NEWS
Minister Reterates FG’s Commitment to Prioritise Electricity in 2024
The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has reassured Nigerians of his ministry’s commitment to prioritize electricity supply in the country in 2024.
He said that this was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s electricity turnaround agenda in his New year message.
Mr Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy to the Minister of Power, said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.
Tunji quoted the minister as saying that the ministry, agencies and Electricity Distribution Company (DisCos) worked tirelessly during the yuletide to enhance power supply, adding that it was a positive improvement.
”In recognising the critical role of electricity in economic growth, the initial three months of my assumption of office I focused on diagnosis, stakeholders’ consultation, and strategy formulation.
”With a well-documented implementation plan, it is now time to take decisive action.
“Our primary focus is enhancing distribution and transmission infrastructure to minimise technical and commercial losses,” he said.
The minister said that the lack of liquidity continues to be a significant challenge in the electricity market.
According to him, the ministry is currently reviewing the implementation process of a cost reflective tariff, while government will continue to subsidise power supply to those that are vulnerable in our society.
”Closing the meter gap is imperative, and ongoing initiatives, including World Bank programmes and the Presidential Metering Initiatives, will gain momentum.
”The ministry will intervene in distribution infrastructure, supplying transformers to communities without burdening citizens financially,” he said.
Adelabu also said that rural electrification would remain a priority, with plans for solar-powered mini and micro grids and street lights while collaborating closely with DisCos and State Electricity Boards,
He said “our efforts will align with local needs.
Adelabu said that in order to improve the transmission infrastructure the Federal Government have reactivated the Presidential Power Initiative Siemens Project which would strengthen the national grid, and minimise technical losses.
”We will also be implementing the Eastern and Western super grid projects to strengthen the grid and increase electricity supply to demand centres in the country.
”The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) will be reconstituted in the short term, separating transmission services from system and market operations in the first quarter of 2024.
”In the medium- to long-term the transmission grid will be separated into regional grids for effective management,” he said.
According to him, generating at installed capacity is a goal for government-owned plants, while private companies are encouraged to invest further.
He said that off-grid and distributed generation, utilising renewables, would be a focal point, adding that solar Photovoltaic (PV) plants, small hydro plants, and wind farms will be strategically deployed.
Speaking on power theft, the minister said that tackling the issue and vandalism is paramount.
He said that this was a national responsibility and requires joint efforts to protect the assets.
Adelabu said that the ministry had already informed the National Security Adviser (NSA) of recorded cases, adding that collective action was essential to eliminate these setbacks. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The Tiv Area Traditional Council during its emergency meeting held yesterday in the palace of the Tor Tiv in Gboko requested the Governor Hyacinth Alia led administration to create an enabling environment to allow herders’ peaceful exit of farmlands in Tiv Kingdom to facilitate resumption of farming activities.
Consequently, the Council directs political and traditional rulers in each local government area of Tiv Kingdom to peacefully engage the herders to ensure their exit from the local government areas to allow farming resumes.
The Council which was chaired by the Tor Tiv himself, HRM Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse CFR equally appealed to all herders in Tiv Kingdom in Benue State to vacate all Tiv lands before the end of May 2025 to allow farmers return and cultivate their farms in order to avoid the looming hunger in Nigeria.
According to a Communique signed by the Secretary of the Council Mr Shinyi Tyozua which deliberated particularly on the security situation in Tiv Kingdom the Council enumerated the communities worst affected to include those in Kwande, Katsina Ala, Logo, Ukum, Guma, Makurdi, Gwer West Gwer East and Buruku Local Government Areas.
The Council lamented that farming activities in the kingdom have ceased due to the occupation of farmlands by herders for grazing and attacks and killings of farmers who fled stressing that if the situation continues it will ultimately result to hunger in Tiv Kingdom and Nigeria as a whole.
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Chairman, Senate Services, Sen. Steve Karimi has expressed concern over the spiraling insecurity in the country, which has threatened and diminishes the “good work” done by the administration of President Bola Tinubu in the last two years.
