The Nation Newspaper

Tag: POWER

  • Firm unveils power equipment

    A firm, Mantrac Nigeria Limited, said it would provide a ‘Smarter Energy Solution’ to help improve power supply in the country.

    The company, which is the only organisation that has the franchise to distribute caterpillar products in Nigeria, said the solution is driven by gas.

    The Managing Director, Edmund Martin Lawson, who made this known during a seminar in Lagos, said the solution uses gas, adding that institutions and individuals, who can afford the equipment can use it generate electricity.

    He said Stanbic IBTC Plc has promised to finance the acquisition of the equipment through the CAT Financial Service.

    He said: “The engines will help in bringing power closer to the communities. The country is facing problems in the areas of generation, distribution and transmission of electricity. When the solution or technology is well deployed, there would be power in areas where it is used.’’

    He said industries would operate optimally once power is improved, adding that employment opportunities would be created in the process.

    He said: ‘’Given the fact that the economy has grown in the past at an average of six percent per annum without adequate power, coupled with the fact that Nigerian economy has been ranked first in Africa one can imagine what the country would do, if the power is stable.’’

    Martin-Lawson said the country is battling huge volume of untreated gas, stressing that if such gas is well channeled to where it can be used to provide electricity, the economy would be better.

    “If you use the gas well, you will be able to reduce the cost of power, power need is going into the next level and we should be able to assist as many as are willing to kick start the operation and the ones that are already in operation; we want to give them the support to achieve their objectives.

    “As of today, we do diesel but there is no argument that gas is the cheapest source of power. We cannot compare what we spend on gas to what we spend on diesel. Gas is lighter, it is environmentally friendly; it reduces pollution and emission; it is cleaner.’’ That is the closest to green energy.

     

     

     

    All that makes gas the most veritable source of driving down the cost of production”, Martin-Lawson maintained

    “We are saying that gas solution is effective, smarter solutions that can bring down the cost of power, there is a lot of potential in gas and we are helping companies take advantage”, he added

    The Territory Manager, Gas, Electric Power Projects, Sohail Anwar who noted that caterpillar has been in the gas business said what the company is doing at the moment is investing more in developing gas-powered technology because of the ever rising demand for electricity now and in the future.

    “It is green energy, it is environmentally friendly. It is much convenient for the environment so it is much better to invest in green energy. It is basically available; there is abundance of gas in Nigeria, so why not use the natural resource and switch over to a better and efficient gas-powered solution”, he stated

  • ‘Power should shift to Akoko’

    ‘Power should shift to Akoko’

    As the people of Ondo State warm up for the governorship election, lawyer and activist Akin Ogunsakin examines the justification for the agitation for power shift to Akokoland.

    Akokoland came into being a result of quest for peaceable settlement by various towns and communities that made up the Akokoland. It is on record that we all migrated from Ile-Ife, but eventually settled in our respective location; our languages are diverse and unique. This is the source of our strength.

    Akoko had gone far in its developmental roles in Ondo State. We are known as the pace setter in almost all facet of human endeavor. The big question is that, can we unite to fight against the common cause of our disunity? The late Pa AdekunleAjasin the elder statement came, he saw and he conquered. Chief Adebayo Adefarati the former governor of Ondo State had done his best for the Akokos and the state, he left indelible records that need to be surpassed. He was denied the opportunity of second term in office by his kinsmen. While the South and the Central Senatorial District were eulogising him, we the Akokos are demanding for his head, of a fact, he had left his fingerprint on the soil of the time. Indeed, history will judge him sagaciously.

    We are on the March again! A critical look at the events that occurred few years back revealed that Akoko had been forgotten and relegated so much that it is difficult to say whether we are part of the Sunshine State.

    I had taken a walk round the length and breadth of Akokos towns and communities. I want to submit that there is no single developmental project sited in any of the town and communities in Akoko for the past four years or thereabout. Our roads are moribund, abandoned and fashioned to kill.

    However, the impeachment of an illustrious son of Akoko was orchestrated and staged managed by his kinsmen.

