Tag: generate

  • Oyo to generate 2,000MW through IPP

    The Oyo State government has said arrangements are in place to generate electricity through the Independent Power Project (IPP).

    The government said it had sought approval of the National Energy Regulation Commission (NERC) to generate 2,000 megawatts (MW).

    Commissioner for Works and Transport Mr. Wasiu Dauda spoke at the weekend at a meeting with the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) at the company’s headquarters in Ibadan, the capital.

    Dauda said the government would proffer a lasting solution to power generation shortfall in the state to improve the social and economic growth of individuals, corporate organisations, residents and the nation.

    The commissioner said the analysis of the state’s energy needs showed that it requires about 1,265 MW, adding that the government requested approval of NERC to generate 2,000MW.

    He said the government had fruitful discussions with Messrs Diversified Global Eco-Energy (DGE), adding that efforts are in top gear to kick-start the project through Ibadan North and South West local governments as a pilot scheme with 100 MW.

    Dauda said Ibadan North  was chosen to represent the residential client template of the scheme while Ibadan South West  would represent the industrial client template.

    The commissioner noted that 50 MW was intended to be provided for each of the chosen local government as a pilot scheme.

    He added: “DGE has agreed to finance the cost of the equipment. However, the company requires a sovereign guarantee of the state government. To consummate the actualisation of this noble project, a special Project Entity (SPE), consisting of DGE, Oyo State government and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) will have to be formed.”

  • ‘Brokers can generate S1m in Lagos’

    ‘Brokers can generate S1m in Lagos’

    Brokers can make about $1 million yearly in Lagos State, Mr. Gboyega Olanbiwoninu, Head, Business Development, Scib Nigeria & Co. Limited, a firm of Insurance Brokers, has said.

    A report from the National Insurance Commission (NIACOM) said   insurance premium stood at N318 billion (or $1.1 million) last year.

    He spoke on the sideline of a summit on insurance companies by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) and the Lagos State Safety Commission to keep Lagos safe and grow the insurance sector.

    Olanbiwoninu underscored the role of insurance in developed economies, noting that in most developed economies, every aspect of life is insured. He recalled his experience in Switzerland where a compulsory students’ insurance was undertaken.

    The modest premium of about $1 million, observers say, is as a result of the non-compliance with Insurance Act 2003 by the over 22 population in Lagos and the non-implementation of the relevant aspects of the law by the government.

    He noted that that compliance with the law would grow the sector.

    Olanbiwoninu said the the 2003 Insurance Act covers third party motor insurance liability, occupiers liability, health insurance, protection of life against building collapse and fire outbreak.

    He advised Lagos to take advantage of her huge population and encourage the growth of the sector. He commended the state government for empowering the state Safety Commission to ensure the safety of lives and property by insisting that all aspect of existence in the state is henceforth insured.

    According to him, about 60 car accidents happen daily in Lagos and on several occasions people resort to fisticuffs because they have no insurstate to go ahead with the planned implementation of the compulsory insurance scheme stressing that it will ensure the state is enlisted as one of the safest cities to live in the world as almost every aspect of every residents life will be insured.

    Olanbiwoninu also said the implementation will further help to grow the industries contribution to GDP which is currently at an abysmal level of about 0.8 per cent.

    He said: “The low contribution of insurance GDP may not be unconnected with the apathy shown to Insurance products by the insuring public whilst other reasons adduced to this include lack of awareness and demonstrated value. The compulsory Insurances have the potential of increasing the current gross income of the Insurance Industry by about 52 per cent at full implementation

    “It is instructive to note that the joint task force between NIA and NCRIB set up towards the implementation of the Compulsory Insurance have put in place marketing campaigns to enlighten the Insuring public as well as present value in terms of records of claims payment, he added”.

     

  • ‘Nigeria can generate N5tr yearly from biogas’

    ‘Nigeria can generate N5tr yearly from biogas’

    If well harnessed, Nigeria can realise at least N4.54 trillion yearly from biogas produced from organic waste processing, the Chief Executive Officer, Avenam Links International Limited, Mrs. Nina C. Ani, has said.

