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P/Harcourt DisCo revenue hits N5.2bn in August – MD

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The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has recorded N5.2 billion in revenue collection in August from N4.3 billion in the preceding months.

The Managing Director of PHED, Dr Benson Uwheru, told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday that the company grew its revenue by N900 million in bill collection.

He said the N5.2 billion revenue was the highest revenue collected by the company since it started operation in 2012.

He said: “Upon resumption in July, PHED bill collection was N4.3 billion, and by Aug. 31, we hit a new milestone in the history of our collection to N5.2 billion.

“We achieved this within a short period by remodelling our core values and adopting the TRICE model of Teamwork, Reliability, Integrity, Customer service and Excellence,” he said.

Uwheru said in spite of the growth that the company still fell short of N7.4 billion billed energy revenue target for the month of August.

“This shortfall is due to energy theft, meter bypass by some customers and the refusal of some customers to vend (pay) for electricity used.

“In the last six months, about 70,000 customers did not vend, meaning that these people have used power without paying a Kobo.

“So, the N5.2 billion collection is under-short the billed energy for the month of August which stood at about N7.4 billion,” he added.

On metering, Uwheru said about 60 per cent of customers in its franchise states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers have been metered.

He said the figure meant that 40 per cent of customers in the four states were charged on estimated billing.

According to him, the company was awaiting the second phase of the Federal Government National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), to close the metering gap in the four states.

“Aside this, we are in talks with various financial institutions and asset financing programmes, to procure meters and distribute to customers to pay within one year to five years period.

“This is another option we want to aggressively pursue, so we don’t rely solely on NMMP to provide meters to our customers,” he said.

The managing director said the company was faced with several challenges in the areas of meter bypass and vandalism, as well as the insistence by some people that electricity should be free.

He said one of the communities in its franchise refused to pay for electricity used, thereby, incurring the company billions in lost revenue.

“One community alone has over time incurred debt of N21 billion. Every month N400 million is debited to our account in PHED to use power by the community.

“We have tried to collect our revenue but have been unable to penetrate the community due to intimidation.

“But, we are collaborating with the state government, security agencies and the community leaders to enable us to access the community.

“We are doing this because companies are being set up there, and they are using energy for free,” he added.

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FCTA to boost security with drones – Wike

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration has begun the procurement processes for drones to boost the security architecture of the territory.

Wike disclosed this when the Consul-General of the Embassy of Hungary in Nigeria, Mr Endre Deri visited him in Abuja on Thursday.

The minister, while responding to the consul-general comments on the need for drones, said, “whether we want some drones? Yes, there is no going back”.

He promised to discuss with the security experts, to consider a conversation with Deri on the type of drones that would be effective and efficient work based on the terrain of FCT.

He said that security was part of President Bola Tinubu’s priority in his “Renewed Hope” agenda.

The minister said that the security interventions in the FCT were already yielding results, stressing that the incidents of insecurity had drastically reduced.

“You too can attest to the fact that Abuja is safer now, because of the way we have been able to tackle the issue,” he added.

On agriculture, Wike said that the FCTA was open to collaborate with Hungry through Public-Private Partnership (PPP), adding that the administration was willing to provide the needed land.

“The issue of agriculture is very key, and I know your country is doing well in agriculture.

“We can collaborate and partner in terms of PPP. We are willing to provide land, if you can reach those concerns we can start the process.

“Let us also know what they intend to produce in order to address the issue of food insecurity in FCT.

Earlier, Deri expressed the willingness of Hungry to partner with FCTA to improve security in the territory.

The consul general, who commended the minister for improving the security situation in the FCT, expressed the willingness of his country to support the FCT with the latest drone technology.

“We are also interested in partnering with the FCTA in the areas of agriculture to boost food security and food safety for residents of the FCT,” he added.

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Diaspora Voting: NIDCOM, stakeholders dialogue on way forward

