Mar

19

2018

Welcome Address Delivered By H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, San At The One-Day Public Enlightenment On Developments In The Road Sector At Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja On Monday 19th March 2018

On behalf of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, I welcome you all very warmly to this one day public enlightenment meeting on developments in the road sector.   

Especially, I welcome the representative of the President, Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government.

This meeting is critical to the achievement of our common goal for shared prosperity.

It is a meeting to reflect and agree on the need for change about how we have used our Road infrastructure.

Our Economic growth, National productivity and job opportunities will be impacted by the conclusions and resolutions of this meeting.

For example, how do we optimize the opportunities that lie in road networks like Trans-Saharan highway that connects Nigeria to Chad, Niger, Tunisia, Mali and Algeria; the Lagos- Abidjan Highway through Benin, Togo and Ghana, or the Enugu- Cameroon Highway through Abakaliki – Ogoja , Ikom and Mfum.

For the benefit of those who may be unaware there are now existing treaty obligations within the West African sub region and beyond that regulate the amount of load any goods vehicle can put on an axle and by extension on the road in order to do business within ECOWAS and beyond.

I must thank you Mr. President for finally signing the instruments of ratification as soon as it was brought to his attention, after many years of delay prior to his tenure.

Our compliance with these regulations will open a massive door of opportunity and prosperity of cross-border trade to Nigerians engaged in the transport business.

This is why this meeting was convened; because when President Buhari once said that “we will change our habits and we will change Nigeria,” I believe this is one of the things he had in mind.

While it is true that we could have done better by way of massive investment in our transport infrastructure during the windfall of income from oil, this Government is now rapidly and aggressively addressing road transport infrastructure repairs, rehabilitation and construction as many of you who travel regularly will attest.   

There is no state in Nigeria today, where you will not see our contractors busy at work.

And I must acknowledge what the State Governments are also undertaking with regard to states and some federal roads.   

The crux of this meeting is to first acknowledge the President is only one man who cannot be everywhere, and secondly to recognize that we are the actors of the change that is required to take us to prosperity and thirdly to recognize that, the way we use the roads when finally completed will determine how long they last and whether they deliver prosperity or not.

All over the world, one common thread of prosperous societies is their level of compliance with laws and regulations.   

So in those societies, you will see trucks parked in proper parks which creates jobs, and not on the highways, which impede access and opportunity.

In those societies, you will see trucks carrying specified tonnage of cargo because it protects the road, and allows for it to be used again and again.

Therefore, while the temptation to overload and carry more with one truck, against regulation and good practice may be appealing it is ultimately a barrier to prosperity.   

Such practices may provide cheap and perhaps corrupt riches and income, but they do more damage to the roads from which the cheap income is made.

This means that in the short run, the road is lost, the opportunities diminish or are lost totally or they become very expensive to access until the road is rebuilt.

The expense and cost to all of us, when the road is damaged by misuse or abuse, manifests in longer travel hours, more fuel consumption, expensive delivery of goods and services which every member of the community including transporters have to bear.   

This is not what we want. The process to change this has begun with the construction of roads but it will not be complete unless we embrace change.   

We must now hearken to our President and some common sense by resolving from this day to change ourselves, about how we use our roads and transport infrastructure.

Our Ministry is convinced that voluntary compliance by stakeholders takes us further and nearer to the prosperity that is beckoning; and this is why we convened this meeting before the process of enforcement commences.

We are pleased with your enthusiastic attendance and look forward to your commitments to voluntary compliance.

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you very much for your attendance, and in anticipation of your active participation as we continue to engage later today and beyond.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Mar

13

2018

Remarks By H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The 25th Monthly Power Sector Operators Meeting Held In Uyo

I welcome you all once again to our monthly meeting, and I thank our hosts Ibom Power and the Government and people of Akwa Ibom.

I am happy to again chair this month’s meeting because our Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP), the set of policies, actions and programmes meant to solve the Power Sector problems, continues to make progress and deliver results.

Over the last one month since our last meeting, I am pleased to report the following progress.

A) Financial: We have secured the World Bank approval for $486 Million TCN transmission expansion funding, while progress is being made with the same bank for the Rural Electrification and Distribution Expansion Funding.

B) Operational: TCN has completed the following sub-station transmission expansion to improve their capacity to supply power to the DisCos : Uyo, Calabar, Keffi, Karu, Abeokuta, Nasarawa to mention a few.

C) Distribution: While it is no longer news that we have reached a 7,000 MW Generation Capacity and have a 5,000 MW Distribution Capacity, what is newsworthy is that in the last month, we have met with Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), DisCos, and GenCos on how to implement the Eligible Customer Policy and increase connectivity to the 2,000 MW that is available.

The meeting was productive and we are seeing positive responses. Reports reaching me indicate that what is outstanding is an agreement on the tariffs that will be paid by the eligible customer.

In many parts of the country connected to the grid, citizen feedback is positive, even though all the problems are not solved. Citizens acknowledge more power in dry weather, reduced hours of running their generators and reduction in fuel (diesel and petrol) purchase to power generators.

D) Off-Grid Power: In terms of off-grid supply, I am happy to report that citizens are already embracing the mini-grid policy and regulations to provide power for different uses.
    i) In Ogun State, a renewable energy project was completed and commissioned last month.
    ii) In Kano State, I commissioned a 73KW Solar Hybrid System developed by Rumbu Industries to support its mat production in a factory that employs 1,400 people.
    iii) Within the same period in Kano, I inspected the Solar system being deployed in Sabon Gari Market, that has 12,000 shops.  About 3,000 shops have registered, and 486 shops have been connected to cheaper and more efficient solar power. More shops are being wired by 120 technicians employed by the project.
    iv) In Abia State, work has commenced to connect and meter 31,000 shop owners in Ariaria Market to cleaner and more efficient power.
    v) We are moving away from theorizing about power to actual provision of efficient power to support trade and business, especially small and medium enterprises, who are the drivers of our economy.

E) Meter Asset Provider: On the meter supply side, I am happy to announce that NERC has concluded the Regulations that will provide the framework to license a new class of meter asset providers to complement the efforts of DisCos to supply meters to citizens.

Government decision to pursue an out-of-court settlement on a meter contract awarded since 2003, which was held up in Court until 2017, has made available about N39 Billion to kick off this process.

I am aware that Yola DisCo is already positioning to take up 400,000 meters once the contract and process formalities are concluded. I am told that Abuja, Ibadan, Kano, Ikeja and Benin DisCos are also embracing the initiative, which has reserved a 30% local content for the meters to be supplied under the Regulations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our incremental power initiative is well underway. Some results are manifesting, and the promise of steady power is real. If we persevere, I am certain that we will witness uninterrupted power, which is the final destination of our journey.

But (and this is a big BUT), our journey will not be without difficulties, and some of them are self-made.

Lately, I have read reports that some Generation Companies (GenCos) (not Ibom Power) have gone to court, filing claims against the Government. That is their right and their prerogative. It is better than self-help, and it is consistent with the rule of law, which underpins our democracy.

While they seek refuge in a court of law, they must be ready to face scrutiny in the court of public opinion.

The court of public opinion is a court of conscience and morality. In the court of public opinion, they must be ready to tell the citizens how they felt when other groups went to court to stop the implementation of Tariffs approved by NERC in 2016.

They must explain to this public court whether they went to court before government approved a N701 Billion payment Assurance Guarantee to pay their monthly power bills.

They must disclose to this court that they owed debts, from the pre-Buhari era, because their income had reduced to less than 50%.

They must disclose to this court that they now receive about 80% income, and that this Government is now paying them revenues collected from international customers from the Republics Benin, Niger and Togo, in Dollars, as against the Naira payment they used to receive.

In both courts, they must disclose how they felt when some DisCos went to court to stop the enforcement of Provision of Promissory Notes, which was a condition that denied them access to the CBN NEMSF low interest loans.

They must tell the court of public opinion that the reason for going to court is because Government is making 100% payment to a new GenCo who has a different contract with a Partial Risk Guarantee, which they do not have.

They must also disclose to both courts that they held a meeting with Government and tabled their demands, which Government promised to look into one week before they went to court.

They must, in good conscience, tell the two courts whether one week was enough time, to go to court and whether this action at the time when the sector is making progress does not suggest an intention to blackmail Government and hold the citizens hostage.

Let me say very clearly to all operators that I get reports of many of the clandestine meetings that some of them are holding with a view to disrupt supply for political capital.

I will close by imploring those that are truly ready to run the business they have acquired voluntarily to continue to do so with the assurance of Government support and partnership.

As for those who entered the business without understanding it, please brace up for hard work and help us rebuild this country.

Those who choose to hide temporarily in the courts of law can do so, but the court of public opinion will scrutinize you and its verdict may be very scathing, unkind, and enduring.

I say this because you may not have noticed that Nigerians are increasingly taking their destiny in their hands.

This is the essence of privatization. If you bother to look up and around you, you will see solar panels on rooftops. The mini grid regulations allow them to procure 1MW without license. This is bigger than what many traditional generators supply. There is no law that compels them to take public power.

I am not afraid of the law courts, and will meet you there to vigorously defend our position.

Thank you for listening.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works, and Housing

Mar

05

2018

"Funding Key To Infrastructure Development" - Engr. Mohammed

Adequate funding has been identified as a key ingredient to road development and, indeed, all aspects of development. This was disclosed by the Director, Highways, North East, Engr.  Rufa'i Mohammed, while on an inspection of on going construction works on Federal roads in the Zone.

2. While briefing Mediamen, at the end of the Tour of Duty, the Director opined that past Administrations paid lip service to road development financing, stressing that "the entire 2015 Capital Allocation to the Works Sector was a mergre N18 billion compared to over N200 billion in 2016 and N... for 2017., hence the accelerated development of road infrastructure being witnessed, nationwide."

3. Engr. Rufa'i observered that though the personnel responsible for planning, supervision, monitoring and development of road infrastructure in the country, in the Ministry and the construction industry remain, largely, unchanged, the financing has significantly changed.

4. The Director, Highways, North East Zone further disclosed that, apart from increased budgetary allocations, the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has, recently, released additional funds to select 25 - road and brigde projects, under the Sukuk (bonds), a novel financing window hitherto unexplored in the provision of critical road infrastructure, in Nigeria.

5. Recurring decimals from all the Federal road projects visited in the Zone were increased tempo of work occassioned by adequate funding, out pouring of ecomious on the Federal Government from the contractors, motorists, benefiting communities, construction workers and service providers and, most importantly, reduction in travel time and the cost of vehicle maintenance. None of the Federal Controllers of Works in the States visited nor the Contractors complained about lack of paymen for certified jobs executed.

6. Some of the projects visited are, but not limited to ; Dualisation of Kano - Maiduguri Road, Sections II ( Shuwarin - Azare in Jigawa and Bauchi States ), III ( Azare-Potiskum in Bauchi and Yobe States ), IV  ( Potiskum - Damaturu ) and V ( Damaturu - Maiduguri in Yobe and Borno States ) and the Rehabilitation of Gombe - Numan - Yola Road, Phase II ( Gombe - Kaltungo in Gombe State) and the Emergency Reinstatement of Failed Sections of Gombe - Bauchi Road in Gombe State. Others include the Rehabilitation of Damaturu - Biu Road in Yobe and Borno States, Rehabilitation of Nguru - Gashua - Bayamari Road, Section I, Phase I ( Nguru - Gashua in Yobe State ), Rehabilitation of Nguru -Gashua - Bayamari Road, Section II, Phase I ( Gashua - Bayamari in Yobe State ), Construction of Ningi - Yadagungume - Fuskar Mata Road, Phase III in Bauchi and Plateau States, Construction of Burga - Dull - Mbatt ll - Tandum - Gobbiya - Badagari - Gwarangar - Sum Road in Bauchi State and the Construction of Yalo - Bashar - Dengi Road in Bauchi and Plateau States

Feb

12

2018

Speech by the Honourable Minister Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola san during the Commissionning of 100MVA, 132/33kv Transformer at Katampe Substation on February 12, 2018

Protocol

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is responsible for conveying electricity from the Generation Companies (GenCos) who produce at power stations in various locations to over seven hundred trading points where the Distribution Companies (DisCos) receive it and distribute it to consumers nationwide. The GenCos can now produce 7,000 MW, with more capacity coming. This Administration’s focus on delivering Incremental Power requires that TCN build and maintain the capacity and operational flexibility to transmit more than the GenCos can produce, to ensure stable and reliable power delivery to the DisCos and other customers connected directly to the National Grid.

