News

Power Supply Worsens Nationwide

Published

11 years ago

April 2, 2014

L-R: President, PHCCIMA, Engr Emeka Unachukwu, former President, PHCCIMA, Sir Godfrey Ohuobunwa and former President, FOSSCCIMA, Prince Billy Gillis Harry, during the council meeting of PHCCIMA, recently.

Power supply to states across the federation worsened in the month of March, a survey released yesterday by NOI Polls, a notable indigenous survey organisation, has revealed.
This is coming as investors in the country’s power assets attributed their poor performance during the period to gas supply constraints as a result of incessant gas pipeline vandalism perpetuated by miscreants.
The poll results revealed that the situation of power nationwide worsened in March, and stated that majority of Nigerians, 54 per cent, claimed that power had gone bad or worsened.
It said another 17 per cent revealed that they saw no difference at all, bringing the figure to a total of 71 per cent.
It said, “This month shows an all-time low rating of power, 29 per cent for those who experienced an improvement, over the 15-month period that NOI Polls has tracked improvements in household power supply nationwide.
“These are some of the key findings from the Governance Snap Poll conducted on March 24, 2014.”
It noted that the survey was conducted by NOI Polls to gauge the opinions and perceptions of Nigerians regarding the approval rating of President Goodluck Jonathan, the performance of the president on key elements of his transformation agenda, and the state of power supply in the country.
It added, “Further findings across the geo-political zones indicate that the highest proportion of respondents that reported bad/worsened power supply was from the South-West region with 66 per cent of respondents, followed by the South-South region with 59 per cent and the North East region with 58 per cent.
“Highest proportion that reported no difference at all was the North Central, 29 per cent, and those who saw slight improvements were the North-West, 28 per cent, and South-East, 30 per cent.”
When contacted to comment on why power supply had worsened despite the fact that the sector had been privatised, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Geregu Power Plc, Mr. Adeyemi Adenuga, told our correspondent that the situation was beyond privatising the sector.
He said, “Poor power supply is largely due to pipeline vandalism. As far as our gas pipelines are being vandalised by miscreants, the problem may continue.
“We are all in Nigeria and I think this issue is something outside the issue of privatisation. It is not today that it started and it has been felt by the Nigerian Gas Company and some other companies as well.”
Adenuga said until oil theft is addressed, gas pipeline vandalism may persist, as both had things in common.
He added, “The day they get the solution to oil theft, I think there will be solution to gas pipeline vandalism. However, there is no cause for alarm because they are working hard to address this issue.”
The Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power, Mr. Beks Dagogo-Jack, corroborated Adenuga’s views, and added that the Federal Government was working hard to address the situation.
“This prompted the approval of $1billion by the president to address these issues of vandalism and theft,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has concluded plans to rehabilitate about thirty dams to boost power supply in the country.
The dams, recommended by the Ministry of Water Resources, are expected to generate additional 147.60 megawatts to the existing power source.
Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, who made the disclosure in Abuja during a media briefing, said access to electricity is put at 40 per cent.
The minister, who was represented by Director, Dams and Reservoir Operations in the ministry, Dr Emmanuel Adanu, explained that while constructing dams in the past and recently for water supply and irrigation, it constituted small hydro power plants in the construction processes.
According to her, the ministry has partnered the energy sector to conduct studies on the proposed dams and engineering designs of the small hydro power schemes accompanying each of them.
She said this was to serve project activities and generate electricity to rural communities, adding that the supply of water and energy are important to achieving sustainable national development.
“In Nigeria, statistics have shown that shown that only forty per cent of the people have access to electricity, 60 per cent of the population has access to safe drinking water while access to sanitation is put at 41 per cent.
“As part of integrated river basin development, the ministry and some RBDAs while constructing dams in the 19802 s and recently for water supply and irrigation incorporated small hydro power plants to generate electricity to serve the project activities and the host of rural communities.
“Based on the collaboration between the water and energy sectors, Federal Ministry of Power conducted the feasibility studies and engineering design of some of the small hydro power schemes mentioned above for rehabilitation and concession to boost electricity supply in Nigeria.
“No nation can develop without adequate supply of water and energy. Demand for water will continue to increase significantly over the coming decades. The need for increased collaboration and cooperation between the agencies and stakeholders in the water and energy sectors cannot be over-emphasized,” she said.

News

Ibas Inaugurates RSIEC, Service Commissions, Healthcare Board In Rivers …Charges Appointees To Embrace Principles Of Service

Published

3 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged newly appointed Board members to uphold the highest standards of discipline, competence, integrity, and unwavering dedication in their service to the State.

He emphasized that such commitment is critical to stabilizing governance, restoring democratic institutions, and advancing the principles of good governance in the State.

This was contained in a statement by the Administrator’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo on Monday.

Ibas issued the charge on Monday while inaugurating the reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Administrator urged the new appointees to embrace their roles with diligence, patriotism, and a commitment to transforming Rivers State through excellent service.

Addressing the Chairman and members of RSIEC, Ibas underscored their pivotal role in ensuring credible local government elections that reflect the will of the people.

“Your task is clear but demanding: to conduct free, fair, transparent, and credible elections at the grassroots level. You must resist bias, favoritism, and external interference while restoring public confidence in the electoral process,” he stated.

