Economy
NERC postpones hearing of petition against Asaba Distribution Ltd’s licence indefinitely
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has postponed the hearing of a petition against granting of an Independent Electricity Distribution Network (IEDN) Licence to Asaba Distribution Limited indefinitely.
The petition, filed by the Benin Electricity Distribution (BEDC) Plc, was scheduled for hearing on Tuesday before it was postponed indefinitely.
NERC, in a statement posted on its website, said the postponement was necessitated by a suit filed by BEDC at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Jan. 15.
“The commission acknowledges that the matter is now subject to judicial review and hereby notifies the general public that the hearing shall no longer hold as scheduled.
“The parties are now required to present their respective positions to the court in a manner that respects the independence of the judiciary
“The commission regrets any inconvenience this indefinite postponement may cause to the public,” NERC said in the statement.
It said NERC and Asaba Distribution Ltd. were sued by BEDC, adding that the regulatory agency was served with the court processes on Jan. 18.
NERC said in the suit that BEDC was challenging the granting of an IEDN licence to ADL to operate anywhere within its electricity distribution area.
It said the DisCo also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the commission from granting ADL an IEDN licence to operate within the BEDC electricity distribution area.
BEDC also asked the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining ADL from approaching any of the customers of BEDC or from taking any step or actions toward the supply of electricity to any of the customers of BEDC in the BEDC electricity distribution area.
“Section 71(6) of Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) provides that unless expressly indicated in the licence, the grant of a licence shall not hinder or restrict the grant of a licence to another person for a like purpose.
“In the absence of such an express indication, the licensee shall not claim any exclusivity, provided that the commission may allow a licenced activity to be exclusive for all or part of the period of the licence, for a specific purpose, for a geographical area, or for some combination of the foregoing,” it said.
It said EPSRA recognised the public interest test as a critical factor for the consideration of all applications for licences and also provided administrative remedies that must be explored within the framework of the Act prior to seeking external redress.
Newsmen also recalls that NERC had in a statement on Jan. 15, said the hearing was pursuant to Section 70 (2) of the EPSRA.
According to the commission, it is also pursuant to Clause 11 of the NERC Application for Licences Regulations 2010 and Section 17 of NERC (Business Rules of the Commission) Regulations (Business Rules) 2006.
It said the petition would be heard and determined by a panel of three commissioners of the commission.
By Sodiq Adelakun
Inflation in Nigeria continued to rise for the twelfth consecutive month in December, with the headline inflation rate reaching 28.92%, up from 28.20% in November.
The National Bureau of Statistics released its consumer price index report on Monday, revealing the ongoing impact of inflation on the country’s economy.
More details to come…
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has announced the first reading of a bill aimed at regulating private schools and tertiary institutions in the state.
The bill, titled “A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” was introduced during the House proceedings on Monday in Lafia.
In addition to this bill, the House also passed two executive bills that focus on promoting education and skills training in the state.
The bills, if passed into law, are expected to enhance the quality of education and boost skills training across Nasarawa State.
Three bills have successfully passed their first reading in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
The first bill, titled “A Bill For a Law to Establish the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute, Lafia, and other Matters Connected Therewith,” aims to establish a vocati onal and technology institute in Lafia, the state capital. This institute will provide valuable skills training and education to the youth of the region.
The second bill, named “A Bill for A Law to Amend College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and Matters Connected Thereof,” seeks to amend the existing law governing the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology in Lafia.
The proposed amendments aim to enhance the college’s operations and ensure it remains at the forefront of agricultural and technological advancements.Lastly, the third bill, titled “the Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” focuses on regulating the establishment and operation of private educational institutions in the state.
This bill aims to ensure that these institutions meet certain standards of quality and provide a conducive learning environment for students.
“The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, announced that the second reading of the bill for the establishment of the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute, Lafia, and other related matters will take place on October 2.
The second reading of the bill to amend the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and matters connected thereof, will be scheduled for October 3.
These bills demonstrate the commitment of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to improving the educational sector and providing opportunities for skills development in the state.
“I will slate Oct. 3, for the second reading of A Bill for A Law to Amend College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State Law 2020, and Matters Connected Thereof.
“I will also slate Oct. 4 for the second reading of A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Establishment and Operation of Private Nursery, Primary, Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” he said.
Earlier, Alhaji Mohammed Omadefu, the Majority Leader of the House, moved motions for the bills to scale first readings.
The Minority Leader of the House, Mr Luka Zhekaba, seconded the motion.
The House unanimously passed the bills into first readings.
The Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf has said the current inflationary pressures might ease by December this year.
Yusuf disclosed this on Sunday in his Half Year Review of 2023.
His review comes amid the effect of fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Consequently, the prices of goods and services sharply increased.
The National Bureau of Statistics said Nigeria’s inflation is 22.41 per cent. Nigerians have continued to lament the hike in the prices of goods and services.
Meanwhile, Yusuf said that the effect of fuel subsidy removal and forex reforms would be in the short term.
According to him, the challenges would gradually reduce before the year ends.
Meanwhile, Yusuf said the CBN should implement a sustainable intervention framework to moderate the volatility in the forex market.
“Inflationary pressure is expected to ease before the end of the year.
“It would pave the way for an equilibrium exchange rate which would be more tolerable and sustainable”, he stated.
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