Dangote and IPMAN Agree to Direct Product Lifting.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has reached an agreement with Dangote Refinery to directly procure its products. Abubakar Garima, the National President of IPMAN, made this announcement on Monday following a meeting of the Association's National Working Committee. He indicated that this collaboration will ensure a consistent and affordable supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) products across the country. The IPMAN President expressed, “We are delighted to inform that Dangote Refinery has consented to supply IPMAN with PMS, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) directly for distribution to our depots and retail locations.” He encouraged IPMAN members to support Dangote Refinery, highlighting the advantages of backward integration and its positive effects on Nigeria’s foreign exchange market. Furthermore, he assured that ongoing negotiations with Dangote would result in more competitive pricing. Regarding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), the IPMAN President stated that the Association is preparing for a smooth transition to CNG refill stations nationwide, as it is currently in discussions with the presidential CNG initiative. This collaboration is anticipated to enhance efficiency, affordability, and economic development within Nigeria’s petroleum sector. In response, Dangote Refinery has committed to supplying products to over 30,000 IPMAN members and 150,000 retail outlets across the nation. This partnership aims to eliminate intermediaries, lower costs, and ensure a reliable supply.

In a Lawsuit Against FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, SERAP Demands an End to Demolitions in Abuja and Attacks on Beggars.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal proceedings against Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), regarding what it characterizes as “the apparently ongoing unlawful demolitions of so-called shanties and the assaults on beggars in Abuja.” In a statement, SERAP contended that these actions infringe upon the rights of vulnerable populations and urged the minister to “immediately cease the demolitions and assaults and uphold the rule of law.” Furthermore, SERAP asserted that Wike’s methods compromise due process and disproportionately affect impoverished individuals who are already enduring significant challenges. Through this lawsuit, SERAP seeks a judicial order to compel the minister to terminate these activities, emphasizing that “the minister must immediately halt the demolitions and assaults and uphold the rule of law.” The statement declares, “We are suing Nyesom Wike, minister of the FCT, over the apparently ongoing unlawful demolitions of so-called shanties and the assaults on beggars in Abuja. “The minister must immediately cease the demolitions and assaults and uphold the rule of law.” In related developments, reports indicated that on November 8, some residents of the FCT protested against the alleged appropriation of land from impoverished individuals by Minister Nyesom Wike. The disgruntled residents, along with human rights advocates, criticized the FCT administration under Wike’s governance for “seizing land in communities predominantly inhabited by the poor.” A lawyer and human rights advocate present among the demonstrators, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, called upon President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent the FCT minister from enforcing policies that displace numerous residents from their homes. Additionally, social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, condemned the oppression faced by the impoverished residents of the FCT whose land has been appropriated by Wike’s administration.

Protesters Demand that Mele Kyari be Removed From Office for Failing to Restore Refineries and Storm the National Assembly Citing Suffering.

On Tuesday, a large group of protesters gathered in Abuja’s Three Arms Zone, advocating for comprehensive reforms in the oil sector. This demonstration, organized by the APC Solidarity and Development Forum and supported by various youth and civil society organizations, was a response to the rising fuel prices, ongoing fuel shortages, and the escalating economic difficulties faced by Nigerians. During the protest near the National Assembly Complex, leaders of the group, Kabir Matazu and Danielsi Momoh, articulated their concerns to the media, characterizing the current fuel crisis as indicative of deep-rooted systemic failures within the industry. In a letter directed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, they emphasized that despite numerous assurances from government officials, the issues of shortages and elevated prices remain unresolved, adversely affecting citizens and diminishing public confidence in the government's stewardship of oil resources. The protesters criticized the absence of functioning local refineries, despite a substantial $4 billion investment from the government, labeling this as a critical oversight and failure in management.

They argued that the government's lack of action not only undermines the administration's 'renewed hope' initiative but also highlights the urgent need for a leadership overhaul that prioritizes accountability. Moreover, they expressed concern over the lack of a definitive strategy to rejuvenate and operate local refineries. The issue of persistent corruption within the sector was also addressed, with demands for the National Assembly to enforce strict regulations to prevent the importation of substandard petroleum products that pose risks to public health and safety. The protesters called for the formation of an investigative committee to examine alleged misconduct, insisting that any implicated officials be prosecuted through anti-corruption agencies. They urged the National Assembly to take decisive action to reform the industry, ensuring its efficient operation and contribution to the nation’s economic well-being. The leaders of the protest articulated their demands as follows: "We seek a definitive plan for the revitalization and operationalization of our local refineries to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum products and diminish our dependence on imports. "It is imperative that the National Assembly implements and enforces stringent regulations to prohibit the importation of substandard petroleum products, thereby safeguarding the health and safety of Nigerian citizens. "We call upon the President to appoint a competent individual with the necessary integrity and expertise to address the complexities of the oil sector and restore public trust. "We also advocate for the prompt formation of a committee tasked with investigating the current allegations of corruption and fraud within the oil sector." Moreover, we insist that those accountable be prosecuted and referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for legal action.

Ten Farmers, Including a Chinese National, are Decapitated by Bandits in Niger State, and Their Heads Are Carted Away.

