SERAP Writes Tinubu, Seeks Spending Details Of N400bn Fuel Subsidy Savings
Photo credit: Channels Television
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use his good offices and leadership position to “urgently publish details of spending of about N400bn so far saved as a result of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol.”
SERAP urged him to “provide details of the plans on how subsequent savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol, including specific projects on which the funds would be spent, and the mechanisms that have been put in place to ensure that any such savings are not embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.”
According to reports, the Federal Government has saved N400bn within the four weeks following the implementation of the policy on the removal of payment of subsidy on petrol.
In the letter dated 1 July 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Your government has a legal responsibility to ensure that the savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol are spent solely for the benefit of the 137 million poor Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the removal.”
SERAP said, “Prevention of corruption in the spending of savings from the removal of subsidy on petrol and preventing and addressing the challenges caused by the removal are serious and legitimate public interests.”
Two die as fresh crisis erupts in Taraba
Photo credit: Guardian Nigeria
No fewer than two persons were reportedly killed in a fresh crisis that erupted, yesterday, between the Wurkun and Karinjo communities in Karim-Lamido Local Council of Taraba State. It was also alleged that over five villages were burnt to ashes.
Confirming the report, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abdullahi Usman, described the attack as “ a gorilla welfare,” adding that many anti-riot policemen had been deployed to the area. He said apart from the policemen, heavily armed soldiers and other security operatives were drafted to the troubled communities. He was optimistic that the command, in collaboration with the sister’s security agencies, would put the situation under control.
However, he blamed the Karinjo community for the attack. He alleged that the Karinjo community had engaged the service of mercenaries from the neighboring Lau Local Council, and this has led to the killings of no fewer than two persons, while some villages burnt beyond recognition. Villages razed at the time of filing this report, included Garin Marwa, Sarkin Kudu, Sallamin Kala, and Yashi Pena. Sources from the communities described Karinjo’s action as shocking.
Tinubu’s Ministerial List Ready, Undergoing Security Checks
Photo Credit: PM
There are indications that the list containing the names of ministerial nominees in the President Bola Tinubu administration is ready.
According to a report by Sunday PUNCH, an “impeccable Presidency source” revealed that the list was already undergoing final security checks before submission to the Senate.
The source was said to have informed that the Department of State Services and members of the Presidential Strategic Team were running final checks on the people who had been listed as possible ministers.
Senators Threaten To Drag Akpabio To Court
Photo Credit:The Sun papers
Plans to challenge the outcome of the Senate presidency election in court on grounds that the ballot papers used in the poll had barcodes are not dying down despite efforts made by some ranking senators to pass it as being transparent.
Last week, Sunday Sun had exclusively reported plot by 22 All Progressives Congress (APC) senators to deflect to the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the tension created by the election of the presiding officers in the 10th Senate.
In the event that the 22 senators make good their threat, the opposition would have 72 senators while the APC would be left with 37.
This notwithstanding, former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, had in a viral video debunked reports that the ballot papers used in the 10th Senate election were doctored with barcodes, saying that “there was no funny business conducted on the floor of the hallowed chambers during the June 13 election held to determine who becomes the Senate President.”
His words: “Let me be honest with you, the election in the Senate was very transparent. Senator Akpabio won the election. It was free; it was fair. I congratulate the Clerk of the National Assembly. I congratulate the Clerk and all the staff of the Senate. You know, I cannot lie against my conscience. Akpabio won the election hands down.”
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