  The Executive Director of the company, Mathew Tonlagha, described the feat as "an unprecedented feat in the history of underground pipelaying worldwide.

  "The one that is very close to what we have achieved as available record shows was the laying of 3.9 kilometres but that involved the laying of just 12" pipes and it was achieved in one year. But in our own case, we laid 20" pipes across 3.49kilometres river in just six weeks in the Amukpe/Escravos pipeline project.

  "You can see that this is no mean achievement that we have recorded worldwide. This is an improvement over what we did in the Chevron project when we laid 24"across 1.7-kilometre Escravos River in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State and 24" pipes across 2.82-kilometre/ObOb Kwale River in Delta State for Agip Nigeria Oil Company (NAOC).

  Tolangha commended the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Maduekwe, for creating a level playing ground for the indigenous oil and gas service companies to operate unfettered in the oil industry adding that Fenog would continue to serve as a pacesetter and leading light for other indigenous operators in the nation's oil industry.

  Fenog's General Manager, Chukwudi Uwakwe, attributed the success recorded by his company to the deployment of Continuous Horizontal Directional Drilling (CHDD) of which the company was the pioneer use in the world. 

  "All our jobs are being done by Nigerian nationals in line with the local content Act with the aid of our CHDD rigs, including our new versatile HDD 350 rig, which has the ability to push, pull, tunnel, drill, and truss boring abilities. We have used it to release a stocked pipe in one of our drilling sites of which nobody has been able to do in the whole world.

  "We are only pleading with the IOCs to encourage us by giving us first consideration in bidding and by giving us jobs to build our capacity and show our strength," Nwakwe added.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola 

Group honours NURTW chief tomorrow

The Centre for Democratic Governance in African (CDGA), will honour the National President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najeem Usman Nasin with the Africa Distinguished Gold Service Award will on March 13, 2014 in Abuja.

The team will be led by the Director General, Dafe Akpocha and other executives.

Head of Media and Publicity to the Center, Stephen Udokporo said yesterday that having watched the transformation of NURTW into a modern organisation under the leadership of Alhaji Nasin, there was the need to appreciate him.

"We are experiencing a great change in our transport sector in the country which is playing good governance in Africa and Nigeria in particular. This is the reason the CDGA is out to reward him to encourage Nigerians and Africans in their various endeavors to see that they contribute their quota in ensuring good.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

CIG Motors plans to explore Nigeria auto market

CIG Motors, the Nigeria company of the GAC Motor China is set to explore the Nigerian auto market with its brands of cars.

  The Chief Executive Officer of CIG Motors, Ms Diana Chen, said the company has conducted extensive research on the Nigerian market.

  She stated that for over one year, the company has embarked on series of programmes to thoroughly understand the Nigerian market.

Chen said the company is making huge investment in order to make a high impact in the Nigeria market adding that the country offers huge potentials for the brands.

  She added that Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt are the key market for the company. Nigeria, according to her, offers enormous potentials for the company as a major channel to gain market presence in the African continent.

To achieve its strategic goals of market entry, Chen said the company was building an ultra modern office with after sales support service and workshop in order to offer quality service in the Nigerian market.

   She also asserted that the company will also train Nigerian auto technicians as part of its business goals to maintain a well established presence in Nigeria

  She said the brands are of high quality with international safety standards adding that the company was entering the Nigerian market with its car models as well as SUVs. The brands are designed in a trendy and sporty style with extra wide and comfort space and environment-friendly features. It also has advanced technology, excellent performance and control. The cars are also fitted with G-cloud Intelligent Driving Assistance System.

Chen added that the brands from the stable of CIG Motors have top safety technology in the world.

CIG, according to Chen, is the Nigerian company of Guangzhou Automobil Group Co., Ltd (GAC MOTOR)  a Chinese automobile maker with headquarter in Guanngzhou in China. GAC motor represents insisting on pursuing development, enhancing the core completion, and achieving sustainable development.

  Since its establishment, the Trumpchi has been technologically at par with other global brands and developed based on top-notch European performance. GAC Motor not only has relationships with the global top ten automobile parts suppliers, but has also internalized Europe’s advanced chasis and powertrain technology.

   Especially in the safety performance, GAC motor’s entire models got the five star award in the C-NCAP test and beyond most of famous brands.

    She said the car designed in Italy, built in world class manufacturing company in China, with its C-Class chasis and equipment, B-Class Value and quality, and A-class price and Trumpchi will be extremely competitive in the global market.

