The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Babatunde Raji Fashola

  • Complete Ogbomosho-Oyo road before August 1, indigenes beg PMB

    Indigenes, residents and inhabitants of Ogbomosholand has made a passionate appeal to the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government to expedite action on the construction of the Ogbomosho-Oyo section of the  Ibadan-Ilorin express road.

    The group also extended the same courtesy to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola to as a matter of urgency declare a state of emergency on the section of the road and ensure the road is completed by August 1, 2018, failure of which will attract a massive protest that will ground activities on the route.

    The residents, during a press conference which held at the Soun Ogunlola Hall, Oja-Igbo, Ogbomosho, Monday, said fixing the road will no doubt salvage the precious lives of Nigerians plying the road from the many dangers that the one way lane, Ogbomosho-Oyo road poses.

    The press conference had in attendance religious leaders, community leaders, sectorian leaders, youth groups and market groups.

    Others in attendance include, traditionalists, indigenous groups, security chiefs, local government leaders and the representatives of the various tribes resident in Ogbomosho land among others.

    Addressing the press and teaming population of the residents who attended the event, the group maintained that the completion of the new express dual carriage road will, apart from saving lives, aid in no small measure both transportation and economic activities across Nigeria, especially the North/Southwest bounded goods.

    Presenting the address, the head of churches in Ogbomosho land, Dr. Isreal Olaniyan urged President Buhari to fulfill his campaign promise to the people having promised that the project is cardinal point in his government agenda.

    Olaniyan who lamented that the road has not only become a death trap but a menace which claims more lives than HIV/AIDS or any other diseases does in the community, alleges that no fewer than 780 lives are lost on the road annually.

    He said, “The Ogbomosho-Oyo section of the Ilorin-Ibadan express road which spans about 52 kilometres has a history of promises upon promises by successive governments. The latest promise being that of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration that the project will benefit from the Sukuk bond share of the loan to be disbursed to the Southwestern parts of the country in 2017.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari will have an easy ride – Lai Mohammed

    “The construction of the dual carriage highway which started 18years ago has left the Ilorin-Ogbomosho and Oyo-Ibadan portion in a particular deplorable condition while the Ogbomosho-Oyo axis of the express road is yet to be started. The situation has left no option for commuters than to continue to use the old Ogbomosho-Oyo road which is one lane road plied by vehicles of all sizes, going to and from the Northern and Western part of Nigeria.

    “Consequently, the old Ogbomosho-Oyo road has become a death trap. In fact, the road claims more lives than HIV/AIDS or any other diseases does in this community. Statistics at our disposal indicates that an average of 15 persons die on the road per week. When this is multiplied by fifty-two weeks a year, its indicates an average of 780 persons is lost annually on this road. When this is multiplied by 18 years since the road was awarded, it shows that an average of 14,040 persons have lost their lives on Ogbomosho-Oyo road. This is alarming and calls for urgent completion of the express road under construction.

    “Mr. President sir, we know you are a man of your words, having promised that this project is a cardinal point in your government agenda, please ensure that the construction work is fast tracked and completed by August 1, 2018. We (Nigerians) must not only be guaranteed value for our taxes, but much more, value for our lives and properties. We hereby demand value for our lives and the lives of our fellow Nigerians plying Ogbomosho-Oyo road. We appeal that President Muhammadu Buhari fulfils his campaign promise to us.”

    After the conference the people later marched peacefully to the palace of the Spun of Ogbomosho, PBA Jimoh Oyewumi, displaying placards with various inscriptions, expressing the plea to the government on the need to fix the road.

    Receiving the people on behalf of the monarch, the Are Ago of Ogbomosholand, Chief Samuel Sobalaje Otolorin thanked the people for their peaceful conduct and passion to make lost of lives a thing of the past on the road.