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 Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has called on compatriots abroad to form a united front aimed at promoting diaspora voting in Nigeria.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call during a virtual conference centered on institution diaspora voting in Nigeria, organised by FixPolitics Diaspora Dialogue, a Non-Governmental Organisation.
According to her, Nigerians are everywhere across the world, and that they can work closely together to form a common front in a bid to achieve their pursuit for diaspora voting.
Dabiri-Erewa said, “Nobody in diaspora can have an edge over the other. There is no where we do not have Nigerians.
“More importantly, we should have everything in place before diaspora voting; it must not start immediately.
“Let it start when INEC feels it is ready for it because we cannot keep amending the constitution all the time about this.”
The NIDCOM boss commended Nigerians in the diaspora for  contributing towards the development of their fatherland through remittances which made up 60 per cent of the nation’s Internally Generated Revenue.
Anthony Ubani, Executive-Director, FixPolitics Africa, said the dialogue engendered innovative solutions that can facilitate the full realisation of diaspora voting in Nigeria.
According to him, Nigerians in the Diaspora represent a dynamic and vibrant community spread across the globe.
“This comprise individuals and institutions that remain deeply connected to the Nigerian homeland, as well as endowed with both financial and intellectual wealth.
“Yet, in spite of their citizenship and the tremendous capacity they contribute positively to the Nigerian project, these Nigerians in the diaspora continue to be denied their fundamental right to vote.
“This disenfranchisement not only undermines the principles of democracy, it also diminishes potential for diaspora engagement in shaping the policies and decisions that impact their lives and millions of Nigerians back home.
“We must recognise the urgent need for constitutional reform with a view to guaranteeing the full and equal participation of all Nigerian citizens in shaping a new Nigeria, regardless of their geographical
location.
“The time has come for us to advocate for legislative action that will enable diaspora voting in Nigeria, to ensure that every Nigerian who is eligible to vote is able to do so,” he said.
He explained that an estimated 20 million Nigerians live in the diaspora, adding that Nigerians at home and abroad have to work together to achieve the desired goal.
Ubani also said they have to partner to effectively implement strong and credible advocacy programme aimed at advancing constitutional, electoral, political and economic reforms.
He noted that the journey to realise such goal must begin with constitutional reforms that would enable Nigerians living abroad to exercise their franchise.
Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, Founder, FixPolitics, said Nigerians can encourage the political class to establish structural reforms and facilitate economic productivity in the country.
Ezekwesili, therefore, urged Nigerians in the diaspora to lend their voices, insights and experiences to the discussion.
Dr Bashir Obasekola, President, Nigerians in Diaspora, Europe, said the discussion on cultural and economic development would not be complete without political engagement.
“We should emphasise on political engagement and speak with one voice; every Nigerian need to be carried along wherever they are,” Obasekola said.
Ms Elizabeth Johnson, President, Nigerian Women Association in South Africa, said the call for partnership among compatriots had become expedient to enable citizens living abroad to vote and be voted for in elections.
Johnson blamed poor awareness as one of the factors hindering efforts to drive solutions designed to achieve diaspora voting.
She therefore, suggested the establishment of polling stations at various Nigerian consulate abroad and voter education campaign to achieve progress.
Meanwhile, Ms Lola Thampson Duke, Co-Founder, FixPolitics, said a five-member committee would be inaugurated with the mandate to prepare a working document for presentation to the National Assembly as a means to realise the set goal.
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Ogun assembly passes resolution seeking urgent clampdown on activities of cultists

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The Ogun House of Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution seeking for the urgent clampdown on the activities of cultists in the state.

Mr Bisi Oyedele (APC-Ipokia/Idiroko), the sponsor of the resolution, said during plenary in Abeokuta that there was also an urgent need for Gov. Dapo Abiodun to appoint a commissioner for youths in the state.

Oyedele noted that the incessant cult killings in some parts of the state, especially Abeokuta, which had started over six weeks ago needed to be addressed as soon as possible.

The lawmaker alleged that no fewer than 10 individuals had lost their lives to cult-related violence within the last 42 days.

He stated that the rate at which lives were being lost in the state capital remained worrisome and baffling.

“Recent incidents include the shooting in broad daylight of five individuals at different locations within Abeokuta.

” Also worrisome is the continuous killings among young people across the state, which is adversely affecting businesses and tarnishing the reputation of our dear state,” he said.

Oyedele stressed that there was need for urgent intervention from both security operatives and the state government to address the escalating violence in other parts of the state.

He said that the anti-cultism section of the State Police Command must enhance intelligence gathering and take proactive measures to curb the reoccurring menace across the state.

“There is an urgent need for the governor to appoint a commissioner for youths, who will be saddled with the responsibility of providing productive initiatives for young people.

“He will also have to promote continuous engagements across the state, and drive youth-related policies and programme in the State Executive Council.

“Government should focus on continuous human capital development through job facilitation and enhance the skills of  youths across the state.

“We call on the government to prioritise the aforementioned initiatives, as the time to address the root causes of social unrest and provide sustainable solutions for the youth population is now,” he said.

Other members who spoke on the resolution called on security agencies, especially the police, to do more to put an end to the issue of cultism in the state.

They called for effective youth engagements, while also calling on residents to always provide information to the police.

The Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda), implored everyone, government and parents, to be up and doing and also report suspicious moves within their environment.

The Majority Leader, Yusuf Serif (APC-Ado Odo Ota 1), moved the motion for the passage of the resolution, seconded by the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye (PDP-Odogbolu).

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