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Tag: Electricity

  • A’Ibom Electricity Consumers reject tariff increase

    electricity generation

    By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

    Electricity Consumers in Akwa Ibom have rejected further increase in electricity tariff by Distribution Companies,DISCOS, as Nigerians would no longer afford further pressure on an already stifling economy.

    Under the auspices of Akwa Ibom Electricity Consumers Forum and endorsed by Barr Clifford Thomas and Comrade Ime Udoh,Cordinator, Human Rights Community and Chairman, Akwa Electricity Consumers Forum respectively, they have also disagreed with the notion that the Federal Government has been paying subsidy on electricity tariff in Nigeria.

    A communique issued at the end of it’s meeting weekend in Uyo called for the rights of electricity consumers to be respected while all consumers must be metered to with the state government guaranteeing them by putting modalities in place to pay for and recoup such investments as social and welfare services.

    They also called on the state government to establish electricity-utilizing profit-making entities that would generate, transmit and distribute power in the most efficient and transparent manner with proper disconnection notices issued and served by the PHED before disconnecting consumers, who also now have the legal right to sue electricity companies.

    “Not the present situation where they hide what they claim to be notices under another subhead. The intention of such acts by the PHED is criminal, and must opposed and resisted. The PHED must comply with NERC’s Connection and Disconnection procedures.

    “Electricity consumers in Akwa Ibom State are hereby advised NOT TO PAY FOR ANY UNSCRUPULOUS BILLS IMPOSED IN THE NAME OF ESTIMATED BILLS BY THE PHED. Once an electricity consumer contests and challenges any Bill, the Rule is that he must not pay it, until issues surrounding the Bills are resolved.

    “The distribution companies can now sue and can be sued. The case of FRANCIS N. EKWERE AND PORT HARCOURT ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY in Suit No. HU/203/2018 which was decided in the Uyo Judicial Division of the High Court of Akwa Ibom State before Hon. Justice Aniekan E. Akpan, readily comes in handy in how to Sue and Win electricity distribution companies in Nigeria. This matter has not been appealed, and so, serves as a judicial precedent.” The communique said.

    It called the FG acclaimed subsidy on electricity tariff a scam

    “We disagree with the notion that there was, or is, SUBSIDY paid by the government on electricity tariff in Nigeria. The distribution companies are profit-making organizations whose major aims include making profits.

    “How can the government claim that it was subsidizing the profit-making objectives of profit-making companies, which are not even supplying commensurate energy to the people.

    “We demand the Federal Government to explain in the most satisfactory manner to the people transparently, the dynamics of what it calls subsidy removal in the power sector, to warrant the proposed increase in electricity tariffs. If the FG cannot explain, we therefore conclude that ELECRICITY SUBSIDY is a scam.” They said.

    They also demnded for the breakup of the FG monopoly over gas should be broken to enable states with gas reserves to harness it to power electricity, cars, domestic cooking, etc.

    “This will stop the practice of gas wastage by flaring, which destroys the environment (human and natural), loss of islands in the State, rise in sea levels, shoreline recession, destruction of the Ozone Layer and other associated ills of gas flaring.”

  • PRP Reps candidate promises electricity to Tiv Communities in Taraba

    PRP Reps candidate promises electricity to Tiv Communities in Taraba

    By Danzumi Ishaku, Jalingo.

    House of Representatives Candidate  for Donga, Ussa and Takum Federal Constituency under the platform of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) Mr Thomas Gangumi, on Sunday has promised to provide electricity to all Tiv communities within his constituency if elected  as their representative.

    Gangumi made the declaration while addressing his teaming supporters who thronge out enmass to welcome him at Tor-Damisa in Donga local government area of Taraba state.

    The PRP, candidate decried the injustice mated against Tiv communities by denying them access to electricity.

    He vowed to address the injustice if voted to power.

    He also promised to secure employments for the youths as well as empower the women and Youths with skill and finances that would make them self employed.

    The candidate further promised to give attention on the security of the people of the constituency especially the farmers which would create an enabling environment for them to thrive.

    “What I have come to understand here is the failure of government in addressing the challenge of insecurity which is vital to the sustainability of farming activities among Tiv people.

    ” I have also discover that the Tiv communities in this constituency had been denied access to electricity.

