Nigerian drivers face hurdles in the transition to natural gas-powered vehicles

Nigerian authorities plan to convert 1 million gasoline-engine vehicles to run on cheaper, cleaner compressed natural gas, or CNG, by the year 2027. Nigeria has some of the largest gas reserves in the world. But with only a few CNG filling stations available in the country, many who have converted the vehicles are facing a new challenge. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.

VOA

Nigeria approves Exxon-Seplat deal after more than two years

Nigeria has approved the sale of Exxon Mobil Corp's onshore assets to Seplat Energy, the chief executive officer of the country's upstream regulator said on Monday, more than two years after the $1.28 billion deal was first agreed.

The sale had been under scrutiny as it awaited regulatory approval since it was first announced in February 2022.

President Bola Tinubu said on Oct. 1 the deal would receive ministerial approval in a matter of days after getting clearance from the regulator.

Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) CEO Gbenga Komolafe said on Monday at an event in the capital Abuja that the ministerial approval had been granted.

Under the deal, Seplat will own 40% of four oil mining leases and associated infrastructure, including the Qua Iboe export terminal, and 51% of Bonny River natural gas liquids recovery plant previously owned by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Exxon's local unit.

Oil majors operating in Nigeria - Africa's largest oil exporter - have been retreating from onshore operations hampered by theft and sabotage, opting to focus future investments on newer and more lucrative deep offshore fields.

In July the NUPRC approved the sale of onshore assets by Eni's local unit to Oando and another from Equinor to new entrant Project Odinmim.

The regulator offered in May faster approvals for pending asset sales by oil majors if they took responsibility for oil spills and compensated impacted communities rather than wait for authorities to apportion liability. 

Reuters

Video - Nigerians react to abandoned AFCON clash against Libya

The aborted 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Libya and Nigeria that was due to be played in Benghazi earlier this week elicited sharp reaction from Nigerians. The Nigerian Football Federation pulled the Super Eagles out of the match after the team was allegedly stranded for hours without basic necessities at an airport in Tripoli. 

CGTN

Related story: Nigeria Football team boycotts Africa Cup qualifier after being stranded at Libya airport

 

Video - Nigeria among several nations seeking to join BRICS

Enthusiasm for the BRICS is growing as countries continue to seek better alternatives to solve their economic and development challenges. The alliance’s championing for developing countries' interests has sparked the interest of the Global South countries, among them Nigeria, in joining the group. Five new members, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt and the UAE, joined the BRICS mechanism earlier this year and many more want to follow them.

CGTN

Related story: Foreign Minister says Nigeria plans to join BRICS

 

Police lament high rate of jungle justice in Nigeria

The Nigeria Police Force have decried the spate of jungle justice in the country, warning against its consequences on criminal justice administration, rule of law and global reputation.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, condemned the trend of jungle justice in the country, describing it as a deplorable and savage behaviour.

Adejobi said the act had led to the tragic loss of lives and destruction of properties across the country.

According to him, the inhuman act was a betrayal of justice and due process, which undermined the rule of law, fundamental principles and ideals of human rights and justice.

He added that the Nigeria Police also condemned the act of arson in some parts of the country.

The Force PRO noted that the act led to the death by burning of some suspects in police custody and the setting ablaze of police barracks, patrol vans and the Divisional Police Station in Edo.

Adejobi said in the above case, the public alleged that the police were trying to pervert justice by taking into custody, some suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, accused of terrorising the community.

“The main suspect was arrested and almost lynched by some community members before he was rescued by the police and his arrest led to the arrest of three additional suspects.”

“The rescue and detention of the suspects did not go down well with some members of the community, who later mobilised in large numbers.

“They attacked the police station, killed the suspects by burning them and the station as well as properties therein,” he said.

By Matthew Atungwu, Daily Post