Business

BPE, NERC To Probe $1.8bn Investor Commitment

Published

11 years ago

August 18, 2014

The federal government ,through two of its key agencies, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has said it is ready to commence a forensic probe of the extent of financial commitments so far made by the new owners of the various electricity distribution companies in the country.
It said the expected forensic probe was in relation with the cumulative $1.8 billion financial commitment which the new owners of the distribution companies had made as part of their five years business expansion plans for the networks during the power assets privatisation programme.
The government noted that the measure was necessary to ensure that the new owners were meeting up with their commitments in reality and not just on papers.
Its disclosure of the intention to monitor the rate of expansion of the various electricity distribution companies came on the same day it sought partnership with states, local governments and related institutions in the development and administration of Nigeria’s electricity sector.
The government stated yesterday at the launch of the National Council on Power (NACOP) in Abuja that it was now willing to concede aspects of the development and administration of Nigeria’s electricity sector to other partners who it advised to key into ongoing reforms in the sector.
The Minister of State, for Power, Mohammed Wakil, said at the inaugural NACOP that the initiative started in 2008 but was delayed until the recent liberalisation of the electricity sector and its somewhat expunge from the federal government’s exclusive list of responsibilities.
He explained that President Jonathan had afterwards approved the constitution of NACOP, having been satisfied that Nigeria’s electricity market was mature enough to assimilate the active participation of other stakeholders in its development.
Similarly, the Director General of BPE, Benjamin Dikki, stated in an update on the status of the privatised successor companies of defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) at the summit that the government had put in place structured mechanisms to bring investors to account for their $1.8 billion five-year expansion commitments to the distribution networks.
Dikki noted that while the BPE, NERC and ministry of power embark on planned mandatory probe of investors’ commitments to upgrade the networks through agreed and specified annual investments, such mechanisms like NERC’s programmed review of electricity tariff to reflect market realities will not apply to recalcitrant distribution companies.
He said the distribution companies that fail to make its pledged financial commitment to the networks would not be granted the benefits of scheduled tariff reviews among others.
“NERC and BPE have drawn up systemic measures to check and enforce these commitments and this is in addition to structured mechanisms that exist in the market.
“The five-year total CAPEX for distribution companies is almost $1.8 billion and the investment to be made by the Discos cover the commitments they have all made in the following areas; metering (about six million meters), health, safety and environmental practices, among others.
customer interruptions due to network faults, new customer connections and network expansion as well as improving customer services and complaints handling procedures,” Dikki said.
He equally added that: “There will be no tariff review for distribution companies that fail to make investments in their networks and attain certain percentage of the Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC and C) loss figures that they submitted to us.
Also, the Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, who said in his presentation that the federal government had in its power sector reform programme, built a strong and coherent electricity market, explained that the commission was on the verge of developing a tight cyber security framework for the country’s electricity market.
Amadi noted that the measure had become necessary to safeguard market transactions in the sector, adding that without such measures, the market would remain vulnerable to potentially risky third-parties manipulations.

Rivers State Commissioner for Youth Development, Sir Owene Wonodi, presenting a starter pack to skills acquisition graduand.

Business

Agency Gives Insight Into Its Inspection, Monitoring Operations

Published

5 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Director, South South Zone National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacist Chujwuma P.Oligbu has said its thorough implementation of its core mandate of monitoring has no link with witch-hunting or fault finding as perceived at some quarters.

Oligbu, made this known when he spoke as as guest at the maiden Rivers state Supermarkets stakeholders’ Seminar/Workshop in Port Harcourt recently.

Rather, he said they were mere opportunities for education, correction and continuous improvement.

The Agency’s South South Boss, noted that Supermarket operators who maintain transparent records, cooperate during inspections, and promptly address identified gaps demonstrate professionalism and commitment to public health standard.

He listed the deserving essence of supermarket operation to include the key aspects of supermarket operation that deserves emphasis is product sourcing.

“Supermarkets must ensure that all regulated products stocked on their shelves are duly registered with NAFDAC and sourced from legitimate manufacturers or distributors”, he said .

According to him, the presence of unregistered, expired, counterfeit, or improper labelled products undermines consumer confidence and poses serious health risks.

He pointed out that such has the likelihood of exposeing supermarket operators to legal sanctions that could damage their reputation and financial stability.

The NAFDAC Operator, further enlightened the participants that mere registration of a particular product with the Federal agency do not guarantee absolute consumption safety.

“Temperature control, cleanliness, pest control, stock rotation, and proper shelving are not optional practice; they are essential components of compliance”, he said.

