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Since Independence, Nigeria is Yet to Generate Up to 6000mw Electricity , Needs 200,000mw

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Since Independence, Nigeria is Yet to Generate Up to 6000mw Electricity , Needs 200,000mw

Since 1960 when Nigeria attained independence till date, Africa’s most populous nation has not generated up to 6000 megawatts (mw) of electricity, the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has said.

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.

READ ALSO: Rivers APC Publicity Secretary defects to PDP

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.

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Rep felicitates Wike on emergence as THISDAY/Arise TV Minister of the Year

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Wike visits scene of collapsed building, insists structures without approval will go down

The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rep. Aliyu Betara (APC-Borno), has congratulated the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, on his emergence as THISDAY/Arise TV Minister of the Year.

Betara, in a congratulatory message issued in Abuja, eulogised the leadership virtue and dedication of the minister to infrastructural development in the territory.

The lawmaker, representing Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno, said that the award was well-deserved.

“On behalf of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, on your well-deserved recognition as the Minister of the Year by THISDAY/Arise TV.

“This prestigious honour is a testament to your visionary leadership, tireless dedication and exceptional contributions to the infrastructural transformation in the territory.

“Your unwavering commitment to service and your determination to improve the lives of residents and visitors alike to the FCT has been nothing short of exemplary.

“Through your bold initiatives and strategic policies, you have not only enhanced the aesthetics and functionality of Abuja, but have also reaffirmed the FCT’s position as a beacon of progress and modernity in Nigeria,” he said.

Betara said that the recognition was a reflection of the positive impact of Wike’s work and the admiration he had earned across various sectors.

While describing the recognition as an outstanding achievement, the lawmaker prayed that the milestone would serve as an inspiration for greater accomplishments in service, with integrity and purpose.

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Court adjourns case against ex-Kogi governor, others

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A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday, adjourned hearing in the alleged money laundering case against  former governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello until April 3 and April 24.

Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case for continuation of hearing after the first witness, Fabian Nworah, a property developer, was called to testify.

The Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that he had five witnesses to call for the day.

Justice Anenih said she could only take one witness as she had other matters to attend to.

The court also announced that it would not be sitting on Thursday as previously scheduled.

Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, however, informed the court that the prosecution had not made the statements on oath of the 2nd defendant available to the defence team.

He said he was aware that the first defendant had not made any statement.

Daudu also objected to the witness presented by the prosecution, arguing that the defendants had no prior knowledge of the witness and were only seeing him in court for the first time.

Citing authorities, he emphasised that legal proceedings should not be a “hide and seek” game, stating that the prosecution was required to provide the witness’ statements on oath in advance so the defence could adequately prepare for cross-examination.

“The statements of the second defendant have not been served on us to be able to know if we will be able to represent him or not.

“So, it is a serious handicap on us. They need to serve us all the statements made by the defendants.

“I understand the first defendant has not made a statement. Fortunately, we are still within the house keeping stage of the proceeding,” he added.

Corroborating this, counsel for the 3rd Defendant, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, said, “mine is not a comment but an observation my lord. My application is for the court to order the prosecution to provide us with the statements of the 2nd and 3rd defendants.”

When the judge asked if he had requested for the statements, Aliyu SAN said, he discovered on Tuesday that the said statements were not part of the proof of evidence served on the defendants.

He said: “I am also applying that the court order the prosecution to provide us with copies of recovered digital device and the report or the extract therefrom mentioned on Page 14 of Volume 1 of the proof of evidence and the report of the forensic expert if any.

“I am following the procedure followed in Okoye against the Commissioner of Police, which was adopted by the Supreme Court in Okemini Vs Commissioner of Police.”

The prosecution witness, however, disagreed, saying the defendants were trying to delay speedy trial.

He insisted that the proof of evidence was served on the defendants on Nov. 27, 2024.

“The constitutional provisions, which they rely on, does not imply that the prosecution should provide all the documents which it relies on.

“The law only provides that the prosecution should oblige the defence with all the documents requested for,” Pinheiro argued.

He noted that the issues would be addressed whenever they receive formal applications from the Defendants and urged the court to proceed on the business for the day.

“As it is, we have almost utilised more than an hour on these arguments,” he stated.

The judge asked the defendant’s counsel why he did not raise the issues in December.

Daudu SAN replied that it was because it had to be done after arraignment.

“I have applied and they are not obliging me. It is absolutely necessary for our defence,” counsel for the 3rd defendant said.

The judge, however, declined the application for adjournment and directed the prosecution to proceed with the case.

The prosecution then proceeded to call its first witness, Fabian Nwora, a property developer with EFAB Property Nigeria Limited.

Nwora testified that he was invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes on Feb. 8, 2023, regarding a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property concerning a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama.

He stated that he sold the said property to Shehu Bello but observed that the name on the sale agreement was Dr Bello Ohiani, not Shehu Bello.

He said, in 2023, Shehu Bello approached EFAB Property, informing them that the property was under investigation by the EFCC.

He returned all documents related to the purchase and demanded a refund of the N550million that was paid.

Subsequently, he said, EFAB Property was invited by the EFCC to explain what transpired between them and Shehu Bello.

The EFCC instructed the company to refund the entire sum to an EFCC-designated account. EFAB Property complied in two batches of N400 million and N150 million.

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Kebbi to upgrade Zuru hospital to referral centre

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The Kebbi Government says it is assessing the condition of the Zuru General Hospital with the aim of upgrading it to a referral centre.

Gov. Nasir Idris stated this when he visited the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Muhammadu Sani-Sami on Wednesday in Zuru.

Idris visited the emir to thank the people of Fakai, Sakaba, Danko/Wasagu and Zuru Local Government Areas that make up the emirate.

Idris said that upgrading the Zuru General Hospital to a referral centre would ease the difficulties faced by people of the emirate.

The governor said that quality healthcare services remained an utmost priority of his administration.

He said that the Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi and the State Medical Centre, Kalgo, currently serving as referral health institutions were overstretched.

“The government is committed to reversing the trend by making referral hospitals close, accessible and affordable to the people of the state,” he said.

On the expansion of the Zuru Water Works and construction of urban township roads, Idris promised to reappraise the facilities for necessary action.

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