Connect with us

News

Onitsha Chamber urges Soludo to give details of MoU with EEDC

Published

on

ONTSHA Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) has urged Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to explain details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on 24 hours power supply in Anambra.

On March 25, Soludo signed an MoU between the state government and Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), to ensure that power supply in the state was available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

The chamber’s President, Chief Kevin Obieri, called for the clarification in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday.

Obieri stated that the chamber was concerned that there was no detailed information regarding the MoU and its broad implications for the business community in Onitsha and the entire state.

He lamented that there was no information on when the partnership would commence and whether the projections were in a month, a year’s time or towards the end of the administration’s tenure.

“While the chamber continues to support Gov. Soludo’s developmental strides in the state, we strongly feel that the government should do well to sensitise the business community to the MoU.

“Beyond payment of bills by users, are there other cost implications? If any, will the cost be borne by the state or wholly transferred to the public or subsidised?

“If the cost is to be borne by the state, what are the implications to the state’s finances, especially as the nation is currently grappling with record inflation?

“With a struggling economy, businesses trying to stay afloat and people living on a knife’s edge, it will help that people are aware of the full details of the MoU, so that necessary adjustments can be made, ” he said.

Obieri stated that as of March 21, the total National Power Generation was 4,670 megawatts out of which 365 megawatts was assigned to EEDC which provides distribution for the whole of the Southeast.

“The obvious question then is, how feasible is the provision of 24/7 electricity when the allocation to EEDC is quite minute to satisfy the whole of Southeast?

“Even experts have insisted that Southeast requires a minimum of 10,000 megawatts of electricity for a steady power supply.

“More critical is that EEDC is only a distribution company, not a generation company and can only distribute what is released to it by the GENCOS.

“They cannot control or guarantee a 24/7 power supply. These are many questions begging for answers here,” he said.

The Chamber’s President said that a steady electricity supply in Anambra was the single most critical factor to kick-start and galvanize the much publicised industrialisation of the state.

According to him, steady electricity will transform the economic equation of businesses and boost the disposable income of the citizenry while propelling the revenue generation capacity of the state.

“This is why every pronouncement regarding achieving this laudable aim must be well considered while any impediment to the realisation of this objective must be addressed quickly.

“To this end, the business community as well as the general public await to hear a well-articulated process-flow and details of the MoU signed on their behalf to dispell needless speculations and rumours.

“We hope that the state government, through the relevant ministries, will expand its sensitisation and awareness campaign on this critical agreement, “Obieri stated

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

We registered below 3,000 data controllers, processors despite identifying 500,000 — NDPC Commissioner

Published

on

By Matthew Denis, Abuja

The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent  Olatunji has disclosed that the level of compliance for the registration by data controllers and processors given by the commission is still low.

He revealed that they have only registered below 3000 Data controllers, processors despite identifying 500,000 in the country.

The Commissioner made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with Nigerian NewsDirect at his office in Abuja on Thursday.

Recall that the agency has notified all entities, including businesses, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and other organisations that collect personal data of individuals, that registration is mandatory in accordance with Section 5(d) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

The Commission had commenced registration on January 30th, 2024 to conclude on June 30th, 2024 and added that entities that fail to register within this time frame will be subject to penalties.

Dr. Olatunji while speaking to NewsDirect said, “the ecosystem  is just revolving and a lot of people don’t really understand what we’re talking about regarding Data controllers, Data processors. That’s why we’re going loud to create awareness.”

 The Commissioner stressed that they’re done with the first phase and very soon they will commence with the second phase the need for them to register which speaks on the reputation  of their organization, compliance and credibility and one thing that this will create is trust and confidence in your data processing activities  as an organization.

“We have up to the end of June, 2024 for all of them to register and we’re starting another massive campaign for them to register in the next two weeks.”

According to him in terms of compliance for registration with the commission the situation is still low.

He said, “When we started in 2022 we had about 1,777 data controllers and processors and last year it rose to over 2,000 but it’s very low when compared to the number of data controllers and processors we have identified in the country.

“We have identified about 500,000 and today we’re doing less than 3000 that means we have not even started at all, that is why we’re speaking to stakeholders and bringing everybody onboard.

“We have released the guidelines strategy telling you who qualifies as a Data controllers and processors and their categories in the country.”

The Commissioner emphasised that it’s their expectation that Nigerians will embrace the programme and key into it for the safety of the country with accurate data collection and protection.

Continue Reading

News

Air Chief visits Kano, assures of sustained peace

Published

on

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has recently embarked on a working visit to Kano State to deepen collaboration with stakeholders in the state for unstained peace.

The CAS made his first port of call to the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Speaking, the Governor said the relative peace and tranquility being experienced across Kano State is majorly due to the joint efforts of all the security agencies in the State.

