The Nation Newspaper

Tag: POWER

  • Orubebe’s quest for power

    Orubebe’s quest for power

    Although the declaration by the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, to contest the governorship election next year did not come as a surprise to many, there is unease within the Delta Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), especially from politicians from Anioma.

    Orubebe, who spoke in Asaba recently during a reception in his honour by Delta Peoples Forum, (DPF), said he resigned his ministerial position to return home to serve the people better.

    According him, he decided to heed the call by the pressure group to return to Delta State and work for the people.

    He said: “As I was driving past the streets of Asaba, I saw some posters with different inscriptions, including the ones welcoming me as the next governor. I want to let you know that as your humble servant, I will be there for you in 2015.”

    Orubebe said ethnicity would be given priority in determining the next governor, in an earlier remark at a condolence visit to the family of Alam Barovbe in Ovu inland Ethiope East in April 2013.

    His words: “I must say categorically that all ethnic nationalities of this state must have a taste of the governorship of this State.Urhobos have gotten it; Itsekiri have gotten it; Ndokwa have not gotten it; Ijaw has not gotten it. We are appealing that it is the turn of the Ijaw people now because all ethnic groups must have a taste.”

    On why he wants to be governor, he said: “I believe that having been a councillor, a local government council chairman, an executive member of the primary education board in Delta State, a party chairman, an adviser to Governor James Ibori on Urban and Regional Planning, Minister of Special Duties, Supervising Minister of National Planning Commission, Minister of State for Niger Delta and thereafter the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs over these years, I have garnered some experience. God has been faithful to me. He has deposited enough knowledge in me and I want to dedicate the knowledge that has been given to me by God to the service of the people of Delta State. I also want to support the governor that has moved the state this far, to add my own quota to move the state forward. And I think God has helped me and endowed me to be able to take off from where Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan will stop.”

    Orubebe, who hails from Delta South senatorial district, the same zone as Uduaghan, is of the Ijaw ethnic stock. With the zoning policy of the ruling PDP, Orubebe should not be in contention.

    But what are Orubebe’s chances? Will the ruling party jettison its zoning formula? Will the power brokers in the party be favourably disposed to Orubebe’s ambition? Where does his ambition leave the Anioma governorship bid?

    Some analysts hold the view that PDP’s chances at the 2015 polls will be severely damaged should Orubebe clinch the governorship ticket, arguing that its zoning policy precludes the ex-minister from gunning for the top job.

    Analysts believe the ruling PDP is unlikely to forget in a hurry the reverses it suffered in the hands of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in the 2011 polls and may be unwilling to jettison its zoning formula .

    Political watchers believe that the PDP understands that any self- induced crisis so close to an election damages its chances and gives the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) an advantage.

    A major challenge facing the ex-minister may be the fact that his ambition may not enjoy the support of the other senatorial districts, especially Delta North which has been clamouring for a governor of Anioma extraction.

    But sources claim Delta Central is not ready to let go.

    Delta North Local Government Area comprises of nine local government areas, which includes Ukwuani, Oshimili South, Oshimili North, Aniocha South, Aniocha North, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Ika South and Ika North-East areas.

    It remains the only senatorial district that has not produced a governor since the state was created in 1990.

    Delta Central has produced two governors, Olorogun Felix Ibru and Chief James Ibori for three and eight years respectively and Delta South produced Uduaghan whose eight year spell terminates in 2015.

    Another obstacle may be the fact that he hails from a minority Ijaw ethnic group; since politics is a game of numbers, his ambition may be truncated.

    Another factor is his parting of ways with his godfather, Chief E.K Clark . Orubebe was one of the trusted members of the Chief E.K Clark political family in Delta State. Both are from the Ijaw ethnic group in the southern senatorial district. While Clark hails from Kiagbodo,Orubebe is from Ogbobagbene in Burutu Local Government Area.

    He said of Clark in a recent interview: “Chief Edwin Clark is my father, my leader, my master and my mentor. He has the right to correct me any time he feels that I should be corrected. I have no disagreement with him, and if for any reason he feels bad about whatever statement I must have made or I was misquoted to have made, he should in all graciousness consider it fit in his mind to forgive and forget.

    “Chief Edwin Clark is a rare gem. That we are seeing him now in our generation is a rare privilege. He is not only the leader of the Ijaw in Nigeria and Diaspora, many ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, which comprises nine states not only in the South/South but also parts of South/West and South/East, also accept him as their leader. No man can disregard such an elder statesman.”

    Despite the array of obstacles facing the ex-minister, he appears prepared to battle against the odds, but the question remains, will Orubebe, in the event of his inability to pick the PDP ticket, remain in the party?

     

  • Ibom Plant boosts power supply in Akwa Ibom

    Ibom Plant boosts power supply in Akwa Ibom

    •Plant  to sign Power Purchase Agreement

    Power generated from the Ibom Power Plant has helped stabilise electricity supply in parts of Akwa Ibom, it has emerged.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor o Power, Dr. Victor Udo, said this is in line with Governor Godswill Akpabio’s dream.

