News
Just in: Kaduna Electric disconnects govt house over N2.9bn electricity debt
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has disconnected the Kaduna Government House over N2.9 billion debt.
The company in a statement signed by the Head, Corporation Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said the government house had not paid for electricity consumed in seven months.
Recall that in the early hours of Friday, the state government through its tax agency, the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) sealed the electricity coy over N600 million tax liabilities.
But Abdullahi said the disconnection took effect after extensive efforts to resolve the issue through consultations and reconciliations.
According to the statement, “In a dramatic move that underscores growing tensions between utility providers and state governments, Kaduna Electric has cut off electricity supply to the Kaduna State Government House and other state government accounts due to unpaid bills.
“Kaduna Electric announced the disconnection after extensive efforts to resolve the issue through consultations and reconciliations. The outstanding balance for electricity consumed from January 2024 to July 2024 alone amounts to a staggering N1,166 billion. This figure, including the historical debt, has left the State Government with a huge debt that currently stands at a total of N2,943 billion.”
He said despite a recent payment of N256 million made on May 9, 2024, for electricity consumed between September 2023 and December 2023, the Kaduna State Government’s debt remains significantly high, “This payment, though substantial, has not been enough to clear the accumulated arrears.”
“Kaduna Electric’s decision to disconnect power came after repeated attempts to address the payment issues, including several consultations with state officials. In contrast, other states under the Kaduna Electric franchise, namely Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, have maintained their accounts in good standing, regularly meeting their electricity payment obligations and other repayment obligations with Kaduna Electric.
“A disconnection notice was formally issued on July 21, 2024, and was received by the Office of the Governor on July 22, 2024. The move reflects the company’s need to meet its own financial obligations amidst the broader challenges facing the electricity sector,” he added.
He emphasized that the disconnection was a last resort after all other avenues for resolving the payment issue had been exhausted, noting that the company is now focusing on fulfilling its commitments to the electricity market and ensuring stability in its operations and sustainability as a company.
He disclosed that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had previously intervened in the Disco by installing an Administrator and Special Board to oversee the company during its transitional period prior to an official takeover by the current investors where the Administrator of Kaduna Electric had committed to an agreement with the Kaduna Inland Revenue Service to pay N20 million monthly including statutory monthly tax payments as required, which he said has been honored since takeover by the current Management.
He highlighted the urgent need for improved financial management and timely payments by government entities to avoid disruptions in essential services saying, “The public and stakeholders await further developments on how the Kaduna State Government will address the arrears and restore power to the affected government offices.”
News
Trump set to sign Executive Order to flush out transgender personnel from US military
President-elect, Donald Trump, is set to sign an executive order that would remove all transgender members from the United States military.
It was learnt that the development has intensified concerns within the LGBTQ+ community.
The report claimed that the state officials had stated that transgender personnel would be discharged on medical grounds, deeming them “unfit” to serve.
Recall that during Trump’s first term as president, he introduced a similar policy that prohibited transgender individuals from joining the armed forces while allowing those already enlisted to remain in their roles.
After Trump left office, President Joe Biden had overturned the military ban in his first week as president in 2021, issuing an executive order to restore transgender individuals’ right to serve openly. However, with Trump’s potential return to the White House, transgender rights in the US may face renewed challenges.
However, the current proposal, as reported, would extend to removing all transgender service members, regardless of their current status. It is anticipated that the executive order will be issued on Trump’s first day in office, January 20 next year.
If signed, Trump’s new directive could be broader and more contentious than the policy he implemented during his first term. What would be its impact on transgender personnel serving in US military.
Reports indicated that approximately 15,000 transgender individuals are actively serving in the US military.
This is coming amid moves by US congress to stop irst transgender lawmaker from using female restrooms and bathrooms in her new workplace.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson had expressed his support for the policy that tends to disregard transgender ideologies in the legislative arm.
“All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex,” the speaker said in a statement last Wednesday.
“It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol. Women deserve women’s only spaces,” he added.
The move to prevent McBride from using the women’s facilities in the House was first initiated by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who on Monday introduced a resolution to ban trans women from using women’s bathrooms inside the complex.
Mace said the resolution was “absolutely” in response to McBride, a Delaware Democrat, being elected to the House.
She took her anti-trans crusade even further on Wednesday, announcing a bill to ban trans people from using bathrooms that align with their gender in all federal buildings across the country. Neither of the resolutions have been brought to a House vote.
It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol. Women deserve women’s only spaces,” he added.
The move to prevent McBride from using the women’s facilities in the House was first initiated by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who on Monday introduced a resolution to ban trans women from using women’s bathrooms inside the complex.
Mace said the resolution was “absolutely” in response to McBride, a Delaware Democrat, being elected to the House.
She took her anti-trans crusade even further on Wednesday, announcing a bill to ban trans people from using bathrooms that align with their gender in all federal buildings across the country. Neither of the resolutions have been brought to a House vote.
News
PHOTO: Courtesy visit to Priesthood Orphanage by Just Friends Club of Nigeria Founder
Dr. (Mrs) Blessing Echenwo, left, founder of Priesthood Orphanage, Karamajiji, Abuja and Mrs. Maria Cardillo, a member of Just Friends Club of Nigeria, during the visit of the club to the orphanage in Abuja…recently
News
Just in: NYSC Releases Batch ‘C’ Corps Members Call Up Letters
The National Youth Service Corps has announced the release of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream I call-up letters for prospective corps members.
The corps made the announcement in a series of post on its official X (former Twitter) handle on Monday.
It said orientation camp for the stream is expected to start on November 27, 2024 and closes on December 17, 2024.
According to the post, “some prospective corp members posted to Lagos will have orientation in Ogun and Osun.
“While some of those posted to Zamfara will have in Kebbi and Sokoto etc”
The corps, however, advised prospective corps members to print and sign an addendum, which will be submitted during registration at the orientation camp.
Tips to guide Deployed Prospective Corps Members
Do not travel to the Orientation Camps at night. Break your journey when necessary.
Report on your scheduled reporting date.
Apply for spelling error and name rearrangement on your dashboard.
After documentation in the Camp, you cannot change your Date of Birth, Date of Graduation, Course of Study and Passport Photograph.
Do not report to the Camp if there is any discrepancies in your course of study or with the Date of Graduation on your Statement of Result and your Call-up Letter. Contact your Institution to sort it out.
ATTENTION TO ALL 2024 BATCH ”C” STREAM I MARRIED FEMALE PROSPECTIVE CORPS MEMBERS
All married female Prospective Corps members (PCMs) who are deployed to States where their husbands are not domiciled should report to the nearest NYSC Orientation Camp for their State of Deployment to be changed.
They are to report during the period of Registration at the Orientation Camps with the copies of their marital and other relevant documents as evidence. Once the change is made it will reflect on theirM dashboard for reprinting.
-
News23 hours ago
Just in: Dangote Refinery reduces price of petrol to N970 per litre
-
News23 hours ago
Joint Security Patrol Team wastes Kidnapper in gun duel along Enugu/Ukwu Road
-
Metro22 hours ago
BREAKING: UK Court Fines Popular Journalist David Hundeyin £95000 for Libel
-
News20 hours ago
Obasanjo narrates how he escaped becoming drug addict
-
News10 hours ago
Many Pastors Are Not Enjoying Their Marriages Due To Wives’ Behaviours – Bamiloye
-
News10 hours ago
Abia bans unauthorised free medical outreaches
-
News20 hours ago
We saved $20bn after Petrol Subsidy Removal and FX Rate Reforms, Says Finance Minister
-
Metro10 hours ago
Army destroys 34 illegal refineries in Niger Delta