As part of the program, another milestone has been achieved here in the capital city of Abuja with the installation of additional 1x100MVA Transformer at Katampe and another of the same capacity at Apo. The capacity of the Katampe 132/33kV substation, prior to this installation, was 120MVA. Therefore, with this installation, the capacity has been raised to 220MVA. Similarly, the Apo 132/33kV substation has been raised from 190MVA to 290MWA.

The two transformer projects, executed by Messrs. MBH Power Limited, are part of the Nigeria Electricity and Gas Improvement Projects (NEGIP) financed by the World Bank.

With the commissioning of the two 100MVA, 132/33kV Transformers, the communities listed below are expected to experience remarkable improvement in power supply. Gwarinpa, Life Camp, Jabi, Kado, Wuye, Maitama, Mpape, Katempe 1 and II, Jahi, Mabushi Garki, Gudu, Guzape, Asokoro, Apo Resettlement, Wumba, Apo Mechanic Village and part of Lugbe and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport all located within the FCT Abuja.

With this development, TCN has not only established adequate Transformer capacity to serve these parts of Abuja but has also provided the necessary redundancy in line with the requirements of N-1 reliability criterion at both Katampe and Apo substations.

The installation of the two 100MVA, each at Apo and Katampe will also increase the total wheeling capacity of TCN, which was last simulated in the December 2017 to slightly above 7,000MW.

TCN also has advertised for upgrading the capacity of Central Area 132/33kV Substation. This project is part of the Nigerian Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP) financed by the World Bank as a successor to NEGIP.

TCN is also implementing the Abuja Transmission Scheme (ATS) financed by Agence Francaise De Development (AFD). The procurement process for the projects under the scheme has reached an advanced stage.

Five new Substations and a the third 330kV transmission line into Abuja in addition to Shiroro-Abuja and Ajaokuta-Abuja 330kV transmission line will be constructed as part of ATS. Two of the new Stations 330/132/33kV Substations under ATS will be sited at the West Main (Lugbe) and New Apo, while the three new 132/33kV substations will be sited at Lokogoma, Kuje and Gwarinpa. They are expected to cater for the transmission needs of Abuja in a long while.

I wish to thank the Honourable Minister of FCT for the cooperation he accorded TCN, which made this commissioning possible. TCN and the Ministry will continue to rely on the support and cooperation of the Honourable Minister of FCT, as we strive to meet the electricity requirements of Abuja, which is gradually transforming into a mega city. There is need to plan for the future expansion of Power Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure in the city.

Let me use this occasion to recognize the important collaboration that exists between FGN and Government of Japan under which Capacitor Banks worth over $10 million are being installed at Apo and Keffi substations. The Capacitor Bank in Apo, rated 22.5MVar is currently 80% completed. It will significantly improve the quality of power supply from Apo substation. The same collaboration is expected to also completely rehabilitate Apapa, Akangba, Isolo and Ikeja West Substations in Lagos.

In conclusion, on behalf of my colleague-Ministers and indeed the entire staff of the Ministry of Power, Works and housing, I congratulate TCN for successfully installing the 1X100MVA Transformer at Katampe and for the installation of another at Apo substation. The Ministry will continue to support its agencies, including TCN, to deliver Incremental Power to Nigerians.
Thank you.

Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Feb

06

2018

Azura Power Plant, A Statement Of FG’s Commitment To Improve Power Generation, Diversify Economy – Fashola

* Katsina will happen and so will Kashimbila and a lot of others at different levels including mini-grids, Minister says

* Over 1,500 Nigerians engaged on the Azura IPP with positive impact on host community

* Also inspected Section IV of Benin-Lokoja Road Dualization Project, Ehor-Benin City, says FG is laying critical foundation for economic revival and growth through infrastructure

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, at the weekend inspected the 450MW Azura Independent Power Plant in Benin, Edo State, describing the project as a proof of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving power generation and experience for the purpose of diversifying the nation’s economy.

Fashola, who spoke while interacting with news men after the inspection of the Power Plant built by Azura Power, a private developer and financier of Independent Power Plants (IPPs) across Africa, said it was also a statement of “very clear intent” about the commitment by President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfill his promise of improving power generation.

The Minister, who also described the project as a statement about the commitment of the administration “to do everything it can to enable the Private Sector to deliver on its own specialty which is to make investments such as this”, pointed out that the description was in the context that the project was facing very many approval difficulties before President Buhari came into office in 2015. 

Recalling his first visit to the project, when, according to him, the foundation was being laid, Fashola stated that between then and his current visit, the Azura IPP and other surrounding communities have transformed adding, “The members of the communities who are providing water, food and all sorts of services to the workers who are here, have experienced a new economy”.

Other benefits that have accrued to the communities as a result of the project, the Minister said, include facelifts to the roads leading to the project noting that even the road works the Government was undertaking from the Benin- Agho Road was affected by the development as, according to him, the drive time was shorter than when he first visited in 2016.

Thanking the development partners, JV Siemens and Azura as a brand, for its commitment and belief in the nation’s economy, Fashola also noted, as another benefit, that over 1,500 Nigerians worked on the project.

“But beyond the hard work, beyond the economy, there are also jobs. You’ve seen people moving from one company to another. Some of the guys I spoke to in the Control Room used to work with government, some with GE, NDPHC and others, still they moved here because there are new job opportunities, and more of this will come, without a doubt in my mind”.

“When we started, I talked about incremental power, this is it”, the Minister said, expressing the hope that the President would be there on completion of the project later this year to officially commission this project and add it to the stock of power. He added that although work was yet to finish on the project, it is already generating power.

Pointing out that the project was one of the commitments the President made in his address in January this year, Fashola declared, “This is one of the Power Plants; Katsina will happen and so will Kashimbila and quite a lot of others at different levels. Some of them may not be too visible in terms of Mini-grids which are being installed in the villages and communities to increase access to electricity. So we mean business and we are moving”.

The Minister also visited the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) owned 460MW National Integrated Power Plant (NIPP) in Ihovbor and the 330/132KV transmission substation evacuation facilities in Benin North where he was told that although the two lines with 1,000MW carrying capacity, would not have the capacity to carry the power from Azura, the company was currently constructing another line from the Ihovbor transmission station to Benin North to join the line coming from Onitsha in order to carry the power generated by the Azura Plant.

NDPHC Managing Director, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, who conducted the Minister round the facility, told him, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) are building two new 330KV lines out of Benin North that will connect the station to the grid at Ajaokuta 330KV Substation in Kogi while NDPHC is also building a 330KV line out of Benin North that will connect the station to the grid at the two locations namely the nearby Old Benin Main Substation and Onitsha 330/132KV Substation in Anambra State”.

“In order to ensure that we transport power from the Benin Generation Company which is different from Azura, we are constructing another line from this transmission station to Benin Mains and then join the line coming from Onitsha. So that will enable us transport additional power from here and ensure that the power generated by Azura and from here we will be able to put on the grid for the benefit of Nigerians. It will happen and on time”, he said.

Also fielding questions from newsmen after inspecting the Phase 1, of the Section 1V of the Benin-Lokoja Dualization project, Ehor-Benin City in Edo State later, Fashola said Government was committed to infrastructure development as a critical foundation for the nation’s economic revival and growth adding that it would determine how much fuel was burnt on the roads by drivers, how much time wasted on the roads and how that would affect the cost of goods and services, including food.

Also recalling that this was one of the commitments made by the President in his New Year’s Speech, the Minister declared, “So as this road moves, we expect to see shorter journey times, more efficient fuel use and that is money being saved in commuters’ pockets and we expect to see more competitive prices of goods and services. That is our economic journey; and we will deliver”.

He said the 47 kilometre road failed because of its muddy nature adding that the contractors, Reynolds Construction Company, was currently engaged in excavating the top muddy soil to be replaced with laterite. He said the company was also constructing two drain chambers to drain water from the top soil adding that the company had committed to making the section motorable before the Rainy Season.

“This was a very difficult road to travel last year. We are actually standing on the drainage facility at the lowest point of the road. Last year it was not motorable. But now the drain channel, the box cell to move water has been cast; another one has been committed for further down the road. But this road was not motorable last year”, Fashola said adding that government had to make some emergency interventions that made it motorable.

“But the work going on here is that this entire place was mud and that was why this section fails. This is about kilometre 15 which was really horrible to navigate last year. Now they have taken out all the mud. They have excavated all the bad soil and they will now fill it with fresh laterite to establish the level of the road and continue their work”, the Minister said adding that the road started from around Ramat Square into Benin City.

The Construction Company, he said, had already completed about 15 kilometres and the remaining would be completed late this year adding that while the company was busy on the 47 kilometre section of the road, Dantata and Sawoe were handling another section while Mothercat was handling another section till the end of the road “because our roads are long”.

Noting that government has paid all the contractors now engaged in road projects across the country, Fashola declared, “No contractor has any excuse to delay our work. Any contractor that does not perform we have our remedies. It promises to be a profitable Dry Season that heralds a motorable rainy season. This is what Mr. President committed to in his January speech that you will see this government busy with infrastructure that will lay the critical foundation for economic revival and growth; and it is infrastructure that does it”. 

The Minister was received and conducted round the on-going road project by the Federal Controller of Works in Edo State, Engr. Oke Owhe and senior personnel of RCC, the Construction Company.

Feb

03

2018

FG To Complete Tatabu Bridge Reconstruction In 2018

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola recently said that the reconstruction work on Tatabu bridge along Mokwa-Jebba road would be completed before the end of 2018.

Fashola said this in Abuja when a delegation from the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) paid him a courtesy visit. He said the contractor handling the project was already on site, adding that the arrangement by the Federal Government when the bridge collapsed was to have a temporary road for motorists.

“When I first came on that road, from llorin to Jebba, your people were there for two weeks, they could not move but as I speak to you, that side has improved. “The contractor has created a temporary road, while the reconstruction work on the bridge is ongoing and we cannot complete the project in 14 days even with all the resources available,” he said.

He said plans had been concluded in the ministry to have a workshop with members of NARTO and PTD on ways to make Nigerian roads safe and durable.

The minister said President Muhammadu Buhari had approved that certain vehicles would be restricted from being loaded beyond a certain point in ports and NNPC depots.

According to him, before we will start the implementation, we thought we should have a workshop with you so that you will know what we want to do. Dr Kassim Bataiya, the President of NARTO and leader of the delegation, commended the minister for his efforts in addressing the problems of decaying infrastructure in the country.

He said several reasons account for the failure of roads in the country but observed that the Federal Government was particularly pointing accusing fingers on overloading of trucks. “While agreeing that overloading is one of the causes, we have consistently maintained that standards in road design, materials, construction and supervision are compromised,” he said. He pledged the commitment of NARTO and PTD to cooperate with the Federal Government to ensure sanity, safety and security on Nigerian roads.

Source: (NAN)

Jan

25

2018

Tambuwal Commissions 80KWp Solar Electricity Project

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has commissioned the 80KWp solar mini – grid electricity project which will provide uninterrupted power supply to Kurudla Village in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Friday 19th January, 2018.

Tambuwal said more than 500 households would benefit from clean electricity supply. In his words, he said “today’s event marks the beginning of a great collaborative effort towards ensuring sustainable growth through renewable energy sector development. It has now become absolutely necessary to take advantage of the ongoing renewable energy effort to ensure self – sufficiency in energy for economic development”. He added that “mini – grid powered by renewable sources is the best option for us to expand electricity access in the rural areas where the national grid is not available”.

The governor used the occasion and appealed to the community leaders and residents to ensure adequate security of the equipment and personnel handling the project, while disclosing that the project is co – funded by the European Union, and jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and the German International Development Agency, Deutsche Geseuschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) which partnered with the Sokoto State Government and a private investor, GoSolar Africa Energy Limited to develop the project.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of State II, Power, Works and Housing, Suleiman Hassan Zarma, expressed the readiness of the Buhari’s led administration to work with development partners and the private sector on energy solutions so that those at  the  remote and underserved rural communities would also have access to reliable and sustainable electricity supply at affordable prices.

