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Power sector: Nigerians beam hopes on Tinubu as Buhari govt fails
The inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday heralds a new era for the country after an unsuccessful attempt by the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari to break the jinx facing Nigeria’s power sector.
In 2015, when Buhari assumed power, he promised to revamp Nigeria’s transmission, distribution and generation subsectors of the power industry.
Eight years later, he exited the seat of power, leaving the sector unchanged.
According to data by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Agency, NERC, available power generation capacity stood at 4,712.34MW in the First Quarter of 2022.
The Nation had continued to hover around the generation capacity of 4,000MW to 5,000MW in a country with over 200 population. Meanwhile, of the generated electricity capacity, the Electricity Distribution Companies, DisCos, could only absorb less than 3, 802MW per day in July 2022. However, Nigeria needs a massive 25,000–40,000 megawatts (MW) of power supply.
Challenges in Nigeria’s Power Sector
The challenges in Nigeria’s power sector cut across the transmission, distribution and generation sectors.
The continued collapse of the National grid had characterised the power sector in the eight years of Buhari’s administration. On 15 May, the grid collapsed for the 99th time since 2015.
DAILY POST reports that in May 15, 2023, the national grid dropped to 221MW out of over 4,500MW routine available capacity. Accordingly, of over 16 active plants in the country, only three were on the grid at the time; Omotosho was on the grid with 132.90MW, Omotosho NIPP was also on the grid with 78MW, while Rivers IPP was on the grid with a generation of 10MW.
Since privatising the power sector in 2013, the national grid has collapsed 130 times.
In a report by NERC, the national grid collapses in 2015 were 10. That rose to 28 in 2016, while 21 cases were recorded in 2017. NERC listed the cases in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 as 13, 11, four and four, respectively. Last year, the grid failed seven times, among others that the commission did not capture.
As a solution to addressing the challenges in the power sector, Buhari’s government in 2020 launched the $2.3 billion Siemens deal, dubbed the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), to unlock Nigeria’s electricity generation to 25,000 MW in six years; however five years down the line, the project has not impacted the industry.
The challenges led Buhari into cabinet reshuffling, the Minister of Power- Babatunde Fashola, who served from 2015 to 2019 (when the Minister of Power was removed from his portfolio) and given to Mammah Saleh (August 2019 to September 2021) and Abubakar Aliyu whose tenure ended on Monday. However, despite the efforts of Buhari and his men, the sector continued to suffer setbacks.
Speaking with DAILY POST on Monday, the President of Network of Energy Reforms Nigeria, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Mr Kunle Olubiyo, stated that the power success had failed on all fronts under the Buhari administration.
He said electricity tariffs were increased by 500 per cent in the eight years of Buhari’s government without a commensurate improvement in the quality of services to consumers.
“Between 2016-2023, there was about a 500 per cent increase in electricity tariff without a corresponding increase in power generation, transmission, and distribution via the national electricity grid.
“Power sector’s failure in maximising the inherent potentials of the sector was largely due to failure of institutions and overbearing political interferences in the day to day business operations of the sector, resulting in a decline in power supply to Nigerians in the most unprecedented and embarrassing manners.
“In the years under review, there were largely pronounced failures of regulatory institutions in charge of enforcing market rules, extant operational rules and general failure of enforcement of regulatory framework”, he stated.
Also, Bode Fadipe, Global Power & energy sector policy analyst, said Buhari had not significantly impacted the Nation’s power sector.
He decried that the state of things in the market had remained convoluted under Buhari.
He noted that most of the challenges Buhari met in 2015 were eminently available after his exit on Monday.
“For operations, the Buhari administration did not depart remarkably from what it met on the ground. The state of things in the market continued to remain convoluted.
“From generation to distribution, the challenges that the administration met when it took over power in 2015 – three years into the privatisation were still visible even in the administration’s twilight.
“The number of grid system outages, the inability of the Siemens project to address operational issues and bring the necessary succour to end users of Electricity, the takeover of 6 of the DisCos (Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Ibadan, Benin & Port Harcourt) by financial institutions for lending delinquency, the notice of withdrawal of the licence of Kaduna DisCo, the periodic threat by generation companies to withdraw their service, the disturbing silence from the regulator even with the new policy direction provided by the 1999 Constitution are all indicators of a market that requires more than a mere glance by an administration that came on the mantra with a mountainous promise to make a difference within the Constitutionally allowed time to make a change”, he stated.
