The President of the Senate, Ahmad
Lawan, yesterday lamented over the terribly poor electricity supply in the
country despite the privatization of the sector and urged the Federal
Government to suspend the planned increase in electricity tariff scheduled to
take effect from July 1, 2020 so as not to escalate the hardship Nigerians are
currently suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lawan, yesterday lamented over the terribly poor electricity supply in the
country despite the privatization of the sector and urged the Federal
Government to suspend the planned increase in electricity tariff scheduled to
take effect from July 1, 2020 so as not to escalate the hardship Nigerians are
currently suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted; our committee needs to
investigate the trillions spent in the power sector. That is a lot of money.
Try and find out what has happened so far. Government needs to look at this
whole thing. Maybe government is not doing its own part. We need to find out.
There is lack of capital. We feel very bad. There is no electricity and the
country is suffering.
investigate the trillions spent in the power sector. That is a lot of money.
Try and find out what has happened so far. Government needs to look at this
whole thing. Maybe government is not doing its own part. We need to find out.
There is lack of capital. We feel very bad. There is no electricity and the
country is suffering.
Adopting a motion supported by the
chairman of the Senate Power Committee, Gabriel Suswam, the Upper Chamber
reported that, if privatization of the power sector is not reversed, Nigeria
may cease to have electricity in the next 10 years.
chairman of the Senate Power Committee, Gabriel Suswam, the Upper Chamber
reported that, if privatization of the power sector is not reversed, Nigeria
may cease to have electricity in the next 10 years.
Lawan, who presided over yesterday’s
plenary session said: We gave power to them (power generation and distribution
companies) and they still come to the public to ask for funds. I think it’s
time for Nigeria to consider reversing the privatization of the power sector or
they should just cancel the entire privatization process completely. If we
leave it, we may not have power for another ten years.
plenary session said: We gave power to them (power generation and distribution
companies) and they still come to the public to ask for funds. I think it’s
time for Nigeria to consider reversing the privatization of the power sector or
they should just cancel the entire privatization process completely. If we
leave it, we may not have power for another ten years.
We expected efficiency and something
better. The distribution companies have no capacity to supply us power. We
shouldn’t continue to give them money. They’re private businesses. We need to
review this whole thing. Something is wrong.
better. The distribution companies have no capacity to supply us power. We
shouldn’t continue to give them money. They’re private businesses. We need to
review this whole thing. Something is wrong.
The Senate also mandated its committee
on power to investigate all Federal Government’s interventions in the power
sector since the privatization to date with a view to ascertaining the adequacy
of such interventions and their desired impact, and to report back within four
weeks.
on power to investigate all Federal Government’s interventions in the power
sector since the privatization to date with a view to ascertaining the adequacy
of such interventions and their desired impact, and to report back within four
weeks.
The committee was charged to
investigate all market participants in the power value chain and ascertain the
level of corporate governance compliance in the Nigerian Electricity Supply
Industry (NESI) and to report back within four weeks. The Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) was urged to allow operators in the power sector access to
foreign exchange for the procurement of equipment and materials as it is done
in the aviation and oil industries.
investigate all market participants in the power value chain and ascertain the
level of corporate governance compliance in the Nigerian Electricity Supply
Industry (NESI) and to report back within four weeks. The Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) was urged to allow operators in the power sector access to
foreign exchange for the procurement of equipment and materials as it is done
in the aviation and oil industries.
The upper legislative chamber urged
the Federal Government to consider additional tariff support to cushion the
effect of rate shock over a fixed period to allow time required for the
Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the distribution companies to access
funds to implement performance improvement investments that will benefit
customers especially during the pandemic.
the Federal Government to consider additional tariff support to cushion the
effect of rate shock over a fixed period to allow time required for the
Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the distribution companies to access
funds to implement performance improvement investments that will benefit
customers especially during the pandemic.
The lawmakers commended the Federal
Government “for the proactive initiative to establish the N1.7trillion COVID-19
Crisis Intervention Fund to cater for issues that are critical to the effective
management of the pandemic and to stimulate a gradual return to normal
socio-economic activities in the country.”
Government “for the proactive initiative to establish the N1.7trillion COVID-19
Crisis Intervention Fund to cater for issues that are critical to the effective
management of the pandemic and to stimulate a gradual return to normal
socio-economic activities in the country.”
They urged the Federal Government
through the Federal Ministry of Finance to include the power sector in the
disbursement of the proposed N500billion COVlD-19 Crisis Intervention Fund in
order to ameliorate the financial hazards and operational challenges such as
the enumeration of metering of actual consumers and other recent problems
caused by the pandemic.
through the Federal Ministry of Finance to include the power sector in the
disbursement of the proposed N500billion COVlD-19 Crisis Intervention Fund in
order to ameliorate the financial hazards and operational challenges such as
the enumeration of metering of actual consumers and other recent problems
caused by the pandemic.
Defending his motion earlier, Suswam said
it was alarming that the COVID -19 pandemic had further impacted negatively on
the NESI as the Discos reported 50 per cent loss of average monthly revenue
collection for the months of March and April.
it was alarming that the COVID -19 pandemic had further impacted negatively on
the NESI as the Discos reported 50 per cent loss of average monthly revenue
collection for the months of March and April.