Karimi in an interview with DAILY ASSET cited the resurgence of killings across the Federation, especially in states like Benue, Plateau, Kogi, banditry in the North-West and the renewed attacks by Boko Haram in the North-East, saying they must be investigated immediately. “This rise in insecurity is all over the country; on all sides, even in the North-East, there is the resurgence of Boko Haram; at some point, everything became calm, but now they are coming back.“Check other parts of the country, there is kidnapping now on the rise again, whether in the South-West, South-South or South-East; it is happening all over the place.“Almost on a daily basis, there is one reported incident of banditry or another in the North-West.“I consider this resurgence an attempt by desperate groups and individuals to discredit the good work this government of President Bola Tinubu has done in the last two years, especially now that talks about 2027 elections have started”, Sen. Karimi said in a statement in Abuja.Karimi, who represents Kogi-West Senatorial District, commended security agencies for the sacrifices they had made so far in service to their fatherland to guarantee the safety of lives and property across the states.However, the lawmaker called on heads of the agencies to confront the new challenge squarely by thoroughly investigating the factors responsible for the “regrettable development” and proffer urgent responses.“This government worked so hard over the last two years to contain the porous security situation it inherited, including the scaling up of the defence and security budget.“At the National Assembly, there has been collaboration to ensure that the targets of the government are met through the existing Legislative-Executive harmony, which is to guarantee safety for all Nigerians.“This was achieved at some point. Unfortunately, there is this sudden resurgence, which is threatening to spoil the President’s records. I suspect sabotage that calls for immediate investigation”, Karimi added.The senator’s intervention came amid plans by the Senate to convene a National Security Summit as an expression of further legislative response to the renewed security challenges.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Hon. Olatunbosun Tijani has disclosed that the federal government is set to convert the famous Joseph Gomwalk House Jos into a national outsourcing job hub in the country.Tijani during his inspection visit in Jos the Plateau State capital said installation of fibre cables and renovation works is expected to be completed in six months to come, adding that the centre is going to provide proper technical training for young people in the North Central region of Nigeria.
In his words, “As you know, we’re an extremely youthful country about 70% of our population is under the age of 30. For us, it’s a priority to ensure that we provide meaningful job opportunities for these young people.”While we’ve done extremely well with our 3 Million Technical Talent program, which focuses on training 3 million young people across the country, it’s also important that we find avenues to help them secure jobs. That’s why we’re in conversation with the governor of Plateau State, it’s one of the states we’re focusing on to see how we can accelerate the introduction of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) jobs here.”Companies all over the world are looking to outsource job opportunities. Historically, they’ve done this with countries like India. But Nigeria actually has an advantage, we speak better English and we’re well-positioned to handle many of these jobs. That’s the direction we’re heading in,” he explainedTijani noted thus, “the goal of today’s visit is to assess the possibility of converting this historic building, the Standard Building, into one of the headquarters for BPO in the country. Our aim is to work with the state government to refurbish the building and then engage with companies that hire young people for BPO work.”Let me be clear, Plateau is not the only state we’re focusing on, we’re implementing this in a number of states. The federal government’s goal is to ensure that our programs reach everyone, everywhere.”Plateau State is unique, it stands out because education here is strong, the people are hardworking, and they speak high-quality English, an essential requirement for BPO jobs. Importantly, the governor is also forward-thinking. He’s been actively engaging with us to make this a reality in Plateau State, and we appreciate that kind of leadership.” He statedThe Minister commended the landmark development recorded in the state within the shortest possible time. “The structures on the Plateau under the Time administration are impressive. The governor is clearly committed to restoring Plateau’s glory, and that’s exactly what we need. This state has so much to contribute to national development.The Commissioner for information and communication Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap who accompanied the Minister on the inspection visit noted that the Plateau state government will continue to create an enabling environment for remarkable investment as they work closely with the federal government in the interest of Plateau people and the country at large.
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