The take over of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria was announced to workers of the electricity distribution company by the Chief Operating Officer, John Ayodele, in a memo dated January 20, 2022.

The COO, according to the memo explained that the company was insolvent hence the takeover.

The development was said to have triggered panic among the workers but the chief operating officer assures them that their jobs were secured.

The memo read, “Further, to the judgment wherein the Federal High Court on the 8th of September 2021 granted preservative orders in favour of Asset Management Corporation, AMCON, (being the Receiver/Manager of Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited); the court has appointed Mr Kunle Ogunba Esq. SAN to act as Receiver/ Manager Nominee in the receivership action.

“Based on the foregoing the Receiver/Manager came in today 20th January 2022 ( Thursday) to the IBEDC Headquarters to take charge formally and subsequently met with the management team. Therefore, I hereby wish to inform all staff that there is no cause for alarm.

“We are assured of job security which entails our position/ duties in the company, being entitlements to our salaries and other benefits etc.

“On behalf of the management, I urge us all to kindly go about the efficient discharge of our duties to ensure a speedy and mutually beneficial resolution.

“I wish us all the best, while I appeal that we continue to remember IBEDC in our prayers.”

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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on Monday announced that another tariff review for Nigeria’s 11 power distribution companies would hold in July.

It disclosed this in its notice of Minor and Extraordinary Review of Tariffs for Electricity Transmission and Distribution Companies, a development that might lead to a rise in the tariffs payable by electricity users.

It said, “Further to the above, the commission held series of public hearings and stakeholder consultations in the first quarter of 2020 on the Extraordinary Tariff Review Applications of the 11 electricity distribution companies to consider their respective five-year Performance Improvement Plans.”

It stated that based on the above, the notice was issued to inform the general public and industry stakeholders of the commission’s intention to conclude the extraordinary tariff review process for the Discos.

It said it would also commence the processes for the July 2021 minor review of MYTO-2020 to consider changes in inflation, foreign exchange, gas prices, available generation capacity.

Punch

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Minister of Power, Sale Mamman has apologised for the power outage experienced by many Nigerians across the country.

According to him, the problem was caused by the breakdown of some National Integrated Power Plants supplying electricity to the national grid.

Mamman, who stated this in a string of tweets via his verified Twitter handle, however, assured Nigerians that the problem would be fixed.

He wrote, “I sincerely regret the recent Power outages across the Nation and the difficulties it has brought with it, and wish to assure my Fellow Nigerians that everyone involved is working assiduously to restore the National grid to its previous historical levels and exceed that.

“The problem is caused by the breakdown of some National Integrated Power Plants supplying electricity to the national grid. The plants are namely, Sapele, Afam, Olonrunsogo, Omotosho, Ibom, Egbin, Alaoji and Ihovbor. The Jebba Power Plant was shut down for annual maintenance.

“Seven other integrated Power plants, namely Geregu, Sepele, Omotosho, Gbarain, Omuku, Paras and Alaoji are experiencing gas constraints while the Shiroro hydroelectric power plant has water management issues.”

Punch

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Barcelona prosecutors have filed suit against energy giant Endesa for the deaths of hundreds of birds electrocuted by its high-wire power lines, court documents show.

According to the lawsuit, a copy of which was seen by AFP , prosecutors are suing the utility for offences against the environment and wildlife for failing to adequately insulate its electricity cables and pylons, creating “a death trap” for birds.

Electrocution occurs when birds touch two wires at a time or when they perch on a conductive pylon while also touching a cable.

In their complaint, prosecutors said 255 birds died in the Osona region north of Barcelona between 2018 and 2020, including protected species such as white storks, griffon vultures, short-toed eagles and buzzards.

“The electrocution and death of birds due to direct contact with the exposed conductors on pylons owned by the defendant has affected the whole province of Barcelona, constituting a veritable plague,” the complaint reads.

When contacted by AFP, Endesa was not immediately available for comment.

According to the lawsuit, Endesa had “not taken measures to repair the affected (parts) that fail to comply with the safety measures… deliberately disregarding and ignoring its legal obligations to prevent harm to wildlife and the environment”.

AFP/Punch

The nation’ s power grid has suffered its first collapse this year , plunging parts of the country into a blackout .

Two of the electricity distribution companies in the country, Ikeja Electric Plc , and Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc , disclosed this in messages to their customers through their Twitter handles .