At least ten farmers, including women and a Chinese national, have been killed by bandits in the villages of Wayam and Belu-Belu within the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State. Reports from residents indicate that six of the deceased were beheaded, with the assailants taking their heads with them. Several injured individuals were transported to a clinic in Kagara, the administrative center of Rafi LGA, as reported by Daily Trust. The attack took place around 5 a.m. on Tuesday during morning prayers. Bala Tukur, a local resident, stated, “In Wayam village near Madaka under Kagara town, they brutally murdered ten people and injured many others. The manner in which they killed us is deeply traumatic, I assure you. Everyone has fled.” He added that “many individuals have been unable to harvest even 50 percent of their crops, including maize.” Recently, villagers in Kukoki were compelled to pay N1.5 million to harvest their crops, only for the bandits to return shortly thereafter. Local sources have reported a rise in attacks as farmers in the Wushishi, Rafi, Shiroro, Mariga, and Kontagora LGAs commenced their harvests. On Friday, bandits raided Zungeru in Wushishi LGA, moving through residences and a hotel, abducting occupants. A resident of Zungeru recounted, “Around 12 a.m. on Saturday, bandits invaded Zungeru town… they abducted Saidu Yakubu, known as Abacha, along with his wife.” In response to these incidents, Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed, the Commissioner for Homeland Security, confirmed that the Niger State Government is aware of the situation and that all security stakeholders have been mobilized. According to SaharaReporters, when they reached out to Wasiu Abiodun, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, he stated that he required time to verify the report.

BREAKING: Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, Passed Away.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who served as the Chief of the Army Staff. Lt. General Lagbaja was 56 years old at the time of his death. A statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, indicated that he passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos following a period of illness. The statement noted, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, deeply regrets to announce the death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at the age of 56. “He died on Tuesday night in Lagos after battling an illness. “Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed as Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu. “His illustrious military career commenced with his enrollment in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992, as part of the 39th Regular Course. “During his service, Lt. General Lagbaja exhibited remarkable leadership and dedication, having served as a platoon commander in both the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. “He was instrumental in various internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States. “An alumnus of the esteemed U.S. Army War College, he obtained a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, reflecting his commitment to professional development and excellence in military leadership. “Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his cherished wife, Mariya, and their two children. “President Tinubu extends his sincere condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this challenging time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and pays tribute to his significant contributions to the nation.”

Because of Safety Concerns, the Malaysian Government Plans to Phase Out CNG-powered Vehicles.

The Malaysian government has unveiled its intention to gradually discontinue the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles and to cease the sale of natural gas vehicles (NGV) within the nation.

During a recent press conference, the Minister of Transport made this announcement, as reported by Free Malaysia Today (FMT), a local news outlet. In Malaysia, CNG is commonly referred to as NGV. Minister Fook indicated that, effective July 1, 2025, CNG-powered vehicles will no longer be eligible for registration or operation in the country. He also mentioned that Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), the state-owned oil and gas corporation, will progressively stop selling CNG at its stations, beginning on the same date. The minister noted that with approximately 44,383 NGVs currently in operation—representing only 0.2 percent of the total vehicle population in Malaysia, excluding motorcycles—the initiative aims to enhance the safety of road users and the general public. “The NGV tanks in these vehicles are nearing the end of their operational lifespan and require replacement, as these tanks typically have a safe usage duration of 15 years,” Fook explained. He further highlighted concerns regarding some vehicle owners who have modified their cars to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, which pose significant safety risks. The minister reported that such vehicles have been involved in explosions during accidents. Fook assured that the government will implement an assistance program to support owners of CNG-powered vehicles throughout this transition period. “Taxi drivers operating NGV vehicles will qualify for a one-time RM3,000 e-voucher through Petronas’s Setel mobile application,” he stated. “To be eligible, they must have been registered with the Land Public Transport Agency prior to October 1. “For owners of dual-fuel vehicles, they can have their NGV kits removed at no cost at designated workshops approved by the transport ministry, provided their vehicles were registered with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) before October 1. “Finally, owners of vehicles solely powered by NGV will receive a one-time payment based on the current market value of their vehicles, which will be assessed by an independent evaluator. For this initiative, it is required that the vehicles have been registered with the JPJ prior to October 1. Once the offer is accepted, the vehicles will be transported to an authorized automotive treatment facility for disposal and deregistration by the JPJ. Fook emphasized the importance of this measure to prevent the potential misuse of the vehicles or any illegal modifications, which could pose a risk to public safety. He stated that payments associated with the support package will be processed within three to seven working days following the receipt of a vehicle's certificate of destruction and deregistration slip. Malaysia began utilizing compressed natural gas in the late 1990s specifically for taxicabs and airport limousines. In Nigeria, the federal government is advocating for the adoption of CNG as a substitute for petrol in transportation. This initiative, introduced by President Bola Tinubu to mitigate the effects of the petrol subsidy removal on citizens, has already attracted over $200 million in investments, with plans to establish 1,000 conversion centers nationwide. Recently, there was an incident involving a car explosion linked to a CNG-converted vehicle in Benin, the capital of Edo State.

Another New Collapse of the National Grid

The National Grid has experienced yet another failure, resulting in widespread darkness across the county. This incident, which occurred at approximately 11:28 AM on Thursday, marks the second collapse within the week and the tenth in the year 2024. An examination of the Independent System Operator, a subsidiary of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), revealed that all power plants linked to the grid were not generating any electricity by 12 PM. Data from the ISO’s website indicated that the generation plants produced an average of 2,323 megawatts of electricity around 11 AM, but the output dropped to 0.00 MW by 12 PM. At the time of this report, TCN had not provided an explanation for the collapse. In a confirmation of the situation, Jos Disco indicated that the ongoing outage within its service area is due to the loss of power supply from the national grid. “The loss of power supply from the national grid occurred this morning at approximately 11:28 hours on Thursday, 7th November 2024, leading to the disruption of power supply across all our feeders.” “We are committed to restoring normal power supply to our valued customers as soon as the grid supply is normalized.”