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FG Seeks $4.7bn For Steady Electricity
The Federal Government needs an additional US$4.6 billion (N685bn) to invest into the power sector to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply in the country, the Minister of Power, Dr Lanre Babalola has declared during the weekend.
This is coming after $5.06bn (N762bn) special intervention fund for the sector has been spent with only 2, 900mw realised seven weeks to the expiration of the government’s 6000mw target.
The new amount, according to the minister, is needed to be invested into the ailing sector to boost the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the next three years. He said that the projected investment excludes the existing investments by the three tiers of government.
The minister said that the investment, which is through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company in the three areas are N96.7bn for 2010, N536.54bn for 2011, and N53.5 bn for 2012. He said the money will go into areas such as plant rehabilitation and construction for the 6000mw, 10,000mw as well as the overhaul of the running plant to sustain power generation.
Babalola explained that the three years proposed expenditure are prepared by the Ministry of Power, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the National Power Training Institution (NAPTIN).
Also, the Independent Power Project (IPPs) in the country is in a serious dilemma due to the inability of the over 30 licensed companies for electricity generation to come on board three years after they were licensed.
The Federal Government had, in a move to complement the epileptic power generation in the country, granted licences to about 30 independent power producers with capacity to generate 10,000mw in the last three years, but couldn’t produce anything three years after, despite several assurances.
The Administrator of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Imamuddeen Talba, revealed over the weekend that majority of the licensees are not capable of meeting their target.
Talba, who spoke at the Annual Ministerial Press Briefing by the Ministry of Power, said an assessment study was conducted by the commission and the outcome was very discouraging.
He said that of the 27 licencees, which are gas-driven plants, only one has so far signed a Gas Purchase Agreement to power its ongoing plant. “We have assessed them and we were able to identify that only few of them are serious. And the only outstanding one is the Geometrics Power Limited, which had already signed an MOU for the gas supply. We are expecting others to go ahead and do that, yet we haven’t got any of them in that respect. We cannot keep on waiting anymore.”
Talba said that the Federal Government, “in view of its desperation to get more electricity investors on board had granted licences to many applicants. As at today we have about 30 licensees; out of them about 27 are all licencees that applied to go into power generation, using gas.”
Some of the firms that were granted licences three years ago included Farm Electric Supply Limited Ota, Ogun State; ICS Power Limited, Alaoji, Abia State; Supertek Nigeria Limited, Akwete, Abia State; Ikorodu Industrial Power Limited, Ikorodu, Lagos State; Energy Company Nigeria Limited, Ikeja, Lagos State; Mabon Limited; Victoria Island, Lagos; Geometric Power Limited, Aba, Abia State; Aba Power Limited, Aba, Abia State; Westcom Technologies & Energy Services Limited, Sagamu, Ogun State; Anita Energy Limited, Agbara, Lagos State and Bresson Nigeria Limited, Magboro, Ogun State.
Others are First Independent Power Company Limited, Rivers State; Ibafo Power Station Limited, Ibafo, Ogun State; Hudson Power Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos; Shell Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd, Rivers State; Ewekoro Power Ltd, Ewekoro, Ogun State; Ikorodu Industrial Power Ltd, Ikorodu, Lagos State; Agbara Shoreline Power Limited, Agbara, Ogun State; CET Power Projects Ltd, Garki, Abuja and Index Thermal Power Ltd, Abuja.
The Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited; Nigerian Electricity Supply Corporation (Nigeria) Limited Bukuru, Plateau State; AES Nigeria Barge Limited, Apapa, Lagos; Energy Company of Nigeria (NEGRIS)
Ikorodu, Lagos State; Minaj Holdings Ltd, Enugu East LGA, Enugu State; Ibom Power Ltd, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State; Notore Power Ltd, Onne, Rivers State; Tower Power Utility Limited, Ota, Ogun State are among the licensees.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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