With the global strategy of “prudent action, holistic plan, steady growth, major breakthroughs,” GAC plans to establish distribution network in 18 countries in 2014, covering each continent, and extend further to neighboring markets. In the Middle East, GAC MOTOR plans to establish networks in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirate, among other as well as Russia and Ukraine of Eastern Europe; Chile, Peru, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina of South America; Algeria and Nigeria in Africa; and in the Southeast Asia and Central Asia are Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Group honours Isolo council boss, monarchs, others

THE African Child Social Empowerment Centre, a non-governmental, social organisation, which focuses on children, youths, women and community development, has honoured seven prominent Nigerians.

During an award tagged: “Children Ambassadors Award,” held at the Rotary Club Hall, Isolo, Lagos yesterday, the NGO honoured the Ewusi of Makun-Shagamu, Timothy Oyesola Akinsanya; Chief Osita Okereke, the national chairman of the All Peoples Liberation Party, APLP, who is also the Director General of the national task force to combat illegal importation of arms and Hon. Shamsudeen Olaleye, the Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area, LCDA.

 The non-profit initiative, founded in 2008, said it was honouring the recipients in recognition of their immense contributions to the welfare of children and the underprivileged.

According to the Executive Director of the organization, Bonaventure Enemali, “There is a need to appreciate these seven Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in philanthropic commitment and dedication to a better livelihood of African children.”

 Enjoining Nigerians to respond more positively to the plight of the African child, Enemali said, “If everybody impacts one life a day, we will make a better continent, Africa.”

Among the people honoured were: Dr. Lawrence Nnamdi, Michael Adegoke, Otunba Mike Osimen and Chief Nicholas Ajayi, in an event that drew people from far and wide.

By Adeniyi Adunola

Sharp, Dajcom partner to expand Nigeria’s electronics market

GLOBAL player in the electronics market, Sharp has partnered Dajcom Limited, a foremost electronics and home appliances, retailer and distributor in Nigeria for expansion purpose.

  This strategic partnership involves the assembly, distribution and retail of Sharp home appliances by Dajcom in the Nigerian market.

  Announcing the partnership at a press conference in Lagos, the Managing Director Sharp Middle East, Fumio Yamaguchi expressed delight at the partnership with Dajcom. “For Sharp, Nigeria is an extremely important market and with Dajcom Ltd as our partner, we are committed towards enriching every Nigerian household with our one-of-a-kind technology and products.”

  Sharp plans to invest more manpower and capital in Nigeria, which is one of the markets for Sharp in this region.

  The two parties in this special deal, Sharp and Dajcom, both believe the partnership is a unique development that will thrill Nigerian consumers. Sharp, renowned for its innovative Japanese technology, two years warranty, genuine spare parts and widespread professional network of service centres, will make available, at competitive prices, her numerous high quality products. This extensive market coverage will be backed up by Dajcom’s first class after sales services and excellent distribution network.

  Managing Director of Dajcom Limited, David Safa, in his response, said “I am confident about the collaboration, and Sharp products would become popular among Nigerians in the near future.”

  I believe through joint efforts with Dajcom Ltd, Sharp will become one of the top three brands in Nigeria in the future”.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola            

Why fuel scarcity may persist, by DPR

• Marketers ‘push’ for rise in pump price

• TUC seeks end to crisis 

AS the fuel scarcity continues to cripple economic activities nationwide, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has attributed the shortfall in supply to non-renewal of contracts of some independent marketers to import the product.

  Meanwhile, the current fuel scarcity in some parts of the country is principally caused by marketers’ subterranean ploy to stampede government into increasing the pump price, The Guardian has gathered.

  But the government is seeking ways of ending the artificial scarcity without bowing to pressure from marketers to increase the pump price.

  In a related development, Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called for an end to the fuel scarcity.

  The DPR, which disclosed this yesterday at its budget defence before the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), also alleged that non-payment of subsidy fund to the marketers by government had hindered the importation of the product, resulting in shortage in supply.

  In his presentation to the committee, Director of DPR who was represented by the Zonal Operations Controller, Abuja, Aliyu Halidu, said that marketers were uncomfortable with the current pump price of N97 per litre.

  According him, the marketers had complained that the operational cost had seriously eaten into the pump price, making it difficult for them to break even at the current price.

  Halidu also noted that the shortage in supply of fuel was equally affected by the increased activities of illegal bunkering in the country.