    He said: “The completion of a gas infrastructure in Esit Eket, upgrade of the Eket-Uyo-Itu 132kV transmission lines and the restoration of Ibom Power Plant Unit 3 are the reasons His Excellency’s vision will soon be accomplished.

    “Under the leadership of the new board appointed by His Excellency, General Electric has completed the general combustion inspection of Ibom power plant and the plant is running that is why there Has been improved power supply in Akwa Ibom State in the last few months. Power generated by Ibom Power Plant is not only consumed by Akwa Ibom people but by Nigerians as a whole through the National grid.”

    He seized the opportunity to appeal to Akwa Ibom people not to allow anybody vandalize the power infrastructure in their community.

    He said: “Many a times power is not flowing because the transformer or associate cables have been stolen or vandalised so when you see someone tampering with power infrastructure in your community call the police or contact the Office of the SSA to the Governor on Power through 08081134400 or contact us through www.akspower.com.”

    The Business Managers in the three Business Units of Akwa Ibom State, Uduma Okala, have confirmed the improvement in Power supply.

    The Business Manager at Uyo Business Unit, said: “There has been a significant improvement in power supply because Ibom Power Plant is on.”

    Kelly Effiong and Uzoma Mbuko, Business Managers in Eket and Ikot Ekpene Business Unit, also confirmed the improvement in their units.

    In a related development, some residents of Afaha Idoro and Nwaniba who had previously complained to the Office of the SSA on Power on lack of power supply have also recorded an improvement in the power situation in their respective areas.

    Mr. Fred Uwah a business owner at Afaha Idoro said “we have not experienced any power outage, the power has been constant” while Mrs. Happiness Johnson a resident of Nwaniba said “power supply has improved for a while now”.

    The Ibom Power Plant is at the verge of recording another ‘first’ as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Mr. Rumundaka Wonodi has said that “NBET Plc will like to enter a Power Purchase Agreement with Ibom Power in February 2014”

    If agreements are reached, Ibom Power Plant will be one of the first Independent Power Producers in Nigeria to sign a Power Purchase Agreement with NBET.

    The CEO, who spoke during a courtesy visit of NBET Senior Management team to Ibom Power, said: “The Nigerian electricity supply sector is about to enter the next stage of the market which is the transitional electricity market.

    “A basic requirement for that stage is that all the generating assets should have a Power Purchase Agreement so that all the generation and consumption through the Distribution companies is administered under a contract.”

    Wonodi added that “part of NBET’s visit to Ibom Power plant was to state their commitments and also get some commitment from Ibom Power.”

    Speaking further, the Electricity Bulk Trader Boss said: “The good thing about the Power Purchase Agreement is that to a large extent, it addresses the issue of transmission and capacity payments.

    “NBET is very well capitalised with over $700million fund backed by World Bank and with that, Ibom Power can be rest assured that payments will be made as at when due.”

    The Managing Director of Ibom Power, Mr. Gareth Wilcox, said: “The Power Purchase Agreement with NBET is very important because without the PPA it will be impossible to operate and maintain the power plant.

    “We are therefore happy that the Chief Executive Officer of the NBET has agreed to sign a PPA with us in February.”

    Udo, who is also a board member in Ibom Power Company, expressed delight with the PPA agreement.

    Dr. Udo said: “Ikot Abasi is a power exporting hub because apart from the 191MW Ibom plant, ALSCON has 540MW capacity plant and there is another proposed plant with 250MW capacity, all within Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State.”

    He added that the governor would remain committed to improving power supply in the state.

     

  • North remains home of power in Nigeria – Aruwa

    North remains home of power in Nigeria – Aruwa

    Senator Mohammed Ahmed Aruwa represented Kaduna Central while in the upper legislative chamber and also contested the governorship of the state on the platform of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). In this interview with Tony Akowe, Aruwa, who is now a chieftain of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), gives reasons why President Goodluck Jonathan should contest the 2015 elections. Excerpts

    Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has become a former chairman of PDP, having resigned his position due to pressure.  The PDP, particularly in the north, has lost four governors to the opposition APC, while the party has lost some of its lawmakers to the opposition. Do you think the departure of Bamanga Tukur will bring back peace to the PDP and place the party in a good position to win elections in 2015?

    If we are talking about governors and members of the House of Representatives defecting, I want to say that they are not doing this for Tukur nor the PDP, but they are inviting chaos to the nation and it will affect every one of us. It is only in a country where there is no rule of law that you can take a mandate from party ‘A’ and transfer it to party ‘B’ without regard to the electorate and you expect democracy to succeed. So, when you talk about defection, you expect a ruling party to be in the minority through the whims and caprices of its own members and not the electorate. I don’t think anyone of you should even give credence or support to such act, unless you all resolve that the military should come back. Act, can declare all those seats vacant.

    Let us be honest and look at the problem of internal party democracy within the PDP vis-à-vis the leadership imposition by the same party.  Don’t you think this is enough to encourage defection from the party?

    No, I don’t think so. I thought we are being honest ab initio. So, the point of let us be honest doesn’t arise. Ab initio, we should be honest with ourselves. You will agree with me that internal democracy in all the political parties in Nigeria is lacking.