    ” You can imagine that the electric lines have passed through your communities but they refused to step down transformers.

    “I will address this by ensuring that Tiv villages in this Constituency are connected with electricity.

    “I shall also boost employment generation among youths and women through the provision of skills and cash support to them to enable them self employed and sustainable.

    “To those who are looking for white collar jobs, I shall ensure the youth of this constituency benefit from every government employment, all these would be achievable only if I am elected into the National Assembly,’ he said.

    Hon. Gangumi said that he had been a seasoned administrator and had held several positions in government including Taraba State College of Agriculture, Federal Character Commission and lastly as the Registrar Federal  Wukari.

    Earlier, Mr Paul Abochol, a community leader who spoke on behalf of the Tiv Community in Donga thanked the aspirant for recognizing Tiv as a critical political group in the constituency.

    Abochol decried the level of neglect suffered in the hands of politicians especially when Taraba was created.

    He listed some of the basic amenities lacking in the community to include and not limited to rural electrification, boreholes,  lack of classrooms in schools, and poor health care centres among many others.

    He expressed optimism that the Tiv in Donga would vote him massively during the forth coming general election. 

  • Ex NASS member restores electricity to A’Ibom communities after 8 years 

    Ex NASS member restores electricity to A’Ibom communities after 8 years 

    By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo

    A former member of the National Assembly, Barr Eseme Eyiboh has facilitated the restoration of electricity to communities in Esit Eket and Eket Local Councils of Akwa Ibom after eight years of blackout.

    The gesture was in fullfillment of a promise he made to the communities late last year following their request for the reactivation of ailing industries in the area.

    Eyiboh, who is also the All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate for Eket Federal Constituency had also told the people that no meaningful development was possible without electricity, hence the need to restore power in the area which could serve as an enabler for industries to function profitably.

    According to him during the test run, “for 8 years, the entire Esit Eket Local Government Area had been grappling with darkness, crippling social and inclement economic upheaval. 

    “On account of this perpetual darkness, the area was hit with human capital and investment flights, prompting general despondency and self pity by the indigenes.

    “On Tuesday December 27, 2022 in a Consultative Town Hall meeting with Etebi group of villages and in my response to the request for intervention to make the reactivation of Akwa Palm Industry a reality, I promised to facilitate enhanced electricity supply after 8 years of darkness to the entire Esit Eket Local Government Area as a boost to any investment decision in the Area. 

    “This is because no meaningful development can take place in any community without electricity supply as the enabler. To ensure my commitment to reset the socio-economic narrative of the community I promised to facilitate the restoration of electricity in the area on or before his February 25, 2023 House of Representatives election.

    “I issued a caveat that nobody should vote for me in the February 25 House of Representatives election if the electricity restoration turns out to be a political gimmick.

    Today, I have worked the talk with the restoration of electricity in Esit Eket Local Government Area.

    “Today the people of Esit Eket Local Government Area and Ikot Usoekong Community in Eket Local Government Area has finally heaved a sigh of relief as a-12hour test-run of uninterrupted enhanced electricity supply berthed courtesy of a-talk-and-do brainbox of legislative politics.”

    “I am test running the constitutional legislative oversight responsibility.
    Governance is practically the understanding and appreciation of the felt need of the people and not dance drama at campaign grounds or the blasphemy with rice by godfathers and their bigots.” He explained.

  • Gov Zulum Rues Lack Of Electricity In Two Borno Hospitals

    Gov Zulum Rues Lack Of Electricity In Two Borno Hospitals

    … Orders Immediate upgrade of Solar Installations

    By: Ali Musa Biu-Maiduguri

    Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum for the second time visited two hospitals in Maiduguri where he discovered that patients were in darkness due to power failure that had lingered for a some days. 

    He was at the Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital and Fatima Ali Sheriff Maternity Hospital, both in Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri metropolis, where he expressed concern with the plight of patients

    The governor who just returned from Abuja decided to drive from the airport straight to the hospitals, soon after he got hint from private sources that the hospitals were in blackout for days.
    On confirming things for himself, that patients were in darkness, he took immediate actions to remedy the situation.
    He was made to understand that, there was lack of diesel supply to standby generators at the two hospitals.