  • Fashola, NUPENG disagree on state of emergency for Nigerian roads

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola and the National President of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), Comrade Williams Akporeha have disagreed over the state of Nigerian roads and their impact on the nation’s economy.

    While the Union wants the federal government to declare a state of emergency on Nigerian roads in other to attract t urgent attention, the Minister said there was no need to declare any emergency since the government is already doing enough to ensure that the roads are put in proper and motorable state.

    Both men spoke at the 4th quadrennial delegates conference of the Petroleum Tanker Driver branch of NUPENG in Abuja, just as the National President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Albania Kassim Ibrahim Bataiya asked the government to introduce user charges on all federal roads as a primary means of generating money to maintain and rehabilitate the roads in addition to annual budgetary allocation.

    Fashola who delivered the key note address said since the government is already addressing the state of Nigerian roads, there was no need declaring a state of emergency on the roads because a state of emergency means giving urgent attention to an issue.

    He said the federal government was working on at least one major road in each of the 36 states of the federation, adding that currently, work was going on in about 300 roads across the country.

    He said that the Buhari government has spent about N300 billion on roads, adding that out of the N18billion budgeted for roads in the 2015 budget, only N9 billion was paid.

    While criticizing such a merge budget for roads by the federal government, he said “the last budget I left in Lagos state for roads was N74 billion and yet, the federal government budgeted N18 billion.

    The Minister caution the tanker drivers against over loading and over speeding, stressing that while over loading destroy the road easily, over speeding account for about 70 of accidents on Nigerian roads, while bad roads account for less than 10 percent.

    On his part, the NUPENG President who was making his first official outing at the event said the life and safety of tanker drivers depend on good roads, pointing out that even though government is already taking steps to address the state of the roads, more still need to be done and quickly.

    He said “An average Petroleum Tanker Driver, who is actively on the wheel, spends most of his working life in the road traversing from one loading location to several discharge locations, all to get the economy on the Nation going, his safety, health, prosperity, promotion.m effectiveness and even life expectancy depend almost entirely in the state of road infrastructure.

    “We know that the present regime has been working hard to properly fix our highways. But a lot still need to be done. In the light of this, we earnestly call on the federal government to declare a state of emergency on Nigerian roads so as to attract urgent attention as no economy thrives without good roads and effective transpiration system.”

    Comrade Akporeha said the union was making efforts to increase its membership strength as well as introduce new sources of revenue, saying “strength of any trade union is in the number of its membership. Our recruitment and operational activities will be geared toward organizing more members into the union. Aside increasing the membership strength, of the union.

    “It is also our plan of action to diversify and increase the number of sources of income for the union. We plan to leverage on our strength and opportunities in the downstream sector to achieve they providing key services in the industry as having mega filling stations across the country and building ultra-modern petroleum tanker parks in every zone of the union.

    “We have all these noble and lofty ideas and dreams. It is our firm belief that with the unrelenting support of Petroleum Tanker Drivers, they are all achievable within the time line we set. We urge you all to continue to support us as we promise to run a union that is accountable, transparent and have high regards for members and branches.”

    NARTO president, Kassim Bataiya said the government should continue the funding of road construction and maintenance, while attracting additional, funding through private sector investment, while actualising the concessionary lease of some major roads infrastructure to willing private entrepreneurs/international consortium on a Build, Operate and Transfer basis.

    Bataiya also want the government to involve major stakeholders in the road transport sector like NARTO in road infrastructural development through leasing out some federal roads, while also allowing willing state government to take over some major federal roads.

    Read Also: Truck overloading against regulations, barrier to prosperity – Fashola

  • Fashola’s unique style

    SIR: It is no secret that in Nigeria, government ministers are quite busy. They are usually so busy that sometimes files gather dust on their tables for months, except of course if there is somebody to follow up with the files. If you send a letter to a Nigerian minister without receiving immediate acknowledgment from his officials, there is every likelihood that that letter will not get any reply.