“The independence of your actions is crucial to sustaining peace, stability, and grassroots governance. I urge you to act with fairness, impartiality, and professionalism—even in the face of difficult choices,” Ibas added.

The Sole Administrator also charged the Rivers State Civil Service Commission on the need to eliminate mediocrity and foster a culture of excellence through merit-based recruitment, training, and promotions.

“The civil service must transition from favoritism to competence, integrity, and accountability. Your commission will lead reforms, including digital transformation and standardized practices across ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.

He disclosed that extensive training programmes are underway, with a committee set up to overhaul the public service framework for greater efficiency.

Meanwhile, Ibas urged the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission to ensure professionalism and discipline in local government administration.

“As the closest tier of government to the people, you must drive reforms that insulate the system from politics and mediocrity. Your mandate includes merit-based recruitment, training, and enforcing standards for effective service delivery,” he stated.

In the same vein, the Administrator charged the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board with revitalizing healthcare delivery across the state’s 23 local government areas.

“Primary healthcare is the foundation of a sustainable health system. Your board must ensure facilities are adequately staffed, equipped, and operational focusing on maternal health, immunization, malaria control, and community health services,” he said.

He emphasized data-driven operations, incentives for rural health workers, and restoring the referral system to improve healthcare access.

He also assured the Board of sustained government support, including funding, for the effective discharge of their mandates but warned that board members would be held accountable for their performance.

The newly inaugurated members include: RSIEC: Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman) with Prof. Arthur Nwafor, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, and others as members.

Civil Service Commission: Dr. Livinus Bariki (Chairman), Amb. Lot Egopija, Mrs. Maeve Bestman, and others.

Local Govt. Service Commission: Mr. Isreal Amadi (Chairman), Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd), Dr. Tonye Pepple, and others.

Primary Health Care Board: Dr. Dawari George (Chairman), Dr. Chituru Adiele (Executive Director), Prof. Kaladada Korubo, and representatives from key ministries.

News

Rivers PDP Debunks Sale Of LGA Election Forms

Published

4 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Dr. Kenneth Yowika, has debunked claims that the party has commenced sale of forms for chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 23 local government areas of the state.

Yowika made the rebuttal in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, describing the publication on the social media as baseless and untrue.

He urged members of the PDP to disregard the claim, saying that official communication regarding the sale of forms would be disclosed through the appropriate channels.

“With reference to information trending on social media, it has been falsely claimed that the sale of forms for Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State will begin soon.

“However, the party has firmly denied these rumours, stating that they are baseless and untrue.

“The party has its own established methods of reaching out to its numerous supporters.

“The People’s Democratic Party, a law-abiding organisation, will patiently await the release of guidelines from the recently inaugurated Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) before considering any sale of election forms.

“The PDP is urging its members to remain calm as official communication regarding the sale of forms will be disclosed through appropriate channels,” the statement read.

Enoch Epelle

News

South-South contributes N34trn to Nigeria’s economy in 2024 – Institute

Published

5 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has stated that the South-South region contributes N34 trillion to country’s economy in 2024.

He made the remark at the South-South Zonal Banking and Finance Conference in Calabar, yesterday.

He spoke on the theme, ‘’Building An Inclusive South-South: Economic Diversification as a Catalyst For Development.’’

Olanrewaju, who quoted the data from the Cable Data Index, said the feat was more than 21 per cent of Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The president described the growth as ‘’ impressive,’’ saying that it was not driven by oil alone but significant expansions in trade, services, and the creative industries.

According to him, to fully harness this potential, coordinated financial, technological, and policy support is essential.

“As we work to reposition the South-South for broad-based prosperity, the financial system must play a central role, not merely as a source of capital, but as a catalyst for innovation, ideas incubation, and inclusive economic growth.

“This conference, therefore, provides a strategic opportunity for stakeholders to reimagine the South-South economy, not merely as a resource belt, but as a region of diverse capabilities and resilient enterprises.”

Olanrewaju added that Nigeria must move beyond old models and chart a new course for the development of the South-South region, where financial institutions and stakeholder collaborate to diversify the economy for shared prosperity.

He, however, commended Gov. Bassey Otu for his pledge of land for CIBN Secretariat in Cross River and being the first sitting governor to willingly undergo and complete the Chartered Bankers Programme.

On his part, Gov. Otu said that the conference discussion on the economic diversification in South-South region was timely against the backdrop of global trade and economic volatility that was affecting the nation’s economy.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, Otu said the South-South region must now act with urgency to diversify its economy while leveraging its shared natural endowment in agriculture and extractive resources.

“This conference must help develop tailored financial solutions that reflect the unique strengths and realities of states like Cross River in the south-south.

“Diversification should be evidence-based and must be backed not just by financial advice but project focused financing and real investment support,” he noted.

He said that Cross River had taken the bold step to invest in its agricultural sector by launching an Agro processing hub.

Otu further said that the state had invested in aviation by acquiring more aircrafts for Cally Air, construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport and injecting N18 billion in its tourism sector.

Similarly, Mr Tolefe Jibunoh, Cross River Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the region was blessed with natural resources, cultural diversities and immense human potentials.

Jibunoh, who was represented by Mr Segun Shittu, Head, Currency Control Office, CBN, Calabar, noted that strategic diversification could unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth in the region.

He added that the CBN remained steadfast to maintain monetary possibilities and promote a sound financial system as a catalyst for sustainable economic development for the benefit of all.