    Ani said yearly agricultural, municipal, plant, sewage, green, food, and livestock wastes, among others, across the country, is estimated at 542.5 million tons and worth N4.54 trillion (or $29.29 billion).

    In a presentation on biogas as a sustainable solution to energy and waste management challenges in Nigeria, Mrs. Ani said aside the monetary value, biogas as a renewable source of energy and cooking gas has positive long-term implications on human beings and their environment unlike the traditional fossil fuels.

    In a chat with The Nation, she identified governmental policy and funding as two major challenges inhibiting the right investments in biogas production in Nigeria.

    On what will be become the lot of private waste operators and sewage waste evacuators when the system is earnestly harnessed, she said instead of driving them out of business, they (waste operators and evacuators) would be integrated into collecting wastes for processing experts, thereby preventing the acrid stench from emptying sewage waste into the sea and dumping municipal waste at refuse dump sites.

    To speed up acceptance of the system, Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria President SegunAdaju called on all payers in the sector to team up and influence government’s policy that would allow the system to thrive and encourage investment.

    The duo spoke alongside others at a seminar in Lagos tagged “Biogas production and waste management” organised under the auspices of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Lagos.

    The Managing Consultant, Naturescape Consulting, Jumoke Kassim, also called for an orientation that would make end-users to properly arrange their waste before collections for easier processing.

    Making a case for biogas production, the Energy and Environment Desk, Delegation of German Industry and Commerce, Lagos, said: “Given the energy gap and waste management challenges in Nigeria, biogas technology presents a comprehensive and sustainable waste-to-energy solution for improved productivity in industry and a safer environment.

    “Biogas is utilised worldwide to redress fluctuating energy demand, produce fertiliser, cooking gas and biofuels. It also helps to mitigate deforestation; greenhouse gas (GHG), emissions and other environmental concerns associated with non-sustainable waste disposal and management practices.”

    The seminar featured stakeholders, such as the Managing Director, Africa Renewable Energy Technology Limited, Acccra, Ghana, Theophilus Anang.

    He spoke on “Biogas Technology and Utilisation in Ghana, while Sales Representative, PlanETGmbh, Germany, Mathias Kern, made presentation on “Bioenergy Trends in Germany: Decentralised Clean Energy for Industry and Rural Development.

  • UNILAG students seek to generate electricity outside national grid

    Engineering students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) are seeking ways to generate electricity outside the national grid for rural communities in a bid to promote research and growth.

    The students are making the effort under the umbrella of University of Lagos Engineering Association.

    “We want to proffer a solution to poor electricity supply. We want to see how to give electricity in rural areas a boost.

    “We want to generate electricity that will be independent of the national grid,’’ Mr. Mojolaoluwa Keshinro, a member of the association, said in Lagos yesterday.

    Keshinro, a mechanical engineering student, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said Nigeria was lagging behind in technology and needed to adequately fund research to encourage innovation.

    “The world is moving fast in terms of technology.

    “The last innovation in Nigeria was carried out by the late Prof. Ayodele Awojobi, one of the best brains produced by UNILAG,’’ he said.

    Keshinro called for sponsorship of competitions that would encourage innovation.

    The President of the association, Olarenwaju Adejumoriola, told NAN that Nigeria’s inadequate investment in research hindered it from tackling some challenges.

    Adejumoriola, a final year chemical engineering student of UNILAG, said adequate funding of research would provide solutions to many of Nigeria’s problems.

    “The purpose of education is to mold minds and not to look for jobs.

    “This country is blessed with intelligent scholars with highly creative minds and innovative thinking.

    Nigerians are some of the best brains found in many parts of the world,’’ Adejumoriola said.

    “We, as engineering students, are concerned with how to think critically about issues that affect the society and work hard to proffer solutions.

    “However, we are saddened by the fact that there is no adequate support from governments, especially in providing research materials and grants,’’ he said.

    He appealed to governments to improve research funding.