    That was my presumption until few weeks ago when I received a call from Ambassador Dickson Akor, founder of the Nigeria Peace Corps. In very few words, he told me that a letter I wrote to Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing on the pitiable state of the Ogobia-Onyagede-Ankpa road had reached a stage where my attention was needed in Abuja. I was surprised at the disclosure. “Is it possible for a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to act on a letter that was written by a fellow Nigerian that is not in politics?” I asked myself. Below are the particulars of the case.

    On July 12, 2017, I posted a letter from the General Post Office in Surulere, Lagos; it was addressed to Fashola. In the letter, I drew his attention to the worsening condition of the Otukpo-Ogobia-Onyagede-Ankpa road, which links Benue State to Kogi State as well as states in the Southwest and South-south. The road leads to and through many big rural markets including Afor-Ogobia, Ede-Okwudu, Ukwo-Ugboju, Ede-Onyagede and Afor-Awowo. The Ede-Onyagede attracts traders from far and wide, some of them in pursuit of the famous Onyagede Garri, which is reputed to be the best-produced in the country. The road is therefore of economic value to the people of the affected communities and other general road users.

    The road was first constructed in the 1960s to provide easy access to the coal mines at Okaba in the present Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State. After several years of usage, the stretch of the road from Ogobia to Ankpa failed.  Reconstruction of the road commenced during the regime of General Sani Abacha and was completed during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo at the cost of more than N400 million. Barely two years after its construction by SATRECO, however, the road started failing and is now in a state of disrepair. The Otukpo-Ogobia end of the road was constructed as part of the Yahe-Oju-Otukpo-Oweto road, but the Ogobia-Onyagede-Ankpa section is now a nightmare for motorists. Travelling along the Ogobia-Onyagede-Ankpa section of the road which could be completed in less than 45 minutes now takes motorists more than four hours.

    Three years ago, the Federal Emergency Roads Management Agency, FERMA, responded to protests by road users over its condition and patched portions of the road. It didn’t take long before the patched portions of the road also failed and became worse than other portions of the road that did not enjoy that privilege. In reaction, taxi drivers and other motorists abandoned the once-busy road. I specifically requested that the honourable minister should visit the said road to assess the situation and ensure the reconstruction of the road to save the people of Ohimini, Otukpo and Ankpa Local Government Areas from the pains of traveling on the road.

    Few days after the letter reached his office, the minister worked on it, directing that that the scope of work on the road be assessed in order to recommend action and cost of the project. To my surprise, all the desk officers involved in carrying out his directive acted with precision and concluded their assignments, including assessment of the volume of work on the road and the cost of its reconstruction. With a little effort, contract for the reconstruction of that road would have found favour with the 2017 Appropriation Act but it did not. My reminder, dated March 15, also received immediate attention of the Honourable Minister.

    Fashola’s prompt action on my letters of January 12, 2017 and March 15 gives me hope that there are still politicians who are ready to provide selfless services to the people of Nigeria, irrespective of their language or location. Although the road has not been contracted out for reconstruction, I am hopeful that very soon, the federal government will ensure that it gets the needed attention. All I can say at this stage is: thank you, Fashola for changing my perception of politics and politicians.

     

    • Nats Onoja Agbo,

    onojagbo@yahoo.com

  • We’ll resist planned increase in electricity tariff – TUC

    We’ll resist planned increase in electricity tariff – TUC

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has vowed to mobilize Nigerians to resist the proposed increase in electricity tariff as canvassed by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, saying it was not the solution to the energy crisis in the country.

    The congress also asked Political actors in the country to avoid hate speeches in the count down to the 2019 general elections, while expressing concern over the increasing volatile political terrain which it said is not good for the nation’s fledging democracy.

    The Congress, in a communique at the end of its National Executive Council meeting also expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the country, especially the resurgence of the Boko Haram insurgency and the persistent killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen in parts of the country.

