The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Babatunde Fashola

  • ‘Fed Govt set to pay contractors’

    ‘Fed Govt set to pay contractors’

    Contractors in the electricity value chain will be paid on the completion of a debt verification exercise initiated by the Federal Government, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said.

    The contractors implemented transmission, renewable and equipment surveillance projects for the government.

    Also, the government is planning to recover over 900 containers of power equipment that were trapped in one of the ports.

    Speaking yesterday at a stakeholders’ forum at Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos on: Powering the Main Economy: Fix Power, Fashola, said the idea will enable government to know its level of indebtedness to the operators and subsequently pay them.

    He said: ‘’The government is sorting out debts owed firms it contracted to provide services in the sector. We want to know debts that are due, while at the same time, developing instruments through which the debts can be paid. We have directed the debtors to come out with facts to buttress their assertions. We need to see more openness and transparency, before we pay the debts.

  • Benin Disco explains improve power supply

    The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has explained that the improved power supply experienced in some of its service area in Benin City and environs was because of increased in power generation and not because of the presence of the Minister of Power, Housing and Works, Babatunde Fashola.

    Residents in some parts of Edo State took to social media to celebrate improved power supply since on Sunday morning.

    Some said BEDC used to supply power three hours a day but increased it to six hours while others said they were yet to experience power failure since Saturday night.

    They attributed the improved power supply as a decoy by management of BEDC to the Minister who was to attend the 7th Monthly Power Sector and Stakeholders Meeting.

    Members of the Edo State Civil Society protested to the venue of the meeting with placards calling for provision of meters and decried the services of BEDC.

    Some residents of Uteh community in Ikpoba-Okha local government stormed the meeting with placards saying they have been in darkness for the past six years.

    Managing Director of BEDC, Funke Osibodu, who dismissed claims by the protesters that power supply improved since Sunday because of the Minister’s visit said the hydro stations were working to full capacity because of rising water level.

    Osibodu stated that activities of the Niger Delta Avengers affected gas supply and the dry season led to low power generation.

    According to her, “Our ability to deliver power depends on generation and not the minister presence. We have two sources of power generation. Gas and water. During the dry season, the hydro power stations were shut down.”

    “The hydro is picking up in the absence of gas. We do not store power. When there is no generation, there would be no distribution.”

    Addressing the protesters, Fashola appealed to them to be patient with the new investors as according to him, three years was not enough to address problems in the power sector.

    The former Lagos State Governor said the situation in the power sector was not a hopeless one.

    He told the protesters that it was not the fault of BEDC that only one out of four turbines was functional at the Ihovbor Power plant.

    Fashola assured the protesters that issues of alleged excessive billing by BEDC were being resolved.

    He told stakeholders in the power sector that the signing of the solar power initiative would be beneficial to the entire value chain in the power sector.

  • Benin Disco explains improve power supply

    Benin Disco explains improve power supply

    …consumers may pay N23 per kilowatt for solar power

    The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has explained that the improved power supply experienced in some of its service area in Benin City and environs was because of increased in power generation and not because of the presence of the Minister of Power, Housing and Works, Babatunde Fashola.

    Residents in some parts of Edo State took to social media to celebrate improved power supply since on Sunday morning.

    Some said BEDC used to supply power three hours a day but increased it to six hours while others said they were yet to experience power failure since Saturday night.

    They attributed the improved power supply as a decoy by management of BEDC to the Minister who was to attend the 7th Monthly Power Sector and Stakeholders Meeting.

    Members of the Edo State Civil Society protested to the venue of the meeting with placards calling for provision of meters and decried the services of BEDC.

    Some residents of Uteh community in Ikpoba-Okha local government stormed the meeting with placards saying they have been in darkness for the past six years.

    Managing Director of BEDC, Funke Osibodu, who dismissed claims by the protesters that power supply improved since Sunday because of the Minister’s visit said the hydro stations were working to full capacity because of rising water level.

    Osibodu stated that activities of the Niger Delta Avengers affected gas supply and the dry season led to low power generation.

    According to her, “Our ability to deliver power depends on generation and not the minister presence. We have two sources of power generation. Gas and water. During the dry season, the hydro power stations were shut down.”

    “The hydro is picking up in the absence of gas. We do not store power. When there is no generation, there would be no distribution.”

    Addressing the protesters, Fashola appealed to them to be patient with the new investors as according to him, three years was not enough to address problems in the power sector.

    The former Lagos State Governor said the situation in the power sector was not a hopeless one.

    He expressed optimism that power situation in the country would improved if the Azura Power project is delivered on scheduled.

    Speaking to protesters and stakeholders of the power Fashola noted that it was not the fault of BEDC that only one out of four turbines was functional at the Ihovbor Power plant.