    It is time for us to unite and forge a formidable front in the interest of the people of Akokoland. The forthcoming governorship elections in Ondo State must be seen as a litmus test for all Akoko sons and daughters. We are blessed with the best materials both humans and natural resources. The claim of some Akureindigenes that it is their turn to produce the next governor in the state is laughable! The Central Senatorial District is agitated drumming for supports for a claim that is unfounded. I will not comment on that position of some Akure indigenes. They have their rights to agitate the onus is on the people to do the right thing, logics informed that the Central Senatorial District cannot handover to another candidate from the same Central Senatorial District. Honestly, there must be equity, fairness and justice. We must allow for peaceable cohesion.

    Let me again remind all the Akoko sons and daughters that the opportunity must not be wasted because of self aggrandizement. Our elders and leaders in the four Akoko LGAs must lead the vanguard to ensure that qualified candidate who is God fearing with congenital affinity of high moral character emerged as our candidate. We must be careful because other senatorial districts are watchful. While we are drumming for support, we must ensure that we pick a popular candidate with proven antecedent and pedigree. Also, our candidate must be mindful of conflict of ambition and its attendant repercussion.

    We need to unite for a common cause because our children are roaming the street without job. The state of infrastructure amenities in Akokoland is worrisome; other senatorial district believed that we cannot unite for whatever reason one can think of. We are a people created to live together, we must fashion out ways of reconciling our differences as they say, different folks, different strokes, but they are all resolvable. We must be the change agent of our people and of course the Ondo State at large.

    Frankly speaking, what will play out in the next few months in Ondo State depends to a large extent on the holistic approach from our elders and leaders. The meeting of all Akoko sons and daughters must be convened urgently to chart the way forward for the people of Akokoland.

    Committees must be set up to access the candidates without bias and to avert crisis and disunity among our people.

    The socio-economic development of Akoko must be paramount in our minds

    Finally, Akoko is our home. let us unite in making Akoko our Eldorado. Once again, Happy New Year to all Akoko sons and daughters.

  • Who has power to deny suspects bail?

    During his maiden media chat last Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari justified the continued detention of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, who were granted bail by the court. Is the President right? JOSEPH JIBUEZE sought lawyers’ views.

    In law, a suspect granted bail by the court is expected to be released once he fulfils the conditions attached thereto. But in some instances, some suspects have not been allowed to go home after fulfilling their bail conditions. In the past few weeks, we have seen the cases of some high flying suspects. Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu are still being held despite fulfilling their bail conditions.

    Last Wednesday during his maiden “media chat”, President Muhammadu Buhari said they were still in custody because they committed “serious” crimes. His remark has provoked reactions, with many wondering if it is the executive’s duty to comment on a case in which it is a party. Is the government right to have kept them in detention despite being granted bail?

     

    Dasuki

     Fresh charges of alleged money laundering were filed against Dasuki, who was arraigned on September 1 for alleged illegal possession of firearms. Before the fresh charges, Justice Adeniyi Ademola had granted him bail on self-recognition.

    Soon after, Dasuki obtained the court’s leave to travel abroad for medical treatment, but he was prevented from doing so by the Department of State Services (DSS), who laid siege to  his residence in the Asokoro District of Abuja  where he was kept under house arrest. The service had claimed at the time that the former NSA was under investigation for another offence.

    Dasuki approached the court praying for the enforcement of the November 3 order so he could travel for three weeks on health ground. Justice Ademola insisted that Dasuki must be allowed to travel without delay. “Court order must be obeyed…My own orders will not be flouted,” the judge said.

    Another court had also granted Dasuki bail after he was arraigned on a 22-count charge of alleged diversion of funds, misappropriation and breach of trust to the tune of N19.4 billion.

    The former NSA and others were granted bail on December 21 by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in the sum of N250 million each and two sureties in like sum.

    But after fulfilling the conditions for his bail by Justice Peter Affen , Dasuki’s lawyer Ahmed Raji (SAN) said the DSS has refused to allow him go home but was detained in Kuje Prisons. Dasuki’s wife said her husband’s health is bad, pleading for his freedom.