    In the communique signed by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Musa Lawal M. Ozigi, the congress wants the government to declare a state of emergency in the power sector as no nation can develop with power.

    The TUC said it was worried about the worsening security situation in the country and in particular condemned the recent killings across the country by Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen and militiamen and asked the Federal Government to take drastic action to build citizens confidence in the system and ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to book.

    It  observed that our political terrain has become volatile once again and therefore enjoins all political leaders to ensure that peace and order are maintained amongst their followers, adding that “Politicians should avoid hate speeches so that both the common man and workers can attain fulfillment.  It also calls on the Governors owing workers to pay and not convert public funds and workers salaries for election purposes.”

    In the lingering fuel situation in the country, the TUC that thee current situation in which the NNPC is the sole provider of fuel to the nation and absorbing subsidies is not healthy for the nation and the corporation and advises government to reimburse the NNPC so as to enable it to perform its primary obligation to the country.

    It want the Federal Government to begin the immediate payment of all outstanding subsidy claims by the petroleum marketers under the PPPRA-administered Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) to avoid consequential job losses which the nation can least afford.

    The congress said that the delay in paying outstanding claims has stopped the payments of wages/salaries in the downstream sector in a scary dimension which must not be allowed to degenerate further.

    It stressed that “It is expected that the Government would engage the Marketers as social partners under a special intervention arrangement that enables product marketer purchase foreign exchange (FOREX) at concessionary rates from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This will keep the prices at their current levels as well as encourage more participants. Government is called on to revamp the public owned refineries as well.”

    While commending the Federal Government for the commencement of the Minimum Wage Committee it implores the Committee to speed up proceedings to ensure that a new minimum wage will take effect not later than the agreed third quarter of the year.

    The TUC said further that the fight against corruption will not achieve the desired result without addressing the injustices being perpetrated by political office holders who collect multiple pensions and gratuities while still serving government in another capacity, saying this is not good for the economy.

    It asked the Federal Government to declare emergency in the power sector as no nation can develop without power, while expressing dismay that several billions of naira has been expended in the sector to no avail, adding that the call for tariff hike cannot be a solution and will be resisted.

  • Buhari’s Mambila power project set to take off

    Buhari’s Mambila power project set to take off

    Wednesday, August 30th approval by the Federal Executive Council, FEC for the award of the contract for the engineering, procurement and construction of the 3050 MW Mambila Hydro Electric Power Project reflects President Muhammadu Buhari’s strong commitment to the development of infrastructure in the country.

    After more than 40 years on the drawing boards, the FEC approval for the award of the contract to a consortium of three Chinese Companies, Messrs CGCC-SINOHYDRO-CGOCC Joint Venture represents a milestone in the journey for the realisation of the country’s long-standing dream.

    The landmark infrastructure project will cost the country the sum of US5,792,497,062.00 inclusive of taxes, environment utilization, works, as well as project land acquisition and compensation to about 100,000 people who will be resettled.

    Read Also: Obsolete equipment hindering power distribution, says Fashola

    From 2015 when he took power from the Jonathan-led, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP administration, President Muhammadu Buhari has, in addition to the successful prosecution of the costly war against terrorism and economic sabotage, unleashed a slew of infrastructure projects that would change the face of the country. These projects include railway, roads, airports, housing and agriculture among many others.

    The specific case of Mambilla presents an interesting story, given the many years it has taken to leave the drawing boards.

    As far back as 1972, a preliminary study was carried out by Moto Columbus, and confirmed by an indigenous water resources consultancy, Diyam Consultant led by distinguished Nigerian engineer, the late Malam Salihi Ilyasu which recommended the construction of a hydropower project with a rated capacity of 3,960 MW.

    Check Out: ‘How to move power sector forward‘

    From then till now, various governments made efforts, or to put it in a better way, pretended to be committed to actualising the project. Nothing came out of it. Sham attempts to develop the project on Build-Operate-Transfer, BOT also failed to achieve the commencement of construction.

