General News
BPE Assures on Steady Power Soon
Benjamin Dikki, director general, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) has asked anxious Nigerians desirous of steady public power supply to be patient as new core investors in the sector streamline strategies to get the country on sound footing.
Dikki stated at the public presentation of the Sapele Power company in Delta state to its core investor, Messrs CMEC/EuraAfric Energy Ltd that Nigerians were more than ever before “closer to a new dawn where power would be taken for granted.”
He assured that that in a few years, “the globally acclaimed successes recorded in the Telecom reforms would pale when compared to the opportunities expected in the power sector reform.”
Dikki said the determined leadership of the President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Mohammed Sambo, and their “insistence to the strict adherence to transparency and accountability was the difference between success and failure of the transaction.”
The country’s political leadership, Dikki noted, “has made a conscious effort to make the private sector the driver of economic growth in Nigeria; adding that the power sector reform was part of the administration’s avowed commitment to make Nigeria better than it met it.”
He stated that it was not by chance that Nigeria’s power sector reform and privatization was “adjudged the biggest, most transparent and comprehensive power sector privatization in recent history.”
On the low and still erratic power situation nationwide, despite the privatization efforts and promises of greater stability; Dikki assured the situation would improve drastically soon. He assured that the Sapele Power Plc would soon achieve the maximum installed capacity and begin to expand capacity, creating more jobs and opportunities for all Nigerians.
Chigbo Anichebe, head, public communications at BPE told Nigeria CommunicaitonsWeek that following the emergence of CMEC/EURAFRIC ENERGY LTD as the preferred bidder for Sapele Power Plc. for a bid consideration of $201 million, the company paid up $50,250,000, which is 25 per cent of the consideration by the deadline of March 21, 2013 as was required.
However, it was unable to complete the payment of the balance 75 per cent by the end of deadline on August 21, 2013; it has none-the-less paid an additional amount of $79,186,656.55 to bring its total amount paid to $129,436,656.55.
Anichebe stated that CMEC/EURAFRIC requested for extension of the payment deadline in accordance with the Share Sale Agreement. “This request was carefully considered and the Attorney General’s advice sought before the National Council on Privatization (NCP) gave its approval. On that basis, the Bureau wrote to CMEC/EURAFRIC conveying the approval, but quickly reminded the company that the extension was subject to its payment of the penalty, which is interest on the outstanding balance (at the prevailing rate of LIBOR + 5%) with effect from the day of default. The company was also warned that the extension, which would elapse on January 29, 2014, was final. The payment deadline was met by the core investor, hence the handover,” said Anichebe.
The handover marks the concluding stage of the transaction for five (5) generation companies and ten (10) distribution companies. The remaining two successor companies (Afam Power Plc. and Kaduna Disco) will be handed over to their respective owners after payment of the 75 per cent balance of the acquisition cost.
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc has announced the signing of a chain of contracts with major airlines for the provision of total handling solutions.
In a statement on Tuesday, the company announced the signing of contract renewals with Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, as well as the African operator, RwandAir.
NAHCO also signed fresh contracts with United Nigeria – Regional, Bellagio and Malaikair.
According to the statement, the contracts with Air France and KLM are for three years and will run till 2028, respectively. The duration of the contract with Virgin Atlantic was also put at three years.
The duration for the RwandAir contract is for three years, effective 1 October 2025.
The statement read, “The new contract with United – Regional would be for a period of five years, effective from 1 August 2025. For Bellagio and Malaikair, the contracts are for three and five years, respectively.
“Bellagio Air, Nigeria’s rising star in aviation, is redefining air travel with a blend of luxury, efficiency, and reliability. Headquartered in the vibrant city of Ikeja, Lagos, Bellagio Air is committed to providing world-class service across key domestic and regional routes.”
The Group Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development, NAHCO Plc, Saheed Lasisi, who expressed his delight with the new contracts, said NAHCO is already ready to exceed customers’ expectations.
According to Lasisi, NAHCO’s more than 46 years of unblemished excellent service delivery puts it heads and shoulders above any other service provider in the industry.