    Both hospitals relied on generators because of lack of electricity supply from the national grid since Boko Haram destroyed electricity equipment along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.

    Zulum, promptly made inquiries from persons in charge of generators at both hospitals before directing for the immediate supplies of diesels from the Government to the hospital generators.

    “It is very unfortunate that no official either from the Hospital Management Board or the Ministry of Health drew my attention to this outage” the was quoted as saying.

    “If we can power our streetlights constantly, I see no reason why we cannot power our hospitals” Zulum lamented as he consoled patients and their loved ones for being in darkness despite dealing with illnesses.

    Wondering the quickest way to mobilize diesel, the governor directed that available diesel meant to power generators at the Government House, Maiduguri, where he lives, be immediately transferred by trucks to both hospitals, pending his meeting with officials of the state’s Ministry of Health the following day, to find sustainable solutions.
    Meanwhile, as part of measures to ensure sustainable electricity in both hospitals, Governor Zulum, last night also directed an upgrade of existing solar-powered installation at Fatima Ali Sheriff Maternity Hospital, and the Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital.

  • Again, Electricity Union Threatens To Shut Down National Grid

    Again, Electricity Union Threatens To Shut Down National Grid

    The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), has again threatened to shut down the national grid.

    According to the electricity employees, the two-week given to the Federal Government to resolve the crisis had elapsed.

    Comrade Dukat Ayuba, the zonal organizing secretary, North West of NUEE, while briefing newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, explained that while negotiation was still on-going, the shutdown of the national grid was imminent.

    According to him, the so-called privatization of the sector was a scam, explaining that nine (9) years after, nothing had changed to improve its activities, especially to the consumers of electricity.

    He added, “That was why we kicked against privitazing the distribution sector, because the investors don’t have the capacity and expertise. As committed Nigerians, we advised government against it. But the government was hell bent on doing so.”

    He noted that the investors were still operating with obsolete equipment dating back to 35, 40, and 50 years, stating that one would expect that with the coming of the investors, they would replace the obsolete equipment but nothing had been done.

    He regretted that the nation still generates 5,000 megawatts of electricity, saying that it is the same 5,000 megawatts that they used to generate, with no benefit from privitazation.

    He added that the company now generates megawatts with higher tariffs, bringing hardships to the homes of millions of Nigerians and that is what all Nigerians are experiencing at the moment.

    Wisdom Nwachukwu, a member of Central Executive Committe, noted that the federal government now wants to sell the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    He stated that they were going behind meeting with some stakeholders and that they would not allow that, as they were patriotic Nigerians that want the best for the country.

    Ado Gaya, the Vice President, North West, NUEE, while elaborating further, revealed that the 16 months demanded by the electricity workers is their legitimate earnings which involved 55,000 workers.

    He explained that nine years after, the workers have not received a dime, regretting that many of the workers had died, while those who were laid off were suffering with their families receiving nothing to help them make a living.

  • A’Ibom obtains Licence for Electricity Distribution, 640MGW plant

    A’Ibom obtains Licence for Electricity Distribution, 640MGW plant

    Akwa Ibom state government say it has obtained licence to increase the generation capacity of it’s power plant from 112MGW to 640MGW, Governor Udom Emmanuel has announced.

    It has also obtained a distribution licence from the FG inorder to properly utilize the power generated by the Ibom Power Company at Ikot Abasi.

    Emmanuel who made this known during an interaction with journalists in Uyo yesterday maintained that no state government has invested up to half of what Akwa Ibom has invested in the sector.

    The Governor pointed out that with the construction of five digital substations with a sixth on the pipeline, the state would achieve it’s power for all programme in the shortest possible time.

    He expressed dissatisfaction with the inability of the PHEDC to distribute power effectively with the state getting less than 70MGW even when the state’s owned power plant produce as much as 115MGW.

    “The good news however is that we have also obtained a distribution licence using a utility company so that we can distribute the power we generate effectively and achieve a 24 hour electricity supply to every part of the state in the shortest possible time.” He said.

    On education, the Governor said that in addition to sustaining the free and compulsory education scheme, more than 5,000 education infrastructure has been provided in schools across the state in the last seven years but regretted that local vandals have continued to frustrate the efforts of the state government in this direction.