    A government revocation of a BOT approved by a former President through an anticipatory approval led to a protracted litigation that stalled the project.

    In 2011, the then administration approved the award of contract for consultancy services for the detailed design and project management and supervision of a revised power output of 2,600 Mambila Hydro Electric Power project at the sum of USD 37,220,068,72.

    The major breakthrough in the execution of this project was achieved when President Muhammadu Buhari initiated discussions at the level of the President of the Peoples Republic of China in the course of his State Visit to that country.

    One of the achievements of the visit was the bilateral agreement between the two governments to cooperate on the project and in particular, for the Peoples Republic of China to prioritise Chinese financing of the Mambilla Hydro-Electric Power Project using Chinese contractors.

    The formation of the Joint Venture by the three companies, CGCC, SINOHYDRO and CGCOC under the guidance of the Chinese authorizes at the request of our government was significant in breaking the deadlock caused by litigation. It also ended needless competitor wrangling.

    Following this development, a series of meetings took place to reduce the cost of the project from the projected USD 6.62 billion to the now agreed sUm of USD 5,729,497,062.00.

    The importance of this project is being counted in its capacity to transform the communities in Taraba State and beyond that, the country as a whole.

    To quote the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola speaking on the Mambila project, “it will have a transformational effect on all of Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

    Read Also: Fashola to probe alleged inflation of Gencos’ invoice

    During its construction and upon completion, and subsequent operation, it will have considerable positive impact on electricity supply nationwide, productivity, employment, tourism, technology transfer, rural development, irrigation, agriculture and food production in the area and beyond.”

    This show-piece infrastructure project by the Muhammadu Buhari administration will therefore chart a new course of prosperity in Taraba, the North-East and the entire country. It will no doubt help the country’s infrastructure. After construction, it will be the biggest single power project in the country.

    Considering what this landmark infrastructure project means to the country’s economy, sociology and politics, it is hard to fathom why the past administrations delayed the Mambilla power project inordinately.

    Although blame for this is shared by governments over this 40-year period, the ones to take the bigger share are the governments during which tenure the oil sector boomed with oil prices as high as US$120.

    That period in question, especially the one preceding President Muhammadu Buhari’s second coming was one of missed opportunities and misplaced priorities. The long overdue investments in power and transport needed to unlock the economy were ignored. Nigeria earned unprecedented Dollar revenues.

    But there is nothing to show for the revenues earned. No major capital project was completed, neither power generation, road development, rail or agriculture benefitted from the windfall earnings. Rather, the administration presided over the diversion of oil revenues on a such a massive scale.

    President Muhammadu Buhari on the other hand has a positive and prosperous vision for Nigeria. A nation in which the natural talent and hard work of the people is being supported by an enabling environment of infrastructural development and policy reforms that will develop a firm future for our nation.

  • Buhari approves Mambila power project, 40 yrs after

    Buhari approves Mambila power project, 40 yrs after

    President Muhammadu Buhari at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council(FEC) meeting, approved the award of the contract for the engineering, procurement and construction of the 3050 MW Mambila Hydro Electric Power Project, thus reflecting his strong commitment to the development of infrastructure in the country.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola speaking on the Mambila project, said  “it will have a transformational effect on all of Nigeria’s socio-economic development. During its construction and upon completion, and subsequent operation, it will have considerable positive impact on electricity supply nationwide, productivity, employment, tourism, technology transfer, rural development, irrigation, agriculture and food production in the area and beyond.”

    The contract which was given to a consortium of three Chinese Companies, Messrs CGCC-SINOHYDRO-CGOCC Joint Venture, came after more than 40 years on the drawing boards. He stated that the work which started in 1972, as part of a preliminary study carried out by Moto Columbus, and confirmed by an indigenous water resources consultancy, Diyam Consultant led by distinguished Nigerian engineer, the late Malam Salihi Ilyasu, had recommended the construction of a hydropower project with a rated capacity of 3,960 MW.

