‘It’s disservice to Nigeria if PDP returns to power in 2019’

Deputy governorship candidate of Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has said it would be a disservice to Nigeria if the electorate return Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to power in 2019.

While addressing supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s secretariat in Lagos, the former Commissioner for Works, said it was in the interest of the country if President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo are reelected next year.

He said this would enable them to clear the mess PDP perpetrated for 16 years, as they would also be able to consolidate on the solid foundation that they have laid for the development since 2015.

Hamzat also appealed to the electorate to vote APC governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stressing that this would enable the party to continue with the developmental chart it has been laying in the past 20 years.

According to him, “PDP destroyed Nigeria during its 16 years’ reign and therefore does not deserve to be returned in 2019. We need to allow President Buhari continue with what he is currently doing.”

Hamzat also dismissed insinuation that PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the party’s governorship standard-bearer in Lagos, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, are capable of giving the ruling party a tough time.

He stressed: “Our campaign will be very easy because PDP destroyed Nigeria. It spent N1.7trillion on power for 16 years but could only generate 2,950 megawatts. But within three years, APC increased power generation to 6,500 megawatts.
“PDP government did not complete any road in the country, but within three years in office, APC completed many roads. It completed the Gombe-Yola-Taraba Road while Oyo-Ogbomoso Road is about 80 per cent completion.”

He said Nigerians should consider the future of their children and the generation unborn before deciding whom to elect in 2019, adding,
“It is important we protect this country from PDP because it lacks plan and strategy for progress and development.”

Hamzat also took a swipe at Agbaje for saying Lagos is under bondage. According to him, “Lagos has moved from state of bankruptcy it was when Bola Tinubu became governor in 1999 to a viable economic state that survives without federal allocation now due to visionary leaderships of APC. If Lagos is under bondage, the question is who enslaved it?

“APC raised Lagos Internal Revenue Generation (IGR) from N600 million in 1999 to the current N38 billion and it never owed its workers any salary. Agbaje has no point to say Lagos is under bondage.”

Buhari to Govs: Economy in bad shape, tighten your belts

President Muhammadu Buhari has told governors of the 36 states of the federation that the economy of the country is in a bad shape.

The President met with the Governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja for about 30 minutes today.

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari who briefed State House reporters at the end of the meeting, said the President told them to tighten their belts.

The Governors met the President after an extended session of the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

Yari had told journalists that they thanked the President for releasing the Paris club funds to them without any discrimination.

Asked what was the President’s response, he said: ” The President responded by thanking and telling us that the economy is in bad shape and that we have to come together and think on the way forward,” he said

In attendance at the NEC were David Umayi (Ebonyi),Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Nasiru El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi).

Some Deputy Governors were also in attendance including the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Mannir Yakubu

Don’t blame FG for poor power supply – Fashola

Abuja— The Federal Government, yesterday, told Nigerians not to blame it for the poor electricity supply across the country.

Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, who spoke at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja, Wednesday night, however, advised electricity consumers in the country to direct their complaints about poor power supply and faulty equipment to electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs and Generation Companies, GENCOs.

Meanwhile, the Generation Companies have disputed the claims by Fashola, arguing that they had made major progress despite challenges in the power sector.

Fashola explained that the Federal Government could no longer interfere in the issue of citizens not having electricity in the country since the sector had been privatised.

According him, “if you don’t have electricity, it is not the Federal Government’s problem, take the matter to the people who are operating the power sector, generation and distribution companies.

“There are problems without a doubt and we must deal with them. But let me remind you, all of the assets that the Ministry of Power used to control for power have been sold by the last administration before I came. And so, if you don’t have power, it is not the government’s problem. Let us be honest.

“The people who are operating the power sector, generation and distribution are now privately owned companies. I am here because I am concerned. If your telephone is not working, it is not the Minister of Communication that you go to. Let us be very clear.

“So, for those of you who want to weaponise electricity, face the businessmen who have taken it up. Let us be honest; if your bank over-charges you interest, is it the Minister of Finance you go to? So, let’s be clear, this is now a private business by Act of Parliament 2005.

