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US Investor To Deliver 1,200mw Solar Power …PHED, Bank Sign Pre-metering Deal
Perm Sect Min of Intormation and Communication, Mrs Cordilia Peterside addressing participants during 2014 Skills Acquisition organised by Divine Daughters of Destiny of Redemption Ministries PHC. With her is Pastor (Mrs) M. Akinola (left) any Pastor (Mrs) Briggs, recently. Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken
A consortium of American investors in renewable energy, under the auspices of MOTIR SEASPIRE, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Ministry of Power to deliver in two years, 1,200 megawatts of solar powered electricity in Nigeria.
The proposed solar technology to be installed in Nigeria will be of United States standard, according to the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, as he assured that the consortium had the capacity to increase the scope of project up to 10,000MW in the next five years.
A statement from the power ministry quoted the President/CEO, MOTIR SEASPIRE, Mr. Emmanuel Irono, as saying that the team had a portfolio of over $5bn that could be accessed over a period of five years into its integrated renewable energy projects.
He said the initial 1,200MW will be realised in the next two years, adding that the local content component of 80 per cent Nigerians will make the country the hub of its activities in Africa.
He said, “As a compatriot, the concern for providing employment to the teeming populace will be a plus to the company’s quest for provision of training for the Nigerian workforce in the power sector in general and renewable energy in particular.”
Responding, the minister of power said he was excited that a compatriot was making this giant stride of harnessing the vast potentials of energy in solar.
Meanwhile, in a move to make pre-paid meter available to electricity customers, Ecobank Nigeria Plc and Port-Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) have signed a special agreement whereby their customers can secure finance for the acquisition of prepaid meters under the Credited Advanced Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) scheme.
The scheme, CAPMI is a special programme initiated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC), that allows willing electricity customers to make payment to distribution companies for pre-paid meters and such payment is then refunded back to the customer through deductions from the monthly electricity bills.
The scheme being introduced by Ecobank, one of the commercial Bank under the name CAPMI Credit, avails willing customers the opportunity of securing microfinance for pre-paid meter acquisition from PHED.
While signing the agreement last Thursday in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Executive Director, South-South and South-East, Ecobank, Mr. Kingsley Umadia, stated that CAPMI Credit was designed to help bring solution to the huge metering gap that was currently being experienced in the power sector.
Umadia noted that the acquisition of pre-paid meter would also stop the estimated bill, noting that electricity had been known to be a driver of economic prosperity.
He said that Ecobank decided to partner with PHED to help actualize the development of the sector for the country’s economic growth, adding that no country would function well without effective power.
In his own part, the, Chief Executive Officer, PHED, Mr. Jon Abbas, disclosed that the partnership with Ecobank was necessary as the bank had been a leading partner in service provision to customers.
Abbas stated that the deal was struck in order to achieve the company’s vision of being a leading utility in Nigeria as according to him, no country can function effectively without power, hence we work to ensure that power in the country is stable.
The Assistant General Manager, Customer Services, PHED, Mr. Godwin Orovwiroro, while making presentation on the scheme, explained that CAPMI credit would run alongside the regular CAPMI scheme that requires customers to make cash payment for meters.
Orovwiroro further explained that all categories of meters including single phase and three-phase were accommodated in the Ecobank finance scheme.
‘’Under CAPMI, electricity distribution companies repay the cost of prepaid meters back to customers who purchase them at 12% of the cost.’’,he said.
PHED is the electricity distribution company that serves four states in the south-south namely Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross and Rivers States.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.