After one week of inactivity, the Port Harcourt Refining Company has resumed the trucking out of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise called petrol.

Recall that the refinery abruptly stopped the loading of petrol a fortnight ago as no reason was initially offered for the development which left many marketers stranded.

Our reporter, who visited the Port Harcourt Refinery Depot reports last Thursday, reported that the place was a shadow of itself as the loading bay was empty without any activity from the preceding week.

The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Olufemi Soneye, had in a statement said preparations for loading operation were ongoing.

But after Saturday PUNCH’s, it was gathered on Monday that the lifting of petrol commenced with 11 trucks loading PMS from the depot.

Also our reporter who visited the facility on Monday observed that activities had yet to fully commence, as there was no human nor vehicular activities until 1 pm when things started picking up.

By 1:14 pm trucks were seen driving into the 18-arm loading bay and by 2 pm seven trucks drove in and started loading, as two trucks immediately lifted petrol while a fire service truck was stationed at the loading bay in the event of any fire outbreak.

The first truck started lifting petrol at exactly 1:18 pm, while two trucked out petrol by 2 pm on Monday. A total of 10 trucks lifted petrol as at 4:30 pm, which indicated that more trucks might load before 6 pm.

While the trucks at the loading bay were lifting PMS, seven other cleared trucks were waiting to load at the Onyema gate adjacent the loading bay when our reporter left the depot on Monday evening.

Meanwhile, some marketers seen at the depot of the old Port Harcourt Refining Company built in 1963, decried the frequent shutting down of loading operations without any explanation.

They also expressed dismay that of the 18 arms in the loading bay, only three were functional while the others had yet to be caliberated.

One of them who gave his name as Liti, said, “We are not happy over what is happening here. If operation is going on fully here you will see this place will be full of trucks and they can load up to 50 trucks before 6 pm.

“So let the government come and help us and make sure the refinery is working well.”

It was also gathered that not all the arms in the loading bay were supplying petrol, some were meant to truck out kerosene and diesel. The refinery has yet to commence production of kerosene and diesel.

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s new student loan regime could be considered an anti-corruption mechanism.

Tinubu was speaking about his government’s anti-corruption efforts during a presidential media chat that aired on Monday night.

He was asked if he considers anti-corruption an integral element among his governance priorities.

Tinubu said any policy intervention that aims to address the driver of corrupt practices could be considered anti-corruption.

“Corruption, in all its ramifications, is bad. But first, you must pay enough attention to its causes,” the president said.

“Why are the people corrupt? Lack of social amenities, lack of funding for their children’s education. There are so many anti-corruption mechanisms that you can put in place to help the people not be corrupt. Pay them good living wages.

“I have moved from 35,000 to 70,000. To me, that’s anti-corruption. I have given more money to the state and local government levels. I have been transparent with my earnings. Every month, there is a publication on how much this country is making.

“The ability to stem corruption is part of the instrument of the EFCC. That is why they are discovering all sorts of inefficiencies in the system, blocking all the loopholes where anybody can just game the system. That is part of anti-corruption.”

Tinubu said enabling equitable access to tertiary education through a loan scheme is just as important in the anti-corruption struggle.

“The removal of subsidies is also anti-corruption. It is very difficult to say you would eliminate it. You can only reduce it to the barest minimum. Help the people grow. Help them with the education of their children. Our student loan is part of anti-corruption,” he said.

“No parent should lament how to encourage their children in university education. Today, it’s working for a larger part of the population. The society is moving from illiteracy to literacy.

“I enjoy debate on what type of courses are being offered in the university these days to improve science, knowledge, and technology. We continue to work on it. We’re not taking our eyes off these serious matters.”

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has begun its recruitment exercise for experienced professionals to fill specialised positions in the organisation.

Announcing various vacant roles on Monday, the FIRS said the recruitment exercise is part of its consolidation strategies.

The advertised positions include assistant manager and deputy manager roles in tax (investigation), PRS (research), public relations, and ICT (cybersecurity and AI management).

Other available roles are assistant manager and deputy manager in PRS (risk management), assistant manager and deputy manager in legal, and senior manager and assistant director roles in tax (audit).

“Applicants must have qualifications and relevant professional certificates as specified in the positions they are applying for and must also fulfill the following requirements,” the agency said.

“Applicant must possess Bachelor’s degree/HND with at least second class lower/lower credit.

“Applicant must have completed NYSC not later than 31st December 2017.

“Applicant for the position of assistant manager and deputy manager must not be more than 40 years of age while senior manager and assistant director must not be more than 45 as at 31st December 2024.”

The revenue agency said candidates must possess strong leadership and management skills, team spirit and ability to effectively delegate, interpersonal and communication skills, and strong Analytical skills.

“Knowledge of the Nigerian tax laws and appreciation of their application and understanding of the regulatory framework within which the FIRS operates,” the FIRS said.

“Knowledge of business/industry environment within which taxpayers operate.

“Ability to work as a regulator with the courage to ensure full compliance with laws.

“Interested candidates should apply via official FIRS career portal: careers.firs.gov.ng and or FIRS verified social media handles.”

The FIRS said the application portal will open on December 23, 2024, noting that the deadline for submissions is January 11, 2025.

The service advised applicants to carefully review the eligibility criteria before applying to ensure they meet all requirements and understand the qualifications needed for successful selection.