Business

NDPHC Develops 16 Injection Sub-Stations In N’East

Published

8 years ago

May 16, 2018

The Niger-Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has constructed and handed over 16 injection distribution sub-stations to Yola DisCo to further boost electricity supply to Nigerians in the North-East zone.
The Managing Director of NDPHC, Mr Chiedu Ugbo, disclosed this in Yola when he visited the Gov. Bindo Jibrilla of Adamawa.
Ugbo, who briefed the governor on the workings and various activities of NDPHC, said the company had also completed nine intervention electricity distribution projects across the region.
The managing director said NDPHC had been involved in developing National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in generation, transmission and distribution value chain in the country.
He also said NDPHC had also embarked on the development of solar electricity for households, adding that the company had successfully deployed about 20,000 units of solar technology in the first phase of the project.
Ugbo revealed that the completed 16 injection sub-stations, comprising 1×7.5MVA 33/11KV and the intervention projects, had been handed over to Yola DisCo to boost supply of electricity to its customers in the region.
He listed the locations of the projects to include Mubi, Numan, Jabbi, Konar, Girei, Gashua, old power house, SPY, Dumne, Dima and Tinde Laro in Adamawa.
For Yobe, he said that the projects were sited in Potiskum, Damaturu, while Taraba and Gombe had theirs in Wukari, Jalingo , Riyal and Bauchi road.
For Borno and Bauchi states, he said the projects were stationed in Bama, Biu, Gombe road, and Misau road.
He said work was, however, slowed down for security reasons for the injection sub-station in Bama.
Ugbo further listed the intervention projects to include supply and delivery of transformers and distribution materials required for reconstruction and rehabilitation of vandalised power facilities in Maiduguri.
Rehabilitation of Damaturu-Buni-Yadi Gulani 33Kv Line and replacement of damaged transformer in Guijba and Gulani in Yobe and rehabilitation of 26.5Km 33kV injection sub-station with associated 11Kv line networks at Nguru.
According to Ugbo, the company has also extended electricity supply to three communities in Song Local Government of Adamawa.
“For Bauchi, the company intervened by constructing a 33KV LT lines, supplied and installed distribution transformers in eight communities in Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro council areas.
“It also extended electricity supply to four communities in the council areas.”
Ugbo also noted that other generation, transmission and distribution projects had been completed, while some were still under construction across the country, saying that NDPHC did not have any abandoned projects in the country.
He, however, decried the non utilisation of some of the completed distribution infrastructure by some DisCos, adding that the situation was resulting in the deterioration and vandalism of the infrastructure.
“There were projects that were completed before now that were not taken over by the DisCos, but we have gone to them and said to them, we can’t leave these projects idle.
“The projects were being vandalised , some of the parts are being stolen; we need you to start using this project to supply the communities light and they have come to say yes.
“We are approaching the DisCos one by one, saying, these are the projects; accept this project, and we are also carrying out repairs on the vandalised projects and paying for securing the projects.”
Jibrilla, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Martins Babale, said it was cheery that Adamawa was part of the board of NDPHC representing the North-East.
He said the state government was committed to infrastructure development in education, health, among other sectors, for the well being of the people.
He, however, said electricity was required to boost the various developmental initiatives of the government hence the need to work with NDPHC to further develop electricity infrastructure in the state and in the region.
He urged NDPHC to develop more power infrastructure in the region, adding that it would partner the company in solar energy development.
The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that the management of NDPHC had begun the visit to board members in all the six-geo political zones to brief them on activities of the company.
The team had visited the governors representing South-East, North West and North-East on the board of the company with three more regions to visit.
One recurring remark and response from the governors and their representatives in the zones visited was a call for more projects in generation, transmission and distribution in their states and regions.

Business

Agency Gives Insight Into Its Inspection, Monitoring Operations

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

5 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