“My role is regulatory, oversight and policy, but I have a problem which is the fact that I can’t see a problem and turn my back, so I’m getting involved. So, the people you should be talking to about transformers is not me, the ministry doesn’t supply transformers anymore.”

He further defended his position on the issue, insisting that the minister supervises the ministry and that the GENCOs and DISCOs were players under the FMPWH.

Taking a cue from the analogy given by the participants while answering a question, the minister said: “I think that NERC (Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission) is the referee of the game. I am FIFA (Federation of International Football Association) and it is not right as you said that FIFA gets involved, because whether the referee makes a mistake or not, the goal stands.

“So the FIFA man does not enter the field to say go and change the result, but it’s an interesting analogy that I’ve also contemplated in my head and that’s why you didn’t catch me by too much surprise. However, it is important to allow the referee to continue to decide the game because investors like to know who decides.”

We’ve exceeded majority of our contractual obligations — GENCOs

Reacting to the minister’s position, Generation Companies, yesterday, refuted the claims, saying they have exceeded contractual obligations set by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE.

In a statement, yesterday, Dr. Joy Ogaji, Executive Secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies, argued that it had scaled through despite challenges in the power sector.

“GENCOs despite the stern challenges they are faced with from inception till date, have in association with the above FGN objective, kept to the terms of the industry agreements they entered into with the BPE, which defines the relationship between the privatised companies and the government (Represented by BPE and Ministry of Finance incorporated, MOFI), with a five year period to recover lost capacities.

“Records from BPE shows that as at the takeover date, in November 2013, available generation capacity was 4,500MW. Also, installed generation capacity currently stands at 13, 496MW as against 12, 500MW at take over. GENCOs engaged on a massive capacity recovery plan with their acquired asset and achieved in no time lost capacities increasing available capacity to 7, 913MW.

“GENCOs have not just increased their capacities, they have also improved in operational performance in the area of human resource management, Quality, Health Safety and Environment standards and community service responsibilities, which are all components of their agreement.

‘Success story of GENCOs’

“Today, BPE confirms most of the GENCOs have exceeded their contractual obligations. For instance, Ughelli Transcorp at takeover date had generation capacity of 160 MW and has increased to over 701MW which they achieved in 2017. Similarly, Egbin at takeover in November 2013, averaged generation of below 300-MW due to the dismal operational state of its six units.

“At its lowest point, only two of the six units were partially operational. Egbin currently has ramped up capacity to generate 1,320 MW subject to gas availability. On the other hand, the Hydros like Shiroro at takeover had 450mw with some of the units not operating optimally, they have overhauled the units and Shiroro now generates 600mw which was the stalled capacity.

“Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited has increased the combined Generating Capacity of Kainji and Jebba Power Plants from 582MW as at takeover to 922MW. Overhaul has been successfully carried out on one of the generating Units at Jebba Plant. Capacity recovery process on other unavailable units continues which will enable the plants recover to full installed capacity. These are just a few of the successes. We cited two thermal and two hydro plants for purposes of brevity.

“Meanwhile, the privatisation of the power sector has exposed the inherent structural weakness in the sector. As investors, GENCOs are worst hit in this electricity market logjam. They generate power and the power is consumed and not paid for. The TEM regulation betrayed GENCOs. Ineffective contracts as against the TEM promise; Imposed quasi-PPA; Constrained down and out – unrecognized deemed capacity, EoH effect, wrongly defined Available Capacity. The above facts culminate to the understanding that whatever is on paper today as an outstanding to any GENCOS is less than the actual. GENCOs are all casualties, a collateral damage to the economy.”

US designates Boko Haram, entity ‘of particular concern’

The United States has announced the designation of the Boko Haram terrorist group as an entity “of particular concern”.

The US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in a statement revealed the designation of Boko Haram alongside the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, al-Qa’ida and al-Shabab.

Pompeo also designated Saudi Arabia, Iran, Burma, North Korea, among “countries of particular concern”, while Comoros, Russia, and Uzbekistan were placed on “special watch list”.

