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FG not paying electricity subsidies, Discos lament
Electricity distribution companies in Nigeria have said that the Federal Government has not been fulfilling its promise to pay the cost of subsidising the electricity consumed by customers on Band B to E.
The Executive Director of Research and Advocacy of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, stated this on Wednesday while featuring on Arise News TV to discuss the state of electricity in Nigeria, especially amid the frequent grid collapses.
According to Oduntan, only customers on Band A pay the right cost of electricity consumed, while the government subsidises about 67 per cent of what other customers should pay.
However, he said the government promised to pay for the shortfalls, but it has continued to default.
“Today, only people in Band A pay the true cost of electricity. If you are in Band B, C, D, or E, the government is subsidising your electricity consumption by as much as 67 per cent, which means you are not even paying up to half of what you should be paying, and the so-called subsidy is not being paid by the government. It is now a kind of shortfall because it continues to pile up,” Oduntan said.
He lamented that Discos have been selling electricity below the cost of production, saying electricity cost should not be about whether or not the people can afford it.
Oduntan maintained that while other countries started and completed their power projects in a few years, the Mambila power project has been ongoing for many years due to a lack of cost recovery.
“Many talk about people’s affordability, which should not determine the cost of electricity. It should be the other way around. It is time for us to put on our thinking cap. What is the landing cost of electricity? If the government thinks people’s earning power needs to be improved, that’s a part of their duties. Go and find out how much it costs to buy a brand new Land Cruiser and ask me how many meters or transformers I can buy with the cost of one Land Cruiser Jeep. So, it’s about priorities.
“The point I’m making is that the issue of cost has nothing to do with the private businessmen who have to recover their costs. Once we all agree on the landing cost, then we should know that we should not sell below that cost.”
What has happened to Nigeria over the years is that the government kept on asking that electricity should be sold far below the landing cost, and the government keeps on promising, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll give you the shortfall’, that is the subsidy. But it has never been done, that is the problem,” he lamented.
Recall that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has repeatedly called for a cost-reflective tariff as the government over the years failed to pay electricity subsidies.
Speaking further, Oduntan said the country needs a minimum of 30,000 megawatts of electricity to enjoy stable power supplies and reduce grid collapses but it is currently generating 5,000MW.
He attributed the challenges in the power sector to many years of neglect, saying Nigeria built no power plant between 1989 and 1999.
“The incessant grid collapse is because of lack of proper maintenance, lack of investment, and failure by successive governments to do the right thing over the years. Whatever you fail to do in the power sector in 1984 will catch up with you in 2024. What we have witnessed is, over the years, the government paid lip service to doing the right thing in the Nigerian power sector. And that is a fact.
“Between 1989 and 1999, a period of 10 years, Nigeria had four leaders. Nigerian population grew rapidly within that period of 10 years, but not a single power plant was built in our country. You built your power infrastructure in accordance with the growing population. And what we have had is the neglect on the fact of the government to do what they are supposed to do over the years,” he added.
News
FG drops charges against journalists
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The federal government on Friday withdrew all six-count charges against an Abuja-based online newspaper, Order Paper, and nine officers of the media organization.
Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mr. Tosin Adeola Ajayi advised the federal government to withdraw the charges.
It emerged Thursday that the Federal Government had sued the media house for allegedly publishing a false report that DSS operatives, on October 16, stormed the National Assembly on the basis of a rumoured plot to unseat Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Considering what the DSS said was the serious national security threats and local and international embarrassment the story caused, they sued Order Paper and its officials.
However, a credible source in the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who filed the suit, disclosed that the charges were withdrawn after the DSS boss reached out to their office.
“The new DG, DSS, Mr. Ajayi, reached out to us. He told my boss that the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI), which facilitated the early release of Order Paper’s admin officer, Ms. Edna Ulaeto, also played a key role. The people at Order Paper came to the DSS office, admitted their mistake, apologized, and promised to be more professional,” said the DPP officer.
From the visit of the Order Paper officials, the DSS boss further told my bosses, it was clear that the reporters were misled by less than credible sources in the National Assembly.
“Above all, added the DSS DG, the Order Paper management, on realizing their mistake, had quickly retracted the story. Being an adherent for civility, Mr. Tosin Ajayi therefore felt that the interventions by relevant professional bodies, including the IPI and Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the remorse by Order Paper, were sufficient to warrant the withdrawal of the charges,” the official of the Ministry of Justice declared.
News
Hardship: Men now collect marriage list from different families to get cheapest – Report
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In recent years, the age-old tradition of marriage has undergone a myriad of transformations, reflecting societal changes, economic conditions, and shifting values. One particularly intriguing trend emerging in some communities is the concept of men requesting “marriage lists” from multiple women. This practice, driven by a desire to evaluate potential marriage costs, raises several questions about tradition, love, and the commodification of relationships.
Marriage lists are essentially detailed accounts of the financial demands associated with a prospective marriage. These lists may include dowries, gifts, and other financial obligations that a groom or his family must meet. Traditionally, dowries were a way to secure the financial future of a bride and her family, but in contemporary settings, they can vary significantly based on cultural, regional, and individual factors.
Men requesting these lists from various women aims to assess which marriage would be the most economically feasible. This practice can stem from a combination of personal financial constraints, cultural expectations, and the desire to make informed decisions in an era where economic considerations are increasingly important.
In many cultures, marriage is not just a union of two individuals; it is a significant financial transaction involving families. While in some societies, love and companionship are the primary motivations for marriage, in others, financial considerations play a pivotal role. The practice of comparing marriage lists could be seen as a practical approach to ensuring financial stability, but it also risks reducing the complex institution of marriage to a mere transactional relationship.
The practice raises several ethical questions. First, is it fair to women to be evaluated based solely on financial demands? This approach can reinforce harmful stereotypes and perpetuate a culture where women’s worth is tied to monetary value. Additionally, it may lead to emotional detachment in relationships, prioritizing financial calculations over genuine compatibility and affection.
Moreover, this practice could create an environment of competition among women, fostering insecurities and undermining the foundational values of trust and love that are vital for a successful marriage.
On a practical level, the comparison of marriage costs can be influenced by economic realities. In times of financial uncertainty, individuals may feel compelled to prioritize financial security over emotional connection. This trend can also reflect broader societal changes, where economic factors increasingly dictate personal choices.
However, it’s essential to recognize that while financial considerations are valid, they should not overshadow the fundamental aspects of partnership—mutual respect, love, and shared goals.
While the practice of men requesting marriage lists from various women may appear to be a logical approach to navigating the complexities of modern relationships, it brings to light significant ethical, cultural, and emotional concerns. Marriage, at its core, is a partnership that thrives on connection and commitment, transcending financial considerations.
As society continues to evolve, it’s crucial to strike a balance between practical realities and the deeper values that define successful and fulfilling relationships. Ultimately, a marriage built on love and mutual respect will likely yield a more rewarding and lasting partnership than one anchored solely in economic calculations.
Credit vanguard
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