    The project which will cost the country the sum of US5,792,497,062.00 inclusive of taxes, environment utilization, works, as well as project land acquisition and compensation to about 100,000 people who will be resettled, came as a result of President Muhammadu Buhari discussions with the President of the Peoples Republic of China during his State Visit to that country.

    “One of the achievements of the visit was the bilateral agreement between the two governments to cooperate on the project and in particular, for the Peoples Republic of China to prioritise Chinese financing of the Mambilla Hydro-Electric Power Project using Chinese contractors”.

    He also stated that the formation of the Joint Venture by the three companies, CGCC, SINOHYDRO and CGCOC under the guidance of the Chinese authorizes was at the request of our government and significant in breaking the deadlock caused by litigation, also ended needless competitor wrangling’.

     

     

     

  • Aregbesola’s intervention on roads highly commendable – Fashola

    Aregbesola’s intervention on roads highly commendable – Fashola

    Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola was on Thursday in Osun to inspect federal government road projects across the state just as he described the efforts of Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the projects as fantastic judging by the meagre finances of the state.

    The inspection by the minister is part of the inspection of federal roads in the Ondo, Ekiti and Osun axis.

    Federal road projects visited in Osun include the 30-kilometre dualization of Gbongan-Akoda road and Chief Adebisi Akande Trumpet Interchange Bridge, the 30.20-kilometer reconstruction and rehabilitation of Gbongan-Iwo-Oyo road. 

    The minister also assessed the condition of the Ifetedo-Ile-Ife road as well as the Ilesa-Ife dual carriage-way.

    Fashola who paid a courtesy visit to the Osun Governor in his office shortly after the inspection stressed that the federal government is not in competition with any state governor concerning road projects, but that the federal just wants good roads delivered across the country.

    The minister while commending the intervention of Aregbesola on the Gbongan to Akoda road and especially the Adebisi Akande Trumpet Interchange bridge stressed that the job will certainly be a masterpiece when completed.

    Fashola says the visit is necessary in order to take stock of the state of federal roads and also to liaise with necessary ministry officials to facilitate support for the drive of governor Aregbesola in terms of road networks.

    The minister who was led around the project sights by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, state of Osun, Engr. Nurudeen Adeagbo also charged the contractors handling the road projects to ensure a timely completion of the job.

    While at the sight of the ongoing projects, the former Lagos state governor also urged the handlers of the project to do a thorough job and keep to the specified standard given to them at the beginning of the project, stressing that standard should never be compromised for any reason whatsoever.

    He said: “I want to sincerely appreciate the efforts of Ogbeni Aregbesola on his intervention on federal roads in the state despite the paucity of funds.

    “He is not only attempting at doing the roads, I can see that the projects have been given to competent contractors who are doing a good job.

    “Road construction is a continuous thing, we will see how we can partner with you and support your efforts. I assure you that the debts on these roads will be paid very soon, the President is serious about making this easy for you.

    “I am so delighted seeing the kind of mutual relationship that exists between the federal controller of works and that of housing with government officials in Osun, these people should be seen as ambassadors because they are to assist in delivering good projects for Osun. 

    “Let me make it clear that the federal government is not in competition with any state governor concerning road projects, we are just concerned about the delivery of quality road projects across the country. He said.

    Speaking on the issue of power and housing as it affects Osun, Fashola expressed gratitude to the Osun governor, saying Osun is one of the few states in the country that out land for the federal housing project.

    He said such a project will go a long way in generating employment opportunities for the youths of the state adding that the federal government has recently approved the extension of the Osogbo transmission station which according to him will boost energy supply in the country. 

    According to the minister, “I want to sincerely thank the government of Osun for being one of the few states that gave us land for housing a project, this will go a long way in enhancing building as well as reducing the rate of unemployment in Osun. 

