The presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has described Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri as a “local champion” amid the ongoing disagreement over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Duke made the remark while responding to Diri’s criticism of his earlier position that constructing the coastal highway through Bayelsa State would be impracticable because of the area’s swampy terrain.

The former Cross River State governor reiterated his opposition to the project during an interview on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Thursday, arguing that the proposed highway was not feasible because of its enormous cost and the nature of the terrain it would cross.

Duke dismissed Diri’s defence of the project, suggesting that the governor was approaching the issue from a state-level perspective rather than considering its broader implications for the country.

“And the governor of Bayelsa, if he did say so, I don’t know the fellow, but if he did say so, I think he’s just being a local champion,” Duke said.

The PRP presidential candidate maintained that his South-South origin did not prevent him from assessing the project from a national perspective.

“I’m from the South-South. I’m a Nigerian. South-South just happens to be where I originated from. But I’m looking at the totality of Nigeria,” he added.

Duke argued that Nigeria did not have the financial resources required to execute the project, noting that the government was already relying on borrowing to fund infrastructure development.

“It’s just not feasible. We don’t have the kind of money to do it. We’re literally borrowing to even stretch Epe stretch. We’re borrowing. We can’t do it,” he said.

He also questioned the decision to divert part of the proposed highway towards the East-West Road, asking whether the existing route had been taken into account when the project was initially planned.

“Now, they have said that they’re going to divert the road onto the East-West Highway. Weren’t they aware of the East-West Highway from get-go?” Duke asked.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has urged Nigerians to disregard concerns over an alleged plan to increase electricity tariffs, assuring them that the Federal Government is prioritising improved and reliable power supply across the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Tegbe gave the assurance in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the groundbreaking ceremony for five mini-grid projects expected to provide electricity to several communities in the state, Naija News reports.

The projects have a combined generation capacity of 17.7 megawatts and will feature a battery storage system with the capacity to store 17.74 megawatt-hours of electricity.

The beneficiary communities are Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-Elega, located across Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas.

Speaking at the ceremony, the minister dismissed reports of a proposed electricity tariff increase, stating that the government’s priority was to ensure a consistent power supply nationwide.

“I want to say this clearly and without ambiguity: there is no plan to increase electricity tariffs. What we are planning is a power sector that works around the clock. Our commitment is 24/7 power,” Tegbe said.

He explained that the Federal Government was developing initiatives aimed at improving electricity supply across various parts of the country.

According to the minister, the government’s energy plans cover several key corridors, including Lagos-Ogun, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt.

Tegbe added that measures were also being implemented to strengthen the national grid and improve the infrastructure responsible for electricity generation and transmission.

He noted that the mini-grid projects would expand access to electricity in the benefiting communities while reducing residents’ reliance on petrol and diesel-powered generators.

The minister further explained that a more dependable electricity supply would support business operations, encourage investment and create employment opportunities.

He described the initiative as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that similar electricity projects had been implemented in other states with the support of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

Tegbe commended Tinubu for his leadership and acknowledged the contributions of the REA, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the World Bank and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to the initiative.

He also expressed appreciation to the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers and community leaders for their support.

The minister stressed that sustained cooperation among all stakeholders would be crucial to completing the projects and ensuring that the communities enjoy lasting benefits from the improved electricity infrastructure.

Some motorists in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State, have reduced their movements as several filling stations shut their gates despite the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announcing a ₦66 reduction in petrol prices.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A survey conducted by journalists on Thursday revealed that many filling stations had stopped selling petrol barely a day after the price reduction was announced, leaving residents struggling to obtain the product.

The development followed decisions by some independent petroleum marketers to suspend sales, further reducing the number of outlets where motorists could purchase fuel.

The situation has also affected movement along major roads in the state capital, as some motorists have chosen to avoid unnecessary trips due to the high cost and limited availability of petrol.

A manager of one of the affected filling stations, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, disclosed that although the station had petrol in stock, its owner had ordered a suspension of sales.

He explained that the available stock had been purchased at a higher price, making it difficult for the station to sell at the newly announced lower rate without incurring losses.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that several filling stations in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State were also shut on Wednesday and Thursday.

A civil servant in the state, Aminu Muhammed, said the situation had disrupted workers’ daily activities, with some unable to get to their workplaces.

He added that some commercial drivers had parked their vehicles because petrol was either too expensive or difficult to obtain.

Commercial transport operators, popularly known as kabu-kabu, also expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that the announced price reduction had yet to provide the expected relief.

They alleged that some filling stations that remained open were selling petrol for as much as ₦1,500 per litre, despite motorists spending hours waiting in long queues.

The closures have left residents in parts of Kebbi and Oyo struggling to access petrol despite the announced price cut. Motorists, workers and transport operators continue to face the combined challenges of limited supply and high pump prices.