TheNewsGuru

Tag: Electricity

  • Vandals blow up TCN towers again in Maiduguri

    Vandals blow up TCN towers again in Maiduguri

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has disclosed that the recently rebuilt T193 and T194 towers along the Damaturu-Maiduguri 330kV Single Circuit Transmission Line have been vandalised again.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports General Manager of TCN, Ndidi Mbah made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday, saying the development has thrown residents of Maiduguri and its environs in power outage.

    TCN disclosed that towers were vandalised around 10:15 pm on Tuesday, resulting in its 150MVA power transformer at Molai Substation and 330kV transmission line, supplying bulk supply to Maiduguri, tripping.

    “The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, hereby states that two of its towers, T193 and T194, along the Damaturu-Maiduguri 330kV Single Circuit Transmission Line have again been destroyed by vandals.

    “The incident, TCN believes, happened at about 10:15 pm, yesterday night, when the 150MVA power transformer at Molai Substation tripped at the same time as the 330kV transmission line supplying bulk power to Maiduguri from Damaturu Transmission Substation.

    “After the line tripping, efforts were made by TCN engineers to close the Molai-Damaturu line to enable bulk transmission of electricity, which failed repeatedly. Early today, however, TCN lines engineers along with security operatives patrolled the line and discovered that towers 193 and 194 along the 330kV transmission line were brought down using an explosive device, whose fragments are scattered at the site of the incident.

    “The area affected by this incident is Maiduguri and its environs. Two out of the towers in question are the towers affected by yesterday’s vandalism attack, which were rebuilt after that incident.

    “TCN is currently assessing the situation with a view to deciding on the best approach to ensuring the temporary restoration of the power supply while a contractor is mobilised to rebuild the two transmission towers,” the statement reads.

    Recall that on December 28, 2023, towers T193, T194 and T195 were destroyed with improvised explosives. In February 2024 alone, TCN said it recorded five incidents of facility vandalisation.

  • Unilorin VC wails over N230m monthly electricity bill

    Unilorin VC wails over N230m monthly electricity bill

    Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. Wahab Egbewole has cried out over the institution’s monthly electricity bill that has jumped from N70 million to N230 million.

    Egbewole, in an e-mail message sent to staff members and students of the university, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Monday in Ilorin, said that the new monthly electricity bill was not sustainable.

    He said that the recent hike in electricity tariffs by Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) had seriously affected the institution’s budget.

    Egbewole, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stressed the urgent need for critical re-assessment of the current electricity usage in the university.

    He appealed to both staff members and students to adopt more responsible electricity consumption habits and support the administration’s efforts to implement some cost-saving measures.

    According to the vice-chancellor, the management has intensified efforts in negotiations for alternative power supply to the university.

    He said that all the buildings under construction in the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Environmental Science, Law and Social Sciences would include provisions for alternative power sources as part of their designs.

    He added that strategies were being developed to ensure that all faculties and units were equipped with reliable alternative power options.

    Egbewole also stressed the need for safeguarding the new facilities from theft and vandalism, adding that they should be protected and maintained.

  • Unijos monthly electricity bill hits N80m

    Unijos monthly electricity bill hits N80m

    The electricity bill for the University of Jos has risen from between N20 and N30 million to N80 million, following the recent hike in electricity tariff, particularly for consumers on Band A.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, disclosed this on Tuesday, when members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the institution, led a peaceful protest to his office.

    Ishaya, who described the monthly allocation for the university as grossly inadequate, said that the management of the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED), Plc had threatened to disconnect the university from power source.

    ”We budgeted between N20 to N30 million monthly for electricity bill, but with the new tariff, JED gave us a bill of N80 million for the month of April.

    ”Unfortunately, our monthly overhead is just N14 million and we recently increased students charges to cover these essential services.

    ”But we can’t cope with this development and JEDC is already threatening to disconnect the university from power source,”he said.

    ASUU members in the university had organised the peaceful protest over the non-implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government over the years.

    Prof. Jurbe Molwus, Chairperson of ASUU in the university, represented by his vice, Prof. Kiri Jaryum, presented the union’s charter of demands to the vice chancellor.

    Molwus said that the protest was in line with the directive of its National Executive Council (NEC).

  • NDDC inaugurates electricity substation in Edo

    NDDC inaugurates electricity substation in Edo

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has inaugurated the 1x15MVA 33/11KV electricity injection substation worth N248 million at Amufi in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo.

    The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said this on Monday during the inauguration of the project.

    He said the NDDC expended N248 million on the execution of the project in line with its mandate geared towards boosting power supply and commercial activities in Amufi community and environs.

    According to Ogbuku,  the Commission is making a difference by adding value to the lives of the people of the Niger Delta, adding that series of projects had been lined up for inauguration to commemorate President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office.

