Despite widespread blackout, Discos reject 1,769MW of electricity – Newstrends
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Despite widespread blackout, Discos reject 1,769MW of electricity

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Despite widespread blackout, Discos reject 1,769MW of electricity

Despite the widespread blackout and the worsening state of electricity supply in Nigeria, the latest figures on the daily load summary of power distribution companies indicate that the firms failed to distribute about 1,769.91 megawatts of electricity between February 1 and 14, 2024.

Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria, obtained in Abuja on Monday, showed that though some of the power firms received excess electricity load allocation during the period, most of them failed to utilise all the quantum of energy allocated to them by TCN.

Nigeria’s power situation grew worse since January this year, forcing the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, to declare on Saturday that some power firms and TCN had been summoned to provide reasons for the worsening state of electricity supply in their regions.

Adelabu also pointed out that investigations by the power ministry showed that some power distribution companies were rejecting electricity, despite the scarce supply of the commodity.

“Findings revealed that some distribution companies were deliberately not taking up power supply from TCN while some power lines were also damaged by vandals in Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt and Ibadan regions,” Adelabu stated in a statement issued in Abuja.

The minister’s position may have been justified as an analysis of the latest figures on the daily load summary of power distribution companies by our correspondent on Monday indicated that the Discos failed to distribute about 1,769.91MW of power in the first two weeks of February.

Nigeria has 11 power distribution companies and they include Abuja, Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ibadan, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt and Yola Discos.

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On February 1, 2024, seven of the power distributors failed to utilise a total of 128.62MW of electricity, while four others including Benin, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Yola took a cumulative excess load allocation of 61.91MW.

By taking excess load, it means the Disco’s actual energy consumption for that particular day was higher than the load allocated to it by the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

However, the actual consumption figures of most Discos are usually lower than their allocated load, leading to unutilised or rejected energy by the power distributors.

On February 2 and 3, the Discos failed to utilise a total of 108.25MW and 71.54MW respectively, while they received excess load allocation 22.35MW and 65.45MW respectively.

On February 4, it was observed that only 4.45MW was not utilised by Kano Disco; while 327.47MW excess load was received by 10 other Discos. The low rejection of electricity on this day was due to low power generation on February 4, 2024.

On February 5, there was no rejection of electricity by any Disco, while 211.04MW of excess load was allocated to the 11 power distributors due to the low power generation recorded on that day.

The next day being February 6, three of the power firms failed to distribute 197.32MW, while eight others received excess load allocation of 200.09MW.

On February 7, four of the firms failed to utilise 216.1MW, while the remaining seven took an excess load of 162.02MW, as figures from TCN showed that the power firms rejected a total of 726.28MW of electricity in the first week of last month.

On February 8, eight power firms did not distribute 126.33MW, as three others took an excess load of 31.77MW; while the next day, nine power distributors failed to utilise 137.9MW, as the remaining two got an excess load of 39.27MW.

On February 10, nine of the Discos rejected 185.47MW, as two others took an excess load of 22.23MW; while on February 11, eight of the firms did not distribute 142.86MW, and three others got an excess load of 60.66MW.

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On February 12, eight Discos did not distribute 132.27MW; three others received excess load allocation of 45.83MW, while on February 13, six Discos failed to utilise 133.8MW as five others took an excess load of 48.09MW.

Five power distributors rejected 179.6MW of electricity on February 14, while the remaining six of them took an excess load allocation of 83.18MW.

This shows that in the second week of February, from 8th to 14th, the power distributors did not distribute about 1,043.63MW of electricity. They, however, received excess load allocation of 330.97MW.

Worried by the poor electricity supply situation, the power minister had in a letter signed by the Director, Distribution Services at the Federal Ministry of Power, B.U Mustapha, ordered the CEOs of Abuja and Ibadan Discos, as well as TCN to attend a meeting called by Adelabu this week.

They would discuss issues bothering on worsening electricity supply in their regions with a view to proffer a lasting solution, a statement by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the minister, stated on Saturday.

Adelabu was quoted as saying that the management of other non-performing Discos would also be queried over non-performance as reports continue to filter in on the situation in their regions.

“These two Discos have been summoned due to the worsening power supply situation in their regions despite improved supply from TCN,” the power minister stated.

According to the statement, gas shortage notwithstanding, the ministry had been putting pressure on the power generating companies to improve performance and generation had been ramped up to over 4,000MW in recent days.

“So, we expect power supply to have improved across the country, unlike what we are experiencing in some regions, presently,” the minister stated.

Despite widespread blackout, Discos reject 1,769MW of electricity

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Yahaya Bello: Prosecute US school over advance tuition fee payments, Sowore tells EFCC

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Omoyele Sowore

Yahaya Bello: Prosecute US school over advance tuition fee payments, Sowore tells EFCC

Omoyele Sowore, a prominent Nigerian activist, has called for the prosecution of the American International School (AIS) in Abuja for alleged money laundering involving former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello and his former Chief of Staff, Ali Bello.

In a post on X, Sowore alleged that Bello and his aide laundered close to $1 million under the guise of paying “future school fees” for their children at AIS.

He argued that similar to the American justice system, the AIS should face charges instead of simply refunding the money.

He further urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure that the school discloses all such payments made by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). Sowore believes that investigating such payments could reveal widespread financial misconduct and calls for AIS to be converted into a public school if found guilty.