    “He is ill, he needs medical attention, he is not pretending. I implore the DSS not to allow him to die in custody,” Mrs Dasuki was quoted as saying.

     

    Kanu

     Justice Ademola granted Kanu bail unconditionally while ruling in an application filed and argued by his lawyer Vincent Obeta. The judge set aside an earlier order permitting the DSS to detain Kanu for 90 days. According to the judge, Kanu’s continued detention after two months without trial violates Section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution. The court ordered the DSS to release him unconditionally

    Rather than release him, fresh charges were filed against him. On December 23, Kanu frustrated plans to arraign him and two of his associates by expressing doubts about Justice Ahmed Mohammed’s ability to adjudicate the treasonable charge against them fairly. The judge withdrew from the case.

     

    Akpobolokemi

     Despite being granted bail by two courts, security agents on December 14 re-arrested a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Patrick Akpobolokemi, outside the Federal High Court premises in Lagos moments after his trial for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government was adjourned.

    Policemen and plain clothes operatives swooped on Akpobolokemi and bundled him into a waiting bus soon after Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned trial to January 18. Akpobolokemi’s re-arrest is linked to fresh allegations of fraud of about N12,905,485.000 meant for a maritime university.

    EFCC arraigned the ex-NIMASA DG and three others on charges of converting N2.6 billion as well as defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N795.2 million. They were granted bail.

    Akpobolokemi and nine others, including two companies, were earlier arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu of the same court on a separate charge of conspiring among themselves to convert N3.4 billion belonging to NIMASA. They also pleaded not guilty to the charge. They were also granted bail.

    It was learnt that Akpobolokemi was released from prison custody the weekend before he was re-arrested after perfecting the bail conditions imposed on him by Justice Buba.

     

    Buhari’s reaction

     President Buhari had justified Dasuki and Kanu’s detention, saying those who committed serious crimes against the country cannot be granted temporary freedom because they could jump bail.

    “Technically, if you see the type of atrocities these people have committed against the republic, against the country, when you think about it, you can’t allow them to jump bail,” he said.

    On the IPOB leader, he said:’’And the one you are calling Kanu, do you know he had two passports, one Nigerian, one British, and he came into the country without any. Do you know he brought an equipment into this country and was broadcasting, Radio Biafra; which kind of government do you think should harbour that kind of person?”

     

    When can bail be denied

     According to lawyers, bail, although a right, is discretionary. According to a lawyer, Ijeoma Okoronkwo, right to bail enables a person to stay out of jail until a trial has found him or her guilty in line with constitutional provision of an accused being innocent until proven guilty.

    Presumption of innocence is provided in section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution as one of the constitutional safeguards for fair hearing. However, a person may be denied of his right to personal liberty in the following circumstances as provided in section 35(1) (c): For the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of the order of a court; upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed a criminal offence, and in order to prevent his committing a criminal offence.

    Section 35(4) however demands that any person denied of his personal liberty in this regard shall be brought before a court of law within a reasonable time otherwise the person should be released on bail. Reasonable time is further defined in section 35(5) as: 24 hours (a day) in the case of an arrest or detention in any place where there is a court of competent jurisdiction within a radius of 40kms. In any other case , 48 hours (two days) or any longer period, which given the circumstances of the case, the court considers reasonable.

    In case a person is accused of a non-bailable offence, such as a capital crime, it is a matter of discretion of the court to grant or refuse bail. In Nigeria, murder, treason, treachery, directing and controlling or presiding at an unlawful trial by ordeal, are considered non-bailable offences.

    Some have argued that the Federal Government has done no wrong so far. A lawyer, Tonye Barcanista, argued that the DSS did not contravene any law or disobeyed the court by re-arresting Dasuki.

    “Though Dasuki and others were released from prison after meeting bail condition, he was re-arrested after stepping out of prison. We have to note that the bail was respected by the DSS but unfortunately for him, the judgment of the court didn’t grant him any immunity from further arrest. Hence, the government committed no offence in re-arresting him,” he said.

    On Kanu, the lawyer said: “At no time did any court ‘free or clear’ Kanu of any charge against him. What Justice Ademola did was to vacate the order it first granted to DSS to detain Kanu for three months.

