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Thefts, Others Hobble Power Sector

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Thefts, infrastructure vandalisation, obsolete equipment due to either low or poor maintenance amongst other reason have combined to hobble the newly privatised power sector.

These revelations were thrown up when members of the Senate Committee on privatisation, led by Senator Olugbenga Obadara, chairman, who paid scheduled visits to three successors companies of the defunct public monopoly in Lagos and Ibadan.

At the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKDC), one of two DISCOs serving Lagos state, Abiodun Aifwobaje, managing director told the committee they have had to re-engage 567 former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to complement the 2,070 it inherited.

Aifwobaje told members of the Senate Committee the new power firm was committed to serving the public effectively.
 
He told the lawmakers of the commitment of the company to become a leading utility business company in the country by providing “safe, reliable and quality service to customers at fair and reasonable costs; and to achieve this,” he said the new owners had taken some initiatives to reposition the company.
 
These he said included: “training and retraining for staff, repair or replacement of malfunctioning transformers and completion of abandoned distribution projects among others.”
 
On the challenges facing the company, he told the committee members that IKDC has an installed capacity of 1684MW, but was only able to distribute 421MW to customers out of the maximum demand of 938MW due to shortage of supply from the Generation Companies, power theft and vandalisation of power installations.
 
The Senate Committee also paid similar fact finding visit to the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), which serves most of the Lagos business districts. Oladele Amuda, managing director of the company told the committee members they were committed to providing uninterrupted and sustainable power supply to its customers.
 
Towards achieving the goal of smooth power distribution, Amuda said the company plans to invest N45bn in the next five years while $150 million would be spent immediately on capital projects to meet customers’ needs, network rehabilitation and reinforcement.
 
He however complained of poor power supply from the National Grid, power theft, illegal connections and vandalism of power installations as some of the challenges they were facing. He appealed to the Committee members to intervene so that generation companies could supply adequate power to the
 
 distribution companies for adequate distribution of power to consumers and for increased financial returns.
 
At the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), CEO Atoy Leynes expressed the readiness of IBEDC to meet consumers’ needs as long as the generation companies can keep up with their demand.
 
He listed the challenges facing IBEDC as: “Poor asset performance due to age, poor transmission infrastructure and the absence of land to put up its headquarters.” Leynes requested that for the distribution companies to become financially viable to undertake aggressive investments in the power industry there should be a tariff structure that is cost reflective and the review of asset classification (Core/Non Core) of DISCOs as some assets classified as Non Core were essential to the distribution network.
 
In his remarks, Senator Olugbenga Obadara, chairman of the committee, assured the distribution companies that the Committee would do everything within its powers to find a lasting solution to shortage of power supply from the National Grid.
 
On power theft and vandalism, Obadara advised the distribution companies to liaise with security agents to set up a Task Force to checkmate the criminal acts.
 
The Committee members also visited Egbin Power Station where the Senate Committee Chairman, Senator Olugbenga Obadara noted that “everything concerning power supply starts from generation. If generation is not adequate, it directly affects distribution and the consumers on the whole”.

He therefore called on the management to strive to achieve sufficient power generation and to actualize the dream of privatisation.

 


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TD Africa Unveils Super App Version 2, Transforms Technology Access Across Africa

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Omowumi Oladele, Project Manager, TD Africa
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TD Africa, a leading technology distributor in Africa, has launched TD Super App Version 2, an upgraded, feature-rich platform designed to revolutionize technology procurement for individuals and businesses.

Omowumi Oladele, Project Manager, TD Africa

The enhanced App offers seamless access to a wide range of cutting-edge tech products at unbeatable prices, with faster delivery options to improve efficiency and convenience.

Available on both web and mobile, the revamped TD Super App boasts an intuitive, user-friendly interface, making it easier than ever for users to discover and purchase technology products.

This latest upgrade reaffirms TD Africa’s commitment to affordability, efficiency, and convenience, ensuring that businesses and individuals can access the tools they need to succeed.

With exclusive deals and discounts, registered users can enjoy significant savings on a vast selection of technology products, including computing devices, smartphones, consumer electronics, and power solutions. Optimized logistics and accelerated delivery times further enhance the shopping experience, ensuring that customers receive their technology essentials quickly and reliably.

“At TD Africa, we are dedicated to delivering value, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology solutions that drive business growth and streamline operations,” said Omowumi Oladele, Product Manager, TD Africa.

“The upgraded TD Super App Version 2 is designed to simplify procurement, enhance productivity, and maximize savings—empowering businesses and individuals across Africa.”

The App is now available for download on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Users can also access the platform via web browsers at superapp.tdafrica.com


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FG Drops Merger of NCAA, NAMA

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has stepped down the merger of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) as recommended by the Steve Oronsaye report.

