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Tag: Fashola

  • Fashola to Senate: don’t change our plans

    Fashola to Senate: don’t change our plans

    THE Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde  Fashola,  yesterday urged the Senate Committee on Works not to change the ministry’s plans as presented in the 2016 budget proposals.

    He spoke when he led a delegation to continue its budget defence.

    The minister, in his presentation of the main thrust of the Medium Term Sector Strategy 2016–2018 budget proposals, explained that the objective would ensure that projects in the six geopolitical zones were completed.

    He said:  “Some members of the committee have pointed out that they wanted to see a plan. There is a plan before you and it is a plan that l appeal that you should look at in more detail.  It is perhaps different from what has been done before, and if we have done this budget method where we put  X Naira in the budget and every constituency takes a part of it in that budget year and it doesn’t lead us to the conclusion of a project, I think the time has come to try something new.

    “ I am proposing something new but we not are inflexible about what we are proposing and as l have said in my previous meetings with the chairman and the vice chairman, give us a chance, to change the way things have been done, then hold us  responsible to the plan that we agree with.  But as parliament, when it comes to Budgetary Appropriation matters, you have the yam and you have the knife and you can choose to cut as you wish, Sir.  Mr. Chairman, we have brought a plan to you Sir, it is different from what has been done before.  The purpose of that plan is to address first, economic roads as the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Ilorin-Jebba road so that, a section at least can be completed.”

    Fashola noted that if there was a clear cut plan as being proposed, each lawmaker could explain to their people on the schedule of their areas within such a plan.

    Explaining that it was impossible to have come up with a 10-year plan in less than 100 days of being in office as suggested by one of the senators, the minister explained that it was important to come up with a proposal for implementation to avoid the danger of losing the dry weather while making elaborate plans.

    Fashola noted that the time had come for the senators to insist on what will make  meaningful impact in the life of the citizenry by endorsing the ministry’s proposal  unlike what was done in the past.

    “Let us also not forget that there are some contractors who were at work last year.  The budget of N19 billion passed through this National Assembly last year, l wasn’t here.  And perhaps that was the time to have put our foot down.  We have another opportunity now to put our foot down and l hope that we do not miss it.  In doing so my suggestion is that you trust us with this plan and you hold us to it subject to modifications that we may make and subject to the leadership responsibility that we will take in our constituencies that next year, this is what will happen in this part of the country, in year three, this is what will happen in this part of the country, “ he said.

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Kabiru Gaya,  hailed the minister and his team for the depth of work done within a short period, adding that his committee would work with the ministry to come up with a final budget to help achieve the objectives of the executive and legislature.

     

  • Energy policy coming, says Fashola

    Energy policy coming, says Fashola

    Power Minister Babatunde Fashola has pledged to unveil his energy policy when next he addresses the media. The policy will holistically show the direction of the government in solving the problems of the power sector in the short and long terms. He has also mandated the distribution companies to significantly improve service delivery. EMEKA UGWUANYI reports.  The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has promised to make his energy policy public when next he briefs the media, and directed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to significantly improve electricity supply and customer service delivery.

    Fashola said this during his second monthly meeting with operators in the electricity industry in Lagos. He said: “I will come to energy policy, much more later when I do my second press briefing. All of you in the media owe a bigger responsibility now to enlighten people. Everybody must know how power is produced, because the problem is still with us, gas, transmission, and the way the privatisation exercise was conducted. But I will not lament what has happened in the past, I will move with it.”

    He continued: “When we took over and assessed the situation, nobody was happy with it. This is a problem that has been here for 16 years if you it put mildly, and 100 years ago, if you put it really extremely. I have been here for less than hundred days, and I think we can solve this problem if you give us the tools that we need to do it. I think this problem can be solved and the day I feel it cannot be solved, I will tell you I don’t think it will work.”

    The minister said he reached an agreement with the DisCos to improve customer service delivery by strengthening the operations of their customer centres and providing dedicated phone numbers to ensure consumer complaints within their jurisdictions are promptly responded to.

    The meeting, which holds every month, is meant to identify, discuss and find practical solutions to issues facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. The Minister has set a goal of attaining at least 7,000megawatts (Mw) of electricity generation by end of this year. Although he has refused to make how to go about it public, but he has discussed with the operators.