    Fashola assured the protesters that issues of alleged excessive billing by BEDC were being resolved.

    He told stakeholders in the power sector that the signing of the solar power initiative would be beneficial to the entire value chain in the power sector.

    His words, “Let us understand that power is a product, it has to be manufactured. You need gas in some places, you need coal in some places, you need solar in some places, it has to be put together. Assuming I am trying to cook a pot of soup and you are angry and you take the pot away, can I still cook? But if you bring the water while I am getting the wood I think we will have a meal.”

    “The power plant in Ihovbor, we have four turbines there, only one is working and that is not BEDC’s fault, they don’t just have gas to power it so there are three idle plants there because they don’t have gas. I went to Azura, they are working there.”

    “Not less than 12 solar developers and promoters have come around to gives us their commitment to a more competitive price regime. I had said before now that it was difficult and impracticable to have a solar tariff at 17 cents per kilowatt power but the cheering news as a result of further interactions, innovations on the side of the developers, private sector and government, the new tariff of 11.75 cents has been reached which amounts to about N23 per kilowatt”

    “That is the first good news in terms of a major need for incremental power which we will be of benefit to the entire value chain. The Azura power project is on course it is on schedule and therefore if it stays like that, the expectation that we will get more power remains positive.”

  • Reps, Fashola trade words over N35b Housing budget implementation 

    Reps, Fashola trade words over N35b Housing budget implementation 

    House of Representatives Committee on Housing Tuesday accused Babatunde Fashola – led Ministry of Power, Works and Housing of incompetence over the implementation of the 2016 N35b budget for the Housing component of the Ministry.

    This is as Fashola expressed concern over poor response from States for provision of land for the National Housing project with 17 out of 36 States responding to the request so far.

    Chairman of the Committee, Mustapha Bala (APC, Kano) during an interactive session with the Ministry on the status of the implementation of the budget doubted the competence the Ministry to implement the National Housing project, six months into the fiscal year 2016.

    The Committee became agitated when the Minister, Babatunde Fashola in his presentation said the Ministry was still in the process of sorting out the designs for the project.

    Fashola, who said he inherited a 2012 Housing plan that had no blueprint on how to implement it, disclosed that the public private partnership (PPP) agreements entered into by previous administrations could not solve the country’s housing challenges.

    With a target of 21,008 units, the previous PPPs could only deliver 2750 units over the years.

    He regretted that most of the PPPs that claimed to have delivered their targets had no evidence to show for it, while the delivered houses were inaccessible and out of the reach of most Nigerians.

    In view of the failure of the previous PPPs, he said the Ministry had to look at a sustainable and affordable housing project for Nigerians.

    Besides going into partnership with a German firm for the provision of energy efficient housing units to be incorporated into the National Housing code, the Minister disclosed that the Ministry has commissioned Shelter Afrique for a $5,000 housing unit for low income earners.

    He said the Ministry is looking at either mortgage financing or rent-to-own option as modes of payment for the prospective house owners.

    According to the Minister, the Ministry was yet to advertise for the project because it has just was in the pruned down the unit designs from 480 to 12 but had to further reduce it to six.

    He also disclosed that letter have been written to States for provision of suitable land in the capitals and Local governments headquarters for the project but only 17  have so far given commitments from the 19 that responded.
    He said the Ministry can only commence with just four States that have completed the process from 17 that have given their commitment.

    He said the Ministry will not provide single design nationwide but different House types that include one, two and three bedroom bungalows and duplexes taking into consideration  the peculiarities, culture and  environment of each State.

    The Committee Chairman was not however impressed by the Minister’s presentation saying it appears the Ministry is incompetent to implement the budget.

    He said: “What has the Ministry been doing since November last year when the budget was presented till now that appropriate designs are not ready, you have not even advertised for it?

    “Are you not competent or what, because you ought to have competed the design by February so that once the budget was passed you commence. Design should not take more than 15 days because your experts in the Ministry have been doing it for years.

    “By the time you start this project, you will have just about three months left in the year, even if the budget is extended to March 2017 that will be just six months”.

    The Committee also wondered why the Ministry could not dispense with redundant and non-performing PPPs while wondering if there was a framework and criteria for qualification.

    Fashola, in his response said the blame for the late implementation of the budget should not be heaped on the Ministry

    He said: “That is a strange question because a bulk sum was proposed in the budget for the National Housing project and we asked States in need to access it willingly but the House insisted that it must go round.

    “The result is what we are seeing now; many did not respond because housing needs of each State differs, taking into cognizance the role migratory factor plays here”.

    He also said the Ministry should be commended rather than criticized for the work it has done on the project, adding, “The Ministry should be commended and not condemned because the budget is inadequate.

    “As a result of that, we are focusing on sustainable housing plan that works rather than rushing the budget, affordability and slum prevention is key to this design.