    “We are also responsible for the delivery of power to Nigerians, we have recently approved the extension of the Osogbo transmission station, this will also help in boosting energy supply all around the country. 

    “We have got the letter from the government of Osun seeking to provide power through involvement in a solar project, I want to assure you that we are fully in support of it and I have forwarded it to the minister of finance and we are only awaiting financial approval.

    The minister then promise to see to the payment of procurement cost on the roads as the federal government is committed to redeeming the expenses incurred by the state government stressing that all stakeholders involved will put hands on deck in making sure that there is smooth relationship between the state government and the ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

    In his response, Governor Rauf Aregbesola commended the passion of Fashola on the welfare of the Nigerian people as well as the development of their standard of living.

    The governor while appreciating the efforts of the minister since assuming the seat, urged him to see to following the correct alignment of federal roads in the state, while expressing gratitude to the minister for extending the construction of the Ilesa-Osogbo road to the railway junction in the state capital.

    He also charged the federal government through the minister to intensify efforts at rehabilitating the Ilie-Ikirun-Iragbiji Road, stressing that it will be a major break as it will go a long way in Opening a lot of agricultural communities in the area.

    Ogbeni Aregbesola also used the minister’s visit to solicit for transformers from the federal government, noting that the state government had supported a lot of distribution centres and would need assistance from the federal government in that regard.

    He also charged Fashola to expedite action on the federal housing estate in the state, saying the state deserves it as a matter of right.

    “I am grateful for your commitment to the improvement of our nation and we urge you not to look back, I have absolute confidence in your capacity to deliver. 

    “Concerning most of the federal roads in Osun, I want you to please follow the actual alignment in the rehabilitation of these roads, for example, the Ilesa-Osogbo road is not just from the round-about at Ilesa, but from “Eti oni”.

    “I know there is the paucity of funds, but will be very glad if you can embark on the Ilea-Ikirun-Iragbiji road, it will be a major breakthrough for the government as it will go a long way in opening a lot of farming communities in that area.

    “As you go about doing your job around the country, in whatever capacity you feel you can assist us to better the lives and living conditions of our people in terms of the social amenities which your office oversees, please do,” Aregbesola stated.

  • Discos get Friday deadline for submission of MDAs debt

    Discos get Friday deadline for submission of MDAs debt

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola on Monday issued a deadline of February 28 to electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) for the submission of their Ministries, Department and Agencies debt, audited and management accounts. 

    The announcement was contained in a communique that was issued at the end of his 12th monthly meeting with operators at Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Olorunsogo Injection Substation Substation, Akanran, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Fashola, said the communique, chaired the meeting in which the  Minister of State, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri was also present.

    The meeting focused on identifying, discussing, and finding practical solutions to critical issues facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

    The operators were fully represented at the highest executive management levels, including Commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Managing Directors and CEOs of Generating Companies (GenCos), Distribution Companies (DisCos), and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), as well as various government agencies such as the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET), Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) and Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) responsible for the regulation and development of the electricity industry.

    The meeting commiserated with the family of victims of electrical accidents and asked the  Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to monitor the resolution of these issues.

    It also charged all DisCos to reinvigorate their efforts on the safety of their networks and facilities.

    Power plant

    The communique said that the meeting reiterated that service delivery should remain a key focus of the industry, with enhanced efforts to engage community members in order to raise awareness and appreciation of work completed. It was resolved that a stronger effort to connect the host communities of power installations to power supply will be undertaken.

    It raised issues about the negative impact of sabotage of gas pipelines, leading to a severe limitation in power generation and highlighted the efforts of the Acting President in engaging communities in the Niger Delta in an effort to address their concerns and therefore, bring a lasting solution to pipeline vandalism.

    The meeting urged that  key policy steps should be taken by the Federal Government to improve the stability of the sector with the inauguration of the new commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the appointment of an interim Managing Director for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to reform the company for a more robust service to the industry.

