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National grid collapse: FG launches Power recovery programme

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Following the myriad of challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector over the last decade, the Federal Government has launched the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) to address the inefficiencies in the system.

The nation’s power sector has faced some challenges such as inconsistent implementation of tariff policy; high, unsustainable losses in the distribution network and lately grid collapse.

But the Federal Government has taken some critical actions to provide universal energy access. The Rural Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan and the Nigeria Electrification Project aim to improve access for the underserved rural populations and institutions. In addition, the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) aims to increase the power supply to 7GW in its first phase.

The World Bank responded to the government programs with a large and comprehensive portfolio of projects. The Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRO, US$750m) supports the implementation of critical reforms that aim to improve power sector policy and regulatory environment, enhance transparency, strengthen the sector’s financial sustainability and reduce fiscal risk.

The Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP, US$350m) supports expanding electricity access through off-grid solutions to remote rural communities using private sector financing models.

Recall on 14th June 2022, The Electricity Hub, an electricity-focused media organisation in collaboration with the World Bank, organised its 70th Power Dialogue to assess the key achievements of the sector and the challenges hindering universal energy access.

The panel discussants included Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, Honourable Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, Country Director, The World Bank, Ashish Khanna, Regional Director for Infrastructure, Africa West and East, The World Bank, and Narlene Egu, Senior Energy Advisor and Team Lead, USAID/Power Africa Nigeria.

The Head of Operations for The Electricity Hub, Okoro Uchechukwu, noted that “this session is part of a series of dialogues – organised in collaboration with the World Bank – focusing on improving private sector investment and participation in Nigeria’s Power Sector”.

Engr. Aliyu stated that the Nigeria Transmission Expansion Programme (NTEP), financed by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has concluded its first phase (NTEP-1) and is set to commence its second phase, which will focus on grid expansion.

The NTEP aims to increase the wheeling capacity of the transmission network. The Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), which seeks to increase the generation capacity from 4,500MW to 7,000MW in its first phase and attain 25,000MW by 2025, has begun with early works. Aliyu added that the PPI team recently visited Germany to inspect the manufacturing and production process of ten (10) mobile substations and transformers.

The equipment will be delivered to the country in Q4 2022. On the possibility of integrating renewables into the national grid, the Minister emphasised that the grid is yet to attain stability.

However, plans to diversify the nation’s energy mix are well underway. The Federal Government plans to execute 14 renewable energy projects with a cumulative capacity of 1,000MW. However, “these projects will be solely off-grid until the transmission network has been able to meet its baseload requirement.”

Shubham Chaudhuri, Country Director, The World Bank, noted that to achieve universal energy access in Nigeria, the government must have sustained commitment.

There is a need for a clear regulatory and policy environment. This is essential to drive private sector investment, create incentive mechanisms for stakeholders and ensure sector accountability.

Shubham highlighted that the World Bank had approved about US$1.5 billion in new commitments to support the existing government initiatives for the power sector. He further stated that the power sector had experienced steady growth since establishing the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP).

Deliberating on the electricity deficit gaps in the country, Ashish Khanna, Regional Director for Infrastructure, Africa West and East, The World Bank, added that the Nigeria Electrification Plan offers a huge opportunity for increased private sector participation.

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Drama as minors collapse in court as FG arraigns 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters

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There was chaos at a federal high court in Abuja on Friday after some children who allegedly took part in the #EndBadGovernance protests collapsed while waiting to be arraigned.

The court had fixed Friday for the arraignment of the defendants who are mostly minors.

At the commencement of proceedings, the children who looked ill and malnourished, were asked to come forward to take their plea.

While some huddled in the dock, others stood outside the cubicle due to insufficient space.

However, four of them hurriedly rushed out of the courtroom after they collapsed and writhed in pain.

Obiora Egwuatu, presiding judge, had to rise abruptly before calm returned to the courtroom.

When the court session resumed, the prosecution asked that the names of the four ill children be removed from the charge.

The application was granted and the other defendants were arraigned.

The 76 defendants, who were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states, are being accused of treason, among other offences.

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Reps consider raising retirement age of health workers to 65

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A bill seeking to raise the retirement age of health workers has scaled the second reading at the house of representatives.

Adewale Hammed, the lawmaker representing the Agege federal constituency of Lagos state, sponsored the bill to raise the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 and from 35 to 40 years in service.

Leading the debate on the bill during the plenary on Thursday, the lawmaker argued that the law will enable experienced healthcare workers will continue to contribute their expertise to the sector until they reach the age of 65.

“Nigeria’s healthcare sector is currently experiencing a significant depletion in both the number and quality of professionals due to two main factors,” Hammed said.

“Firstly, a substantial number of health workers are migrating abroad in search of the proverbial golden fleece — a trend difficult to stop given the fundamental human rights of the individuals concerned.

“Secondly, the compulsory retirement age of 60 and the mandatory 35 years of service, as stipulated in the public service rules, are contributing to the exodus of experienced professionals.

“While we cannot control the former, the latter can be addressed through the upward review of the retirement age, which will be achieved by this bill.”

The lawmaker said the retirement age of judges, lecturers, and teachers has been raised, noting that health workers should not be left out.

Mark Esset, a lawmaker from Akwa, opposed the bill, contending that opportunities should be given to many well-trained Nigerians who are searching for jobs rather than extending the service years of those who are due for retirement.

Nwaeke Felix from Rivers also spoke against the bill, backing Esset’s argument.

However, Ahmed Jaha from Borno spoke in favour of the bill, noting that it will not stop the recruitment of new graduates.

Lawmakers voted in support of the bill when Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the house, subjected it to a voice vote.

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Realtor goes missing after being called to check property in Lagos

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A 43-year-old man identified as Jimi Folarin, a realtor, has gone missing after being called by a client to inspect properties in the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

According to his sister, Iremide Omowunmi, Folarin left the house at exactly 4 PM on Wednesday for the property inspection and has not answered his phone since.

She stated, “At about 4 PM, my brother called me to say that the clients he was waiting for had contacted him to come and inspect the properties. This was exactly at 4 PM.

“My brother is a real estate agent who sells land and assists people in buying land. Around 5 PM, I tried calling him to see if he had arrived, but although the phone rang, he did not pick up. I thought maybe he was busy with the clients, so I stopped calling. It wasn’t until 10 PM that I tried reaching him again, but he still didn’t respond. I then texted him on WhatsApp, but he didn’t reply either, which is unlike him.

“While I was calling him, my brother’s friend was also trying to reach him. After a while, a strange number called my brother’s friend, asking who he wanted to speak to. When my brother’s friend questioned the caller, they immediately hung up.

“This morning, I called that strange number, and the person answered. But when I asked for Folarin, my brother, they abruptly ended the call. I have reported the case to the Gbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu,” she added.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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