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FG Lauds Stakeholders On Improved Power Supply

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Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola has lauded the contributions of stakeholders in the power sector to the current milestone recorded in the nation’s electricity value chain.
Fashola made the commendation at the 23rd monthly power sector meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
He said that the milestones recorded had reassured the stakeholders that they were on the right part to repositioning the sector.
“I will like to start my remarks by highlighting the progress and milestones on our journey for incremental power, which reassures us that we are on the right path.
“It inspires us to continue with more belief.
“Power generated has gone up to 7,000 MW in 2017 from 3,000 MW recorded in May 2015; transmission capacity stands at 6,900MW in 2017 from about 5,000 MW in May 2015.
“The peak distribution now averaging 5,000 MW in 2017 from 2,690MW in 2015.
“I will like to thank all of you for your contributions toward these milestones,’’ the minister said.
He said that the stakeholders, through their contributions, were impacting the lives of Nigerians, saving them money and changing their lifestyles for the better.
“ People tell me that their consumption of diesel and petrol to run generators for power has reduced and hours they run their generators have gradually reduced.
“This is the result of incremental power supply and we must get more of it.
“They also told me that they are now monitoring how they use power and are turning off appliances that are not needed,’’ Fashola said.
The minister said government and stakeholders had increased power supply in the last three months, adding that Nigerian’s experience of power supply in the dry weather was better.
“The cynics, who used to say that it is only during the rains that power improves, now see that what we have done is no fluke,’’ he said.
Fashola also thanked the Ministry of Petroleum for increased supply of gas to the power generation companies.
He said that the impact of the mini-grid regulations presented few months ago by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had begun to manifest.
“Last month in Abuja, Nigeria, through the Rural Electrification Agency, hosted a mini-grid summit that is the largest ever attended in Africa with 600 participants from about 40 countries.
“Mini-grids will help us to connect more people and boost incremental power,’’ Fashola said.
He said that efforts were on to put together a policy position to help expand the distribution network of the Distribution Companies (Discos).
This, he said, would be used for the distribution of 2,000MW currently available, but could not be distributed.
He also urged stakeholders to work harder to increase meters distribution to reduce incidents of estimated billings.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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