Fuel marketers threaten shutdown over government price control efforts
via Punch Nigeria5 min read
Fuel marketers in Nigeria have warned they will cease petrol sales nationwide if the Federal Government attempts to enforce price controls. This warning from Chinedu Ukadike, National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria IPMAN, follows remarks by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Oil, Heineken Lokpobiri. The minister stated that while petrol prices are deregulated, regulators must still protect consumers from exploitation, especially as crude oil prices have fallen without a corresponding decrease in gantry prices. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission also expressed concern over potential consumer exploitation. Lokpobiri urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA to prevent profiteering. However, Ukadike denied allegations of profiteering, citing losses incurred by marketers due to recent price reductions by the Dangote refinery. He argued that the government should investigate the root causes of high prices and boost competition by ensuring local refineries are operational and encouraging more importation. Ukadike emphasized that market forces of demand and supply should determine prices in a deregulated market. Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria PETROAN, acknowledged the minister's power to intervene but stressed the importance of consulting with all stakeholders. He suggested a meetin
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Nigeria's urban logistics landscape is undergoing a transformation, with bicycle couriers becoming an increasingly common sight in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan. This resurgence is driven by rising fuel prices, worsening traffic congestion, and the rapid expansion of e-commerce. While a relatively small part of the informal economy, industry observers note it is among the fastest-growing segments of Nigeria's gig workforce, largely propelled by food delivery apps and online shopping platforms. For many riders, typically young men aged 18 to 35, the job provides income, helps finance education, and serves as a stepping stone for future ambitions. Unlike conventional dispatch riders, bicycle couriers rely on pedal power, allowing them to navigate traffic and access narrow streets, making them effective for short-distance deliveries. The profession has historical roots in Nigeria, dating back to the colonial era for transporting messages and official correspondence. The low entry barrier, with the main expense being a bicycle costing between N50,000 and N120,000, makes it an accessible option for unemployed graduates, students, and school leavers. Technology, including AI and automated dispatch systems, has also improved task allocation fairness. Riders often receive weekly payments, which helps them manage expenses and plan for the future. Despite challenges like heavy rainfall and poor road infrastructure, bicycles offer advantages such as speed, ma
According to statistics released by the Nigerian Correctional Service NCoS on Tuesday, 1,271 offenders are currently serving non-custodial sentences across Nigeria. This total includes 1,137 males and 134 females. Community service is the most common non-custodial measure, with 1,038 offenders, comprising 992 males and 46 females. Additionally, 12 offenders are on parole nine males, three females, and 34 are serving probation sentences 30 males, four females. The NCoS data also indicates that 162 offenders are participating in restorative justice programs 84 males, 78 females, and 25 are under other non-custodial measures 22 males, three females. Overall, males constitute approximately 89 percent of the non-custodial population. The non-custodial service, introduced under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, aims to decongest custodial centers by offering alternatives to imprisonment such as community service, probation, parole, and restorative justice. This reform replaced the Nigerian Prisons Service framework and aligns with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act ACJA 2015. Implementation began in phases, with the Federal Capital Territory and Lagos among the first to adopt these measures, which have since expanded to states like Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, Lagos, and Plateau.
Must ReadThe Federal Government aims to generate N2.5tn in independent revenue by 2026. This target was announced by Charles Abana, the acting Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, during a meeting with Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in Abuja. The commission has already monitored approximately N1.84tn in independent revenue from Ministries, Departments and Agencies as of September 2025. Abana stated that the commission is enhancing its monitoring of operating surpluses from Government-Owned Enterprises and independent revenue from MDAs. Efforts are underway to improve transparency in revenue reporting, ensure timely remittance of operating surpluses into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and prevent revenue leakages. The commission has also updated its Operating Surplus Calculation Template, first developed in 2016, to align with current fiscal realities and the Finance Act 2020, automating it for improved efficiency and accuracy. Senator George Akume emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among fiscal and oversight institutions, urging the Fiscal Responsibility Commission to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Debt Management Office to strengthen fiscal governance and eliminate duplication. Akume highlighted the commission's crucial role in Nigeria's fiscal governance framew