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Category: Business and Economy

  • AGIS INTRODUCES ONLINE PAYMENT FOR ITS SERVICES

    AGIS INTRODUCES ONLINE PAYMENT FOR ITS SERVICES

    The Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) and the FCT Land Administration Department will from January 1, 2021 receive only payments made through online for its services.

    The Director/Chief Executive Officer of AGIS, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Jalo made this disclosure at a meeting with top management staff of the organization on Monday.

    The Director revealed that the migration to an online payment system is to ensure improved service delivery to the public and to also, ease customers’ payments, which can even be made at their comfort zone.

    Dr. Jalo explained that these payments would be done through the REMITA platform which can also be accessed through a customer’s mobile phones, desktop and laptops, because bills will be generated electronically.

    According to him, the payments for these services include the Fresh Application, Ground Rents, Legal Search, payment for premium, Power of Attorney, Deed of Assignment, obtaining Certified True Copy, Title registration, application for sub-divisions, Deed of sub-Lease, as well as consent to assign.

    He reiterated that from January 1, 2021, all revenue accruing to AGIS/Lands will be migrated to the REMITA online Platform.

    “This action has become necessary in furtherance of the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the determination of the government to optimize its revenue collections,” the Director added.

    He emphasized that “All individuals and corporate organizations doing business with AGIS and FCT Land Administration Department should note, that effective January 2021 all revenue collections are expected to be on the REMITA platform only”.

    Jalo stressed that AGIS / Lands Department are already finalizing all necessary arrangements to make the migration hitch free.

    He remarked that this action is also incompliance with the TSA Account policy and principles of the Ease of Doing Business of the Federal Government.

  • Plateau Nets N7.046B as IGR in 3rd Quarter

    Plateau Nets N7.046B as IGR in 3rd Quarter


    Ugar Ukandi Odey, Jos

    Plateau State Government netted N7, 046, 895, 357.27 as internally generated revenue for the third quarter of 2020 fiscal year that spanned from July to September.


    Presenting the second and third quarter report of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, the Chairman of the Service, Dashe Arlat, said the revenue for the second quarter stood at N2, 196, 735, 606.11, a sharp drop from the first quarter figure of N7, 203, 329,641. 61 as a result of the closure of businesses as a result of the lockdown to check the spread of the covid-19 pandemic


    According to the Chairman, “the PSIRS devised it’s strategies and poised itself to meet and even surpass it’s 2020 target of N16 billion. In addition to strengthening and intensifying productive strategies deployed in 2019, PSIRS adopted more strategies”.
    Some of these strategies, he maintained, ranged from enhanced data collection to aggressive pursuit of tax defaulters, aggressive drive in the informal sector, and combing all discernible business districts to capture all taxable outfits.


    The Chairman stated that, in view of the pangs of the pandemic on businesses, “the Service quickly introduced palliative tax relief measures to help mitigate the adverse effects oxf the covid-19 on Plateau businesses”.


    He said some of the measures included extension of time lines to fill annual returns, waiver of penalties and interests, to suspension of enforcement of outstanding tax liabilities.

  • 100 communities taken over by militias in Southern Kaduna-SOKAPU

    100 communities taken over by militias in Southern Kaduna-SOKAPU

    *Accuses Kaduna state govt of abandonement

    ” Says over 50,000 displaced persons now live in IDP camps


    By, Ujah Simon, kaduna


    The Socio Cultural Organization, the Southern Kaduna People’s Union, (SOKAPU) said three of their natives have been killed, 100 communitites sacked and  taken over by armed Fulani militia unchallenged by kaduna state.

