TheNewsGuru

Tag: Chambers

  • Vandalisation of transmission lines: Senate urges FG’s urgent intervention in North East as blackout persists

    Vandalisation of transmission lines: Senate urges FG’s urgent intervention in North East as blackout persists

    …demands urgent construction of the Makurdi-Jalingo 330KV transmission line

    Apparently disturbed by the incessant vandalisation of towers and transmission lines in the North East of Nigeria, the Senate on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to intervene to ameliorate the incessant power blackout in the region.

    The Senate also directed that the Federal Ministry of Power to implement the recommendations outlined in Sections 209, 210, 211, 212, and 213 of the Electricity Act 2023 to enhance the security of transmission infrastructure. Also, to collaborate with security agencies and local vigilantes in host communities of TCN transmission lines to deter and prevent acts of vandalism.

    The Senate further resolved that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Power to as a matter of urgency allocate funds to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to address the faults along the Jos-Gombe 330KV transmission line and restore power supply to affected areas, especially on all affected towers.

    Also directed the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to expedite the construction of the Makurdi-Jalingo 330KV transmission line, in alignment with the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP) and the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), to connect the North-East region to the South-East transmission network.

    The motion promoted by Senator Haruna Manu representing representing Taraba Central Senatorial District and 16 Senators listed below from the geo-political zone on Wednesday moved on the motion tagged ‘URGENT NEED FOR THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO ADDRESS THE VANDALIZATION OF TRANSMISSION LINES IN THE NORTH-EAST REGION OF NIGERIA’

    Co-Sponsors:

    Sen. David S. U Jimkuta (Taraba South)

    Sen. Isah Shaibu Lau (Taraba North)

    Sen. Abbas Aminu Iya (Adamawa Central)

    Sen. Amos Yohana (Adamawa North)

    Sen. Binos Dauda Yaroe (Adamawa South)

    Sen. Kaila Samaila Dahuwa (Bauchi North)

    Sen. Ahmed Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central)

    Sen. Shehu Buba Umar (Bauchi South)

    Sen. Goje Muhammed Danjuma (Gombe Central)

    Sen. Siyako Yaro Anthony (Gombe South)

    Sen. Dankwanmbo Ibrahim Hassan (Gombe North)

    Sen. Kaka Shehu (Borno Central)

    Sen. Monguno Muhammed Tahir (Borno North)

    Sen. Aliyu Ndumi (Borno South)

    Sen. Geidam Ibrahim (Yobe East)

    Sen. Ahmed I. Lawan (Yobe North)

    Sen. Ibrahim Muhammed Bornai (Yobe South)

    Manu submitted that “the vandalization of critical electricity transmission infrastructure poses a significant threat to the economic prosperity, public health, safety, and security of the North-East region of Nigeria;

    Noting that” recent incidents of vandalization along the Jos-Gombe 330KV transmission line have resulted in severe disruptions to power supply. This has affected millions of residents, hospitals, commercial activities, communication networks, public safety, and the overall well-being of the people in Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, and Borno States.

    And the frequent vandalization of transmission lines especially the destruction of TCN towers, not only disrupts the electricity supply in the affected states but also compromises essential services such as healthcare and education. It also exacerbates insecurity issues, and imposes a heavy financial burden on public resources for the repair and replacement of infrastructural damages.

    The indirect effects of power outages on food production further strain the food inflation of the country, impacting the availability and affordability of agricultural products, particularly in the North-East region, which is a major cultivator and producer;

    The Taraba born Senator further explained that the proposed alternative transmission line route, namely the construction of the Makurdi-Jalingo 330KV transmission line, offers a viable solution to mitigate the risks of vandalization and improve the resilience and reliability of the electrical infrastructure in the region.

    Stressing that “by investing in alternative transmission routes and enhancing security measures, we can safeguard the well-being of our communities, promote economic stability, and ensure the reliable supply of electricity for all residents and businesses.