    Yes, interest groups abound in all political parties. But no matter the problem, at the end of the day, you should sit as a family and resolve it. But where some insist that there will be no resolution, where do you go from there? This is the situation in the PDP at the moment. Yes, there are lapses on the part of the management of the PDP. But two wrongs cannot make a right.

    The situation democracy finds itself in Nigeria, do you think it is proper and right for democracy?

    You answer that. Here is a country that is yearning for democracy and the gladiators are not willing to resolve issues. Who will suffer for that? It is democracy that will suffer. Even with the fanfare in the media, there is a lopsided reportage about all issues. Leaders are bound to make mistakes, and followers are bound to read between the lines and see which is genuine, or deliberate.  Nobody has the monopoly of knowledge, PDP inclusive. But that is not to say that 27 members of a 30-man state assembly will decide to change camp, leaving three of them on the platform that brought them into the house. Is there any sense in that democratically? Whoever the leader is ought to have stopped that because they are challenging democracy. Democracy doesn’t talk, but we should speak and talk on behalf of democracy. When we see anything wrong, we beat the drum and dance about it and the resultant consequences will spare no one of us. It is wrong for any leader to think that people should defect to his side, remove 27 out of 30 members from a state assembly, expect not to be hacking on the fabric of democracy. I don’t think it’s right.

    We were there when you were received into the PDP with a lot fanfare and high expectations. Yakowa, who received you into the party, is no longer alive. Today, we have a new governor and there are lots of complaints by critical stakeholders within the party in the state that they have been edged out. Do you still feel very welcome in the PDP under this government?

    First of all, I must tell you that I didn’t go to the PDP for compromise. It is out of shear volition and the need to unit and not divide. The proliferation of political parties in the country is an instrument of division. So, I felt like belonging to the majority party that is ruling in the north and by extension Nigeria. I looked at the political set up in Nigeria and only in the north, we have pockets of political parties.  I know for sure in the South-West there is only one party; other parties only poach wherever they are. But in the north we are divided not only by political differences, but also by religious differences and tribes. This is my number one reason for going to the PDP. I did not go there as an archeologist or an auditor to audit qualities and proprieties of the personalities that are already in that office.  I cannot tell you that I’m evaluating the qualities of Namadi or anybody else. But as a party, I can tell you where I believe that the PDP needs to make amends in order to satisfy some of its members. I belong to the PDP now and I will be there forever, even if I’ll be the only one. I can assure you that unless you bring angels from heaven, the PDP will still rule come 2015.  I’m very much welcome in the party. When I said the PDP needs to make amends, I was talking frankly because some of the office holders in the party have distanced themselves from the electorate.

    Many northern elders and some members of the PDP from the north are disappointed with the PDP government in Nigeria and want the presidential seat to come back to the north. If the PDP gives the ticket to President Goodluck Jonathan and another party gives its ticket to a northern candidate, what will be the fate of the northern candidate?

    That scenario has happened before, and on two or three occasions, the non-northerner won. I don’t believe that the north should go out of its way and fight because they want to govern this country.  I will say it without any regret and will say it again that the home of power in Nigeria remains in the north. There is no question about it because democracy is about numbers and election is about numbers.  Whoever is ruling today, even Jonathan, I don’t think he got to where he is without at least 25% of votes both from the north and south. Make no mistake, no southerner can be president without northerners and no northerner can become president without southerners. So, I don’t support the idea that any northerner should go over his head fighting that power should come here.  We have a country that belongs to all of us.  We have a non-northerner ruling today and it’s likely that next time, it will be a northerner. It should be allowed that natural movement.  But to force your way just because you are a majority is not part of democracy because democracy still requests that you protect the interest of the minority.  So, now a southerner is ruling and eventually, it will come to the north and at that time, you can now block it from going out. But don’t say you will force your way and that it must be now. If the northerners believe that is the way to run the government or democracy, constitutional democracy for that matter, then goodluck to you.  But that is not the fight we should embark on.  We should work towards reuniting the nation, working together. That’s what democracy is all about. It’s not about you because you have the number.

    What is your take on the position of northerners based on what they said concerning the so-called gentleman agreement on rotational presidency vis-à-vis their perception that the president wants to renege on what they agreed upon in 2011 for him to run for a single term?

    Democratically, it is wrong for them to go into such an agreement. If they are guided by the constitution, they need not talk about that so-called agreement which as far as I’m concerned, is verbal and you’re not a witness to it and the electorate did not witness it.  All those northern elders, I don’t care if they escort the earth to the world, none of them can present a copy of that agreement. They only talk about a non-existent agreement. Even if it exists, it is not democratic. The constitution provides for two terms and the Electoral Act also provides for two terms.  So, the electorate are the only one that can deny you two terms and give you one term or even recall you if need be. So, who gave those elders the mandate to negotiate this non-existing agreement? I don’t know if you have seen it.  You are a journalist and I don’t know if anybody has shown you that agreement. Let me draw your attention to the fact that, sometimes, you members of the press are the problems of our polity. Jonathan inherited two years from Umaru Yar’adua of blessed memory. Jonathan agitated for a six-year single term. The term he was referring to is the two years he finished for Yar’adua and the four years he is serving now.  But we said no.  Can you recall the time he was agitating for a six-year single term? Where was our head at that time?  Were our heads over our shoulders or were they somewhere else?  But now we have said no to a six-year single term and seem to have forgotten that he has a constitutional right to re-contest.  There is nowhere in the constitution that the law bans him from contesting, and he saw it fit to give it a trial. It is your votes that will decide whether Jonathan becomes president or not.

