N3tn Alleged Padding: Obi Asks Senate To Come Clean, Clear All Allegations

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March 13, 2024

The main opposition voice and Labour Party standard bearer in the 2023 Presidential Election, Peter Obi, has admonished the Senate to come clean and clear all the allegations associated with the alleged N3 trillion padding in the 2024 budget.

Obi, writing in his X handle on Wednesday, told the upper chamber that the public deserves to know the truth about the allegations especially as the Senate and the Executive are having discordant tunes on the matter and fresh allegations cropping up on the sharing of constituency funds in the budget.

According to the former Anambra State Governor,

“The fuss over the alleged N3 trillion padded into the 2024 budget raised by a Senator still rages as the Senate reaction of suspending the whistle-blower has not addressed vital issues emanating from the allegation.

“The Senator is insisting on his allegation and the Executive agreed that there was only N1.2trillion padded not N3trillion as alleged by the Senate.

“Fresh allegations have also cropped up over indiscriminate and unbalanced allocation of constituency projects by the Senate leadership.

“A civic group, Budgit, through their official, have also added their voice to agree with the Senator. They allege that there was no detailed project allocations for about N3.7trn in the 2024 Appropriation Act.

“As the Senate suspension of the senator involved has not addressed the issue, they still owe the Nigerian public a clear clarification over the various claims and counterclaims, including that of the executive arm, to be able to know exactly what is happening, and also disclose to the public, the amounts allocated for constituency projects for appropriate monitoring of implementation by the public.

“I had particularly elucidated in my earlier comment on what we can use the N3 trillion to achieve, by showing that it is more than the national budget of the two most critical components of the human development index, health and education, combined.

“Now that the executive arm has accepted that the padded amount is only N1.2 trillion, it is still a very significant amount, when you consider that it is almost 5 times the N251.47 billion proposed for Universal Basic Education, which is the foundation of education, in the Country.

“Today in Nigeria, the greatest challenge to human resource development is education, which has been identified as most critical at the basic level. Nigeria has about 20 million out-of-school children today because of the poor investment in education. These are resources that would have been utilised to ensure that our children are taken off the streets and returned to schools.

“The N1.2 trillion as the executives claimed to have been padded, if channelchannelledny of the critical areas of development, could have positively impacted the nation and uplifted the people.

“And if indeed the report from the Budget is true, that there is about N3.7 trillion without any detailed project allocations, I strongly urge the Senate to do more detailed work of channelling these funds into the critical areas of development – education, health and pulling people out of poverty, which will in turn, minimise the criminality we are facing today.

“We must, as a matter of urgency, put a stop to all the wastage of our scarce resources, amid the excruciating hardship in the country. Let every penny of our public fund be used for public good. That is the only way to achieve the New Nigeria we are working towards.

Dr Yunusa Tanko
Chief Spokesman
POOR

Kaduna School Mass Abduction: Police Tighten Security In Kano Schools

By

The Source

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March 13, 2024

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Alhaji Mohammad Husseini Gumel - Kano CP

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Following the abduction, last week, of no fewer than 287 school children from public schools in the Kuriga area of Kaduna State, and several women in Borno State by suspected bandits and other criminal elements, the Kano State Police Authorities have ordered a round-the-clock surveillance on public schools in the state.

A statement issued on Wednesday March 13,2024 by the kano state command spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna, said the measure is principally aimed at beefing security in and around educational institutions across the state , with a view to securing the lives and property of all stakeholders.

The Source reports that following the audacious kidnapping of an LEA Primary School pupils and students of a Government Secondary school all in Kuriga Kaduna, last Monday March 4 ,the police authorities in Kano, alongside other neighbouring Northwest States had, in a proactive measure, tightened security in their various states to avoid a spill over

“The measure is aimed at ensuring the safety of students and their teachers as well as boosting the security network around the schools.

:The intention of increasing police presence in the areas around the schools is to further deter criminal activities and provide a secured and conducive environment for learning.” the statement noted

“The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Hussain Gumel has, therefore, called for the understanding, corporation and support of students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to ensure that the Police achieve its objective of securing all schools in the State.

Protest In Abuja As Miyetti Allah Members Demand Immediate Release Of Its President

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 13, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore members have demanded the unconditional release of Bello Bodejo, who has been in detention for several weeks.