Similarly, Mr Joseph Eleojo, an energy expert, reiterated that nothing changed in the power sector under Buhari’s government except the increase in electricity tariffs.
He noted that Buhari’s administration only paid lip service to electricity generation in Nigeria.
“Foremost, nothing has changed in the electricity sector despite the so-called reforms. The generation has not crossed 6,000 Megawatts for a Country of over 200m people since the Military regime.
“What has changed in the electricity sector? He just increased tariffs without corresponding service. The Buhari Government only paid lip service to electricity generation”, he said.
Can Tinubu break the jinx in the power sector?
Tinubu, during his inaugural speech on Monday, had promised that his administration would undo the many challenges facing the country’s power sector.
He said, “Electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double, and transmission and distribution networks should be improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well”.
The specifics of how Tinubu would achieve the above feat in the power sector have remained to be determined.
It was not all bad during Buhari’s government as it completed the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, 40MW Hydropower Station and Associated 132KV Switchyard, Transmission Line and Distribution Substation located in Taraba state, 50 megawatts (MW) Maiduguri emergency power project and other projects.
Olubiyo advised Tinubu to review the entire gamut of the power sector.
According to him, the privatisation project of the country’s power sector had failed to achieve its desired outcome, hence the need for a drastic turnaround.
“The incoming administration should review the entire gamut of the power sector privatisation in its present state, which has failed to achieve the desired results despite huge investments.
“Electricity is a major enabler for job creation, industrialization, sustainable growth and development. The need for the incoming administration to get it right with electricity can not be over-emphasised,” he said.
Eleojo said Tinubu must prioritise electricity generation and distribution if he must succeed on the economic front.
He stated that Tinubu must undertake drastic reforms beyond rhetoric.
He particularly advised that the privatisation of the DisCos should be reviewed and the national grid disbanded.
“The incoming administration should make electricity generation and distribution its number one priority. It should carry out more drastic reforms, review the privatisation process of the DisCos and disband the national grid.
“Let private estates, local governments and other interested entrepreneurs generate and distribute electricity without getting a licence from NERC. The guidelines and regulations of NERC are one of the major bottlenecks to power generation in Nigeria”, he stated.
On his part, Fadipe said Tinubu’s government must walk the talk on the subnational government taking advantage of the liberalised power sector.
The government must intentionally kick the ground running in the transmission, distribution and generation sectors.
“It is also vital that the Tinubu administration takes deliberate steps to work with subnational governments to exploit the liberalised power sector.
“It is very important because if the national government provides that technical support, the subnational governments may be able to take advantage of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
“The Tinubu administration also needs to look very closely at the principal regulator of the sector to exorcize from it what is called the 1st Born Syndrome. Frequently, 1st borns are usually timid with a yes sir mentality. 1st borns are more managers than leaders. They are often quiet with an intention not to rock the boat.
“We have seen this syndrome in the principal regulator of the market. The regulator needs to lead the market from the front. A sector that is ten years old should have become stronger and better by now with a steady climb into higher altitudes. Unfortunately, we are still dealing with take-off issues in the market.
“As tantalising as it seems, asking for scrutiny of projects executed in the last 8 years will be distracting. That notwithstanding, past managers must be held accountable for their deeds as soon as there are discoveries”, he stated.
Like other past administrations, Tinubu’s government has started with hope and expectations; certainly, Nigerians are optimistic that the rhetoric would translate into fundamental changes required to curb the menace in Nigeria’s power sector.
Credited to: Dailypost.ng
As Tinubu Takes Oath as Nigeria’s 16th President Today
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will today make history as he will be sworn-in as the 16th president of Nigeria in Abuja. In this report, Adedayo Akinwale takes another look at Tinubu’s 80-page Action Plan to transform the nation.
In October, 2022, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu launched an ambitious 80-page Action plan tagged Renewed Hope 2023. The document encapsulated his plan to transform Nigeria if elected the president.