    You spoke confidently about the PDP winning the 2015 elections despite the crisis it is going through right now. What is your justification for this?

    As a member of the PDP, it is good for me to see my party win the 2015 election and I don’t think there is anything wrong in that. In 2011,

  • Money, power, patronage stoke tensions in Niger Delta

    Money, power, patronage stoke tensions in Niger Delta

    Rivers State has been on the boil for some time now. In this report, AFP examines the forces at play and concludes that it is all about money, power and patronage.

    it is a classic Nigerian dispute, combining powerful politicians, patronage, personal rivalries, wider claims of corruption and bickering over lucrative oil revenue.

    But rising tensions in the southern state of Rivers in the Niger Delta region are setting it up to be a key battleground as general elections approach next year.

    Where once it was the feared, heavily armed vigilantes patrolling the creeks who dominated headlines, now a stand-off between the state governor and the country’s president is grabbing attention.

    At the heart of the spat between Rotimi Amaechi and Goodluck Jonathan are claims Rivers has lost out on revenue from a disputed oil well as well as federal development and infrastructure schemes.

    “There are some things that the federal government is doing that are not in the interest of the people of Rivers State,” said Amaechi’s spokesman, David Iyofor.

    “These include the federal government ceding the Soku oil well, belonging to Rivers State, to Bayelsa (Jonathan’s neighbouring home state),” he told AFP.

    “The lack of federal presence in the state and failure to refund the state the 105 billion naira ($658 million, 482 million euros) it spent on federal roads in the state is another major nagging issue.”

    Vocal criticism

    The plain-speaking Amaechi, who is vaunting his own progress on driving up living standards, health and education in the state, has claimed Rivers has “nothing to show” for Jonathan’s time in power.

    But he is also a key figure in a national-level dispute that has plunged Jonathan’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into crisis and seen it lose its parliamentary majority.

    Amaechi, 48, was one of five influential state governors to quit the PDP for the main opposition in November last year, prompting 37 lawmakers in the lower chamber National Assembly to follow suit.

    They accuse Jonathan of ignoring an unwritten party rule to rotate the presidency between the largely Muslim north and the mainly Christian south and reneging on a claim only to serve one term.

    But Amaechi’s gripe also centres around the Soku oil well and the re-allocation of its three-billion-naira monthly revenue to Jonathan’s home state.

    Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, pumped out about two million barrels of crude oil per day in 2013, according to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

    Revenue is shared between states, although Amaechi has been vocal in claiming that tens of billions of dollars have been siphoned off by the federal government.

    Claims of unfair redistribution fuelled violence that gripped the Delta region until an amnesty, seeing installations attacked and oil workers kidnapped.

    Mounting tensions

    Jonathan has said little if anything on the Rivers situation but his wife, Patience, who hails from the state, has been accused of publicly criticising Amaechi over a state programme she disliked.

    The National Assembly is currently overseeing the divided state legislature, where last May a brawl broke out after five local lawmakers tried to impeach the house’s pro-Amaechi speaker.

    Armoured personnel carriers and armed police using tear gas have disrupted rallies by Amaechi’s supporters and his All Progressives Congress (APC) party in the state capital, Port Harcourt.

    Last weekend, the police admitted firing teargas cannisters to disperse a crowd at a pro-Amaechi rally, during which a staunch ally of the governor was allegedly shot and injured.

    Police denied the claim and there were conflicting reports of the extent of the injuries sustained by the supporter, a senator.

    Fears for 2015

    “This irrationality in Rivers State has gone too far and it is not in tandem with the rule of law,” said human rights lawyer Jiti Ogunye.

    “It appears that Jonathan has gone for broke. We are not going to have a peaceful transfer of power in 2015 the way we are going. They are endangering civil rule and it is dangerous and unfortunate.”

    State police boss Joseph Mbu has been caught up in the middle of the political infighting and faced calls to quit, with some suggesting he is loyal to the presidency.

    He denied that officers fired live bullets at Sunday’s crowd and maintained that teargas was used only because organisers did not have an official permit to demonstrate.

    “What’s happening… is an aberration, an abnormality founded on irrationality and the display of impunity on a large scale,” said Eze Onyekpere, director of the Centre for Social Justice in Abuja.

    “It is a negation of the rule of law and enthronement of impunity. This portends a very bad omen for 2015 elections. People are being shot, harassed and teargassed. This is frightening.”