“This is what we have been doing for almost half of a century. We will continue to delight our customers and make our stakeholders happy by exceeding expectations in all aspects of our service offerings. We are always willing and ready to do more,” Lasisi added.
The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NAHCO Plc, Olumuyiwa Olumekun, added that with the new fleet of equipment the company is deploying, service delivery will only be better.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a forward-looking strategy that places satellite-enabled mobile connectivity at the heart of the country’s drive to bridge its long-standing coverage gaps.
The draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector for 2025 to 2030 lays out how satellite technologies could help deliver reliable voice and data services to millions of Nigerians who live beyond the reach of conventional mobile networks.
The direction is outlined in the Commission’s draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector covering the period.
The proposed approach highlights non-terrestrial networks as a complement to existing mobile infrastructure, especially in areas where terrain, insecurity, or high costs limit the deployment of base stations.
The NCC said D2D satellite technology, which allows standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites, is gaining traction globally as a means of delivering voice and data services without reliance on ground towers.
According to the regulator, the technology could help close persistent coverage gaps in rural, riverine, and border communities that remain outside the reach of conventional networks.
It also noted that satellite-backed connectivity could improve network reliability by providing alternative links during fibre cuts, power failures, or other disruptions affecting terrestrial systems.
The Commission added that wider adoption of D2D services could support emergency communications, public safety operations, Internet of Things applications, and services such as smart agriculture in underserved regions.
It also pointed to potential investment opportunities through partnerships between mobile network operators and satellite companies, including more efficient use of shared spectrum resources.
Beyond D2D services, the roadmap places emphasis on Low-Earth Orbit satellites to expand broadband access to remote parts of the country.
It also proposes better utilisation of Geostationary Orbit satellites and the exploration of high-altitude platforms, such as stratospheric balloons, to support mobile backhaul and rural connectivity.
The policy signals come shortly after Airtel Africa announced an agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink-powered direct-to-cell services in Nigeria.
The NCC’s roadmap is expected to shape future spectrum allocation, licensing decisions, and technology adoption across the telecommunications sector.
General News
House of Reps Releases Certified Copies of Tax Reform Acts amid Gazette Discrepancy Claims
House of Representatives has released certified true copies of the four tax reform Acts signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, addressing public concerns over alleged discrepancies between legislative versions and circulated gazetted documents.
Tax Reform Acts
House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, disclosed this in a statement, noting that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the immediate publication of the Acts—including endorsement and presidential assent pages—for public verification, in collaboration with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The move followed allegations raised by Rep. Abdulsamad Dasuki on the House floor, highlighting inconsistencies between Bills passed by the National Assembly and executive gazetted versions, which he warned could erode legislative integrity and public trust.
Abbas constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee chaired by Rep. Aliyu Betara, with members including Idris Wase, Sada Soli, Adedeji Faleke, Igariwey Iduma, Fred Agbedi and Babajimi Benson, to investigate the alleged alterations, unauthorised circulation and preventive measures.
The committee’s mandate includes probing circumstances around the discrepancies, while Abbas ordered internal verification and public release of certified copies to dispel doubts and safeguard legislative records. Legal experts, tax professionals and civil society had demanded clarification and implementation suspension amid heated debates triggered by Dasuki’s intervention.
The released laws comprise the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; National Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2025; and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act, 2025, described as foundational to modernising Nigeria’s tax system.
These reforms aim to enhance compliance, curb inefficiencies, eliminate overlaps and bolster fiscal coordination across federal, state and local tiers, following extensive stakeholder consultations, committee reviews and plenary debates under Abbas’s leadership.
Rotimi reassured Nigerians: “The National Assembly is an institution built on records, procedure, and institutional memory. Every Bill, every amendment, and every Act follows a traceable constitutional and parliamentary pathway.”
He emphasised that only National Assembly-certified versions hold authority, urging the public, institutions and stakeholders to disregard all other circulating documents as unofficial.
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