“On November 28, 2018, I designated Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for having engaged in or tolerated ‘systematic, ongoing, (and) egregious violations of religious freedom.

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“I also placed Comoros, Russia, and Uzbekistan on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated ‘severe violations of religious freedom.

“Finally, I designated al-Nusra Front, al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula, al-Qa’ida, al-Shabab, Boko Haram, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Khorasan, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern,” Pompeo said.

The US top diplomat regretted that in far too many places across the globe, individuals continue to face harassment, arrests, or even death for simply living their lives in accordance with their beliefs.

Pompeo said: “The United States will not stand by as spectators in the face of such oppression.

“Protecting and promoting international religious freedom is a top foreign policy priority of the Trump Administration.

“In July, I hosted the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, which brought together some 85 like-minded governments and more than 400 civil society organisations to harness global attention and motivate forceful action to advance respect for the human right of religious freedom”.

According to him, safeguarding religious freedom is vital to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity.

“These designations are aimed at improving the lives of individuals and the broader success of their societies.

“I recognise that several designated countries are working to improve their respect for religious freedom; I welcome such initiatives and look forward to continuing the dialogue.

“The United States remains committed to working with governments, civil society organisations, and religious leaders to advance religious freedom around the world,” Pompeo said.

The Boko Haram terrorist activities have claimed thousands of people’s lives, and affected millions of families, leaving behind huge humanitarian crises, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

“The humanitarian crisis in North East Nigeria that has spilled into neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger, is one of the most severe in the world today.

“In North East Nigeria, 10 years of conflict has left more than seven million people in dire need of help in the three worst-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

“About 1.8 million people are internally displaced. People need food, water, shelter and health services,” the UN agency said.

Disquiet in Zaria as DISCO disconnects city

There was disquiet in Zaria yesterday as the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) disconnected light in most parts of the ancient city over alleged non-payment of bills.

The chairman of Zaria Local Government, Aliyu Idris Ibrahim, had advised the company against disconnecting the city for security reasons.

His media aide, Abubakar Rilwan, said: “When KEDCO visited the council chairman, Engineer Aliyu Idris Ibrahim in his office, the chairman told them that they shouldn’t disconnect the transformers for security reason, but they went ahead. We see this as a calculated attempt to mar the present administration at both state and national levels. The council would not tolerate this action of KEDCO, because criminals may take advantage of the darkness to commit crime,”
Residents described condemned the company’s decision.

Alhaji Aliyu Garba, a resident, said: “There are people that have pre-paid metres, which means they pay before enjoying service. Why someone would decide to punish these kinds of people because of defaulters. As a company, they ought to employ means of punishing defaulters, not the entire city. I think the government should intervene before the problem gets out of hand.”

When contacted, Head, Corporate Communications of the company, Mr Abdulaziz Abdullahi, said the disconnection had nothing to do with politics.

Abdullahi, who said the company was on massive disconnections, said those affected were customers who had not paid their bills in the last six months.

He said apart from having earlier written to them to ask them to pay their bills, the company had also invited them for a meeting which, he noted, they did not attend.

He said the company was asking them to pay only the current bills first.

Shell emerges Local Content Operator of the year

L-R; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote; General Manager, External Relations, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Igo Weli; and SPDC’s General Manager, Contracting and Procurement, Antony Elis, at the Recent Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria Award Night in Port Harcourt where SPDC emerged local content company of the year.

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has emerged the Local Content Operator of the Year 2018 at the Annual Oil Industry Achievement Awards Dinner of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN,) an association of indigenous technical oilfield service companies in the upstream and downstream sectors. This marks the record third time Shell Companies in Nigeria have won the PETAN award, having clinched same award in 2013 and 2015.

Shell’s General Manager, Contracting and Procurement, Antony Ellis, also bagged the PETAN Chairman Outstanding Achievement Recognition Award for promoting the course of Nigerian oil service companies. Both awards were given after careful evaluation of the contributions of the international and national oil companies, to local content development.