    “What the DSS simply did was to detain Kanu and file case in court on charges that borders on treason. What constitute treason in Nigeria? The offence of treason can be found in sections 37 to 49 of the Nigeria criminal code. It says: Any person who levies war against the State, in order to intimidate or overawe the President or the Governor of a State, is guilty of treason.

    “Through Radio Biafra, Kanu preached inciting messages and even went as far as soliciting for arms with intent to wage war against the State. This was captured in a video that has gone viral. I think that breached section 37(2) of Nigeria Criminal Code (in my opinion),” he said.

    Some analysts, however, argue that the President was still trapped in the past, having recalled that during the military era, people were presumed guilty and detained until they prove their innocence. To such observers, the president must realise that a democracy is different from a military regime.

    However, A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr George M. Oguntade, believes Buhari has started very well, given the rotten state of things which he met on ground when he assumed office.

    According to him, some degree of stability and cohesion has been achieved. Oguntade believes Buhari would build on it in furtherance of his “change mantra”

    “On the issue of bail, I think the President ought to have declined comments on these issues, given the fact that it is a legal issue. I would have expected him to say that the Attorney-General of the Federation is in a better position to respond to the allegations. By expressing his opinion as he did, the President unwittingly appeared to have given the impression that he was privy to or in some way complicit in the accused persons not being granted “temporary freedom” even if this is not the case.

    “The law on Bail is quite clear as to the categories of offences that are bailable and those that are not. Once the courts, in the exercise of their discretion and upon a consideration of the case law, elect to grant bail to an accused person, then this decision should be respected.

    “If the prosecution believes that the judge’s discretion has been wrongly exercised, they have a constitutional right of appeal against that decision. It must always be remembered that the essence of granting bail on terms is to ensure that the accused is available to stand trial.

    “Our constitution recognises that an accused person remains innocent until he is proved guilty and nothing should be done by anyone, including the government to undermine this fundamental constitutional provision.”

    A former Commonwealth Lawyers Association president Mrs Boma Ozobia does not think the rule of law has been violated.

    “The former NSA was released on bail and indeed reportedly resisted arrest initially when he was under the impression that he was being re-arrested for the same charges.

    “However, it subsequently became clear that he was being arrested for entirely new allegations and his counsel has since not pursued that line of argument but rather appropriately, applied for bail once more.

    “In a nutshell, it appears to be an ongoing investigation and the authorities are bringing matters to the court as their investigations proceed. This is entirely in keeping with the principles and in accordance with the rule of law.”

     

     

  • Ogun community protests eight years power supply ordeal

    Ogun community protests eight years power supply ordeal

    By Oluwatomisin Amokeoja

    Landlords and residents of Oke Afa-Magboro in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have marched on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to protest the alleged failure of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to reverse the power failure in their community.

    The President of the Landlords and Residents of Oke Afa-Magboro Community Development Association, Babatunde Adesanya, said eight years ago, they bought electrical infrastructure in the area, but have not enjoyed constant power supply.

    He added that the government came to their aid after several petitions by ensuring that their power base was redirected from Abeokuta through Oke-Aro to Gaun in Magboro.

    Adesanya said they were told that the project had been completed “but the problem remains the same”.

    “Two months ago, IBEDC supplied us metres, which we paid for. We were promised electricity two weeks after, but till now, we haven’t had electricity supply.

    “We and neighbouring communities met with an IBEDC representative two weeks ago.

    “He promised us power supply within two weeks and we threatened to take our protest to the expressway, if he didn’t keep his promise. Here we are.

    “We are saying no to this. We are responsible Nigerians. We pay our taxes, we built the electricity infrastructure ourselves and IBEDC is using the infrastructure without any compensation,” the community leader said.

    Adesanya lamented that residents’ alternative power supply had been halted as they could no longer buy petrol from filling stations.

    He said IBEDC promised to supply electricitybefore Christmas.

    “We have requested to be ceded to Lagos, if IBEDC is not capable of supplying us power. Arepo, which is just a bus stop away, enjoys constant power supply.”

