NEWS
Nigerians Not Making Noise About ₦1k Per Litre Due To Reduced Reliance On Generators – Power minister
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has claimed that many Nigerians have stopped voicing complaints about the high cost of petrol because they are no longer solely dependent on generators for electricity.
Speaking during his keynote address at the ongoing 2024 edition of the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference in Lagos, Adelabu highlighted the theme, “Breaking Barriers in the New Energy Era: Clean, Reliable and Sustainable,” while addressing the current energy landscape in the country.
His comments come in the wake of rising petrol prices, which recently surged to between ₦998 and ₦1,030 per litre following the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) announcement of the end of its sole off-taker arrangement with the Dangote Refinery.
This price hike has resulted in significant increases in transportation costs, food prices, and other essential household commodities.
According to ThisDay, the minister also emphasized the federal government’s commitment to enhancing energy access, revealing plans to replace all generators in the country in alignment with the Lagos State policy aimed at replacing 1 million generators within a year.
He said, “People don’t need to buy petrol again as much as they used to do for them to have power. That’s why the noise is even at this level. If they had to be going to the filling stations to buy N1000 per litre of petrol to generate electricity, we would have even had louder noise from the public.
“So, what we intend to do is to make sure that all the generators are replaced in line with Lagos State Policy of Replacement of 1 Million Generators in One Year. I saw that. We must replace all the generators.”
While reflecting on Nigeria’s power generation, the minister lamented the slow growth, saying, “It took us almost 40 years to generate additional 2000MW from the 2000MW milestone we achieved in 1984. Now, we have taken it to an average of 5000MW, with a peak of 5,527MW on the third of September. But we are not deterred. If the last best time was 50 years ago, I believe the next best time is today, and this must wake us up. So, it’s an issue I don’t like to remember.”
NEWS
Drug Trafficking: This Is A Direct Attack On The NDLEA – HURIWA Reacts To Senator’s Corruption Allegation
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has reacted to a corruption allegation levelled against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) by Kwara South Senator, Oyelola Yisa Ashiru.
Ashiru had claimed that the drug agency was the most corrupt and compromised government agency in Nigeria.
He alleged that there was a high rate of drug trafficking going on in the country because of the corruption within the agency.
However, HURIWA has stated that the politician’s stand could be politically motivated since he failed to back his claims with tangible and traceable evidence.
They argued that the lawmaker’s claim may be a figment of his imagination.
The Association wondered why those elected to lead and represent the people could be speaking on serious and sensitive issues without control.
Speaking on Wednesday during a press conference, the group called for an urgent investigation into the senator’s claims, insisting that the issue should not be swept under the carpet.
HURIWA said, “We find it alarming that a lawmaker would make such a ‘reckless’ and generalized allegation against one of Nigeria’s agencies (without any evidence).
“We at HURIWA suspect that the introduction of this bill is a game plan orchestrated by certain forces who are unhappy with the current NDLEA leadership’s determination to intensify the drug war.
“The NDLEA already has departments dedicated to drug awareness and rehabilitation.
“The proposal to create another agency with similar functions would only serve to weaken the NDLEA’s capacity and could be seen as a deliberate attempt to destabilize its operations.
“This bill is not just redundant; it is a direct attack on the NDLEA. The NDLEA’s public awareness programs and rehabilitation efforts are already effective, so there is no need for another agency. The only thing this bill will achieve is to divide resources and energy, ultimately weakening the fight against drug barons.”
President Bola Tinubu has expressed grieve over the death of 105 people in the petrol tanker explosion that occurred on Tuesday in Majia town, Jigawa State.
Naija News reports that Tinubu, in a statement through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, to lead a high-level delegation to Jigawa state to console the residents.
He said the delegation, while in Jigawa, would visit the incident scene to assess the situation and visit injured persons in the hospital.
Tinubu prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved families and the peaceful repose for the souls of the departed.
He also reassured the nation that the Federal Government, in collaboration with states, is committed to the swift and comprehensive review of fuel transportation safety protocols nationwide.
The statement reads, “President Bola Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to lead a Federal Government delegation to Jigawa in response to Tuesday night inferno in Majia town, which claimed over 100 lives.
“The government delegation will comprise the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali; Corps Marshall of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Shehu Mohammed; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North West), Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai.
“President Tinubu further directs that emergency aid, including medical supplies, food, and shelter, be extended to the 50 victims receiving treatment and others affected by the fire.
“The President, with a heavy heart, joins the Vice President in extending his deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this devastating incident.
“He expresses his heartfelt prayers and support to the government and people of Jigawa during this time of tragic loss and grief.
“He restates his directive to the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) to strengthen night travel measures, such as increased patrols, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, and other highway safety mechanisms.
“He said those found responsible for breaches of safety standards will be held accountable, reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring such incidents do not recur.”
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, announced that the minimum wage for civil servants in the state is ₦85,000.
Sanwo-Olu spoke on Wednesday during an interview with Channels Television.
He said, “I’m glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we have discussed with our union, is ₦85,000 today.
“It is not a competition. I am not going to say that we are paying more than some people, it is a function of affordability and capacity.
“We know too well that when people live in Lagos, Lagos has a premium in terms of the cost of living. We are fully aware.
“We also increased our salary earlier in the year. I will want to come back in January and say that I have been able to increase the minimum wage of Lagos to ₦100,000, not because I want to make anybody look bad, but because I want my people to have a living wage.”
Naija News understands that the Federal Government early in the year had approved ₦70,000 for civil servants after negotiation with organised labour, which consists of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other affiliate unions.
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