The Nation Newspaper

Tag: POWER

  • Institute to assist farmers generate power from cow waste

    The Federal College of Agriculture in Akure,the Ondo State capital is ready to support farmers seeking help to use gasses from cow manure to generate renewable energy.

    Its Provost, Dr Samson Odedina, said the institution was determined  to help  bridge the gap in power shortage by developing and disseminating biogas technologies in rural and semi-urban areas.

    What the farmers need is a cow to produce constant supply” of manure and a  digester to  break down organic waste to produce biogas, a fuel similar to natural gas.

    The system, according to him, collects the manure and transports it to the bio digester, a covered lagoon or tank. There, the manure is quickly decomposed by bacteria, releasing biogas that is then treated and ready to be used as energy.

    With  organic matter, such as cow dung, crop residue and chicken wastes, Odedina said the institute is ready to help farmers not connected to the national grid  generated electricity using biogas.

    The  biogas system run by  the college needs only one cow to operate, apart from cow dung. It can run on chicken waste.

    He said the biogas is an ideal fuel for various applications such as cooking, lighting and motive power.

    Odedina said the institute has acquired the technology that enables farmers transform waste into electricity.

    According to him, the biogas is  an inexpensive alternative source of energy for cooking and lighting.

    He highlighted the benefits of clean biogas for cooking and lighting.

    Besides, the waste from the biogas plant after the gas is produced is excellent organic manure that improves soil fertility.

    To experts, there is an improved health advantage, arising the use of biogas.

    With biomass usage, he believes communities will be encouraged to use animal waste for energy, reducing cutting of trees for charcoal, a major source of energy in the country.

  • Power generation increases to 4200Mw

    The System Operations Transition Company of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday said power generation increased to 4200 Megawatts (MW) on Tuesday.

    Assistan. General Manager (Public Affairs),  Clement Ezeolisah, in a statement explained that power had dipped to 3,755Mw due to a ruptured gas  pipeline that supplies gas to the power generating stations.

    He noted that the electricity market had “experienced a drop to an average of 3,755Mw last week following scheduled maintenance programme on the gas pipelines supplying gas to the generating stations.”

    Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Power in its power statistics of February 27, said power generation was 3,659.74Mw.

    According to Ezeolisah, the TCN sent out 3,594.71Mw to the electricity distribution companies leaving 65.03Mw that it could not evacuate.

    The statistic added that the highest peak power so far generated in the market was the  5,074.7 Mw of February 2, this year.

  • DisCos: Senate tariff resolution ‘ll fail power sector

    The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) yesterday said the Senate resolution that stopped the implementation of the 2015 Multi -Year Tariff Order (MYTO) will have adverse effects on the power sector.

    According to its Executive Director, Advocacy and Research, Sunday Oduntan,  a market priced tariff is a fundamental requirement under the agreements signed between Distribution Company (DisCo) operators in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), raising the concern for sanctity of contract.

    The association in a statement, lamented that the decision will culminate in the  absence of a market priced tariff that  creates the possibility of failure by the operators.

    He said such a failure will be at a price that the government can ill-afford in these times of dire economic challenges.

    The group maintained that a market priced tariff is critical to address decades of under-investment such as the five million metering gap in the sector.

    Oduntan insisted that globally, electricity reforms have always been tied to increased investment, resulting in improved production efficiency. Such investment is predicated on access to capital which will be jeopardised in the absence of a market priced tariff, he added.

    He said the absence of a market priced tariff will endanger the viability of the entire value-chain of distributors, generators, transmission and gas suppliers, resulting in the failure of the sector.

    He said: “As the upstream operators will not receive required payment (DisCos only receive 25 per cent of the revenues associated with the tariff.

    “Failure of the sector will result in, among other things, loss of employment and livelihood for approximately 50,000 Nigerians, indirect job losses from factory and other business closures, possibly in the millions; and a related outcome of discouraging further investments in the development of gas reserves and production for local consumption; and

    “Expected performance improvement, with appropriate investment, on the other hand, will lead to a reduction of tariffs in subsequent years.  This is empirically supported.