    Another resident, Jeff Mogbolu, said they have suffered neglect for so many years without electricity.

    “We want the-powers-that-be to come to our aid because we have spent a lot of money to actualise the dream of constant electricity supply in our community.

    “The fumes from our generators are killing. IBEDC has totally neglected us; all we hear are excuses. We are tired of excuses,” Mogbolu said.

    IBEDC’s Audit Manager Leye Afolabi said the delay was due to faults discovered in the project handled by Gioco Nigeria Limited.

    Afolabi assured the protesters that the firm would “ensure that the issue is rectified as soon as possible so the community can enjoy constant power supply”.

  • Firm unveils power equipment

    A firm, Mantrac Nigeria Limited, said it would provide a ‘Smarter Energy Solution’ to help improve power supply in the country.

    The company, which is the only organisation that has the franchise to distribute caterpillar products in Nigeria, said the solution is driven by gas.

    The Managing Director, Edmund Martin Lawson, who made this known during a seminar in Lagos, said the solution uses gas, adding that institutions and individuals, who can afford the equipment can use it generate electricity.

    He said Stanbic IBTC Plc has promised to finance the acquisition of the equipment through the CAT Financial Service.

    He said: “The engines will help in bringing power closer to the communities. The country is facing problems in the areas of generation, distribution and transmission of electricity. When the solution or technology is well deployed, there would be power in areas where it is used.’’

    He said industries would operate optimally once power is improved, adding that employment opportunities would be created in the process.

    He said: ‘’Given the fact that the economy has grown in the past at an average of six percent per annum without adequate power, coupled with the fact that Nigerian economy has been ranked first in Africa one can imagine what the country would do, if the power is stable.’’

    Martin-Lawson said the country is battling huge volume of untreated gas, stressing that if such gas is well channeled to where it can be used to provide electricity, the economy would be better.

    “If you use the gas well, you will be able to reduce the cost of power, power need is going into the next level and we should be able to assist as many as are willing to kick start the operation and the ones that are already in operation; we want to give them the support to achieve their objectives.

    “As of today, we do diesel but there is no argument that gas is the cheapest source of power. We cannot compare what we spend on gas to what we spend on diesel. Gas is lighter, it is environmentally friendly; it reduces pollution and emission; it is cleaner.’’ That is the closest to green energy.

  • Fed Govt to roll out growth plans for power, says BPE

    Fed Govt to roll out growth plans for power, says BPE

    The Federal Government has put in place modalities to drive the power sector for growth, just as it has driven the telecommunication industry for better performance, the Director- General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE),Benjamin Dikki has said.

    The modalities, according to him, include making the bodies such as the Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to provide stronger regulatory frameworks that would help in developing the sector and the introduction of a competitive environment for operators, among other initiatives.

    Speaking in Lagos at a stakeholders’ meeting, Dikki said the need to make the power sector more competitive and vibrant is imperative for the growth of the economy.

    The meeting, which has the Minister of Power, works and housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Chief Executive Officers of Eko ElectricityDistribution Company(EKEDC),Oladele Amoda, Ikeja Electric, Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, and other stakeholders, was at the instance of the management of Egbin Power Company Plc.

    He said once the regulators nurture power sector for growth, there would be stability in the electricity supply and the economy will get better.

    He said: ‘’ Power sector will work because the telecom industry works.  The telecom sector works because the regulators were allowed to nurture investments in that area.  I believe the regulators would nurture investments in the electricity industry for growth, given a conducive environment.  Investments would not only engender competition, but would make the operators fare better. Once there is competition in the energy sector, prices of products and services would come down and the better for consumers.’’

    Dikki said problems such as revenue shortfalls, inability of power firms to garner enough capital for operation and others,  are hindering the growth of the sector, urging operators to drive investments to generate revenue for growth.

    According to him, privatisation has opened a new phase in the nation’s power sector, because private operators are now saddled with the responsibility of running the industry.

    On industry’s performance, Dikki said some of the new investors in the sector have tried to improve electricity generation and distribution.

