Author: Chike Ozohili

*Urges residents to exercise caution during the period

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna has announced its plans to conduct marksmanship and precision training for the cadets of the 71 Regular Course. The academy also issued a precautionary advisory for residents to stay clear of the designated training area during the specified period.

In a statement released on Wednesday in Kaduna, Maj. Victor Olukoya, the Academy’s Public Relations Officer, disclosed the details of the upcoming training. The marksmanship and precision exercises are scheduled to take place at the NDA Open Range situated in the Afaka area of Kaduna.

As a safety measure, the NDA authorities strongly advise inhabitants of Mando, Tsamiya, Kauya, and the general Afaka area to avoid the Range vicinity during the period of the training, which is scheduled to occur from July 21 to September 28. This precautionary measure is aimed at ensuring the safety of both the cadets and the residents.

“During the marksmanship training, there is a possibility of hearing gunshots as the cadets undergo rigorous training to enhance their shooting skills and precision,” the NDA said.

By urging the residents not to panic in response to the sound of gunshots, the NDA seeks to minimize any potential concerns or unnecessary alarm that might arise during the training period.

Marksmanship training is a crucial aspect of military education, especially for future officers. It involves honing the cadets’ shooting abilities, teaching them to handle firearms safely and effectively, and ensuring they can hit targets with precision. Such training is essential in preparing the cadets for the challenges they may face in their military careers.

By issuing this advisory and urging residents to stay clear of the training area, the NDA demonstrates its commitment to conducting the exercises responsibly and minimizing any potential risks.

Residents in the vicinity are encouraged to cooperate with the academy’s guidelines and exercise caution during the designated period. Additionally, the NDA’s Public Relations Officer assures that the training exercises will be conducted with the utmost professionalism and adherence to safety protocols.

The NDA’s marksmanship and precision training for the cadets of the 71 Regular Course is a significant aspect of their military education. As the exercises take place at the NDA Open Range in the Afaka area of Kaduna, residents of nearby areas are urged to avoid the training site from July 21 to September 28. By working together to prioritize safety, both the Nigerian Defence Academy and the residents can ensure a secure and successful training period.

The Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, has said that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government was taking Nigerians for a ride.

Rasfanjani, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, said the government is clearly insensitive to the plight of the growing number of Nigerians slipping into poverty daily as a result of its harsh policy directions. 

During his inauguration ceremony, President Tinubu had declared petrol subsidy gone, leading to a quick increase in the pump price of fuel from N197 per litre to N537.  

Auwal said the government has so far demonstrated by the very policy it has rolled out, that its programmes are not people-friendly.

According to him, the government has been inconsistent in the application of its “austerity measures” as it is pursuing outrageous, unsustainable, unjustifiable and reckless spending at the expense of the welfare of its citizenry.

He said Nigerians still remain the ultimate burden bearers of the government’s failure to take effective preliminary, decisive and demonstrable actions towards addressing oil and gas sector challenges.

He lamented that the citizens have been taken for a pain ride and lied to at every step of the way by various beneficiaries and stakeholders in the value chain.

He explained that on 1st June 2023, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, in response to the rising prices of PMS, alleged that competition among major players in the oil sector would force down the price of petrol as against the upward trends that have caused panic in the country. 

He said similarly, in trying to allay the fears of citizens, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on the 1st of July 2023, denied the alleged plan by the association to increase the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N700 per litre nationwide . 

“The recent increase in petrol prices has been attributed to an increase in crude oil prices in the international market, with Brent crude benchmark price surpassing $80 per barrel; as well as the increase in the Dollar to Naira exchange. 

“Why are there no corresponding adjustments in prices when these factors go in the opposite direction? So far, out of over 56 companies that applied for import licences to bring in petrol, only 10 made commitment to import, and only 3 have imported petrol into the country.

“What are the underlying drivers of this low investor response, that should drive competition and force down the price of petrol?

“In January this year, daily petrol consumption was 62 million litres; February, 62 million litres; March, 71.4 million litres; April, 67.7 million litres; May, 66.6 million litre; June, 49. 5 million litre; and now 46.3 million litres, a 35% reduction. 

‘While this suggests reduced demand, it does not suggest a reduced dependence on it. Less people can afford petrol to meet their transportation, home-powering and other needs, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are facing difficulties in accessing affordable power.

“This has huge implications for businesses which rely on refined crude products like diesel and petrol, respectively. Petrol and Diesel prices negatively and significantly affect manufacturing output in Nigeria.