  • Southwest states can generate power, says Falana

    Southwest states can generate power, says Falana

    Activist lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has said Southwest states can generate power and make it available for domestic and industrial use.

    He said what it would take to accomplish an independent power project in the states is “political will and commitment of their leaders.”

    The senior lawyer, who spoke in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, yesterday at a public lecture to mark the 65th birthday of Senator Gbenga Kaka, said it was not mandatory that a fraction of the power  generated should be sent  “to the national grid.”

    Speaking on federalism, he said it was feasible if any state decided to establish a state police to protect the life and property of the people.

    Falana said if an individual could be licensed to own gun for protection, what prevented Lagos State government from applying and obtaining gun licences for about 10,000 persons to enable it protect the residents?

    He said the federal system is a flawed one and urged people to ask for restructuring and true federalism so that the best of the country and people can manifest.

    According to him, if the quest for restructuring and true federalism can not be attained through political process because the people profiting from the flawed  system may not want to see it happen, Nigerians should set up a body of lawyers to pursue it through judicial process.

    Falana recalled that the Lagos State government during the ex-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinibu administration sued the Federal Government many times on a number of issues, including the right to create local government development areas and won. He enjoined other states to follow suit.

    Falana blamed herdsmen’s attacks on farmers and communities on mismanagement and inefficiency of the security system.

    He absolved President Muhammadu Buhari of connection with herdsmen, saying: “Buhari has not sent Fulani herdsmen to kill anybody.”

    The activist described Kaka as a “man of extraordinary moral, integrity and humility, who is committed and dedicated to the service of humanity.”

    In attendance are Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (represented by his deputy, Princess Yetunde Onanuga), Afenifere chieftain Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who chaired the event, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) chapter, Prof. Deji Agboola, among others.

  • ‘Eco-Atlantic City FTZ’ll generate over 400, 000 jobs’

    The Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Hon. Emmanuel Jime, has said  the Eco-Atlantic City Free Trade Zone (FTZ) will generate over 400, 000 jobs for Nigerians upon completion.

    Jime, who said this in Lagos during his fact-finding/familiarisation tour of the Eco-Atlantic City in Victoria Island, pointed out that the biggest social challenge of the moment was unemployment, and a private sector initiative that can employ over 400,000 Nigerians cannot be toyed with.

    His words: “Part of our long-running challenge is unemployment. And a private sector initiative like the Eco-Atlantic is our Golden Egg; we cannot afford to play with it.

    “In the next five years, with this place running at full capacity, the volume of activity here would be unprecedented in terms of multiple economic activities, chain financial reactions, foreign exchange earnings, a cocktail of economic activities, big-time tourism, manufacturing etc.’’

    Jime continued: “Our challenge is to help these type of enterprises by incentivising them so they can come in and ginger up our economy.The construction of this city from reclaimed land, in my opinion, is in line with the deliberate policy thrust of the administration to partner with the private sector to push our industrial growth by way of attracting foreign direct investment. (FDI).”

    The NEPZA boss said it was part of his deliberate plan get as much information as possible before settling down to chart the way forward.

    “So, we have come here to rub mind minds with stakeholders such as this one so as to know the issues on ground. And in doing this, we are also trying to explain to people what NEPZA is all about, why we are here, what our mandate is, and how they can buy into it so together, we can make Nigeria an industrial giant.

    “Believe me when I say I am totally taken in by what I have seen on ground here. This type of industrial miracle is happening in our time, and we are privileged to be the midwives of this New Nigeria, a New Nigeria that is not hostage to a mono-economy.

    “We are going to be working with otheragencies of government like Customs, like Immigrations … in a concerted effort to makes the operating environment conducive for investment. I mention these two especially because they are critical to our plan of driving this process forward.”

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of South Energyx Nig. (Limited) (Managers of the city),  Jacques Zartarian, the construction of the Great Wall of Lagos by the Eco-Atlantic City has saved Victoria Island, Oniru and Lekki from being swallowed by the ocean.

