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Tag: Fct

  • Petrol Demand Drops 16% as Lagos, Abuja, Ogun Top Consumers

    Petrol Demand Drops 16% as Lagos, Abuja, Ogun Top Consumers

    Lagos, Ogun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have emerged as Nigeria’s top consumers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), according to the latest data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

    The agency’s truck-out report for June revealed that a total of 1.44 billion litres of petrol were distributed across the country. The figures highlight stark regional disparities, reflecting variations in population density, vehicle usage, and economic activity.

    Lagos State alone accounted for 205.7 million litres, far outstripping other states and underscoring its role as the nation’s commercial hub. The volume consumed in Lagos was significantly higher than the combined total of the five South-East states, which collectively took 132.7 million litres within the same month.

    Ogun State, an industrial hub bordering Lagos, followed with 88.7 million litres, while Abuja recorded 77.5 million litres, cementing their positions among the top three consumers. Oyo State, also within the South-West, received 72.8 million litres, while Jigawa posted the lowest figure nationwide with 9.4 million litres.

    Other low-consuming states included Ebonyi (10.5 million litres), Yobe (11.7 million litres) and Bayelsa (11.9 million litres), reflecting differences in population size, economic strength, and transportation needs.

    At the regional level, the South-West zone dominated consumption with 452.9 million litres, nearly one-third of the national total. The North-Central ranked second with 247.4 million litres, led by Abuja. The North-West followed closely at 230 million litres, driven by Kano’s high demand at 68.2 million litres.

    The South-South consumed 224.9 million litres, led by Delta (68.5 million litres) and Rivers (44.6 million litres). In the North-East, demand stood at 152.8 million litres, with Adamawa leading at 56.9 million litres. The South-East remained the lowest-consuming region, with just 132.7 million litres, led by Anambra (40.5 million litres).

    The NMDPRA’s Director of Public Affairs, George Ene-Ita, said the submission to the Federation Account Allocation Committee showed that June’s total evacuation stood at 1,440,768,129 litres, with a daily average of 48 million litres.

    However, petrol supply fell sharply month-on-month. From May to June, total PMS supply dropped by 290.5 million litres, from 1.77 billion litres to 1.48 billion litres, representing a 16.4 per cent decline. Truck-out volumes also fell by 246.7 million litres, a 14.6 per cent dip.

    The data underscores Nigeria’s uneven petrol consumption, where urban and industrial centres like Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Oyo, and Kano dominate demand, while smaller, less industrialized states such as Jigawa, Ebonyi, and Yobe consume far less.

  • FCT Traders Demand Modern Shops, Better Amenities at Zone 3

    FCT Traders Demand Modern Shops, Better Amenities at Zone 3

    Traders at the Zone 3 Neighbourhood Centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have raised alarm over the rising cost of doing business and the deteriorating state of facilities in the area.

    Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, the traders described the market environment as deplorable, citing inadequate amenities, poor sanitation, and unaffordable shop rentals as major challenges threatening their livelihoods.

    Mr. Obiora Iheanacho, a furniture dealer, lamented that the limited space at the temporary site had created serious parking problems for both traders and customers.
    “Most of us deal with furniture, but the shops are too small, and it is making our operation difficult,” he said, urging the government to construct modern shops that meet traders’ operational needs.

    Another trader, Mr. Obiora Okeke, appealed to authorities to remove abandoned vehicles blocking the frontage of the market to free up parking spaces.
    “It is a safety hazard and a major inconvenience. We need a solution to this parking problem to ensure that our customers can access our shops easily,” he said.

    For Mrs. Blessing Joseph, the soaring rental fees — currently ranging from ₦1.5 million to ₦2 million annually — have become unbearable.
    “I am struggling to keep up with the annual costs of rent. We need more affordable options to survive. The government should look into ways of regulating rent prices to make it more affordable,” she said.

    Similarly, Mrs. Martha Ubeh expressed concern over poor sanitation within the market premises, describing the state of the toilets as “embarrassing and unhealthy.” She called for urgent improvement in hygiene facilities to safeguard traders’ and customers’ health.

    The traders urged the FCT Administration to intervene with lasting solutions that would improve infrastructure, reduce rental costs, and create a more conducive environment for business activities.

  • NSCDC mining marshals shut down illegal quarry in Abuja, arrest 13 suspects

    NSCDC mining marshals shut down illegal quarry in Abuja, arrest 13 suspects

    photo credit; punch

     

    The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have shut down an illegal quarrying site in Kuje Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, arresting 13 suspects linked to the operation.

    According to Mining Marshals Commander, ACC Attah John Onoja, the suspects were working for a company that had unlawfully occupied and exploited a quarry lease belonging to another licensed firm for more than seven months.

    “This operation underscores our commitment to zero tolerance for illegality in the Nigerian mining sector. We will not allow any individual or company to deprive legitimate operators of their lawful rights,” Onoja said in a Thursday statement.

