Headlines from mainstream Nigerian newspapers today, Friday, December 29, are mostly focused on the lingering fuel scarcity and the grouse between oil marketers and the NNPC, the accident involving Yusuf Buhari, and the poor state of bridges in Lagos which are buckling under the weight of parked heavy-duty trucks.
Vanguard reports that the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) has denied owing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) the sum of N26.7 billion for fuel supplied.
The marketers were responding to a statement by the NNPC GMD, Ndu Ughamadu, that the national oil corporation had continued to supply huge quantities of PMS to the marketers despite the fact that DAPPMA owed the sum of N26.7 billion to its subsidiary, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC, as at December 21, 2017.
However, Olufemi Adewole, DAPPMA’s Executive Secretary, refuted the NNPC’s claims and stated that members of the group had paid for petrol supplied (with bank funds) for over one month, the value of which is in excess of N90 billion, yet PPMC/NNPC had no cargo to allocate to them.
Front page of Vanguard, today, Friday, December 29 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
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The Punch is also focused on the fracas between NNPC and the oil marketers association, DAPPMA.
According to the publication, the oil marketers have asked the federal government to deduct the N27bn they owed the NNPC, from the $2bn that it owed them.
The marketers further stated that if the NNPC had listened to their warnings in October that there was a drop in supply of petrol, the current scarcity of the product being witnessed nationwide would have been averted.
Front page of Punch, today, Friday, December 29 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
The Nation is also focused on the fuel crisis currently being witnessed across the nation, and the situation between the NNPC and DAPPMA.
The publication reports that DAPPMA has accused the NNPC of being the debtor, instead of the other way round.
In a statement by its Executive Secretary Olufemi Adewole, DAPPMA said: “We again reject any attempt to blame marketers for the shortfall in supply as it is not our making since NNPC has been the sole importer since October 2017.
“Marketers have continued to sacrifice to keep the country wet with fuel despite over N600billion debt owed our members and over N800billion owed marketers as a whole by the federal government.“
DAPPMA however assured Nigerians that it would work with the NNPC’s subsidiary, PPMC, to make sure that the fuel scarcity ends in the next few days.
Front page of The Nation, today, Friday, December 29 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
ThisDay is however focused on the medical condition of Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari, following his power bike accident.
According to the publication, there have been intensified efforts by doctors at Cedarcrest Hospitals, where Yusuf is being treated.
A source reportedly disclosed that doctors had to induce the patient to slip into coma as part of the procedure to stabilise him, due to the severity of his condition.
The source further stated that plans were being concluded to fly Yusuf out of Nigeria in order for him to receive more intensive care.
Front page of ThisDay, today, Friday, December 29 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
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The Guardian is reporting about the poor state of bridges in Lagos, which are buckling under the weight of parked heavy-duty trucks.
As a result of articulated vehicles, the Ijora, Eko and Carter Bridges are reportedly under great strains; and the situation is being worsened by recurring gridlocks and the deplorable state of roads.
The publication reports that the bridges at Abati Barracks, Ojuelegba and Stadium are also similarly affected.
Front page of The Guardian, today, Friday, December 29 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
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Source: Naija.ng