Business
Lawmaker Expresses Optimism Over Power Stability
A National Assembly member, Sen. Ben Ayade has expressed optimism that the power supply in the country will stabilise, in spite of the current challenges faced by the sector.
Ayade expressed the opinion in an interview with The Tide source in Abuja.
He said while Nigerians were waiting to see significant improvement in power supply, the intervention loan given by the Federal Government to power companies was a right step in the right direction.
Speaking on the concern raised by Nigerians that government should not commit funds to stabilise power since the sector had been privatised, Ayade said it was necessary.
He added that there was nothing wrong with the government assisting in stabilising power supply in the country in spite of privatisation.
“ The government cannot leave the GENCOs and DISCOs to themselves.
“In America Obama released over 800 billion dollars as bail out to put the economy on track.
“All over the world, government has business with business.
“Privatising even at this stage is even a bit early and over ambitious for Nigeria,’’ he said.
He said the DISCOs and GENCOs had underestimated the challenges inherent in what they bought, adding that some of them were facing challenges, including operational fees.
“Government cannot fold its arms and say because it is a private business, it will not support it.
“Most of the generating turbines that were purchased were very old, for some the original equipment manufacturers are almost extinct, they really have challenges.
“If all the companies go down then there will be no power,“ he said.
Ayade said he had sponsored a bill before the Senate on energy mix.
He expressed optimism that with the companies working toward full autonomy, there would be a boost in energy mix in the country.
He, however, expressed concern that the country had stranded power, adding that most of the power generated was not being transmitted.
The Federal Government had in September, announced an intervention loan of N213 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to electricity distribution and generation companies known as GENCOs and DISCOs.
This is meant to bail out the new companies which have been battling to provide consumers with stable power supply.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.