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Togo, Benin, and Niger Republic Owe Nigeria N4.1 Trillion in Electricity Debts

Nigeria currently supplies electricity to the Republic of Benin, Togo, and Niger through the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading, NBET Plc

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Electricity - Investors King

The House of Representatives on Public Account has disclosed that Nigeria’s neighbouring countries, Togo, Benin, and Niger Republic owe the country about N4.1 trillion in electricity bills.

The revelation was contained in a letter sent by the committee to the Managing Director of Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading, NBET Plc, Dr. Nnaemeka Eweluka.

According to the letter which was signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oluwole Oke, the Managing Director of NBET is expected to appear alongside Dr. Marilyn Amobi, who served as MD/CEO from 2016 to 2020. 

The house committee has accused the former MD, Amobi of non-rendition of the Audited Accounts for the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Investors King understands that Nigeria currently supplies electricity to the Republic of Benin, Togo, and Niger through the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading, NBET Plc. About 6 percent of the electricity generated in the country is sold to the neighboring countries. 

Meanwhile, according to the managing director of NBET, the federal government is working on structures that will enhance power distribution in the country, stating that most of the power-generating companies are currently located in the southern part of the country. 

“Most of the power generation companies are located within the south-south and south-west largely because of gas with one in the south-east, of course, we have the hydros in Niger state,” he said.

The MD added that Nigeria could generate up to a capacity of about 14,000 megawatts. He however noted that the distribution capacity is only between 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts per day.

Eweluka nonetheless sounded a note of hope, making references to the intervention projects that are currently ongoing such as the partnership with Simens.

“To address this gap between what is available and what the system can currently carry; there are a number of intervention projects that the government is currently pursuing, that include the presidential power initiatives in partnership with Siemens,” he concluded.

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Economy

Nigerians Struggle as Sachet Water Prices Hit Record Highs Amidst Economic Hardship

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As economic challenges persist in Nigeria, citizens face yet another hurdle of soaring prices of sachet water, a vital source of drinking water for many.

Sachet water, colloquially known as ‘pure water,’ served as a convenient and inexpensive option for hydration, with prices starting at N5 in the early 2000s.

However, over the years, the cost has steadily climbed to as high as N50 per sachet.

This exponential increase has forced many Nigerians to seek alternative sources of water, including boreholes and wells, despite concerns about their safety.

Residents across the country, from Lokoja to Abuja, lament the financial strain caused by the inflated prices.

Marvelous Sanni, a resident of Lokoja, recounts how a bag of sachet water, once priced at N200, now sells for N400 to N500.

Families like hers have been compelled to turn to borehole water, raising questions about sanitation and health risks.

The situation is dire for households like that of Margret Danjuma in Abuja, who can no longer afford the daily consumption of sachet water.

Resorting to purchasing water from boreholes, Danjuma reflects the broader struggle faced by many Nigerians in securing clean and affordable drinking water amidst economic turmoil.

Local businesses, too, feel the pinch, with some restaurants discontinuing the provision of water to customers or resorting to unconventional methods like selling water in nylon bags.

The Association of Pure Water Producers attributes the price surge to rising production costs, including the cost of materials and treatment.

Experts and consumer protection agencies express concern over the unjustifiable price hikes, attributing them to greed and cartel-like behavior within the industry.

Calls for government intervention to regulate prices and ensure affordability resonate amid the growing hardship faced by Nigerians nationwide.

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Economy

Port Harcourt Refinery Receives Over 450,000 Barrels of Oil – Mele Kyari

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NNPC - Investors King

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) has announced a significant milestone in the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery, with over 450,000 barrels of oil already stocked into the facility.

Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, disclosed this development during a press briefing after appearing before a Senate Ad-hoc Committee investigating the various Turn Around Maintenance projects of the country’s refineries.

Kyari’s revelation underscores the progress made in the rehabilitation efforts of the Port Harcourt refinery, which has been undergoing mechanical works alongside the Warri and Kaduna refineries.

The influx of crude oil into the Port Harcourt facility signals a crucial step towards its operational revival, following years of underperformance and neglect.

Addressing the Senate committee, Kyari reiterated NNPC’s commitment to fulfilling its promises regarding the refinery rehabilitation projects.

He emphasized the importance of regulatory compliance testing before commencing operations, assuring stakeholders that the Port Harcourt refinery is poised to restart operations within the next two weeks.

The news of the refinery receiving a substantial volume of oil injects optimism into the Nigerian energy sector, highlighting the potential for increased domestic refining capacity and reduced dependence on imported petroleum products.

It also aligns with the government’s broader agenda of revitalizing the country’s oil and gas industry to drive economic growth and self-sufficiency.

As the Port Harcourt refinery gears up for a potential restart, attention now turns to the forthcoming regulatory compliance tests and operational readiness assessments.

The successful revival of the refinery holds the promise of not only bolstering Nigeria’s energy security but also stimulating broader economic development and job creation initiatives.

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Economy

CBN Governor Transfers N100bn Worth of Fertilisers to Agriculture Ministry for Food Security Enhancement

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fertilizer - Investors King

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, handed over N100 billion worth of fertilisers to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The ceremonial handover took place at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, where the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, received the substantial contribution.

During the handing over ceremony, Governor Cardoso emphasized the CBN’s commitment to maintaining price stability, identifying the cost of food as a critical component of inflation.

He noted that addressing food inflation is pivotal due to the significant portion of household expenditure allocated to food and non-alcoholic beverages in Nigeria.

Despite the implementation of various measures by the CBN to curb inflation, the inflationary pressures remain largely driven by escalating food prices.

Cardoso acknowledged the challenges posed by transient inflationary pressures but expressed optimism about substantial alleviation by the third quarter of 2024.

The collaboration between the CBN and the Ministry of Agriculture aims to mitigate the surge in food prices by enhancing food productivity and security.

In alignment with its strategic shift, the CBN veered away from direct quasi-fiscal interventions and transitioned towards leveraging conventional monetary policy tools to execute monetary policies.

As part of this strategy, the CBN announced the allocation of 2.15 million bags of fertiliser valued at over N100 billion to support the Ministry of Agriculture in its efforts to enhance food productivity and security.

Minister Kyari praised the CBN for providing fertilisers, emphasizing their significance as the majority cost value in agricultural production inputs.

He highlighted the challenges faced by the agriculture sector due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, flooding, climate change, and the naira redesign policy.

However, Kyari expressed optimism about mitigating these challenges and reiterated the importance of fertilisers in agricultural production.

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