News

NERC Dares Senate …‘Why We Can’t Abolish Fixed Charges’

Published

10 years ago

August 14, 2015

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says it will meet the Senate soon to inform it why fixed charges cannot be abolished now.
Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi NERC made the disclosure to newsmen yesterday in Lagos.
According to Amadi, there is communication gap which needs to be filled on the electricity fixed charges.
“This is because it was the same National Assembly that legislated on the fixed charges which was embedded in the Power Reform Act.
“There is the need to visit the Senate to explain reasons why fixed charges cannot be totally abolished because it’s the responsibility of NERC to implement it.
“We believe that fixed charges are regulated, we share their concern as legislators who represent the people at their various constituencies,’’ he said.
Amadi said that NERC would discuss with the Senate to have better insight on the fixed charges which was regulated.
He added that the legislators had the right to make a resolution on fixed charges but they should be well informed about it.
The NERC chairman said that there was need to encourage investors who had invested so much in the sector to recover their funds.
It would be recalled that the Senate on August 11, directed the NERC to abolish the monthly fixed charges collected by distribution companies (DISCOs) from consumers.
It also directed NERC to ask the DISCOs to discontinue the practice of compulsory bulk metering of villages and rural communities.
The resolution followed a motion titled “Unfair Trade Practices of Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria’’, sponsored by Sen. Sam Egwu of Ebonyi State and Sen. David Umaru of Niger East Senatorial District.
The Senate accused the DISCOs of conspiracy to rip off innocent customers in spite of epileptic power supply to homes and business premises.
It urged NERC to inquire into the numerous complaints before it in line with the provisions of Section 74 (1) (b) of the Power Reform Act.
Fixed charges have been in existence since 2003 when the Federal Government introduced prepaid meters.
The fixed charges are the component of the electricity bill from which the DISCOs replace damaged or faulty distribution facilities — transformers, cables, feeders and so on, without bothering the consumer.
Initially, the fixed charge for prepaid meters increased from N225 to N500 and presently stands at N750.
There has been an outcry since the increase, prompting NERC, an independent regulatory agency to appeal for understanding.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has in Abuja pledged that his administration would ensure steady electricity supply for faster socio-economic development
Buhari stated this after being briefed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Amb. Godknows Igali.
According to the president, his administration will give the fullest possible attention to boosting power supply in Nigeria because it was convinced that steady electricity will launch the country into faster economic growth.
He said that the Federal Government had already identified the critical problems in Nigeria’s power sector and was taking appropriate actions to address them.
The president revealed that his administration had also prioritised certain measures in its action plan to boost electricity supply in Nigeria.
“The problems besetting our power sector are not difficult to identify. Therefore, priorities can be easily set in order to tackle them.
“The problems are more with transmission than generation, and we equally need to secure the power infrastructure round the country. “We will address all these issues,’’ he assured.
Igali had informed the president that power generation in Nigeria, which was 1,750megawatts (MW) in 1999, had now peaked at 4,600MW.
He added that gas was available to take generation to 5,500 MW in a short time, but that the country needed to expand its electricity infrastructure to accommodate additional power generation.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.