    Economics of youth restiveness

    A new book, Economics of Youth Restiveness in the Niger Delta, has been released by DrM Christopher N. Ekong, Dr. Ettah B. Essien and Kenneth U. Onye. They were all born in the Niger Delta and gained part of their higher education in the region, and now teach at the University of Uyo there.

    A review of the book notes: “The text is certainly not boring! Youth Restiveness in the Niger Delta has led to kidnapping, hostage taking, and other crimes committed in the region that have resulted in terrible world press and a monumental loss of revenue for Nigeria.

    “The Niger Delta Region of Nigeria has been thrust into international prominence because of its rich natural resources, including oil and gas, which have played a large part in discussions about the region and its sustainable environment. The book explores the general background of Nigeria’s oil and gas resource infrastructure, as well as their effects on the Nigerian economy.

    “The book discusses in detail the resources of the region, including its renewable and non-renewable ones. The root causes of youth restiveness are also discussed, and the authors believe there are some benefits deriving from restiveness. These include closing the income inequality gap in the region and improvements in Nigeria’s socio-economics.”

     

     

  • Power for fulfilment of destiny! (3)

    Last week, I showed you what God does, when we are in pursuit of His plan. I also commented on how we can know when we are in the centre of God’s plan. This week, I will be teaching on how to engage the Power of Sanctification for Fulfilment of Destiny!

    A sanctified life is a fundamental requirement for the fulfilment of destiny. But how glorious is our destiny? Recognize that every child of God is ordained a mountaintop global citizen (Matthew 5:14; Deuteronomy 28:1). That means you are ordained to bless your world, and not to be a burden to your world (Galatians 3:29).

    However, to fulfil that glorious destiny, certain things must be in place. Among these things is sanctification—living to please God. Please understand that Sanctification is a spiritual catalyst for fulfilment of destiny. That means it takes sanctification to go up and to stay up (Proverbs 14:34). Samson went up by sanctification; but he came down by desecration (Judges 13: 3-5; 16: 1-30). Also, think of Solomon: he loved many strange women and he ended up in a shrine (1 Kings 11:1-6). That establishes the fact that, destiny is at risk without sanctification.

    Note that from 1Thessalonians 4:3-4, sanctification is the will of God. That means there must be a way to live a sanctified life.

    Why Do We Need Sanctification?

    •It is Required for Answered Prayers: It is important for us to know that we need sanctification to qualify for answered prayers. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: (Psalm 66:18)

    However, one interesting thing about our God is that, any time we repent of our sins, He forgives us as if we never did it (Psalm 66:19-20).

    •It enhances our access to Revelations: The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant (Psalm 25:14). Revelation is buying into the heart of God on the issues of the hour. Joseph had access to the secrets of God and it was said of him, “Forasmuch as God has shown you all these things, you are in another class” (Genesis 41:37-40). And he said, “But I fear God” (Genesis 39: 7-9; 42:18). So, access to revelation requires sanctification, otherwise, you will be limited to information that anybody can have.

    •For Next-Levels of Anointing: Not every anointed man is impactful. It takes fresh oil to command fresh impact (Psalm 92:10 Luke 5:37-38). If you don’t change the oil in your car, the engine will soon knock down. It is walking in the newness of life that guarantees access to fresh oil (Proverbs 1: 23; Psalm 45:7).

    •For Security of Destiny: Many great destinies in scriptures crashed for lack of sanctification. Think of Achan who saw a wedge of gold and coveted it. He took it into his tent, dug the ground and kept it there; and that ended his destiny and that of his entire family (Joshua 7:19-26).

    Channels Through Which The Holy Ghost Sanctifies Us:

    •By the Impartation of the Spirit of Holiness: This impartation could come to us directly, as we crave and thirst for Him (Luke 11:13). We can also access impartation of that Spirit through apostolic and prophetic ministries (Romans 1:11).

    •By the Revelation of the Truth: Revelation empowers for sanctification and the Holy Ghost is our access to revelation. That means He enhances our access to sanctification (John 17:17; Psalm 19:7-9; Psalm 119:9-11).

    •The Holy Ghost Releases the Spirit of Prayer and Supplications; so we can overcome all Temptations: Prayer is a channel for overcoming temptations. In Matthew 26:41, the disciples could not pray because their flesh were weak. So, the Holy Ghost empowers us on the prayer altar, so we can overcome temptations, day and night. And He also empowers us to pray the transfiguration prayer (Matthew 26:41-44; Ephesians 6: 18; Romans 8:26-27).

    Friend, the power to live a sanctified life is the preserve of those saved. You get saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are set, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, Jesus for saving me!

    Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books: Anointing For Breakthrough, Understanding The Anointing and Anointing For Exploits.

    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., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m. and 10.45 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

  • Group seeks local content in power sector

    Group seeks local content in power sector

    The Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), has called on the Federal Government to extend the local content policy to the power sector to enhance sustainable development.

    Its President, Adekunle Makinde, spoke at the Institution’s 9th International Conference and Exhibition on Power and Telecommunications (ICEPT) in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The event has as theme “Power and communications: Drivers of sustainable economic growth.”

    He said over the years, the power sector had suffered lack of sustainable development.

