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Union Tasks RSG On Contributory Pension Scheme …Hails Wike’s Development Strides

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11 years ago

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Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike (right), receiving an address from the Chairman of SPAT Limited, Mr Maxwell Anuonye, during the grand breaking of the SPATMART Centre, in Port Harcourt.

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike (right), receiving an address from the Chairman of SPAT Limited, Mr Maxwell Anuonye, during the grand breaking of the SPATMART Centre, in Port Harcourt.

The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Rivers State council, rose from its 41st State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday, and condemned the Contributory Pension Scheme, as it is operated in the State, describing it as retrogressive and anti-workers.
To this end, the union called for discontinuation of its deductions from the salaries of civil servants in the State.
The union, which made its position known on the issue among other issues in a communiqué signed by its State Chairman, Comrade O.T. Lilly-West and the Secretary, Comrade Dan Otakpo said the operation of the pension scheme in the state does not guarantee the much-desired legal framework and transparency.
The union further called for the reform of the pension scheme, noting that since pension was a future commitment, reforms remained a constant and inevitable process of development.
For this reason, the NCSU, therefore, urged the state government to assess the implication of the pension reforms with a view to correcting its defects and negative impacts.
The union, while further reviewing the events, activities and programmes of the present administration in the State, in less than 60 days of its life span, tacitly passed a vote of confidence on the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, particularly on the giant development strides recorded so far by his administration in the areas of infrastructural development including the zero potholes initiative and payment of workers’ salaries, allowances and pensions.
It also acknowledged the remarkable progress and improvements recorded by the administration at various fronts, and assured Governor Wike of the union’s support to his government’s commitment to the evolution of a modern Rivers State, where people are the primary object of governance.
The NCSU, however, decried the decline in education and training in the State Civil Service, saying, requisite education and training were necessary tools for creating the needed knowledge, skills and competence.
The union, therefore, called on government to urgently adopt a training package for all categories of civil servants in the state.
It also decried the politicisation of career jobs meant for civil servants which it said was prevalent during the immediate past administration, and urged the state government and the Head of Service to address the anomaly.
It equally criticised the way the National housing Fund (NHF) is operated in the state, adding that it has remained inaccessible both by its statutory mandate and modus operandi, stressing that by its design and structure, it might never be able to benefit most civil servants in the state.
The State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade O.T. Lilly_West, while addressing the SEC had earlier commended Governor Nyesom Wike, and appealed to him to ensure the payment of the 2014 Christmas Bonus to civil servants.
Meanwhile, the unit officers and concerned members of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board branch of the NCSU, have passed a vote of no confidence on the leadership of Comrade (Mrs) K.C. West for what they described as gross misconduct on her part.
The aggrieved members, who staged a peaceful protest with placards to the No. 14 Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt secretariat of NCSU on Thursday, accused the Comrade (Mrs) K.C. West leadership of financial misappropriation, non-holding of meetings, non-attendance to staff welfare and non-inclusiveness.
In a statement signed by Samuel Nworgu, Ezekiel S. Baekee, Frank Nke, Catherine Uzon, Alex Nwankpa, Nwankwo C.Y. and Emmanuel Egbule, they demanded the dissolution of the Comrade (Mrs) K.C. West leadership and the setting up of a five-man caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of the unit in the interim.
In a swift reaction, the Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade O.T. Lilly-West, acting, on the mandate of the SEC, set up a committee to investigate the allegations levelled against the SUBEB unit boss and report back to the union within three weeks.

 

Donatus Ebi

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Two Federal Agencies Enter Pack On Expansion, Sustainable Electricity In Niger Delta

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15 hours ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, was targeted at strengthening institutional collaboration and accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, supporting job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
Aliyu said the Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards, adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
By: King Onunwor
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Why The AI Boom May Extend The Reign Of Natural Gas 