    “The most compelling need for this administration has been that all abandoned projects must be completed to serve urgent need of the communities in which they are situated

    “And help in renewing hope in the people in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “This is day two of our series of projects to be commissioned. Just on Saturday, we commissioned a 12-kilometer road project in Imo state.

    “We are here to tell the world that NDDC is a blessing against the narrative that the commission was under performing.

    “The only government presence you see in some communities are projects done by NDDC. We are not in competition with state governments but to compliment what they are doing,” he said.

    The project, he said, would improve the energy requirements of Amufi and neighbouring communities by increasing productivity in businesses and artisans.

    Ogbuku assured that the road leading to the community would be re-constructed as an added incentives to ease the challenges faced by the residents.

    “I must thank the community for ensuring that the project while it was abandoned, was not vandalized. It made it easy for us to complete”.

    Sen. Neda Imasuen (LP – Edo South), lauded the gesture, adding that the importance of light cannot be over emphasised.

    Imasuen, however, decried the deplorable state of the road leading to the community and urged the Commission to fix it.

    “Everyone knows the importance of electricity and the commissioning of the substation will help boost businesses in and around the community.

    “I will also use this opportunity to appeal to the NDDC to undertake the road construction leading to this community as the road is in a deplorable condition.

    “Constructing the road will improve the quality of life of the people,” Imasuen said.

    Mr Patrick Aisowieren, the Edo Representative, NDDC Governing Board, urged the people in the benefitting community to take ownership and protect the facility.

    Also, the Head of the Community, Pa Aisenogua Egharevba, thanked NDDC and called for the rehabilitation the road access road in the area.

    For his part, Victor Antai, the Executive Director of Projects, NDDC, said the project had been tested and certified by the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).

  • Labour demands complete reversal of power sector privatisation

    Labour demands complete reversal of power sector privatisation

    The Organised Labour has demanded for the complete reversal of the power sector privatisation and recovery of all public electricity assets sold.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) made the demands while picketing the headquarters of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over hike in electricity tariff on Monday in Abuja.

    The protesting workers carried placards with inscriptions such as,’We are not generator Republic,’ IMF, World Bank, leave Nigeria Power Sector alone, “Let the poor breathe. Give us affordable and constant light, among others.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President while addressing newsmen said that the privatisation of the power sector was a ‘colossal failure’.

    NERC had recently announced hike in electricity tariff across the nation from N65/kwh to N225/Kwh.

    The organised labour had rejected the increase in the electricity tariff and therefore called for a reversal.

    According to him, Organised Labour in Nigeria demands the complete reversal of the power sector privatisation and the recovery of all public electricity assets.

    “That is which are sold cheap to largely inexperienced, technically deficient and financially challenged private investors.

    “As workers are hit hardest by the increase in electricity tariff. Unlike business people, wage earning workers cannot adjust their income when the cost of utilities are increased.

    “The stagnancy in wage amidst increases in electricity and refined petroleum products push workers over and beyond the limits of sanity and survival.

    “Small and medium scale businesses which accommodates millions of workers in the informal economy is severally affected by the increases in energy cost.

    “This have led to shutdown of business thus blooming Nigeria unemployment market,” he said.

    He therefore, said that Nigeria workers rejected the recent increase in electricity tariff and the associated upgrading and downgrading of customers from one Band to another.

    Ajaero further called on government to respect the Sept. 2021 agreement with Labour that reinforced in 2023 agreement that government must halt further increase in the tariff of public utilities until certain conditions were met.

    He said that this include the review of the privatisation exercise, de- dollarization of gas supply to electricity generation, distribution of pre paid meters to all electricity consumers in Nigeria, among others.

    The NLC president also noted that before the increase in electricity tariff, NERC would have called for a stakeholders meeting for proper consultation.

    Mr Sanusi Garba, Chairman of NERC, commended Labour for its peaceful demonstration in respect of issues affecting the power sector.

    According to him, we have taken input from your demands related to the affordability of the tariff issued by the commission, we have also listened to you and we have listened to the concerns of Nigerians.

    “I want to assure you that we will make adequate representation on the policy side on the issue of affordability of tariffs.

    “We also took note on your call for the diversification of energy sources and I will like to say that the Zukeru 700 mega watt power plant is already on,” he said.

    The organised labour also went to the Ministry of Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

  • IMF urges FG to discontinue electricity subsidy

    IMF urges FG to discontinue electricity subsidy

    The Nigerian government has been advised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to eliminate what it has described as hidden subsidies on fuel and electricity.

    In a recent report from the IMF, Nigeria was informed that subsidies are expected to consume three percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product in 2024, a notable increase from the one percent in the previous year.