To this effect, the Minister said “in May 2016, the Federal government initiated the Road map of Incremental, Steady and Uninterrupted Power Supply and adopted the policy of diversifying the Nigerian Energy Mix”. Adding that the Federal government have in the last two years developed several policies and action plans aimed at developing our renewable energy resources which include: the National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAP) and Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) action agenda in line with the Federal government’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and particularly to serve as implementation tool for the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (NREEEP) approved by the Federal Executive Council ( FEC) IN 2015. He said “Federal government have also recently developed a Power Sector Recovery Plan (PSRP) which is aimed at addressing some of the core problems facing the power industry”.

Earlier, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Dietmar Kreusel, had expressed optimism that the introduction of solar mini grid would expand access to electricity not just in Kurudla, but in other areas of the country. In a similar vein, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ketil Karlsen, said that over 1.5 billion people globally lacked access to cheap, affordable and steady electricity, which Nigeria falls into.

In his part, the country’s representative of a private firm, GoSolar Africa Energy Limited, Mr. Femi Oye said the provision of the solar project has led to improved life of the people of Kurudla community through improved education, water and jobs as a lot of economic activities such as millers, iron benders as well as shops and saloons have started springing up in the area.

Jan

18

2018

FEC Approves Projects in Water, Aviation and Power Sectors

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N3.7 billion for the rehabilitation of Kazaure water project and N656 million for upgrading of obsolete Flight Safety Laboratory and framework for investment in the nation’s power sector.

Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, who alongside the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, made this known while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Council’s meeting.

He said the Kazaure water project which was started in 1997 and abandoned in 2000 would soon be resuscitated under the on-going Federal Government’s programme of resuscitating all irrigable land across the country.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said that the upgrading of the flight laboratory was necessitated by the fact that the equipment which was established in 2012 had become obsolete.

Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing said the Council approved a framework of investment at the 33KVA and 11KVA line in expanding the national distribution network, to deliver an extra 2000Megawatts of electricity (to consumers) which is currently not getting to the grid.

Jan

12

2018

FG to involve more Nigerians in Meter Manufacturing – Fashola

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola on Thursday said the Federal Government had concluded plans to involve more Nigerians in meter manufacturing.

Fashola spoke while inspecting the National Meter Test Station in Oshodi, Lagos.

He said that the measure would reduce the pressure on Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) on meter supply.

“The core business of DISCOs is to transport energy; their business is not to supply meters.

“The government will address metering more vigorously this year with regulations which will open up business in metering to more investors.

“This will reduce the pressure on DISCOs so that they can concentrate more on their core business.

“So, we will open up the business to other people who want to play in the sector once the meter regulations are completed this year,” he said.

Fashola said that Nigeria’s meter journey from 1950 showed that consumers depend on meters from foreign countries.

“We have seen Nigeria’s meter journey; the meters from 1950 to date, meters from Greece, Japan, Britain and China. This has shown that how our industry totally depends on meters from foreign countries.

“But now, we are beginning to see meters from local manufacturers like Mojec and Moman; that is a good place to be.

“At present, we have over 100 million telephone subscribers in Nigeria, but let me ask you, how many telephones are made in Nigeria?

“We spend millions of naira to buy telephone from China and still we will go back and borrow money from China.

“So, we want to change that in the meter industry; we are happy that some Nigerians are manufacturing meter in Nigeria and we promise to support them,” he said.

He added that the National Meter Test, under Nigerian Electricity Management Service Agency (NEMSA) was to test the accuracy of meters before installation.

According to him, the accuracy tests are in two steps, so that the DISCOs will not cheat consumers and consumers do not cheat DISCOs.

The minister reiterated the FG’s plan to roll out meters to Nigerian consumers soon.

He said: “We plan to roll out meters, and we must”.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NEMSA and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Mr Peter Ewesor, said all meters being used by the DISCOs passed through the centre before installation.

According to him, it is not possible for the meters that passed through the centre to shortchange consumers. (NAN)

Source: (NAN)

Jan

03

2018

Aftermath Of Fire Incident Reported By Gas Processing Company : Tcn , Gencos Working To Restore Operation Of National Grid

…We urge members of the public to bear with us as we work to overcome this set back which should be temporary- MINISTRY

Regrettably, after a sustained period of increasing production and distribution of power since September 2017 to date, the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company Ltd (NGPTC) has reported a fire incident on its Escravos Lagos Pipeline System near Okada, Edo State on Tuesday, 2nd January, 2018.

The incident requires a shutdown of the pipeline supplying gas to Egbin 1,320MW; Olorunsogo NIPP 676MW, Olorunsogo 338MW, Omotosho NIPP 450MW, Omotosho 338 MW and Paras 60MW power stations.

The sudden loss of generation due to interruption in gas supply from these stations caused the national transmission grid to trip off around 20:20 on 2nd January 2018. The national transmission grid is owned and operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Most of Nigeria's power generation is from thermal power stations that require gas for fuel. The gas is produced by oil and gas companies overseen by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The gas is delivered to the power stations through pipelines owned and operated by Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company Ltd (NGPTC), a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

TCN and the generation companies are working to restore operation of the national grid. Once the national grid is restored output from the hydroelectric power stations and all other unaffected gas fired thermal power stations will be increased to the extent possible to minimize the impact of loss of generation from the affected power stations while NNPC takes necessary steps to restore gas supply.

We urge members of the public to bear with us as we work to overcome this set back which should be temporary.

Signed:
MINISTRY OF POWER, WORKS AND HOUSING

Dec

16

2017

Programme To Provide Uninterrupted Power Supply For University Students, Not A  Mere ‘Streetlighting’ Project - Ministry

The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing wishes to restate that the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) of the Federal Government is aimed at rejuvenating the nation’s education system by providing uninterrupted power supply to a total of 37 federal universities and 7 university teaching hospitals.

This clarification has become necessary in the light of the misrepresentation of the Programme as a mere “solar –powered streetlight project in nine universities across the country valued at N10bn,” by the Punch newspaper while purportedly reporting the proceedings of the 2018 Budget Defense Meeting of the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy attended by the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency on Thursday, 14th December 2017.

The Punch Newspaper in a report, which first appeared in its Online version , claimed that the Senate “criticized a solar-powered streetlight project” thereby deliberately misrepresenting the Energizing Education Programme (EEP).Far from being a “streetlight” project, the EEP in fact seeks to rejuvenate the education system through electrifying a total of 37 federal universities and 7 university teaching hospitals, with Independent Power Plants (IPPS), which will boost effective learning, innovation and advancement through uninterrupted power supply.

In addition to helping to extend electrification to rural and underserved areas in which the institutions are located ultimately, the Programme will enable the institutions benefit from world-class training schools, for the training of students in renewable energy, as well as provide optimized security, for the safety and well being of students and staff, through the installation of streetlights on campus which is only a small component of the Project.

Although implementation of this programme is led by the power sector, through the Rural Electrification Agency, the Vice Chancellors and the Ministry of Education have signed onto this as a critical investment in the education sector.

The deliberate attempt to water down the significant impact this Programme will have on the enhanced education of Nigerian students is outright unpatriotic as it seeks to prevent the socio-economic development of our nation.

In addition to the open and transparent coverage of the milestones attained preparatory to the take off of the Project like the Meetings and signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the REA and the first set of participating tertiary institutions, the Ministry holds itself ready to provide further details to the media and any other interested entities to stem any further misrepresentation.

Dec

12

2017

Remarks By Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The 22nd Monthly Power Sector Operators Meeting, Lokoja, Kogi State On Monday, 11th Of December 2017

I welcome you warmly to this monthly meeting holding in Kogi state; which incidentally is our last meeting for the 2017 calendar year.

Therefore, it provides us an opportunity to reflect, not only on what has happened last month but also to assess how far we have progress through the whole year with our road map of incremental, stable and utilmately uninterrupted power.

Please recall that in January 2017, up till March 2017, power production was significantly low, largely as a result of the lack of gas and the disruptions in the Niger Delta.

By collective action of Government and all of you, many of these challenges have either been fully overcome or brought under control and management.

Government has responded with policies and actions like the N701 Billion payment assurance guarantee which has brought confidence to the production side of the power business and resulted in increased power production taking us to an all-time high of over 7,000 MW of power availability.

Government action in Transmission service expansion through TCN, and your feedback about service points where you require service from TCN, has helped to increase Transmission capacity which took us to over 4,000MW grid available power, that was relatively steady.

In the course of the year, slowly but steadily, the incidents of total and partial grid collapses have began to reduce.

Last month, at our meeting in Asaba, we resolved to maintain the progress even though the rains had gone.

I am happy to report that in the last month, reports and feedback confirm that we have surpassed not only our peak of grid supply during the rains, we have surpassed Nigeria’s highest ever peak grid supply.

As at Tuesday 5th of December 2017, the peak supply reached 5,019 MW, which was below the 5,074 MW we achieved in January 2016.

However, on Friday 8th December, 2017, grid supplied power peaked at an all-time high of 5,155 MW, over the January 2016 figure of 5,074 MW.

It is a major milestone in our journey of incremental power and if we keep our feet on the ground and we remain focused and unexcited, we will improve on it, and hopefully get to the second leg of our journey which is steady power.

No one person can claim individual credit for this progress. It is the product of teamwork starting from the leadership provided by President Buhari, many people in Government and in your companies who the public will never see, but all of whom I salute for their service; and of course the hard work by all of you.

While I value the work that you have done, I will implore you to remember that Nigerians expect more and there is still a lot of hard work ahead.

The fact that we can produce over 7,000 MW and can now only put over 5,000 MW on the grid means that we have 2,000 MW of unused power left in a country where many still require power.

This is a new problem that we must resolve.

We must get that 2,000 MW out to the people who need it, because more power is coming in 2018 from places like Azura (450 MW); Katsina wind (10 MW); Gbarain (115 MW); Kashimbilla (40 MW); Afam III (240 MW); Gurara (30 MW); Dadin Kowa (29 MW); and Kaduna (215 MW) to mention a few.

All of these do not include mini-grids and solar systems that are in various stages of development.

This may appear to be a lot of work. Yes, that is one way to see it.

But I see it as a momentous opportunity and privilege to be part of a revolution that will change the course of Nigeria irreversibly for the better.

If you see it this way, you will brace yourself for the exciting journey that lies ahead to solve the problem of lack of meters, estimated billing, and other service related issues.

You will be in a position to  put a smile on the faces of Nigerians who trust in our ability as a Government and a team to deliver on their power expectations.

This part of the journey requires us to think about what we can do individually and collectively about how to make it better.

It requires us to jettison our fixed positions and prejudices, it requires us to offer solutions not disagreements and to demonstrate a willingness to try out new things.

Therefore, as we set out on this new phase of our exciting journey permit to address some of the things we must do quickly from now into the new year of 2018 and beyond.

On Thursday, 7 December 2017, I was listening to a radio program where a small business operator was discussing her fish business and the problems she was encountering.

She was one of the many people whose lives President Buhari is committed to changing for the better.

As you would expect, she complained about power supply but she did not say where she was or where her business is located.

This happening at a time when, as I have announced, that we are now able to produce up to 7,000 MW of power and able to transport a similar capacity.

It happened 48 hours after we successfully reached the peak supply of 5,019 MW put on the grid and distributed on 5th December 2017 and before the peak of 5,155MW.

It happened while the mini grid summit, the largest ever attended in Africa, with 600 participants from about 40 countries holding in Abuja, was coming to its closing stages to decide how to deploy mini grid electric supply to those unserved and under-served places and small businesses in Nigeria.

It showed clearly that there is a gulf between the location of the need and the location of supply.

If we can produce 7,000 MW but we can only distribute about 5,000 MW, the problem has changed from lack of power to locating where the need is and designing a solution that takes the balance of 2,000 MW to those who need it, who can use it and who  can pay for it.

We must act to build the bridge that connects this gulf of supply and demand.

That bridge is a bridge of data and information about finding the location of the businesses and industries that need power and getting the 2,000 MW that is waiting for deployment to them.

The conversation clearly must change from there is no power, to what needs to be done to connect to the 2,000 MW that is available, and the additional power, which will come into production in 2018.

I have taken the first steps towards collecting the data.

I called the DG of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and the President of Manufacturers Organisation on the need to meet with them to do some of the following:

Identify the location of their members who need power and do not have it;

Determine the quality and power rating of their equipment as the basis for an energy audit that tells us what each business or manufacturer needs and what the estate or industrial cluster will need;
Identify the closest connection point to the company from  they can be connected to part of that unused 2000 MW power.