  • ‘NIPOST’s reform to generate thousands of jobs’

    ‘NIPOST’s reform to generate thousands of jobs’

    •Minister says new Postal Services Bill coming

    Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu has said a reform, which the Federal Government will introduce in  the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), will generate thousands of jobs.

    Shittu, who said this while addressing reporters at the weekend, hinted that his ministry has formulated a vision for the new NIPOST that would be best for the 21st Century Nigeria.

    He explained that he had submitted the proposal on the reform to President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the proposal has also been sent to the Attorney General of the Federation for advice.

    The minister said: “The reform that we are looking at may involve legislative intervention by way of amending the necessary laws. I submitted these proposals for reform of NIPOST and expansion of mandate of NIPOST to Mr. President, who has asked the Attorney General to look at it and see whether there is need for legislative intervention.

    “If the Attorney General decides there should be legislative intervention, then we have to wait for amendment of postal services bill to be enacted. If, however, he feels we can go ahead as I feel, that given the present law as it is, we can go ahead with the expansion of the mandate by going into about five or six new businesses, which when put in place, will reduce the present services of NIPOST to 10 per cent of what it should really be doing.

    “Then, we will go ahead. Until we get presidential go-ahead, it is a waiting game. I hope that before the end of this year, we will be able to implement this vision of the new NIPOST that we are looking at.

    “I am happy and proud to say that if we succeed in implementing them, the issue of unemployment in the Nigerian system will drastically reduce because hundreds of thousands of new jobs will be created in the various new services that we are looking at.

    “It will translate to a lot of incomes for the government and individuals. But we have to wait till we have the straightening of the law, which will enable us to implement the new roadmap of NIPOST that has been formulated.”

    Shittu stated that the ministry planned to establish NIPOST banks in 1,500 postal agencies across the country, NIPOST insurance, NIPOST transports and logistics services, NIPOST property and development company, NIPOST e-commerce, NIPOST e-government services and internal services.

    “We want to engage in NIPOST E-Commerce. E-Commerce has come to stay not only throughout the world, also in Nigeria. If I live in Saki and I want to buy something in Lagos. Instead of travelling from Saki to Lagos, why can’t I buy online and get NIPOST to bring the goods to me, and I pay NIPOST.

    “Again, NIPOST E – Government Services are another good part that we are looking at. It is the system whereby government services are provided online. For instance, you want to renew your passport, driving licence or you want to do some things with government that require papers, instead of you having to come to the city centre, where passport office and licence office are, you should be able to do that through NIPOST.

    “We will have internal services at the same time all over NIPOST locations. So, the employment opportunities will really be exponential,” the minister said.

  • ‘Govt needs N3.25t to generate 20,000Mw of power’

    The Federal Government requires $20 billion (about N3.25 trillion) to provide 20,000 megawatts (Mw) of electricity by the year 2020, the Managing Director of KAIROSTS Nigeria Limited, a financial advisory firm, Mr. Olajuwon Olaleye, has said.

    Olaleye, who was an aide to the former Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, said the sector would receive new impetus when the National Assembly approves the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and other key officials, adding that the government expects the Senate to expedite actions on the process soon.

    Olajuwon in an interview with The Nation said the appointment of officials of the Commission and other agencies in the sector are crucial to the government,  as it would impact on the sector positively.

    He said Nigeria needs $1million to generate megawatts (Mw) of electricity, which means that the country would be spending $20billion to provide 20,000Mw of electricity.

    He said the country was in a critical financial position and that it would need to raise funds through Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and signing of agreements with donor agencies in Europe and America to be able to provide 20,000Mw of power and further improve supply.

    Olajuwon, an adviser on Investments, Finance and Donor Relations to Prof. Nebo during his tenure as the Minister of Power, said it had become imperative for Nigeria to partner donor agencies abroad, in order to finance the sector in view of the recession plaguing the economy.

    Olajuwon said: “There is no doubt that Nigeria is in a very critical situation financially and would need to partner donor agencies and foreign investors in order to finance key infrastructural projects in the petroleum and power sectors. Once this is done, activities would be galvanised in areas such as power generation, distribution and transmission.”