    As per the report, the IMF praised the Federal Government for its decision to gradually eliminate expensive and inequitable energy subsidies. The IMF stated that this action is crucial for freeing up financial resources for development initiatives, enhancing social safety nets, and ensuring sustainable debt levels.

    IMF said, “once the safety net has been scaled up and inflation subsides, the government should tackle implicit fuel and electricity subsidies”.

    “With pump prices and tariffs below cost-recovery, implicit subsidy costs could increase to 3 per cent of GDP in 2024 from 1 per cent in 2023. These subsidies are costly and poorly targeted, with higher income groups benefiting more than the vulnerable”.

    “as inflation subsides and support for the vulnerable is ramped up, costly and untargeted fuel and electricity subsidies should be removed, while, e.g., retaining a lifeline tariff”.

  • Workers, consumers reject ‘tiny’ electricity tariff cut

    Workers, consumers reject ‘tiny’ electricity tariff cut

    … demand immediate reversal

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC), electricity workers, and consumers on Monday described as ‘tiny’ the 8.1 per cent reduction in the tariff paid by Band A customers.

    They called for a reversal of the tariff announced last month by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for Band A customers, saying there should not be segregation of electricity users.

    The House of Representatives and Center for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) Chief Executive Officer Muda Yusuf, however, described the review as a step in the right direction.

    NERC which is the regulator of the nation’s electricity sector, had in a statement yesterday directed the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) in the country to reduce Band A tariff from N225/kWh to N206.8/kWh for this month.

    The DisCos immediately started complying with the order which NERC explained was primarily informed by the stability of the Naira against foreign currencies.

    When the commission upped the tariff paid by customers on Band A feeders last month, it cited variables like the high cost of gas, prevailing exchange rate, and other macroeconomic factors as reasons.

    However, there was an uproar over the adjustments from different quarters.

    On Monday, TUC which is the umbrella body of senior workers, said pre-April tariff of N66/KWh should be restored while NERC engages with stakeholders .

  • Real reason NERC reviewed tariff for Band A to N206.8/kWh

    Real reason NERC reviewed tariff for Band A to N206.8/kWh

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Monday reviewed electricity tariff for Band A consumers to NGN206.8/ kWh.

    Following the review, NERC immediately ordered electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the country to revise tariff for Band A customers from N225/kWh to N206.80/kwh.

    According to NERC, the review is “largely driven by the relative appreciation of the Naira in the official foreign exchange window”.

    “Effective from May 6, 2024, Band A end-user tariffs have been reviewed to NGN206.8/ kWh under MYTO 2024. This is largely driven by the relative appreciation of the Naira in the official foreign exchange window,” the Commission stated.

    Recall that the National Assembly (NASS) in response to protests by electricity consumers over tariff  increase had directed the commission to intervene.

    Under the approved review, Band ‘A’ customers who were previously charged N225/Kwh are now to pay N206.80/kwh.

    The band’s customers are those who enjoy a daily supply of a minimum of 20 hours.

    DisCos comply with NERC order on reviewed electricity tariff for Band A

    Meanwhile, electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the country have complied with the new order to review tariff from N225/kWh to N206.80/kwh for Band A customers.

    Management of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed complying with the order in a notice released on Monday in Abuja.

    The notice read, ’’ We are pleased to share with you the revised tariff for our Band ‘A’ feeders,  which will decrease from N225/kwh  to N206.80 effective May 6.

    “We assure customers on our Band ‘A’ feeders of continued availability of electricity supply for 20-24 hours daily. Please note that the tariffs for Band B, C D and E remain unaffected”.

    Similarly, Ikeja Electric Distribution Company has announced reduction of electricity tariff for customers on Band A from N225/kwh to N206.80/kwh.

    This is contained in a circular issued by the management of the company on Monday in Lagos.

    According to the company, customers on band A will now pay N206.80/kwh, as against the stipulated N225/kwh ordered by NERC.

    It expressed its commitment to providing 20 to 24 hours of electricity to users under the band, while stating, however, that the tariff for customers in other categories remained the same.

    Also, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has begun the implementation of a downward review of tariff from N225/Kwh to N206.80/Kwh for Band A customers in its coverage territory.

    This review followed the directive by NERC to DisCos to review downwardly tariffs for Band A customers only.

    Mrs Busolami Tunwase, Lead, Media Relations, IBEDC, disclosed in Ota, Ogun, that the new tariff was with effect from  May 4.

    “Customers using prepaid meters will be the first to experience the revised tariff – N206.80/Kwh whenever they vend this month of May.

    “While for Post-paid customers, the revised tariff will reflect in the electricity bills to be receive at the end of May 2024,” she said.

