News

DisCos under fire as power outages worsen nationwide

Published

2 months ago

March 3, 2024

DisCos under fire as power outages worsen nationwide

Some electricity distribution companies (DisCos) are partly responsible for the incessant power outages experienced in the country, according to disclosures made by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, yesterday.

The minister alleged that such discos have deliberately not been taking up power supply from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), thus denying would be consumers electricity supply.

Power outages have worsened across the country in the last few weeks with the DisCos attributing the situation to gas shortage.

Consumers are separately accusing the DisCos of arbitrary billings, unauthorised disconnections, customer abuse and disregard for capping, among other allegations.

Following the deteriorating electricity supply across the country, Adelabu yesterday invited the Chief Executives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for a meeting later this week to review the situation.

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Also invited to the meeting is the TCN Managing Director, Sule Abdulazeez.

The minister, in a letter signed by the Director, Distribution Services in the ministry, Engr. B.U. Mustapha, said the meeting was called to discuss issues bordering on the worsening electricity supply in their regions with a view to proffering a lasting solution.

The minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, quoted him as saying the management of other non-performing DisCos would be similarly queried as reports continue to filter in on the situation in their regions.

“These two DIsCos (AEDC and IBEDC) have been summoned due to the worsening power supply situation in their regions despite improved supply from TCN,” he said.

He said gas shortage notwithstanding, the ministry has been putting pressure on the generating companies (GENCOs) to improve performance and generation has been ramped up to over 4000MW in recent days.

DisCos under fire as power outages worsen nationwide

News

Tragedy strikes as Customs officer kills self in Abuja

Published

11 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Tragedy strikes as Customs officer kills self in Abuja

Abdulwahab Magaji, an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) serving in the Federal Capital Territory, reportedly shot himself dead at his residence in Abuja.

The tragic incident occurred at his home on Binta Street, Farm Estate area, according to reports from PUNCH.

Magaji’s family alerted the police about his death, leading to officers rushing to the scene. He was then taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The body has since been handed over to the family for burial according to Islamic rites.

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The Customs National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, and the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, could not be reached for comments at the time of reporting.

A friend of Magaji, Lawan Al-Amin Mohammed, paid tribute to him, describing him as a pillar of strength and a source of comfort. Mohammed praised Magaji’s character and integrity, highlighting his purposeful and passionate approach to life.

The incident adds to a concerning trend of uniformed personnel taking their own lives, often linked to depression. Earlier this year, Deputy Commissioner of Police Gbolahan Oyedemi reportedly committed suicide in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Oyedemi served as the Aide de Camp to the late former Governor of the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala, during his tenure.

Tragedy strikes as Customs officer kills self in Abuja

News

Student who suffered bullying in viral video demands N500m damages from Abuja School

Published

12 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Namitra Bwala

Student who suffered bullying in viral video demands N500m damages from Abuja School

Namitra Bwala, the student at the heart of a disturbing viral video depicting her being bullied by fellow students, has taken a significant step towards seeking justice.

On Monday, she initiated legal proceedings against Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

The incident, which gained widespread attention after videos were posted online on April 22, showed Bwala being subjected to physical and emotional abuse by her classmates. The lawsuit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory under case number FCT/HC/CV/2341/24: MISS NAMTIRA BWALA v LEAD BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL LTD, seeks damages from the educational institution for its alleged failure to provide a safe and conducive learning environment.

Marvin Omorogbe, the founding partner of the law firm representing Bwala, issued a public statement on Monday outlining the objectives of the legal action. The lawsuit aims to hold the school accountable for its negligent conduct and seeks redress for the assault, torment, emotional distress, and breach of privacy suffered by Bwala.

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The statement highlights the specific requests made in the lawsuit, including a public apology from the school in two national daily newspapers and an order for the payment of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) as general damages.

Emphasizing Bwala’s desire for meaningful change, the law firm expressed hope that the lawsuit would prompt the implementation of measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The viral video has sparked outrage and condemnation, raising serious questions about the school’s ability to ensure the safety and well-being of its students. Bwala’s decision to pursue legal action underscores her determination to seek justice and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Student who suffered bullying in viral video demands N500m damages from Abuja School

(Punch)

News

Labour blocks IBEDC Osogbo office, says new electricity tariff killing

Published

18 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Labour blocks IBEDC Osogbo office, says new electricity tariff killing

Members of the Organised Labour in Osun on Monday blocked the main entrance of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Business Hub, Osogbo, protesting over the recent hike in electricity tariff.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the action was a result of the joint directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to picket offices of power distribution companies (DisCos) in their respective state capital.

The action was to protest the recent increase in electricity tariffs approved by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The union leaders locked the entrance gates of IBEDC Business Hub and other sub-offices in Osogbo, with an instruction to security personnel not to allow anyone to gain access into the offices.

Speaking to NAN during the protest, Abimbola Fasasi, TUC State Chairman, said that the protest was to make a statement and let the Federal Government know that the electricity tariff increment was unacceptable to Nigerians.

“The FG must reverse its decision on electricity tariff increment. We don’t want it at this time.

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“The government has to develop and improve on electricity generation and supply.

“How many megawatts is Nigeria generating? They are just pumping money into power without results and they want to heap the expenses on Nigerians.

“We are saying NO to electricity increment and additional burden on Nigerians and that is why we are here today picketing IBEDC offices,” he said.

Fasasi said he expected the labour action to yield results in the next two to three weeks, adding that if there is no reversal, labour will shut down the Nigerian economy with a total strike.

Also speaking, Christopher Arapasopo, NLC State Chairman, told NAN that the position of labour is that the recent increase in the electricity tariff by the NERC should be reversed.

“You will recall that on April 3, NERC announced an increase in electricity tariff, and this is killing Nigerians and Nigerian workers say No to this.

“We ought to enjoy power supply for at least 20 hours, but I can not recollect the last time power was supplied to us for eight hours.

“Recently we had the issue of fuel scarcity and again we are battling with hike in electricity tariff. The Federal Government has to do the needful.

“The Central Working Committee (CWC) of the labour unions met on April 30, to take a stand against the electricity hike and that there should be picketing of DisCos today.

“We hope that the FG and DisCos will do the needful and reverse the tariff, but if they failed, the CWC will give directive on further steps to take.” he added.