D. Determine the cost of the upgrade and equipment and how it can be financed on a win-win basis between the Genco - Disco and the factory or cluster.

This is the action that my team and I are convinced is necessary to connect supply with demand.

We want to supply power, but everybody must help us by letting us know where they are, especially the big consumers.

This is what the eligible customer seeks to do.

We should stop resisting it and instead embrace it to see what it offers in terms of problem solving.

Policy initiatives such as this take time to settle and they do not come without challenges.

But we cannot understand the challenges, talk less of overcoming them without first trying.

I expect that very early in the New Year, we will be able to achieve a collaboration with Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and other Chambers of Commerce and Industry to jointly take this momentous step.

Thank you for your attention.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Monday 11th December 2017

Nov

28

2017

We Have Clearest Pathway to Reform Power Sector – VP Osinbajo

*  World Bank’s Senior Director praises FG for Ease of Business Ranking Feat

The Buhari administration has now devised a clear pathway to achieving its power sector reform objectives, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

The Vice President stated this today at the State House in Abuja when he met with a delegation of officials from the World Bank (WB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) led by Mr. Riccardo Puliti, Senior Director of the Bank’s Global Energy Practice.

Speaking to the delegation at the meeting which had in attendance the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola and the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the Vice President assured “we are completely committed to ensuring that we play our part in the arrangement and we think that this possibly one of the clearest pathways in a long time”

He lauded the partnership between the Federal Government and the World Bank team for the commitment and support shown to the implementation of the Power sector recovery programme.
Prof. Osinbajo noted that the partnership with the World Bank has “helped us a great deal with the timelines and milestones that have to be achieved and also a great deal in refining our own approach to the entire reform process”.

During his remarks, the leader of the delegation and a Senior Director on Global Energy Practice at the World Bank, Mr Riccardo Puliti expressed satisfaction with Federal Government’s cooperation and commitment to the reform of the power sector. He noted that the partnership between the World Bank and the Federal Government is a model which would add great value to the power sector in Nigeria.

Mr Puliti equally praised the Buhari Presidency for the remarkable feat achieved in the ease of business ranking released recently by the World Bank, noting that it is a major milestone for the country’s economic reform programme.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Fashola told journalists after the meeting, that the delegation was in the State House to brief the Vice President on the progress made by the Federal Government working with the World Bank on the Power Sector Recovery Programme. He assured that the reform programme is intended to solve various problems confronting the sector and would make the sector effective, as well as make it responsive to consumers and customers who will be ultimate beneficiaries of the on-going reform programme.

Nov

17

2017

Federal Executive Council approves N27billion for reconstruction of Gombe – Biu road

The Federal Executive Council today approved the sum of N27billion for reconstruction of Gombe – Biu road. The Council also approved N458million as consultancy fee for implementation of the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the endorsement of the Nigeria National Building Code.

These were the decisions taken by the Federal Executive Council today which held under Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo today.

Briefing State State House correspondents after the meeting, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, disclosed that the Gombe-Biu 117 kilometres road project which connects Gombe,Yobe, Adamawa and Borno states, will boost agricultural activities and power supply in the affected states.

Mr Fashola however stated that the road project excluded the nine kilo metres already constructed by the Gombe state government.

The Minister also disclosed that the Nigeria National Building Code, which was approved by the National Council on Housing, Land and Urban Development, was also endorsed by the council.

Minister of Budget and National Planning Udoma Udo Udoma, who also briefed alongside Mr Fashola, told the correspondents that the Council approved the engagement of Malaysian based consultants to conduct a study that would aid the implementation of the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan at the cost of (N458Million) 1.5 million dollars.

Nov

14

2017

Remarks By Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The 21st Monthly Power Sector Operators Meeting Held In Asaba, Delta State On Monday The 13th Of November 2017

Dear members of the Nigerian Electricity Sector Industry:

I welcome you once again to our monthly power meeting, the 21st monthly meeting we have held without fail.

This meeting is being hosted by Benin Electricity Distribution Company in Asaba, the capital of Delta State which falls within the franchise of Benin DISco.

As it has now become customary, I am happy to announce again some progress that we have made in the last one month in our journey of incremental, steady and uninterrupted power.

Within the last month:

A.    Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) expanded transmission capacity in Zaria, Kaduna State and Funtua, Katsina State by adding 40 and 60MVA transformers to the Transmission sub-station to increase the TCN capacity to transmit power in those areas;

B.    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) completed consultation and issued the Regulations needed to guide the operations and implementation of the eligible customer declaration that I made, to increase our capacity to distribute power;

C.    Rural Electrification Agency (REA) completed the guidelines for the operation of the rural electrification fund that will help vulnerable groups and communities gain access to funding to support their electricity development program;

D.     The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, on Friday the 10th November 2017, signed the EPC contract for the Mambilla Hydro power project, over 40 years after the project was first conceived.    

By way of explanation the Rural Electrification Fund was created by Section 88 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) of 2005 to promote support and provide rural electrification  access.

The fund will provide a partial single payment capital subsidy and or technical assistance to eligible private Rural Power Developers, NGOs or communities to invest in options such as hybrid mini grids or solar home systems to scale up rural access to electricity.

Those who will be served are the unserved and underserved Rural Communities.

What they are likely to get are minimum amounts of $10,000 (N3.5m)    and Maximum amounts of $300,000. (N106m) or 75% of project cost which ever is less.

The REA will publish details of guidelines and eligibility.

These are only headline items of developments that characterize the progress we are making month after month, especially since March 2017.    

They do not represent, or pretend to fully report, all of the progress that is going on at distribution levels, which is highlighted by the New Asaba Mains 2x15MVA injection  substation completed and commissioned today by Benin DisCo.

This is expected to improve service to Okwe, Akuebulu, Jarret, Ogbeofu, Osadebe Way, Okwe Housing Estate, Oduke, New Jerusalem, Malbovil and more by reducing load shedding and increasing the hours of supply.

Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, week by week and month by month we have not only gained momentum, we are seeing progress that inspires us not to flag, progress that inspires us to continue, because the power problem can be successfully managed by Nigerians.

Not even your worst critic can deny that his experience has improved; even if he is reluctant to acknowledge it, which is his prerogative.    

Our work is certainly not driven by a quest for acknowledgment; on the contrary it is driven by our belief in our collective abilities to change what we do not accept.    

We remind ourselves that we are not immune from what we do. If we make it work as we intend to, it will also serve us.

We thank well-meaning Nigerians who are gracious to acknowledge that their experience has improved and who ask us to do more. Your honesty inspires us to continue.

Dear members, we all know that the progress this year was due to many things we have done and the peace in the Gas producing regions which enabled us to get the gas stations and the Hydro stations to work together.    

Now that the rains are coming to an end we expect some minor, not major, reduction in the production from the Hydro, and we must work now to keep all the gas stations well maintained and operational.    

I am sure that we can do this, if there is peace in the gas producing areas and gas supply is not interrupted.

There are other challenges that we must also overcome together:

A. Estimated billing and metering, and in this regard we anxiously await the Regulation from NERC to open up meter supply Business.

B. Similarly I am happy to report that following the approval of the Federal executive Council (FEC) earlier in the year, the dispute over meters supply contract that started since 2003, was resolved by a Court approved settlement on Thursday the 9th day of November 2017.

C. This means that there will be N37 billion available for meter supply by the contractor to DisCos who want to partner and can reach their independent agreement with the contractor. While we await the regulations by NERC, a lot of preparatory work can be done.

D. To the communities in Ondo State around Okitipupa, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala in Anambra State, Mowe in Ogun State, and others across the country, we have not forgotten you.

E. The problems of right of way for 11Kv and 33Kv  distribution lines within the states is one that we must overcome together. I have signed letters last week to all 36 state governors and the FCT minister, with copies to each DisCo asking them to support you in protecting and recovering the right of way for your distribution lines so that you can serve their states and residents better.

I will conclude my remarks by referring to the local communities under the Benin DisCo and address the issues that affect you while you host us:

1)    Asaba - Benin 330KV line was energized to service on 3rd November 2017. Asaba 330kv substation is now being fed from both Benin and Onitsha. The line also raised the number of circuits from Onitsha to Benin to 3 (THREE).

2)    Presently a 40mva 132/33kv mobile transformer is undergoing installation at Auchi with in-house capacity to be commissioned in 2 (TWO) weeks time.

3)    A new 330/ 132kv substation is to be constructed at Okpai with a 132kv line from the station to service a proposed 132/33kv substation at Kwale. The procurement of the projects are ongoing.

4)    Installation of a new 60mva 132/33kv transformer is to commence at Irrua transmission station any time from now.

On a final note, I am happy to announce that we have recovered $64,630,055:00 from our international customers in Benin Republic and Republic of Niger. The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader, (NBET) will work out the modalities for distribution.

Thank you for your attention.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing
Monday 13th November 2017

Mar

20

2018

Stakeholders Laud FG For Improvements In Nation’s Road Sector

* As Fashola presents Federal Highways (Control of Dimensions, Weights and Axle Load) Regulations 2018
* NURTW, NARTO, PTD, other transport unions applaud FG for the on-going rehabilitations and reconstruction of roads across the country, pledge support
* The road sector in the country never had it as good as is being currently experienced despite the shortfall in the nations revenue generation NURTW National President
* From 2015 to date, my administration has constructed several hundreds of kilometres of inter-state federal roads and bridges- Buhari

Stakeholders in the nation’s road sector, Monday in Abuja lauded the improvements on the roads across the country, commending the Federal Government, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, and his team for the innovative approach to road management since the inception of the Buhari Administration.

Speaking at a One-Day Public Enlightenment on the Developments in the Road Sector, the stakeholders, who included the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association among other road users, noted that the Minister has done a lot to restore confidence of Nigerians on the nation’s road sector.

In his goodwill message at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre venue of the event, President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najimdeem Yasin, congratulated the Minister for his  efforts in executing the 2017 budgetary proposals as regards to the development of road network across the country.
Represented at the occasion by Alhaji Nasiru, the NURTW President also expressed appreciation to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for the prudent management of the nation’s scarce resources noting that since the beginning of the present administration, the road sector in the country never had it as good as is being currently experienced despite the shortfall in the nation’s revenue generation.

The NURTW boss, however, pointed out that as the efforts and actions of the government to improve the roads were being applauded, it was also necessary to direct its attention to a lot more of the roads that still needed urgent attention  urging the Minister to put in place a mechanism to institutionalize the culture of construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of Federal roads as well as putting necessary instruments that would guide against the abuse of the roads by the road users.

Such mechanisms, the Union leader said, included weighbridges, transit parks and provision of other road furniture adding that as a transport workers’ union occupying the leadership of the International Transport Federation (ITF) and the Global Vice President, the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers had taken the sensitization and training of its members very seriously as it could not afford to operate short of international standard.

Disclosing that the NURTW, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) regularly organized series of enlightenment campaigns for the union members in order to encourage them to maintain good driving culture, the Union boss declared, “I want to assure you of our continuous support and loyalty to every initiative that will improve the safety and sustenance of roads in the Federation”.

In his goodwill message on behalf of his association, the President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Alhaji Kassim Bataiya, expressed appreciation to the Minister for matching his words with action recalling that on the first of February 2018, the Minister, at a meeting with the various transport unions in his office, did promise that he would convoke such an enlightenment Workshop.
Represented by the Executive Secretary of the Union, Mr. Aloga I. Okpobo, the NARTO President, who was last week elected President of the African Road Transport Union in Marrakech, Morocco, commended the Minister for keeping his words applauding him for the on-going rehabilitations and reconstruction of roads across the country.

Noting that the government was currently raising  funds from various sources to meet the required funding of roads in the country, the union President declared, “This has demonstrated that in a very short time  Nigerian roads will meet the expectations of Nigerians”.

He also recalled that during the last meeting with the Minister, the unions made various recommendations including the issue of Axle Load, which, according to him, was on the front burner of the discussions adding that the recommendations which were both in the short, medium and long terms, included the banning of the importation of 60,000 litres capacity trucks into the country as they were negatively impacting the roads in the country.

Alhaji Bataiya also recalled that the Unions recommended to the Minister that those constructing such trucks above 60,000 litres in the country should be warned to desist forthwith adding that the Unions also asked government to give a five year moratorium to enable owners of such vehicles to recoup their investment before the final phase out.