    According to Fashola, the most important thing is for Nigerians to access power when they need it and not just mentioning megawatts. He said: “The simplest thing to do is to commit to megawatts, but even if I have 1,000Mw only on the grid, can people access it? As for megawatts, we now have over 5,000Mw, and we are calibrating there. I don’t want to discuss megawatts, but Nigerians will see incremental power output if everybody allows stability to stay. Once you shock this system, gas will hold on, generation companies (GenCos) will hold, contracts are stalled and debts will mount again. Because the person that takes gas will not return it, he must push it out, so people must understand how fragile this system even at the best of time can be.”

    Also at the stakeholders’ meeting, AES Power Plant, Egbin Power Plant and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), agreed to meet today to complete the ongoing negotiations with a view to supplying gas to AES power plant.

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) addressed some interface issues, discussed ongoing plans to review and resolve them. The firm  identified 51 of them to be resolved, which affect supply in areas such as Alaoji, Sokoto, Ahoada, Damaturu, Gbarain, Calabar, Afikpo, Nsukka, Okigwe, Ihiala, Ayede, Ikeja, Ajah, Lekki, Kebbi, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Makurdi, Kainji, Kafanchan, Otukpo, Hadejia, Wudil, Kumbotso, Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, Daura, Abuja and Maiduguri.

    The NNPC also presented its plans of adding significant gas supplies for power generation. The operators said the power sector expects an addition of 220 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) by the end of first quarter of 2016, and 785 mmscf/d by the end of second quarter of 2016 cumulative.

    To solve the power sector liquidity issues, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) said there is need to develop a Power Sector Liquidity Bond to cover validated present and future liquidity gap until 2018 and the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) committed to immediate resumption of disbursement of the balance of the N213 billion facility previously approved but suspended

    The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) also emphasised the need to improve safety standards by DisCos and their contractors in order to reduce accidents and death. NEMSA underscored the health and safety issues of the sector and the need for improvement in responsiveness to health and safety issues. The operators agreed that NEMSA shall start to rank DisCos for safety compliance and accident reduction, as well as applying sanctions for non-compliance. It cited the case of the electrocuted University of Lagos student.

    On metering, the minister gave targets to the DisCos. Eko DisCo was mandated to install 90,000 by end of June and 150, 000 by December, while Ikeja DisCo is 120,000 and 220,000 within the same timeframe.

    Others are Kano DisCo 40,000 and 100,000; Yola DisCo 30,000    and  75,000; Jos DisCo 45,000 and 120,000; Benin DisCo                         18,000           and 36,000 having 200,000 cleared with Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and Port Harcourt DisCo 75,000 and 150,000, all within the same timeframe.

    NEMSA said it is also ready to test and certify over 70,000 additional meters that the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) is planning to install for customers.

  • Fashola seeks honour for Nigeria’s heroes

    Fashola seeks honour for Nigeria’s heroes

    Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has called for regular remembrance of Nigeria’s heroes.

    Delivering the keynote address titled: ‘The role of a noble Nigerian in the change milieu,’at the 84th Founders’ Day of the Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA) on Sunday, Fashola said doing so would help to fulfil their visions for the country.

    Fashola cited United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a country that regularly reflects on its founder’s vision.

    He said at the world energy conference he attended at Abu Dhabi recently, about 30 minutes of the 90-minute programme was spent discussing Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision.

    He said: “I was part of the delegation to Abu Dhabi in UAE to attend a conference on renewable energy. During that conference, they spent a half hour of the 90 minutes that was dedicated to the ceremony, paying tribute to their founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan … Indeed, the conference was named after him. They featured a documentary, showing their past as fishermen and nomads and their evolution and the far sighted vision of Zayed who dreamt great dreams … as at 1971, that desert was still under British colonial rule. But they have left no one in doubt as to whom they credit for their current status. It belongs to their founder, Sheikh Zayed.

    “Have we been courageous enough to acknowledge and celebrate those who came before us? Today therefore, not only should we just remember that it is Founders’ Day, we must acknowledge that it is the memorial sacrifice day. I call it sacrifice day because it is the anniversary of the day when some far sighted patriots dared to dream so that you and I can have an education.”

    The former governor of Lagos State praised the unconventional partnership between the Methodist church mission and the Anglican Communion that birthed the school, his alma mater and the values they instilled in the pupils.

    He urged Nigerians to give back to the society like heroes of the past.

    “All of us who have walked this prism are beneficiaries of a truly great legacy. We must now translate that glorious task into catalysts for Nigeria’s promising future. I leave you with one question: 84 years after some great men did an unconventional thing to give Nigeria a storehouse of noble men, what will you give to Nigeria to fulfill her promise in the change milieu?” Fashola noted.