    He maintained that the state government would not encourage the 21 storey edifice built for International Oil Companies to be rented below it’s value and expressed confidence that with a PDP adminstration at the federal level the reluctance of the IOCs to relocate to their area of operations would be a thing of the past.

    Emmanuel called for support for the state PDP candidate, Mr Umoh Enoh adding that his passion for youth empowerment, experience in business and the corporate world would brood well for the state in the coming years.

    He described as unfair and immature, recent calls for the state government to pay compensation for property owners on the Odukpani-Itu highway wondering why Akwa Ibom, producing more than 35% of the nation’s oil would be considered unqualified to enjoy the full gains of the Petroleum Profit Tax of which it has remained a major contributor. 

    The Governor called on indgenes of the state to always rise to the challenge of protecting the interest of the state at all times adding that the state deserve more from the Federal Government considering it’s enormous contribution to the Nigerian economy.

    “How do you expect a state to pay compensation to properties on a road being constructed by the Federal Government. Who did the valuation and is that the practice? The contract sum for that road could have been enough for me to take the road towards Aba.

    “So I am calling on our people not to allow themselves to be intimidated by anybody. Always have the interest of the state at heart at all times.” He said.

  • Group lauds A’Ibom for plans for a DISCO

    Group lauds A’Ibom for plans for a DISCO

    Apex Ibibio youth group, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio has lauded Akwa Ibom government for it’s plans to float an electricity distribution company.

    It has also called on oil companies promptly intervene upon report of oil spillage in their host  Communities by arresting the spillage and paying appropriate compensation to affected Communities.

    The communique endorsed weekend in Uyo by it’s International President Akparawa James Edet and Secretary, Akparawa Bassey Bassey at the end of it’s September Central Working Committee meeting also advocated for an equal sharing formular in the ownership of electricity infrastructure put in place by communities.

    It regretted that the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) is yet to improve upon its rather poor services to its customers in the State and condemed a situation where individuals or Communities in the State purchase and install electricity infrastructures only for PHEDC to later take ownership of such facilities.

    “That it is unethical and against business principle for PHEDC or any distribution company in the Country to surreptitiously arm twist individuals or communities to repair or replace damaged power facilities while the distribution companies are only  interested in the circulation and collection of outrageous bills

    “That henceforth, such facilities could only be bequeathed to the PHEDC or any other distribution company whatsoever on the basis of 50-50 Equity Ownership between the provider(s) of the facilities and the Distribution Company.

    “That PHEDC, should, as a matter of urgency commence the distribution of prepaid meters to its customers in the State and desist henceforth from giving outrageous estimated bills to Akwa Ibom households.” It said.

    It said the plan to float a distribution company nby the state government would improve power supply to the state and boost the state’s industrialisation and small scale business drive, create wealth, empower the citizenry and ultimately improve the State’s economy

    The communique commended the state government for plans to continually connect more communities in the State to the National grid and call on communities to jealously guide against the vandalisation or theft of Transformers and other power facilities provided them.

    It called on oil companies and other blue chip business establishments operating in the state to regularly carry out reasonable level of Corporate Social Responsibility for the benefit of their host communities to enhance a cordial working relationship with such Communities.

  • Electricity Workers Suspends Nationwide Strike, Restore Power

    Electricity Workers Suspends Nationwide Strike, Restore Power

    The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has suspended its strike.

    This followed a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige on Wednesday.

    “The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has apprehended the strike embarked upon by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) following an emergency meeting between the union, government, and other stakeholders, at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige,” read a statement from the Head, Press and Public Relations of the ministry.

    “Dr Ngige set up a tripartite committee to look into the grievances of electricity workers towards addressing them.”

    The statement added that the union’s secretary general, Joe Ajaero, has “assured the minister that all necessary steps would be taken to restore the supply of electricity to the country immediately”.

  • Electricity Supply Workers To Embark On Indefinite Strike

    Electricity Supply Workers To Embark On Indefinite Strike

    Nigeria’s electricity supply crisis could worsen from Wednesday as the organised labour has directed workers in the power sector to down tools and commence an indefinite strike over pending labour issues with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    The National Union of Electricity Employees on Tuesday picketed the headquarters of the Transmission Company of Nigeria in Abuja.

    They complained about the alleged failure of the Federal Government to pay the entitlement of former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in December 2019.