Other recommendations, he said, include that the Federal Government should ban the use of steel trucks and replace them with aluminum trucks “because aluminum trucks are lighter in terms of weight capacity” and for the Government to continue the road rehabilitation and expansion it has earlier started as, adding that while the ban of the use of steel trucks would address the issue of axle load, the rehabilitation and expansion of roads would “go a long way in bringing relief to Nigerian roads”.

Pledging the support of the association to the Federal Government “in all its efforts to put Nigerian roads on course”, the NARTO boss declared, “We are also here to say that we are totally in support of this workshop and to commend the Hon. Minister for putting the workshop together because in doing so he has matched his words with action”.

In his own goodwill message, the National Chairman of the Petroleum Tankers Drivers Association, Mr. Salimon Akanni Oladiti, commended the Minister for “his courage” in organizing the Workshop pointing out that it is only when one is courageous and doing something right that such a person could invite the public to brief them of such action.

Noting that the workshop would give participants a further insight into the developments in the road sector, the Chairman declared, “As major stakeholders in the Nigerian road sector, we have in recent times witnessed tremendous efforts on the part of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing which has made us to believe that the dark and horrible days of bad roads will soon be over”.

“It is also important to use this opportunity to commend the Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing under the headship of Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, for the increased strides his Ministry has been making since he mounted the saddle as the Hon. Minister in his stride to improve the road network. His efforts to reactivate road signage for the safety of road users is unparalleled in the history of Nigerian roads”.

Others who gave good will messages included the President Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria,  High Chief Musa Shehu Isawere, represented by Comrade Henry Ejioffor, who also commended the Minister for the innovations he has introduced into the management of the nation’s road sector and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who said in identifying with the convocation of the Workshop, he would be the ultimate beneficiary pointing out that the impressive turnout of the trade unions only signified the fact that they were in full support and in alignment with the Minister adding, “ It means less agitations and strikes”.

In his Keynote address, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Gida Mustapha, said the convocation of the Workshop was an indication of the important role that road transportation plays in the nation’s economic development adding that the critical place of road transportation in the country’s evolution and the national life had never been more alive than presently.

“Presently the haulage of industrial goods, agricultural produce and industrial raw material, petroleum products, power plant components and other economic materials required in the manufacturing sector, are carried out using the road network”, the President noted adding that it was this realization that underscored the promise of change by the present administration in May 2015 with infrastructure as a priority.
Pointing out that this has been fulfilled by the administration “by policy and action, President Buhari further declared, “It is on record that this administration has raised the budgetary allocation for Capital project from 15 per cent to a minimum of 30 per cent and committed to physical stimulus targeted at infrastructure”.

“The result is the revival of construction activities and other projects nationwide. From 2015 to date, my administration has constructed several hundred kilometres of inter-state federal roads and bridges to ease the movement of persons, goods and services”, he said adding, however, that in order to take the full benefit of the projects, when finally completed and get value for the investment “we must change our ways and this government has signed on for that change”.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, said the Workshop was meant to reflect and agree on the need for change about how Nigerians have used their Road infrastructure adding that the country’s Economic growth, National productivity and job opportunities would be impacted by the conclusions and resolutions of the meeting.

Noting that there are now existing treaty obligations within the West African sub region and beyond that regulate the amount of load any goods vehicle can put on an axle and by extension on the road in order to do business within ECOWAS and beyond, Fashola said the only way to optimize the opportunities that lie in road networks like Trans-Saharan highway that connects Nigeria to Chad, Niger, Tunisia, Mali and Algeria; the Lagos- Abidjan Highway through Benin, Togo and Ghana, or the Enugu- Cameroon Highway through Abakaliki – Ogoja , Ikom and Mfum was to sensitize road transporters and imbibe the existing treaties.

The Minister, who thanked the President for finally signing the instruments of ratification as soon as it was brought to his attention, after many years of delay prior to his tenure, added, “This meeting is critical to the achievement of our common goal for shared prosperity. Our compliance with these regulations will open a massive door of opportunity and prosperity of cross-border trade to Nigerians engaged in the transport business”.

“This is why this meeting was convened; because when President Buhari once said that “we will change our habits and we will change Nigeria,” I believe this is one of the things he had in mind. While it is true that we could have done better by way of massive investment in our transport infrastructure during the windfall of income from oil, this Government is now rapidly and aggressively addressing road transport infrastructure repairs, rehabilitation and construction as many of you who travel regularly will attest”, he said.

Fashola, who noted that there is no state in Nigeria today, where contractors would not be seen busy at work, added, “The crux of this meeting is to first acknowledge the President is only one man who cannot be everywhere, and secondly to recognize that we are the actors of the change that is required to take us to prosperity and thirdly to recognize that, the way we use the roads when finally completed will determine how long they last and whether they deliver prosperity or not”.

In a Communiqué issued after the Workshop, participants expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the on-going rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads across the country, affirming the need for enforcement of axle load limit to safeguard the nation’s road infrastructure while also emphasizing the reintroduction of toll gates on federal highways as a means to improve revenue generation for the maintenance of roads.

Realizing the damaging effects of overloading on the nation’s road network, participants advocated that all Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) owners and operators should abide by the the new Axle Load limit regime in Nigeria in line with the ECOWAS Supplementary Act/SP.17/02/12 relating to the harmonization of standards and procedures for the control of dimensions, weight and axle load of goods vehicles within the ECOWAS Member States.

Other highpoints of the Communiqué are reaffirmation of need to operationalize the weighbridge stations on Federal roads to check overloading, recognizing the need for adherence by motorists to road signage for safety, need for all stakeholders to join hands to halt the abuse on Nigerian roads and agreement that tank farm owners and sea port operators should comply with the axle load limits by installing weighbridges at their depots/ports.

Also present at the occasion were the Minister of Transportation, Right Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, represented by Dr. (Mrs.) Anthonia Ekpa, FCT Minister represented by the Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr U.G. Jibrin, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, among other dignitaries and stakeholders

Mar

14

2018

FG Inaugurates Governing Council For Federal School Of Surveying

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has urged the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Federal School of Surveying, Oyo to be mindful of the purpose for which they were nominated and ‘be problem solvers, solution finders and peace builders” in the onerous task ahead of them.

While inaugurating the Governing Council on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, Fashola explained that the Council will be responsible, as provided by the Act establishing the School, for the general management of its affairs, control of its properties and finances. He added that the purpose of the Schoo, is to “provide instructions, training and research in survey and related courses”.

The Minister explained that the objective for which the School was established, which is to produce technical, professional and other skilled manpower necessary for surveying and  mapping, requires it to function properly in carrying out its mandate. He further added that part of the Ministry’s mandate to formulate and implement the policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria is to survey and map out both internal and international boundaries and this, he said would require appropriate contributions from skilled manpower, without which the task will be difficult to achieve.

Fashola urged members of the Governing Council to always deal with the challenges of producing skilled manpower and professional surveyors. He reiterated President Buhari’s commitment to infrastructure development, citing the security challenges facing some schools as there would be need to plan how to rebuild, merge and protect such schools, especially those destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. He encouraged them to cultivate the spirit of team work, reflect transparency and accountability so as to properly represent the Federal Government.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Honourable Minister of State II, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma stated that as an Alumus of the School, its standards has drastically dropped, thereby charging the newly inaugurated members to do their utmost zest in restoring the past glory of the School.

The Chairman of the Governing Council and Surveyor-General of the Federation, Surv. Ebisintei Awudu, in his acceptance speech, on behalf of other members, thanked Mr. President as well as the Ministers for the confidence repose in them, while promising that the Council will not disappoint the Ministry in carrying out its assignment.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mohammed Bukar, Directors of the Ministry and family members of the newly inaugurated Governing Council were in attendance at the occasion.

Mar

13

2018

FG Creates Long Time Funding For Infrastructural Development- As Fashola Inspects Roads And Mass Housings Projects

The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has said that the federal government is working hard to ensure the creation of infrastructural funding to finance roads, power and mass housing projects among others across the nation. According to him, ‘’funding of critical infrastructure will prevent the inherited and reoccurrence of abandon projects due to lack of budgetary provision’’. He added that departments of government agencies are already working closely to put in place, a structure for long time funding of federal projects.

The Minister on arrival in Kano paid a courtesy visit to Governor Abdulahi Ganguje and commended the state government for its critical role in economic development of the country. He stated that the construction of the 360 kilometers Abuja-Kaduna-Zaira-Kano roads has been awarded to Julius Berger, adding that while the contract is been formalized, a routine maintance is been undertaking by the Metropolitan and Mothercat construction companies.

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Kano, Prof. Adis Abubakar, on behalf of the governor, thanked the Minister for significant federal government ongoing projects in the state and expressed the readiness of the state government to continue to partner with the ministry.

Fashola also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Mohammad Sanusi Lamido in his palace, stating his mission is to attend a Top Management Retreat organised by the ministry in Kano and that he has deemed it necessary to pay homage to him. He stated that on his way to the palace, he stopped over to inspect the Tamburawa Bridge project which has been damaged by artisanal and illegal sand mining activities and erosion. He enjoined the emir to appeal to the illegal miners to move farther away from the construction location to enable the contractor undertaking the repair works deliver appropriately on the project.   

In his response, His Royal Highness, Mohammad Sanusi Lamido applauded the efforts of President Mohammadu Buhari for paying attention to critical infrastructural development projects across the country since assumption of office. He added that electricity and power generation has significantly increased, which has translated into the creation and revival of more industries in Kano and the country at large.

According to him, ‘’Kano as a city and state, is experiencing about 16 to 18 hours uninterrupted power supply in the last one year or so’’.

In a similar development, the Minister also inspected the National Housing Programme undergoing construction at Rigachchukwun, Kaduna North. He said that government is running a pilot scheme of housing prototypes to test the level of acceptability and affordability of Nigerians before embarking on a large scale construction of mass housing programme.

The Minister added that the gains of the present administration is getting people to work and restoring their dignity. He cited the case of one of the labourer in Kaduna site called Ado, who has earned a living and even married a wife by productively engaged in the construction of the housing project some 8 months ago. ‘’We are starting an eco system of activities such as sand; paint, gravel and roofing sheet’’. According to him, ‘’if you imagine 10 of these sites in Kaduna and 10 in each state of the federation and thousand of Ado who can go to work every day, that is a victory to me and I can say to the government’’.

Mar

01

2018

FG To Utilize Infrastructure Bond Instrument To Finance Critical Road/ Bridge Projects-Fashola

In its bid to fast track road/bridge projects development nationwide, the Federal Government is to utilize Infrastructure Bond Investment from finance institutions and investors.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola while receiving Institutional Investors, inclusive of HSBC, China group 3 and 4 led by the Managing Director of Stanbic IBTC, Dr. Damola Sogunle, in his office on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

Fashola explained that to finance road/bridge projects through Tax Relief and Islamic banking “Sukuk” cannot be enough to provide infrastructure development in Nigeria, adding that Infrastructure Bond Instrument will complement government efforts at providing the needed critical infrastructure to end users.

He stated that the inability of Nigerian government to appropriately in the past informed the present administration, channeling its energy towards economic recovery through agriculture.

In the same vein, the Minister expressed the need for a reset in the housing sector in the country. He emphasized that the “financial establishment must stand as the vanguard of the reset” by borrowing a leaf from countries that have successfully utilized similar investment practice, such as United Kingdom.

Fashola disclosed that the Pilot Home for the National Housing Programme of the present administration has taken off in 33 States of the federation. This, he said is made up of one to three bedrooms model which are expected to be valued accordingly, considering the standard and infrastructure.

The Minister, further disclosed that the Federal Government who is currently holding 40% equity in the power sector, is of the opinion that privatization is logical, arguing that it has been successful in the media, banking, aviation sectors amongst others.

According to him, the Ministry will optimize on existing capacity even as government has approved distribution extension programme in power. He added that investors in the power sector should be able to bring in value by looking at areas where investment is actually required; saying that supply of meters will improve service delivery and end user confidence in the DISCOs.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Stanbic IBTC, Dr. Damola Sogunle, explained that the investors were interested in financing projects that will impact positively in infrastructure. He added that the visit will enable the investor in Nigeria have information and good understanding of what is happening in the Ministry and the country at large in order to make proper investment decision.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State 1, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri, the Permanent Secretary, (Power Sector), Engr. Lious Edozien, Director of Finance, (Works and Housing Sector), Alhaji Ibrahim Tumsa and other Directors in the Ministry.