    He said the policy should also be extended to the telecommunications industry which has witnessed rapid growth since the sector was liberalised more than a decade ago.

    He said: “In spite of government’s efforts, the sectors have remained almost completely in the hands of foreign engineering firms. Local content incentives need to be stretched into these other industries in order to create an environment for the sustainable development of our economy. It is a well known fact that when any sector is in the hands of foreigners, they will work for their own interests first, whereas when such industries are controlled by Nigerians, they work for the interest of the nation.

    “We keep crying that there are no jobs for our children and yet we have foreigners trooping into the country to take up work that our people can do. But can you blame them if they are the ones bringing their funds. I must commend the investors in the power industry for seeing the process through

    At least, this time around Nigerian investors took the lead unlike during the telecoms bid round, where Nigerian investors played second fiddle. At least, we are learning from the mistakes of the past.”

    According to him, sustainability is an integral part of the engineering profession. “The twin-problems of climate change and the rising population numbers bring an added importance to issues of sustainability. In particular our total reliance on oil and gas does not portend good tidings for the future generations. In diversifying the economy, private sector funding has become imperative,” he added.

    Government, he noted, has taken the lead and the private sector needs to fall in line by taking a long term view because sustainability is a long term phenomenon.

    He said: “No engineering project is sustainable at the current interest rate regime. Human resources cannot be developed overnight. Those countries we seek to compete with have a long term approach to business and that is why we are often times left with the crumbs. “Thinking long term means that we need to start with a robust educational system, churning out world class engineering graduates. It means we benchmark against the world best and forget the idea of giant of Africa syndrome.

    He cited Singapore, which has a population of 4.1 million people and a per capita GDP of $21,500 while its economy is primarily based on trade, shipbuilding and repairing, oil refining, electronics, information technology, banking and finance. Compare this with Nigeria with a population of not less than 160 million people and a per capita GDP of $1,052; and to think that we started together in 1960, he said.

    “In fact, they started later than us following their ejection from Malaysia in 1965. Singapore has no natural resources. The people are its greatest resource. A well-funded National University of Singapore is ranked among the top universities globally,” he said.

    President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Mustafa Balarabe Shehu, also urged the government to make policies that will protect local industries, since other countries of the world do the same in spite of globalisation. He said policies and attitude of government encourage high mortality of industries and attendant job loss.

    He cited Ibeto Battery factory in Nnewi, transformers manufacturing company in Calabar Free Processing Zone, as local companies employing Nigerians and creating skills and expertise in them.

    The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, represented by the Director of Postal and Telecommunications, Engr. John Ayodele, said IICT would help the growth of other sectors of the economy.

     

  • Shareholders approve reinvestment of NIPP proceeds in power sector

    Shareholders approve reinvestment of NIPP proceeds in power sector

    …$1.8b earmarked for NIPP transmission

    The Federal, State, and Local Governments, which are the shareholders of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), have asked the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to reinvest the proceeds from the sales of the 10 power plants in the power sector.
    Speaking at Abuja during the induction of 308 trainees for the NAPTIN Graduate Skills Development Programme (NGSDP), the Managing Director, NDPHC), Mr. James Olutu, said: “We are already on the verge of privatizsing the power generation plants that we are building, which require manpower to man those positions that are going to be opened. What we will be able to get from this privatisation, our shareholders- the three tiers of government have approved that money be reinvested on power.”
    According to him, NDPHC is developing about 10 power plants in hydro that require the cooperation with the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Water Resources and other relevant agencies to ensure that there is over 6000 Mega Watts from hydro.
    He also revealed that the company would earmark $1.8billion for electricity transmission in view of the 16,000 mega watts projection.
    He, however, noted that “but no matter the investment you put in infrastructure, if you don’t develop the human capacity, to run or manage these machines of infrastructure, we are in danger. And that is why I said that NDPHC will continue to partner with you. We will do far more for NAPTIN than we have ever done.”
    The Director General, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Engr. Reuben Okeke, revealed that 17,000 technical staff are required to support the production of 40,000mw in the power sector.
    He added that of the 308 trainees, 219 are males while 17 are females.
    He said that the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has asked NAPTIN to increase the representation of female in the programme.
    Okeke explained that 72 of the inductees are to specialise in mechanical engineering while 236 would specialise in electrical engineering.
    Meanwhile, the Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Benjamin Dikki, said that the distribution companies are contractually obligated to reduce the aggregate technical and commercial losses.
    He also noted that the generation companies have signed an agreement with the BPE to, in the next five years, increase generation capacity by 5,000mw.
    The BPE boss said that “The power generation alone, if we are to raise additional 10,000 mega watts these private sector investors will require to raise $7.5billion.”
    Government, according to him, ” is going to monitor these obligations, and sanctions will be meted out to anyone who deviates from the contractual agreement to do so. Government reserves the right to take back these companies if they are not fulfilling their contractual obligation.

  • Why power should shift in 2015, by Ikimi

    Why power should shift in 2015, by Ikimi

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Tom Ikimi yesterday spoke on why power should shift from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the progressives in 2015.

