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JUST IN: NUPENG, LASG in discussion over towing issues- Official

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The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) says it is engaging the Lagos State Government to resolve the ongoing issue of towed trucks.

It said that the negotiation aims to prevent disruptions in fuel distribution, which could lead to widespread scarcity.

In an interview on Tuesday in Lagos, General Secretary, NUPENG, Mr Olawale Afolabi, explained that the union had withdrawn its services in response to the recent attacks and arrests of tanker drivers by security personnel from the Lagos State Government.

Afolabi reassured that the situation would be resolved with the state authorities and that the towed trucks would be released to the union as promised by the government.

On Feb. 22, the Lagos State Task Force towed away several trucks and arrested several members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Association, a branch of NUPENG, near the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki for parking on the highways.

Afolabi added that a meeting is ongoing between NUPENG and the Lagos State Government, with both parties hopeful of reaching an agreement that will enable depot operations to resume.

He, however, said that the outcome of these talks remains uncertain, and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting further updates.

Similarly, Mr Tayo Aboyeji, the Chairman of NUPENG, Lagos branch, confirmed that the service withdrawal was in response to the mistreatment and arrest of tanker drivers by security personnel.

He clarified that the union had previously instructed drivers not to operate at night to avoid accidents and hijackings.

He said that in spite of this, drivers who stopped to rest were reportedly targeted by security officers.

“We had instructed tanker drivers not to travel at night to avoid accidents and hijackings.

“But when drivers parked to rest, security personnel towed their vehicles, arrested our members, and even damaged the union’s patrol vehicle,” Aboyeji said.

He added, “As a result, we decided to suspend services in the state until the government is ready to provide a safe and convenient space for tanker drivers, ensuring that such incidents do not occur again.”

Aboyeji assured that the national leadership of the union is in talks with the state government and that the matter would be resolved once discussions are concluded.

“There are ongoing discussions, and if they are completed today or tomorrow, the issue will be resolved,” he stated.

Business

Dangote refinery gets new CEO

David Bird is the former head of Oman’s Duqm Refinery

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has appointed David Bird, the former head of Oman’s Duqm Refinery, as its new Chief Executive Officer.

A report by S&P global on Friday said, Bird heads the refinery’s petroleum and petrochemicals division in a strategic move to overcome production challenges and advance its next wave of expansion.

Effective from July 2025, the former Shell head of operations at its Balau Pokom refinery stepped in as CEO of the Dangote Group’s fuels and petrochemicals business, which commissioned the world’s largest single-train refinery last year.

The CEO participated at the just concluded Dangote Leadership Development Program Graduation Ceremony.

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Trump Imposes 15% tariff on Nigerian Imports

Under the revised tariff schedule:15% tariffs now apply to Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, South Korea, Turkey, Japan, Israel, Norway, and several others.10% tariffs target countries such as the Falkland Islands, the United Kingdom, and others not explicitly listed.

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US President Donald Trump has approved a 15 percent import tariff on Nigeria and dozens of other countries.

The White House announced the implementation of the new reciprocal tariff rates on Thursday.

In April, Trump imposed a 14% tariff on Nigerian imports, citing the need for fairer trade terms.

That move was followed by a 90 – day grace period to allow time for bilateral trade negotiations, pushing the final decision deadline to August 1.

However, the majority of talks failed to result in new trade agreements.

As a result, the new tariff rates are now being implemented, with Nigeria among dozens of countries facing increased duties under the revised plan.

African countries, including Nigeria, were unable to secure individual trade deals with the United States despite urgent efforts from both sides.

During the negotiation window, Trump also reintroduced travel restrictions targeting several African nations. Though Nigeria was initially exempt, it was later added to the list as the policy evolved.

Under the revised tariff schedule:15% tariffs now apply to Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, South Korea, Turkey, Japan, Israel, Norway, and several others.10% tariffs target countries such as the Falkland Islands, the United Kingdom, and others not explicitly listed.

Tariffs climb to 18% for Nicaragua, 19% for countries like Indonesia and Pakistan, and 20% for countries like Indonesia and Pakistan, and 20% for Bangladesh, Vietnam, and others.

10% tariffs target countries such as the Falkland Islands, the United Kingdom, and others not explicitly listed.Tariffs climb to 18% for Nicaragua, 19% for countries like Indonesia and Pakistan, and 20% for Bangladesh, Vietnam, and others.

More severe penalties include 25–41% tariffs for countries like India, South Africa, Iraq, and Syria.

Switzerland faces a steep 39% duty, while Laos and Myanmar are hit with 40%.Syria tops the list at 41%.

Meanwhile, negotiations are still ongoing with China, Washington’s main trade rival.

Canada is facing a 35% tariff, while Mexico was hit with a trio of levies, including a 50% duty on metals. Brazil, previously under a 10% tariff, was slapped with an additional 40% charge on Thursday, bringing its total to 50%.

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EU accuses online giant Temu of selling ‘illegal’ products

EU regulators believe Temu is not doing enough to protect European consumers from dangerous products and that it may not be acting sufficiently to mitigate risks to users.

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The European Union accused Chinese-founded online shopping giant Temu on Monday of breaking the bloc’s digital rules by not “properly” assessing the risks of illegal products.

AFP reports that TEMU, wildly popular in the European Union despite only having entered the continent’s market in 2023, Temu has 93.7 million average monthly active users in the 27- country bloc.

EU regulators believe Temu is not doing enough to protect European consumers from dangerous products and that it may not be acting sufficiently to mitigate risks to users.

Evidence showed that there is a high risk for consumers in the EU to encounter illegal products on the platform,” the European Commission said in its preliminary finding.

It pointed to a mystery shopping exercise that found consumers were “very likely to find non-compliant products among the offer, such as baby toys and small electronics.”

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