    A statement issued and signed by the Union’s spokesman Luka Binniyat also averred that there are 50, 000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) across several comps, with some leaving with their relations as a result of invasion of their communities or unsafe to leave due to armed Fulani militia.
    “As at 30th October, 2020 at least 100 communities scattered in 4  LGAs of Southern Kaduna  have been displaced and taken over by armed Fulani militia unchallenged by the state even after our repeated publication of this impunity to the government.”There are at least 50,000 IDPs leaving in several camps in Southern Kaduna and with relations, all because their villages are either too unsafe to return or  have been taken over by Fulani militia”, the union lamented.The statement read in parts: “Government forsaken Adara natives of Kallah ward, Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state, yesterday morning (29th October, 2020) witnessed another tragedy:  “Mr Kaduna Garba, 32, father of two children braved it early yesterday morning leaving his IDP camp in Kallah town with his kinsman, Francis Bala, 38. They headed for  their native Magunguna village to see situation of things. Magunguna village forms 18 other Adara communities on the flat, lush, fertile valleys of River Kaduna that have been captured by Fulani militia since May 18th, 2020 after scores were killed and the villages looted and vandalized without any provocation to the attackers.The two men were ambushed and attacked just before getting to the village  by armed Fulani  with daggers and machetes and Kaduna  Garba was instantly killed while, Francis Bala escaped with fatal injuries. Garba was buried yesterday in Kallah.
    “Irmiya Bitrus, 20, from Kwakwa village, in Atyap Chiefdom, Zangon Kataf LGA, is today at a private hospital in Zoknwa nursing grievous injuries sustained from deep machete  cuts. His friend, Dachomo Alamba, 20, with whom they were attacked on the outskirt of Kwakwa village around 7:30pm on Monday, 26th October, 2020 by same armed Fulani men, died of his wounds on the spot after the assailants fled. He was buried at Kwakwa last Wednesday. This is coming after Manyi – Mashin village in Atyap chiefdom was razed and  two people killed and the entire village sacked into an IDP camp in nearby Apiako village. Not less than 5 Atyap natives have been killed by Fulani armed men and several others injured in Atyap Chiefdom since the Atyap leaders entered into a peace agreement with their long time Fulani and Hausa settlers in August, 2020″, it stated.
    SOKAPU stated that last Thursday, “in similar fashion, armed Fulani men attacked  two  Gbagyi men riding on a bike on the Buruku-Damba-Kasaya road in Kunai ward, Chikun LGA of Kaduna state. Mr. Ezra Nayaro, 45 and father of 7 children was gunned dead while the other passenger escaped into the bush.”Therefore, three natives of Southern Kaduna have been killed by Fulani armed men in the past five days, unprovoked and no one is doing anything about it.
    “And more worrisome are Southern Communities that are now fully occupied by armed Fulani militia, some for over a year, and the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai is still in denial that such reprehensible truth doesn’t exist. But SOKAPU can prove that the villages bellow are now captured and occupied in Southern Kaduna communities by armed Fulani militia”,:it stated..According to SOKAPU, 99 communities were displaced in Kachia, kajuru and Chikun local government Areas of the southern part of the state.
    “    As at 30th October, 2020 at least 100 communities scattered in 4  LGAs of Southern Kaduna  have been displaced and taken over by armed Fulani militia unchallenged by the state even after our repeated publication of this impunity to the government.
    There are at least 50,000 IDPs leaving in several camps in Southern Kaduna and with relations, all because their villages are either too unsafe to return or  have been taken over by Fulani militia.”We are therefore calling on the International Community, Human Rights Organizations men and women of honor and conscience to help bear pressure on both Kaduna State Government and the Federal Government to restore these people back to their homes”, it stated.

  • Labour kicks as FG hikes electricity tariff

    Labour kicks as FG hikes electricity tariff

    Okechukwu Nnodim

    The Federal Government cannot revert to the September 1, 2020 service reflective tariff that led to widespread outcry across the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress has said.

    Deputy President, NLC, Joe Ajaero, who doubles as General Secretary, National Union of Electricity Employees, on Friday night, said a new tariff template had been agreed upon by government and labour unions.

    Speaking with our correspondent, he said, “I’m not sure of any planned reversal to the old or increased tariff. The template has been touched after the first two weeks of our meeting on the tariff review.

    “If you watch the new template for customers in bands A and B, there was a reduction of 10 per cent and 10.5 per cent, respectively. For those in Band C, there is a 31 per cent reduction.”

    Ajaero added, “Those in bands D and E were not increased at all. Now, that is what we could do within the two weeks and we were given an extension of about two to three months to work on some other issues.”

    He said the implementation of the reductions would have commenced in the past two weeks but, because of some adjustments, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission would have to commence it on a later date.

