NEWS
Nigeria Loses $29bn Annually to Unreliable Electricity- W/Bank
The World Bank says businesses in Nigeria lose about $29bn annually
because of unreliable electricity.
The bank said solving Nigeria’s power problem will offer the nation an
opportunity to tackle long-standing challenges and boost the economy.
In its latest report, “Nigeria Development Update: Resilience through
Reforms,” the World Bank noted that the federal government has started
implementing critical actions to address the power sector
underperformance, threatening the nation’s post-pandemic recovery.
“To address the economic challenges that have arisen from the oil
price shock and COVID-19, in July 2020, the FGN launched a N23
trillion ($5.
9 billion) Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP),”the report reads.
“The NESP lays out an ambitious package of policy measures and
programs to stimulate activity and create jobs through investments in
agriculture, roads, renewables, and housing.
“But any economic recovery program will be severely challenged by
minimal access to electricity, an insufficient power supply, and a
financially unviable power sector.
“However, the focus on kick-starting the economy and the general push
to place it on a stronger and more sustainable recovery path provides
a new impetus to reforms in the sector.”
The report also noted that the national electrification project (NEP)
was launched to improve the sector’s performance and increase access
to reliable electricity across Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a critical member of the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP),
the regional market launched in 2018, which can significantly improve
the electricity supply not just in Nigeria but throughout all of West
Africa.
“By the mid-2020s, it is expected that all 14 countries in the WAPP
will be interconnected; efforts are already underway to increase the
capacity of the network and to reinforce it in order to increase
domestic supply and accrue the benefits of regional trade.”
The report advised Nigeria to improve its investment climate and
clarify the monetary and fiscal policies that incentivise private
investments in the power sector.
“Address constraints in the transmission and distribution segments and
maintenance issues in a generation; upgrade, rehabilitate, and
reinforce transmission lines,” the report added.
“Adopt a dual strategy to expand access to electricity service that
involves off-grid access solutions, such as mini-grids and solar home
systems.
“Focus on underserved rural populations and rural institutions, such
as schools, health centres, and administrative buildings as well as
rural businesses, farms, and enterprises for job creation and economic
development.”
NEWS
Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to UNGA
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)NEWS
NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
NEWS
NDDC Unveils Initiative to Enhance food Security in N’ Delta Programmes
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security and sustainable growth in the region.Chief Monday Igbuya, the Delta representative on the NDDC Board, made this pledge in a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Igbuya spoke at the inauguration of a training and empowerment programme for women and youths in livestock and agro processing in Amukpe, Sapele area of Delta. He stated that the NDDC was prioritising livestock training in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.“NDDC is focussed on implementing programmes to ensure food security and agricultural growth in multi sectors, aiming to improve living standards.“It is our belief that for socio-economic development to take place, there is need to develop manpower in the agricultural sector,” he said.Igbuya expressed confidence that training farmers would enhance livestock production, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta.Mrs Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that training farmers and entrepreneurs was essential for improving productivity and market access.“The commission has been promoting research and development through various institutions and providing farming techniques to beneficiaries,” she said.The Project Consultant, Dr Simon Akhaine, said that 200 women and youths had registered for the livestock and agro-business skill acquisition programme.According to him, the programme aims to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency in livestock farming, thereby boosting regional food security. (NAN)