All Posts in "Day: October 23, 2024"

Benue Govenor Suspends Attorney-General For Joining Suit Against EFCC,ICPC

 

       Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

The Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has suspended from office, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr Fidelis Bemsen Mnyim for unilaterally taking a decision to join the state in a suit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

 

 

 

 

The state government did not give details on the suit instituted by the Commissioner against the two agencies,in which he acted ultra vires.

 

 

 

The Governor said since the Commissioner took the decision which was beyond his scope of authority, without first resorting to the office of the governor, he (Alia) was compelled to ask Barr Mnyim to proceed on indefinite suspension pending when he would provide a satisfactory explanation as to why he took the decision without first resorting to him office.

 

 

 

A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Kula Tersoo,quoted the Governor as further arguing that the action of the Commissioner against the agencies ought not to have been confrontational since government saw them as partners who have been working with the state in its effort to bring to book some persons accused of milking the state.

 

 

 

Kula said:”The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has directed the Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Bemsen Mnyim, to proceed on indefinite suspension.

 

 

 

“The Governor gave the directive at Government House during a press conference shortly after the Benue State Executive Council meeting earlier today (Wednesday)

 

 

 

“He stated that the suspension was necessitated by Barr. Mnyim’s ultra vires decision to join the state in a suit challenging the legality of anti-graft agencies, namely the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

 

 

“No appointee is permitted to act unilaterally. No matter how pressing or urgent the issue is, one must resort to due consultations with me (Alia) or appropriately brief me and seek my permission before acting, especially in a sensitive matter such as this.

 

 

“My administration is holding accountable those who embezzled money and drained our state dry. The EFCC and ICPC are assisting us in this effort.

 

 

 

 

“How can I now turn around and begin to challenge these watchdogs? I gave no permission for him to enter an appearance for the state (and) because he acted on his own, I hereby suspend him indefinitely pending a satisfactory explanation of his actions”.

Online Editor by — October 23, 2024 in News 0
Nigeria Must Invest In Technology To Stop Frequent Grid Collapses-Oguzie

                 Mohammed Shosanya
The Managing Director of PowTechnologies Limited,Goody Duru-Oguzie,says Nigeria needs robust investment in technology to guarantee power grid stability.
He advised that the country should give serious consideration to deploying smart grids by employing the services of competent consultants to undertake the relevant studies needed for effective deployment of digital smart grids.
Digital smart grids will self-monitor and selfheal, minimizing costly outages by diagnosing problems electronically and re-routing power around them,he said.
He added:”The report of the consultants should also include synchronized phasor measurements (synchro phasors) which provide real-time measurement of electrical quantities from across a power system.
“Applications of synchro phasor measurements include system model validation, determining stability margins, maximizing stable system loading, islanding detection, system-wide disturbance recording, and visualization of dynamic system response
“These systems will not listen to witches and wizards in bringing to an end the incidence of frequent grid system collapse in Nigeria”.
According to him,Nigeria should  encourage investors to build more power generating plants especially on-grid mix from the non- fossil fuel based systems like biomass, thermal solar and waste-to-power plants within the middle belt and Northern states of the country where huge capital requirement for laying gas pipelines could discourage investors in order to increase supply of reactive power to further guarantee overall national grid stability.
He advised government to provide incentives that will encourage investors to invest in these renewable areas of power development in order to equilibrate the demand for reactive power and ensure power grid stability.
He said:”But by far the best solution lies with constructing pumped storage hydropower plants in close proximity to some of the existing thermal power stations in the southern part of the country where most of the power is generated.
He disclosed that the recent completion and commissioning of the Geregu II Power plant as a progressive development that could appropriately supply the needed reactive power to mitigate tendencies for transmission and distribution grid system failures to ensure power supply reliability to Abuja and its environs.
Speaking on the frequent grid challenges in the country,he said Nigeria is more susceptible to voltage collapses than they were 35 years ago as it increasingly depend on generation sources that are located remotely from load centers as typical of the Nigerian scenario.
He said the major factor that leads to rapid system voltage collapse is attributable to the nature of the loads that are being served by utilities.
He also said:”Many of today’s loads are single-phase small air conditioning motors. This was not the case 35 years ago when air conditioning was not as prevalent. These small motors are prone to stall when subjected to voltage dips caused by transmission system short circuits.
“Investigations conducted over recent global blackouts has indicated that the root cause of almost all of these major power system disturbances is voltage collapse rather than the frequency conditions which were prevalent in the blackouts of the ‘70s.This explains why voltage collapse is today the leading edge indicator of impending power system problems”.
Online Editor by — October 23, 2024 in Power 0
NESL:Admiral Baratuaipri Bows Out,Transfers Power To Levi

