System collapse compounds power sector crisis

WEEKS of power shortages across the nation, punctuated by lamentations in the Ministry of Power over gas shortages and system collapse, have shown the futility of unduly tinkering with the Electric Power Sector Reform programme.

NERC clears way for States, Discos to generate, distribute electricity

L-R: Muhammad Lawal Bello, vice chairman, NERC; Sam Amadi, chairman, NERC, and Patrick Umeh, commissioner, Finance and Management Service, NERC, during the signing of the Independent Electricity Distribution Network Regulation and Embedded Generation in Abuja, yesterday. Pic by Tunde Adeniyi

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has signed into effect regulations for two critical licence types that would allow independent interests to generate and distribute power.

ACN Reps warn Jonathan about impeachable offences

Action Congress of Nigeria members in the House of Representatives on Thursday warned President Goodluck Jonathan over alleged non-implementation of Acts passed by the National Assembly.

Jonathan okays PHCN headquarters for NERC

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has given the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) permission to acquire the Abuja headquarters of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), a source revealed at the weekend.

New electricity tariff to take effect Q2

Nigerians should prepare to start paying higher electricity tariff from the second quarter of this year as plans have been concluded to raise the current rate between April and June.

Okonjo-Iweala’s glamorous hoax

I WATCHED the town hall meeting organised by the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria to debate the planned removal of fuel subsidy, on television. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, Minister for Finance, presented government’s position on the need to remove the subsidy. Her scholarly and studious visage conveyed the aura of expertise and credibility.

Jonathan directs EFCC’s probe of subsidy payments

EFCC Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde

President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to begin the review of all payments made in respect of subsidies on petrol and kerosene.

Power generation hits 4,420MW – Ministry

Nigeria has achieved a new high in electricity generation with 4,420 megawatts out of which 4,160MW are available for distribution, while 260MW are “spinning reserves,” the Ministry of Power has said.

Press Release: The PPPRA Announces Removal Of Fuel Subsidy

PPPRA Announces Formal Removal of Subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

‘5000 megawatts power generation not realistic’

There are strong indications that the country may not meet the 5000 megawatts electricity power generation promised by the end of 2011.

Kumuyi, others advocate summit on subsidy removal

The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi

The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, on Sunday advised President Goodluck Jonathan to listen to the outcries against the planned removal of fuel subsidy.

Why Nigerians should support fuel subsidy removal – Maku

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku

In this interview during his visit to PUNCH PLACE, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, speaks on many issues, including the contentious planned removal of fuel subsidy.

Govt grants licences to 20 independent power firms

New law to empower states to generate electricity

IN a practical move to take the nation out of darkness through private sector-driven scheme, the Federal Government yesterday issued a total of 20 licences to independent power producers in the country.

Dangote, 134 others begin due diligence on power firms

Alhaji Aliko Dangote

About 135 firms that were pre-qualified to bid for the successor companies to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria have started conducting physical due diligence on the 17 power firms that have been put up for sale by the Federal Government.

Nnaji orders PHCN to pay 50% salary increase

Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji

The Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, has issued "a second and final warning" to the PHCN managing director and chief executives of the 18 firms created out of the power utility to pay the new 50 per cent salary increase not later than this week.

Senate probes Customs over sale of power equipment

THE Senate Committee on Power yesterday ordered the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to retrieve 17 containers-load of electrical equipment meant for the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) alleged to have been sold.

US, Nigeria sign $1.5 billion electricity financing deal

A scramble of power cables in Oshodi district of Lagos (AFP/File, Pius Utomi Ekpei)

Stable Electric Supply: BPE cuts power investors to 150

The number of investors that have indicated ‘expression of interest’ in the purchase of some companies under the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) may have been pruned by half, by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) after a critical assessment of documents submitted by them.

Nigerians to stop use of generators soon – FG

Vice-President Namadi Sambo

Abuja – Vice-President Namadi Sambo has assured Nigerians that the use of generators will soon become history in view of the huge investment of government in the power sector.

Electricity tariff to rise by over 50%

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi

Nigerians are to start paying between 50 and 100 per cent more for electricity as from January next year, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, has said.