    He spoke in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State capital yesterday, during the visit of the APC leaders to Governor Rotimi Amaechi to woo him and his supporters to the progressives camp. The governor received the APC leaders at a well attended rally by his supporters. The APC chieftains in attendance include Gen Muhammadu Buhari, Aiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Ikimi and the party spokesman Alhaji Lai Muhammed.

    Ikimi said: “APC is like an aspirin, pandol and codeine to destroy all illness. We are in the Southsouth to tell the people that the APC is ready to raise a new generation of young leaders and hand over to them”.

    Echoing the former Foreign Minister, Buhari said nothing good can come out of the ruling party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The former military leader, who recalled his interactions with prominent indigenes of Rivers State in the past, said that the state has produced many assets, including Prof. Tam David-West, who served under him as the Minister of Petroleum, when he was the military Head of State.

    He hailed Amaechi for his leadership qualities, which he said, manifested in his giant strides across the sectors. The former military leader noted that the governor has invested much resources in education and human capital development, adding that the efforts would not be in vain.

    Buhari also lauded Amaechi for his achievements in the health sector, saying that his intervention in the sector has impacted positivelyon the people.

    He spoke on the mission of the APC leaders to the state, saying that the country must be liberated from bad governance.

    Buhari said: “Nigeria is endowed. We must rescue Nigeria and position it for good governance. We must seize the opportunity to rebuild the country. We need to give education to our people. It is the best investment. I congratulate Amaechi for that”.

    “In 2015, there is going to be a great deal of hard work for Nigeria”, he added.

    The Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of Association of Local Government (ALGON) Hon Chimbiko Akarolo, reiterated members loyalty to the governor. He said: “On behalf of ALGON, we welcome the leaders of the APC. We have one leader in the governor. For this country to grow, something must give way. We must move to the path of patriotism and greatness. Wherever our governor is going, that is where we will all go.

    “The true people of Rivers are with the governor. The governor has transformed our lives. he has provided education and healthcare. We have no cause to doubt our governor. We believe in his vision, courage and sagacity”.

     

  • The new power regime

    It was the birth of a new era in power supply in Nigeria. Perhaps, this is the best way to describe what happened in the country last Friday. On that day, a flurry of activities took place across the country as new power managers assumed control of what was left of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. Namadi Sambo, the Vice-President, personally handed over 11 power distribution and five generation companies, created out of PHCN, to their private owners on behalf of the federal government. The handover ceremony was replicated in many other centres and zones across the country by several ministers and top government officials who were all bubbling with enthusiasm, hope and a sense of fulfilment.

    For me and many others, that day may not be a memorable day. The reason is not far-fetched. In the last few months, there seems to have been a striking steady power supply in some parts of the country, especially in Gemade Estate located within the precinct of Gowon Estate in Egbeda/Okunola axis of Lagos. It is not to say that residents of this estate and other adjoining places have been experiencing uninterrupted power supply all along. What makes the power supply steady and regular, as I claimed earlier, is the fact that the area in question could boast of between 12 to 16 hours supply of electricity on a good day.

    That is not to say that the erratic supply pattern has tremendously improved for that matter. In many instances, especially during the nights, power supply could become an on and off thing for more than six to eight times between the hours of 7p.m and 7a.m. The period or length of seizures varies from few minutes to longer periods. This way, you have to be constantly on your toes to put off your electric appliances every now and then or risk severe damages to them. Many a time when power is restored after each outage, what follows is high current that, more often than not, send your bulbs crashing if not together with your TV-set, microwave machine, sound system, fans and what have you.

    Anyway, between last Thursday and Friday, the area was thrown into total darkness. It was so worrisome because, being the eve of the eventual handover of PHCN to successor companies, there was this anxiety of what to expect after the handover. I made a call to a fellow resident in the estate who had always liaised with officials of PHCN on behalf of other residents to find out what the problem really was. I was shocked when he told me that PHCN officials had embarked on a strike action, preparatory to the takeover by new investors. I went further to ask him what their grievances were. He told me that though about 80 percent of them had allegedly been paid their severance entitlement, the remaining 20 percent had not, and that was why they went on strike. And they needed to do that on the very day new investors were taking over. That is strange. Could it be a bad omen or a prelude to what to expect in the days to come?

    I had resigned to fate while expecting the worst to happen. But I was surprised when, at about 5p.m that Friday, power supply was restored. Barely three hours later, we suffered yet another blackout that lasted up to an hour before power was again restored. Since then, the on and off thing have taken turn for the worse, thereby making everybody to wonder whether things can actually get any better.

    All the same, we are all eagerly awaiting a new era in power supply in the country. With the transfer now perfected, I believe the investors should move quickly and focus on the vexed issue of achieving a remarkable improvement in power supply. That is the least obligation they owe the average Nigerian who has waited all this long to witness this new era. In actual fact, Nigerians may not be prepared to listen to excuses, such as those the federal government had ceaselessly reeled out in the past. In the same vein, it will be just too early in the day for the government to suddenly go to sleep. It has a duty to ensure that its efforts translate to better power supply in the shortest possible time because Nigerians are in a hurry to see things happening the way they should be.