The South South zonal director also told the operators of supermarket that their employees rotine training on the basis of the product they display for sale is of utmost importance.

In her presentation a Breast Milk Nutrition Expert , Professor Alice Nte of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), was against the body’s prime attention to breast milk substitute or baby milk in supermarkets as well as its advertisement or promotion.

Nye jerked up the importance of mothers breast milk to the newborn baby and added that it help in fighting against childhood diseases, infections and combating cancer in breastfeeding mothers.

Meanwhile, NAFDAC Deputy Director, South – South Zone , Mrs. Riter Chujwuma educated the participants on the guidelines for global listing, and the need to adhere strictly to rules guiding global listing to avoid confiscation of their imported products.

By: King Onunwor

Business

BVN Enrolments Rise 6% To 67.8m In 2025 — NIBSS

Published

6 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said that Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolments rose by 6.8 per cent year-on-year to 67.8 million as at December 2025, up from 63.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

In a statement published on its website, NIBSS attributed the growth to stronger policy enforcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the expansion of diaspora enrolment initiatives.

According to the data, more than 4.3 million new BVNs were issued within the one-year period, underscoring the growing adoption of biometric identification as a prerequisite for accessing financial services in Nigeria.

NIBSS noted that the expansion reinforces the BVN system’s central role in Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive and digital identity framework.

Analysts linked the growth largely to regulatory measures by the CBN, particularly the directive to restrict or freeze bank accounts without both a BVN and National Identification Number (NIN), which took effect from April 2024.

The policy compelled many customers to regularise their biometric records to retain access to banking services.

Another major driver, the statement said, was the rollout of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain a BVN remotely without physical presence in the country.

The programme has been widely regarded as a milestone in integrating the diaspora into Nigeria’s formal financial system.

A five-year analysis by NIBSS showed consistent growth in BVN enrolments, rising from 51.9 million in 2021 to 56.0 million in 2022, 60.1 million in 2023, 63.5 million in 2024 and 67.8 million by December 2025. The steady increase reflects stronger compliance with biometric identity requirements and improved coverage of the national banking identity system.

However, NIBSS noted that BVN enrolments still lag the total number of active bank accounts, which exceeded 320 million as of March 2025.

The gap, it explained, is largely due to multiple bank accounts linked to single BVNs, as well as customers yet to complete enrolment, despite the progress recorded.

Business

AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has set the tone for the new year with a renewed focus on food security, unity and long-term growth of the agricultural sector.

The association announced that its General Assembly of Farmers Congress will take place from January 15 to 17, 2026 at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries, along Lugbe Airport Road, in the Federal Capital Territory.

The gathering is expected to bring together farmers, policymakers, investors and development partners to shape a fresh direction for Nigerian agriculture.

In a New Year address to members and stakeholders, AFAN president, Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi, said the congress would provide a strategic forum for reviewing past challenges and outlining practical solutions for the future.

He explained that the event would serve as a rallying point for innovation, collaboration and economic renewal within the sector.

Mudi commended farmers across the country for their determination and hard work, despite years of insecurity, climate-related pressures and economic uncertainty.

According to him, their resilience has kept food production alive and positioned agriculture as a stabilising force in the national economy.

He noted that AFAN intends to build on this strength by resetting agribusiness operations to improve productivity and sustainability.

The AFAN leader appealed to government institutions, private investors and development organisations to deepen their engagement with the association.

He stressed the need for collective action to confront persistent issues such as insecurity in farming communities, climate impacts and market instability.

He also urged members to put aside internal disputes and personal interests, encouraging cooperation and shared responsibility in pursuit of national development.

Mudi outlined key priorities that include increasing food output, expanding support for farmers at the grassroots and strengthening local manufacturing through partnerships with both domestic and international investors adding that reducing dependence on imports remains critical to protecting the economy and creating jobs.

He stated that the upcoming congress will feature the launch of AFAN’s twenty-five-year agricultural mechanisation roadmap, alongside the announcement of new partnerships designed to accelerate growth across the value chain.

Participants, he said wi also have opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange aimed at transforming agriculture into a more competitive and technology-driven sector.

As part of its modernisation drive, AFAN is further encouraging members nationwide to enrol for the newly introduced Digital ID Card.

Mudi said the initiative will improve transparency, ensure proper farmer identification and make it easier to access support programmes and services.

Reaffirming the association’s long-term goal, he said the vision of national food sufficiency by 2030 remains achievable if unity and collaboration are sustained.

He expressed optimism that with collective effort, Nigeria’s agricultural sector can overcome its challenges and deliver a more secure and prosperous future.

Lady Usendi