News
Govt to sell Abuja, Ibadan, Benin, Kaduna, Kano DisCos
The recent developments in Nigeria’s power sector are quite significant. Here’s a summary of the key points:
- Sale of Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos):
- The Federal Government is determined to sell off five electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) due to ongoing blackouts.
- A $200 million non-performing metering contract awarded since 2021 has been revoked.
- The DisCos’ poor performance, attributed to lack of technical expertise, has prompted the decision.
- Reputable technical power operators are expected to take over within three months.
- Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, and Kano Electricity Distribution Company are among those affected.
- Efforts to Address Metering Gap:
- A $200 million contract for three million meters, awarded in 2021, has been revoked due to non-delivery.
- The government aims to bridge the eight million metering gap in the next four to five years using a seed capital of N100 billion and N75 billion.
- Funding from the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) will support this initiative.
- Challenges in the Power Sector:
- The power sector faces challenges including incomplete projects, frequent grid collapses, and lack of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).
- Uncompleted projects, especially those involving SCADA, have been a persistent issue for over 12 years.
- Response from the Senate Committee on Power:
- Senators expressed concerns over the DisCos’ performance, asset stripping by some operators, and the need for penalties for such actions.
- Suggestions were made to cancel DisCos licenses and potentially hand over management to new operators or even foreigners.
- The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) also seeks funding and support for its projects, including addressing right of way issues.
- Gas Supply Constraint:
- Gas shortage is a major constraint affecting power generation, exacerbating the power crisis.
- DisCos are reportedly rejecting power allocation despite shortages.
- Government Debt to Power Sector:
- The Federal Government owes Generation Companies over N1.3 trillion and gas suppliers $1.3 billion.
- The debt has led to gas suppliers refusing to provide more, further impacting power generation.
- Next Steps:
- The Senate Committee on Power plans to interface with the Federal Government to settle the gas debt.
- The committee will focus on overseeing the completion of World Bank SCADA projects and addressing tariff reviews.
These developments reflect a concerted effort to address longstanding issues in Nigeria’s power sector, aiming to improve efficiency, address infrastructure gaps, and ensure better service delivery.
News
Police must pay transport fares, says AIG
” No police officer has the right to enter your vehicle without paying. We should assist one another willingly, not by force,” he said.
• The Assistant Inspector-General of Police(AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, speaking with transporters at Obalende garage, Lagos State, on Wednesday.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has declared that officers must pay fares before boarding commercial vehicles, warning against abuse of authority.
Jimoh spoke on Wednesday at Obalende garage during a sensitisation meeting with drivers and transport workers marking National Police Day 2026.
He stressed that relations between police and the public must be based on partnership, not coercion, urging both sides to support each other voluntarily.
“No police officer has the right to enter your vehicle without paying. We should assist one another willingly, not by force,” he said.
Jimoh called for stronger cooperation to maintain safety and order on roads, insisting there was no conflict between officers and transport unions.
“I don’t collect money from officers. We don’t arrest people arbitrarily. If you have issues with any officer, report directly to me,” he said.
(Vanguard)
News
Tinubu scurries to Jos after Mutfwang’s security brief
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will leave for Jos tomorrow to commiserate with the state government and residents over recent deadly gun attacks that lefts dozens dead.
This was following Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s security briefing to the President on the recent violent attack in Angwan Rukuba, Plateau State.
During the meeting on Wednesday at the presidential villa in Abuja, Governor Caleb Mutfwang told Mr President that although security forces have restored calm after fresh disturbances involving looters on Wednesday morning, following the deadly Palm Sunday attack that left more than a dozen dead and many others injured.
He said that investigations are continuing to determine the identities or motives of the attackers who are yet to be apprehended .
Presidency source said that President Tinubu was initially scheduled for a planned trip to Ogun State to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport on Thursday.
From Jos, the President will travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday.
On Saturday, April 4, he will visit Ogun State to commission projects including the cargo airport.
He will then return to Lagos during the Easter holiday to commission several state infrastructure projects, including the Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge.
Before heading back to Abuja, the president will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission projects completed under Governor Duoye Diri.
News
JUST IN: Tinubu Heads to Jos Tomorrow, Postpones Ogun Trip for 5-State Visits
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will tomorrow embark on a visit to Jos, Plateau State, as the first leg of a five-state tour across the country.
The Presidency announced that the President has postponed his scheduled trip to Ogun State to enable him to commence the series of official visits.
Details of the remaining four states in the tour are expected to be released by the Presidency in due course.
The development comes as President Tinubu continues nationwide engagements aimed at assessing development projects, interacting with stakeholders, and addressing key national issues in the respective states.
Further updates on the itinerary will be communicated as the visits progress.
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