News

NANS vows showdown with varsities over planned N80,000 electricity bill

Published

5 months ago

August 3, 2024

Admin

The National Association of Nigerian Students has opposed the proposed electricity tariff of N80,000 per student by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

The proposed hike is seen as a response to the surging costs of electricity in the country, which universities claim they can no longer afford to cover without passing the burden onto students.

Recall that Secretary-General of the CVCNU, Professor Yakubu Ochefu, recently revealed that university students might be required to pay as much as N80,000 each to help manage the escalating electricity costs.

Ochefu noted that each universities which was previously charged N61m monthly, was now paying above N200m due to the introduction of the Band A system and the subsequent hike in electricity tariffs.

In April 2024, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission raised the electricity tariff for Band A customers from N68/KWh to N225/KWh, marking a staggering 300 per cent increase.

Band A customers are those who receive electricity for at least 20 hours per day.

Reacting to this development, NANS National President, Lucky Emonefe, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, opposed the idea of transferring the electricity costs to students.

“It is not possible. Nigerian students cannot pay such exorbitant fees. While we understand there has been hike in electricity tariffs, the burden cannot be put on the students,” Emonefe stated.

He emphasised that NANS’ commitment to resisting any attempt to increase electricity tariffs for students across the institutions.

He said, “The electricity tariff hike is one of the issues we are engaging the government on. It is not the fault of the Vice Chancellors, but we agree that the government should remove our institutions from Band A and place them in Band B. No Nigerian student will pay that N80,000; we will reject it.”

The Academic Staff Union of Universities also weighed in on the issue, calling for increased government funding for universities.

ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stressed that improved funding would enable universities to operate independently and potentially generate their power.

He further elaborated on the need for universities to receive adequate funding to explore self-sufficient energy solutions.

He said, “There are several issues wrong with the system. The funding is poor, and given the current environment, there is no way students can handle such a bill.

“There is no justification for this electricity hike in universities. You cannot charge them at a different rate. By right, everybody should be getting equal electricity, whether you are in Band A or Band B.

“If you fund the universities very well, every university can generate its electricity. If the universities are challenged to do that, we will. But now, universities cannot award contracts without going through the ministries.

“It is so sad because the universities are not allowed to operate on their own. If they are, they can do the necessary research to generate electricity on their own.”

On the other hand, the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors has advised universities to adapt to the current realities of increased electricity costs.

The Executive Director of Research & Advocacy at Discos, Sunday Oduntan, stated that reversing the tariff increase was not feasible.

“That is the reality of our time. If the businesses apply it, it is fixed by the regulator and not by the discos using realistic economic realities. If they say we should not consider the cost of production, that means all the businesses will fold up, and there will not be light,” Oduntan explained.

News

Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

5 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.

This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.

News

Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget

Published

5 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.

This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.

Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:

Federal Medical Centre, Bida
Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
Federal College of Education, Yola
Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Cross River Basin Development Authority
Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
National Examination Council (NECO)
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
Presidential Amnesty Programme
Galaxy Backbone
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals

Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.

News

Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability

Published

6 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called for the revitalization and strengthening of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the joint sitting of Public Accounts Committees of Senate and House and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee for the reconvening of NAPAC at the National Assembly on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration among Public Accounts Committees at both federal and state levels.

Formed in 2014, NAPAC comprises 38 chapters nationwide, including the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and all 36 State Houses of Assembly, Rep. Salam noted that the Association has been dormant in recent years, necessitating urgent action to restore its relevance.

He stated, “This Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.

“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.”

Salam outlined committee’s objectives, including reviving NAPAC’s activities, adopting innovative strategies to combat corruption, and collaborating with anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and the media.

He also stressed the importance of leveraging partnerships with continental and regional associations such as AFROPAC, WAPAC, and SADCOPAC for capacity building and knowledge sharing.

“The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed,” he added.

In an interaction with journalists, thr Committee chairman, stressed plans to engage with the Auditor General of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation to address delays in submitting reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General,” he said.

He noted that only the 2021 Auditor General’s report is currently before the National Assembly, a situation he described as inconsistent with constitutional provisions. Salam expressed the committee’s determination to ensure Nigeria catches up with the 2022 and 2023 reports by next year.

He added, “We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a lawful manner.”