    The ceremony featured an award to 14 ICOBA members who have contributed to the college and to humanity.

    For the first time, a woman, Dr Olufemi Ogunsanya, made the list of awardees for her role on the school’s governing board.

    Another recipient was the Very Revd Samuel Johnson, one of the oldest boys of the school.  He counseled Nigerian pupils to do their best to achieve nobility, especially in the nation’s troubled state.

  • Fashola: Fed Govt to complete 200 roads worth N2tr

    Fashola: Fed Govt to complete 200 roads worth N2tr

    OVER 200 roads worth N2 trillion awarded by the Goodluck Jonathan administration will be completed across the country this year, it was learnt.

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola said this at a budget session with the House of Represdentatives’ committees on Power, Works and Housing and FERMA.

    He told the committees, led by  Toby Okechukwu, that the government owes road contractors over N1 trillion.

    The minister said 206 projects were in diverse stages of completion, while contractors, consultants for engineering design and supervision consultants, etc. have not been paid.

    On the 2016 budget proposal, Fashola said of the N433 billion proposed for the three critical sectors, N208 billion is for roads, N99 billion for power and N66 billion for housing.

    The challenges of the ministry as regards the timely completion of projects, Fashola said, “is inadequate budgetary provision for projects to sustain annual cashflow requirement levels.

    “This underscores the need for diversifying the sources of funding highway projects.”

    He presented a three-year plan (2016-2018) for the completion of major economic roads linking different states and regions, totalling over 6,000 kilometres.

    He said some of the priority roads included: Sokoto-Kantagora-Makera Road, Katsina-Kano-Maidugari road, Hadeja-Nguru-Gashua Road, Ilorin-Jebba-Makowa, Lagos-Ibadan road, Enugu-Portharcourt, Calabar-Adokpani-Ikot road and Ajibandele-Sagamu road.

    On the delay in the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan Express road, the minister blamed the concession agreement between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney Limited, which he described as “problematic”.

    Two court orders obtained  by Bi-Courtney have stalled the project, he said.

    His words:  “The brief I have received was first, there was documented advice to government, that they should have never issued that concession. But government went ahead to issue and this perhaps explains the inability to perform.

    “So many other things happened, like a change of government. But the last administration took the view that they wanted out of the concession and the company went to court seeking to be compensated and that the concession be restored.

    “While that was going on government set up a finance, corporate and management agreement and that’s where Motorways came in. Money was raised by Motorways to fund the contractors, RCC and Julius Berger. Again, Bi-Courtney instituted went to court and got an order stopping any of the lenders under the Motorways contract…”

    Okechukwu said there should be creative ways of funding important road projects and its time the ministry started thinking outside the box.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tariff increase bitter pill for Nigerians, says Fashola

    Tariff increase bitter pill for Nigerians, says Fashola

    Minister of Works, Power and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has appealed to Nigerians to bear the pains of the new increase in electricity tariff, saying it is a bitter pill Nigerians should try to swallow for the country’s interest and growth.

    Fashola, who had a meeting with operators in power sector in Lagos yesterday and inspected ongoing works at the Alagbon Local 2x15MVA, 33/11 KV injection substation in Ikoyi, told reporters that the right thing should have been to increase the power before the tariff.

    But he said unfortunately, it was not possible considering the rot the President Muhammadu Buhari administration met on ground.  He assured electricity consumers that they would get value for their money, adding that the electricity distribution companies (Discos) have been directed to “significantly improve service delivery”.

    Besides, the 10-year tariff order would from the next two years begin to come down, he added.

    His words: “I understand that people who have been disappointed over a long time will feel the sense of concern that again tariff has gone up. But the truth is that this tariff ought to have been there from day one, and I don’t know why government of yesterday was not courageous enough to tell us this was the tariff. This is why you have this MYTO (multi-year-tariff-order) every two years. So, they (past governments) have given the impression that the price of power will increase every two years.

    “What we have done now with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is to give a 10-year tariff. In that tariff, about two years from now, it will begin to go down. Whatever price the tariff offers now, is a lot cheaper than diesel, inverter and petrol generation. My relations also ask me, minister, what is this? So, I’m not an exempt. It is a painful pill that I must appeal that Nigerians swallow. It is like quinine and malaria. It is painful, not sweet, and I know that, but I chose it because we are not left with many choices. This is the first major decision in power that this administration is taking. Another problem is transmission; and we are fixing it.”

    Fashola stated that people were not interested in investing in gas.