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16 hours ago

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February 16, 2026

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Artificial intelligence is often viewed as a catalyst for electrification and subsequently decarbonization. Yet one of its most immediate effects may be the opposite of what many assume. The rapid buildout of AI infrastructure is increasing demand for reliable power, and that reality could strengthen the role of natural gas and other dispatchable energy sources for many years.
Investors focused on semiconductors and software valuations may be overlooking a key constraint. AI runs on electricity, and those electricity systems operate within physical and economic limits.
The energy sector has spent much of the past decade grappling with slow load growth. That is now changing, in a way that is reminiscent of the sharp rise in oil demand—and subsequently price—in the early 2000s.
Training large language models and operating advanced AI systems requires enormous computing resources. Hyperscale data centers are expanding rapidly, with developers requesting gigawatt-scale interconnections from utilities. In several regions, electricity demand forecasts have been revised upward after years of flat expectations.
This shift is significant because AI workloads create continuous, high-density demand rather than intermittent usage. Data centers cannot simply power down when the electricity supply becomes constrained. Reliability becomes paramount.
Wind and solar capacity continues to expand, but intermittent generation alone cannot meet the firm capacity needs of AI infrastructure without significant storage or backup generation.
Battery storage is improving, yet long-duration storage remains costly at scale. Nuclear projects face long development timelines and complex permitting hurdles. Transmission expansion also lags demand growth in many regions.
These constraints make dispatchable power sources critical. Natural gas plants can ramp quickly, operate continuously, and be deployed faster than many alternatives. As a result, gas-fired generation is increasingly viewed as a practical solution for supporting AI-driven load growth.
This does not undermine the role of renewables. In many markets, new renewable capacity is paired with gas generation to maintain grid stability. The key point is that AI-driven electrification is likely to increase fossil fuel usage in the near term.
Construction timelines favor gas-fired generation when demand rises quickly. Existing pipeline infrastructure reduces barriers to expansion. And for operators of data centers, reliability often outweighs ideological preferences. Downtime is simply too expensive.
Utilities are also revisiting resource plans as load forecasts rise. That shift may drive increased investment in transmission, grid modernization, and flexible generation assets.
The Decarbonization Story Is Complex
A common narrative holds that AI accelerates the transition away from fossil fuels because it increases electrification. The reality is more nuanced.
If electricity demand outpaces the buildout of low-carbon capacity, fossil generation may still increase in absolute terms even as renewables gain market share. Total emissions could rise, but the carbon intensity of the energy system may trend lower as cleaner sources make up a larger share of supply.
Ultimately, energy systems evolve based on engineering and economics, not just policy goals or market narratives.
Rising power demand could benefit utilities investing in transmission and generation capacity. Natural gas producers and midstream companies may see structural demand support from increased power-sector consumption. Equipment suppliers tied to grid reliability and gas turbines could also gain from the shift.
Longer term, advances in nuclear, storage, or efficiency may change the trajectory. For now, the immediate response to surging electricity demand is likely to rely on technologies that can be deployed quickly and reliably.
Artificial intelligence may reshape the economy in profound ways. One of the least appreciated consequences is that it may extend the relevance of natural gas as the world builds the energy backbone required to power the next generation of computing.
By: Robert Rapier
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Ogun To Join Oil-Producing States  ……..As NNPCL Kicks Off Commercial Oil Production At Eba

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16 hours ago

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February 16, 2026

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Ogun State is set to join the comity of oil producing states in the country following the discovery and subsequent approval of commercial oil exploration activities in the Eba oil well, in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.
A technical team from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has visited the area as preparations are in advanced stage for commencement of commercial drilling operations in the state.
The inspection followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for commercial exploration, forming part of the federal government’s efforts to deploy the required technical capacity and infrastructure for production.
Officials of NNPCL carried out the exercise alongside representatives of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and national security agencies to evaluate the site and confirm its readiness for drilling activities.
The delegation was led by Project Coordinator for Enserv, Hussein Aliyu, who headed the NNPCL Enserv technical team.
Other members included Wasiu Adeniyi, Onwugba Kelechi, Engr. Rabiu M. Audu, Ojonoka Braimah, Ahmad Usman, Akinbosola Oluwaseyi, Salisu Nuhu, James Amezhinim, Yusuf Abdul-Azeez, Amararu Isukul and Livinus J. Kigbu.
Speaking, Governor Dapo Abiodun, described the development as a landmark achievement for Ogun State, saying “the commencement of drilling at Eba would stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and attract increased federal presence to the state’s coastal communities.
Abiodun also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his support toward the development of frontier oil basins and the equitable spread of the nation’s energy resources.
Recall that geological reports had earlier confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons within the Ogun Waterside axis, leading to preliminary surveys and technical engagements by NNPCL.
The Ogun State Government also carried out an independent verification of the oil well’s coordinates, affirming the discovery is located within the state’s boundaries.
To secure the project, naval security personnel have been deployed to the site for over 18 months, with the support of the Ogun State Government, to protect the facility and its environs.
The Eba oil well is regarded as part of Nigeria’s strategic move to expand oil production beyond the Niger Delta region.
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