News

Don’t derail our plan for power sector, FG tells labour

Published

5 months ago

May 15, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

In the wake of ongoing protests against the electricity tariff increase, the Federal Government has pleaded with labour unions not to disrupt its plans to reform the sector

The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress had picketed offices of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission and Distribution Companies nationwide over the hike in electricity tariff.

Labour leaders protesting electricity hike on Monday.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, while addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Tuesday said that the labour unions have the right to protest while urging them to engage in a peaceful protest.

“We cannot stop them from organising peaceful protest or laying down their demands. Let me make that clear. President Bola Tinubu’s administration is also a listening government,” he said.

He added that the protesters’ demands have been registered with the Federal Government, noting that Tinubu is committed to improving the power sector.

The minister said, “We have heard their demands, we’re going to look at it, we’ll make further engagements and I believe we’re going to reach a peaceful resolution with the labour because no government can succeed without the cooperation, collaboration and partnership with the Labour unions. So we welcome the peaceful protest and I’m happy that it was not a violent protest. They’ve made their positions known and the government has taken in their demands and we’re looking at it.

“But one thing that I want to state here is from the statistics of those affected by the hike in tariff, the people on the road yesterday, who embarked on the peaceful protests, more than 95% of them are not affected by the increase in the tariff of electricity. They still enjoy almost 70% government subsidy in the tariff they pay because the average cost of generating, transmitting and distributing electricity is not less than N180 today.

“A lot of them are paying below N60 so they still enjoy the government’s subsidy. So when they say we should reverse the recently increased tariff, sincerely it’s not affecting them. That’s one position.

“My appeal again is that they should please not derail or distract our transformation plan for the industry. We have a documented reform roadmap to take us to our desired destination, where we’re going to have reliable, functional, cost-effective and affordable electricity in Nigeria. It cannot be achieved overnight because this is a decay of almost 60 years, which we are trying to correct.”

He said there was the need for sacrifice from everybody, “from the government’s side, from the people’s side, from the private sector side. So we must bear this sacrifice for us to have a permanent gain”.

“I don’t want us to go back to the situation we were in February and March, where we had very low generation. We all felt the impact of this whereby the electricity supply was very low and every household, every company, and every institution, felt it. From the little reform that we’ve embarked upon since the beginning of April, we have seen the impact that electricity has improved and it can only get better

News

Shocker as ‘dead man’ attends own burial rites in Kenya

Published

13 mins ago

October 18, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The family of Abdalla Mwenda Suleiman, who was presumed dead, have been left in shock after he returned home to find a body believed to be his already buried. The incident, which occurred last Tuesday in Loire village near Mutuati market in Meru Country, has left many in disbelief.

Mwenda, a 20-year-old miraa picker, was mistakenly buried on October 4 after his family misidentified a body found in a house he once shared with his estranged wife in Mutuati market, as reported by the Nation.

“Since my work is picking miraa, I move from one place to another and I am rarely at home. I’m shocked to find that my family buried me,” said Mwenda in dismay.

Mwenda, who had separated from his wife and moved to Nthanbiro, 20 kilometers away, returned to discover his family had mistakenly buried him. Shocked, Mwenda explained his transient lifestyle as a miraa picker keeps him away from home.

Interestingly, a colleague mentioned they had passed by his home during the burial. The grave, located by Mutuati-Antubetwe Kiongo Road, is visible from the tarmac.

“We left Nthambiro in Igembe Central on Friday and travelled to another farm in Mutuati. We passed by Mwenda’s home and he wondered why there were so many people at his home but we proceeded.”

“On Sunday, as we were packaging miraa, someone broke the news that Mwenda had been buried yet he was alive. Mwenda was so shocked that he could not work. He went to sleep,” the colleague recounted.

After recovering from the shock, Mwenda went home to verify the bizarre news of his burial.

When the Nation visited on Tuesday, they found an atmosphere of grief and despair. The fresh grave, with an arrowroot plant thriving, drew locals who hoped the police had come to exhume the body.

Mwenda’s father, Meeme M’Nchebere, a resident of Voi, was found asleep after spending the night guarding the grave.