    Citing Egbin Power Plant, the BPE’s DG said the plant, which was owned by the Sahara Energy Group, has relatively improved power generation.

    ‘’Egbin Power Company should be commended for being a flagship of what privatisation is.  The reason is because its management has been able to increase electricity megawatts (Mw) 400 to over 1,000 megawatts of electricity.  This growth needs to be sustained for the benefits of consumers,’’ he added.

    Also, the Chief Executive officer, Egbin Power Company, Mr Dallas Peavey, said the firm has overhauled its operation to ensure growth, adding that the turbines are nearing full capacity.

    He said the firm has six turbines, adding that the turbines are returning to their installed capacity of 1,320 megawatts of electricity soon.

    Peavey said efforts are on-going to make the six turbines produce optimally, stressing that the development would help in improving power supply in the country.

  • How to improve power, by stakeholders

    Stakeholders have advocated urgent measures to transform the power sector. To them, industrialisation would remain a pipe dream if the power sector challenges are not addressed. They spoke at theAnnual Power & Utilities Roundtable organised by PricewaterhouseCoopers in Lagos. The theme of the forum was: “The challenges with transforming the Nigerian power landscape.”

    Oando Gas and Power, Chief Executive Officer,  Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, said over 540 per cent of Nigeria’s gas is associated gas (AG), and that it could be taken out like bongas and airgas.

    Osunasanya said: “In the infrastructure deposit, Nigeria’s master is currently wet. This can produce 1,200megawatts of electricity (Mw) offshore needs.

    “The gas industry is a low defined value chain, and a wise approach is needed to transform it,” he added.

    He also identified historical preference for oil, absence of communication in terms of gas, lack of clarity and standardisation, fall in international oil price, processing, transportation and distribution as some of the challenges besetting the industry.

    On gas market revenue, he said there were various policies that have contributed to the required infrastructure blueprints.

    Osunsanya noted, however, that the distribution sector is fraught with constraints from the DisCos, GenCos to the gas suppliers, adding that  “Close to 90 per cent of transmitted gas gets to the end users. An increase of available generation will be needed to curb the gas constrainsts”.

    Also, Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Energy Group, Mr. Akinwole Omoboriowo, said electricity regulators should be independent in discharging their obligations without interference from the government, adding, however, that clear key performance indicators needed to be set for them.

    “Towards transforming the Nigerian power landscape, there should be active encouragement of mini and micro grids, as well as grid-based power supply to discos/municipals, operated by laws and incentives,” operated by laws and incentives, “he said.

    Explaining that mini-grid requires DisCo to be carved out and operated independently, the energy expert,  however, canvassed for alternative funding from multinationals and corporate organisations through their Corporate Social responsibility (CSR).

    Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Mr. James Olotu, said Nigeria generates 4,200Mw of power as against 42,090Mw generated by Eskom of South Africa.

    According to him, Ethopia generates over 10,000Mw of hydropower versus 4,700Mw by NIPP Sudan, which built 1,250Mw Merowe hydropower Dam.

    Olotu said issues such as regulatory clarity, certainty of what is generated not being paid for; policy inconsistency, access to long term finance, merry-go-round for the investor and infrastructure deficit-gas were challenges facing the sector.

    He said: ‘’While pricing is being sorted out and infrastructure ongoing by the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), lack of effective gas, acts of vandalism, state of finances owing to low operating tariff, uncompleted legacy projects and declining budgetary appropriation, still pose major challenges to transforming the power landscape.’’

    The Leader, Power and Utilities West Africa (PWC), Mr. Pedro Omontuemhen, said the firm recently conducted a survey across Africa, where it interviewed senior executives in the energy industry, in 15 countries, including Nigeria.

    Omontuemhen said the survey showed that over 620 million people live without electricity in the rural areas of Africa, adding that by 2025, there would be a better improvement if huge investment is made in the sector.

  • Fed Govt to roll out growth plans for power, says BPE

    Fed Govt to roll out growth plans for power, says BPE

    The Federal Government has put in place modalities to drive the power sector for growth, just as it has driven the telecommunication industry for better performance, the Director- General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE),Benjamin Dikki has said.

