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Power Minister, Adelabu promises FG will reduce cost of electricity
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians of a reduction in the cost of electricity, with the current effort to step up generation and distribution of power in the country.
He gave the assurance on Thursday during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund, Tosin Adeyanju, who led the management team of the agency to pay a courtesy call on the minister at the headquarters of the ministry in Abuja.
Adelabu who noted that the price of electricity is still the cheapest in Nigeria, compared to other African countries such as Togo, Mali, and Niger Republic, however said the low level of income in Nigeria makes the cost look high to consumers.
The minister stated that it is cheaper to use electricity than to run generators, using petrol or diesel, going by the current prices of the commodities.
Adelabu further expressed the readiness of the ministry and its relevant agencies to collaborate and work with the Trust Fund to achieve the objective, adding that the renewable power project of the ministry was established to address the areas of the country that the grid does not cover.
He said, “We will be very happy to work and partner with you on this project. We have agencies that are driving this renewable power project, using solar, wind and other alternative sources of power supply where the grid cannot reach. Such agency is our Rural Electricity Agency (REA) and they will be of great value to you in this project.
“All over the world today, we are faced with two basic issues and these are food and energy securities. We can see that the cost of gas is going up globally due partly to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
“However, we must be committed to providing electricity to our rural people, particularly the youths. We can see that even those of them who have learnt skills have abandoned those skills and are now riding Okada for quick money.
“President Tinubu is committed to the transformation of Nigeria and youths and rural development are of his great concern. If Nigerians are patience, they will realise that the government means well for them.
“We are happy with this effort and will be very willing to work and collaborate with you to achieve it.”
On his part, Adeyanju lauded Adelabu for his performance, competence, and capacity since his assumption of office about a year ago, and for restoring the confidence of Nigerians in the power sector.
“We have come to you to seek a partnership with you on how we can train our rural people, particularly the youths, on how they can assemble one kilowatt of solar energy. This will help a long way in addressing youth restiveness by creating employment for them, particularly those who have acquired skills such as hairdressing, vulcanizing, and welding, among others.
“This is part of our effort to help President Tinubu achieve his aim of addressing the challenges of unemployment among the rural people and the youths in general.
“We want to carry this out in all the local government areas of the country and since we have seen your commitment in this area of power supply, we have decided to approach your ministry for partnership to achieve this”, he said.
News
Just in: Final knockout for Fubara as Supreme Court refuses to grant stay of execution request
It is final blow as he Supreme Court today, denied Fubara Stay of Execution asking the counsels to the Rivers state Government to obey the Apoeal Court judgment while their Appeal are been heard.
Fubara and his 3 Lawmakers may have to kiss the dust with this latest development.
Information reaching me Sat’s INEC will this week announce dates for Bye election into the vacant seats.
More details shortly…
News
University Don Tells FG To Sanction NUPENG President, General Secretary Over Failure To Curtail Tanker Fire Fatalities*
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Victims of Wednesday’s inferno in Jigawa State where over 100 people were burnt to death have received sympathy from an American based Professor of Humanity who called on the Federal government to sanction the leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over failure to curtail incessant deaths arising from tanker-related accidents across the country.
Professor Josephine T. Abubakar from University of Maryland, United States also commiserated with the families who lost loved ones in the tragic incident and prayed that God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
In a statement she made available to newsmen on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 she said Nigerian ministry of petroleum resources in collaboration with the National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) need to activate Safe-To-Load Initiative to mitigate incessant petroleum products tanker accidents and ensuing fire outbreaks in Nigeria.
The University don said, “It is highly irresponsible of an oil Union like NUPENG, especially its General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale for not reacting officially to a national tragedy caused by one of the branches of its union, PTD in particular. This is horrible and unbelievable, over 100 lives met their untimely death. NUPENG should not only be seen collecting multiple levies and dues from Tanker Drivers, but should be seen putting adequate safety measures in place to avoid fatalities like the one the country witnessed on Wednesday.
“The deaths was a colossal loss for Nigeria, and what made it more worrisome and heart-rending was that it could be avoided but NUPENG and PTD have failed in their responsibilities, rather they concentrate on bickering over leadership tussle, legal fireworks and other ventures that can bring pecuniary gains for them at the expense of their defenseless members. It’s a shame that Augustine Egbon, a stooge in PTD who was hand-picked to be the National Chairman has also been silent about this recent calamity. NUPENG has outrightly failed Nigeria to say the least.
“However, this is the best time for the Nigerian government to look into the activities of NUPENG and PTD so that public safety and security will no longer be put into jeopardy. Nigeria has lost many lives as a result of negligence, weak and incompetent leadership in NUPENG and PTD who cannot even fix its internal crisis but disgracing themselves on the pages of newspapers and the internet on a daily basis.
“The call also goes to Nigerian ministry of petroleum resources to collaborate with the National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) so as to activate Safe-To-Load Initiative to mitigate incessant petroleum products tanker accidents and ensuing fire outbreaks in Nigeria.
“PTD used to be known for operational excellence and robust safety checklist for loading of petroleum products at terminals, retail outlets and depots but since Afolabi came to the saddle as General Secretary, the Union has been in tatters. Government must overhaul NUPENG and PTD, if need be, Afolabi and the President should be sacked while the DSS can take over the affairs of the union, until a proper election is conducted. There is nothing new, this has happened in NUPENG before”, she said.
The professor further appealed to Tinubu led government to be committed in ensuring safe roads for petroleum products distribution in the country and as well continue to create laudable interventions that can cushion the hardships faced by tanker drivers in their task of distributing products across the country, while also stressing that law enforcement agencies must as well show cooperation, support and provide security/succor for the hardworking tanker drivers.
News
Impeachment Plot: Akpabio Cautions Nigerians To Disregard Media Report
By Gloria Ikibah
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has admonished Nigerians to disregard stories of his planned impeachment, even as he described it as an illusion.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that an online publication, (Name withheld on Wednesday, published a story titled “DSS Takes Over National Assembly Amid Impeachment Speculations Against Senate President Akpabio”, which has since been republished by other media outlets.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of Senate, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh in a statement on Wednesday said the report was a figment of the reporters imagination.
He said: “Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, wishes to state without equivocation that the speculation and misinformation circulating about an alleged impeachment plot against him is the handiwork of fifth columnists who are perpetual merchants of misinformation and purveyors of mischief.
“As a Head of one of the Arms of government, the President of the Senate categorically denies these baseless claims and reaffirms his commitment to transformational leadership of the Senate particularly and effectively collaborates with the other arms of government. There is no crack in the Upper Chamber and no Senator or Caucus is plotting any impeachment against the President of the Senate. Every Senator is focused on raising the bar of Legislative Agenda and Nation building.
“The allegations are nothing but a desperate attempt to create division and discord among the esteemed senators. It’s unfortunate that some individuals would resort to spreading falsehoods to promote the invidious reins of their blackmail enterprise.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio remains focused on the implementation of the 10th Senate’s Legislative Agenda and working tirelessly to address the pressing National issues of growth and prosperity.
“The Senate President will not be distracted by these unfounded rumours and wants to assure the public that his commitment to Nigeria’s progress remains unwavering.
“We therefore urge the public to disregard these baseless claims and instead focus on the meaningful work being done by the Senate to improve the lives of all Nigerians”.
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