“We have been given strict instructions to ensure the body is not stolen. The police said the matter is sensitive since the deceased was murdered. I have to keep vigil throughout the night,” he said.

M’Nchebere revealed that his son had to flee the village because he couldn’t bear seeing a grave with his name. He admitted they mistakenly buried the wrong body because he was unable to view it before the burial.

“I live in Voi where I relocated more than 10 years ago. Mwenda was left behind in Meru. Recently, I received a call from neighbors who told me my son was dead. As a Muslim, I am not allowed to view a dead body. So we proceeded with the burial,” he recounted.

Mwenda’s father stated that the police informed him he needed to raise KSh 70,000 ($542) to cover the costs of obtaining a court order, a pathologist, and the exhumation of the wrongly buried body.

“I am a small trader in VOi and cannot raise the money the police want to exhume the body. I am currently surviving on well-wishes in the village. Neighbors are hesitant to help fundraise because they contributed to the botched burial,” he said.

M’Nchebere is now in a difficult situation, unable to return to his family in Voi or expedite the exhumation of the wrongly buried body. He faces the challenge of navigating both family tensions and legal hurdles.

Source: face2faceafrica.com

News

Bill For Independent Candidacy Recommitted, Referred To Constitution Review Committee

Published

9 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

A major milestone was recorded on Wednesday at plenary as a bill seeking to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to provide for independent candidacy in Nigeria was recommitted and referred to the Constitution Review Committee of the House of Representatives for further legislative action.

This development is a significant step towards promoting electoral reforms and strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

Naijablitznews.com reports that th House of Representatives had earlier inaugurated a Constitution Review Committee to address various issues, including electoral reforms, devolution of powers, and fiscal federalism earlier this year.

The bill, titled “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB1630) (Independent Candidates),” is sponsored by Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., who represents the Ekiti North 1 (lkole/Oye) Federal Constituency. This piece of crucial legislation, is a legacy bill from previous assemblies (7th, 8th, 9th), was reintroduced for consideration after being read for the first time in the 10th Assembly on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

The sponsor of the bill emphasized the importance of expanding political participation through independent candidacy.

He said: “This legislative action is pivotal for the continued evolution of our democracy. It recognizes the constitutional significance of offering citizens the option to run for public office independently, thereby ensuring greater inclusivity. “

The bill’s progress is guided by the combined provisions of Order Twelve, Rule 17, and Order 1, Rule 1(2), of the House of Representatives Standing Orders, underscoring the House’s commitment to a thorough legislative process.

Speaking to journalists on the bill after the plenary on Thursday, the Founder of ElectHER, Ms. Ibijoke Faborode said the recommittal of the Independent Candidacy Bill was a critical and progressive milestone.

She expressed enthusiasm at seeing the National Assembly unite in support of the bill, underscoring their dedication to a legislative agenda that promotes inclusiivity. Faborode also highlighted that the progress of the bill in the 10th Assembly marked a defining moment for Nigeria, with the potential to significantly shape the future of its democracy.

She therefore reaffirmed ElectHER’s continued partnership with the office of the House Spokesperson to champion public advocacy and engagement towards the final passage of the bill.

The bill was recommitted to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further comprehensive consideration and legislative action.

News

Just in :INEC announces date for Anambra governorship election

Published

11 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the date for the Anambra governorship election.

Addressing representatives of political parties at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, October 17, INEC national chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu said the election will be held on Saturday 8th November 2025.

Hear him: “As you are aware, the last governorship election in Anambra State was held on 6th November 2021. By the effluxion of time, the governorship election is due next year.

In compliance with the mandatory requirement of 360 days, the formal notice for the election will be published on 13th November 2024. Party primaries will be held from 20th March 2025 to 10th April 2025.

“The candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00 am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00 pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025.

“Campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th June 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 6th November 2025. Voting will take place in all the 5,720 Polling Units across the State on Saturday 8th November 2025.

“The candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00 am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00 pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025.

The candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00 am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00 pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025.

“In the coming weeks, the Commission will provide details of other electoral activities, including the registration of new voters, transfer of voters and the replacement of lost or damaged PVCs.

“The detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election will be uploaded to our website and social media platforms before the end of this meeting.”