    The aggrieved workers under the aegis of the national union of electricity employees NUEE said this is a prelude to an indefinite strike action expected to commence on August 17.

    In a circular entitled “call to action”, the general secretary of NUEE, Joe Ajaero, directed them to ensure total compliance, vowing to paralyse operations of TCN nationwide over anti-masses activities.

    This means the nation’s electricity supply crisis could worsen from Wednesday following this impasse.

    “You are hereby enjoined to mobilise immediately for a serious picketing of TCN Headquarters and stations nationwide over the directive by the TCN Board that all PMs in acting capacity going to AGM must appear for a promotion interview,” the circular read.

    “This directive is in contravention of our conditions of service and career progression paths, and unilaterally done without the relevant stakeholders.

    ‘’This action takes effect from Tuesday 16th August 2022 and total withdrawal of services commences on Wednesday 17th August 2022. Ensure full compliance in all the stations nationwide.”

    On May 18, the union issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, MD/CEO.

    In the circular titled “Unresolved issues on the year 2021 promotion exercise and others,” the union threatened to down tools at the expiration of the ultimatum if its grievances were not addressed.

  • Nigeria Yet to Generate Up to 6000mw Electricity Since 1960 – DISCOS

    Nigeria Yet to Generate Up to 6000mw Electricity Since 1960 – DISCOS

    The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has revealed that since 1960 when Nigeria attained independence till date, Africa’s most populous nation has not generated up to 6000 megawatts (mw) of electricity,

    The Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, ANED, an umbrella body of power distribution companies (Discos), Mr. Sunday Oduntan, disclosed this in Lagos at a one-day workshop for energy reporters and civil society groups.
    The workshop centred on the topic: “Building Consumer Awareness and Strengthening the Customer Service Capacity Of Electricity Distribution Companies”, and was organised by ANED in partnership with McArthur Foundation.

    Oduntan, who stated that Nigeria would require 200,000mw of power generation to meet the electricity need of its 200 million citizens, added that going by international standards, 1,000mw was needed to serve one million people.

    Of Nigeria’s 13,000mw of installed generation capacity, only 3,500mw to 5,000MW was available for transmission to the final consumers.
    With 28 generating plants connected to the national power grid, many suffer from recurrent challenges such as maintenance and repair requirements, trips, faults and leakages that make them unavailable for evacuation to the national grid sometimes.

    Also, gas supply shortages caused by the inability of generation companies to pay for gas, sub-optimal gas pricing, as well as the vandalisation of gas transportation facilities leading to shutdown of gas plants were among the many impediments to power generation in the country.

    “Since 1960, the country has not generated up to 6,000mw of electricity thus creating a huge gap in service delivery in the system.
    “There are 28 power generation companies in Nigeria which comprise three hydro powered stations and 25 thermal stations currently operating below capacity and collectively generating an average of about 4,000 megawatts,” Oduntan said.

    Expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of the government-controlled and centralised Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which has been notorious for witnessing unending collapse of its grid with attendant nation-wide blackout, the ANED spokesman advised the federal government to hand over TCN to capable private people that can operate and manage it better.

    Noting that TCN has contributed to the poor performance of the sector, he warned that failure to privatise the company would keep Nigeria perpetually experiencing power supply disruptions with attendant negative impact on homes and businesses.

    Oduntan also criticised TCN for not having Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) since all these years of its operations, arguing that that was the reason it was hard for the company to discover faults seamlessly and in real-time from its office without someone physically reporting faults on its networks to it
    SCADA is a digitalised system that enables prompt and more efficient monitoring of all activities on the networks and resolves issues detected on time.

    He, however, exonerated the Discos for their inability to pay for electricity purchased from the Gencos, blaming that on what he described as energy dumping and in most cases inadequate supply to meet customer requirements.
    He said the non-implementation of cost-reflective tariff in the power sector was a major impediment to the development of the sector and achieving steady power supply to customers nation-wide.

    Arguing that achieving 24 hour power supply in the country was possible and had been tested and proven, Oduntan cited the ongoing premium power arrangement between some Discos and some franchise areas, like Ikeja GRA and Magodo in Lagos, where residents are enjoying steady power supply because of their readiness to pay the right price for electricity.