    “But they are just beginning to show interest. So, even if you have all the power plants, where is the fuel? So, it will get better. And I can only appeal for some understanding that we do this in the best interest of our country.

    “We have to improve certain deliveries and that is why we have these meetings with the Discos. They have to roll out meters, install lines and transformers, among others,” he said.

    He said: “I know the question on every Nigerian lips are why we can’t have power first before tariff increase? I wish we could do that, but if Nigerians understood that power business is funded from finance from banks, and no bank will lend money to you if you can’t show a recovery price.

    “So that is the reason we cannot have power first before tariff increase, it has to be produced before we have it, and it has to be paid for.”

  • Ambode, Fashola others condole with Mobolaji Johnson

    Ambode, Fashola others condole with Mobolaji Johnson

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday visited the state’s first military governor, Brig-Gen Mobolaji Johnson (rtd) over the death of his wife.

    Mrs. Funmi Johnson (76) passed on after a brief illness on Saturday.

    In a message by his chief press secretary, Habib Aruna, the governor described the late Mrs. Johnson as an epitome of humility, uprightness and one who had passion for teaching.

    “She was a virtuous woman. As wife of the military governor, she still went about her normal duties. She was seen in the market, she related with her colleagues at Yaba College of Technology and the Federal Training Centre as well as her friends as she used to before her husband became governor. That for me is the height of humility.

    Ambode urged the widower to take solace in the fact that his wife has gone to a better place and draw strength from the fruitful years they shared together.

    The governor visited the Lagos residence of the former governor on Monday, February 8 in company of his wife, Bolanle and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem.

    “On behalf of the good people of Lagos, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Brig-Gen Mobolaji Johnson (rtd) on this great and irreparable loss,” he said.

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd) and former governor Lateef Jakande also visited Johnson.

     

  • Accept electricity tariff hike as painful pill – Fashola

    Accept electricity tariff hike as painful pill – Fashola

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has appealed to Nigerians to bear the pains of the new  electricity tariff hike, describing it as painful pill they must swallow in the interest of the country.

    Fashola, who had a meeting with all stakeholders in power sector in Lagos on Monday, and inspected ongoing works at the Alagbon Local 2x15MVA, 33/11 KV injection substation in Ikoyi, told journalists that the right thing could have been to increase the power before the tariff but unfortunately it was not possible considering the rot the government met on ground.

    He assured electricity consumers that they will get value for their money, adding that the electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) have been directed to significantly improve service delivery.

    Besides, the 10-year tariff order, will from the next two years begin to come down, he added.

    He said: “I understand that people who have been disappointed over a long time will feel the sense of concern that again tariff has gone up. But the truth is that this tariff ought to have been there from day one, and I don’t know why government of yesterday was not courageous enough to tell us this was the tariff.

    “This is why you have this MYTO (Multi-Year-Tariff-Order) every two years. So they (past governments) have given the impression that the price of power will increase every two years. What we have done now with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is to give a 10-year tariff. In that tariff, about two years from now, it will begin to go down. Whatever price the tariff offers now, is a lot cheaper than diesel, inverter and petrol generation. My relations also asked me, Minister, what is this? So I’m not exempted. It is a painful pill that I must appeal that Nigerians swallow. It is like quinine and malaria. It is painful, not sweet, and I know that, but I chose it because we are not left with many choices. This is the first major decision in power that this administration is taking. Another problem is transmission, and we are fixing it.”

    Fashola stated that people are not interested in investing in gas, adding that are just beginning to show interest.

    “So even if you have all the power plants, where is the fuel? So it will get better, and I can only appeal for some understanding that we do this in the best interest of our country.

    “We have to improve certain deliveries and that is why we have these meetings with the DISCOs. They have to roll out meters, install lines and transformers, among others,” the minister said.

  • Fashola, stakeholders meet on 7000Mw generation today

    Fashola, stakeholders meet on 7000Mw generation today

    Works, Power and Housing Minister Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) will meet  stakeholders in the power sector today in Lagos to discuss how to position the sector for service delivery, especially the achievement of 7,000 megawatts (Mw) electricity generation by end of the year.

    A source told The Nation that Fashola said the Federal Government wants the attainment of at least 7,000Mw generation and remarkable supply level this year.

    The meeting will bring together representatives of the generation, transmission and distribution companies, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Market Operator, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ministry of Petroleum and Nigerian Gas Company (NGC).

    The meeting aims to address the problems in the  sector, including gas supply constraints.

