Nigeria bound truck with arms and ammunition seized in Ghana

A truck loaded with ammunitions heading to Nigeria has been impounded by Ghanaian police in the capital Accra upon a tip off by a resident. The police said it is holding in custody five persons arrested on Tuesday for attempting to transport ammunitions from Ghana to Nigeria.

The occupants of the truck, three Ghanaians and two Nigerians who have been arrested and currently in detention are assisting the police with further investigations. 

The Greater Accra Regional Police Commander DCOP Rose Bio Atinga at a press conference after the interception said upon the tipoff, “we quickly dispatched our policemen. We went and found the vehicle at the location, it was empty. 

FULL TEXT OF THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH ON THE DEREGULATION OF THE PETROLEUM SECTOR/PALLIATIVES/COST CUTTING MOVES OF HIS GOVERNMENT

NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, ON THE DEREGULATION OF THE DOWNSTREAM PETROLEUM SECTOR SATURDAY,  JANUARY 7, 2012
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Dear Compatriots,
1.    A week ago, I had cause to address Nigerians on the security challenges we are facing in parts of the country, which necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 Local Government Areas in four states of the Federation. That course of action attracted widespread support and a demonstration of understanding. With that declaration, government had again signaled its intention to combat terrorism with renewed vigour and to assure every Nigerian of safety.

2.   The support that we have received in the fight against terrorism from concerned Nigerians at home and abroad has been remarkable. We believe that it is with such continued support that progress can be made on national issues. Let me express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has expressed a commitment to support us as we strive to improve on the country’s security situation, and build a stronger foundation for the future.  The recent mindless acts of violence in Gombe, Potiskum, Jimeta-Yola and Mubi are unfortunate. I urge all Nigerians to eschew bitterness and acrimony and live together in harmony and peace. Wherever there is any threat to public peace, our security agencies will enforce the law, without fear or favour.

3.   This evening, I address you, again, with much concern over an issue that borders on the national economy, the oil industry and national progress.  As part of our efforts to transform the economy and guarantee prosperity for all Nigerians, Government, a few days ago, announced further deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. The immediate effect of this has been the removal of the subsidy on petrol.

Fuel subsidy: FG to procure 1,600 mass transit buses

…Orders MDAs to pay Jan. Salaries on 20th

BY DANIEL IDONOR

ABUJA – PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and his cabinet members yesterday rose from an emergency session of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, saying that government would not reverse the increase in pump price of petrol from N65 to over N141 per litre.

The Federal Government however,  approved the  procurement of 1,600 mass transit buses on Monday, as part of the long term plans to cushion the harsh effects of the increase in pump price of petrol.

Addressing State House correspondents, at the end of the meeting, presided over by President  Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Mr Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment who was joined by Labaran Maku, Minister of Information and Idris Umar, Minister of Transportation, said the 1,600 mass transit buses formed part of the N10 billion revolving loan set aside by the government to address problems of the transport sector in the country.

Ex-militants threaten Jonathan over fuel subsidy cabal

By Emma Amaize and Godwin Oghre
SAPELE- A group of ex-militants, under the aegis of Niger Delta Revolution Force, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, arrest and try all those recently uncovered by the Senate to have illegitimately been benefiting from fuel subsidy or risk its wrath.

The leader of the group, Comrade Babatunde Omatseye told Vanguard in Sapele, Wednesday, that the group would regroup and launch attacked on oil facilities across the Niger Delta region,   as well as go after those who unjustly benefited from fuel subsidy, should government fail to direct the relevant law enforcement agencies to prosecute them.

Comrade Omatseye also advised the law enforcement agencies to shun the use of force, capable of maiming or killing unarmed members of the civil society who were protesting across the nation, the recent removal of fuel subsidy and its concomitant hike in transportation fares or risk reprisal attack from the group.

PPPRA Announces Formal Removal of Subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)

By Reginald Stanley

Following extensive consultation with stakeholders across the nation, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) wishes to inform all stakeholders of the commencement of formal removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), in accordance with the powers conferred on the agency by the law establishing it, in compliance with Section 7 of PPPRA Act, 2004.

By this announcement, the downstream sub-sector of the petroleum industry is hereby deregulated for PMS. Service providers in the sector are now to procure products and sell same in accordance with the indicative benchmark price to be published forthnightly and posted on the PPPRA website.

Petroleum products marketers are to note that no one will be paid subsidy on PMS discharges after 1st January 2012.

Consumers are assured of adequate supply of quality products at prices that are competitive and non-exploitative and so there is no need for anyone to engage in panic buying or product hoarding.

The PPPRA in conjunction with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) will ensure that consumers are not taken advantage of in any form or in any way.

The DPR will ensure that the interest of the consumer in terms of quality of products is guaranteed at all times and in line with international best practice.
In the coming weeks, the PPPRA will engage stakeholders in further consultation to ensure the continuation of this exercise in a hitch-free manner.

Signed:

Reginald Stanley
Executive Secretary, PPPRA.

culled from Sahara Reporters

PRESIDENT JONATHAN REMOVES FUEL SUBSIDY !!! [UPDATED]

Reports have it that the President will announce Subsidy Removal by 4:00 PM today...

I was able to purchase Fuel at the filling station for N65 and as I was gettin home a neighbour alerted me of the impending removal by 4 PM... He was dashing to the station.

He however called to tell me the station had been closed!!!

This confirms it...

Is this a good New Year's gift for Nigerians?

UPDATE
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It is confirmed... PPPRA announced the subsidy removal effective Jan, 1 2012 on NTA.