    It noted the steps taken to address the liquidity issues (currently limiting the functioning of the sector), through the work currently underway to identify, verify and pay MDA debts to DisCos, as well as gas debts and generation debts. 

    The noted that Abuja, Ikeja, Ibadan and Yola Electricity Distribution Company have complied with data requirements, and verification of their submission is underway on a first come first serve basis.

    It added: “TCN announced that Osogbo – Ede line is fully completed, and is awaiting completion of the connected substation for energization. This substation is to be completed in 12 months. The MD, Transmission Services Provider (TSP) also noted the completion of a transformer project in New Bussa, and announced that the substation should be ready for energising in six weeks, following pre-commissioning tests. TCN also reported progress on the following projects in the host (IBEDC) region: Abeokuta-Igboora–Lanlate132KV DC Line, Odogunyan substation and transmission line, and transmission substation in Iseyin, as well as transmission projects in Ago-Iwoye, Benin-Akure, Gamo-Ogbomoso and Magboro, and the meeting charged them to expedite action towards completion and service delivery.

    “The Market Operator (MO) noted that Eko DisCo showed the highestpayment performance to service providers, followed by Yola DisCo, and encouraged other operators to fulfil their obligation to the market.”

  • FG plans N1.8tr capital spending – Fashola

    FG plans N1.8tr capital spending – Fashola

    The Federal Government will spend a whopping N1.8 trillion this year on capital spending, the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said on Thursday.

    He said this is a clear departure from the past when about N400 billion was planned for capital spending.

    The former Lagos governor stated this at the 5th meeting of national council on land, housing and urban development held in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    The theme of the meeting is: “Building adequate capacity of professionals, artisans and tradesmen in the built environment.”

    Fashola said: “As you will be aware, one of the decisions taken by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is to increase the capital spending in 2016 budget to 30 percent of the total budget size of N6.06 trillion.  This is a change for those who still ask what has changed. It is a change because it is a welcome departure from almost a decade of spending only 10 per cent of our annual budget on capital expenditure.

    “But this is not the end of the purpose of spending. It is only the means to get to the end. The end really is to reflate the economy, to stimulate the economy back to growth and back to productivity. To provide the opportunity for people to feel included in the economy in a way that growth then translates to employment for them.

     

  • Fashola confirms N70bn payment to FG contractors

    Fashola confirms N70bn payment to FG contractors

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has confirmed that about N70 billion has been paid to contractors out of the N102 billion released to his ministry.

    He disclosed at the ongoing town hall meeting in Abuja, that following the payment, contractors were able to resume back to their construction sites.

    According to him, there are over 200 on-going road projects valued at N2 trillion under supervision of the ministry. He added that the N19 billion initially released from the 2015 budget was grossly inadequate.

    Fashola emphasized that work has resumed at Kano-Katsina road, Port-Harcourt-Enugu road, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Loko-Oweto Bridge, and this has invariably led to economic improvement in the communities around those sites.

    He said previous governments gave more attention to recurrent expenditure as against the capital expenditure, which according to him, worked negatively against the nation’s infrastructure and the economy.

    He advised Nigerians to be patient and positive affirming that things would soon improve. He urged Nigerians to familiarize themselves with how the budget works, saying that budget is a document and not cash as it is generally believed in some quarters.

    Speaking on power projects in Zungeru and Mambilla hydro power plant in Niger and Taraba States respectively, the Minister restated his commitment, stressing his resolve to ensure on-going transmission works at the sites are completed.

    He corrected the erroneous impression in some quarters that government was managing the affairs of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). According to him, rather than being a government business sector, government is now playing a regulatory role while the power side is private sector driven.

    In his remarks, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said that the Presidency is willing to collaborate with any organization that wishes to partner with government in its effort to provide good governance.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, urged the public to offer advises to the federal government especially on economic solutions rather than consistent criticism of the government in power over the poor state of economy.