“The troops of 455 Base Services Group (BSG), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Kano have been part of this success story, having been serving as part of the security Joint Task Force operating in the State,” he said.

Speaking further, Governor Kabir commended the NAF for its efforts, alongside other security agencies, at containing the security challenges of insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping and banditry that have particularly bedeviled the northern part of Nigeria.

He then assured the CAS that, in view of the constraints of fundings being experienced by the various security agencies, he would continue to support the NAF units in Kano as they synergise with other security agencies to checkmate the activities of criminals in the State.

Air Marshal Abubakar also paid a courtesy call to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, paid Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who traced the history of the long and cordial relationship that has existed between the NAF and Kano State.

He also revealed that he has maintained keen interest on the monumental strides of the NAF in curtailing the activities of criminal elements in the entire country through the effective utilisation of air power. He then praised the CAS for the discipline and professionalism he has brought to bear in the execution of his responsibility while assuring him of the support of the Emirate in the discharge of his duty.

Responding to the Governor, Air Marshal Abubakar praised him for his unwavering commitment to security, economic growth, and social development as well as his commitment towards a Kano State that exemplify a shining example of peace, progress and tranquility.

He also went on to appreciate the Governor for his immense support to the NAF which has contributed significantly to ongoing operations and the attainment of its mandate as it strives to ensure the State and the entire country is peaceful, safe, and secured for economic activities to thrive.

While at the Emir of Kano’s Palace, Air Marshal Abubakar informed the Emir that he would continue to value the strong bond the NAF shares with traditional institutions in the country, as they serve as the bridge between their subjects and the military.

He also assured him of the Airforce continued collaboration with the Emirate Council in the socio-economic and cultural development of the State.

Continue Reading

News

Reducing the rate of gas explosions in Nigeria

Published

on

By Matthew Denis

The President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Administration has geared towards focusing on boosting the Natural Gas (CNG) in the ecosystem which is a gradual shift away from the petrol dominated economy.

This development has offered a veritable opportunity for the federal government to encourage the use of gas, particularly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which is cheaper and more friendly to the environment.

Though both natural gas and petrol are fossil fuels, gas is less carbon-intensive than other fossil fuels, which emit much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) that cause indoor and outdoor pollution.

Apart from making the environment more acidic, the combustion of petrol and other high carbon-intensive fossil fuels also causes respiratory problems such as asthma.

Nigeria targets the deepening of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the country, eying as much as five million metric tonnes consumption per annum by 2023.

In its bid to actualise the target, the government has promised to continue to support the LPG industry with fiscal policies and incentives.

But with the desire to deepen usage in the country is another challenge that many say must be confronted with greater vigour.

The spate of gas explosions across the country is a cause of concern for many, which regulatory bodies, however, are also not unmindful of.

Just four days into the new year, tragedy struck at Sabon Tasha in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State where a gas explosion occurred.

The afternoon gas explosion left six people dead, including the Director General of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Prof. Simon Mallam, and destroyed property valued at millions of naira.

On Feb. 2, at least seven persons were injured and property worth millions of naira were destroyed after a cooking gas cylinder exploded and kindled a fire in Onitsha.

A nationwide survey conducted revealed concerns across the country, by consumers, retailers and even regulatory bodies.

Opinions are diverse on all sides as to what has been left undone and what needs to be done better to reverse the tide and curb avoidable losses.

Users of domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (also called cooking gas) in the South East called on regulatory agencies to beef up awareness campaigns on its proper use.

Just recently, the Ogun State Government has sealed off Gasco Marine Ltd, the company whose truck was involved in an accident that caused an explosion in the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area on Saturday.

Addressing journalists after sealing off the premises of the company located at Onijoganjogan, Abeokuta, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Environment and chairperson, Special Task Force on Environmental Matters, Farouq Akintunde, said the accident occurred due to the negligence of the company.

“Two days ago, Ogun State was in a tumult with the news of a fire incident that occurred around Ita-Oshin. We can authoritatively confirm that the truck that was involved in that fire is from this company.

“It was a sorry case because it involved loss of life and destruction of properties. Our preliminary investigation shows that it was due to an act of negligence from the company as they did not do the needful as regards the truck.

“As a regulatory body which is in control of all these matters, we believe there is a need for us to conduct safety and audit tests on all their trucks to prevent future occurrence. In doing so, we have to shut down the premises. After that, all other procedures will follow.”

In a proactive step towards ending the menace of gas expulsion, The Federal Government says it will stop granting licences to gas companies with no capacity to build pipelines for gas distribution.

This, the government said, became necessary to discourage the transportation of compressed natural gas through the roads. The Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, made this disclosure when he was in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Wednesday.Ekpo had visited Abeokuta for an on-the-spot assessment of Saturday’s CNG explosion at Ita Oshin.

Continue Reading

Trending