The Nation Newspaper

Tag: distributes

  • DisCos distributes 93,219 pre-paid meters

    Nigerian electricity distribution companies (DisCos) distributed 93,219 prepaid meters between January and March, according to data from the power sector report of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

    The report said the number of consumers with prepaid meters rose from 1,496,587 at the end of 2017 to 1,589,805 at the end of March 2018.

    It showed that Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) issued 260,667 meters during the first quarter.

    Abuja DisCo shared 282,868 meters, while Ibadan DisCo, the largest DisCo, followed by 254,261 prepaid meters to its customers.

    Ikeja DisCo metered 157,797 consumers in its franchise area while Eko DisCo issued 158,157 prepaid meters.

    In addition, Kaduna DisCo also issued 138,164 prepaid meters as at March 31, while Enugu DisCo had 116,623 of its consumers metered.

    It said Port Harcourt DisCo distributed 66,507 meters to its customers; Kano DisCo followed with 63,037 while Jos Disco had 54,395 metered customers.

  • Enugu tackles environmental degradation, distributes clean cook stoves

    ENUGU State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has reiterated his determination to collaborate with agencies towards curtailing practices that harm the environment. The governor gave this assurance during the flag-off of a pilot project to promote clean and efficient cooking stoves and low-carbon resilient development held at St. Cyprian’s Secondary School, Nsukka, and Ohom Orba, in Udenu Local Government Area. The governor who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, said the need to step up actions to stop the continuous degradation of the environment has become quite urgent given the adverse changes being recorded in the weather condition globally.

    “The environment seems no longer conducive for human habitation, the ozone layer being the protector of the present system is being depleted as a result of gaseous emission,” he said. “The negative effects of this abnormality cannot be quantified given the current outbreaks of cancer and other attendant consequences. The incessant flooding and ocean surge being experienced are pointers to these man-made inadequacies.

    These necessitated the Enugu State government to partner the World Bank and the Nigeria Environmental Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) with a view to providing these environment-friendly stoves to stem the rising risk associated with our cooking stoves and firewoods that breed deforestation and smoke discharge,” he added. He noted that the current free distribution of the clean and efficient stove is a pilot scheme that will later spread to other rural areas, adding that it will not only reduce the dangers involved in the way people cook, but will also provide a cost effective cooking method for families. Earlier, NEWMAP’s acting project coordinator in Enugu, Mr. Vincent Obetta, stated that the project development goals are aimed at reducing their catchment area’s susceptibility to soil erosion. “It is a multi-sectoral project in selected states to prevent and reverse land degradation, initially focusing on gully erosion sites such as the Enyazurum gully site at Ohom Orba and Onuiyi, at Nsukka, which have threatened infrastructure and livelihood in the areas.

    The rising global temperatures will very likely increase the frequency of heat waves, drought and heavy rainfall, adversely affecting agriculture, forest, water resources, human health and settlements,” Mr. Obetta said. He commended Governor Ugwuanyi for being up to date in the payment of Enugu State’s counterpart fund which, he noted, has yielded immense benefits.

  • INEC distributes sensitive materials to 239 wards

    INEC distributes sensitive materials to 239 wards

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed sensitive materials to be used in tomorrow’s governorship election.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who was at the INEC office in Lokoja yesterday to witness the distribution, noted that the materials were escorted to destinations amid tight security.

    It was also observed that the distribution of the materials was done in the presence of the representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties contesting the election.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Halilu Pai, who supervised the distribution, said the materials included ballot papers and result sheets.

    He said the materials would be taken to the INEC offices in the 21 local governments from where they would be shared among the 239 wards.

    According to him, INEC was ready to conduct a free, fair, credible and acceptable election.

    He urged the parties, security agents and other stakeholders to play their roles according to the rules.

    The REC assured the people that the fuel scarcity experienced in the state would not affect the process and outcome of the election.

    He said the commission had arranged with filling stations that would sell petrol tomorrow and that the stations had been prevailed upon to operate on a 24-hour basis, beginning from today.

     

  • Oando distributes gas stoves

    To alleviate the suffering of women entrepreneurs in the food business, Oando Marketing Plc has distributed Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to them at affordable prices.

    The firm distributed LPG Cooking Gas stoves to women entrepreneurs in Ipetumodu, Osun State, at the weekend.

    The women fry bean cakes (Akara Osu) on the Ibadan-Ife Expressway.

    Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Olaposi Williams said Oando was motivated “to embark on this initiative first, to alleviate the suffering of the women who are exposed to health problems arising from the use of firewood in frying their “akara”, as well as ensuring a switch from the use of firewood to a cleaner and safer fuel, which is LPG”.

    She said over the years, the women have been renowned for their trade but have been exposed to poor health resulting from inhaling smoke from firewood.

    “We at Oando have looked at the health issues associated with the use of firewood and suffering of these enterprising women and have decided to give back to this community by initiating this social benefit scheme as part of our corporate social Responsibility”.

    She said the company was poised to ensure that Nigerians switch over from firewood to LPG, which is cleaner and safer.

    Head of Liquefied Gas Mr. Ganiyu Azeez said the company, last month, gave out 30 units of LPGs Gas stoves and would in a couple of weeks, give another 30 units.

    He said the company would ensure that women in the area use LPG Gas Stove to preserve the environment.

    Responding on behalf of the traders, Iyaloja/Founder of Ipetumodu Market Women Association, Mrs. Grace Kayode Oyatomi thanked Oando for the gesture, saying the initiative would herald a new dawn in the business of her members.

    “We are grateful to Oando for this giant stride. Today marks the beginning of a new life in the business of our members.”

  • Sultan distributes bags of rice

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Jamatul Nasir Islam (JNI),  Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday launched the distribution of relief materials.

    They included 18,000 bags of rice, to Internally- Displaced Persons (IDPs), from Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe and Bauchi states.

    The Sultan said the materials, which also included 250 tins of vegetable oil, were to alleviate the sufferings of the IDPs.

    He said the items were not to be sold by the beneficiaries, stressing that they were meant to assist them in their trying moments.

  • APC distributes 250,000 Ekitigate DVDs

    APC distributes 250,000 Ekitigate DVDs

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has printed and distributed 250,000 copies of audio and video recordings of details of how the June 21, 2014, election was rigged in favour of Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    Its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, said the party took the step to let the world know the truth about the “miracle election,” where a governor with unrivalled sterling performance failed to win a single local government of the 16 councils in the state.

    He said details of corrupt practices by soldiers as contained in the tape lent credence to the inclusion of the military as a defendant in the Ekiti State Election Petitions Tribunal, where a suit is challenging the return of Fayose as the winner of the election.

    In the tape secretly recorded by Army Captain Sagir Koli, the participants in the fraud were discussing operational details and giving instructions on how to help Fayose win the election.

    Koli went on exile after releasing the tape.

    The party said: “Nigerians and indeed decent people of the world will hear of how a brigadier-general was thoroughly disgraced by brigands and lawless individuals in PDP.

    “Nigerians will hear a brigadier- general talking of how he set up “Strike Forces” to be unleashed on APC leaders and supporters to cow them to submission to ensure victory for Fayose.

    “It is a pity and tragedy of our history that a man, who is supposed to be in chains, is the one assuring a serving brigadier-general of promotion if he could help PDP rig the election.

    “Nigerians will hear Fayose and his co-conspirators talking and boasting that the top echelons of the Army were the chief executioners of Ekiti poll fraud.

    “The world will hear Fayose talking about how he collected soft copies of INEC’s sensitive election materials and got them printed to give him victory.”

    The APC spokesman said the revelation by Fayose that he collected soft copies of INEC’s sensitive materials and got them printed had confirmed the party’s claim that photochromic papers were used to fix the election in his favour.

  • Ekiti distributes protective kits

    The Ekiti State government has distributed personal protective kits to all specialist and general hospitals.

    Items distributed to the three state specialist hospitals and 17 general hospitals include recyclable overalls, disposable overalls, respiration masks, aprons and rubber gloves.

    Others are examination gloves, boot covers, sodium hypochante and safety goggles.

    The Permanent Secretary, Hospital Management Board, Kolawole Aina, reiterated the government’s commitment to health care delivery.

    He urged health workers to use the items well, urging them to be positive in order to achieve efficiency and effectiveness.

  • Ramadan: Fayose distributes rice to Muslims, urges religious tolerance

    Ramadan: Fayose distributes rice to Muslims, urges religious tolerance

    Ekiti state Governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has distributed about 14,500 branded 5kg rice to Muslim faithful across the 16 councils of the state.

    Distributing some packs of the rice at the Central Mosque yesterday, Fayose, who spoke through his deputy, Dr. Olusola Eleka, said “the gesture was in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan”.

    Eleka said: “You know the Governor-elect is a man of the people and he sees and seizes opportunities such as this to make a statement regarding his undying love for the people. He is doing this to identify with them as he has always done.”