    “NERC is not reverting to the tariff that led to the outcry. Rather, it would commence the implementation of these adjustments that were done pending when we are going to make further findings.

    “So, they are going to revert to these adjustments that we have made and not the September 1, 2020 tariff hike, which they had approved earlier. The NERC chairman’s signature is on what we agreed to during our meeting,” Ajaero said.

    On why parties at the meeting agreed to an extension of about three months for further findings, the NLC official said it was to settle other concerns in the power sector.

    He said, “Why are we talking about two to three months to iron out issues? It is because of the issue of gas pricing. Gas produced in this country is being sold in dollars and they now compute tariff based on the price of gas in dollars.

  • FG changes MSMEs survival fund portal from Nov. 1

    FG changes MSMEs survival fund portal from Nov. 1

    The Federal Government says it will affect a change in Macro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Survival Fund and Guaranteed off-take Stimulus Scheme site from Nov.1 due to operational challenges.

    Amb. Mariam Katagum, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment and Chairperson of the Steering Committee of National MSMEs Survival Fund and Guaranteed off-take Stimulus Scheme disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    According to the minister, the survival fund site will be migrating to www.survivalfund.gov.ng with effect from Nov. 1.

    “I wish to inform the general public that due to operational challenges the committee will be effecting a change in the site of the fund and migrate to www.survivalfund.gov.ng.

    “The public is further warned not to pay anything for the ongoing formalisation process or any of the package under the scheme…it is absolutely free,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the survival fund is a conditional grant to support vulnerable Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in meeting their payroll obligations and safeguard jobs in MSMEs from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The scheme is estimated to save at least 1.3 million jobs across the country while targeting an average of 35,000 individuals per state.

    Under the scheme, which is under the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, millions of Nigerians would be impacted.

    The portal for the fund registration was opened for beneficiaries and became operational in Sept. 21.

    (NAN)

  • HURIWA TASKS TRANSCROP HILTON ON STAFF DISENGAGEMENT

    HURIWA TASKS TRANSCROP HILTON ON STAFF DISENGAGEMENT


    The leading Civil Rights Advocacy group:- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITTERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly intervene  and stop the attempt by Nigeria’s biggest and most profitable hotel Transcrop Hilton from retrenching eighty percent of it’s work force and to deny them all their employment related rights. 


    Besides, the Federal government has been told to drop the minister of state for labour Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) as a mediator in the brewing labour crises between the management of Transcorp Hilton and the organised labour force in the hotel.


    In a media statement by the RIGHTS group through its National co-ordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National media Affairs director Miss Zainab Yusuf, the Rights group  accused Mr. Keyamo of enjoying a cosy relationship with the Chairman of Transcrop Hilton Mr. Tony Elumelu even as the group stated that a leaked audio of a conversation between  Mr Keyamo and some management staff of the hotel has clearly showed that the minister of state is no longer neutral neither is he the fit and proper government official to negotiate any kind of accord between the management and the organised labour force in the hotel.


    “THERE is a trending audio recording online which is a conversation between the minister of state labour Mr. Festus Keyamo allegedly asking the Hilton management to proceed with an arbitrary decision on denying the staff who would be thrown out of employment due to the effects of COVID -19 and implement a disengagement payment settlements that violate significantly  the  extant contractual conditions of service signed between the staff and Transcrop Hilton.”


    The Rights group also expressed disappointment that the minister of state for labour Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN) allegedly paid a secret visit to the chairman of Transcorp Hilton Mr. Tony Elumelu in Transcorp Hilton Abuja, even whilst he acted as a mediator in the labour related crisis between the management of Transcorp Hilton and their staff.


    “We are asking the minister of labour Mr. Chris Ngige to take up the task of resolving all the knotty discord between Transcorp Hilton management/owners and the staff so the entire labour related contractual rights of the workers are paid to them should Transcrop Hilton makes good the plan to disengage a large numbers of workforce. For us, we think, the Nigerian government should do everything to stop Transcorp Hilton management from proceeding with the despicable plan to throw hundreds of Nigerians out of EMPLOYMENT at a time of extreme financial hardships. If on the other hand the management insists on proceeding with the job cuts, then those to be affected must be paid all their entitlements as captured under their employment contracts including redundancy, retirement and service charges’ benefits so that those who still have fifteen years to reach the statutory retirement age of 55 years can as well find other means of livehood.”