The Group staged a protest at the Federal High Court, Abuja, carrying big banners with several inscriptions, such as, “Free Bello Bodejo, “Stop Victimizing Bodejo”, “DIA, Free Bodejo Now,” “Release Bodejo.” and so on.

The protesters had gathered at the entrance gate of the Court to press home their demands.

Speaking on behalf of the Group, Comrade Kabir Matazu, said his arrest and detention was unlawful.

According to him, in a democratic society, rule of law is the building block.

“You cannot arbitrarily arrest an individual without a proper charge and arraigning him in court.

“That is why we have gathered our members across the country to come here to agitate and also make our voice heard.

“We call on the Nigerian security agencies to, without further delay, free and release unconditionally, Bello Bodejo, the president of Miyetti Allah.”

It would be recalled that Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court had, on March 5, fixed March 13 for the hearing of Bodejo’s motion on notice, seeking his unconditional release from the Defence Intelligence Agency’s, DIA, custody.

Justice Ekwo had, on Feb. 22, given the Federal Government seven days to file a charge against the detained Bodejo.

He had given the order following the expiration of the earlier order, which granted the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, to remand Bodejo for 15 days in the custody of DIA pending the conclusion of his investigation.

The Federal Government, in a motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/141/2024, sought an order to remand Bodejo, the sole respondent, in NIA custody pending conclusion of investigation and arraignment in court.

The motion was dated and filed on Feb. 5 by M.B. Abubakar, Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, in the office of the AGF and Minister of Justice.

In the affidavit deposed to by Noma Wando, a litigation officer in the ministry, he said Bodejo was arrested on Jan. 23 in Malia, Nasarawa State, and was in custody.

Wando said that his arrest was predicated on the alleged raising up of an armed militia in detriment of the nation’s unity, contrary to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to him, the suspect/respondent is being investigated for offences that constitute a threat to national security under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

The FG had explained that continued incarceration of Bodejo was in the interest of national security.

Insecurity: AIG Zone 17 Canvasses Proactive Measures

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Ayodele Oni

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March 13, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIG), Zone 17, with headquarters in Akure, Asabi Abiodun has presented a blue print titled “A proposal for counter operations against security challenges in Ekiti and Ondo States” on how to curb insecurity in the zone.

Zone 17 made up of Ekiti and Ondo states had recently been caught up in the web of insecurity with killing of traditional rulers and kidnap of school children all in Ekiti state.

AIG Asabi, who recently took over leadership of the zone, led a retinue of Commissioners of Police in the Zone, their Deputy Commissioners, as well as squadron Commanders to the formal presentation of the blueprint to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Akure.

The AIG, in his presentation, noted that it is essential that in any situation, when unbearable events of the magnitudes being recorded in the country today stirs one in the face, a lot of work and so much decisive steps must be taken.

He stressed that now is the time for actions because a stitch in time saves nine.

“Without mincing words underscore the essence of making this presentation. We should not underestimate the capability of the police in the two States, hence, what is needed is the support of the State governments in boosting our capacity for the benefit of the people.

“It should be noted that the two States do not form the worst case scenario as we have many other zones worst off.

“But now, in order to prevent further slide in our security situation, we have come to parley with the government of your Excellency and present a white paper which we hope will be considered and fully adopted by the two States in the Zone.”

Reacting, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed gratitude for the proactive approach to prevent security challenges in the two states, pledging to consider and adopt the recommendations outlined in the white paper.

“We are of the conviction that the paramount responsibility of any government is to ensure sufficient security for the protection of lives and property, we will always collaborate with our security outfits to ensure this.”

Appointment Of Permanent Secretaries Not Based On Politics – Ondo Gov Aiyedatiwa

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Ayodele Oni

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March 13, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has inaugurated new permanent secretaries and tutors general in the state.

It would be recalled that on the 5th of March, 2024, 16 permanent secretaries, made up of 14 in the core civil service and two in the local government service were appointed, following the recommendation of the Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip.

Governor Aiyedatiwa in his remarks congratulated the new permanent secretaries and tutors general, adding that there’s no doubt that going by their track records, their elevation will spur them to greater productivity in the service by deploying their wealth of experience in the discharge of their. Schedules.