    “Other countries that had housing program decades ago did not even have 100 percent home owners but they have a near uniformity of designs. By the time we go full circle, we won’t be talking of N35b but hundreds of billions

    “Why it took so long for the design to be ready, infrastructures-roads, sewage disposal, water and others   have to be planned into the housing and that’s what the Ministry is doing.

    “To say all these should be done in three months is difficult because we need a plan that will accommodate cultures and other peculiarities of each State. Our designs are based on feedback.

    “I appeal to the Honourable House that we look at the larger picture, even if you are not impressed with my staff, I have a different opinion.”

  • What Buhari is in China for

    What Buhari is in China for

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected in China this week to further discuss Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with the Chinese government.

    This is according to a post that appeared on the Presidential Twitter handle noting that besides Beijing, President Buhari will visit the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and Guangzhou Econ and Technology Development Zone.

    The post states: “President Buhari will open the China-Nigeria Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation Forum in Beijing on Tuesday April 12.

    “China and Nigeria began diplomatic relations in 1971. In 2001, both countries signed a Bilateral Trade Agreement while in 2005, a Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed.”

    Ministers on the President’s entourage to China include Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Agriculture, Ogbeh Audu; Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and Industry, Trade and Investment Minister, Okechukwu Enelamah

  • FG to diversify electricity generation using Nuclear energy

    FG to diversify electricity generation using Nuclear energy

    The Federal Government says it will diversify the nation’s electricity generation using nuclear energy.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Mr Timothy Oyedeji, Director Press, Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, and sent to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    According to the statement, the Minister of Power Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, challenged experts to domesticate issues on Nuclear Energy in the industry.

    The statement reiterated federal government’s commitment in diversifying its energy mix beyond traditional sources of gas, oil and Hydro to include nuclear and other renewable sources like solar, biomass and wind.

    It stated that the minister said this when he received the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr Yukiya Amano, in his office.

    It said that Fashola challenged Atomic Energy experts to do more in the area of public enlightenment as many Nigerians had limited knowledge about the use of nuclear technology for power.

    “You must begin to break down the seeming complex issues around nuclear power into simple terms and language that our people can understand.

    “We must try to demystify issues around nuclear power in Nigeria,” the statement quoted Fashola as saying.

    It stated that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in the acquisition of appropriate nuclear technologies.

    The statement also said the comprehensive nuclear law was with the parliament and would be enacted soon.

    It assured that government would do all within its power to strengthen the capacity of the regulatory regime.

    According to the statement, all procurement activities for the first nuclear power plant with generation capacity of 1,200MW of power to the National Grid by 2025 would be done as scheduled.

    The statement listed Geregu in Ajaokuta local government area of Kogi, and Itu local government area of Akwa-Ibom as the two sites selected by the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC).

    It added that these projects would be financed through Public-Private Participation (PPP) policy for infrastructural development in the country with target to increase it to 4,800MW by the year 2035.

    It stated that Amano expressed satisfaction with NAEC and its team of experts for the research works and human capacity building efforts in this specialised field.

    It added that Amano urged the NAEC to leave no stone unturned in letting Nigerians know that nuclear energy was for peace purposes.

    The statement also quoted the IAEA director-general as saying that “Nigeria’s nuclear energy was for developmental purposes in areas such as engineering, medicine, environmental protection, security, agriculture and food security.”

    The statement said that Amano informed the minister that the IAEA regarded Nigeria as an important partner.

    It stated that IAEA wanted to transfer nuclear technology that would not be adverse to Nigeria.
    It added that IAEA as a responsible international agency wanted Nigeria to use nuclear power for peace and development.

    It said that Dr Erepamo Osaisai, the Director-General of NAEC, stated that Nigeria had made remarkable progress in development and strengthening of activities in diverse and specialised areas of nuclear energy.

    The statement listed energy planning, peaceful use of nuclear for industrial, education, research works, medicine and power generation as areas Nigeria had made progress in.

    According to the statement, the NAEC DG pledged that the commission will continue to drive efforts in areas of technical know-how, manpower and capacity building for overall development of nuclear technologies in Nigeria.

     

  • Govt to add 1206Mw to national grid

    Govt to add 1206Mw to national grid

    • Seeks joint effort on Lake Chad

    The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola yesterday said plans have reached final stage to add extra 1,206 megawatts (Mw) of electricity to the national grid.

    Fashola said the power would be generated through the concluded 14 frameworks for solar panel projects embarked upon by the Federal Government.

    He spoke during a meeting with the French delegates headed by France Minister of Environment and Power, Mrs. Segolene Royal, alongside her Nigerian counterpart, Amina Mohammed in Abuja.

