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2018: Senate queries N10bn solar streetlight project in varsities

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The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola
  • 2018: Senate queries N10bn solar streetlight project in varsities

The Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy on Thursday criticised a solar-powered streetlight project in nine universities across the country valued at N10bn.

The committee also turned back the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, from the budget defence session held for his ministry over his alleged “unpreparedness to face the committee for his 2018 budget defence.”

The Chairman of the committee, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and other members asked why the Rural Electrification Agency planned to spend the sum of N10bn on solar streetlights.

The Managing Director, REA, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, while defending the 2018 budget proposal of the agency, listed Rural Electrification Access Progamme in Federal Universities with N10,148,146,829.00 earmarked for it.

He told the committee that the agency was already working in nine federal universities to upgrade electricity supply in the institutions.

The lawmakers expressed their dissatisfaction with the REA boss’ defence of the project, noting that it was coming at a time when the power sector had been privatised.

A member of the committee, Senator Mohammed Hassan, said he could not understand why the agency was spending a huge amount of money to provide solar power in universities when rural communities for which the agency was created were left in darkness.

Another member of the committee, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, demanded the list of universities that were beneficiaries of the projects, even as Abaribe recalled that the committee had earlier requested for the list of the benefitting institutions.

Ogunbiyi listed the University of Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Usman Dan Fodio University in Sokoto, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, and Ado Bayero University, Kano as some of the federal institutions to benefit from the solar-powered installations.

The Vice Chairman of the committee, Senator Buka Mustapha, insisted that the details of the project must be disclosed, including “who is paying for the installations when the power sector has been privatised.”

The REA boss, however, said it was the responsibility of the Federal Government to provide power in the rural areas.

She added that most of the universities were located in rural areas but not defined “rural areas” as demanded by the committee.

Abaribe stated that if the agency had N10bn to “play around with,” there was a better way to manage the funds.

He asked Ogunbiyi to tell the committee who was paying for the project in disregard to the privatisation of the power sector.

The members of committee also asked why the agency’s completed projects appeared to be lopsided. They particularly said the South-South geopolitical zone had over 30 completed projects, while other zones had far below the number.

Ogunbiyi explained that it depended on the nature, cost and variation of the projects, adding that contractors handling projects in the northern part of the country refused to go back to their sites until variation of the contracts had been done.

Meanwhile, Fashola was asked to reappear before the committee on Monday.

Abaribe said Fashola told the committee that he was not ready to face members as the minister did not come with necessary documents to present to members.

The lawmaker said the committee should have been provided with necessary documents to enable members of the committee to study them ahead of his presentation.

Abaribe said that Fashola later told the committee that he would be ready to appear before the lawmakers on Monday.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Government

Senate Suspends Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 Months Over Budget Padding Allegations

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Abdul-Ahmed-Ningi

The Senate has announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central and chairs the Senate Committee on Population, had made the claims in a recent interview with the Hausa service of the BBC.

During a plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, raised a motion to address Ningi’s allegations, citing the urgent need to address what he termed as “false allegations.”

The transcript of Ningi’s interview was read on the Senate floor, prompting deliberation on the appropriate action to take.

Initially, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, but Senator Chris Ekpeyong moved to reduce it to six months.

Eventually, Senator Garba Maidoki amended the motion further, suggesting a three-month suspension.

The amended motion was put to a voice vote, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision to suspend Ningi for three months.

Following the ruling, Ningi was escorted out of the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arms.

The suspension comes amidst division within the Senate over Ningi’s claims, with some senators disowning his allegations and calling for a thorough investigation.

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Ekiti Governor Unveils Multi-Billion Naira Relief Programmes Amid Economic Crisis

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Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has announced a comprehensive relief package aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by the people of the state.

The relief programs encompass various sectors to cushion the impact of the economic downturn.

One of the key initiatives entails clearing salary arrears amounting to over N2.7 billion owed to both State and Local Government workers.

This move signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the financial burdens faced by its workforce.

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji has approved a substantial increase of N600 million per month in the subvention of autonomous institutions, including the Judiciary and tertiary institutions.

This augmentation is intended to enable these institutions to implement wage awards in alignment with State and Local Government workers’ salaries.

In addition to addressing salary arrears, the relief programs extend to pensioners, with the approval of payments totaling N1.5 billion for two months’ pension arrears.

Moreover, an increase in the monthly gratuity payment to state pensioners and local government pensioners will provide additional financial support, totaling N200 million monthly.

The relief initiatives also encompass agricultural and small-scale business sectors.

The allocation of funds for food production and livestock transformation projects underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and economic sustainability at the grassroots level.

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that these relief programs are part of the state’s concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic downturn and foster shared prosperity.

The comprehensive nature of the initiatives reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced by Ekiti State residents.

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President Tinubu Orders Immediate Settlement of N342m Electricity Bill for Presidential Villa

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power project

President Bola Tinubu has directed the prompt settlement of a N342 million outstanding electricity bill owed by the Presidential Villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

This move comes in response to the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and the AEDC.

The AEDC had earlier threatened to disconnect electricity services to the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a total outstanding debt of N47.20 billion as of December 2023.

Contrary to the initial claim by the AEDC that the State House owed N923 million in electricity bills, the Presidency clarified that the actual outstanding amount is N342.35 million.

This discrepancy underscores the importance of accurate accounting and reconciliation between entities.

In a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency affirmed the commitment to settle the debt promptly.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila assured that the debt would be paid to the AEDC before the end of the week.

The directive from the Presidency extends beyond the State House, as Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with the AEDC and settle their outstanding electricity bills.

The AEDC, on its part, issued a 10-day notice to the affected government agencies to settle their debts or face disconnection.

This development highlights the importance of financial accountability and responsible management of public utilities.

It also underscores the necessity for government entities to fulfill their financial obligations to service providers promptly, ensuring uninterrupted services and avoiding potential disruptions.

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