       Mohammed Shosanya
Naval Engineering Services Limited (NESL) witnessed a historic transition of leadership as Rear Admiral Baratuaipri Iyalla handed over the reins to Rear Admiral Kohath Gyelpanyi Levi.
The occasion,held at NESL’s conference hall in Moloney, Lagos, marked the continuation of a long-standing tradition that signifies the transfer of authority, ensuring the Navy’s commitment to continuity and stability.
Rear Admiral Iyalla’s tenure,which began on 27 February, 2024, was marked by remarkable achievements,a statement said.
The statement added:”He is the 6th MD of NESL and has transformed NESL into a thriving enterprise by forging strategic partnerships with notable commercial entities, including Regency International Overseas Limited, Infinity Paints Limited, and Prime Atlantic Global Engineering Services (PAGES).
“His leadership also brought beneficial training programs to the Nigerian Navy, such as Painting Training and Navigating Commercial waters, marketing strategy workshop.”
The incoming MD/CEO,Rear Admiral Levi, implored officers and men to maintain their exceptional performance, pledging to build upon his predecessor’s legacy.
The event was attended by distinguished guests, including senior military officers and strategic partners, who witnessed the ceremonial transfer of leadership.
Those who attended the event included;the Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Limited,Rear Admiral A Orederu; Corps Commander HQ Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Major General BU Yahaya; Corps Commander HQ Nigerian Army Supply and Transport,  Major General AA Adeyinka; Commander Fleet Support Group West,Commodore EB Sogbesan
Online Editor by — October 23, 2024 in News 0
FG Stops Cooking Gas Export To Reduce Cost

 

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

The Federal Government,has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Liquefied Petroleum Gas producers to stop exporting Liquefied Petroleum Gas produced in the country.

 

 

The action which is geared to arrest the spiralling cost of the product,is expected to take effect on November 1,this year,according to the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas),Ekperikpe  Ekpo.

 

 

Ekpo,gave the directive  on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting with stakeholders to address the skyrocketing price  of Liquefied Petroleum Gas,otherwise known as cooking gas,and its attendant hardship on Nigerians.

 

 

 

 

He also directed the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA),to engage stakeholders to create a domestic LPG pricing framework within 90 days.

 

 

 

He maintained that indexing price to cost of in-country production, rather than the current practice of indexing against external markets,such as the Americas and Far East Asia, whereas the commodity is produced in-country and the Nigerian people are required to pay much higher price for an essential commodity the country is naturally endowed with.

 

 

According to him,within 12 months, facilities will be developed to blend, store, and deliver LPG, ending exports until the market achieves sufficiency and price stability.

 

 

He said his directives are a step towards addressing the inherent challenges and ensuring Nigerians have access to affordable cooking gas.

 

 

 

He added:“The new measures aim to improve availability and ensure affordability to protect Nigerians from the economic hardship caused by LPG price hike”.

 

 

The Minister had established a  committee in November 2023, led by the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, and comprising key stakeholders in the LPG value chain.

 

 

But prices have continued to fluctuate, recently soaring to N1,500 from an average of N1,100 – N1,250 per kg,despite the efforts of the committee to reduce the cost of the product. 

Online Editor by — October 23, 2024 in Oil&Gas 0