    For too long, Nigerians have suffered untold hardships from epileptic power supply. Not only have they been so discomforted in their daily lives, they have also continuously lost the vital ingredient so important for industrialisation and improvement in their welfare as citizens. This has, no doubt, led to the collapse of industries or lack of them with the consequent astronomic cost of living.

    Therefore, this handover represents a milestone in the country’s effort to break the jinx of poor electricity supply, which has plagued the nation all this while. This ordinarily should signify a transition from the era of national darkness to improved power supply. But if I may ask: Are the new power managers ready to meet the yearnings of Nigerians for improved power supply? This question becomes germane in view of reservations expressed in certain quarters that a few more years may be needed to achieve the required stability in power supply in the country. Again, the question is: how many years will it take us to arrive at the desired Eldorado?

    There is no gainsaying that Nigerians are obviously looking forward to a new beginning in the country’s quest for rapid industrialisation, which will help to curb the endemic unemployment problem now starring the country in the face. This is why the new operators should do everything possible to justify the implicit confidence reposed in them by the government in its determination and commitment to provide Nigerians with adequate power supply. Above all, what Nigerians expect from this privatization exercise is appreciable difference in electricity supply from now onward.

    The good news is that all labour issues with workers of the defunct PHCN have been resolved following the near completion of payment of severance, pensions and gratuities of all the 47,913 workers. It will surely help to remove inherent obstacles and ensure a smooth transition. And to achieve a hitch-free performance, the federal government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the Nigerian Gas Company and some private sector concerns, has embarked on a robust gas master plan with the specific aim of meeting the gas requirement for power supply. It is true that uninterrupted gas supply to the power plants is crucial for their effective performance. This is because the rampant incidence of shortage of gas caused by disruptions in supply had been one of the major handicaps to the optimum performance of the power plants in the country. This ugly situation should not be allowed to rear its head under the new dispensation.

    On the likelihood of hiking electricity tariff, nobody should be surprised that this issue appears to be on the front-burners of the investors who have pointedly told the National Electricity Regulatory Commission to review the current tariff upward. I think it is premature to ask for increased tariff at this point in time. What Nigerians need is an assurance that this privatization will ultimately manifest into improved power supply across the country. Once this is achieved, consumers are not likely to kick against affordable tariff.

    The truth is that there is no moral justification for an increase in tariff. Many Nigerians believe they are currently being short-changed with the criminal bills they pay without adequate power supply.  They will accept no excuse, even as they are yet to be taken to confidence on the details of the improvement they should expect from now onward. However, the optimism is that power supply will record the same kind of improvement recorded in the telecommunication sector following the arrival of private investors on the scene many years ago. In this regard, it is hoped that the present transition from one octopus public power company to multiple private providers will, sooner than later, prove to be a worthwhile venture.

  • ‘Power outage in Okitipupa helping viewing centres’

    ‘Power outage in Okitipupa helping viewing centres’

    A three-week power outage in Okitipupa, Ondo State on Saturday made football fans to besiege viewing and relaxation centres for the Nigeria/Uruguay match at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Golden Eaglets defeated the Uruguayans 2-0 in the match to qualify for the semi-finals of the competition holding in the UAE.

    A NAN correspondent who went round the city during the match reported that the residents flocked the centres in great numbers so as not to miss the game.

    Some operators of the centres, who spoke with NAN, said they made brisk business from the football fans that trooped to their centres.

    Mike Ezechukwu, a viewing centre operator, said he made more money because of the Eaglets’ match than when fans came to his centre because of European league matches.

    “I used to charge N150 before, but today (Saturday) I charged N250 and people paid, especially because it was the Eaglets’ match and the power failure in the town,’’ he said.

    Quadri Azeez, another viewing centre operator who congratulated Nigerians and the Eaglets on the victory, said he was sure of making more money during the semi-final match.

    Mrs Ayoka Ogunfunwa, who operates a relaxation centre, said many customers patronised her and she sold more alcoholic drinks than she used to sell before.

    “I was surprised to see many customers, but my son said it was because of the Nigeria/Uruguay match.

    “Although I always sell my drinks at the normal and lowest price, but this time I sold more and it was because of the match,’’ she said.

    Meanwhile, a cross-section of the football fans in the city has urged the Eaglets to continue in their fighting spirit.

    They also advised the team’s head coach, Manu Garba, to make changes when necessary for them to win the competition.

    Wasiu Aderibigbe, one of the fans who spoke to NAN, said he was very happy with the Eaglets’ victory, saying that the players exhibited good skills and team spirit.

    He then urged them to continue in the form for them to be victorious.

    “These Eaglets are good. I like their spirit and, if they continue like this, I believe they will win the competition,’’Aderibigbe said.

    Temitayo Akinkunwa also urged Garba to always make changes when necessary in subsequent matches, saying fatigue almost ruined the game against Uruguay for the Eaglets.

    NAN reports that the Eaglets, the only African country left in the competition, will now meet Sweden in the semi-finals, who they earlier drew 3-3 with.