    “Fellow Nigerians, suspending the implementation of the tariff will leave us in continued darkness, with diminished and no future prospects of growth of our economy.”

  • NERC backs Eko, Paras power purchase deal

    NERC backs Eko, Paras power purchase deal

    •Disco to deploy 200,000 meters this year

    The power sector regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has approved the power purchase agreement between Eko Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) and Paras Energy Resources Limited for embedded generation supply to willing customers, effective from tomorrow.

    The cost of the embedded power will be slightly higher than the normal tariff because it is for a dedicated set of customers. Such customers may have the privilege of enjoying uninterrupted supply as long as generators are functional.

    The company also said it would deploy over 200,000 smart meters for installation for the various categories of customers in its network as the new electricity tariff has commenced.

    The Managing Director, Dr Oladele Amoda told reporters during an interactive session in Lagos that DisCos prefer metering customers to estimation billing contrary to labour unions’ belief that DisCos prefer billing customers on estimation than metering them.

    Amoda said: “We decided to show the media and the world that we have embarked on massive metering of our customers contrary to the statement of the labour unions that we prefer billing customers on estimation than metering. Eko DisCo has ordered for large quantity of meters to install for its teeming customers as directed by NERC to ensure that all customers are metered within the next five years.”

    He said the company has taken delivery of over 76,000 smart meters, while 100,000 meters are still being expected for delivery by Mojec meter manufacturing company in the next three months.

    He said: “We are trying to ensure that we install 200,000 smart meters between the second quarters and December 2016, having installed about 46,000 meters to date. We are patronising local meter manufacturers, and they have promised to meet the delivery timeframe to enable us meet our customers’ mandate.

    “We contracted our Maximum Demand (MD) meters to Atron of France because it’s for large consumers while indigenous contractor concentrate on three- phase and single phase meters. We have ordered for 7,500 MD meters but taken delivery of 3,000, while we have been promised to deliver the balance before end of the year.”

    Amoda said the new smart meters would address the challenges confronting the company, especially meter by-pass by customers, energy thieves and other related criminal activities. He said the technology in smart meters would inform the workers in the office when customers tamper with the meters, adding that every customer would be metered before the stipulated five years directed by NERC.

    “We have invested about $15 million about N3 billion on MD meters, while about N52 billion would be spent on smart metering within the next three years. Every meter is duly certified before usage, we have been with the local manufacturers for a while and they have been doing their best.

  • Power should shift to Akure, says aspirant

    A governorship aspirant in Ondo State Mr. Light Ariyomo has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the governorship ticket to Akure, the state capital.

    He said since the creation of the state, no Akure indigene has served as the governor.

    Ariyomo, however, clarified that merit, competence, capability and patriotism are more important criteria, stressing that the state deserves a better governor in post-Mimiko period.

    Ariyomo, an engineer, described himself as a competent contender who can take the state to a greater height.

    He said: ‘I am in the race to make  a difference. I have the qualification , political and administrative experience. I understands the problems of the state and how to solve them.’

    Ariyomo will face other aspirants at the primary election. They include Awodeyi Akinsehinwa, Jamiu Ekungba, Jumoke Anifowose, Sule Akinsuyi, Segun Abraham, Dr, Ayorinde, Bukola Adetula, Paul Akinterinwa, Odunayo Akeredolu, Ajayi Boroffice, Tayo Alasoadura, Ayo Akinyelure and Akinyinka Akinnola.

  • Tariff increment: Ondo NLC to shut down BEDC offices

    Workers in Ondo State will on Monday next week lead electricity consumers to shut down all offices of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, in the state, to protest against the recent increase in power tariff.

    BEDC is in charge of Ekiti, Ondo, Delta and Edo.

    A statement issued and signed by the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mrs. Bosede Dramola Thursday said the picketing of all DISCOS offices nationwide including BEDC was part of the decisions at the NLC National Executive Council, NEC meeting held in Lagos.