    The modalities, according to him, include making the bodies such as the Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to provide stronger regulatory frameworks that would help in developing the sector and the introduction of a competitive environment for operators, among other initiatives.

    Speaking in Lagos at a stakeholders’ meeting, Dikki said the need to make the power sector more competitive and vibrant is imperative for the growth of the economy.

    The meeting, which has the Minister of Power, works and housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Chief Executive Officers of Eko ElectricityDistribution Company(EKEDC),Oladele Amoda, Ikeja Electric, Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, and other stakeholders, was at the instance of the management of Egbin Power Company Plc.

    He said once the regulators nurture power sector for growth, there would be stability in the electricity supply and the economy will get better.

    He said: ‘’ Power sector will work because the telecom industry works.  The telecom sector works because the regulators were allowed to nurture investments in that area.  I believe the regulators would nurture investments in the electricity industry for growth, given a conducive environment.  Investments would not only engender competition, but would make the operators fare better. Once there is competition in the energy sector, prices of products and services would come down and the better for consumers.’’

    Dikki said problems such as revenue shortfalls, inability of power firms to garner enough capital for operation and others,  are hindering the growth of the sector, urging operators to drive investments to generate revenue for growth.

    According to him, privatisation has opened a new phase in the nation’s power sector, because private operators are now saddled with the responsibility of running the industry.

    On industry’s performance, Dikki said some of the new investors in the sector have tried to improve electricity generation and distribution.

    Citing Egbin Power Plant, the BPE’s DG said the plant, which was owned by the Sahara Energy Group, has relatively improved power generation.

    ‘’Egbin Power Company should be commended for being a flagship of what privatisation is.  The reason is because its management has been able to increase electricity megawatts (Mw) 400 to over 1,000 megawatts of electricity.  This growth needs to be sustained for the benefits of consumers,’’ he added.

    Also, the Chief Executive officer, Egbin Power Company, Mr Dallas Peavey, said the firm has overhauled its operation to ensure growth, adding that the turbines are nearing full capacity.

    He said the firm has six turbines, adding that the turbines are returning to their installed capacity of 1,320 megawatts of electricity soon.

    Peavey said efforts are on-going to make the six turbines produce optimally, stressing that the development would help in improving power supply in the country.

  • ‘Power should shift to Akure’

    ‘Power should shift to Akure’

    Sunday Idowu, a community leader, is clamouring for the zoning of the governorship slot to Akure, the state capital. He spoke with DAMISI OJO on the motive for the ‘Akure Agenda’ and other issues.

    What is the motive behind the current wave in Ondo state over Akure agenda?

    The essence of every human being is to develop his or her immediate environment.Akure Division which has been granted state capital status since 1976 is being marginalised in the scheme of things particularly in political circle.There are four local government areas in Akure Division namely Idanre,Ifedore,Akure North and Akure South.By my calculation,Okitipupa Division had produced a governor and deputy governor,Ondo Division is currently in power in the state,Akoko Division had produced a Governor and two deputies,Owo produced the first executive governor of the state,Chief Adekunle Ajasin.

    However, it is painful that Akure Division with the largest votes in the state has only produced one deputy governor since 1976.

    We are only appealing to our brothers and sisters in other divisions to exhibit fair play, since we have been magnanimous in our votes. Anytime they bring out their candidates,we have been supporting them and this is pay back time.

    How determined are you with this struggle as it is a general belief that Akure people are fond of not speaking with one voice.

    With our votes and numerical strenght,we are now more resolute with this agenda.If any political party brings a candidate that is from our division,we will embrace such person and support him fully.We are not hinging our agitation on party affliation of either PDP or APC,when we get there,we will know what to do next.

    We have been able to meet many prospective aspirants from PDP and APC,this is a collective struggle,all traditional rulers in Akure Division are in our support.The notion that Akure can not speak with one voice will be defeated this time around because we will invoke the spirit of our ancestors on who ever wants to betray our collective goals.

    What is the position of Dr Olusegun Mimiko on the Akure Agenda?