    “We urge the management to play the game by the rules. The Transcorp Hilton has remained profitable going by statistical data showing yearly incomes as follows: 

    years                  Generated revenue  -: 2010:-                      N13. 900. 000.000
    2011:-                      N 14.000.000.000
    2012:-                      N12. 900. 000.000
    2013:-                      N14. 900. 000.000
    2014:-                      N13. 700. 000.000
    2015:-                      N13. 600. 000.000
    2016:-                      N14. 800. 000.000
    2017:-                      N13. 300. 000.000
    2018:-                      N16. 600. 000.000
    2019:-                      N19. 500. 000.000″. 
    The Rights group said it has seen a letter sent to the original trademarks owners of Hilton international sent to Chris Nassetta the Oresidebt and CEO of Hilton Worldwide by the Labour union in the Nigerian affiliate of Transcorp Hilton titled:-“COMPLAINTS OF ILL TREATMENT, NON –ADHERENCE TO HILTON BRAND STANDARD AND ABUSE OF OFFICE, AGAINST:
    THE GENERAL MANAGER, KEVIN BRETT.”
    Part of it reads as follows: “We the labour leaders of the entire Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja both junior, National Union of Hotels personal Service Workers (NUHPSW) and senior, Hotel and Personal Service Staff Association (HAPSSSA) write with heavy burden and concern over the above subject matter.
    Hilton is the best world known Hotel Brand, which has been sustained over the years as a result of the team member’s loyalty, commitment, dedication and professionalism in delivering world class service. Transcorp Hilton as part of the chain has also maintained the brand service standard since inception.
    “You recall that 29th March, 2020 the Federal Government of Nigeria shutdown movement of all kinds in a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic bringing business activities almost to a halt. Despite several appeal to management for little palliatives even if it is from our 10%  RESERVED SERVICE CHARGE for the team members welfare since the pandemic took everybody unaware, the GM, Kevin Brett shows little or no interest over the welfare/ wellbeing of the team.
    “We are surprise to hear GM in one of our meeting informing us of the intention of management/ owners to downsize 80% of the workforce with payment of 20% of accrued severance benefit thereby neglecting the provision of our Condition of Service.
    “Sir, we are aware of your position and advice to Hilton management through webinar where you stated as follow:1.  Team members’ welfare should not be compromised on account of COVID -19 pandemic. 2.  Tea, members should be provided with the right tools to work for optimum productivity3.  Team members should be provided with tender loving care (TLC) and 4.  Do not cut cost but manage all resources available both human and material resources.
    “With all your advice, Kevin has continuously misinformed the owners that the hotel cannot operate above 15% for the next three years thereby encouraging their quest for downsizing of staff without considering the 1/6 globally accepted manning guide. For the past two weeks, the hotel has maintained 38% daily occupancy”. The letter was endorsed by the Branch Chairman, Branch Secretary, of HOTEL & PERSONNAL SERVICES SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION”. 
    HURIWA stated that it will be writing the management of the Transcorp Hilton hotel to educate them on why the Labour and employment rights of their staff must be fully respected since the hotel is a tremendously respected corporate body in the World.  

  • Nigerians React As US Block Okonjo Iweala From WTO Top Position

    Nigerians React As US Block Okonjo Iweala From WTO Top Position

    There is anger and condemnation in Nigeria over  US action blocking the nomination of Nigeria’s former  finance minister Ngozi Okonjo Iweala to head  the World Trade Organization (WTO)

    Daybreak recall that on Wednesday the WTO nominations committee appointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to lead the 164 members global trade arbitrator but shortly after the nomination a high-level US trade representatives said the country will not back Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy, citing displeasure with how the selection process has been carried out.

    The US stance is a major clog to the emergence of Okonjo Iweala.