    She added that the union is doing due in order to kick against the unlawful and unilateral hike in the electricity tariff by the Nigeria electricity regulatory commission, NERC.

    Daramola however urged members of the civil society organizations, artisans, landlord associations, traders and other electricity consumers to join Nigerian workers at the BEDC head office at NEPA area of Akure to picket the place to reject the new power tariff.

    Report says the picketing of all DISCOS offices by the NLC, TUC and civil society groups will take place in the thirty six states of the federation and the FCT, Abuja by Monday next week.

  • Fed Govt urged to extend forex allocation to power firms

    For a stable power supply, the Federal Government should allocate foreign exchange to the power sector.

    This, according to the chairman, Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Kola Adesina,  will  help the sector’s players to perform better.

    He urged the Federal Government to allocate foreign exchange (forex) to power sector, as it does to their oil and gas counterparts, to enable them provide stable power.

    At a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, he appealed to the government to help power firms recover some of their debts  to enable them improve their productivity.

    He said the allocation of forex and recovery of debts  were two major issues that should  be addressed to boost the industry.

    Adesina said access to foreign exchange by operators was critical to the growth of the sector. He said the failure of the government to provide the sector with incentives meant the growth of the sector would further be impeded.

    He said investors were operating in a harsh foreign exchange regime, in view of the significant drop in the value of naira, adding that this has negatively impacted on their operations.

    He said operators need foreign exchange to buy equipment from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) abroad.

    He said: “One of the most critical issues bedeviling the operation of power firms is unfavorable foreign exchange mechanism. At the point of acquisition of the assets of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in 2013, the exchange rate was N155 per dollar. Thereafter, the rate fell to N199 per dollar at the official market.

    “Invariably, there is the need for the government to allocate foreign exchange to both the operators of both the power generation companies (GenCos) and power distribution companies (DisCos) in the country; the same way it provides for operators in the oil and gas industry.”

    He said this would enable power firms to get the  energy mix right, as well as help the country to record industrial growth.

    Adesina said the management has started feasibility studies on how to double the capacity of Egbin power s plant. He said the company’s growth plans include increasing electricity generation, construction of industrial power park and investing in renewable energy in the Northern.

    According to him, the park would help in promoting the small, medium and large scale enterprises and further move the  economy forward.

    “We, at (Egbin), would definitely overcome some of our challenges. As soon as the coast gets clearer, we would invest more in the sector. We, at Sahara Group, Egbin and KEPCO, are committed to the vision of electrifying Nigeria,” he said.

    The sector had tried to reduce its debt burden, caused by failure of some customers to pay their bills. Also, the operators have been asking for concessions to import equipment into the country for increased production.

  • Re: Oke-Ogun renews bid for power shift

    SIR: A piece with the above caption written by ‘Leke Salaudeen which was published in the politics column of The Nation of January 18, makes an interesting reading.

    To start-with, the piece claimed that Oyo State is made up of four administrative zones whereas they are seven.  The operating power matrix and configuration in terms of equity and justice are:  Ibadan City and Ibadan Outer cities which comprises of 11 local government areas; Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun I and II, Ogbomoso and Oyo zones.   These seven divisions enhance zonal balancing in distribution of both political offices and infrastructure.

    The claims that the people of Oke-Ogun region of the state are unified in the agitation for the creation of their own state and desire to occupy the number one position in the state come 2019 are quite legitimate and absolutely in consonance with human inclination for progress. But to lay such claims on deprivations, deliberate marginalization cum under-development by successive governments in the state without exception, is uncalled for; whereas, the people of Oke-Ogun are sufficiently aware that the last four years had been really good for them.  All empirical indices pointed to the fact that they never had it so good.  This is due to the fact that Governor Abiola Ajimobi who has been in the saddle as the Chief Executive of the State since 2011 till date is a strong believer in ‘spatial development’.   No zone of the state could complain of marginalization and I am cork sure that in the next four years of his second term he will replicate same feat which was a herculean task to his predecessors.