He reiterated that appointment of Permanent Secretaries and Tutors-General is not a once-and-for-all thing, as it will happen whenever the occasion demands.

“No undue politics about it and there shouldn’t be any at all! I therefore wish to charge those who are yet to be considered to keep giving their best, for in due season, fortune will smile at them.”

According to the Governor, the present administration will never downplay the relevance of the Public Service.

“The Public Service has the onerous responsibility to ensure quality service delivery. This is a veritable way of transforming our State.

“The system must regain its passion and be repositioned for effectiveness and efficiency. It must be made more resourceful and professional, imbibing global best practices.”

He stressed that the government will keep supporting and reinvigorating the system and meeting its obligations on all fronts, to both serving and retired officers.

“We are resolved to continue to dispense dividends of democracy across the State as we see this as an abiding contract, not politics! God willing, we shall not fail.”

He appealed to all and sundry to let peace reign, as election draws near.

“Democracy allows for divergent opinions but not undue insinuations, mis-representations, acrimony and violence. I plead with all political gladiators not to destroy the very State we intend to serve.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this Administration is committed to legacies projects, programmes and policies that will impact positively on the lives of the people.

“Our focus is to bring good governance to bear on all sectors of the economy of the State. We are determined to frontally confront our challenges and maximize available opportunities to take our State to a greater height.

“The focus of this Administration in the last seven years has been to ensure sustainable development of the State.

“Our emphasis has been to put the people at the centre of our programmes and policies, ensure prudent management of resources for a balanced development, embark on public sector reforms, reduce cost of governance, engage with development partners, maximally and grow the economy of the State, for sustainable development.”

Governor Aiyedatiwa urged them to have a clear understanding of the present administration’s vision and key into it, immediately.

“As Accounting Officers, you are to provide the required administrative leadership in your respective MDAs to ensure prompt but effective service delivery, devoid of unnecessary red tape.

“You are advised to work well with your political heads in the overall interest of this Administration. You are to imbibe our extant doctrine of One Administration and apply same, always.

“In total, you are to add value to this Administration. You are to imbibe our extant doctrine of One Administration and apply same, always. In total, you are to add value to this Administration and justify your appointment.”

Nigeria Returns To Business With Niger As President Tinubu Lifts Embargo On Land, Air Borders With The Republic

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Ayodele Oni

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March 13, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

As a follow up to lifting of sanctions imposed on three West African Countries, President Bola Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger in addition to lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.

The directive was in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson announced this on Wednesday in a statement in Abuja.

ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

“The President has now directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately:

“Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.

“Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.

“Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks.

“Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD. Travel bans on government officials and their family members.

“President Tinubu has also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea,’ according to a statement by Presidential Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, on Wednesday.

Abduction: Negotiator Gumi Makes Fresh Moves

By

James Orji

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March 13, 2024

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Sheik Ahmad Gumi has offered to negotiate the release of over 280 students abducted in Kaduna state recently.

“I am ready to lead a holistic dialogue between the government and bandits,” Gumi said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Islamic cleric made this offer amidst concern over the conditions of the abductees.

The cleric said the federal government must negotiate with the bandits who has demanded a huge ransom for the release of their victims.

The government appears helpless following reports that the bandits returned few days after to kidnap other persons in the state and neighbouring Sokot state.

Instructively, Nigerians are deeply worried that the insecurity in the country has taken a new turn, even though President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered security agencies to hunt down the terrorists, who, reports claimed were using the abductees as human shield to prevent them from being rescued by security forces.

Recall that Gumi became famous under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, after he successfully negotiated the release of many kidnapped victims on behalf of some state governments.

But he was later criticized following belief among some Nigerians that he may be working in cahoots with the terrorists.

The allegation was further strengthened following the arrest of his ally, Alhaji Tukur Mamu, by security agencies in March 2022.

Tukur, the publisher of the Desert Herald Newspaper was arrested on his way to the Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia by officials of the Department of State Services, DSS, who described him as a ‘person of interest’ in the war against terrorism.

He has since been charged to court.

Speaking on his readiness to negotiate the release of the abducted 287 schoolchildren from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state, Gumi stated yesterday that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should give him the opportunity to dialogue with the bandits.

