A well-known dredger, in Imo State, Mr Uche Mark has expressed strong believe in the moves and motives of Imo State Honourable Commissioner for Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, Barr Jerry Egemba to  address the challenges facing dredgers in Imo State and finally champion a transformational moves for the good of the stakeholders and the Shared Prosperity Administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Speaking during a familiarization meeting with Imo State Commissioner for Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, Hon. Barr. Jerry Egemba, at the conference room of the ministry in Owerri, he praised Egemba’s sincerity of purpose and ability for productivity, stating that there are obvious signs that he will write the wrongs.

He described the meeting as a commendable move, stating it was a forum with great opportunity for meaningful interaction on issues affecting dredgers.

An elated Uche Mark expressed hope that Egemba would address the problems faced by dredgers, stating that most of them had ended up in court due to neglected cries.

Tracing the genesis of crises faced by dredgers in the state, ge attributed  it to the selfish actions of their former chairman, who worked for his own interest

The well known dredger assured Egemba that he and other dredgers were ready to comply with the office of the commissioner, but urged him to address their demands.

He advised Egemba to be careful and watch out for manipulations by some agencies, stating that they would try to corrupt his ideas andefforts.

Stressing the need for careful attention to the environment to in order to avoid environmental disaster, he emphasized the importance of Dredging with caution for environmental preservation.

He  urged Commissioner Egemba to put his house in order to avoid distraction,  manipulations and spoilers role from real enemies of the ministry and enemies of  the state

He described Egemba as a vibrant elderly young man who can match activity with productivity, stating that he had encountered him in the field and seen his tireless efforts.

Uche Mark urged Commissioner  Egemba to make the industry safe and collaborative, stating that he had started on a good footing.

His words, Hon.Commissioner, please, I will advised you to check out the Mining Act and fortify your actions with it,  all your predecessors had not gotten it right but I believe you will get it write because you started well

I have seen the good  heart of the commissioner, I am confidence in his ability to write the wrongs and make a positive difference in the industry , on behalf of company and the dredgers in Imo State, I promise to give you maximum support.

Chairman of GUO Group of Companies Limited, Chief Godwin Ubaka Okeke, has commended Igbo youths for their restraint following the life imprisonment sentence handed down to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Speaking to journalists at his GRA residence in Onitsha at the weekend, Okeke praised the calm maintained since the November judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, but warned that such patience should not be mistaken for weakness.

He called on relevant authorities to urgently pursue a political solution to Kanu’s situation, urging Southeast governors, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other prominent stakeholders to lobby for a presidential pardon.

“I salute Igbo youths for their patience. While they remain calm, the relevant authorities should begin to consider the quickest political solution to this matter,” he said.

Okeke appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider the appeals of prominent groups and individuals backing a political resolution, stressing that early intervention would help ease tension in the region.

He also expressed willingness to support any legitimate efforts towards a political solution, adding that stakeholders in the transport industry were ready to assist if logistics support was required.

On the issue of multiple security checkpoints in the Southeast and complaints of extortion, Okeke said the presence of police and military checkpoints was preferable to the activities of armed bandits and kidnappers.

According to him, encountering security agencies on highways, even with occasional demands for small payments, is safer than meeting criminals who abduct, kill and demand huge ransoms.

He argued that many security personnel operate under difficult conditions and poor welfare, noting that they often risk their lives to protect commuters.

However, Okeke advised security operatives to be more civil in their approach to the public to build trust and reduce tension at roadblocks, while urging the public to better appreciate the risks faced by security agents.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reduced petrol prices at its retail stations in Lagos, Abuja, and other states by at least N20 per litre.

Current pump prices now range between N895 and N965.

In Lagos, the price dropped from N910 to N890 per litre, while in Abuja, it moved down from N940 to N920 per litre.

Other stations, including Ardova, MRS, and First Royal, are now selling petrol at N890 per litre.

Across the country, new pump prices for major states are as follows: Abuja N920, Lagos N890, Abia N912, Adamawa N940, Akwa Ibom N910, Anambra N905, Bauchi N915, Bayelsa N900, Benue N935, Borno N945, Cross River N910, Delta N900, Ebonyi N928, Edo N910, Enugu N912, Gombe N965, Imo N928, Kaduna N935, Kano N935, Kwara N905, Nassarawa N935, Niger N955, Ogun N905, Ondo N905, Osun N895, Oyo N905, Plateau N900, Rivers N895, Sokoto N935, Taraba N950, Yobe N950, and Zamfara N945.

Depot prices have also been adjusted following the arrival of fresh petrol shipments.

In Lagos, depots such as Wosbab, Chipet, Integrated, and Bovas now sell at N836 per litre, with Aiteo charging N835. Port Harcourt depots including Masters, Liquid Bulk, and Bulk Strategic reduced rates to N853, while Warri depots adjusted prices between N846 and N848.

Calabar depots also lowered costs, with rates ranging from N846 to N849 per litre.

The reduction comes after Dangote Refinery lowered its gantry price to N840 per litre.

Diesel prices also fell, dropping from N950 to N910 per litre.