News
ICPC Tackles Estimated Billings, Illegal Sales of Meters
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has vowed to tackle corruption – estimated billings, illegal sales of meters among others – in the power sector.
This was disclosed by Mr Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN), chairman of the anti-graft agency, during a consultation meeting of business membership organisations and electricity regulatory bodies.
He noted at the event organised by the Association of Public Policy Analysis (APPA-Nigeria) in Abuja that the incessant complaints about high electricity billings by distribution companies have become rife.
Mr Owasanoye, who was represented by Mr Hassan Salihu, an Assistant Commissioner in the commission, called on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and electricity regulatory bodies to join hands in the prevention of electricity-related corruption in Nigeria.
The ICPC boss revealed that the agency articulated the National Ethics and Integrity Policy – Human Dignity, Voice and Participation, Patriotism, Personal Responsibility, Integrity, National Unity, and Professionalism – which is geared towards instilling lost values as a norm among citizens.
According to him, the ICPC was working to ensure accountability across the public and private sectors through the implementation of these core values, explaining that it would enable people working in the sectors to shun corruption.
Mr Owasanoye further stated that the commission was empowered by the law to do system studies and reviews in government agencies and departments to mitigate the occurrence of corrupt activities in such organizations.
On his part, Mr Dikko Umaru Radda, director-general of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), said the agency formulates and implements policies for the ease of doing business and to make MSMEs competitive in the global market.
Mr Radda, represented by Mrs Olabanjo Fowler, an assistant director, Partnership and Coordination, stated that the multiplier effects of high electricity tariffs, poor transmission distribution, and supply of electricity on businesses were in no doubt grievous.
The SMEDAN boss added that these will increase MSMEs production costs and reduce their competitiveness in the global market.
He, therefore, called on other relevant agencies to partner in identifying the possible areas of intervention as it relates to electricity consumption protection in Nigeria.
In his paper titled “Mobilizing Stakeholders for Protection of SME Electricity Consumers Against unfair Business Practices through Enforcement of Electricity Consumers Protection Licensee Performance Standards for Job Creation and Economic Growth”, Comrade Princewill Okorie, national president, APPA-Nigeria, said that micro, small and medium enterprises operators have continued to complain over abuse of their rights as consumers of electricity.
He explained that these issues have hindered the operations of SMEs who need electricity to carry out production.
Mr Okorie said that the unfair business practices against consumers are not abating while the expected support given to SMEs by funders is minimal.
News
Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
News
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
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