U-Report: Campaign For Democracy Tasks Governors On Arbitrary Fuel Increases

A Scene Of Fuel Scarcity In Nigeria

Report By: CD(South-East Region)

The Campaign for Democracy (CD), South-East Region has urged the South-East governors to constitute task forces in their respective states to check arbitrary fuel increases within the South-East.

The South-East has five states, which included: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States.

This was contained in a statement issued by CD to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra on Tuesday.

The statement was signed by Dede Uzor A. Uzor, Chairman, CD South-East Region.

``The study undertook in the five states indicated that there are high and un-authoritised prices of fuel in most fuel stations.

``In Onitsha and Awka, different fuel stations are selling at the exorbitant price of N120 per litre.

``While in Owerri, Orlu and Mgbidi in Imo State; the same N120 per litre is observed by virtually all fuel stations.

``In Nsukka and Enugu, precisely at Ogui Road and other parts of Enugu metropolis, the same N120 regime existed except in NNPC mega-fuel stations.

``Umuahia and Aba are the worst hit; it is now between N125 and N150; while a partial scarcity of the product had hit Umuahia, the state capital.

``In Abakaliki, Afikpo and Ezza-Ezilo, it is now N140 and N150 per litre in few fuel stations where it is available,’’ he said.

The statement called on the South-East governors to constitute a special task-force to check this trend in their respective states; which started two months ago, precisely in the first week of September.

``Our people will not continue to suffer on daily basis from these schlocks and economic saboteurs, who are bent on causing them more hardships.

``Our people should get the benefit of getting the petroleum products at fair prices no matter how remote their places of abide are,’’

``Just 50 metres from Onitsha, Delta State in Asaba and other places across the River Niger Bridge; fuel stations sell at N97 per litre always. Which is the official price.

``We, however, commended the Federal Government through the NNPC for providing a stable price in their mega-stations throughout the country,’’ it said.

The statement further said that CD was giving the governors seven days to reverse the trend; without which the protest that greeted the fuel subsidy increase in the early part of the year would spring-up in the South-East.

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U-Report: Sudanese Government, Rebel Group Affirm Peace Commitment

Aïchatou Mindaoudou; Acting Chief Of AU-UN Mission In Darfur. Photo Credit: UN News Centre

Report By: UN News Centre

Delegations from the Government of Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement, one of the rebel groups in the Sudanese region of Darfur – have signed a declaration affirming their commitment to the ongoing peace process there, the immediate cessation of hostilities and the resumption of negotiations “in order to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the conflict” on the basis of the so-called Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD).

The two parties also agreed on a time frame to start talks after the Muslim religious holiday of Eid Al-Adha, taking place on Friday, 26 October, added a statement issued by the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

The statement was issued in the Qatari capital of Doha, where the parties have been engaged in amidst intensive consultations over recent days, in the presence of Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmed Bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, and the Acting UN-African Union Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur and head of UNAMID, Aïchatou S. Mindaoudou.

Along with the UN-African Union mission, Qatar has been heavily involved in mediation efforts aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Darfur, particularly with the DDPD, which forms the basis for a permanent ceasefire and comprehensive peace agreement to end the fighting that began in Darfur nine years ago, pitting Government forces and allied militiamen against rebel groups.

“The Mediation calls upon the other non-signatory Movements to follow suit the Justice and Equality Movement and soon join the peace process with a view to alleviating the suffering of the population and restoring peace to all parts of Darfur,” the UNAMID statement noted.

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) is one of the rebel movements in Darfur. Another rebel group, the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), signed the DDPD in Doha last year.

Established in July 2007, UNAMID has the protection of civilians as its core mandate, but is also tasked with contributing to security for humanitarian assistance, monitoring and verifying implementation of agreements and assisting with an inclusive political process, amongst other responsibilities.