    The author claims that Oke-Ogun do not have “higher institutions of learning, no tertiary health institution” among others.  The fact on the ground is that between 2011 till date, Governor Ajimobi upgraded the satellite Campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan in Saki to an autonomous Polytechnic while indigene of the zone was appointed Rector.  A School of Health Technology was not just approved but established in Okeho with another school of Nursing and Midwifery at Kisi all in Oke-Ogun region of the state.

    Salaudeen also wrote that Oke-Ogun   lack pipe borne water.  Residents of Igbeti, Saki, Igboho, Iseyin and Ago Amodu all in Oke-Ogun with functional water works would be taken aback by this. While the write-up claimed that there is no articulated policy towards encouraging the teeming youths to take to agriculture as a vocation and business,  Ajimobi administration was well focused from inception on agriculture.  His administration procured the highest number of tractors than any previous ones.  In fact, 10 tractors each were allocated to all the Local Government Areas in Oke-Ogun making a total of 100 tractors from Oyo State government.   Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP) which was moribund as at the time Senator Ajimobi came in was re-animated with the management team ordered to return to Saki.

    It is amazing that Salaudeen does know that the incumbent Deputy Governor of the State – Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo – from Oke-Ogun is the first Deputy Governor ever to be retained for a second term, when it is not in all states that public office holders are allowed to return for a second term in their former positions.

    While claiming further that Oke-Ogun lacks motorable roads, the administration of Senator Ajimobi embarked upon and commissioned dualization of Iseyin township road while Iseyin is the gateway to Oke-Ogun zone.  He also rehabilitated Iganna–Ilero–Otu–Alaga road.  One should not easily target that Okeho–Iseyin road was awarded by Oyo State government before the efforts of the contractor and state government were truncated by the PDP Federal Government, claiming that the road was within its purview.

    ? Still on roads in Oke-Ogun, between 2011 till date, Governor Ajimobi rehabilitated Moniya-Iseyin road, Saki–Ogbomoso road, and Igbope-Kisi roads too. The road dualization in Saki was flag-offf shortly before the 2014 elections, if not for cash crunch the project could have gone far by now.

    On Ikere Gorge Dam which was abandoned by Federal Government, the cheering news is that there is a strong effort by Oyo State Government to engage reputable foreign partners to actualize the purpose for which the Dam was built by Ogun  River Basin Authority (Federal government agency) to generate electricity, irrigation and pipe borne water for Iseyin and its environs. It should be noted too that Iseyin hosts the best NYSC orientation camp in the South-West.

    If any zone of the State is to be appreciative for getting the desired attention in terms of political appointments and infrastructural lip it is the  Oke-Oguns.  In Ajimobi’s first term, Honourable  Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Economic Planning, Special Duties, Health, Inter-governmental Relations, Environment, Local Government and Chieftaincy  Affairs,  Information and Orientation  at different times all hails from Oke-Ogun.  Thus, an avid reader would now see the writer crying wolf where there is none.

    • Gbade Ojo

    University of Ilorin.

  • Encounter with power through prayer & fasting!

    Encounter with power through prayer & fasting!

    We are in the last days in the body of Christ, which are characterized by the manifestation of God’s power. This is when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of God before the arrival of Christ. It is also an era where the power of resurrection shall be in manifestation more than ever before. Furthermore, in these last days, the redeemed of the Lord shall be manifesting the messianic order of anointing (Mark 9:29; Acts 2:16-20; Psalms 110:1-3; Revelation 11:15; Philippians 3:10; Acts 14:11).

    HOW DO WE ENCOUNTER THIS POWER?

    Through a desperate desire: From scriptures, ‘desperation’ is interpreted as a thirst, a crave, a longing and a panting (Psalm 63:1-2; Isaiah 44:3-4; Isaiah 41:17-18).

