The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast predicting thunderstorms and rainfall across the nation from Sunday through Tuesday.

According to NiMet’s report, released on Saturday in Abuja, northern regions can expect morning thunderstorms on Sunday, with moderate rainfall expected in areas such as Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, and Taraba.

Later on Sunday, thunderstorms and moderate rains are expected to spread to parts of Adamawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Kebbi, Southern Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, Borno, and Yobe.

In the North Central region, morning thunderstorms with moderate rains are forecast over the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, and Benue. Thunderstorms with moderate rains are also anticipated during the afternoon and evening hours in these areas.

For southern Nigeria, NiMet predicts morning thunderstorms with light rains in Oyo, Imo, Enugu, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Lagos. The region is expected to experience thunderstorms with moderate rainfall later in the day.

On Monday, morning thunderstorms with moderate rains are forecast in parts of Taraba, Gombe, Kaduna, Southern Borno, and Adamawa. During the afternoon and evening, similar weather conditions are expected over Taraba, Borno, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Yobe.

In the North Central region, light morning rains are expected in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger, while thunderstorms with moderate rains are likely to affect the FCT, Nasarawa, Kwara, Benue, and Plateau later in the day.

The southern region is expected to see morning rain showers in Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, and Rivers, followed by thunderstorms with moderate rainfall later in the day.

NiMet predicts partly cloudy skies in the northern region on Tuesday morning, followed by afternoon thunderstorms and moderate rains over Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Gombe.

In the North Central zone, morning thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected in Kogi, Kwara, and Niger, with additional rainfall predicted in the FCT, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and Kogi during the afternoon and evening.

For the southern part of the country, light rain showers are forecast in the morning over Edo, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom. Thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated in Imo, Enugu, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Cross River later in the day.

NiMet warns of a high likelihood of urban flooding in major cities due to heavy downpours and advises residents to steer clear of flood-prone areas. The agency also cautions that strong winds may precede the thunderstorms, urging the public to take necessary precautions and follow safety guidelines issued by relevant authorities.

Airline operators and the public are encouraged to stay updated with the latest weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning and safety.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Joe Ajaero, recently disclosed details of the discussions between organized labour and President Bola Tinubu that led to the acceptance of a N70,000 minimum wage during the national wage negotiations at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Speaking during an interview, Ajaero explained that the organized labour initially resisted any fuel price increase but ultimately agreed to the N70,000 minimum wage.

He further revealed that the NLC and its allies had previously reached an agreement with the government on the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel.

They negotiated with a team of experts who agreed to convert vehicles to CNG at a cost of N300,000. However, when the proposal was presented to the government, officials dismissed the deal and instead set the conversion cost at N800,000.

During the negotiations, the organized labour had initially demanded N250,000 as the new minimum wage but eventually settled for N70,000. Addressing claims that President Tinubu breached their agreement by raising the petrol pump price, Ajaero shared that the President had urged the labour leaders to support the fuel price increase in exchange for a N250,000 minimum wage, a proposition they declined.

Ajaero emphasized that the basis for accepting the N70,000 minimum wage was to avoid any immediate hike in fuel prices. He stressed that the President’s action of increasing the petrol price has significantly affected the cost of living, particularly in terms of transportation, which now has risen by over 70%. He called for a reversal of the decision, highlighting the need for proper consultation with social partners before implementing such policies.

He concluded by stating that the current situation has increased the hardships faced by Nigerians, urging the government to focus on alleviating the suffering of its citizens rather than imposing further economic burdens through increased taxes, fuel prices, and other levies.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a warning to halt operations across the country in response to escalating petrol prices imposed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

On Thursday, IPMAN disclosed that while Dangote Petroleum Refinery sells petrol to NNPCL at approximately N898 per litre, independent marketers are being charged N1,010 per litre in Lagos. This pricing disparity has sparked outrage, as IPMAN, which oversees over 70% of Nigeria’s filling stations, demands a refund from NNPC for previous petrol purchases.

The situation is likely to exacerbate petrol shortages and long queues nationwide. Meanwhile, it has been reported that members of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) continue to access subsidised petrol from Dangote refinery based on prior agreements with NNPC.

IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, emphasized that if the conflict with NNPC isn’t resolved soon, they may have to cease operations. The association’s president, Abubakar Maigandi, noted that the prices independent marketers are being asked to pay far exceed NNPC’s purchase price.

Maigandi indicated that NNPC has withheld N15 billion of IPMAN members’ funds for approximately three months. As a result, marketers are eager to procure petrol directly from Dangote Refinery instead of relying on NNPC, which has imposed burdensome pricing.

Recent increases in retail petrol prices have already stirred public discontent, marking the second hike within a month and pushing prices up by about 14.8%. The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Organized Private Sector are calling for an immediate reversal of these hikes.

With the latest adjustments, petrol prices have surged over 430% since the current administration took office. Despite attempts to reach NNPC for comment, no response was forthcoming as of the report’s publication.

In contrast, MEMAN claims to remain unaffected by NNPC’s pricing changes due to its established relationship and integrated supply systems, allowing them to manage stock more effectively.

As the fuel price hike takes a toll on the economy, experts warn of potential repercussions for small businesses and consumers alike, with rising costs likely leading to increased poverty levels and economic instability.