    Reacting to the development a developmental economist and Managing Director of a Fintech company, Kese  Nigeria Limited, Mr. Okey Durumba said the development and opposition of the United States to the nomination was unfortunate. “She is at the cusp of history and would be the first woman and first African to lead the global body. Why the US is opposed to her nomination is something that beats imagination, after all she is a US citizen. Recall that she took US citizenship in September last year and we would have expected that the Trump administration would have given her the required support for her to scale through”

    Also speaking on the issues an international affairs specialist and lecturer in the University of Abuja, Prof. George Adekunle  said he was not surprised by the opposition to her candidature by the US. 

    “The US, since the Trump administration has been very vehement and critical of the World Trade Organisation and its handling of global trade which it believes has helped China to grow in expense of the United States. Trump is in support of another woman. Trump has thrown the weight of the US behind South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee. He believes she is a better candidate and by better candidate he means the US would be able to manipulate her to do their biddings which obviously would be in the in the interest of the US not of the rest of the World. 

    South Korea and the US have a very deep relationship dating back to the Second World War, in fact the US has a permanent military base in South Korea. I knew all along  that there was no way the US would have supported our own Okonjo Iweala against the South Korean candidate. Now if you even look at the credentials of both women Okonjo is more qualified, she has seen it all having worked in the World Bank and also on the board of some global institutions. 

    He however said that the US opposition is null and void because the emergence of Okonjo Iweala was based on the  consensus of  other member states of the WTO.

    The WTO Head of Delegation have met, that meeting took place yesterday and the result and final outcome of the meeting is the last round of consultation in accordance with the  rules and regulations guiding the selection process of the DG of the WTO. The US has registered its opposition to the emergence of Okonjo Iweala and that is all. It is within their rights to do that but it is not going to change anything bacause all other members were in agreement with the selection process and her emergence.  The US is alone. 

    The General Council Meeting is scheduled for November 9 to rectify the appointment of a new DG and if that fails the council will resort to voting and I am sure Okonjo Iweala will still emerge judging by the number of states lining up behind her”. 

    Also talking on the manner an Abuja based legal practitioner and public affairs analyst John Ogunlela the position of the United states only goes confirm its long standing policy.

    “It is not about President Trump, remember that during the Obama administration the US supported  a South Korean candidate against the same Okonjo Iweala to emerge as President of the World Bank. Most Nigerians are blaming Donald Trump on this  Okonjo Iweala thing because they don’t understand the real character of the United States of America. They don’t know that they are not hearing the voice of Trump but of the fearsome entity called the USA, as enshrined in the carrier civil servants of the State Department, who, along with a few nationalist thinkers believe that the core of the intellectual community spread across the university campuses run the spirit of United States. 

    The foreign policy of the USA is based on primacy. It is so based on primacy that even the European Union knows it is dealing with a demon in that respect. It is the reason a country like Russia pursues a counterbalancing policy by choice and Germany, Europe’s economic and manufacturing powerhouse keeps its powders dry by making a point of maintaining good relations with Russia. The EU knows through the experiences of its vast stock of history that the goal of the USA is to enslave the whole world and make it do it’s bidding” he said.

  • Nasarawa: Gov.Sule signs two investment bills into law.

    Nasarawa: Gov.Sule signs two investment bills into law.

    Abel Leonard/ lafia

    Nasarawa State Governor Engr.Abdullahi Sule has signed into law two bills for Nasarawa Investment Development Agency and Nasarawa State Mortgage Foreclosure law 2020.

    The signing ceremony which took place at Government House Lafia had in attendance Speaker of the assembly Rt.Hon.Balarabe Abdullahi and other principal officers.

    While signing the two bills, Governor Abdullahi Sule said his administration is committed to policies that would develop the investment frontires of Nasarawa State.

    He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensure that the investment potentials in the state are fully utilized for the overall development of the state.

    The Governor emphasized that the bills are meant to stimulate, protect and encouraged investors both locally and international into the state and will also provide enabling environment for them to operate.

    While appreciating the support of the state assembly to policies and programmes of his administration he added that the proximity of the state to the federal capital placed it on the higher economic advantage.

    The Speaker,Balarabe Abdullahi revealed that the bills have passed through all legislative processes noting that the Nasarawa State project is a collective agenda that they most all work together to delivered.

