General
Buhari Pledges to Constitute New NDDC Board Soon
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that a new board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) would be constituted at the end of the implementation of the recommendations of the forensic audit report which is in phases.
He made the pledge to inaugurate the new NDDC board while declaring open the 5th National Council Meeting on Niger Delta held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
He said: “In response to the call of the governors of the South-south geopolitical zone for a forensic audit of NDDC, I undertook some critical reforms and requested a forensic audit of NDDC from inception in 2000 to 2019.
“The report of the audit has bèen submitted and the implementation of its recommendations has commenced in phases.
“I hereby assured you that this process will eventually bring about the constitution of a new board for the commission, which is the desire of most stakeholders in the region.”
The President, who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahe, lauded the leaders and youths of the region for their hard work which has brought relative peace and security being experienced in the region.
This, he said, would certainly accelerate the development of the region and provide opportunities to improve basic services, promote economic growth, and enterprise development and attract development into the Niger Delta region.
Mr Buhari said that the theme of the council meeting Harnessing 21st Century Development Initiative and Strategies for Greater Development Impact in the Niger Delta was appropriate as it would stimulate proper coordination of developmental programmes and projects in the region.
He disclosed that the Strategic Implementation Work Plan (SIWP), a framework meant to address the strategic objectives raised in the federal government’s 20-point agenda and the Pan Niger Delta Forum’s (PANDEF), 16-point agenda was already in operation.
He explained that the SIWP tool provided a strategic framework for the coordination of investment into development and stabilisation interventions in the Niger Delta region to ensure maximum efficiency and impact at a critical time.
According to the President, “this is another effort to ensure a paradigm shift from the old ways of projects imprisonment without synergy among various operators in the region.”
Mr Buhari noted that the new leadership in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has prioritised the implementation of the harmonisation of all developmental plans of all agencies and development partners operating in the region into a single integrated regional development plan as a road map to accelerate the development of the region.
He said: “As stakeholders, you must engage your minds as you deliberate in this meeting today on issues of economic diversification, fostering economic growth, eradication of extreme poverty, promotion of social inclusion, creation of jobs, and stemming environmental degradation including climate change in the region.”
On his part, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Umana Okon Umana, stressed that the meeting was a very important item on the calendar of events in the ministry as it also offers the NDDC and stakeholders the opportunity to take stock of collective engagement with the mandate of reinventing the Niger Delta region.
In order to achieve its mandate, Umana said the ministry has actively partnered and collaborated with other relevant agencies, development partners, international oil companies (IOCs), and other stakeholders on infrastructure development, investment in social services, and institutional capacity building for the Niger Delta region.
He said the federal government is committed not just to completing the East-West Road but also to turning the Eleme section of the road into a super expressway to underscore its strategic value derived from the quantum of investments across Eleme-Onne axis of the road in Rivers State.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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