    The specialised Mining Marshals unit, recently commissioned to combat illegal mining nationwide, was acting under the directives of NSCDC Commandant General, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi. The unit’s mandate includes enforcing mining regulations, protecting critical assets, and tackling environmental and safety risks posed by unlicensed operations.

    Authorities said the Kuje site had no valid documentation, safety measures, or environmental safeguards, posing threats to public safety.

    Onoja warned all operators to comply with mining and environmental laws or face prosecution. The 13 suspects remain in custody and will be formally arraigned in the coming days.

    The crackdown forms part of the federal government’s wider efforts to sanitise the mining sector, curb revenue losses, and enhance internal security.

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  • Abuja Man Dies by Suicide Over Gambling Debts

    Abuja Man Dies by Suicide Over Gambling Debts

    A young man identified as Stephen Chidubem has died by suicide at his residence in the Saburi 2 area of Abuja, after leaving a note in which he blamed his gambling addiction for his tragic decision.

    The incident occurred on Wednesday on Abba Street, behind the Anglican Church in Saburi 2. According to reports shared by security analyst Zagazola Makama on Thursday via X (formerly Twitter), Chidubem was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan in his apartment.

    Emergency services arrived at the scene and evacuated his body to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was officially declared dead by medical personnel. His remains were later deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.

    A suicide note recovered at the scene revealed that Chidubem had been struggling with gambling-related debts and emotional turmoil. In the note, he apologized to those he owed money, including individuals named Elvis, Paul, and Bishop Andy Ero.

    “Sorry to everyone who cared. I can’t continue putting people in trouble because of my gambling addiction. Please forgive me Elvis, Paul, and all I’m owing. And you, Bishop Andy Ero, give the balance of ₦507,500 to Elvis or Paul,” the note read.

  • FCT police arrest man after 3-year-old drowns in an uncovered septic tank

    FCT police arrest man after 3-year-old drowns in an uncovered septic tank

    Septic tank

     

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested Philip Jallo, a resident of Durumi 2, Abuja, in connection with the death of a three-year-old boy who drowned in an uncovered septic tank.

    The incident occurred around 9:00 p.m. on July 16, 2025, within a residential compound. According to police reports, the child fell into the exposed soakaway, which reportedly contained human waste.

    Police operatives attached to the Durumi Divisional Headquarters apprehended Jallo after preliminary investigations linked him to negligence, as the septic tank had allegedly been left open despite repeated warnings from neighbors to cover it.

    In an official statement, the FCT Police Commissioner expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the victim’s family.

    “The Commissioner of Police urges all residents to take environmental safety seriously,” the statement read. “Parents and guardians must remain vigilant and ensure that children are properly supervised to avoid such tragic incidents.”

    The suspect remains in custody while investigations continue. Authorities say legal action will be pursued if negligence is confirmed.

    Police also reiterated the need for homeowners and tenants to maintain basic safety standards in residential environments to prevent avoidable hazards,

  • We’ll stop unpainted, unregistered taxicabs in FCT – Wike

    We’ll stop unpainted, unregistered taxicabs in FCT – Wike


    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the FCT Administration is putting structures in place that would ensure that only registered taxis painted in Abuja colours are allowed to operate in the FCT.

    Wike stated this on Wednesday during a meeting with traditional rulers and area council chairmen in Abuja.

    He said: “Very soon, we are going to roll out our buses, which will be painted in Abuja colour. In that case, we will not allow taxis that are not painted in Abuja colour to operate here, so that those “one chance” will no longer be there,” he said.

    The minister added that the FCTA will also provide bus terminals for various routes in the FCT, which will serve as the operational base for registered buses and taxis in the FCT.

    “If we have three to four terminals, it will be designed in such a way that these vehicles will go to so so areas. If you are travelling to so so area, go to that terminal, and those that will operate there are taxis and buses that we have profiled, and we know them,” he further stressed.

  • Wike warns politicians in FCT not to obstruct his work

    Wike warns politicians in FCT not to obstruct his work

    Nyesom Wike

    The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has vowed not to take it lightly with politicians obstructing ongoing government projects.

    Wike said his mission is to protect the public interest and not massage the selfish egos of politicians.

    He spoke while lamenting the decision of a House of Representatives member to obstruct an ongoing project in the Guzape District of FCT over personal gains.

    While inspecting some ongoing road projects at Guzape Lot 2, being handled by Gilmour Construction, and Roads B6 and D12 along Constitution Avenue, handled by Julius Berger Construction, Wike said the lawmaker ordered a stop to the project without due process.

    “We are not going to take it lightly. This is not a private project; it is a public project, handled by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

    “If there is any complaint, we think that whoever is responsible should complain to us and not go and use the police to stop a legitimate company from constructing work for the use of the public, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council.

    “We have directed the contractor to go back and make sure they don’t heed that so-called stoppage. They must go back and complete the work, which we are expecting that Mr President will commission in May,” Wike said.