    Urging Muslims to use the opportunity of the month to pray for the country and Ekiti State, the deputy governor-elect expressed gratitude to the people for their massive vote for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate, Fayose, assuring “the incoming administration would deliver on the promises made during electioneering campaign”.

    Noting that the peaceful atmosphere in the state was a result of the prayers and spiritual efforts of both Muslims and Christians, Eleka said, “the governor-elect appreciates your prayers for him, this state and the country at large and I urge you not to relent especially now that a new government is on the way”.

  • UPDC distributes N1.13b to shareholders

    UPDC distributes N1.13b to shareholders

    Shareholders of UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) Plc yesterday got a two-in-one dividend as the real estate company distributed more than N1.13 billion as dividends for the 2013 business year.

    UPDC will start distributing the dividends today. At the annual general meeting yesterday in Lagos, shareholders approved payment of N962.5 million as cash dividends, representing a dividend per share of 70 kobo, alongside distribution of N171.88 million in bonus issue of one share for every four shares held as at May 12, 2014.

    Shareholders commended the performance of the company noting that the distribution of cash and scrip dividends would further reinforced shareholders’ confidence in the company.

    Speaking at the meeting, chairman, UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah, said there is reason to be optimistic about the future performance of the company as it has increased its growth momentum and reinforced its leading position in the real estate industry.

    He noted that in spite of the challenging operating environment, the company’s profit before tax rose from N2.45 billion in 2012 to N3.71 billion in 2013.

    He outlined that the company successfully completed the floatation of the UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust (UPDC REIT) in 2013 on a capital value of N26.7 billion.

    Ettah said UPDC, which currently holds 62.2 per cent in UPDC REIT, will reduce its shareholding in the UPDC REIT to 40 per cent.

    According to him, the company was able to complete several projects in 2013 including the prestigious 32-unit ‘Cameron Green’ Ikoyi and Phase 1 of Metro City, Abuja comprising of 88 units of mixed residential apartments.

    He added that the company also took advantage of the lack of a formal retail channel in the Festac axis of Lagos State by undertaking the ongoing Festival Mall development, which is expected to open to customers by end of 2014.

    “The hotel arm of the business, Golden Tulip Festac, also performed well in 2013, with room occupancy averaging 44%, an increase of 91% over 2012.  With five international airlines currently utilizing the hotel’s facilities and continuing upward trend in residential conferences by blue chip corporate customers, the hotel is set for improved performance from 2014.  We plan to develop the adjoining Block B of the hotel into residential apartments in 2014,” Ettah said.

    He pointed out that the outlook for the real estate sector is promising as the revised guidelines for Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) and a fully operational National Mortgage Refinance Company will provide a wider scope of activities and opportunities for estate developers and ultimately result in affordable mortgages and increased home ownership for middle and lower income earners.

    According to him, with the huge housing deficit of 17.45 million units estimated in 2013 and emerging opportunities in the commercial and retail categories as well as partnership opportunities in the areas of housing technology and finance, the real estate sector continues to hold exciting promise for the future.

    “For UPDC, there is a good reason for optimism against this backdrop and given the capability and zeal of our business to surmount challenges, mitigate risks, take advantage of profitable opportunities, sustain our pedigree and in fact, surpass achievements year-on-year,” Ettah said.

  • Kano govt. distributes N5m sports facilities to schools

    Kano govt. distributes N5m sports facilities to schools

    The Kano State Government bought sports facilities worth N5 million and distributed same to boarding secondary schools in the state, Habib El-Yakub, the Director-General, Kano State Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSSMB), has said.

    El-Yakub made the disclosure on Friday in Kano at the presentation of prizes to the 33 schools that participated in the 2013 edition of school challenge competitions held in Kano.

    He said the facilities were given to 224 secondary schools as part of efforts to boost sporting activities in the state. He added that the decision to re-introduce school challenge competitions in sports and academics was borne out of the board’s commitment to discover and develop hidden talents among students.

    “We resolved to re-introduce the competitions among schools so that hidden talents could be encouraged to develop their skills,’’ the director-general said.

    He thanked the state’s Ministry of Education for the support it gave the board and urged it to sustain the tempo. In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Audi Abubakar, said the ministry had appointed a desk officer in-charge of all sporting activities.

    Abubakar said the move was to promote sports activities in the state’s school system. He said the Kofar Naisa Sports Complex, when completed, would accommodate a number of sporting activities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that out of the six categories of events competed for, three were in sports, while three were in academics.