Feb

12

2018

FG Sensitizes Staff On Dangers Of Corruption, Say It Is An Impediment To Sustainnable Development

The Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari since inception has place high premium on the fight against corruption and has enjoined Government Agencies, Private Sector, Non-governmental Organizations, Media and indeed all Nigerians to join forces to fight this age-long menace hindering sustainable developmental goals and projects in the nation. According to Mr. President, ‘’If you don’t kill corruption, corrupt will kill you’’.

The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing through its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACTU) held a sensitization workshop at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja to sensitize staff of the Ministry on the dangers of corruption within the system.

Declaring the workshop open, the Director Human Resource Management, Mrs Morayo Alimi, who represented the Permanent Secretary Works & Housing, Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, enjoined participants, including Directorate Cadre Officers and other officers to take advantage of the seminar and learn more about the negative effects of corruption in the public sector.

Alimi noted that ‘’we can never stop talking about anti-corruption judging by the posture of the present administration which has zero tolerance for corruption’’. According to her, ‘’we need to keep sensitizing people about it to help them internalize the concept and as such cause a shift to a service free of corruption’’.  She added that anti-corruption crusade runs across every cadre and the ministry is determined to discourage it at all levels.

Also speaking at the event, the representative of the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr Justine Kuatsea, an Assistant Commissioner and Head, Anti-corruption Unit of the Commission, thanked the Permanent Secretary and the management of the Ministry for making the occasion a reality by facilitating the sensitization workshop. He noted that ICPC is not relenting in sensitizing the public sector in adopting a systemic approach in tackling corruption in the country.

Kuatsea further stated that in working with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works & Housing, ‘’we shall together roll back the blanket of corruption in the public service and indeed in Nigeria for sustainable development’’.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Ministry, Barr. Sunday Inyang, noted that the purpose of organising the workshop is to basically share experiences, impart knowledge, broaden and deepen participants’ understanding of ACTU’s activities and programmes.

According to him, ‘it is interesting to note that the theme of this sensitization seminar, which is ‘’Corruption as an Impediment to Sustainable Development’’ is not only apt, but also timely considering the fact that Corruption continues to be the bane of most African countries, Nigeria in particular’.

Barr. Inyang urged the executive arm of Government to push for the implementation of key anti-corruption protocols and good governance principles in public and private institutions. On the part of the National Assembly, Inyang, implored them to expeditiously pass into law the two Executive Bills before them that are considered critical in making the fight against corruption effective, these are the Special Criminal Courts Bill and Whistle Blowers and Witness Protection Bill, meant to protect whistle blowers and witnesses from injury, death, economic sabotage, job termination, among others.

Feb

05

2018

“STRIKE MUST BE A LAST RESORT” - FASHOLA

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola has expressed that industrial actions such as strike should be the last resort and not the first option when trying to resolve problematic situations or issues.

Fashola stated this at a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), branch of NUPENG when the former paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday, February 1st, 2018 at the Ministry conference room.

He revealed that the Tatabu Bridge will be completed before the end of the year but however denied corrupt practices in road execution as alleged, saying that the “solution to bad roads is a long process” while requesting that evidence and proof of corrupt practices concerning the sector should be brought forward for investigation.

The National President of NARTO, Dr. Kassim Bataiya, earlier in his speech commended the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and particularly applauded the Ministry for its commitment and performance thus far.

Dr. Bataiya noted that the present administration is making effort to reverse the situation of bad roads by approving the rehabilitation, dualisation, construction and re-construction of several Federal highways across the six geo-political zones.

While enumerating the causes of road failure to poor design and construction; poor maintenance; use of low quality materials, heavy traffic and so on, the association suggested both short and long terms recommendations such as banning the importation of 60,000-litre capacity tanks into the country, the use of rail transport for the movement of heavy equipment, FERMA to be directed towards ensuring routine maintenance are carried out on regular basis, dumping of refuse, as well as hawking to be prohibited amongst others.

The Association further appealed to government ‘to take cognizance of the non-availability of trucks”, and “think of how to provide enough trucks to transport the extra load that will be generated due to the application of the axle load policy. It stated that the total number of active trucks in the country is not more than 20,000.

A presentation of update and work done so far on Federal roads and bridges was done by the Director, HighWays Planning and Development, Chukwunwike Ogbonna Uzo, who explained that the ministry had already planned to meet with all stakeholders in the sector in other to wholistically fashion out the way forward for the sector.

Also in attendance at the meeting was the Minister of State I, Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Honourable Mustapha Baba Shehuri and relevant Directors of the Ministry.

Feb

01

2018

Remarks by the Honorable Minister. During the Presentation of 20 Years Transmission Expansion Master Plan for TCN on 30 January 2018

When the Buhari administration was inaugurated in 2015, the story of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was the story of a lack of capacity to transport generated power.

With or without verification, the popular view was that TCN had only a rigid capacity to transport 5,000 MW of energy and no more.

With a mandate to improve TCN’s capacity, supported by appropriate policy approvals from Mr. President and budgetary support, that story is changing.

The budgetary support has been most helpful; first in enabling TCN to pay warehouse and shipping companies to recover over 500 containers of goods and equipment left at the port for many years before the Buhari administration.

Secondly these containers and the equipment are now regularly being transported to TCN sites and substations to restart and complete transmission projects that had stalled for years.

TCN’s capacity to transport energy has steadily but surely grown to 7,125 MW as at December 2017.

With more projects heading towards completion in 2018 and beyond, this capacity will increase.

But increased capacity is not the real story.

The real story is that the increase is now orderly, logical, and targeted to address, as a priority, locations where there is existing power or incoming power.

This will ensure that in due course we do not have stories of stranded power again in our conversations about energy production and supply.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the background that makes today a milestone day in our journey of incremental power, aiming to achieve steady power, and ultimately deliver uninterrupted power.

We gather to receive the 20-year Transmission Expansion Master Plan by Fichtner and participate in a workshop which would enable stakeholders the opportunity to review and improve the report.

With the completion of the 20-year Transmission Expansion Plan, the era of trial and error in the transmission expansion program will be over.

I accepted to open this workshop based on my conviction that the report will clearly bring out the future development of improved power system delivery in Nigeria for the next 20 years; starting from gas supply through the other power supply value chain.

The development of the master plan started in 2016. The objective of the studies is to complement the transmission rehabilitation and expansion program and power sector recovery plan by establishing the long-term generation and transmission plan that meets the forecasted national electricity demand at the lowest economic cost.

I therefore urge the CEOs of all generator and distribution companies to work closely with TCN to ensure that the outcome of the report is carefully reviewed and practical implementation should commence after obtaining formal approval from the relevant agencies.

The NERC and NBET are implored to key into the master plan when procuring additional generation, while the Discos should follow the Transmission plan for developing their own distribution master plan.

This is a new dawn for order and methods in the process of solving the power problem.

On behalf of the President, the Federal Government of Nigeria, I accept this report and commit that our team will do our best to implement its recommendations for the benefit of our people.

Thank you for your attention.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Jan

22

2018

Senate Committee Members Applaud As Fashola Reports 71.58% Q2 Performance For 2017 Budget

*  ’’I will like to say here that I have not seen any Budget of that magnitude funded up to 71 per cent; never’’, says Member

*  Members agree on necessity for bulk budgeting to fund roads but ask that the current budget plan continue until the process is changed
 
The Senate Committee on Works Tuesday applauded as the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde  Fashola SAN, reported that the 2017 Budget for his Ministry has achieved 71.58 per cent implementation as at December 2017.

Fashola, who had gone to the Committee Meeting to defend the 2018 Budget proposal for his Ministry, told Members of the Committee that based on all the payments made to contractors for all the works done since the commencement of the projects to date, the current Budget Performance for the second release of the Budget year now stood at 71.58 per cent.

Recalling that he first reported a performance of 15.3 per cent based on payments of N57Billion made after the first release of money, the Minister, who explained that he could not quote the full performance then because, although the works had been completed and the certificates in, they were yet to be paid for, pointed out that based on some payments that were made between December 2017 and January 2018, the Performance had now gone up to 71.58 per cent.

He told the Committee, ’’As I said in my introductory remarks, as at December 2017, we could only report what we had paid for, which was a lot less than the work that had actually been done; because the releases that we had for first release under 2017, was made in August 2017 and it was for N57Billion as you could see. So it was not until December 2017 that we got the second allocation of N120Billion and we also got some disbursements from the SUKUK in the sum of N57Billion’’.

’’Now, based on some payments that have been made between December 2017 and now (January 17th 2018), after the second release came to hand, we have paid out N57Billion as I said in the first release, N57.4Billion also released under the SUKUK and N120Billion. So this takes the Budget Performance up from 15.3 per cent in Q1 to 71.58 per cent as at today’’, he said eliciting applause from the Committee Members. He noted that this is the first time the Federal Government has recorded such impressive performance.

The Minister, who noted that the budget has run just a little above two Quarters (June 2017 – January 2018), declared, ’’Our new performance now is 71.58 per cent. The details of those payments are what is broken down in Annex 1 covering, I believe, about 526 projects at various levels’’. He added that the Overhead Costs of the Ministry and its Parastatals currently stood at 62 per cent while the Personnel Cost which, according to him, was being implemented would be reported through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

Referring the Members to Annexure 1 of the document, Fashola said it contains details of the 526 projects listed there and various roads across the six geopolitical zones including breakdown of payments, physical progress of work, the certificates and the amount that have been paid, the budget performance and the progress of work achieved.

The Minister reiterated that the 2017 Budget was in the sum of N586.535Billion for the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and its parastatals.

Also contained in Annexure 1, he said, were Overhead Costs in the sum of N15.047Billion, broken down in Paragraph  B for the main Ministry, Parastatals and Agencies like FERMA and so on and so forth, the Personnel Costs amounting to N13,556,553,547 also itemized for the three sectors of the Ministry as well as the breakdown between the Main Ministry and the other sectors.

Responding to questions from members, especially on the status of roads in the 2017 Budget which were not awarded in the Budget year, Fashola reiterated his earlier call for a bulk amount to be provided in the annual budget to fund roads adding that it would make for the continuous funding of the roads not awarded during the budget year.

According to the Minister, this would also solve the recurring problem of a project meant for one annual budget reappearing in the budget for the following year or being abandoned adding that the present process whereby the Procurement Law stipulates a process that takes up to six months as well as other processes involved before the award of a contract was responsible for the aforementioned situation.

’’The truth is that I don’t see any self-respecting public officer, not the least of the people who are with me here, that want to start a project and not complete it; that I can say on their behalf, they don’t want to abandon any project. But from their experience, which I have come to share, is that in some budget years, when budget is passed they find zero location for some projects. So their enthusiasm is lost if their tool is taken away”, he said adding, however, that things have changed in the last two years.

The Minister continued, “The question we must ask ourselves is, can we finance new projects every year? We are constructing roads in a very limited weather window and a very long drawn Procurement process of about six months every year and without completing one, we go to another because our constituents want them”.

Fashola, who also noted that some of the roads being constructed run from 50km to  about 500 kilometres, added that if in a state where they have three to five kilometre roads, it usually took 24 months to finish. Would it be physically possible to expect such lengthy roads to start and finish in one budget year? He advised that that it was necessary to adopt a process that would work for the country. “Our resources are not increasing in the same exponential manner in which we are committing to new projects and we have projects that will have to be completed”, the Minister said.

Commenting on the budget performance, Chairman of the Committee Senator Kabir Gaya, commended the Minister for the performance saying in the history of budget performance in the country in the last ten years there has not been such achievement adding that the budget for Works in 2014, which, according to him was much smaller than the 2017 budget could not achieve up to half performance while the 2017 budget of over N500Billion had performed so much in just two quarters.

“I want to say that in the history of our budget performance for the last ten years we have not seen such but in just two years we are seeing systematic progress. There was a budget of N20Billion I think in 2015 and the budget in the last two years has tripled that. This shows that this Government is concerned about improving the state of infrastructure”, the Chairman said.

Noting that there have been some projects abandoned for 10 years before the coming of the present administration, the Chairman declared, “This administration has graciously put money into them. So I think Honourable Minister, I believe you are equal to the task you will continue to handle it and we know you are capable”. 

Also commenting on the performance, another member of the Committee, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, from Benue State, described it as something that had never happened before in the country. His words, ’’In line with the Chairman’s comments, I will like to say here that I have not seen any Budget of that magnitude funded up to 71 per cent; never’’.