    Fashola said the present administration is committed to adopting renewable energy as part of efforts to convert the nation’s numerous challenges to opportunities.

    According to him, it became necessary to provide adequate incentives in terms of cost to make solar power more attractive and efficient to the people.

    “As you mentioned, we are vulnerable today as a nation facing loss of our territorial areas to desert encroachment in the north, a lot of erosion in the eastern part of the country, rising water levels and coastal challenges in the southern part of the country. Perhaps, I doubt if there is any country that has such mixture challenges.

  • Govt to exploit construction for economic growth, says Fashola

    Govt to exploit construction for economic growth, says Fashola

    The Federal Government will look at the construction sector to grow its potential, Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola has said.

    The minister said various studies had shown that the construction sector contributed greatly to the growth of the overall economy.

    Fashola, who spoke in Abuja during a stakeholders’ workshop organised by the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) for the validation of the draft revised quantity surveying curricula in tertiary institutions, said the quantity surveying profession played a key role in the building and construction industry.

    He described it as one sector with potential which the current “administration intends to exploit in the pursuit of socio-economic development of the country.

    “It is a sector that contributes greatly to the growth of the national economy in terms of fixed capital formation, multiplier effect and employment generation. Needless to say, the present economic realities have made the quest for higher rates of value-for-money imperative for not only government but investors in this important sector as well.”

    To harness and exploit the gains of the construction sector, the minister, who spoke through the Director of Survey at the ministry, Dickson, Onoja, said the Federal Government would, therefore, be counting on the widely acclaimed expertise of quantity surveyors in cost management of infrastructure and construction processes.

    This, he said, would ensure that the government achieves the resource optimisation and value maximisation needed to put the country back on the right track to sustainable growth and development.

    On the need for occasional validation of the quantity surveying curricula, Fashola explained that the curriculum of any profession needs periodic review to take account of contemporary developments.

    He said: “The frontiers of knowledge of most professions are changing and expanding fast and it behoves professional regulatory bodies like the QSRBN and other stakeholders to ensure that the quantity surveying profession in Nigeria remains on the cutting edge of developments around the world.”

    In his address, the President, QSRBN, Mr. Husaini Dikko, said there were many short-comings in the quantity surveying curriculum as currently operated.

    He said: “We need to revise the curriculum of the profession to take cognisance of developments of the past 20 years in line with mandate of the QSRBN. This will not only make for an elegant profession in Nigeria but will make registered quantity surveyors to be more competitive nationally and globally.”

  • Power generation to increase by 2,000 MW – Fashola

    Power generation to increase by 2,000 MW – Fashola

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has expressed optimism that given the various plans under taken by the present administration in the sector, power generation would increase with additional 2000MW by the last quarter of 2016.

    He stated this at the Ministry’s budget defence before the Senate Committee on Power and Mines adding that a lot have changed in the management of power in the country, in recent times.

    Distribution of Power is no longer government business, but has been taken over by private Companies.  Also government has privatized power generation which has steered towards the full privatization of the sector with transmission aspect being managed by Manitoba International of Canada.

    The ministry’s Assistant Director (Press), Etore E. Thomas, who made this disclosure in a statement Tuesday quoted him as saying that the 2016 budget focuses more on the transmission, completion of on-going projects, refurbishing power plants and tackling gas supply issues.

    If all these, are well addressed, the expected projection would boost electricity generation in the country.

    The Minister further stated that the Ministry plans to take its role as a Policy maker more seriously while the Agencies will be tasked more on implementation and execution of government’s agenda for the sector.

    Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Senator James Manager, charged the Ministry to think out of the box, if it is to achieve its goals of taking Nigeria’s Power Sector to the next level.

    He stated that Nigerians should reap from the sacrifices incurred in increase in tariff by enjoying uninterrupted power supply.

  • Fashola initiates monthly meetings of power agencies

    Fashola initiates monthly meetings of power agencies

    Power, Works and Housing Minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola, yesterday unfolded a 13-point agenda to drive efforts towards enhancing power supply in the country.

    He said in Abuja during his maiden meeting with power generation, distribution and transmission companies, and other stakeholders that the agenda was drawn up to ensure effective monitoring of the sector.

    The minister said the agenda involves continuous public engagement on tariff collection, debts, power generation, maintenance, ancillary services, dispatch orders and discipline.

    Others areas include gas requirement and constraints, transmission constraints, 33KV load offtake, imbalances-locations of excess, overload safety, service quality, new captive and embedded generation, franchising and other issues relevant to the growth of the sector.

    According to Fashola, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved that all stakeholders in the sector should hold monthly meetings on issues concerning the industry.

    He said the meeting would be rotated among the various GENCOs, DISCOs, TCN and other stakeholders across the country.

    Fashola said all decisions reached in such meetings would be binding on all the stakeholders.