Niger Delta

UNICAL Sinks $30m On Solar Energy

Published

8 years ago

March 16, 2018

Thirty million dollars is to be spent for the construction of a solar energy project at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) by the Nigeria-German Energy Partnership to enable the institution resolve its power outage problem.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony for commencement of the electricity project at the University campus staff quarters, Consul General of Germany Herr. Ingo Herbert charged Dantata Solar Energy Limited (development/technical partners) to put in their best in the project execution so that the project could come to fruition.
Herbert stated that $30 million has been set aside by the Nigeria-German solar energy power partnership to be used for construction/take-off of 10mega watts power project at the university campus.
Coordinator for the solar energy partnership, Jeremy Gains, who spoke with journalists shortly after the ground breaking ceremony at the project site, said that the 30 million dollars will be paid from some of the monies that the university was spending for the procurement of diesel.
Gains stressed that the money that the university used to spend on diesel would now become an investment in the solar power plant.
He said, “the project is going to cost us $30 million. It will be paid for, from some of the monies that the university is spending on diesel. It means that the university is going to spend on the solar energy.
“If you look here it will go as far as the fence and the River. It is going to provide enough power for the university community, for University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and the Cross River University.
When asked if the system was going to be sustainable, he responded, “the system we will built here will run at normal hours for 25years, and it will continue, and after that the place becomes fully powered.”
Continuing, he noted that “the system is designed for the university to pay for it. When they pay it off after 7years, they will begin to enjoy free electricity.”
He said that the solar power system had been designed in a manner that it would provide constant electricity on the campus for 24 hours, 7days of the week for twenty five years, adding that the power project was not a federal government project but a project that was born out of the partnership.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu said that upon completion of the project, the institution would be ranked among the best universities in Nigeria, adding that it was a stride that could make any of the management staff to walk with his shoulders high above ones’ head.
“When the university was designed in 1975, it wasn’t designed with the use of electricity in mind but as of today football is even being played in most stadiums with the use of electricity. By then people didn’t even know how to use laptops.
“If you go round the institution you will discover that there are some bulbs that have no light. When once this project is completed all the bulbs are going to have light with the aid of these solar panels”, he said.
Akpagu stated that the institution had no any other choice than key into the partnership given the stress that it had under gone just to ensure that there was light on the campus.
He said that UNICAL procured on the average about three trucks of diesel which cost 30 million naira on monthly basis outside monies paid as bill for electricity consumption to Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC).
Earlier in his remarks, former minister of Power, Dr Lanre Babalola, lauded the management of University of Calabar for the courage and vision, adding that when the power reforms started it was all about staying in Abuja and urged other universities to borrow a leaf from the university of Calabar so as to solve the electricity problem which had been bedevilling the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

24 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.

Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.

Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.

Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.

“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.

Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

Published

24 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.

Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.

By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status

Published

24 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.

While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.

“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.

“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.

He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.

Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.

“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”

The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.

He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.

“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.

Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.

He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.

The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.

He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.