As fate would have it, Tinubu was declared winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential poll having polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Atiku abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 6,984,520 votes and Peter Obi of the Labour Party who came third with a total of 6,101,533 votes, while Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP came fourth with 1,496,687 votes.
Nevertheless, Nigerians are not new to political parties’ manifesto. The 15th president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, did the same. But one thing has been constant like a northern star, the more documents the politicians launch, the country has been repeatedly worse off at the end of their tenure.
In the case of Buhari, if at all he had any policy document, the best such policy document did was to bring Nigeria’s economy to its knees, while poverty conveniently resides in Nigeria and unemployment rate in the country has been awarded a Nigerian citizen. It’s a kind of affliction that Nigerians do not pray for it to rise a second time.
Without sugarcoating it, due to past ugly experiences, Nigerians are not really enthusiastic about any policy document of any politician or administration. They are just ready to roll with whatever policy each administration brings.
However, having survived the eight-year rule of Buhari, Nigerians will be willing to see how Tinubu hopes to transform the country, build on the successes of Buhari, if any, and reverse, most importantly the negative economic indices, while improving on the country’s security architecture, as well as reducing the unemployment rates.
Security
Expectedly, in the 80-page document, Tinubu promised to establish highly trained and disciplined anti-terrorist battalions to tackle insecurity in the country.
The president-elect said the military units would be better equipped with tactical communications gear and new vehicles to give them a greater communications and mobility advantage over criminals, bandits and terrorists.
Tinubu assured that his government would reduce the country’s dependence on imported foreign military equipment by ramping up domestic production of basic and essential military hardware and equipment, including small arms and ammunition.
He said: “Highly trained and disciplined anti-terrorist battalions (ABATTS) with special forces units will be created. Their objective shall be to seize the strategic and tactical initiative, in the hands of terrorists, kidnappers and bandits.
“We will further modernise our Armed Forces by ensuring that our weapons systems (land, sea and air) are capable of addressing current and anticipated security threats in the modern world. This shall also mean the recruitment of people who possess the technical skills required for today’s military.”
The president noted that the Police Force would be repositioned to deliver on its primary duties of community policing and maintaining law and order through crime fighting and prevention; while police personnel would be freed from extraneous duties such as VIP security and guard duties.
He explained that VIP Security and provision of security for government buildings, installations and other critical assets will be transferred to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The NSCDC shall be evaluated and reformed to be better integrated with our internal security apparatus.
Tinubu explained that his government would implement measures to eliminate attacks on vital national infrastructure, saying this would be known as Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Plan.
He added that integral to this effort would be the deployment of modern technologies, tools and equipment to end crude oil theft, prevent vandalization of national assets, and reduce, to the barest minimum, environmental pollution of the Niger Delta.
According to him, his government would combine increased aerial surveillance over land and sea with other cutting edge technology that would provide instant notification of intrusions or disruptions of oil pipelines and related installations.
He said such technology would also be deployed to monitor power stations, transmission and distribution networks, sea and airports, rail transportation, telecommunications and. other vital infrastructure.
Economy
In the document, Tinubu hinted that the budgetary procedure would be reviewed. He explained that budgetary custom based on the country’s annual budget and fiscal policies largely on the dollar value of projected oil revenue, not only artificially restrict the federal government’s fiscal latitude, it also unduly attracts the nation’s attention towards a single source of fiscal revenue to the detriment of others.
To him, to achieve optimal growth in the long term, government must wean itself from this limitation, adding, “A more efficient fiscal methodology would be to base our budgeting on the projected level of government spending which optimises growth and jobs’ without causing unacceptable levels of inflation. As part of this prudent growth-based budgeting, we will establish a clear and mandatory inflationary ceiling on spending. However, we must break the explicit link between naira expenditure and dollar inflows into the economy.”
Tinubu also said his government will limit foreign debt obligations emphasising that government can protect exchange rates, guard against inflation and preserve foreign currency reserves by limiting exposure to large debt obligations denominated in foreign currency.
He added that his administration will engage in extraordinary prudence in contracting debt in foreign currency. He emphasised that the policy will be such that new foreign currency debt obligations would be linked to projects that generate cash flows from which the debt can be repaid.