    He quoted the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun,  as saying at the ongoing World Bank conference in Washington, United States, that the country needed money to finance its power sector and others that were germane to the growth of the economy.

    “The Finance Minister, Adeosun, last week in Washington, overtly or covertly expressed the desire of Nigeria to welcome foreign investors and institutions that can raise fund to finance the economy, especially the power sector.  This shows that Nigeria needs external funding sources to bring the economy, nay the power sector back to life,’’ he said

    In a related development, former President, International Association of Energy Economists (IAEE), Prof Adeola Akinnisiju, said money needed to be injected into the electricity sector to make it viable.

    He said power industry survives in developed economies such as the United States, Europe and others because it is well managed and also boasts of good managers.

    “When money is properly channeled into the power sector, coupled with good management, the industry will perform optimally and generate enough electricity for the country.  The sector is in a comatose because problems exist across the value chain – generation, distribution and transmission,” he said.

  • Electricity: US to help Nigeria generate 10,000mw in five years

    Nigeria may, in five years, generate 10,000 megawatt (mw) of electricity if United States (US) President Barack Obama implements the report of the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) before leaving office in January.

    The PAC-DBIA comprising 15 American private sector leaders with business operations throughout Africa was  appointed by Obama in 2014 to advise him on how to advance the US-Africa business agenda.

    It recommended, among others, the acceleration of energy infrastructure in Nigeria where the U.S. is expected to  pursue a detailed action plan to achieve 10,000mw of electricity.

    The report advised that as a result of Nigeria’s enormous potential as the largest country in the continent in terms of both population and GDP, and because the electricity generation and distribution capacities in Nigeria are among the least developed on the continent,  President Obama should focus on Nigeria as the focal point for energy infrastructure on the continent.

    The advisors recommended that US and Africa policy makers should collaborate on identifying and facilitating investment in electricity generation, especially for the hard- to-finance early stage projects.

    They further asked Obama to see the provision of electricity in Nigeria and other sub Saharan Africa countries as his greatest achievement to drive growth and development in sub Saharan Africa.

    They asked President Obama to pursue tax treaties with key African countries poised for large scale growth and development, including Nigeria and Ethiopia.

    While the advisors all have active business operations on the continent, they  travelled as a delegation led by US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker to East and West Africa to meet with presidents, ministers of trade, investment and commerce, as well as the leading private sector players in both African and US owned businesses.

    Pritzker believes the private sector representatives comprising the PAC-DBIA have been instrumental in helping the Obama administration develop the trade and investment priorities that have led to an expanded U.S.-Africa commercial relationship.

    “We have utilised their invaluable information, analysis, and recommendations to create sustainable commercial partnerships that lead to job growth, a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem, and expanded economic opportunities. PAC-DBIA’s efforts continue to pay dividends for companies on both continents in areas as diverse as workforce training, energy, and transportation infrastructure.”

    One of President Obama’s greatest legacies will be Power Africa, a comprehensive set of resources including US government backed financial and technical support to electrify Africa it added.

    “Energy infrastructure is a fundamental enabler of growth, security and quality of life. It is for this reason that PAC-DBIA recommends that the US president make electricity its first and foremost priority”.

    They also suggested the strengthening of vocational and skills training noting that Africa cannot develop without huge investment in skills training or sustained, without a well-trained workforce. Most countries in Africa have a skills shortage it added. There is a wide gap between the strong academic programs offered by many universities in Africa, and the pragmatic skills required to advance the economies of most African nations”.

    Another recommendation the group is to improve travel routes and transportation based on their observation that Africa is the least connected continent, with less than 12 per cent of its trade being intra-regional versus over 60 per cent for the European Union.

    They also recommended that US develop a coordinated financing strategy for Africa aviation projects across US government financing institutions, including the Export Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, both of which have programs that assist in the financing of aviation infrastructure.

    • Additional report from International Trade Administration of Department of Commerce USA