    Tunwase said that the tariffs for band B,C,D and E remains unchanged.

    She assured the customers that IBEDC  remain unequivocally committed to ensuring quality and improved service across our franchise.

    IBEDC coverage territory include Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, and parts of Ekiti, Niger and Kogi.

  • South-South Govs meet in Yenagoa, appeal to FG on power review

    South-South Govs meet in Yenagoa, appeal to FG on power review

    Governors of the South South states under the auspices of the BRACED (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta) Commission, on Tuesday, met in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.

    The meeting, which was hosted by governor Douye Diri, had in attendance the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, the deputy governor of Delta State, Monday Onyeme and his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Senator Akon Eyakenyi.

    Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, sent two representatives to the meeting.

    In a communique read by governor Obaseki, who is the Chairman of the commission, the South-South states, lamented the persistent poor state of electricity in the region.

    The commission noted that member-states had made huge investments in the power sector by successive governments of the region and called on the power companies operating in the region to work more closely with the state governments.

    “It also called on the Federal Government to embark on a comprehensive review of the power sector, particularly with reference to transmission.

    “While commending President Bola Tinubu for approving the construction of the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar, the commission called on the Federal Government to expedite work on the East-West road.

    “It also stressed the need for member-states to develop better regional interconnectivity through road, rail, water and air systems.

    “It equally condemned the March 14 killing of 17 military officers at Okuama community in Delta State and expressed its condolences to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” it read.

    The governors also commiserated the military hierarchy and the families of the slain officers.

    They called on the Federal Government to set up a high-powered commission of inquiry to unearth what transpired to avoid such occurrences in future.

    The commission commended the Federal Government for establishment of the National Agriculture Fund and look forward to working with the agency to improve the economic development of the region, particularly in the area of agro-entrepreneurship and food sufficiency.

    The BRACED commission welcomed the ongoing efforts of member-states to promote financial literacy and skills acquisition among women and youths.

    It also commended the Bayelsa State Government on its cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNDOC) to build a peace architecture to curb crimes and prevent violence in the state and discussed modalities for the expansion of the programme.

  • Restore electricity or quit – Nasarawa Assembly tells AEDC

    Restore electricity or quit – Nasarawa Assembly tells AEDC

    The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to restore electricity to communities across the state or quit.

    The Speaker of the House, Mr Danladi Jatau, made the call when officials of AEDC and Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), appeared before the House on Tuesday in Lafia.

    He said that the invitation extended to the AEDC and NAePA was to enable them brief the House on the power blackout and outrageous bills in the state.

    “Our resolution is that AEDC is hereby given 14 days to restore normal light to communities across the State and failure to do that, we will be left with no option but to ask them to quit.

    “In their place, we will invite competent hands that will give the people of the state normal light.

    “Secondly, the Area Manager, PowerGen Interconnected Energy ltd., handling electrification project in Toto Local Government, is hereby directed to appear before the House on May 21st, 2024, to explain their role in power distribution in the area,” he said.

    The speaker commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his efforts at ensuring power supply in the state, especially through his efforts that ensured the full take-off of Akurba power sub-station, but expressed dismay that the Governor’s effort had been sabotaged.

    “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has empowered us to invite anybody on public issue for questioning, that is why we have invited you.

    “There is power blackout and outrageous bills across the state by AEDC as our people are in pains and suffering. We cannot take it any longer,” he said.

    He said that the activities of the AEDC is creating hardship and poverty to the people of the state.

    “Your company is giving our people poor services. Our people have been sleeping in darkness.

    “Our people are in pains because they are paying for light without enjoying the light,” he said.

    All members who spoke also urged the AEDC to sit up or quit the state.

    On his part, Mr Adeyemi Jonathan, the AEDC Chief Business Officer in charge of Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa, admitted that the company was not 100 per cent in replacing damaged transformers and cables among others to communities across the state.

    The Chief Business Officer assured of improvement in electricity supply to the state.

    “I want to assure you that we are ready to do our best in improving power supply across the state,” he said.

    Also speaking, Engr. Yakubu Umar, the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), said that the agency was established to ensure adequate power supply to communities across the state.

    On the allegation that he uses a transformer alone, he said that the transformer was given to him as gratification by one electricity company.

    The General Manager assured of his continued determination to do his best to improve on the situation.

    On April 23, the House  summoned the Area Manager, AEDC, to appear before it on April 30, over persistent power blackout and over billing of customers across the State.

    The House also summoned the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA) to appear before it on April  30.

    The House said the invitation was to enable them tell the House why there is persistent power blackout and outrageous billing in the State.

    The Speaker of the House gave the ultimatum after Mr Solomon Akwashiki (SDP- Lafia Central), raised the issue on the matter of public importance during the House proceedings.