News
NERC Dares Senate …‘Why We Can’t Abolish Fixed Charges’
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.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
-
News15 hours ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics3 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News3 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News16 hours ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports3 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics3 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics3 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Politics3 days agoOtu Vows To Recall Indolent, Arrogant Cross River Legislators