It said , “ This is to inform you that we experienced a system collapse at 13 : 58 hrs today and this affected all customers on the IE network . However , we are pleased to confirm that supply has been restored to Alimosho , Ogba , and Alausa transmission stations at 14 :47 hrs .

“ Please note that gradual restoration to other areas is currently ongoing . Thank you for your understanding . ”

EKEDC said , “ There has been a partial system collapse on the national grid interrupting supply to most areas within our network . We are gathering updates on the situation and will provide them as available.

“ For now , please be assured that all stakeholders are working hard to make sure this is resolved . We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding . ”

The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to suspend the recently adjusted electricity tariff .

The Minister of Power , Sale Mamman , made this known in a statement .

In the statement , the minister said there was a committee working on the new electricity tariff regime and the committee should be allowed to complete its work before any development or adjustment .

Mamman directed NERC to suspend the recent increment until the committee concludes its work by end of January .

He said , “ The public is aware that the Federal Government and the Labour Centers have been engaged in positive discussions about the electricity sector through a joint ad – hoc Committee led by the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity and Co – Chaired by the Minister of State for Power . Great progress has been made in these deliberations which are set to be concluded at the end of January , 2021 .

“ To promote a constructive conclusion of the dialogue with the Labour Centers (through the Joint Ad – Hoc Committee ), I have directed NERC to forestall the implementation of the duly performed minor review (which adjusted tariffs between N2 per kWh and N4 per kWh ) until the conclusion of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee’ s work at the end of January 2021 .

“ This will allow for the outcome of all resolutions from the Committee to be implemented together . The Administration is committed to creating a sustainable, growing , and rules- based electricity market for the benefit of all Nigerians . ”

Punch

The Nigeria Labour Congress , says the Federal Government is sensitive to the plight of Nigerians by increasing the electricity tariff payable by power consumers across the country.

News had earlier reported that approval for the hike in tariff was given by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission , as the increase which varies , based on different consumer classes , took effect from January 1 , 2021 .

The regulatory agency blamed N2 to N4 adjustment in tariff on inflation and movement in foreign exchange rates .

Reacting , Deputy President , NLC , Joe Ajaero , said NERC disregarded the committee working on the new electricity tariff regime by the announcement on Tuesday .

Ajaero , who is also a member of the committee headed by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo , said the committee was yet to submit its report before the NERC action .

The Labour leader spoke on Channels Television ’ s Sunrise Daily programme monitored by The PUNCH .

He said , “There was a tariff increase by November which is being contested . A committee was set up headed by Keyamo and some of us are serving in that committee . We have not even finished addressing that issue and that adjustment was unjust and wasn ’ t necessary . Now , somebody is issuing a statement that there was an adjustment and it was not an increase . No matter how they play with semantics , Nigerians are noticing a lot of differences in what they are doing .

“ 90 per cent of Nigerians receive less than 12 – hour electricity per day . All those issues of banding, band A, B, C, D, are all lies . Nigerians know more than this .

“ There is an agreement with the labour on all these issues , the committee has not even submitted their report and NERC behaves as if it is from the moon and insensitive to Nigerians . This is not acceptable . ”

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission , said it has not increased electricity tariff by 50 per cent.

The Commission , in a statement , said such increment was not contained in the tariff order for electricity distribution companies which took effect on January 1 , 2021 .

It said the tariff for customers being served less than an average of 12 hours of power supply per day over a period of one month remains frozen and subsidised in line with the policy direction of the Federal Government.

The statement partly read , “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to publications in the print and electronic media misinforming electricity consumers that the Commission has approved a 50 % increase in electricity tariffs .

“ The Commission hereby state unequivocally that no approval has been granted for a 50 % tariff increase in the Tariff Order for electricity distribution companies which took effect on January 1 , 2021 .

“ On the contrary , the tariff for customers on service bands D & E ( customers being served less than an average of 12 hrs of supply per day over a period of one month ) remains frozen and subsidised in line with the policy direction of the FG.

“ In compliance with the provisions of the EPSR Act and the nation’ s tariff methodology for biannual minor review , the rates for service bands A, B, C, D and E have been adjusted by NGN 2 . 00 to NGN 4 . 00 per kWhr to reflect the partial impact of inflation & movement in forex .

“ The Commission remains committed to protecting electricity consumers from failure to deliver on committed service levels under the service – based tariff regime. ”

Punch