    Through the prayer altar: Empowerment answers to demand, not wishes and that is why the altar of prayer is the altar of empowerment. Jesus said: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13). We must recognize that empowerment is impossible without prayer. It is through prayers that we move from power to great power. For instance, when the apostles prayed in Acts 1:14 and Acts 2:1-4, they were empowered by the Holy Spirit. However, when they prayed again in Acts 4:32-33, they were re-empowered into the realm of great power (Luke 3:21-22, 9:28-35, 43). Likewise, we can pray for the release of God’s power on our lives for greater exploits.

    Through fasting: We discover from scriptures that fasting is primarily ordained for spiritual empowerment, not for making requests. In other words, fasting empowers us to be in command of our needs (Isaiah 58:6). It is important to understand that though we pray to be empowered, we need fasting to walk in power. That’s why Jesus said, “When ye fast… when thou fast…” Fasting is a matter of ‘When’ not ‘If’. That means fasting must be our lifestyle and must be scheduled, just like prayer, in order to walk in the reality of empowerment (Matthew 6:16-17).

    It is also important to note that fasting and prayer enhances our access to the Word which actually empowers us. For instance, it was a Word encounter that empowered Jacob into realms of exploits (Isaiah 58:8, 10; Isaiah 9:8; Romans 1:16). That is why no Word-lazy believer is a candidate for empowerment. Therefore, we must always pray to God to open our eyes to behold wondrous things out of His law (Psalms 119:18; Jeremiah 33:3).Everyone who desires to walk in power must subscribe to the demand of fasting. For instance, Jesus fasted for 40 days and the Bible records that He returned in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14). Moses also fasted for 40 days twice. As a result, he was a spirit being in human form. That was why he said: The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken (Deuteronomy 18:15; see also Exodus 7:1). He was Christ in a figure and he carried the messianic anointing on him (Exodus 24:18, 34:28). Similarly, Paul the apostle also prayed and fasted often. He said: …in watchings often… in fastings often… (2 Corinthians 11:27; see also 2 Corinthians 6:5). As a result, he was a man imbued with God’s power. No wonder it was said concerning him: …The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men (Acts 14:11).

    Unfortunately, many people do not crave for empowerment because they believe that they are already empowered. However, it is important to understand that empowerment is in levels and we understand from scriptures that we can grow from one level of power to an overflowing realm. As it is written: Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over (Ezekiel 47:1-5). ‘River’ in the above scripture connotes the Holy Spirit or anointing. That was the realm of immeasurable anointing under which Christ operated. Remember, Jesus was anointed without measure and that is God’s target for us. This is why it is wisdom to take spiritual responsibility in order to increase our levels of empowerment to command dominion over situations and circumstances in our lives (Proverbs 24:10; John 3:34, 7:37-39).

    However, dominion over situations and circumstances in our lives begins with being born again. Are you born again? To be born again means to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so by saying this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

    For further reading, please get my books: Anointing For Breakthrough, Understanding the Anointing, Anointing For Exploits, Release of Power.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • PDP will regain power in 2019, Metuh boasts

    PDP will regain power in 2019, Metuh boasts

    National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, said yesterday that the party is on course to regain power in 2019.

    Metuh, who was let out of detention on bail on Thursday by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), said in Abuja that the PDP has now overcome the initial trauma sparked by its defeat in last year’s elections.

    Metuh, in a veiled reference to the struggle for the leadership of the party by different vested interests, said the “variance of voices” was a reflection of the PDP’s foundation of liberal democracy.

    He spoke at a meeting of the party’s Publicity Directorate with some visiting parliamentarians from the United Kingdom, led by Mark Field, Member of Parliament and Chairman of International Office of the Conservative Party, and Colin Bloom, Director of Outreach-BCP.

    The PDP, according to him, was confronted by serious challenges soon after it lost in the elections, culminating in the resignation of its National Chairman.

    He said that every issue would be resolved by the party leadership by next week.

    In his remark, Mr. Field advised the party to ensure that it does not trash its brand in the face of challenges.

    He noted that while it is common for some party members to demand the removal of leaders after electoral defeat, care must be taken not to jeopardize institutional memory in the party.

    “Never trash your brand no matter what the government of the day is saying about you,” he said.