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PH Consumers Condemn Increased Electricity Tariff

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Residents of Port
Harcourt, the Rivers State capital have expressed rejection of the recently announced increase in electricity tariff by the Federal Government.
Some of the residents who reacted to the issue in an interview with The Tide said the increase was no justifiable and urged Federal Government to retrace its steps in the good interest of Nigeria masses.
Mr Boniface Ogundu said, the increase coming at the present time when the focus should be how to improve electricity supply was a calculated plan against the interest of Nigerians who had been denied supply.
“I am surprised that any person could be thinking of increasing tariff in electricity at this time when the consumers are crying against a lot of anomalies in the activities of service providers.
“The issue is that the light is not there and as a result of this, socio-economic life in the country is suffering. I was expecting the government to rather focus on improving supply and possibly reducing tariff, so coming to tell me that Federal Government has been busy thinking of how to increase price of a service that is weak is pure contradiction”.
Another respondent, Chief Mike Benson, who also condemned the increament said, “what we are saying is that Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has been charging us for services not rendered. The company could not procure or install meters, instead, it embarks on crazy estimation to the detriment of innocent consumers.
“I expect the Federal Government to protect us, but for the government to now join the DISCOS against the masses is unfortunate and least expected.
But to Christopher Nwafor, a welder the increment contradicts both logic and economic principles.
“My elementary economic knowledge as we were taught said, the better the services, the more the price and vice versa. Are they telling us that electricity supply has actually improved? This is politics. I least expect this to be part of the change the APC-led Federal Government would give to Nigerians”.
Godfrey Sam, another respondent said, “the last I heard of the issue was when the House of Representatives halted the plan by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to increase tariff pending the outcome of its investigation on the power sector, particularly activities of the DISCOS, it is quite a surprise for NERC which should be a regulatory agency protecting both consumers and players to disobey the House and announce increased tariff is totally wrong and unacceptable”.
Sam urged the House to remain resolute in protecting Nigerians against such plot by NERC.
Chukwudi Amuche, in his own reaction expressed suspicion that a monstrous cartel is holding Nigerians to ransom.
Why is everything wrong with the power sector right from administration of Olusegun Obasanjo, the sector has been Nigerian’s sore point.
“Industries left this country in droves because of poor power. Last year NERC made this attempt and when members of the Man threatened strike, it was suspended. Today, they have come again. Nigerians should rise up in total rejection because, the idea has no meaning.
“What infrastructure have the DISCOs put on ground apart from what they inherited from PHCN. Are they now importing Gas from outside Nigeria. Then why the increase when poor consumers have not been provided melers?

 

Chris Oluoh

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Nigeria Loses More Crude Oil Than Some OPEC Members – Nwoko

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Nigeria’s losses due to crude oil theft has been said to be more significant than those of some other members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC).
The Chairman, Senate Ad- hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Senator Ned Nwoko, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Nwoko noted with dismay the detrimental impact of the issue, which, he said include economic damage, environmental destruction, and its impact on host communities.
According to him, the theft was not only weakening the Naira, but also depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District described the scale of the theft as staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day.
Nwoko disclosed that the ad hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft, which he chairs, recently had a two-day public hearing on the rampant theft of crude oil through illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and the systemic gaps in the regulation and surveillance of the nation’s petroleum resources.
According to him, the public hearing was a pivotal step in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the nation.
‘’Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually to crude oil theft. This is severely undermining our economy, weakening the Naira and depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social development.
‘’The scale of this theft is staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day more than some OPEC member nations produce.
‘’This criminal enterprise fuels corruption, funds illegal activities and devastates our environment through spills and pollution.
‘’The public hearing was not just another talk shop; it was a decisive platform to uncover the root causes of crude oil theft, bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
‘’It was a platform to evaluate the effectiveness of existing surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms; Identify regulatory and legislative gaps that enable these crimes to thrive.
‘’It was also to engage stakeholders, security agencies, host communities, oil companies, regulators, and experts to proffer actionable solutions; and strengthen legal frameworks to ensure stricter penalties and more efficient prosecution of offenders”, he said.
Nwoko noted that Nigeria’s survival depended

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Tap Into Offshore Oil, Gas Opportunities, SNEPCO Urges Companies

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Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) has called on Nigerian companies to position themselves strategically to take full advantage of the growing opportunities in upcoming offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
The Managing Director, SNEPCO, Ronald Adams, made the call at the 5th Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) Conference, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, last Thursday.
Adams highlighted the major projects, including Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North, and the Bonga Main Life Extension, as key areas where Nigerian businesses can grow their capacity and increase their involvement.
“Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) says Nigerian companies have a lot to benefit if they are prepared to take advantage of more opportunities in its offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
“Projects such as Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North and Bonga Main Life Extension could grow Nigerian businesses and improve their expertise if they applied themselves seriously to executing higher value contracts”, Adams stated.
Adams noted that SNEPCo pioneered Nigeria’s deepwater oil exploration with the Bonga development and has since played a key role in growing local industry capacity.
He emphasized that Nigerian businesses could expand in key areas like logistics, drilling, and the construction of vital equipment such as subsea systems, mooring units, and gas processing facilities.
The SNEPCO boss explained that since production began at the Bonga field in 2005, SNEPCo has worked closely with Nigerian contractors to build systems and develop a skilled workforce capable of delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget both in Nigeria and across West Africa.
According to him, this long-term support has enabled local firms to take on key roles in managing the Bonga Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which reached a major milestone by producing its one-billion barrel of oil on February 3, 2023.

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Administrator Assures Community Of Improved Power Supply

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The Emohua Local Government Area Administrator, Franklin Ajinwo, has pledged to improve electricity distribution in Oduoha Ogbakiri and its environs.
Ajinwo made the pledge recently while playing host in a courtesy visit to the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, in his office in Rumuakunde.
He stated that arrangements are underway to enhance available power, reduce frequent outages, and promote steady electricity supply.
The move, he said, was aimed at boosting small and medium-scale businesses in the area.
“The essence of power is not just to have light at night. It’s for those who can use it to enhance their businesses”, he said.
The Administrator, who commended the peaceful nature of Ogbakiri people, urged the Chiefs to continue in promoting peace and stability, saying “meaningful development can only thrive in a peaceful environment”.
He also charged the Chiefs to protect existing infrastructure while promising to address the challenges faced by the community.
Earlier, the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, led by HRH Eze Goodluck Mekwa Eleni Ekenta XV, expressed gratitude to the Administrator over his appointment and pledged their support to his administration.
The chiefs highlighted challenges facing the community to include incessant power outage, need for new transformers, and the completion of Community Secondary School, Oduoha.
The visit underscored the community’s expectations from the LGA administration.
With Ajinwo’s assurance of enhancing electricity distribution and promoting development, the people of Oduoha Ogbakiri said they look forward to a brighter future.

By: King Onunwor

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