The president said, “Where possible, we shall limit such foreign currency denominated debts to essential expenditures that cannot be adequately addressed by either naira denominated expenditures or debt obligations.”
Job creation
He further promised that his administration will provide sufficient jobs with decent wages; revive manufacturing industries, generate, transmit and distribute sufficient and affordable electricity; manufacture, produce and market good quantities of the essential goods and services; export more and import less to strengthen the Naira; make food available and affordable; modernise and expand public infrastructure.
This, he said, his administration will achieve by building on the foundation laid by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
He added, “Based on our unshakable faith in our people and standing on the foundation established by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, we shall: Build a Nigeria where sufficient jobs with decent wages create a better life for all and a future of promise for our youth.
“Revive our manufacturing industries and place Nigeria back on the path of industrialisation and job creation. Generate, transmit and distribute sufficient, affordable electricity to give our people the necessary power to drive their businesses and brighten their homes. Power is key to unlocking the potential of our national economy.
“Manufacture, produce and market increased quantities of the essential goods and services we require. Nigeria shall be known as a nation of creators, not just consumers.
Export more and import less in order to earn more foreign exchange and strengthen the Naira.
“Deliver food security and affordability by continuing to prioritise agriculture and assist farmers and other players in the agricultural value chain through enlightened policies that promote productivity and guarantee robust incomes. Modernise and expand public infrastructure to stimulate economic growth at an optimal rate,” among others.
As the administration of Tinubu officially takes off today after being sworn-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola at the Eagle Square in Abuja, Nigerians are hopeful it will be a new dawn.
Credit to: www.thisdaylive.com
HAPPY CHILDRENS DAY
On this day, children are given the spotlight as various activities, events, and programs are organized to bring happiness and laughter into their lives. Schools, communities, and families come together to create a memorable experience for children, filled with fun, games, and educational activities.
May 29: Anxiety as Supreme Court decides Tinubu-Shettima’s fate
There is palpable fear and anxiety ahead of the landmark Supreme Court judgment regarding the victory of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.
The Supreme Court will today, Friday, decide on Tinubu’s victory over alleged double nomination by his running mate, Kashim Shettima.
DAILY POST reports that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is seeking Tinubu and the Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima’s disqualification, over alleged double nomination.
PDP claimed the act violated the electoral laws.
The appellant anchored its appeal on the claims that the appellate court erred in law when it dismissed its appeal and affirmed the judgment of a trial court which held that the suit was incompetent and lacking in merit.
PDP pointed out that the ruling party breached the law by nominating Shettima as the senatorial candidate for Borno Central and as vice-presidential candidate.
However, the anticipated ruling is causing some measure of panic among Nigerians.
Tinubu is expected to be inaugurated on May 29 as the next Nigerian president, but the decision of the apex court might either make or mar the event.
Speaking ahead of the judgement, Chuks Ibegbu, a public affairs analyst, said the ruling of the Supreme Court should not be a cause for alarm.
Ibegbu urged Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used in causing mayhem after the apex court ruling.
The chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo told DAILY POST: “Well the Supreme Court is the Highest in the land. There should be no cause for alarm. Whatever decision they take is Supreme. We hope their decision will be the best in the interest of justice and Nigeria.
“I want to advise all Nigerians to be law abiding. Nobody should allow anybody to use him as a tool for mayhem.
“Politicians must never be allowed to sow the seed of discord on us. We have many things in common, viz- marriage, workplace relationship, religious companionship, etc, and when these politicians finally settle down in office it’s their wives, children, girlfriends, associates etc they care for and their bottomless pockets.”
Credit to: Dailypost.ng
IT A NEW WEEKEND AGAIN
TGIF is often associated with a sense of relaxation, leisure, and freedom from work-related responsibilities. Many people look forward to Friday as a chance to unwind, spend time with family and friends, engage in hobbies or recreational activities, and recharge for the week ahead.
SLPP AND APC PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS SIGNED THE NATIONAL ELECTION PLEDGE
Breaking: His Excellency the President and SLPP Presidential Candidate together with other Presidential Candidates signed the National Election Pledge which contains key commitments among which is to accept the results of the 24th June 2023 multi-tier elections or commit to the Judicial resolution of electoral disputes. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Commonwealth, African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations, European Union and members of the National Election Pledge Committee.
