Energy
Electricity subsidy: FG spent N36bn in three months – NERC
The Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) has said the federal government paid the sum of N36bn to subsidise electricity consumption in the first quarter of 2023.
In its quarterly report, NERC said the money amounted to the payment of N12bn monthly which was paid to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET).
With the NBET charged with the collection of revenues due to generation companies and the Transmission Company of Nigeria from the DisCos, the sum of N141.5billion was paid to the NBET from the N209.2billion invoice given to the DisCos.
Recall that the total revenue collected by the 11 Distribution Companies (DisCos) in the first quarter was N247billion from the N359.3billion billed to customers.
A breakdown indicated that Abuja DisCo paid N20billion from the N32.8billion it was billed, while Benin DisCo paid N14.4billion from the N17.8billion, Eko Disco paid N19.4billion from the N22.8billion it was charged and Enugu DisCo paid N15.72billion from its N20billion.
Ibadan Disco paid N17.5bn from its invoice of N24.5 billion, Ikeja DisCo paid N29.6bn from the N35.9bn given to it, Jos Disco paid N7.bn from the 8.8bn it was billed, Kaduna DisCo paid N1.8bn from the N15.3 bn. given to it, Kano paid N6.1 from its N15.bn with Port Harcourt DisCo paying 8.5bn from its N14.5bn and Yola Disco paid N899m from the N1bn it was billed.
NERC said the government intervention was made due to the “absence of cost-reflective tariffs, the government undertakes to cover the resultant gap (between the cost-reflective and allowed tariff) in the form of tariff shortfall funding. This funding is applied to the NBET invoices that are to be paid by DisCos.”
It said out of the 171,107 metres installed in 2023/Q1, 5.80 per cent were metered under the NMMP scheme, 92.71 per cent of customers were metered under the MAP intervention, while 1.47 per cent and 0.02 per cent were metered under the Vendor Financed and DisCo Financed schemes respectively.
It further disclosed that 85 reports were received from licensees from which there were 33 incidents resulting in 16 injuries and 17 fatalities were recorded.
It added that the root causes of incidents reported by the licensees were “illegal/unauthorised connections, unsafe condition/act, wire snap, vandalism, explosion, electrocution, fire outbreak, vehicular collision, and fall from height. The commission has initiated investigations into all reported incidents and will enforce relevant actions against licensees where necessary.”
It said during the period, the most frequently reported issues among the 249,683 complaints received by DisCos were metering (47.66 per cent), billing (22.72 per cent), and service interruption (9.22 per cent).
“These three complaints cumulatively accounted for over 79 per cent of total complaints,” it said.
Energy
Synergy, commitment crucial to clean energy transition, sustainability in Africa — CEO, Egbin Power
As carbon emissions reduction and energy security remain a crucial focus in the global sustainability agenda, shared commitment, synergy and decisive actions are the cornerstone of accelerating the transition to cleaner energy and achieving a sustainable environment.
Having analysed the percentage of global greenhouse emissions attributed to sectors including electricity/heat production, agriculture/forestry and land use, transportation, industry and others, the Chief Executive Officer, Egbin Power, Mokhtar Bounour, charged for synergy and renewed commitment among stakeholders.
He made this known at the maiden edition of Asharami Square, a Sahara Group initiative aimed at amplifying the discourse on sustainability through impactful media advocacy.
While highlighting Egbin Power’s unwavering commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy sources, Bounour further stressed the need for deepened engagement and advocacy to further prioritise sustainability.
Bounour outlined Egbin Power’s comprehensive approach to sustainability, which includes an array of pragmatic initiatives such as obsolescence management, asset upgrades, energy efficiency improvement, sustainability and environmental impact management, and fugitive emissions minimization.
These programs are strategically designed to effectively address carbon emissions and promote cleaner energy initiatives.
According to him, Egbin Power drives sustainability through afforestation, adoption and enforcement of ANSI Lighting Design Standards for the Egbin built environment, a gradual switch from Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs) to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and the integration of Electric Vehicles (EVs) into the company’s operations, among other interventions.
“These actions demonstrate Egbin Power’s commitment to thinking globally and acting locally, ensuring that deliberate and impactful steps are taken to promote sustainability and environmental consciousness actively.
“As a responsible organisation Egbin Power is steadfast in its commitment to promoting sustainability.
“Our roadmap and initiatives are designed to align with global sustainable development goals and to ensure that we contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable energy landscape in Africa.
“Our pragmatic initiatives which include obsolescence management, asset upgrades and overhauls, energy efficiency improvement, sustainability and environmental impact management, and fugitive emissions minimization as part of programs designed to address carbon emissions.
“We are committed to treating the environment with the utmost care, knowing well that every activity we engage in – either as an individual or collectively as an organisation has an impact on the ecosystem,” Bounour explained.
By Esther Agbo
NNPC Retail Limited has swiftly responded to allegations circulating on social media regarding coercive practices at one of its filling stations.
A video clip surfaced on social media, X (formerly Twitter) precisely, purportedly showing customers being pressured to purchase lubricants or engine oil in order to obtain Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. The attendant in the video claimed that this directive originated from NNPC Retail Management.
In a statement issued, NNPC Retail categorically refuted the allegations, asserting that such practices are entirely false and do not align with the company’s Customer Service Charter. According to NNPC Retail, customers visiting any of their filling stations are under no obligation to purchase additional products as a condition for buying petrol.
Managing Director of NNPC Retail Ltd, Mr. Huub Stokman, emphasised the company’s commitment to transparent and quality service delivery.
He stated, “We are dedicated to providing clear, transparent and quality service to all our customers, guaranteeing that their needs are met without any recourse to unnecessary and unscrupulous conditionalities.”
In response to the incident, NNPC Retail Limited has initiated an investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding the video. The company has assured the public that appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken against any individuals found responsible for misconduct.
“The public is hereby advised to disregard the information in its entirety and report any such occurrences to the appropriate authority.
“In the meantime, NNPC Retail Limited has launched an investigation into the unfortunate incident and assures that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the culprit (s).”
In line with the Electricity Act 2023, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, issued an order transferring regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Imo to the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
This was contained in a recent order signed by NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba.
The order shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
The implication is that Imo State will be responsible for the complete regulation of its electricity market.
The order stated: “Section 230 (3) of the Act mandates the commission to develop a transition plan and timeline for the transfer of regulatory oversight of the intrastate electricity market from NERC to ISERC upon receipt of formal notification from the State
“EEDC shall complete the incorporation of EEDC SubCo within 60 days from the effective date of this Order and, EEDC SubCo shall apply for and obtain a licence for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity from ISERC.
“EEDC shall identify the actual geographic boundaries of Imo State and carve out its network in Imo State as a standalone network with the installation of boundary meters at all border points where the network crosses from Imo State into another state.”
With the development, Imo becomes the fourth state to get electricity regulatory authority after Enugu, Ondo and Ekiti states.
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