Most of the Committee members were, however, agreed that although the idea of creating a bulk budget to fund roads was good, it was necessary that the Government continued to function with the existing Procurement Law, Budget practice until such a time a new and acceptable Budget plan would be put in place.

With the Minister at the Budget Defense were the Permanent Secretary, Works and Housing, Mr Muhammed Bukar, the Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr Ibrahim Tumsah, the Director, Public Procurement, Mr Ibrahim Badeiri, the Director Highways, Planning and Development, Engr. Chuks Uzo, and the Director Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Yemi Oguntominiyi among other senior officials of the Ministry.

Jan

16

2018

Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing
Public Procurement Department (Power Sector)

Re - Request for Quotation

The Federal Ministry of Power, Works & Housing (Power Sector) hereby wishes to inform the general public and the contractors who responded to the REQUEST FOR QUOTATION on (SUPPLY OF ITEMS AND SERVICES) earlier issued via our On-Line portal, dated Thursday 8th December, 2017 as extended is hereby stepped down by the Ministry.

2.    This decision was taken due to some difficulties experienced in our On-Line procurement network and web platform; this caused some stalemates which considerably negated some procurement ethics and the due confidentiality the Ministry seeks to advance.

3.    The Ministry sincerely regrets any inconvenience this decision may have caused the public and the Bidders/Contractors. This action taken by the Ministry is to ensure probity and better service delivery.

4.    Interested contractors are hereby informed that the stepped down procurement shall be repeated among the first round of our procurement Notices/Request for Quotation in the Month of January, 2018.

5.    Thanks for your patronage.

Signed
Permanent Secretary

Jan

09

2018

Remarks By Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The 23rd Monthly Power Sector Operators Meeting Held In Lafia, Nasarawa State, Monday 8th January, 2018

I will like to start this my remarks by highlighting the Progress and milestones on our journey for incremental power which reassure us that we are on the right path and inspire us to continue with more belief.

Those milestones are represented by:
a. Generated power has gone up to 7000 MW in 2017 from 3,000  MW in May 2015
b. Transmission Capacity at 6900MW in 2017 from  about 5,000  MW in May 2015
c. Peak Distribution now averaging 5,000 MW in 2017 from 2,690MW in 2015.

That said I will like to thank all of you for your contributions towards these milestones.

The reason I thank you is because you are impacting the lives of Nigerians, you are saving them money and changing their lifestyles for the better.

They tell me that their consumption of diesel and petrol to run generators for power has reduced and the hours they run their generators has gradually reduced.

This is the result of incremental power and we must get more of it.

They also tell me that they are now monitoring how they use power and are turning off appliances that are not needed.

Although this is meant to save costs, it also conserves energy, reduces waste and supports incremental power.

In the last 3 months we have increased the supply of power in the dry weather and people’s experience with power was better.

We must thank the Ministry of Petroleum  Resources for the increase in gas supply .

The cynics who used to say that it is only during the rains that power improves now see that what we have done is no fluke.

Apart from Gas other stakeholders are also taking commendable steps.

A few months ago the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) formally presented the Mini Grid Regulations at this meeting and its impact is beginning to manifest.

Last month in Abuja, Nigeria through the Rural Electrification Agency  hosted a Mini Grids Summit that is the largest ever attended in Africa with 600 participants from about 40 Countries.

The word is spreading around the world as mini grids will help us connect more people and boost incremental power.

We are also putting together a policy position to help expand the distribution network of the DisCos and use this to distribute the 2000MW that is currently available but cannot be distributed.

I also use the opportunity to call out to Manufacurers to let us know where they are, how much power they need, and how we can connect you because we have 2000 MW of undistributed power.

This year we should work harder to increase our people’s access to meters and reduce the incidents of estimated billing as NERC concludes the Meter Regulations that will open up the meters supply and installation business.

In the first few days of the new year we suffered a set back to our power supply which was caused by damage to the gas supply network around Okada.

First, I want to repeat that gas is the fuel that most of the generation companies use to produce electricity and all of us have a stake in ensuring that they are not damaged.

Secondly, I am happy to inform Nigerians that as at last night the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) informed us that repairs have been completed. We thank and commend them for their response.

Thirdly, what remains is to test the lines and restore pressure and supply to the generation companies.

One by one all the stakeholders from GenCos, TCN and DisCos will work to restore supply to the levels they were before the pipeline damage.

From there we will continue our journey of incremental power.

I wish you all a happy new year.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

8th January 2018

Dec

21

2017

NEMSA Embarks On A Nationwide Technical Monitoring And Evaluation Of Primary 33kv Feeder Lines With Associated 33/11kv Injection Substations

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has commenced a Nationwide Technical Monitoring and Evaluation of the primary 33KV feeder lines and associated 33/11KV injection substations with supply source from 330/132/33KV transmission substations.

The exigency of the exercise is to identify constraints militating against quick realization of the Federal Government’s policy and efforts for sustainability of the incremental, steady and uninterrupted power supply as they are achieved through the 33KV primary feeder lines to the 33/11KV injection substations and subsequently through the 11KV feeder lines and associated distribution transformers and finally to the consumers. Also this is to identify the high risk and technical loss points along the 33KV feeder lines. Again this is to enable NEMSA find out the causes/reasons for load rejection by the DisCos and to make recommendations for dealing with identified issues/challenges.

Engr. Peter O. Ewesor, the MD/CEO NEMSA & Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, while on one of the inspections, said “the importance of the exercise cannot be overemphasized in light of the spate of the increasing number of electrical accidents and incidents, power failures/outages at the downstream-of the power value chain (power distribution networks) even when there is a huge increase in power generation in the grid system”.

The exercise, which commenced on the 18th of October, 2017, has so far covered Abuja, Ikeja, Kano, Benin, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Enugu DisCo’s networks and the exercise is still ongoing.

Furthermore, Engr. Ewesor said “the exercise will identify high risk defective networks that pose serious threat and danger to operators’ operational staff and the general public for immediate attention and correction/rectification by respective DisCos and TCN. 

Therefore, the importance and the expected positive impact of this National Technical Monitoring and Evaluation exercise which is part fulfilment of NEMSA’s mandate cannot be overemphasized.

During the exercise, some of the DisCos were given immediate order to effect rectification of the defects and lack of procedures that were observed.

Dec

15

2017

Hand Over Of Presidential Lodge To LASG : FG Keeping Its Promise As Done With Bodo-Bonny Bridge, Mambilla Hydro Power Project - Fashola

* It s in fulfilment of commitment and promise by the President of Change   Minister
* Ambode expresses appreciation to Buhari, Osinbajo, Fashola
* Says asset will be turned into National Monument, Tourist Centre

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday further improved its rating as one that keeps its promises as the Federal Government signed and exchanged the documents that finally vests the ownership of the historic Presidential Lodge on the Marina in Central Lagos to the Lagos State Government almost two decades after the process began.

In a brief but impressive ceremony at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Power Works and Housing, the Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, said the event was taking place in fulfilment of the promise made by President Muhammadu Buhari at inception adding that the formal handover had brought to an end a journey that had lasted almost two decades.

Reiterating that successive Governments of Lagos State had made strong representations to the Federal Government for the handover of the asset and others like it to the State, Fashola added, “This is a long journey that has come to an end. It is a journey that has taken almost two decades during which the Lagos State Government has asked that the ownership of this property be vested in it”.

The Minister, who noted that events in the past had made it seem as if the handover would not happen, declared, “But the President of Change, the Promise Keeper, has made it possible”, adding that while the Lagos State Government has already taken possession, the event of the day was to formally sign and hand over documents that would establish the rights of the State Government to the ownership of the property.

Congratulating the State Government on the occasion, Fashola, who also congratulated Governor Akinwumni Ambode for the 2018 Trillion Budget which he recently presented to the State House of Assembly, said the event was “consistent with President Buhari’s promise to respond to those many other things that had been left undone”.

The Minister, who named such things that had been left undone to include the Bodo-Bonny Bridge, that waited for over 20 years and the Mambilla Hydro Power Project added that like Bodo and Bonny “which has brought hope to the people of Bonny” and the Mambilla Power Project to the people of Taraba, Lagos State had become a beneficiary of ä promise kept”.
Responding, Governor Ambode acknowledged the spirited efforts made by the Minister, who was his immediate predecessor in Government, when he was Governor of the State, to get the ownership of the property back to Lagos adding that the State Government’s intention was to turn the asset to a National Monument as National Centre for Leadership and also a Tourist Centre.
Expressing delight at “this historic day”, Ambode, who was accompanied by some members of his Cabinet, added, “This day actually finalizes the intention of Mr President to actually bring positive change to Lagos. We want to sincerely appreciate Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari who has graciously approved that the Presidential Lodge be released to Lagos State”. The Governor also expressed appreciation to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari as well as everyone that played a role towards the realisation of the handover.
“We have been trying to get this particular asset back to Lagos, just like the Minister had said, for the last 20 years”, the Governor said, describing it as both delightful and significant that “on this particular day, it is my Predecessor, and now the Minister of Power Works and Housing, who is now actually doing the final handing over of the property for which he, as Governor, fought hard to get back to Lagos State”.
Also describing as, “actually gratifying” that the Minister was the one “positioned to happily do the documentation and handing over of the asset to Lagos State”, Ambode said it was “a sign of greater things and greater collaborations between Lagos State and the Federal Government”, adding, “We believe strongly that this singular gesture will improve the economy of not only Lagos State but that of the whole country”. 
Also present at the event were the Minister of State, Hon Mustapha Baba Shehuri, the Permanent Secretary Works and Housing, represented by the Director Finance and Accounts, Mr Ibrahim Tumsah, the Director Highways (Planning and Development), Engineer Uzo Chukwunwike , Director, Human Resources, Mrs Motunrayo Alimi, Director, Legal Services, Mrs Justina Shuwa, other Directors, Special advisers and other top functionaries in the Ministry as well as members of the Lagos State Executive Council such as the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde  among others.

Nov

30

2017

Keynote Speech By Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At United Nations Sponsored FRSC Capacity Building For Implementation Of The United Nations Road Safety Legal Instruments

I welcome this opportunity to be your Keynote Speaker at the United Nations-sponsored Capacity Building Program for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

This opportunity provides me with a very important public platform to share my thoughts about the direction in which I think FRSC should be heading, and what we, the Government of Nigeria, should be doing to enable her towards that direction.

I will also use this opportunity to address some assumptions and explode some myths about road traffic accidents in Nigeria, and what we should be doing to reduce the incidents of road traffic accidents, and the attendant loss of life, limb and property.

The technical capacity which the facilitators from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Road Safety Secretariat will offer the FRSC is only one side of the capacity issues that FRSC needs.

The other side of FRSC’s needs is in the nature of equipment, tools, infrastructure and financial resources necessary to give them a visible and responsive presence on all Federal Highways in Nigeria.

Thankfully, the Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, who is very passionate about his work, has responded to my request to him to submit an inventory of needs like bikes, patrol vehicles, and medical equipment that can help save lives. This is in the region of N16 billion in the first instance, and I have directed our Ministry to send this to the office of the Secretary to the Government, who supervises the FRSC on behalf of the Presidency, to whom FRSC reports.

I made a case for support for this funding to the Senate Committee on FERMA when I appeared before them recently, and not only are they well-disposed to the idea of appropriately resourcing FRSC, they expressly committed to taking action to sensitise their colleagues to the necessity.

This is as it should be, because if security and safety of lives and property is a most important duty, agencies like FRSC, who are our first responders at scenes of road accidents must be well-equipped to respond within the Medical Golden Hour, to ensure that accidents, when they inevitably occur, do not result in loss of life.

Not only must FRSC therefore have the necessary complement of vehicles and bikes to track down over-speeding drivers and bring them within control, they must have Mobile Intensive Care Units on wheels (not mere ambulances), with doctors, nurses, paramedics and other medical personnel at strategic points nationwide, to administer First Aid , and other life saving measures until victims are successfully moved to proper hospitals.

Really and truly, investing in at least one helicopter with medical evacuation capacity and well-trained staff for FRSC in each geo-political zone, if it is just to save one Nigerian life (which may be anybody), is consistent with one of the 3 (three) pillars of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) which is “To invest in our people”.

While there is a lot more that can be said about building the capacity of FRSC, I will leave the details to the FRSC. I think the most important point has been made: we must invest to save lives.

