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NBET Pays GenCos 50% Of Invoice On Power Supply …Minister Blames Collapse Of Transmission, Distribution Lines
Power generation companies (GenCos) were paid just half of their total invoice to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) for power supplied to the National Grid in the first nine months of last year.
Industry data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) showed that the GenCos were paid N311.06billion out of the total invoice of N614.58billion, representing 50.61percent.
This was, however, an improvement compared to what the GenCos received over the same period in 2020 where NBET paid just 24.03percent (N136.03billion) of the N569.14billion invoice sent in by the power generators.
A monthly analysis of data on NBET payments to GenCos from January to September, 2021, showed that the electricity bulk trader paid N37.04billion or 51.9percent of the N71.37billion invoice for energy supplied in January, 2021.
The GenCos got N26.19billion, representing 39.6percent of the N66.15billion invoice sent to NBET for energy supplied in February, 2021.
The payment for power supplied in March was N35.78billion or 51.9percent of the N68.89billion invoice sent to NBET.
Also, NBET payment for energy supplied in April was N39.46billion, representing 56.6percent of N69.65billion sent in by the GenCos.
For May, NBET paid the GenCos N40.54billion or 55.3percent of the N73.30billion invoice for energy supplied.
In June, 2021, the GenCos were paid N31.88billion or 48.1percent of the N66.20billion invoice sent to NBET for energy supplied to the national grid.
Also, NBET paid the GenCos N36.03billion or 52.4percent of the N68.71billion invoice for energy supplied in July, 2021.
In August, the GenCos were paid N31.14billion, representing 46.4percent of the N67.16billion invoice sent to NBET, while in September, the GenCos got N32.99billion or 52.2percent of the N63.15billion invoice sent to NBET for energy supplied.
The NBET implements the Minimum Remittance Order issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to all electricity distribution companies (DisCos), which sets the minimum percentage payment each DisCo is to remit to NBET monthly.
It is from the DisCos’ remittances that NBET pays the invoice sent in by the GenCos.
NBET, in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, by Head, Corporate Communications, Henrietta Ighomrore, said it would continue to deploy strategies and initiatives to enhance the market liquidity in the sector through improving payments to the generation companies, further supported by its power sector reform program and the market discipline committee.
NBET had in 2016 conceptualise and began the implementation of its N701.9billion Payment Assurance Facility (PAF), when generation capacity was greatly threatened due to shortage of gas and the inability of some power generation companies to meet their immediate obligations.
NBET explained that the PAF was efficiently managed and disbursed from January, 2017 till December, 2018, and resulted in a quantum leap of 6500MW generation capacity to a 7659MW at the end of the PAF.
The success of the N701.9billion PAF-led to sustainable generation capacity and increased available electricity, this success led to the birth of PAF 11.
The implementation of PAF 11 which is N600billion facility was implemented for 2019/2020, and later metamorphosed into the Power Sector Reform Programme.
“NBET has consistently demonstrated efficiency and transparency in the administration of the financial flow”, the company added.
She further stated that NBET is committed to ensuring timely and efficient payment to GenCos to enable the generators to fulfill their obligations and maintain sustainable supply of electricity to the grid.
Ighomrore stated that NBET is engaging with all stakeholders in the value chain to ensure payment improvement and viability of the Nigerian electricity market.
Despite the obvious poor financial state of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), the Minister of Power, Engr. Abubarkar Aliyu has insisted that the financial viability of the sector was not in doubt.
Speaking at a power correspondents’ event in Abuja, Aliyu said the Federal Government was reviewing the sector with the intent of making needed changes to grow the industry.
According to him, “to make the long term changes that will move the sector forward, we are presently looking at the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 (EPS), and reviewing aspects that constitute stagnation to the sector.
“The whole essence of this is to achieve good quality, stable, reliable and affordable electricity in Nigeria, which is indeed the yearning of the good people of Nigeria. The right policies, when carefully implemented and monitored, with constant reviews and checks, will lead us to our desired Sector growth.
“During my watch as a minister, I will always ensure that the conversation and growth path strategies are discussed and adopted, after careful reviews and possible outcomes. We are aware that the power sector is made up of both government and private sector players. The plan of the government is to ensure that all players focus on the big picture with a proper alignment to achieve the desired growth. The primary purpose of government is to develop policies and laws and to properly orient the players”.
He explained that one of his “cardinal goals, on the assumption of office, is to reduce or totally eliminate the human factor issues limiting the growth of the sector. It is important to note, as I have observed that the viability of the sector is not in doubt.
“We just need to boldly deal with some challenges militating against the desired growth, some of which are Transmission and Distribution bottlenecks, funding difficulties, Transmission wheeling inadequacy, old and dilapidated distribution infrastructure.
“Others are confidence in the electricity market, energy losses, non-payment of electricity bills and lack of transparency within sector players, amongst others,” he added.
Similarly, Minister for Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu has blamed poor power generation and distribution in the country on the continuous collapse of transmission and distribution lines, saying the government is working hard to improve power supply in the country.
He explained that the country at the moment has an installed capacity of 13,000MW but can evacuated only 5,000MW to the National Grid.
The minister, who made this known, yesterday, in Makurdi during a courtesy call on Governor Samuel Ortom while on a working visit to Benue State, assured that Federal Government was working hard to boost power generation and transmission in the country.
He said, “power is one area that has been receiving attention of this Federal Government. We know that the government owns 40percent of the distribution. The National Grid is controlled from Osogbo and must receive enough energy to transmit power. Government has set out to rehabilitate the transmission grid and we are beginning to see results.
“Our national transmission has not increased from 5,000MW but it has not dropped. We used to have more than 15 to 17 system collapses in the past but we only experienced two in 2021.
“We will see improve this year 2022. It is a year of delivery. The Yandev to Makurdi transmission line will also be completed within six months,” he assured.
On the Presidential Power Initiative, he said it was being implemented in partnership with the German Government and driven by Special Purpose Vehicle with the minister of finance as the board chairman.
According to him, under the project, the Federal Government had ordered 10 power transformers to be deployed all over the country which would boost electricity supply in the country.
The minister, who was accompanied by the Minister for State, Power, Mr. Goddy Agba, explained that they were in the state to inspect the ongoing upgrade of the Joint Sub Stations from Kashibilla in Taraba State “where there is a dam and power plant to Yandev in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State which has been completed and already giving power to Takum, Wukari and its environs. The project’s capacity is 40MW but there are technical issues we are addressing.”
Receiving the delegation, Governor Samuel Ortom commended President Muhammadu Buhari for improving on power distribution in the country.
“The Power Ministry is committed to execution of projects under their purview. I can attest to the fact that there is an improvement to what we had seen in the past as far as power generation and distribution is concerned. I commend the President for this,” the governor said.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.