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Amaechi Tasks NBA To Press For Power Concession
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has appealed to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to join hands with the state government to press for concession of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Network in favour of state control, to ensure steady power supply in the state.
Governor Amaechi made the appeal Friday when a delegation of the state branch of the Nigerian Bar Association led by the Chairman of the Port Harcourt Bar, Barrister Worgu Boms paid him a courtesy call at Government House Port Harcourt.
The governor, who expressed concern that there was much challenges in the system, told the visiting lawyers that the appeal became imperative because he had personally taken some radical steps towards the concession bid but was yet to record any breakthrough.
“The first radical step I took as it pertains to power was a letter to the federal government requesting PHCN to relinquish everything about power generation, and distribution in Rivers State”, the State Chief Executive stated as he explained that the problem with power was not the constitution but the lack of political will to take decision.
He further hinted that he and his counterparts from Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa States, which are covered by the Port Harcourt distribution centre, had also jointly fulfilled all necessary requirements requested by the Federal Ministry of Power and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to that effect.
The governor said the governors had “even gone ahead to establish a company known as The Fourth Power Nigeria Limited to handle the generation and distribution of electricity for the four states but there has been no response from the agencies”.
Governor Amaechi, who disclosed that the state has no problem with generation but distribution said that government was targeting 24-hour power supply before the end of the year, noting that the State Ministry of Power and PHCN are presently changing transformers in parts of the state capital.
The Electricity Act according to him, only permits the state government to participate in the electricity distribution network only where the federal government does not have its presence and any power facility provided by the state where such presence is, automatically belongs to the federal government without any obligation on it to refund any money to the state.
He said for instance, most of the injection stations being used in the state were built by the state government but are now the property of the federal government, asserting that Rivers and Akwa Ibom States have the capacities to run their own independent power projects.
Governor Amaechi maintained that with steady supply of electricity, security and deregulation of the petroleum sector the nation’s economy can be transformed because more investors would be attracted.
The governor used the occasion to also appeal to the lawyers to educate the public on the relevance of the state’s Social Welfare Bill before the state legislature that has attracted a lot of criticism adding that such act was needed to raise funds to augment the funding of the model secondary schools, as government plans to run a totally free education so that children of poor parents can afford quality education like the children of the rich.
Earlier, the Chairman of Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA Barr Worgu Boms, who led the delegation of the Port Harcourt, Ahoada and Isiokpo Bar, had told the governor that the delegation was at Government House to thank him for the past collaboration between the state government and the association and to offer whatever advice that would be food for thought to the government to promote good governance.
Barr Boms, who emphasized the correlation between public expectation and the relevance of regular power supply to the economy of the state and the nation, urged the state government to re-examine the electricity act and exploit available opportunities to improve power supply in the state, pointing out that the act did not prohibit any state from setting up its own power company.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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