Business

NNPC hasn’t authorised sale of petrol to marketers – Dangote refinery replies IPMAN

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stated that it has not received any payments from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for refined petroleum products, clarifying its position amidst ongoing concerns from oil marketers regarding petrol supplies.

According to a statement on Thursday, October 31, by Anthony Chiejina, the group’s chief branding and communications officer, the refinery has no business dealings with IPMAN and cannot be held accountable for any payments made to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

This comes after Aliko Dangote, founder of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), noted that the refinery holds over 500 million liters of petrol, yet oil marketers are reportedly not purchasing the product. IPMAN, however, countered by claiming its members have struggled to load petrol from the refinery, despite having paid N40 billion to NNPC.

Chiejina confirmed that while discussions with IPMAN are ongoing, there are no direct business arrangements between the two. He emphasized, “It is misleading to suggest that they (IPMAN members) are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from our Petroleum Refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them. Consequently, we cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities.”

The Dangote Refinery reiterated its capacity to meet national demand for various petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel, capable of loading 2,900 trucks daily and transporting products by sea. The refinery also advised IPMAN to register and make direct payments for access, assuring, “There is more than enough petroleum product to satisfy the needs of their members.”

Chiejina urged stakeholders to avoid unsubstantiated media statements, warning that such actions could impede economic progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The statement called for collaboration among stakeholders, aligning with Tinubu’s economic re-engineering initiatives.

Business

CBN launches new website

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has launched its newly redesigned website, www.cbn.gov.ng, scheduled to go live on Dec. 2.

Acting Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

We are pleased to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website (www.cbn.gov.ng), which will be operational on Monday, December 2, 2024.

“The redesigned website introduces a variety of new content, which encompasses a broader spectrum of information regarding the bank’s mandate.

“Additionally, the website is responsive to mobile devices, facilitating navigation across various web browsers and devices.

“The bank is grateful for the feedback provided by the public, which served as a valuable guide for our redesign endeavours,” she said.

Sidi Ali said the CBN was committed to developing and enhancing the website to facilitate communication.

“Please follow our different social media channels linked on the website’s home page for more updates,” she said.

(NAN)

Business

No ban on sachet water – Lagos Govt

The Lagos State government has denied reports that it has placed a ban on sachet water.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this clarification on Sunday in a statement posted on his official X account.

The commissioner’s comments followed a viral video which showed enforcement officers destroying packs of sachet water in Lagos.

Reacting to this, Wahab clarified that the officers in the viral video were staff of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) who went about their lawful responsibility to rid the society of unregistered and unsafe products in the interest of public safety and health.

“My attention has been drawn to a viral video showing some individuals bursting sachet water packs at factories and on buses.

“I wish to categorically state that these individuals are not enforcement officers from any Lagos State Government agency or the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

“Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the individuals in question are enforcement officers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“Their actions are part of an enforcement exercise targeting sachet water that does not comply with NAFDAC regulations and in the interest of public health and safety.

“It is important to emphasise that Lagos State has not banned sachet water and does not have plans to do so. Our focus remains on effective plastic waste management.

“As part of our commitment, we are implementing mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for producers of polythene terephthalate (PET), sachets, and carrier bags of no less than 40 40 microns,” he stated.

Business

NAFDAC notifies Nigerians on fake anti-malaria drug in circulation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified the general public of the sale of counterfeit combiart (Artemether Lumefantrine 20/120mg) Dispersible Tablet in Nigeria.

The notification is in a public alert marked: No. 043/2024, issued on NAFDAC website, disclosing the date of manufacturing of the drug to be Feb. 2023 and June 2023.

It equally gave the expiring date of the drug as May 2026 and June 2026, as well as Batch No: 7225119 with NAFDAC Reg No: A11-0299.

The agency equally gave the manufacturer name and address as Strides Arcolab Limited, 36/7, Suragajakkanahalli, Indlavadi Cross, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore- 562 106, India.

NAFDAC, in the alert, said that all its zonal directors and state coordinators had been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the counterfeit products within the zones and states.

It advised importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain and avoid importation, distribution, sale, and usage of the counterfeit product.

It said that all medical products must be obtained from authorised/licenced suppliers and that products’ authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked.

The alert also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office.

It urged Nigerians to call NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or report any suspicion event via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

“Healthcare professionals and patients are similarly encouraged to report adverse or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng.,” it said

It advised Nigerians to reports any adverse effects via the Med-safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

NAFDAC promised that the notice would be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS).

NAN