He appealed to Tinubu not to repeat the mistake made by former President Buhari, who refused to dialogue with bandits.

His position followed the decision of the state government not to negotiate with the kidnappers.

The state government has also denied that it has hired a private negotiator to facilitate the release of the victims.

According to a statement, Gumi said he would also negotiate other victims who have been kidnapped in some states in the past few months, stressing that the government stand not to dialogue put the abductees in great danger.

He said “The government’s stand of no negotiation with the bandits is an unfortunate position. My advice is that the government should dialogue with the bandits not only for these Kuriga school children’s abductions but all cases.

“Also, the government should use the same approach it used in releasing passengers that were abducted on the Abuja–Kaduna train in 2022 to release the Kuriga school children and others.

“I am ready to lead a holistic dialogue between the government and bandits. It is my religious duty to do so for peace.

“I hope the present government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will listen by dialoguing with the bandits because the past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari refused to do so.”

The cleric was believed to have played a critical role in the release of hostages of the infamous Abuja-Kaduna train attack March 2022.

Approximately 62 hostages were abducted by the terrorists during the incident.

Budget Padding: Akpabio Rushes To Aso Rock After Botched Impeachment Plot

By

James Orji

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March 13, 2024

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Aso villa, Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The meeting between the two top citizens comes amidst a rowdy session in the upper chamber of the National Assembly on Tuesday over the allegation by Senator Abdul Ningi that the Presidency was implementing a different version of the 2024 Budget, an allegation that has been denied by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The magazine reports that Senator Ningi had accused the Presidency of padding the budget to the tune of over N3 trillion, for which he has now been suspended for three months over the matter after the Senate met yesterday.

Amidst the controversy, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele had alleged on Tuesday that Akpabio was the target of Ningi’s accusation, saying that some senators were plotting to impeach the former Akwa Ibom state governor.

Speaking during plenary, the senate Leader noted that Akpabio has been a target for impeachment plots from day one and said that those engaged in the plots want him out before the end of his tenure.

He wondered why the impeachment banner against the Senate President was always up each time a Southerner occupied the seat.

He stated that the only time a Southerner (s) occupied it, during the President Olusegun Obasanjo Government, each of them was hounded out of office.

Bamidele explained that the opposite happened when the seat was occupied by Northerners. He cited Senator David Mark who had a smooth eight years in office, Dr Bukola Saraki who served out his tenure even though many arrows were thrown his way, as well as the immediate past Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan.

From all indications, those that initially backed Senator Ningi have made a u-turn following the decision of some northern senators to disown him.

Some senators under the aegis of the Northern Senators Forum had while addressing journalists on Monday stated that Senator Ningi, the leader of the forum (before he resigned on Tuesday) was on his own on the matter, describing the allegation as his personal opinion which did not represent the position of the forum.

The senators include Iyal Abbas from Adamawa, Ibrahim Bomoi from Yobe, Abdullahi Yar’ Adua, and four others, who totally dissociated themselves from Ningi.

The senators said, “We, the undersigned on behalf of the Senators from the 19 Northern States and the FCT, under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum (NSF), hereby state that Senator Ahmed Abdul Ningi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, Bauchi Central), who also happens to be the chairman of our forum, was on his own in the claims he made on the BBC Hausa Service on the 2024 budget.

“As such, the view he expressed was his personal opinion, sentiment and unfortunately skewed, incorrect and misleading.

“There was never a time where we held a meeting and mandated Senator Ningi to address the press on the said matter.

“The budget was presented to the National Assembly during a joint session of the two chambers – Senate and House of Representatives – by President Bola Tinubu on November 29, 2023, in line with the requirement of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Both chambers of the National Assembly diligently and meticulously debated, processed and passed the proposal of the President. And satisfied with it, the President assented to it.

“It is clear that Mr President presented a budget of N27. 5 trillion to the National Assembly and the Assembly passed a budget of N28.7 trillion based on the need to make increases or decreases in the appropriations of the various MDAs, which is in tandem with the legislative powers of the National Assembly in order to address critical projects and services across various sectors.

“Therefore, the statement made by Senator Ningi that the 2024 budget presented to the National Assembly by Mr President was the sum of N25 trillion was not correct and that should not be taken as the position of the Northern Senators Forum.

