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Blackouts over gas shortage spark fresh concerns in Nigeria’s failing power sector

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Electricity shortages in various parts of Nigeria, stemming from a deficiency in gas supply to power generation plants, have reignited concerns about persistent challenges in the country’s power sector. Recent reports from DAILY POST revealed that both the Nigerian Federal Government and the Transmission Company of Nigeria attributed the decline in electricity supply to gas limitations.

The government had previously pointed to gas shortages as the cause of reduced electricity supply by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to distribution companies. Nigeria relies on 26 hydro and gas-fired power plants for its electricity, with a generation capacity fluctuating between 3,000MW and 5,000MW since the sector’s privatization in 2013, despite a population exceeding 200 million.A decade after privatization, the power sector’s performance remains stagnant, despite a substantial investment of N3.348 trillion in electricity subsidies, as reported by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. Despite planning to allocate an additional N1.6 trillion to electricity subsidies in 2024, the sector faces persistent issues such as inadequate investment, regulatory uncertainties, transmission constraints, and planning shortfalls.The National Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) third-quarter report for 2023 emphasized the ongoing challenge of gas constraints in the national grid, despite Nigeria having 208.83 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, a third of Africa’s total. The Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, highlighted this discrepancy.The power industry in Nigeria encounters various obstacles hindering its growth, including a lack of investment, policy enforcement, regulatory uncertainties, gas supply issues, and planning deficiencies. Bolaji Tunji, the special adviser for strategic communication and media relations to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, assured that the government is actively addressing the gas constraint challenge for Generation Companies (GenCos). This includes engaging stakeholders and settling outstanding debts owed to GenCos.However, Joy Ogaji, Managing Director and Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), was unaware of the government’s engagement with GenCos but suggested that steps may have been taken to address the gas shortage affecting the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). She emphasized the importance of a solid contractual regime with bankable guarantees and full payment from off-takers to resolve challenges in the power sector.On the other hand, Kunle Olubiyo, President of the Nigerian Consumer Protection Network, disputed the government’s explanation for the recent electricity supply drop, attributing it to a liquidity crisis rather than a gas shortage. He advocated for stopping electricity subsidies to achieve efficiency, asserting that subsidies are paid for services not provided to Nigerians by GenCos and Electricity Distribution Companies.

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JUST IN: Former President Goodluck Jonathan Visits Rivers State, Meets Gov Fubara

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has arrived in Rivers State to ceremonially flag off the Original Trans-Kalabari Road project.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, welcomed the former president on Monday.

The Trans-Kalabari Road is a major infrastructure initiative designed to improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth in the Kalabari region.

Governor Fubara recently stated that the Trans-Kalabari Road will be a transformative project, enhancing accessibility and boosting economic activities in the area.

The project is anticipated to improve transportation, facilitate trade, and promote socio-economic development for the communities along its route.

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Jonathan has previously commended the vision and commitment of the Rivers State government under Governor Fubara’s leadership.

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Ondo guber: 261,703 PVCs remain uncollected — INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that over 261,703 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected in Ondo State ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, revealed during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure that out of 1,991,344 registered voters in the state, 1,729,641 have collected their PVCs.

She mentioned that all 210 centers for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise have been identified, listed, and published on the INEC website.

Babalola also noted that 18 political parties would participate in the November 16 gubernatorial election.

Prof. Kunle Ajayi, the INEC National Commissioner overseeing Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, urged stakeholders to mobilize prospective registrants for the upcoming CVR ahead of the governorship election. He appealed to representatives of media houses, civil society organizations, political parties, security agencies, and People Living with Disabilities to help sensitize prospective registrants to register early, avoid double registration, and discourage underage registration.

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Ajayi recalled that the last CVR exercise ended in July 2022, before the 2023 general elections. The new CVR exercise will run from Monday, May 27, to Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily, including weekends.

He emphasized that this period would allow young people who have reached the voting age of 18 and other eligible voters who missed previous CVR exercises to register.

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Peter Obi visits victims of Kano mosque explosion

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Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, visited victims of the Kano mosque attack who are receiving treatment at Murtala Mohammed Hospital on Sunday.

Obi explained that his visit aimed to show solidarity with the injured, offer support, and wish them a speedy recovery. He also took the opportunity to thank and encourage the hospital management.

Additionally, Obi extended his condolences to the Government of Kano State, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the people of Kano over the tragic incident.

A 38-year-old man, Shafi’u Abubakar, ignited a petrol bomb, setting a mosque in Laraba Abasawa, Gezawa Local Government Area, on fire during early morning prayers. The Kano State Police Command confirmed on Friday that the death toll from the mosque explosion had risen to fifteen.

In a post on his X handle on Monday, Obi emphasized the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding in society, noting that the incident was a stark reminder of these values.

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“Yesterday, Sunday the 19th, as a follow-up to my earlier condolence message regarding those who lost their lives in the horrific and devastating terror attack on May 16, 2024, in the Gezawa local government area of Kano State during the morning prayer session, I visited Murtala Mohammed Hospital in Kano to sympathize with those injured and receiving treatment at the hospital.

The visit was to physically show solidarity with the wounded, offer support, and wish them a speedy recovery, as well as to thank and encourage the management of the hospital.

Most importantly, it was to send a message to the victims that we stand together in condemnation of any senseless act of violence and killing in our country.

Once again, I sincerely send my condolences to the Government of Kano State, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the people of Kano over this very sad incident. I extend my thoughts and prayers, especially to the families of the victims.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding in our society to create a safer and more harmonious community for all.

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For the deceased, may Almighty Allah forgive their sins and grant them eternal rest,” Obi stated.

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