“The awards are in recognition of Shell’s sustained effort in shaping direction of local content implementation in Nigeria through support for local asset ownership, growth of indigenous companies and human capacity development at all levels,” said PETAN Chairman, Mazi Bank-Antony Okoroafor, while announcing the awards at the dinner in Port Harcourt on Saturday, November 30.

Executive Secretary, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote, presented the corporate award which was received by SPDC’s General Manager External Relations, Igo Weli, on behalf of the Managing Director of SPDC, Osagie Okunbor.

Commenting on the award, Weli said, “We are motivated by these gestures to continue to pursue in-country value addition in the oil and gas sector in alignment with the government’s aspiration in local capacity development.”

The awards are the latest in the recognition of Shell’s pioneering role in Nigerian content development. In 2016, PETAN had honoured SPDC with the Distinguished Achievement Award (Corporate) while the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Bayo Ojulari, received PETAN’s Professional Award in the same year for his notable contributions to the development of Nigerian content in the oil and gas sector.

In addition to awards from PETAN, Shell Companies in Nigeria have also been honoured in Nigerian content development by the Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference, the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping and at the Social Enterprise Report and Awards (SERAs.)

Heritage Bank promotes culture, as winner emerges at 42nd edition of Miss Nigeria

Heritage Bank Plc, Nigeria’s most innovative banking services provider; has partnered with Folio Group, owners of Daily Times, the organizers of the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant to host the 42nd edition of the contest.

Speaking at the grand finale of the contest in Lagos, Mr. Fela Ibidapo, Head of Corporate Communications of Heritage Bank said the bank stands with anything that has to do with culture, adding that the bank is at the fore front of ensuring that it promotes and pushes the Nigerian heritage.

Ibidapo who commended the organisers and the contestants added that the bank would continue to support the contestants and the winner in their various dreams post the event.

Miss Chidinma Leilani Aaron emerged as the 42nd Miss Nigeria from the South East Zone at the keenly contested beauty pageant at the high brow Eko Hotel in Lagos, beating other 17 contestants that were unveiled at the grand finale.

Miss Aaron is a graduate of Business Administration from Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State and is the best graduating student in human resources among her set of enterprise students. She is an entrepreneur, business administrator and a chef and is currently undergoing her National Youth Service at Blencc Solutions Limited, Abuja.

She is also an associate member of IPO-CRM as well as a certified COMPTIA Project Management and a Customer Relationship Management.

The new Miss Nigeria has worked with top brands in television, fashion, hospitality and food industry as a presenter, model, actress and management staff. She has also served as the pioneer female president of the National Association of Business and Management Students of Lead City University chapter.

18 contestants from the six geographical zones of the country made it to the grand finale from which eliminated six to pruned down the number to 12 made up of: Ntan Nton, Egede Lagele, Thomas Mseve, Ameh Munirah, Otunba Ifunaya, and Shitta Remilekun.

Others are Tizhe Usa Miriam, Okudili Odinaka Doris, Agida Stephanie, Ugwu Ijeoma, Aaron Chidinma Leilani, and Dunu Chisom Olivia

This was subsequently later reduced to five by the panel of judges made up of Rita Dominic, Jasmine Tukur, Fade Ogunro, Tatiana Moussalli among others, from which Miss Aaron emerged.

The five finalists were Dunu Chisom, Ntan Sharon Nton, Ameh Munirah, Agida Stephanie and Aaron Chidinma Leilani. Dunu emerged the first runner-up while Ameh was named the second runner-up.

Miss Aaron, the winner of the pageant, took home N3 million from Heritage Bank. She takes over the crown from Mildred Ehiguese who won the 2017 edition.

The Miss Nigeria beauty pageant started in 1957 as a photo contest. Contestants posted photographs of themselves to the Daily Times headquarters in Lagos where finalists were shortlisted and were invited to compete in the live final. A UAC employee, Grace Oyelude won the maiden edition of Miss Nigeria and used part of her £200 prize money to travel to England to study Nursing.