“To the best of our knowledge, there was no budget padding whatsoever that was done to the 2024 budget.

“The assertion by Senator Ningi that certain things were done to the bill is his personal opinion. It is not the view of the generality of us, the Northern Senators.

“Hence, we strongly and collectively dissociate ourselves from his action which was grossly unparliamentary.

“That, we, the Northern Senators are solidly behind President Bola Tinubu and we will continue to support him to succeed in addressing the challenges facing our country.

“Nigeria, at this particular moment, does not need ethnic sentiments but collaborations of all to bring prosperity to our beloved country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We will continue to work with our brothers and sisters from the southern part of the country to move our country forward for the benefit of all and sundry,” the senators added.

NIMASA: Tinubu Appoints His Former Commissioner As DG

By

James Orji

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March 13, 2024

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Dr Dayo Mobereola has been appointed as the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

His appointment is for a renewable term of four years, according to a release by Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu Special Adviser on Media and Communication.

Dr Mobereola’s appointment to the top maritime agency followed the exit of the former Director General, Bashir Jamoh whose tenure expired last week.

Jamoh had earlier handed over to the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the agency, who acted in that position before President Tinubu appointed Mobereola on Tuesday.

According to the statement, President Tinubu expects the new director general to bring his vast experience to fore to achieve NIMASA’s core mandates of maritime safety on the nation’s waterways, maritime labour regulation, marine pollution prevention and control, search and rescue, cabotage enforcement, shipping development and ship registration.

This will be in line with the renewed hope of the president in transforming the nation’s maritime sector, the statement said.

Mobereola’s Profile

He holds a Ph.D, and an M.Sc in Transport Economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, England, and a fellow of the same institute in Nigeria.

He was the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, from 2003 to 2015 and was also the Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State from 2015 to 2016.

KEDCO Blames Inadequate Power Supply From TCN ,Vandalism, For Epileptic Services

By

The Source

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March 12, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company KEDCO has blamed its inability in recent time to satisfy the power needs of its consumer base on the short fall in the amount of power in the National Grid .

The Acting Managing Director of KEDCO Alhajj Abubakar Yusuf who disclosed this on Tuesday March 12 2024 at a media briefing in Kano,lamented that the inadequate power supply from the National Grid has forced the power distribution outfit to resort to load shedding.

“In the last three months, we have been receiving an average of 180 MW . This is grossly below the required average of 300 MW to sufficiently Supply our numerous customers in the three states of our operation…….For the purpose of another mention ,we are power distributors and we rely on what is generated and transmitted to us for distribution.

“This regrettable development has forced us to engage in massive load shedding of our feeders ,in a bid to serve our customers with the meagre quantum of energy available to us .” Yusuf stated.

According to him , the problem of inadequate power supply from the National Grid is not peculiar to KEDCO ,but a general one which all the relevant authorities and stakeholders are working hard to fix.

Alhaji Yusuf also lamented the negative impact ,the activities of vandals and other criminal elements are having on the operational capacity of the KEDCO,noting that the establishment experiences no fewer than 3 ( three ) cases of vandalism daily.

” This has severely hampered our operations and abilities to carry out our services effectively. Aside from the huge sums of money involved in replacing vandalized equipment ,the heinous acts throw our customers into darkness before repairs and or replacement takes place.

“We are using this opportunity to appeal to our customers to assist in safeguarding these infrastructures within their communities.

“Regrettably, another major set back we are experiencing is non or underpayment of electricity bills as well as energy theft by some customers .

“This also hinders our abilities to fully pay for the electricity we have been supplied by the Generation and Transmission arms of the power sector .This is contributing to the liquidity crises in the the power sector ,inhibiting the capacity to generate ,transmit and distribute more power,….

“On a sad note, on Sunday, March 10, 2024 ,there was a fire outbreak at the Dan Agundi Transmission Station in kano which affected some critical power infrastructure at the transmission end.

While this had temporarily affected supply to some major areas ,we thank God that our TCN counter parts have been able to salvage the situation.”

The KEDCO Chief Executive ,however announced that plans are a foot for its core investor – FEA to build up to 200MW of incremental capacity through. 100 mini- grids and embedded generation,to augment electricity supply.