If the negative impact of COVID-19 on
NESI continues without any emergency financial intervention from the Federal
Government, DisCos already facing dwindling revenues in the wake of the
pandemic may not be able to meet their remittance obligations to the market as
set by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in December, 2019
Tariff Order. This will also affect the financial obligations of the TCN which
is expected to have a cost reflective tariff change of N3.7/kWh to N8.3/kWh by
1st July, 2020, he declared.
NESI continues without any emergency financial intervention from the Federal
Government, DisCos already facing dwindling revenues in the wake of the
pandemic may not be able to meet their remittance obligations to the market as
set by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in December, 2019
Tariff Order. This will also affect the financial obligations of the TCN which
is expected to have a cost reflective tariff change of N3.7/kWh to N8.3/kWh by
1st July, 2020, he declared.
Also yesterday, the Senate urged the
Federal Government to as a matter of urgency expedite action towards the
completion of the Ajaokuta steel plant.
Federal Government to as a matter of urgency expedite action towards the
completion of the Ajaokuta steel plant.
Adopting another motion sponsored by
Yakubu Useni (Kogi Central), the chamber urged the committee on the
implementation of the project to ensure that all issues surrounding the
operation of Ajaokuta steel projects are resolved.
Yakubu Useni (Kogi Central), the chamber urged the committee on the
implementation of the project to ensure that all issues surrounding the
operation of Ajaokuta steel projects are resolved.
To strengthen the nation’s economy,the
Senate yesterday began an amendment to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry
Content Development Act 2010 following the consideration of a bill seeking to
boost local content.
Senate yesterday began an amendment to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry
Content Development Act 2010 following the consideration of a bill seeking to
boost local content.
Sponsored by Teslim Folarin (APC – Oyo
Central), the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill 2020
scaled second reading on Tuesday.
Central), the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill 2020
scaled second reading on Tuesday.
The lawmaker, in his lead debate on
the bill, said it sought to amend 38 sections of the extant Act while
introducing six new sections. According to him, the bill will bring the
provisions of the sections to be amended into congruence with industry best
practices.
the bill, said it sought to amend 38 sections of the extant Act while
introducing six new sections. According to him, the bill will bring the
provisions of the sections to be amended into congruence with industry best
practices.
Folarin said the bill meant to create
a regulatory mechanism to monitor and enforce compliance by industry players would
domesticate a substantial part of oil and gas exploration and production
activities within Nigeria.
a regulatory mechanism to monitor and enforce compliance by industry players would
domesticate a substantial part of oil and gas exploration and production
activities within Nigeria.
You will recall that before this Act
came into force in 2019, over ninety percent of the $20 billion spent yearly in
the Nigerian oil and gas industry was repatriated abroad. This was because a
large chunk of the contracts were executed by foreign companies and in foreign
facilities. With only few indigenous players and facilities participating in
the contracting process in the industry, Nigerian content was less than five
percent, he lamented.
came into force in 2019, over ninety percent of the $20 billion spent yearly in
the Nigerian oil and gas industry was repatriated abroad. This was because a
large chunk of the contracts were executed by foreign companies and in foreign
facilities. With only few indigenous players and facilities participating in
the contracting process in the industry, Nigerian content was less than five
percent, he lamented.
On insecurity in the country, the
Senate appealed to President Buhari to expand his recent order of a major
military operation to sweep bandits and kidnappers out of Katsina State to
include Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger and Sokoto and any other surrounding states
where the armed bandits may want to seek a safe haven following the massive
operation.
Senate appealed to President Buhari to expand his recent order of a major
military operation to sweep bandits and kidnappers out of Katsina State to
include Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger and Sokoto and any other surrounding states
where the armed bandits may want to seek a safe haven following the massive
operation.
The lawmakers called on the military
formations and the Nigeria Police to increase their surveillance to track
movements by these armed bandits to prevent them from accessing any safe haven.
formations and the Nigeria Police to increase their surveillance to track
movements by these armed bandits to prevent them from accessing any safe haven.
The resolutions were sequel to a
motion considered on the floor on the need to integrate adjoining states of
Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kebbi and Sokoto states in the military onslaught
against the bandits
motion considered on the floor on the need to integrate adjoining states of
Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kebbi and Sokoto states in the military onslaught
against the bandits
In the motion sponsored by Aliyu Sabi
Abdullahi (APC – Niger North), he recalled that the Senate had last week
Tuesday considered two separate motions on the need for the Federal Government
to immediately address the growing spate of banditry in Niger and Kataina
states.
Abdullahi (APC – Niger North), he recalled that the Senate had last week
Tuesday considered two separate motions on the need for the Federal Government
to immediately address the growing spate of banditry in Niger and Kataina
states.
