News
Senate Urges FG To Halt TCN’s Tender For Electricity Meters
The Senate has urged the Federal Government to urgently put on hold Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)’s Tender for World Bank funded NMMP Phase 2.
The upper Chamber also called on the TCN and other stakeholders to negotiate and engage the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM) and the African Development Bank (AFDB) “for alternative funding ( loan) if “ World Bank loan conditions do not favour local economic growth at this critical time of massive unemployment and devaluation of Naira.”
The lawmakers insist that the action has become necessary in order to undertake comprehensive review of the procurement criteria with a view to to prioritize local manufacturing and assembling of prepaid meters which will in turn promote local content and capacity building for the nations economic growth .
These resolutions of the Senate were sequel to its consideration of a motion titled: “Urgent Need to Protect Local Meter Manufacturers in the ongoing National Mass Metering Programme of the Federal Government” sponsored by Senator Victor Umeh ( Anambra Central)
The Senate further enjoined the TCN to access CBN’s intervention funds for the instead of relying on foreign loans for the National Mass Metering Programme.
Senator Umeh in his lead debate, urged the Senate to note that the duty of industry procurement regulators in every developing economy, “first and foremost, is to protect its local manufacturers and would only try to augment importation of goods and services where there is a clear-cut gap between local production and consumption.”
He insisted that members of Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) are capable of producing world standard smart meters, “hence the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) under Phase 1 of the Mass Metering Programme of the Federal Government, issued the Association, after a competitive Bidding Process a ‘Letter of No Objection’ to award four million meters in 2022.”
Senator Umeh recalled that Nigerians apec bank ; CBN in 2020 funded the phase 1of the NMMP “ but after eight months of awards to local manufacturers, withdrew funding, which affected the workability of the Programme.”
His words “ Senate is also aware that the World Bank has approved a loan of One Hundred and Fifty-Five Million US Dollars only ($155,000,000.00) for the National Mass Metering Programme;
“Worried that the Ongoing World Bank funded NMMP Phase 2 seeks to promote foreign companies participation against competent and prequalified Local Meter Manufacturers will ultimately result in the loss of jobs and revenue. A deliberate policy to prioritize Local Manufacturing will catalyze job creation and economic growth;
“Informed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on behalf of the World Bank closed Bidding Advertisement on July 11, 2023 and further extended it to July 25, 2023 for the supply and installation of 1.2 million Smart Meters to the 11 Distribution Companies in Nigeria;
“Cognizant that the Bidding Criteria put in place which can only be satisfied by foreign companies have totally marginalized and eliminated the participation of the 35 Local Meter Manufacturers;
“Also cognizant that the current Bidding Criteria do not only negate some policy initiatives that will facilitate the establishment of a Local Metering Industrial Base with its impact in terms of generating employment opportunities for Nigerians, it also enables loss of revenue to the nation by granting these foreign companies additional concession of a Custom duty waiver of 45%;
“Alarmed that if the bidding process continues as it is, the outcome would be disastrous to members of the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria who have invested billions of Naira in the Sector and currently employs 10,000 workers directly and more than 30,000 workers indirectly; and
“Concerned that if the Federal Government and other stakeholders do not make urgent intervention, the ongoing World Bank funded NMMP Phase 2 would ultimately encourage foreign company participation, loss of jobs and funds, to the detriment of local manufacturers and causing economic retrogression.”
Senators who contributed in the debate
supported the motion and the prayers were adopted by the Senate.
By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
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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