Photo credit: Umaru Napoleon Koroma
#Afrinity
JULIET NANOH URGES HER FANS TO VOTE HER AS THE BEST ACTRESS IN THE SLAAM AWARDS 2023
One of Sierra Leone active and outstanding actresses #Juliet #Nanoh aka the screen godess” asking her fans to support her in clinching the 2023 SLAAM Best Actress Award by voting for her massively. 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾
Calling on all my amazing fans!
I couldn’t wait to share the incredible news with all of you. Guess what? 🥰 I have been nominated for this year’s prestigious SLAAM Awards! 🎉✨
It’s an absolute honor to be recognized for my work in the captivating movie “Choice.” 🎥🌟 Now, I need your support more than ever.
I kindly request you to cast your valuable votes and help me secure the title of “Best Sierra Leone Lead Actress.”💕 🥰 Your votes truly matter, and your support means the world to me.
Click on the voting link below and select your screen goddess, Juliet Nanoh, in the category of “BEST SIERRA LEONE LEAD ACTRESS.” ✨ Remember, every vote counts, so let’s make this happen.
Voting link : https://slaam.org/voting/
You can also vote the following in the other categories below:
BEST SIERRA LEONE MOVIES
Choice
BEST SIERRA LEONE DIRECTOR
Kerry David Barry(Ram Dee) – Choice.
BEST SIERRA LEONE LEAD ACTOR
Mohamed Alpha Keita (Sultan) – Choice.
Thank you all for your support : 💕🥰🙌🏽
#Afrinity
16 YEARS OLD SIERRA LEONE YOUNG STAR DANIEL DEEN SESAY IS PRESENTLY IN NORWAY
AIK Freetong Youngster Daniel Deen Sesay having a tryout with Norwegian Top flight club Tromso IL
AIK Freetong 16 years old youngster Daniel Deen Sesay is currently having a tryout with Norwegian top flight club Tromso IL after arriving at the club this week.
Daniel joined AIK Freetong in November 2022 from Manchester United Academy in Bo City after an impressive display at the 2022 WAFU Zone A U17 Tournament in Mauritania. Daniel was Sierra Stars top performer in the competition after scoring 2 goals in the team’s opener against host Mauritania.
Daniel who plays as a forward, upon joining AIK Freetong was immediately sent on loan to local Premier league outfit Old Edwardians FC where he is currently playing his football.
#Afrinity
RELEASE FROM THE NATIONAL TOURIST BOARD SIERRA LEONE
News Release from the National Tourist Board – Sierra Leone
History is shaken tonight, our iconic heritage and monumental symbol is down. The famous Cotton Tree is fallen. This tree has been part of core tour itineraries and tour packages which served major tourist generating regions. As a sector this is a gap and a challenge time for the sector. People, tourists and independent travelers around the world used to visit “the old maa” for its long standing slave history and landmark relevance.
We must not forget that the historic symbol of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, is a large kapok tree known as the “Cotton Tree.” According to our history, the tree gained importance in 1792 when a group of formerly enslaved people settled the site of what is now Freetown. As a nation we must attach historical worthiness to this tree, with somuch positive attitude that characterized our reach history.
It is believed by some to have been the resting place for the Black Poor when the arrived in Sierra Leone in 1787. They apparently rested and prayed underneath the shade of the tree.
The Nova Scotians upon arrival in 1792 are also said to have sung “Return ye, ransomed sinners home” at this site though some views are held that the tree associated with this settlers is some distance away.
Without hesitation: The Cotton Tree is synonymous to Freetown and has inspired many works of creative art. She has been so useful In the dry season and harmattan when sheds its leaves and branches but also in the rains the tree can be admired in all its splendour. Its magnetic pull makes it an attractive sight for visiting tourists.
Our land mark must be regained as an attraction not sorceries.
END.
#Afrinity
THE ICONIC SYMBOL OF FREETOWN HAS FALLEN
The Freetown Cotton Tree 🌳 has been the iconic symbol of the Capital City of Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 Freetown for 400 years. The heavy wind blown on the 24th May 2023 was responsible for the fallen of the great tree.
D5 Creation