News
‘Renewable Energy Can Save Nigeria N5trn Yearly’
Nigerians can save a whopping N5trillion every year if renewable technology is deployed across the country.
Speaking to newsmen, at the weekend, President of Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), Dr Segun Adaju, said that going by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) report that Nigerians spend $14billion fuelling their generators, it means therefore that if renewable energy solutions is deployed across the country, Nigerians will save over N5trillion using today’s exchange rate.
“CBN reports said that Nigerians spend $14billion fuelling their generators. Using today’s exchange rate, if we deploy renewable energy solutions, Nigerians can save N5trillion every year”, he said.
On the N5million facility the Federal Government promised the operators of renewable energy, Adaju said that none of the members of the association has accessed the fund.
“In respect of N5million connection facility that the government has put in place, yes, it is a very good initiative. We know it is good for the industry. We are also aware that many of our members are interested in being part of that scheme.
“As regards whether our members have benefited, we haven’t made much progress. We are still in the process and we haven’t heard from anyone of us that has benefited from it. But we will keep pushing on the terms and conditions that are stated.
“The scheme is powered by Rural Electrification Agency (REA). REA has set criteria in that space. They have set criteria for Nigerian Electrification Project (NEP) funded by World Bank. So, it makes some sense to ride on the existing framework. So, being listed on the NEP is a condition to benefit on that scheme. Very few of our members are embarking to get on that project”, he said.
Adaju, however, regretted that foreign companies are infiltrating the industry and taking away their jobs due to their capacity to access huge finance from their governments.
“Panels which were duty-free in Nigeria now attract up to 20 per cent tax”, he lamented, saying that the increase in tax has greatly impacted on the cost of deployment.
“It increases the cost. That is one of the advantages the foreign companies have. Most of these foreign companies have incentives from their governments wherever they operate. These incentives are not applicable in Nigeria. So, companies have tax holidays. They have incentives to go renewables. In Nigeria, there is no incentive to start up renewable companies in Nigeria. So, it is affecting the ultimate price and cost. It is also affecting affordability.
“In terms of affordability, I will say that renewable energy technology is becoming more affordable”, he said.
News
Mba Seeks Closer Synergy To Check Road Accidents
Worried over the high rate of accidents on Nigerian roads, resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of people, the Governor of Enugu State, Barr Peter Mbah, has called for closer synergy and cooperation among security agencies to check the ugly trend and ensure safety on all the roads within the country.
Governor Mbah, made the call in an address at the Graduation Ceremony of Senior Course 2 of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Command and Staff College, Udi near Enugu.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Chief Aka Eze Aka, governor Mbah noted that closer security and intelligence sharing on incidents on roads within the country by various security formations and agencies both military and para-military would lead to greater security and safety of lives and property on roads.
He stated that the state government had keyed into the FRSC vision of reduction in road crashes and fatalities, adding that it had equipped the state traffic officers with the same set targets.
“As an administration, we are making all efforts to fix and improve on all roads and road infrastructure within the state; while we are calling on the Federal Government to do the same.
“Our partnership with the FRSC for training and retraining of our road traffic officers will continue and be strengthened so that as a state it will also build its own capacity to deal with road traffic issues and challenges,” he said.
Governor Mbah, however, congratulated the graduating participants of the course, while commending the FRSC management for being in the forefront of raising the standard and quality of its staff.
According to him, “my administration will continue to partner with the FRSC and strengthen existing engagements of mutual benefits”.
Earlier, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, said that the event was significant to the Corps as it marked its commitment to continuously improve its educational and operational standard and capacity.
Biu, represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) Bisi Kazeem, who is in-charge of FRSC Training, said that the Corps was building resiliency and increasing its service delivery capacity by equipping its officers with quality and international standard training.
By: Canice Amadi Enugu
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
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