    According to the source, payment for the debts owed power firms by consumers, especially government offices, such as the military and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), which is over N50 billion, is on the table. The Federal Government has made provision for the payment of the debts in the budget.

    He said the improvement in power supply is as a result of the previous meeting with the Power Minister, who also has the backing of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to sanction any defaulter in the supply value chain.

    “The meeting is to discuss increase in power generation. There is determination by this government to fix the sector. Everyone is performing his role. Nigerians will witness much improvement in supply, and I assure you the planned 7,000Mw generation will be achieved before end of the year because the government is backing its statement with action. They take practical actions, not rhetoric.

    “I see a better situation for Nigerians. For the first time, we have surpassed 5,000Mw generation to 5,075Mw. The new electricity tariff is a new baby that should be nurtured because it will make the sector better, and if there is more generation, there will be more to distribute. With the tariff, the sector will be able to pay the gas suppliers, there will be more gas for the generators, and funds for necessary the infrastructure required.

    “With the few meeting we held with the Power Minister, he has given a good account of himself. In a business such as power, we don’t have to mix it with politics and lip service. He has severally turned down moves by some stakeholders to see him prior to the meetings. He is focused on practically improving the sector. Challenges are there, but they are being surmounted.

    “Vice President Osinbajo also wants practical results, and has given his approval that any defaulting section be sanctioned,” the source said.

  • Reps, Fashola seek stiffer penalties for traffic offenders

    Reps, Fashola seek stiffer penalties for traffic offenders

    The House of Representatives may adopt the Lagos model for traffic offences, it was learnt yesterday.

    Following the presentation of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, at a public hearing on road safety and driving schools,  the  lawmakers  expressed their readiness to  opt for stiffer penalties for traffic offenders.

    Chairman, House Committee on Road Safety Commission, Yunusa Abubakar, said Nigerians must change their attitude towards road safety.

    He said the bill, sponsored by Adams Jagaba, is proposing a N20,000 fine for driving with one or no headlights and for refusing to use a nearby pedestrian bridge.

    Hawking on the pedestrian bridge and its precincts attracts a fine of N25,000, for violating traffic lights, you pay N60,000, driving on walkway attracts a fine of N50,000, while for hitting a pedestrian at zebra crossing, you pay N50,000.

    Fashola said legislation should be creative and daring with penalties to achieve the objectives of safer roads for Nigerians.

    Saying options of jail and fines ought not to be overemphasised, the ex-Lagos governor proposed that penalties should tilt more towards correction and deterrence.

    “Jail terms and fines do not necessarily serve as a deterrence or correct offenders, Fashola said, adding that they  should be made to suffer some inconvenience, as adopted in Lagos State Traffic Laws.

    “The magistrate can sentence them to community service, such as cutting grass in public, and they will be on video, and can even be on TV.

    “Road users who refuse to use pedestrian bridges where they are available, should be punished as they endanger themselves and others.

    “Penalties seem to focus on custodial and pecuniary which have existed for a while and have not caused a reduction. Perhaps parliament can be a little more daring,” he said.

    For maximum effect, the minister said re-training and re-certification of drivers must be prioritised by the authorities.

    “The reason is simple, where would the FRSC ever get the capacity to do it, maintain a driving school in each local government?

    “An automobile is not a toy, it is a machine, and you must be trained to use it. But we have neglected the training part, now almost anyone can get into a car, shuffle a few things, and get onto the highway.

    “Only people who know how to drive should be behind the wheel,” he said

    Responding, Abubakar said the committee would look into the Lagos model and explore the most suitable option for safer Nigerian roads.

     

  • Fashola to states: Take ownership of facilities in your domain

    Fashola to states: Take ownership of facilities in your domain

    The Minister of ‎Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN has appealed to communities and State governments to take ownership of Federal infrastructure facilities in their localities.

    The Minister said it was important to prevent disputes or acts of sabotage that could be detrimental to delivery of such projects‎ to the people.

    The Minister made the call at various stops in the course of a nationwide inspection, verification and fact finding tour of projects under the Ministry, which began on Monday with an inspection of the various sections of the Abuja –Abaji- Lokoja road, the Geregu I and II Power Plants and the Lokoja 330/132/33 KV Transmitting Sub Station in Kogi State.

    During the tour, Fashola visited Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau States in the North-Central zone by road to assess work conditions at several important power, roads, housing and other infrastructure facilities under the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

    In a statement by the ‎Special Adviser to the Minister, Communications, Hakeem Bello Friday in Abuja, Fashola emphasised that since the developmental projects were meant for the people, host communities should treat the projects as theirs and offer every necessary support to ensure its successful completion.