  • FCT: 23 persons kidnapped by gunmen

    FCT: 23 persons kidnapped by gunmen

    Gunmen said to number around 40 stormed the Kawu community in Bwari Area Council of the FCT in the early hours of Thursday and abducted 23 people.

    Kawu shares boundaries with two states: Niger and Kaduna.

    The Councilor representing the area, Abdulmumini Zakari, who is the deputy speaker in the council, said the gunmen arrived around the community on Wednesday from the Kuyeri Forest in Kaduna State.

    He explained that “They divided themselves into groups and some went into the palace of the district head, Alhaji Abdurrahman Danjuma Ali, where they abducted his son, Lukman, and his wife, who he married two weeks ago. Others attacked the compound of Alhaji Alhassan Sidi Kawu, the Marafa of Kawu and a former PDP Chairman of Kawu Ward. They abducted him along with his four children.”

    The bandits also went into the compound of Sarkin Pawan Kawu, Gambo S Pawa, and abducted him alongside his two wives and some children.

    The FCT Police Command spokeswoman, S.P Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident in a reply to our reporter yesterday.

    “Some unknown hoodlums stormed Kawu village, a bordering community with Kagarko LGA, in Kaduna State, and kidnapped people. The truth is that the miscreants raided that general area and escaped into Kaduna State,” she said.

  • Wike receives N50bn for capital projects in FCT

    Wike receives N50bn for capital projects in FCT


    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday, said the Ministry of Finance has released N50 billion to the Administration to finance ongoing capital projects.

    The amount, according to Wike, is 50 per cent of FCT’s N100 billion 2023 supplementary budget approved by the National Assembly in December, 2023.

    The minister made the announcement, after an inspection tour of some ongoing projects in the FCT, in Abuja on Thursday.

    He said he has directed the Permanent Secretary to immediately make payments to the contractors handling projects in FCT.

    “I am happy to announce to you that the Ministry of Finance has released 50 per cent of the national supplementary budget.

    “That in a way, has given us that hope that the contractors will be paid anytime from now.

    “We have also gotten assent to the FCT Statutory Budget, which again, has given us hope that no project will be left uncompleted as promised. As you can see, these are quality projects, which we are very satisfied with.

    “We believe that the arrangements made by the contractors will enable us to commission the projects to celebrate Mr President’s one year in office.”

    The minister commended the residents of Abuja for their support, while assuring them that there was no promise made that would not be fulfilled, stressing that a promise made would be fulfilled.

    He expressed confidence that the projects would be delivered on schedule, saying “we are quite hopeful; we are quite convinced that they would keep to the time scheduled as agreed.

    “We are happy with what we have seen, and we will continue to do things to the satisfaction of the residents of Abuja and assure them that the renewed hope agenda is not a mere talk.”

    Wike acknowledged some challenges at the course of delivering the projects, adding, however, that the challenges were surmountable.

    He added that with the kind of support from President Bola Tinubu, there were no challenges that would not be surmountable.

    One of the projects inspected is the Outer Southern Expressway, which stretched from A.A Rano, through Deeper Life Junction, SARS, Apo roundabout to Wasa District.

    The road is being constructed by China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) Nigeria Limited.

    Wike also inspected the Northern N-20 Expressway in Jahi District being constructed by Gilmor Construction firm and the Vice President’s residence being constructed by Julius Berger.

    The Area Manager, CGC Nigeria Ltd., Yong Hong, assured the minister that the Outer Southern Expressway would be delivered before May.

    Similarly, the representative of Julius Berger, Mr Oliver Berger, said that the team were on site for the past two months and have done a lot of work on the VP residence project.

    “We have done a lot of cleaning inside and outside. As you can see a lot of infrastructural work has happened; earth work around the fence line has been done, sewage and other trenches have been done.

    “All the procurement processes have commenced already and from the preparation point of view we are in a good position to turn all our plans and procurement activities into action,” he said.

  • Bike crushing will stop in FCT– VP-Elect Shettima

    Bike crushing will stop in FCT– VP-Elect Shettima


    The vice president-elect, Kashim Shettima, has promised to stop the seizing and crushing of motorcycles, also known as okada, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other parts of the country when he assumes office.

    Shettima, who made this known in a recent engagement with the National Association of Tricycles and Motorcycles Owners and Riders of Nigeria in Abuja, encouraged them to continue to be law abiding as the incoming administration is poised to make their life better.

    The vice president-elect noted that motorcycles and tricycles riders are authentic representatives of the people and that they should be rest assured that the incoming administration will do whatever it takes to protect and preserve their interest.

    Earlier, the north central zonal coordinator for progressive ambassadors, Engr Badru Abdul Rafiu, said that they had chosen not to be onlookers, and decided to be part of nation builders championed by Asiwaju and Kashim Shettima.

    Also, the National President of the association, Usman Gwoza, told the vice president-elect that they have been facing the challenge of having their motorcycles seized and crushed by the authority.