  Consequently, he urged the lawmakers to expedite action on the process of legalising bunkering, in addition to resuscitating other laws which could facilitate elimination of illegal bunkering from the system.

  He, however, pointed out that the department had already forwarded a proposal to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in respect of legalisation of bunkering to curtail illegal operations, noting that the NSA assured that the relevant laws would be resuscitated to help tackle all the problems emanating from illicit bunkering activities.

  The zonal controller also implored the Senate to fast-track the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in order to help strengthen the DPR's regulatory powers for effective operations in the industry.

  Commenting on the decline in revenue generation of the Department, Halidu blamed it partly on the failure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to pay royalties due to DPR.

  He explained that rather than pay royalties to DPR, the Corporation was paying it as part of its crude oil sales, lamenting that this had contributed to the recession in the revenue earnings of the establishment.

  The Guardian gathered in Abuja yesterday that the marketers are pushing for increment in their profit margins as they claimed the N5.50 accrued to them is no longer enough to settle their overall costs.

  The depot price is N91.50 and marketers sell N97 per litre to the public.

  A source said that the claim by marketers about late release of allocation for fuel importation for first quarter of this year is not tenable as releasing allocation few days into new quarter has always been the practice.

  He said: “The claim by marketers that first quarter allocation came late is farther from the truth. The last quarter allocation for last year (2013) was meant to last till the end of January and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources approved the allocation on February 20, 2014. That is the practice. We must not lose sight of the fact that the need to streamline the import regime is more necessary now than ever because of the discrepancies that greeted import regime in recent past. The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has shown that all she wanted is a system that prioritises transparency and that informed why all the details were taken into account before the allocation for the first quarter was released. Even at that, the exercise was done within the correct time-frame.”  

  The moves by marketers to push for an increment in the pump price of petrol has been seen as a ploy to induce political tension as the nation moves towards the 2015 general elections.

  A source at the Presidency told The Guardian that government has directed the NNPC to increase allocation to Lagos and other densely-populated cities with a view to ending the queues. Also, the DPR is stepping up its fuel monitoring duties, including the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

  A statement by the President of TUC, Bobboi Kaigama and General Secretary, Musa Lawal, said: “The familiar trend of periodic scarcity of fuel is simply unacceptable. Nigeria remains about the sixth largest oil producing country in the world and ‘giant of Africa,’ and one ordinarily expects this to translate to great fortune and comfort for the average Nigerian.     Unfortunately, this has not been the case as majority of the masses have remained impoverished in the midst of plenty.   More depressing are reports that the scarcity is artificially created by the same cabal that has vowed not to see our ailing refineries work let alone new ones built.”

  Many Lagos residents were forced to stay out of work yesterday due to the fuel scarcity which has almost crippled commercial activities in the city.

  The Guardian investigation revealed that very few petrol stations were dispensing fuel in most parts of the city, as queues stretched as far as the eyes can see.

  It was observed that most of only the major marketers dispensed the products yesterday.

  At the Oando filling station along Shasa Road in Egbeda area of Lagos, it was chaos let loose as it appeared all the city’s residents came to buy the scarce product petrol that hot afternoon.

  The chaotic situation was replicated across the state as there were indications that the scarcity may get worse this week as most of the stations exhausted their stock at the weekend.

  It was learnt that with the heightening scarcity, many stations have been making brisk businesses with a litre selling as much as N150.

  In Asaba, Delta State capital, motorists paid as much as N130 for a litre of petrol as only few retail outlets currently sell as most of them are locked up with the ubiquitous “No Fuel” sign hung at their entrances.

  On Nnebisi, Ibusa, Anwai and Summit Roads, only few retail outlets seem to have the precious fuel which of course they sold at very exorbitant prices.

  While some that had fuel sold for N120 per litre, some sold for as high as N130 per litre instead of the approved N97 per litre.

  As a result of the scarcity, there has been a rise in transport fares within Asaba as a trip to the Summit Road from Ogbeogonogo Market presently cost N70 instead of N40.

  The Abia State Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals Development, Chief Okwubunka Don Ubani, has said that the present fuel scarcity in the country was artificial. He attributed the scarcity to greed and the penchant for exploitation and extortion by some marketers.

  He said in a statement yesterday that the NNPC depot at Osisioma Aba has been supplied with fuel and has equally started sale of same to marketers in the state and environs. 

From Hendrix Oliomogbe (Asaba), Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Collins Olayinka (Abuja), Gordi Udeajah (Umuahia) and Adeniyi Idowu Adunola (Lagos)