    He told the immediate past Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada ‎during a courtesy visit in company with his Minister of State, Mustapha Shehuri, Monday that the tour became necessary to see things for themselves after being briefed and planned budget.

    He stated that the development of the people should transcend party affiliation, adding that such affiliation would mean nothing without attention paid to the development and prosperity of the people.

    Fashola said: “This is the 80th‎ day since our appointments as Ministers. We have spent the time before now planning a budget, taking briefings, getting to know our staff, getting to know ourselves and this phase of the work now is to go and see for ourselves some of the things we have read in files across the States, some of the things we have been told in the meetings and to see things as they stand in preparation for implementation.

    “So one of the things that we have done first is to ask our Controllers of Works in the various states to start working in partnership with the State governments. It does not matter what party or what colour of flag is flown by that Governments.”

     

    Enumerating some of the projects already inspected before getting to the state capital, Fashola said the Ministry remains committed to the completion of the Abuja – Abaji- Lokoja road in order to achieve the connectivity of the two cities and the State itself to the Federal Capital Territory as well as facilitate the efficient movement of goods and services.

    The Minister spoke further on the rational for the tour and visits which centred on various steps being taken to realize the various aspects of the Ministry’s mandate in collaboration with the states and on which he had earlier written the Governors.

    “… I have written to all Governors about providing us with land for housing and also providing us with their advisers, commissioners and or assistants as the case maybe on Energy,’’ he said.

    Continuing the Minister declared, “We will need those advisers, commissioners and assistants to be our fronts men in the states. Men and women who will take decisions, who will be accountable to the State Governors, because we are also seeing that quite a number of critical power projects are held up by community issues, disputes, environmental issues, cultural issues, social issues which are best dealt with by the people who are masters of the terrain and usually the Governors are closer to the local people.”

    According to the Minister, the Federal Government through the Ministry wants to pay attention to and resolve as many of such issues as possible in order to ensure that important life impacting projects are delivered on time for the benefit of the people.

    “We have just resolved some issues in one of the states where the power project has been held by communal and legal issues that was delaying about 700MW of power from being put to completion.

    “These are the kinds of things that we want to tackle now. And these are the kind of things that I think has been left in the back burner. So we have cases of land disputes over erection of transmission towers, who gets compensation, who does not get and they escalate to court issues.”

    Decrying such negative attitude as people going to damage or sabotage infrastructural facilities located in their communities, the Minister appealed for more community and state ownership of projects in order to check those practices.

    “ We are seeing people blowing up Gas pipes. They are things happening within states and within Nigeria. So we want much more community ownership, we want much more state ownership, so that these things can be put behind us. You can’t want electricity and be destroying electricity infrastructure,” Fashola said.

    The Minister also stated that President Muhammad Buhari has constituted a Committee comprising of some Ministers including Power, Works and Housing, Transportation and Education to review and verify claims made by states with respect to work done on Federal roads in order to enable the Federal Government put a plan in place for refunds.

     

    According to Fashola, the tour would also enable him to see such projects done by states who had put up requests for refunds in the North Central and other zones he would be visiting while the Ministers of Transport, Education and the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing would also be visiting some of the states in line with the responsibilities for verification allotted in the Committee.

    During each of the stops to inspect projects and the subsequent brief courtesy visits to the Governors – Dr. Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State and Hon. Simon Lalong of Plateau State-, the Minister used the opportunity to address key issues affecting Federal Government projects in the states and observations made in the course of the tour such as the habit of leaving lights on in broad daylight observed in some of the rural communities.

    At the Pankshin 2 X 60 MVA 132/33 KV Sub- Station which has been completed but could not be energized due to the non-completion of the 132 KV line from Jos as a result of community issues revolving around repeated right of way compensation demand, the Minister reiterated his appeal for the cooperation of States and local communities.

    While noting that the Plateau State Government had stepped in to resolve the issue, Fashola said that communities should avoid standing in the way of their own development as timely delivery of projects would require the cooperation of all stakeholders.

    Each of the Governors who received the Minister expressed their delight at his hands on approach in visiting personally to see things for himself while also using the opportunity to acknowledge the Federal Government projects and stating their requests in areas requiring attention as well as enumerating efforts being made to respond to the Minister’s earlier communications and steps aimed at resolving community related issues affecting federal projects.

    The Minister, during the inspection and verification tour was accompanied by a small team of senior officials in each of the sectors covered by the Ministry.