    Rounding up Senator Manu said that” it is profitable for the nation to enhance accessibility and affordability of high-quality power supply services to support these states and their citizens;

  • Finally, Senate resumes as Visible Construction delivers chambers

    Finally, Senate resumes as Visible Construction delivers chambers

    After forty days of recess , the Senate resumes plenary Tuesday, as Visible Construction , a Subsidiary of Laralek Ultimate Group of Companies that handled renovation of chambers of the National Assembly , delivers them at the nick of time for usage .

    Both the Senate and the House of Representatives , had at the commencement of the renovation work in September 2022, relocated to temporary Chambers for plenary proceedings where the 9th National Assembly, eventually ended its session sine die .

    However , the 10th National Assembly which was inaugurated at the temporary chambers on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, impressed it upon the construction company to expeditiously complete the renovation work .

    Ten months after , the indigenous construction company is delivering the reconfigured chambers to both the Senate and the House of Representatives .

     

    The chambers which are located within the White House , were built by Arab Contractors , a foreign firm in 1997/ 1998 under the late General Sani Abacha led military government.

     

    Findings show that Visible Construction , is the first indigenous firm to be engaged in construction and renovation work at the National Assembly

    Apparently impressed with the renovation work on the Chambers by Visible Construction , some staff of the National Assembly who spoke to our reporter , expressed satisfaction with the work done .

    One of them who pleaded for anonymity, said the reconfigured Chambers , has now made National Assembly to level up with other parliaments in the world in terms of state of the arts facilities and equipments .

    ” Senators and members of the House of Representatives now have very conducive chambers for plenary proceedings “, he said .

  • We can see, talk here in court, not in my chambers, judge tells Fani-Kayode’s lawyer

    We can see, talk here in court, not in my chambers, judge tells Fani-Kayode’s lawyer

     

    Following the request of a lawyer, Mr. Norrison Quakers, SAN, defending former Minister of Aviation, Chief Fani-Kayode charged with 4.9bn money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to meet with the prosecuting counsel, Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in his chambers, the Judge has turned down the request saying the court room remains the only place where matters are to be heard and tried.

    Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday turned down the request to meet in his chambers with Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), who is defending a former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, who has been charged with N4.9bn money laundering.

    Quakers, who newly took over Fani-Kayode’s case from the ex-minister’s former lawyer, Mr. Wale Balogun, on Monday requested both an adjournment to study the case file and a meeting with the judge in his chambers to confer on some issues which could assist the court.


    “I’m coming into this matter for the first time. I was briefed yesterday (Sunday) evening. I need time to study the case.

    “That aside, I had applied to enable the prosecution counsel and me to see the judge in his chambers. It’s imperative that parties approach the court in chambers.

    “It is our duty to protect the dignity of the court. The rules allow the court to hear certain applications in the judge’s chambers. We owe it a duty to protect the court from embarrassment.

    “I have in my possession facts that will assist the court to determine whether to proceed or not,” Quakers said.

    But the lawyer for the EFCC, Mr. Nkereuwem Anana, distanced himself from the meeting with the judge saying, “I have seniors in this matter and so, I don’t think I am the proper person to come for any meeting in the chambers.

    “I said earlier that we are ready to go on and I did not ask for any adjournment; so, if there is a call for any meeting, I will not be a part of that meeting.”

    He insisted that the business of the day was for the continuation of the trial, which had started last year and that he was ready to proceed.

    Responding to Quakers’ request, however, Justice Hassan turned it down.

    “In respect of the application to meet the court in chambers, with respect to the learned Senior Advocate, this court will not oblige that request.

    “Learned senior counsel is at liberty to file a formal application and forward his observations,” the judge said.

    He, however, granted Quakers’ prayer to be given time to study the case file and adjourned till Tuesday, January 17, 2017 for continuation of trial.

    “In respect of his application for an adjournment, since the learned senior counsel has just been briefed and is appearing for the first time in this matter, and this case was adjourned for three consecutive days for trial, on grounds of fair hearing, I will oblige him an adjournment to come back tomorrow (today) for continuation of trial,” Justice Hassan said.

    Recall that the court had postponed the hearing of the case in December 2016 year to January 16, 2017.