Abdullahi said: The criminalities by
these armed bandits and kidnappers are carried out mostly under the cover of
the contagious forests reserves and areas stretching from Katsina, Zamfara,
Kaduna and Niger states with pockets of safe havens in Kebbi and Asokoro.
these armed bandits and kidnappers are carried out mostly under the cover of
the contagious forests reserves and areas stretching from Katsina, Zamfara,
Kaduna and Niger states with pockets of safe havens in Kebbi and Asokoro.
A major offensive in Katsina State
alone is likely to make the armed bandits and kidnappers seek a safer haven in
Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger states which host the Zurmi and Kamuku forests, among
others, further compounding the plight of hapless and poor communities along
these forest corridors.
alone is likely to make the armed bandits and kidnappers seek a safer haven in
Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger states which host the Zurmi and Kamuku forests, among
others, further compounding the plight of hapless and poor communities along
these forest corridors.
Similarly, the Senate was informed
yesterday that Nigerians were at the mercy of Nigerien Army for protection
against banditry in Sokoto.
yesterday that Nigerians were at the mercy of Nigerien Army for protection
against banditry in Sokoto.
Ibrahim Gobir (APC Sokoto East), who
made the damning revelation at the commencement of Senate plenary session,
further told his colleagues that more than 300 persons had been killed or
kidnapped in the last three months by bandits in Sokoto.
made the damning revelation at the commencement of Senate plenary session,
further told his colleagues that more than 300 persons had been killed or
kidnapped in the last three months by bandits in Sokoto.
The Senate was stunned by yet another
revelation that more than 5000 persons had already migrated from Sokoto to
Niger Republic for protection.
revelation that more than 5000 persons had already migrated from Sokoto to
Niger Republic for protection.
Worried by the revelations, the Senate
charged President Buhari to review the fight against the bandits with a view to
taking very urgent military actions against the criminals.
charged President Buhari to review the fight against the bandits with a view to
taking very urgent military actions against the criminals.
Gobir, who made the revelation while
seconding and contributing to a motion on urgent military action against
banditry in the country, said the Sokoto incidents were worse than what
happened in other parts of the country.
seconding and contributing to a motion on urgent military action against
banditry in the country, said the Sokoto incidents were worse than what
happened in other parts of the country.
The situation in Sokoto East, as far
as armed banditry is concerned, is pathetic and tragic because it is only
Nigerien Army that had been coming to their rescue while the Nigerian Army
looks the other way.
as armed banditry is concerned, is pathetic and tragic because it is only
Nigerien Army that had been coming to their rescue while the Nigerian Army
looks the other way.
In fact, based on very reliable and
verifiable information from the area, many times that the people of the
affected areas called on the Nigerian Army for help and protection against the
bandits, there was no response,” the lawmaker alleged.
verifiable information from the area, many times that the people of the
affected areas called on the Nigerian Army for help and protection against the
bandits, there was no response,” the lawmaker alleged.
But graciously, the Nigerien Army has
been assisting in warding off the bandits, the very reason not less than 5,000
people in the affected areas have migrated to Niger Republic for safety,” he
disclosed.
been assisting in warding off the bandits, the very reason not less than 5,000
people in the affected areas have migrated to Niger Republic for safety,” he
disclosed.
Gobir said that aside from the 300
people who had fallen victim of bandits’ attacks in the area, kidnapping or
outright killing, hundreds of cows and other animals that had been rusted by
the hoodlums were worth N2.5billion.
people who had fallen victim of bandits’ attacks in the area, kidnapping or
outright killing, hundreds of cows and other animals that had been rusted by
the hoodlums were worth N2.5billion.
Meanwhile, the lawmakers have
commenced legislative work on a bill to ensure food security for Nigeria with
the establishment of Food Reserve Agency to avert any form of emergency food
crises in the future.
commenced legislative work on a bill to ensure food security for Nigeria with
the establishment of Food Reserve Agency to avert any form of emergency food
crises in the future.
The bill which passed through second
reading during plenary yesterday was sponsored by Abdullahi Adamu (APC –
Nasarawa West).
reading during plenary yesterday was sponsored by Abdullahi Adamu (APC –
Nasarawa West).
Leading a debate on the bill, Adamu,
who underscored the importance of the diversification of the Nigerian economy,
said there was the need for enabling laws to address the problem of food
insecurity.
who underscored the importance of the diversification of the Nigerian economy,
said there was the need for enabling laws to address the problem of food
insecurity.
According to him, the food reserve
agency, when established, would be responsible for storing food grains and
other food commodities for strategic purposes.
agency, when established, would be responsible for storing food grains and
other food commodities for strategic purposes.
Adamu said that agriculture plays a
crucial role in the creation and growth of a country. Every nation that seeks
to diversify its economy, to reduce hunger, to build employment and to ensure
food security should offer priority to agriculture.
crucial role in the creation and growth of a country. Every nation that seeks
to diversify its economy, to reduce hunger, to build employment and to ensure
food security should offer priority to agriculture.
Nigeria, acknowledging the essential
role of agriculture, has made efforts to place the sector at the forefront by
introducing various action programs and policies backed by enabling laws.
role of agriculture, has made efforts to place the sector at the forefront by
introducing various action programs and policies backed by enabling laws.
