Nigeria News (Standard)
Bayelsa Government Yet to Set Tariff for Proposed Independent Power Plant
State authorities say discussions on electricity pricing ongoing as residents await details of new energy initiative
State authorities say discussions on electricity pricing ongoing as residents await details of new energy initiative
The Bayelsa State government has not reached a final decision on the electricity tariff for its proposed independent power plant, officials confirmed on Thursday. The clarification comes amid growing public interest in the project’s potential impact on power supply and household bills in the oil-rich South-South state.
According to government representatives, talks are still underway regarding the framework for tariff determination and stakeholder engagement. The proposed power plant, which aims to boost electricity generation within Bayelsa, is expected to address persistent outages and unreliable supply that have affected businesses and residents in recent years.
The issue of affordable energy remains critical for many Nigerians, particularly in the Niger Delta region where communities often face erratic power despite being at the centre of the country’s oil and gas sector. The Bayelsa government’s push for an independent power solution is seen by some as a step towards addressing these challenges, but questions remain about how much consumers will eventually pay once the facility becomes operational.
State officials said consultations with regulatory agencies and private sector partners are ongoing to ensure a transparent process that balances sustainability with fair consumer pricing. As at Thursday, no date has been announced for when tariff rates will be finalised or when the independent plant will commence full operations. Residents and business owners in Bayelsa have called on the government to prioritise affordability in its final decision.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Troops Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Kogi as Military Intensifies Operations
Army says abductors abandoned victims in Adankolo Forest amid sustained ground and air raids on criminal hideouts
Army says abductors abandoned victims in Adankolo Forest amid sustained ground and air raids on criminal hideouts
Troops of the Nigerian Army rescued five persons kidnapped by armed men in Kogi State on Tuesday, after their captors fled ongoing military operations targeting criminal camps in Adankolo Forest. The rescue, which took place along the Oshokoshoko-Adankolo route, was confirmed by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, acting assistant director of army public relations for 12 Brigade.
According to Abdullahi, the victims—four men and one woman—were intercepted by troops from Forward Operating Base Oshokoshoko during a blocking operation. The kidnappers reportedly abandoned the captives while escaping coordinated ground and air offensives launched against their hideouts.
“Vigilant troops intercepted five kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists while fleeing from the intense military pressure mounted on their camps,” Abdullahi said in a written statement issued Wednesday. The statement added that recent air interdiction missions were part of broader efforts to disrupt kidnapping networks and restrict the movement of armed groups operating within Kogi and neighbouring states in North-Central Nigeria.
The rescue comes amid heightened concern over rising cases of abduction across several parts of the country, with security agencies intensifying patrols and surveillance in forested border areas commonly used as hideouts by criminal gangs. The Nigerian Army has reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive actions until peace is restored in affected communities.
Further details regarding the health status or identities of the rescued victims were not disclosed as at press time. The military urged residents to continue sharing timely information on suspicious activities to support ongoing security efforts.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/troops-rescue-five-kidnap-victims-in-kogi/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Enugu Cooking Gas Sellers Record Sharp Drop in Sales as LPG Prices Hit ₦2,000 per Kilogramme
Households reduce gas purchases, with many turning to charcoal as marketers urge federal government intervention on rising costs
Households reduce gas purchases, with many turning to charcoal as marketers urge federal government intervention on rising costs
Cooking gas retailers in Enugu State say they are witnessing a severe drop in sales following a dramatic increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), forcing many households to cut their usage or switch to charcoal. The trend, which became more pronounced in recent months, has left traders struggling with shrinking profits and customers buying only minimal quantities.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, several sellers at Enugu’s major gas refill points revealed that many customers who previously bought five kilogrammes of gas now opt for just two kilogrammes or less. One retailer explained that he currently buys LPG at about ₦1,600 per kilogramme and sells at ₦1,850, barely making profit as he tries to keep prices within reach. “People no longer buy like before,” he lamented, adding that daily sales have dropped to a fraction of their previous levels.
The impact is also being felt among local charcoal dealers, who report increased patronage as families priced out of LPG return to solid fuels. A bag of charcoal now sells for between ₦8,000 and ₦8,500. While the price has remained relatively stable compared to gas, sellers note that transport costs from supply areas such as Eha-Amufu in Enugu State and parts of Benue and Kogi continue to erode margins.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows the average price of cooking gas has soared by 335 percent over the last decade—from ₦400 per kilogramme in 2016 to about ₦2,000 in 2026. The average cost for refilling a five-kilogramme cylinder rose from ₦7,655 in March to ₦8,706 by April alone—a 13.73 percent increase within one month. Despite Nigeria holding Africa’s largest proven gas reserves, industry analysts say more than 62 percent of the country’s output was exported during the first two months of 2026, leaving only 38 percent for local consumption.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers and financial analysts have called on government to urgently introduce targeted subsidies or other relief measures at the supply level. They warn that unless action is taken soon, years of progress towards cleaner cooking fuels could be reversed permanently as more families abandon gas entirely. A secondary school teacher in Enugu said she now buys less than half her usual amount and fears she may soon have no choice but to stop using LPG altogether if prices do not come down.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/enugu-cooking-gas-sellers-customers-buy-less-2026061814135053476
Nigeria News (Standard)
Finance Ministry Dismisses New Fuel, Telecom Taxes Amid IMF Recommendations
Federal Government says VAT waiver on petroleum products and repeal of telecom excise duty remain in effect
Federal Government says VAT waiver on petroleum products and repeal of telecom excise duty remain in effect
The Federal Ministry of Finance on Tuesday in Abuja clarified that there will be no new taxes on fuel or telecommunications services, following public anxiety over recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation Report. The ministry assured Nigerians that the current VAT waiver on petroleum products remains active, and the excise duty on telecom services has already been repealed under the nation’s fiscal laws.
Concerns surfaced last week after the IMF advised Nigeria to broaden its tax base by extending Value Added Tax (VAT) to petrol and introducing an excise levy on telecoms. The recommendations, contained in the Fund’s annual review of Nigeria’s economy, sparked debate about possible increases in fuel pump prices and network service charges at a time when cost of living pressures are mounting nationwide.
However, the Ministry of Finance stated in an official release that policy decisions on taxation rest solely with government and must follow constitutional and legislative procedures. “The recommendations contained in the IMF Article IV Consultation Report are advisory and not binding. They do not automatically translate into government policy or fiscal measures,” the ministry said. It further explained that although existing law allows for a potential fuel surcharge, such a measure would require a ministerial order published in the Official Gazette—a process not currently underway. On telecommunications, officials stressed that any proposed 5% excise duty had already been revoked under recent tax reforms.
Rather than introducing new levies, government said it is focusing on improving tax administration, boosting compliance and plugging leakages to increase revenue collection without burdening ordinary Nigerians. The ministry pledged that any future changes to tax policy would be communicated transparently through official channels and enacted only according to due process.
The clarification comes as many Nigerians worry about rising household expenses driven by high petrol prices—now above ₦1,500 per litre—and elevated costs for basic services. Labour groups have previously warned that additional taxes could worsen hardship for millions. While opposition leaders did not immediately comment on Tuesday’s announcement, analysts say clear communication from government will be crucial to avoid panic buying or speculation in key sectors. The Federal Ministry of Finance reiterated its commitment to protecting consumers while ensuring fiscal stability.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/fg-denies-new-taxes-fuel-telecom-nigeria-2026061813380322269
Troops Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Kogi as Military Intensifies Operations
Enugu Cooking Gas Sellers Record Sharp Drop in Sales as LPG Prices Hit ₦2,000 per Kilogramme
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