Beneficiaries of the New Nigerian Newspapers, associated with the Northern States Governors Forum, have expressed their deep frustration over the prolonged issue of unpaid benefits totalling N2.1 billion. As of January 2025, the death toll of members awaiting these payments has tragically reached 106.

A statement issued by Alhaji Sadiq Tela on behalf of the Elders Forum, and Friday Sule for the Joint Union of the New Nigerian Newspapers, highlights that “following the recent out-of-court settlement between the Northern Governors and Albert Iweka and Co, which was ratified on 27th November 2024 by the Federal High Court, expectations have soared due to the extreme poverty exacerbated by the delay in these benefits.”

It is worth noting that Barrister Iweka and Idi Sule, both former employees of the New Nigerian Newspapers, had previously taken the Northern Governors to court over the payment of check-off dues. They successfully secured a garnishee order that froze the account of New Capital Properties Limited (NCPL), where the proceeds from the sale of NNN assets were held.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of the New Nigerian Beneficiaries, the case was eventually dismissed, and all previous garnishee orders were vacated, with all parties duly settled except for the New Nigerian Beneficiaries,” the statement emphasised.

The statement further lamented, “More than 100 days have passed since the resolution of this decade-long court battle, yet all New Nigerian Beneficiaries who served the 19 Northern Governors continue to suffer in silence, overwhelmed by pain and despair.”

However, the workers have praised the current Secretary to the State Government of Kaduna for providing some relief through strategic discussions with the Northern Nigeria Development Company and the Northern Governors’ Secretariats. “These efforts are comforting, but in light of the harsh economic realities, the over 800 beneficiaries who have nearly 10,000 dependants are left in tears,” they added.

The statement reiterated, “The Northern Governors, led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, possess the authority to shape the futures of nearly 1,000 New Nigerian Beneficiaries.”

“We take this opportunity to implore our Northern Governors’ Forum to extend their support, as the death toll of NNN beneficiaries awaiting payment has sadly risen to 106 as of January 2025.”

“In the spirit of Ramadan, we beseech our Northern Governors to show compassion towards our families, as many of us are struggling to break our fast.

Both Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have crashed the cost of the essential commodity in recent weeks.

Rewane attributed the reduction in fuel price to a fall in global crude oil price.

Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has predicted that the cost of premium motor spirit also known as petrol will continue to decline until June 2025.

Both Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria National Petroluem Company Limited (NNPCL) have crashed the cost of the essential commodity in recent weeks, easing the pressure on millions of Nigerians who depend on fuel for their energy needs.

But Rewane says the recent reduction in the pump price of the product is expected to continue until mid-year.

“So, generally between now and June, we will see prices begin to decline. But after June as things stabilize, depending on what happens in the global oil and currency market, we might begin to see some stabilisation,” Rewane said on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Business Morning.

According to him, the price war between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL will benefit the consumer more.

“In a price war, nobody wins, the consumers win in the short run then eventually the market goes back to where it should be. But, at the end of the day, between now and June, the price leadership will be firmly established,” Rewane said.

He attributed Dangote Refinery’s reduction in the pump price of petrol to production cost efficiency.

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transport operators adhere strictly to approved affordable fare structures.

This move comes as part of efforts to maintain fairness in pricing and prevent exploitation within Nigeria’s commercial transport sector.

Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director and Chief Executive of P-CNGI, addressed recent reports suggesting that some transport operators were not complying with agreed fare structures. He assured the public that strict monitoring mechanisms were in place to curb any form of extortion by transport unions.

Oluwagbemi stressed that P-CNGI would not tolerate violations of the initiative’s policies and warned that sanctions would be imposed on any operators found guilty of non-compliance.

“The P-CNGI is concerned by recent media reports indicating that some transport operators are ignoring the agreed fare structures,” he stated. “We are actively working to prevent any form of exploitation and to ensure that commercial drivers and passengers fully benefit from this initiative.”

To ease the burden of high fuel costs, P-CNGI has introduced CNG conversion incentives, allowing commercial drivers to transition from petrol and diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG) at no cost. This strategic initiative aims to provide financial relief and encourage the adoption of cleaner energy alternatives.

“It is both disappointing and unacceptable that certain transport operators are setting fare structures that contradict the programme’s goals,” Oluwagbemi said. “The initiative was designed to lower fuel expenses, not to increase transport costs for passengers.”

To facilitate a seamless transition, P-CNGI has partnered with authorised conversion centres to implement its Conversion Incentive Programme. These centres are responsible for carrying out free CNG conversions for commercial vehicles under strict supervision.

According to Oluwagbemi, transport unions have been actively engaged to ensure that all commercial drivers can access these free conversion services without facing unnecessary restrictions.

In a bid to simplify and accelerate the CNG conversion process, P-CNGI launched the ‘10 for 10 Initiative,’ which deploys field agents to commercial transport parks in Abuja and Lagos. These agents help register vehicles for free conversions, ensuring that more drivers can take advantage of the scheme without undue interference from transport unions.

“This hands-on approach guarantees that commercial drivers can access CNG conversions without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles,” Oluwagbemi stated. “Any transport operator or stakeholder attempting to obstruct this process will face strict penalties.”

To further strengthen compliance, commercial drivers experiencing difficulties in accessing the free conversions are encouraged to report their challenges via designated channels. P-CNGI has also provided a helpline—07000000264—where drivers can seek assistance and report any cases of unfair treatment.

Additionally, Oluwagbemi revealed that new measures were being introduced to enhance oversight and ensure the benefits of the initiative reach both drivers and passengers. These efforts include increased monitoring of transport operators and a crackdown on those imposing illegal fare hikes.

Beyond enforcing fare compliance, P-CNGI is working closely with partners to expand refuelling infrastructure and establish additional conversion centres nationwide. This expansion aims to improve accessibility for commercial drivers and ensure a steady supply of CNG, further promoting its adoption as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly fuel alternative.

“The goal is to make CNG a viable and sustainable option for transport operators across Nigeria,” Oluwagbemi noted. “By improving infrastructure and accessibility, we can accelerate the shift to cleaner energy while ensuring transport remains affordable for everyone.”