    Except the few months of Chief Olu Falae as the minister for finance, Akure has never got any key position in the federal cabinet, economically, we are backward, we marginalised ourselves by not coming together as a formidable force. Akure people have been supporting Mimiko’s government, it is to his political survival that Akure person should be picked as the next governor in the state.

    Ditto to APC,if they pick candidate from Akoko,they would fail,we are now sounding it clear to both sides.This should be a pay back time for Mimiko to reciprocate what Akure people have been doing for him which actually prompted his political survival,”they are just leading the flies to the Oil”.

    As a leading member of the Akure Agenda Group, which political party do you belong?

    I am not a politician.I am a business man and employer of labour, but I have interest in the development of my community, Akuere. I sojourned for many years in Akwa ibom state.I am not partisan, the APC candidate in that state, Okon Umana Okon is my good friend. The same way, I am close to the former governor in the state, Dr Godswill Akpabio, a PDP chieftain and presently a Senator. I have friends in all the political parties.

    What is your assessment of the state of affairs in Ondo state here?

    The situation is so pathetic. Virtually with all resources abound in the state, there is no single line of production. Bitumen for example is said to be a federal project and we allow ourselves to remain coward through retrogressive legislation.

    In Ondo South for example, there is no electricity in the past one year,  an area that is laying the golden eggs with which the state is surviving (crude oil). It is so unfortunate, we are too complacent in Ondo state.

  • Factors limiting power generation and transmission

    SIR: Of the three components of Nigeria’s electricity matrix – generation, transmission and distribution, the government seems to have been smart enough to hold on to the transmission component, with  the advantage of ascertaining the total quantity of power available at every point in time. It shows how much has been generated and the aggregates as well as how much has been consumed.

    However, the expected quantum leap has failed to materialize substantially, more than two years after the unbundling and privatization in the sector.

    At this point, every concerned citizen and patriot should be asking questions such as: Why have we covered so little mileage? Why have we generated disproportionately low megawatts per thousand dollars compared to other economies? Why have we failed to surpass the 6,500 megawatts landmark which some claim was the figure being generated way back 40 years ago?

    I have based on research, articulated the following issues: First, it takes far too long to get approval/licenses to build power generating plants in Nigeria, sometimes even more than two years. No serious minded investor is willing to tie down funds for this length of time.

    Secondly, it takes far too long to construct approved power projects, sometimes up to four years, partly due to community issues and partly due to cumbersome procurement and logistics procedures.

    Third, the process of procuring fuel to power the plants, especially gas is often disjointed and constitutes a separate project with unique challenges.

    And finally, providing transmission facilities through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is a herculean task, subject to the full dose of Nigerian bureaucracy.

    These issues are the common denominators preventing Nigerians from enjoying full benefits from investment in the power sector.

    The above scenario provides a glimpse into the myriad of issues beguiling Nigeria’s power industry.

    Rather than issue licenses to companies to generate power, government should completely deregulate the process by changing the rules to allow the TCN set long-term purchase contracts, guaranteeing a preset take-on price per megawatt generated by any private enterprise.

    The process should prescribe the minimum standard of operation that will allow such companies operate safely, competitively and in an environmentally friendly manner.

    This, for instance, will enable platforms such as the NIPP canvass and link up investors and technical partners in turning out modular power generating facilities across the country on a continual basis.

    Intending investors and proprietors should identify multiple locations suitable for their proposed projects and make prospective communities bid to host the projects based on clearly stated benefits. The winning community will naturally be made to provide guarantees that will ensure smooth construction and operation during the bid process. This will eliminate most of the bottlenecks usually encountered by the operators during construction which causes serious delays and project scope creep resulting in cost escalations.

    The government should carry out a sincere and thorough national transmission needs assessment and identify Original Equipment Manufacturers, Repairs and Spares Providers, conduct bid processes to pre-select preferred equipment suppliers and maintenance service providers. Thereafter, contracts for the upgrade and maintenance of the existing transmission infrastructure and additions would be awarded as needed. The upgrades and additions will be coordinated by the technical department of the TCN. This department must be audited “three times daily”.

    • Dan Aibangbe,

    Lagos.