News
Electricity Tariff: Senate Stops Adoption Of Report Demanding Suspension Of Implementation
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Senate has stepped down adoption of a report asking the National electricity regulatory commission (NERC) to suspend the ongoing implementation of the multi-year tariff order (MYTO), 2024, which approved over 200% upward review of the previous tariffs from N68/kWh to N225/kWh.
The decision by Senate is to allow for robust consultation with customers on the various bands on the cost of service.
The suspension came minutes after the submission of an investigative report of the Committee on Power on the planned hike in electricity tariff and the need to halt the proposed increase by Distribution Companies amidst the economic situation in Nigeria by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
In the 46 page report, the committee had also recommended that NERC should ensure full compliance with the mandatory requirement of stakeholder consultation under Section 48 of the Electricity Act, 2023 regarding future regulatory decisions, to avoid a repeat of the confusion and public outcry that trailed the recent tariff increase.
The report also recommends that NERC to adopt measures to address the problem of power scarcity holistically, rather than its preoccupation with price manipulation which has proven to be counterproductive.
In the robust debate, most lawmakers expressed the urgent need to adopt the recommendations.
However, Chairman Senate committee on rules and business, Senator Titus Zam, as well as Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, raised objections over the adoption.
They asserted that the matter be stepped down, citing pending case in court, necessitating the need to temporarily suspend further debate on the report.
A Federal High court had on May 3, issued an order restraining the National Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company from implementing the new electricity tariff for Band A consumers.
News
WATCH moment Tinubu hails FCT minister for his doggedness, sterling performance
President Bola Tinubu has described the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister Nyesom Wike as a performing and dogged technocrat.
Naijablitznews reports Tinubu made this assertion during his maiden presidential chat on Monday.
The president rounded up by saying “I doff my hat for the performing minister.
Watch clip below:
News
BREAKING: Human Rights Lawyer Dele Farotimi Released
By Gloria Ikibah
Prominent human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has been released after fulfilling his bail conditions.
Farotimi, who had been in custody over allegations of defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola, regained his freedom on Tuesday morning.
He is currently enroute to his home in Lagos.
Confirming the development, activist and politician Omoyele Sowore stated on X, “I am pleased to report that Dele Farotimi is no longer being held in the prison facilities of Ekiti State and is now returning home to Lagos. The struggle continues!”
Earlier, a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado Ekiti granted Farotimi bail, setting conditions that included a N30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must be a property owner), the submission of his passport, and a restriction on granting media interviews following his release.
News
NASC backpedals reverses Atiku’s appointment as DCNA, replaces him with Yero
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Following the intervention by the National Assembly leadership, the National Assembly Service Commission, NASC, has reversed the appointment of Dr Ibrahim Atiku as Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, DCNA.
The Commission has replaced Atiku with the permanent secretary [Estate and Works Directorate], Engineer Bashir Yero.
This was consequent upon the outcome of a meeting convened Monday night by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and their deputies in attendance.
Present also at the meeting were the Chairman of the NASC, Engineer Ahmed Amshi, two commissioners from NASC, and some permanent secretaries in the NASS bureaucracy.
THE CONCLAVE learnt that the high-level meeting took place in the Senate President’s residence.
Reports from the meeting said that the chairman of the NASC and his commissioners could not justify the appointment of Atiku when asked by the speaker how the choice of Atiku was arrived at.
THE CONCLAVE reports that it was at that point that the commission chairman sought the leave of the Senate President and the Speaker to ask that the permanent secretaries present should excuse them since they could not be sitting over a matter in which they had personal interest.
Upon their return to the room, after the leadership had arrived at a resolution one way or another, it was agreed that Engr. Bashir Yero of Estate and Works Directorate be appointed the DCNA, while Engr Sanda Liman of Procurement Directorate, be redeployed in Estate and Works.
The newly promoted Ibrahim Atiku [to the position of permanent secretary], as resolved and directed, should be deployed in Procurement Directorate.
The NASC is expected to formalise and/or activate the decision soonest.
Source: CONCLAVE
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