“There are at least 39.6 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Nigeria as of December 2020, accounting for 96.7 percent of businesses, 87.9 percent of employment, and 49.7 percent of national GDP.

“Totaling about 17.4 million enterprises, they account for about 50% of industrial jobs and nearly 90% of activities in the manufacturing sector, in terms of number of enterprises. 

“The trade deficit of $20 million recorded in November 2022 from the low crude oil export receipts signalled the urgency to jettison petrol subsidy, develop local production capacity and end fuel import dependency for a favourable balance of trade. 

“While it is true that no nation has control over the price of crude oil, several measures can be put in place to mitigate the effect of oil price volatility on the country’s domestic economic productivity. The current underutilization of Nigeria’s refineries impedes the country’s ability to meet local demand and its economic potential.

“Nigerians are yet to receive firm commitments, actions and timelines on the delivery of our four moribund refineries to optimal operations. Furthermore, the private and modular refineries have a refining capacity that will strengthen Nigeria’s refining sector, eradicate dependency on imported oil products and lead to improved crude export earnings. 

“A major effect of the subsidy removal is its knock-on effect on prices of goods and services. Increased transportation costs due to the high fuel prices, directly impact agricultural production and have implications for food security. 

“The government must show real concern and take urgent actions to cushion the effect of its decision which is perpetuating poverty and inequality. This is widening the country’s already-existing income inequality with low-income citizens and vulnerable segments of society facing greater financial strain to meet their basic food needs. 

“We must build a democracy centered on public trust and accountability. Unfortunately, we have a history, practice and tradition that has encouraged the misconception of the government as the public’s master and not its servant and this notion must be reversed,” He said.

On his part, Spokesperson of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Abdul-Azeez Suleiman said the sudden increase in fuel pump price to about N617 naira per litre is certainly bound to pinch Nigerians particularly with its multiplier effect on commodities.

He said Nigerians must not rush to judgment given that we patiently endured the past administration’s initial lapses even with evident symptoms of failure until the time when it became glaringly evident that it was downright clueless.

He said he thinks it is too early in the day to judge the present administration without waiting to see what it says it has up its sleeves.

“I think the nation should not be in too much hurry in assessing and judging the Tinubu administration against incredible expectations and hopes; against fair standards of judgment, including the judgment from his political opponents, against developments and circumstances that no one knew the nation will confront, and even against the failures and abuses the nation is having to pay for from the previous administration,” he said.

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has bemoaned the suspension of Green Taxation on Single-Use Plastics by the federal government.  

According to FoEN, the action by the federal government will turn Nigeria into a dumping ground for plastic waste products.

The federal government had last week suspended tax on Single-Use Plastics, including containers and bottles.

The government had said the suspension was in line with its commitment to create a business-friendly environment. 

Green Tax was introduced as part of the government’s efforts to address the growing concern over the impact of plastic waste on the ecosystem. 

The Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, Chima Williams said the new development will hasten the prediction that plastic products in the ocean will surpass the number of fish by 2040.

According to him, “the Nigerian government is supposed to enact policies that will put an end to the invasion of plastic on our oceans and water bodies, not promoting policies and laws that increases the production of more plastic. 

“At a time like this when the world is set on improving the consciousness of the public on the need to end the use of plastic, it is unfortunate that our president is increasing the importance of plastic products, when Nigeria is being ravaged by a plastic tsunami.”

“Nigeria is supposed to be signing a law that promotes the phase out of plastic. This suspension may seem that the government is not committed to the implementation of the Paris Agreement on the reduction of the impact of climate change from the waste sector.” 

He called on the government to deliberately program itself into a zero waste society where no waste is generated, or all waste generated are seen as resources.

Also speaking, the ERA/ FoEN Project Officer of Waste Management, Melody Enyinnaya pointed out that Green taxations are eco/environmental tax foisted on activities that pollute the environment, as Single-Used Plastics have become a major source of pollutants of the environment.

She said, Green taxation on SUPs incorporates the negative expanse of the adverse effects of SUPs on the environment and the idea surrounding green taxes is to increase production costs for corporations, thereby bringing about higher prices on plastics, which will have the effect of discouraging consumers from purchasing them, further reducing their pollution rate on the environment.

“The key implication here is that this suspension will impede the efforts in reducing SUPs pollution, especially for a country like Nigeria that do not have effective policies guiding SUPs production, consumption and disposal.

“The government should revisit the suspension of green taxation, while considering the environmental and health implications of such polices at heart,” she said.