    He restated the lawmakers resolved to give the Governor all the necessary support to succeed.

  • Gov. Sule sign $31.5m agreement for Power Plant in Nasarawa.

    Gov. Sule sign $31.5m agreement for Power Plant in Nasarawa.

    Abel Leonard/ lafia


    Nasarawa State Government has signed a concession agreement with a private firm, Beacon Energy Development, for the setting up of a plant that will generate power from waste, estimated to cost $31.5m.


    Representatives of the Nasarawa State Government, as well as management of the Beacon Energy Development, signed the agreement at a brief ceremony at the Government House, Wednesday.


    In a remark shortly after signing the agreement, Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, expressed satisfaction that the waste to energy project fits perfectly with the development agenda of his administration.


    Engineer Sule commended the Federal Government, as well as the Federal Ministry of Environment, for initiating and constructing the waste recycling facility in Auta Balefi and donating it to the Nasarawa State Government.


    According to the Governor, the idea was for the state government to run the facility as a business but that has not been the case because experience has shown that businesses ran by government always run into challenges.


    Engineer Sule expressed appreciation that Beacon Energy Development, a company owned by a son of the state, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, is coming in to take over the facility for the generation of energy from waste.


    “I am happy that our dear brother and his company, Beacon, have decided to join us and to take it over and run it under this PPP arrangement.
    “That’s the part that makes me very happy, that we have been able to put this particular project into proper use,” the visibly elated Governor said.


    Engineer Sule said the partnership is coming at a time when the need to address power challenges in the country and Nasarawa State has become paramount, especially that power is essential for any form of economic activity.


    He however pointed out that sometimes to set a target is not enough but to follow up and implement that target, praying that parties to the agreement will implement the ideas behind the project so that it will be a legacy for both the firm and for his administration.


    Earlier, MD/CEO of Beacon Energy Development, Dr. Angbazo said the concession has both local and international contents, involving a Swedish company, with the associated power generation capacity visualized for the project, enough to provide power to the industrial cluster already in place around Karu, with further possibility to attract more industries, cottage industries that youths and women can key into.


    “We have a huge issue of sanitation and waste management in the country. We have taken a long term view of our state, of our country, of our community, particularly the youths and women. We have an opportunity to turn a problem into an economic engine,” he stated.


    In an introductory remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment and Economic Planning, Barrister Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the project estimated at $31.5m, will entail designing, financing, building and operating the plant at Auta Balefi, which will be upgraded to an integrated municipal waste management facility for converting waste to energy.

  • Cooking Gas Stations Flouting Govt. Regulations Faces Sanctions In Kogi – DPR

    Cooking Gas Stations Flouting Govt. Regulations Faces Sanctions In Kogi – DPR

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR) Engineer Idris Mohammed Zangi has warned operators of Cooking Gas Stations and Petrol Stations across the state to adhere strictly to government rules and procedures to avoid being sanctioned.

    The Controller who gave the warning while speaking to our correspondent in his office in Lokoja, decried the incessant incidences of leaking tanks  of Cooking Gas Stations which has posed serious threats to the Citizenry adding “I will not hesitate to apply sledge hammers  against the erring operators”.

    Engineer Zangi who lamented at the flagrant disobedience of the operators to the rules and regulations guiding the siting, operation, management and sustenance of a gas station , insisted  that he will not rest on his oars to ensure the right things are done across the state.

    He pointed out that before his arrival in the state, most of the stations have no operating licences, code of operation as stations were littered within the residential areas, markets and School premises, built at inappropriate locations, causing untold hazards and fears to the residents.

    The controller added that on assumption, he embarked on  aggressive sensitisation using mass media and also toured stations across the three senatorial districts and directed those found culpable to get their documents regularised to avoid being blacklisted .

    Engineer Zangi who appealed to the people to promptly report any infractions at any station to his office to avoid being caught off guard, commended the security agencies especially members of the Civil Defence and Safety Corps in his drive to enforce sanity in the industry.

    The Controller’s warning is coming on the heels of recent petroleum tanker Explosion in Felele, Lokoja  in which over 30 persons loss their lives and  properties worth millions of Naira were  destroyed.