He also revealed that the aviation industry was exempted from the foreign travel ban placed on federal government officials last year. The President announced the ban which took effect from April last year.

Keyamo disclosed that the aviation sector was exempted from the ban because President Tinubu is desirous of change and growth in the sector.

The ban was placed following the rising cost of travel expenses by Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government.

The memo released last year stated: “Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr Presideni’s directive to place a temporary ban on all publicly funded international trips for all federal government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three months from 1st April 2024.

“All government officials who intend to go on any publicly funded international trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two weeks before embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed necessary”.

The Minister disclosed the reasons for the exemption in Abuja at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

On the merger of NCAA and NAMA, he said: “From modest beginnings, we have witnessed remarkable transformations in our sector, ranging from enhanced supervisory measures and policies formulation, safety and security oversight, robust legislative and regulatory frameworks, advancements in air traffic management, development, expansion and certification of airports, accurate meteorological services, timely accident investigations, manpower development, and indeed, the growth of indigenous airlines.

“These achievements have not come without challenges. However, with the efforts of past administrations and the total support of the present administration under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Agenda and the five focus areas of the ministry, we have overcome challenges and reached new heights.

“NCAA is a child of God, and despite turbulent waters and attempts sometimes to kill the NCAA, the NCA has survived 25 years. And I’m sure you know that any child that is born at the age of 25, of course, is undoubtedly an age of maturity.

“The Oronsanye reports also recommended the merger of NCAA and NAMA. And so that was also another attempt to kill the NCAA. That report was passed from Jonathan’s government to Buhari’s government, and then to the present government.

“It was one of the first items we considered in this government. So the Oronsanye reports came up that day, and the president went on and on, considered every item in the Oronsanye report, and asked the council to vote. And for each item, they would listen to the ministers and so the president came to the merger of NCAA and NAMA as one body.

“I raised my hand, I spoke for about five minutes and because we have a wonderful president who listens to good counsel and good arguments, after I finished speaking, he said, an item dropped, the merger of NCAA and NAMA would not remain”.

On the reasons for the exemption, he said: “It is a fact that the aviation sector remains a pillar of national development, facilitating trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange. Whilst it is yet to realize its true potential in terms of contribution to our nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), we must renew our commitment to ensuring a more progressive, sustainable, inclusive, innovative, and prosperous aviation industry.

“This necessitates the continuous adoption and integration of emerging technologies, enhancing infrastructure, and investing in human capital development to keep our skies safer and secure and attain cohesive and efficient air transportation services.

“The President directed that foreign travels should stop, except in exceptional circumstances. Last year, there was a memo around March that said it was for three months, and the President, because of his desire to ensure that we are frugal in our spending; there was another memo again in December reiterating that memo last year we should cut down on foreign travels, except by direct presidential approval.

“But let us also give particular thanks to Mr. President, because despite that memo, since last year, he has made an exception for the aviation industry. I wrote a memo to him after that directive on behalf of the entire agency that says; Sir, we respect your directive; yes, we need to be frugal because the Nigerian people have also tightened their belts in the face of the economic reforms that are taking place.

“However, because of the safety of this sector, Sir, we need to make some exceptions for this sector. And the President graciously granted this for the aviation sector”.


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Researchers Develop Innovative Treatment for Malaria

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An international team of researchers have introduced a groundbreaking drug, known as the covalent kinase inhibitor, which shows promise in combating treatment-resistant malaria.

Researchers Develop Innovative Treatment for Malaria

Developed by chemists and bioscientists from the University of Glasgow, this innovative drug could surpass current medications by effectively targeting and disabling the proteins used by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite to replicate within the human body.

This is according to a report titled “Targeting Pf CLK3 with Covalent Inhibitors: A Novel Strategy for Malaria Treatment.”

The development, led by chemists and bioscientists from the University of Glasgow, was outlined in a November publication in the “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.”

According to the researchers, covalent inhibitors form bonds with proteins, usually irreversibly modifying them, and this new drug could be more effective than current medications at all stages of malaria infection.

The new drug works by permanently disabling a protein that Plasmodium falciparum, one of the mosquito-borne parasites that spread malaria, uses to replicate itself inside the human body.

The drug also has the potential to work as a single-dose treatment, a significant improvement over existing therapies.

This breakthrough marks the first adaptation of an approach from cancer treatments to tackle malaria.

The team expressed optimism that the parasite is unlikely to develop resistance to the new drug, which targets the protein Pf CLK3 and disrupts the parasite’s ability to splice RNA.

The researchers, including Prof. Martins Emeje from the Nigerian Natural Medicines Development Agency and Prof. Oyewale Tomori from the West African Academy of Sciences, emphasise the importance of regular calibration and accreditation for medical laboratories to ensure accurate results and reliable treatment.

 

 


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