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His words: “The American International School @AISAbuja , where fugitive former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello @OfficialGYBKogi and his former Chief of Staff, Ali Bello, laundered close to $ 1 million in the name of paying “future school fees” of their wards should be charged and prosecuted for money laundering instead of being allowed to refund the money.

“This is the way the American justice system treats such cases on US soil, the @officialEFCC must also ensure the school discloses all such school fees paid by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).

“I am sure there are a lot of discoveries that would be uncovered such that the school could be converted to a public school instead of its criminal connivance with financial criminals fleecing the Nigerian public across board, these must necessary apply to these ultra-expensive private schools in Nigeria.”

Yahaya Bello: Prosecute US school over advance tuition fee payments, Sowore tells EFCC

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Why we praised Aviation minister Keyamo after Dana Air incident – Northern group

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Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo

Why we praised Aviation minister Keyamo after Dana Air incident – Northern group

The Coalition of Northern Patriots (CNP) has hailed the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, for prioritising the safety and well-being of air travellers.

The group stated this in a statement signed by its president Kudu Mohammed in reaction to the suspension of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Dana Airlines.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Wednesday, announced the airline’s suspension after its aircraft (MD82 with registration marks 5SN-BKI) skidded off the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos runway.

In reaction, Mohammed said Keyamo is restoring dignity and confidence to the sector with innovative reforms in line with global best practices, always promoting national security interest as a patriot.

Mohammed said in the aviation business that there is no margin for error. Hence, all protocols must be strictly adhered to, and that is what Keyamo has done.

“The suspension of the operations of Dana Airlines is a welcome development,” the statement said. “As we all know, this is the second time within two years that Dana Air’s AOC has been suspended over safety violations.

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“In 2022, the airline’s operation was halted after the outcome of a financial and economic health audit carried out on the airline by the regulatory authority came out negative.

“This time around, though, thankfully, we have an Aviation Minister whose priority is the safety and well-being of travellers unafraid to make painful decisions for the good of the nation.

“We have a man who never compromises and strongly holds on to his principles. Mr Keyamo has already introduced some innovative reforms in line with global best practices. He has carried out a thorough cleansing of the polluted sector he inherited.

“We, therefore, pass a vote of confidence on his leadership. Of course, we are aware that he is not the most-loved minister due to his transparent and resolute approach.

“However, we want to let Mr Keyamo know that the masses are with him.”

The group, therefore, urged him to remain a fearless advocate of the masses and never to allow himself to be silenced by detractors.

Why we praised Aviation minister Keyamo after Dana Air incident – Northern group

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Fuel scarcity bites harder in Abuja, Ondo, Osun, others

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Fuel scarcity bites harder in Abuja, Ondo, Osun, others

There is no succour yet for motorists and other petrol end users despite the Thursday statement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that it had resolved the logistic problems that sparked the supply crisis.

Reports from across the country yesterday showed that many filling stations had no fuel to sell.

Some sold over and above the threshold of N650 per litre while motorists and other buyers besieged the few ones that sold within the range of N600 per litre.

While many petrol stations in Lagos sold fuel at the normal price and queues were not noticeable, it was a different story in the industrial town of Ota, Ogun State where some filling stations hiked their pump price to N799 per litre.

In Abuja, over 80% of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) retail outlets shut down their operations yesterday, creating an opportunity for a massive black market around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Although the price remained unchanged at N617 per litre at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) filling stations while major marketers sold it for between N680 and N690 per litre, some independent marketers vended the product for as high as N750 per litre.

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Black marketers sold one litre for as much as N1,200 to desperate motorists.

Some drivers who ran out of fuel in hot spot were ready to pay N1,300 per litre just to exit the danger zone.

Meanwhile, there was a sign of hope that the situation would improve at weekend as The Nation could see more retail outlets getting opened to customers at 5:45pm.

Many civil servants who had a tough time returning home from work on Thursday did not bother to turn up at their workplace yesterday.

Epileptic fuel supply in Ondo

The epileptic supply of fuel was no better in Ondo State yesterday with many filling stations also shut down.

The price ranged between N600 and N670 in the few filling stations that opened for business.

Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Ore depot, Shina Amoo, said NNPCL was not selling to IPMAN members.

Amoo said IPMAN members had to resort to buying from third parties at high prices.

He said fuel marketers are shutting down operations in the state due to low or non-profit margin.

Long queues   in Enugu

The crisis was characterised by long queues at filling stations in Enugu while the price hovered between N600 and N725 per litre.

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It was N660 in some Total, Enyo, Masters Energy, Rainoil and Northwest filling stations and N660 per liter in NNPC filling stations.

Osun residents, motorists groan as petrol stations hoard fuel

Residents and motorists in Osun State accuse petrol dealers in the state of hoarding and profiteering.

The Nation observed long queues at major marketers petrol stations with price ranging between N625 and N640 per litre.

Independent marketers sold theirs for between N700 and N750.

Human rights activist Comrade Waheed Saka asked the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the State government to check the situation.

A motorist, Saheed Salako, claimed that many of the petrol stations had fuel but refused to sell.

 Crisis worsens in Plateau as a litre goes for N800

Many car owners in Jos, the Plateau State capital have been forced by the hike in fuel price to park their vehicles at home.

A litre sold for between N760 and N800 at some filling stations yesterday.

The NNPCL had attributed the tightness in the supply of PMS currently being experienced in some areas across the country to logistics issues but said the issues “have been resolved.”

It urged Nigerians to “avoid panic buying as there is sufficient product in the country.”

Fuel scarcity bites harder in Abuja, Ondo, Osun, others

The Nation

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