The other point, which lies at the heart of FRSC’s existence, the UN capacity building program, and everything that FRSC stands for, is Road Safety, Road Traffic Accidents, the causes, and what we must do more of to reduce the incidents.

First, let me speak to the conditions of our roads.
I will classify them into 3 (three) broad categories, namely:

A. Those that have outlived their design life;
B. Those that are within their design life; and
C. Those that are just being built.

For those that have outlived their design life, they should have been replaced and rebuilt, but they have not. Roads like the Calabar-Itu-Odukpani fall within this category.

They were built in the 1970s, and not only have they outlived their design life, they have had to deal with tonnage and capacities well beyond what their design intended.

Can such a road be truly expected to stay intact and deliver a pleasant motoring experience? Put differently, can anyone of us today wear the same clothes we wore as teenagers and expect it to fit and not rip apart?

Thankfully, these type of roads are now receiving attention under President Buhari, as the Calabar-Itu-Odukpani, Gombe-Biu, Ilorin-Jebba and other roads that fall within this category are being awarded for reconstruction, along with the third class of roads which are just being built (like Oyo-Ogbomosho Bye pass, Loko-Oweto Bridge, 2nd Niger Bridge, Kaduna Bye pass, Kano Bye pass), where contractors have returned to site, after demobilizing for non-payment for up to 3 years.

As for the second category of roads, which are within their design life, they have been victims of overloading, right of way abuse, and lack of maintenance as depreciation sets in.

Members of the public must know that roads are depreciating assets. They do not last forever, and require regular maintenance and, with time, replacement, if they are to serve their intended purpose.

These factors of abuse and lack of maintenance combine to reduce the quality of our motoring experience on the roads. With this background, I will now pose the questions: How bad are our roads?

Some have repeatedly said, “All the roads are bad.”

That is not true.

We have good parts, and bad parts caused by abuse and lack of maintenance.

Can you sleep in your office suit and shirts, refuse to wash and iron them, and really expect them to look good on you?

A recent survey that I directed should be conducted produced instructive and educating results about the degree and extent of bad portions of our roads.

Otta-Abeokuta road in Ogun State, with a length of 64km, has failures at:

A.     KM 20 + 775 to 23+275 (2,500 metres) at Sango-Otta flyover to Tipper Garage;
B.     KM 24+275 to 24+725 (550 metres) at Owode to Ifo;
C.     KM 44+113 to 53+147 (9,034 metres) at Papalanto to Itori

A total failure length of 12,084 m out of 64,000 metres, which is 18.75%

While 1 meter of failure is not acceptable, and we are mobilizing the contractor back to this road shortly after 4 years without a budget, the point is that 18.75% out of 64KM does not support the conclusion that “all” of the road is bad.

A similar survey on the Asaba-bound sections and Benin-bound sections which I asked to be carried out on the Benin-Asaba Dual Carriageway last week, also showed that the total aggregate of potholes and failures on the Asaba-bound section amounts to 3.02% of the total road length, while the total aggregate of potholes and failures on the Benin-bound section is 1.51%.

We are preparing remedial action to restore these sections.

The same is true of the Asaba-Illa-Ebu-Edo State border road, which is one of 44 roads across Nigeria and the 6 (six) geo-political zones where remedial work will start in a few weeks time once we conclude procurement.

These roads are the inherited legacy of road abuse and lack of maintenance, which President Buhari intends to change. This is why President Buhari has recently reconstituted the management of FERMA, the statutory agency responsible for maintenance of our roads.

They assumed office in the first week of October 2017, and from my interactions with the team, I am optimistic that Nigerians will experience change on their roads when they begin to implement their maintenance plan, which they constantly review with the Ministry.

Many of us, some of whom have not used the roads, readily describe our roads as a Death Trap. Really?

I undertook a tour of our roads earlier this year to see things for myself. We went by road and travelled in two coaster buses, driving for at least twelve hours everyday. We left at 8a.m daily and drove until 8p.m at the least. On one occasion, we drove for 18 hours, from 8a.m to 2a.m the following day.

We drove through different sections of roads that had outlived their design life, those that are within their design life with failures in some cases, and those that are currently under construction, where the drive was smooth.

We were not trapped, and we did not die. The only incident we had as we traversed 34 states (with Jigawa and Kebbi left to tour) was a tyre change on the Numan-Jalingo road. We drove at a maximum of 100km per hour. We had no accident.

How many people remember that there is a speed limit on our roads, in spite of FRSC’s efforts to introduce speed-limiting devices? How many people know or remember that there is a braking distance in driving?

FRSC will be 30 years next year, and they have acquired enormous experience and data that we must use if we are to reduce road traffic accidents and save lives.

Every month, my office receives a copy of the road traffic incidents Report across the country from FRSC, which I read, and direct that the Ministry respond to the findings and recommendations as they relate to road conditions, and causes of accidents.

Between June 2015 and August 2017, the report and data gathered by FRSC reveals indisputably that the biggest causes of Road Traffic Accidents on our roads are as follows.

A.     Speed violation - 26.63%
B.     Loss of Control - 23.04%
C.     Dangerous Driving – 9.37%
D.     Sign light violation – 9.57%
E.     Tyre Burst – 6.25%
F.     Wrongful overtaking – 5.92%
G.     Bad road – 0.55%

Of course there are other causes like Brake failure, sleeping on the steering, poor weather, overloading, which are not indexed above because they are not necessary to make the point that bad roads are not the primary cause of accidents.

Based on this data collated by FRSC, whose sector commanders in all 36 states and the FCT are our first responders at accident scenes, can anybody still make the argument that bad roads are the cause of Road Traffic Accidents? It seems not.

However, while I am willing to agree that bad roads may contribute, an unlicensed driver (and, presumably, an incompetent one); a driver with bad sight (without corrective glasses); an over-speeding driver; one who does not know the appropriate pressure to inflate his tyre; or who does not know that he should not overtake at a bend, does not help his own safety or that of the other road users.

Poor sight and these other factors must be addressed as we saw recently at the accident scene that occurred on Kara Bridge in Lagos, where there was no pothole and people still died in an accident.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I will now conclude by restating some of the things that we need to do, which are easy, in order to reduce incidents of Road Traffic Accidents and loss of lives.

As we prepare for the high volume of traffic that will characterize end of year movement for Christmas, FRSC has been mandated to undertake random checks for drivers without driver’s license, who must be taken off the roads to reduce the threat they constitute to themselves and other road users.

FRSC will also take steps to curtail over-speeding and reduce incidents caused by over-speeding. They will also, within the limit of their resources, ensure observance of traffic rules, restrict drivers to their lanes, reduce incidents of wrongful overtaking, and, hopefully, reduce accidents.

This undertaking of protecting lives and preventing loss of property is not that of FRSC alone. All of us, as road users, employers, have a role to play.

It will help us if those who own transport businesses play their part by ensuring that all their drivers undertake mandatory eye test and get corrective glasses to help their vision, improve their judgment, and reduce driver errors.

All my own drivers have been subjected to those tests and so have I. I do not need my glasses to read.

I need them to see better because I am short-sighted.

All those who drive over long distances must invest in their own safety and get enough rest before undertaking long journeys; and where necessary, fleet operators must recruit relief drivers.

Finally, in all that FRSC has to do, I have met with all the sector commanders and impressed upon them the ‘S’ in their name is the most important reason for their existence.

It stands for ‘Safety’.

They must remember that whatever they do must be in aid of safety and not contrary to it.

I wish you all a safe motoring experience and a Merry Christmas, as our Government continues to improve safety on our roads and give you a better motoring experience.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Nov

17

2017

FG’s Massive Investment In Construction, A Pinnacle To Economic Growth And Recovery

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has stated that the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari adopted one of the most effective strategies to drag the nation’s economy out of the woes of recession through massive spending and investment in the construction industry.

Professor Osinbajo noted that the present government understands very clearly the critical role the construction sector plays in a nation’s industrial and economic development. He added that ‘’apart from providing houses for the citizens and roads to facilitate societal integration and movement of goods, the construction sector creates formation and wealth in the economy.’’ According to him, the multiplier effect and employment generated by the on-going construction of National Housing Programme, covering all the 36 states of the federation and FCT is as a result of massive spending on construction by government.

Speaking at the 27th Biennial Conference and General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors in Abuja, the Vice President, represented by the Honourable Minister of State II for Power, Works and Housing, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma, mnis, said the theme of the conference: ‘’Developing the Economy for Sustainable Growth- The Construction Industry as an Effective Stimulant’’ is a key component of the Change Agenda of Mr President.

He commended the President and members of the Institute for demonstrating responsibilities to contemporary issues relating to government for the growth and development of Nigeria, adding that Government will sustain the collaborative efforts with key stakeholders like the professionals, contractors and manufacturers to bring about the much desired transformation in the industry.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), QS Mercy Iyortyer stated that the choice of this year’s theme is part of the Institute’s ongoing efforts in contributing to the change mantra of the present administration in the area of sustainable economic growth and national development.

QS Iyortyer on behalf of the Institute commended the government of the day for taking the bull by the horn in getting the country out of recession thereby reducing dependency on oil revenues and diversifying the economy by harnessing other industries such as agriculture, manufacturing and solid mineral as well as tackling other macroeconomic factors.

The president of NIQS appealed to the government to consider reformations in the sector by constituting a Construction Industry Board or Council comprising key players in the Industry who will advise, plan and execute reforms that will galvanize the Industry into the needed stimulant for sustainable economic development and growth.

There were keynote addresses by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, past Presidents of NIQS and other major stakeholders in the sector that graced the occasion. The meeting is expected to issue a communiqué at the end conference which will be forwarded to the appropriate authority for necessary action.

Nov

15

2017

FG Recovers $64.6m Electricity Debt From International Customers

The Federal Government on Monday announced that it had recovered 64.6 million dollars electricity debt from its international customers.

Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola announced this at the 21st monthly power sector meeting in Asaba.

Fashola, in a text of his opening remark made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that the money recovered was from Benin and Niger Republics.

He said that Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) would work out modalities for distribution of the fund to the value chain operators.

The minister also announced that Rural Electrification Agency (REA) had completed guidelines for the operation of the rural electrification fund.

He said that the fund would help vulnerable groups and communities to gain access to funding to support their electricity development programme.

“By way of explanation, the rural electrification fund was created by section 88 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) of 2005 to promote support and provide rural electrification access.

“The fund will provide a partial single payment capital subsidy and or technical assistance to eligible private Rural Power Developers, NGOs or communities to invest in options such as hybrid mini grids or solar home systems to scale up rural access to electricity.

“What they are likely to get are minimum amounts of N3.5m and maximum amounts of N106m or 75 per cent of project cost whichever is less,” he said.

According to him, REA will publish details of the guidelines and eligibility.

These, he said, were only headline items of developments that characterised the progress the government was making month after month, especially since March 2017.

He said that progress was also being recorded at the distribution levels.

He listed the recent achievements in the franchise areas of the Benin DisCo to include the newly completed Asaba main 2x15MVA injection substation commissioned on Monday.

Fashola said the completion of the substation was expected to improve service by reduction of load shedding and increase power supply to Okwe, Akuebulu, Jarret, Ogbeofu, Osadebe way, Okwe housing estate and Oduke.

“Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, week by week and month by month we have not only gained momentum, we are seeing progress that inspires us to continue, because the power problem can be successfully managed by Nigerians.”

On further measures to improve power supply in the coverage areas of the Benin DisCos, Fashola said Asaba – Benin 330KV line was energized to service on Nov. 3.

Asaba 330kv substation is now being fed from both Benin and Onitsha.

“The line also raised the number of circuits from Onitsha to Benin to three.

According to him, a 40mva 132/33kv mobile transformer is undergoing installation at Auchi with in-house capacity to be commissioned in two weeks time.

Fashola also disclosed that a new 330/ 132kv substation would be constructed at Okpai with a 132kv line from the station to service a proposed 132/33kv substation at Kwale.

He also hinted that installation of a new 60mva 132/33kv transformer would commence at Irrua transmission station any time from now.

The minster thanked well-meaning Nigerians who acknowledged that their experience on the power supply had improved, adding that their honesty inspired government and the operators to continue the improvement.

He, however, admitted that there were other challenges that must be collectively addressed.

On estimated billing and metering, he also explained that government and sector operators were anxiously awaiting for the regulation from NERC to open up meter supply business.