The NERC’s decision to adjust tariffs underscores the complex challenges facing Nigeria’s energy sector. With ongoing discussions and debates surrounding the issue, the path forward remains uncertain, as stakeholders continue to advocate for a fair and sustainable solution to the country’s electricity woes.
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Buhari orders review of 368 grazing reserves in 25 states
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a review of 368 grazing reserves in 25 states, his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said in a statement on Thursday.
He Buhari gave the directive, based on the recommendations of a committee chaired by Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
Shehu said the committee also recommended the collection of field data on the grazing routes to assess levels of encroachment, stakeholder engagements, and sensitisation.
The committee was said to have recommended production of maps and geo-mapping/tagging of sites, analysis of findings and report preparations, as well as design of appropriate communication on grazing reserves and operations.
“The number of the grazing reserves and states were deduced from considerations of existing security concerns and other pre-existing socio-economic conditions,’’ Shehu wrote.
According to him, Buhari directed that the assignment be undertaken to facilitate more understanding on grazing reserves.
He said among its terms of reference, the committee is to collate data from states and confirm the status of the grazing reserves.
The committee is also expected to assess the percentage of available land and those with existing encroachment complications for case-by-case resolution, in partnership with state governments and the FCT.
“The Committee would also make recommendations for gazetting of ungazetted grazing reserves and create a database of National Cattle Herders and ensure that Grazing Reserves are well communicated to all stakeholders,” Shehu wrote.
Members of the committee include Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state, David Umahi of Ebonyi, and Suleiman Adamu, minister of water resources.
Others are Sabo Nanono, minister of agriculture and rural development; Mohammad Mahmood, minister of environment, and Ade Ipaye, deputy chief of staff.
The technical sub-committee consists of representatives from the main committee, in addition to representatives from the ministry of justice, surveyor-general of the federation, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), and the National Space Research Development Agency.
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Why Atiku is afraid of the coastal highway project success – Presidency
Why Atiku is afraid of the coastal highway project success – Presidency
The presidency announced yesterday that Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate in the last election, is opposed to the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway because it will end his presidential campaign in 2027.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, “If not blinded by political ill-will, Atiku knows that the right thing for him to do is to applaud President Bola Tinubu for the ambitious and audacious Lagos-Calabar Highway, which the Federal Executive Council authorised.”
In a statement released on Sunday, Atiku accused President Tinubu of a conflict of interest in awarding the project to Hitech, a company owned by his business partner, the Chagoury family.
The former vice president also revealed that Seyi Tinubu is a board member of one of the companies owned by Chagoury family, saying that demolishing structures to give way for the coastal highway will impede foreign direct investment into the country.
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But reacting to Atiku’s statement, Onanuga said there was no conflict of interest anywhere. Seyi Tinubu is an adult and can conduct his lawful business anywhere in the country or elsewhere.
The special adviser also explained that the statement credited to Atiku that Nigeria is now the fourth economy in Africa was no longer news but added quickly that the country would soon bounce back to become the first economy in the continent.
He said: “Atiku has been waging an unrelenting war against this all-important and transformative project for no justifiable reasons other than bad politics.
“Atiku knows that its grand success and other projects to be unfurled, such as the Badagry-Sokoto superhighway, will be a major boost for President Tinubu and finally upend his perennial presidential ambition.”
He also said that the IMF’s reclassification of the Nigerian economy as the fourth largest in Africa is stale news. This happened because of the devaluation of the naira and President Tinubu’s determined effort to set the economy on sustainable growth.
“Under President Tinubu’s progressive, bold, inventive, and innovative leadership, Nigeria will bounce back to where it rightfully belongs as Africa’s largest market and biggest economy.”
Why Atiku is afraid of the coastal highway project success – Presidency
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Electricity customers insist on reversal of tariff increase, scorn reduction
Electricity customers insist on reversal of tariff increase, scorn reduction
Nigerians across various sectors have voiced their dissatisfaction with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) decision to reduce the tariff payable by Band A customers. Despite the reduction from N225/kWh to N206.8/kWh, stakeholders including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, electricity consumers, and civil society organizations are calling for a complete reversal to the subsidy era tariff.
The initial tariff hike, implemented just 33 days prior, saw a staggering 240 per cent increase in electricity tariffs for Band A customers. This move, which withdrew subsidies completely from Band A consumers, was met with widespread criticism and opposition from various quarters.
While the Federal Government cited potential savings of N1.5tn as justification for the tariff adjustment, concerns have been raised about the impact on consumers, particularly the financially vulnerable. The House of Representatives, organized labor, and the Nigerian Bar Association have all condemned the hike, with calls for its suspension and reversal.
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Defending the increase, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu warned of a nationwide blackout within three months if the tariff hike was not implemented. Despite opposition, government spokesperson Florence Eke asserted that the tariff adjustment would remain in place.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the NERC announced an eight per cent reduction in tariffs for Band A customers, attributing the decision to changes in macroeconomic indices, particularly the appreciation of the naira against the dollar. Following the NERC’s directive, several electricity distribution companies (Discos), including Abuja, Ikeja, and Ibadan, promptly announced the implementation of the tariff reduction.
While the reduction may provide some relief to consumers, stakeholders remain skeptical, emphasizing the need for broader reforms in the energy sector. Critics argue that mere tariff reductions do not address fundamental issues such as inadequate fuel supply and the overall inefficiency of the electricity supply system.
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Nigerian varsity VC suspended over alleged gross misconduct
Nigerian varsity VC suspended over alleged gross misconduct
In an unexpected turn of events, the Governing Council of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has suspended Vice-Chancellor Augustine Angba on allegations of severe misconduct.
The decision was reached at a meeting of the Governing Council on Monday, May 6, 2024, where they resolved to release Angba of his duties with immediate effect.
The council has nominated Professor Stephen Oshang of the Faculty of Agriculture to serve as the interim Vice-Chancellor until further notice.
The suspension comes on the heels of a vote-of-no-confidence passed by some staff members of the university on January 17, 2024.
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The staff, who were protesting the non-payment of five months’ salary arrears, had carried placards with slogans like “This Management and the VC must go” and “We don’t want them any longer.”
Angba had previously criticized the staff unions, claiming that four members had hijacked the union and incited others to protest on the streets.
However, the Governing Council’s decision suggests that they found merit in the allegations against the embattled Vice-Chancellor.
Despite several attempts, Vanguard efforts to reach the university’s spokesperson, Mr. Onen Onen, for comments on the matter were unsuccessful, as his phone line was not answered at the time of filing this report.
Similarly, Professor Angba’s phone line was busy when contacted.
Nigerian varsity VC suspended over alleged gross misconduct
(Vanguard)
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