News
New Power Tariff: Reps Summon Nnaji, Others
The House of Representatives yesterday summoned the Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, and Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi, over the planned increase in electricity tariff.
The duo are expected to appear before the House Committee on Power to explain the rationale behind the planned increase in the electricity tariff.
The committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks.
The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Rep. Yakub Balogun (ACN-Lagos) which was unanimously adopted.
Citing Standing Order 8, Rule 46, on matter of urgent public importance, Balogun drew the attention of the House to the planned increase in electricity tariff.
He said that the increase would bring untold hardship on consumers in the country, in spite of the irregular power supply.
Our correspondent recalls that on May 12, Amadi at a meeting in Abuja with electricity generation companies, said that the new electricity tariff would commence on June 1.
He said that the new tariff, tagged: “Multi-Year-Tariff-Order’’, would not affect the low income earners and will attract more investors, because it would lead to increase in power generation.
Earlier, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said that there was the need to invite the minister to brief the committee on power on why the increase in electricity tariff.
In another motion, the House mandated the Committee on Finance to investigate the insurance of Federal Government assets and property.
The committee is expected to submit its report within three weeks.
The resolution emanated from a motion by Rep. Abdulrahman Terab (ANPP-Borno), which was unanimously adopted.
Terab noted that huge amount of funds were committed to various kinds of insurance policies through appropriation.
He observed that most of the subheads on insurance policies did not define the particular policies intended.
He stressed that in spite of the huge records of accidents and loss of government property, very few cases of claim settlement had been established.
The House as also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to visit windstorm affected areas in Zamfara to assess the damage and provide relief materials to the affected communities.
A delegation of the House will also visit the affected areas to commiserate with government and people of the state.
This emanated from a motion by Rep. Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau (PDP-Zamfara) which was unanimously adopted.
Gusau said that windstorm affected three local councils, killing 10 people and destroying 20 villages as well as economic trees.
He said that the affected people were currently living in make-shift accommodation provided by the state and local council governments.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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