Blog

Customers
By Yunus Yusuf
Lagos, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), in a bid to meet its strategic direction of ensuring quality customer satisfaction, has inaugurated a new Customers’ Complaint Unit (CCU) at Lekki in Lagos.

Mr Godwin Idemudia, the company’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, made this known in Lagos on Monday.

According to Idemudia, the new Customers’ Complaint Unit is part of several efforts made by the company to improve its services and accomplish 100 per cent customers’ resolutions.

“Residents in the area often complain about the proximity of the Lekki district office and how it discourages them from laying complaints.

“Our reaction to this was to bring our services closer to them, So this New CCU is a symbol of our commitment to our customers and to the improvement of our services,’’ he said in a statement.

The EKEDC’s spokesman said the office was unveiled by the EKEDC Managing Director, Mr Adeoye Fadeyibi.

Idemudia quoted Fadeyibi as saying in his remarks that the company planned to open nine Customers’ Complaints Units in 2019 with the next one scheduled for Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Fadeyibi said: “The goal remains the same; to be the leading customer centric utility company in Africa.

“We plan to use this initiative to get closer to customers and listen to all their complaints.

“Be it outrageous billing or faulty equipment. Feedback is important to us because it is needed for us to improve the quality of our services.”

Idemudia also used the opportunity to wish the teeming customers a wonderful festive season and urged them to pay their bills on time in order to avoid interrupted power supply.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the CCU is at Plot 96, Block 78-80, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State. (NAN)
YO/ESAN/AJA
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Edited by Abiodun Esan/Adeleye Ajayi

LACON
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) Mr Tunde Ikusagba on Monday officially assumed duty as the acting Director General of Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON).

The outgone DG, Mrs Joy Bob-Manuel, said at a brief handover ceremony in Abuja, that she was bowing out after eight years of meritorious tenure, which ended on Dec. 24, 2018.
Ikusagba, before his appointment, was the most senior director in the Council.

Ikusagba promised to continue where the out-gone DG had stopped and craved the cooperation of the members of staff.
He lauded Bob-Manuel for the confidence repose in him.
The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria provides access to justice for indigent members of the society who cannot afford the cost of justice.
The law establishing the council was promulgated by then Head of the Federal Military Government, General Olusegun Obasanjo on Nov. 10, 1976. (NAN)
NEO/JI/WOJ
Editing by Joseph Idika/Wale Ojetimi

PPPRA
By Edith Ike-Eboh
Abuja, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) says that the claim of non remittance of N1.34 trillion of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) by the Budget Office of the Federation was false.

The General Manager, Corporate services of PPPRA, Mr Kimchi Apollo disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

He said that all the revenue collected by the agency since its inception was less than 1.6 per cent of N1.34 trillion, adding  that the budget office misrepresented the fact.

“The attention of PPPRA has been drawn to the widely circulated allegations which insinuated that the Agency had failed to remit the sum of N1.343 trillion of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“The information was said to have purportedly emanated from a presentation made by the office of the Director General Budget.

“Without intending to generate further controversy, the PPPRA deems it necessary to correct and clarify the rather distorted information to the members of the public regarding its financial obligations to the Consolidated Revenue of Government,” he said.

Apollo added that the Agency always remits 25 per cent of its total IGR mainly from its Administrative Charge Collections on quarterly basis to the CRF domiciled with the CBN, in line with the statutory requirements of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

“However, it should be noted that since inception of the Agency, the revenue collected is less than 1.6 per cent of the above mentioned figure.

“Therefore, PPPRA hereby refutes the claims of failed remittance into the CRF account and describes the assertions as misleading.

“Meanwhile, the Agency would like to use this opportunity to once more assure all stakeholders and members of the public of uninterrupted products supply and distribution, during this festive period.” he added. (NAN)
EN/IS

Traffic
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) Many domestic airlines at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja experienced a drop in traffic of passengers and aircraft movement on the eve of Christmas, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

When NAN visited the airport on Monday, booking and check-in counters of all the airlines were very scanty compared to other days.

NAN also observed that only Air Peace, Max Air and Arik Air counters were a little busy while others like Dana, Aero, Overland, Azman were scanty.

The Station Manager of Max Air in Abuja, Mr Abdullahi Saroke, said that high traffic was recorded in the last two days, adding that eve of Christmas was not always busy especially if it falls on the beginning of the week.

Saroke said the traffic was heavy on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, adding that most airlines recorded upsurge and had full flights.

He said that many airlines were carrying half load on many routes as at Monday morning, adding that Max Air had only two full flights to Maiduguri and Yola.

According to him, Max Air has been carrying full load since Friday to all destinations but “we only had full flights to Yola and Maiduguri today but in and out of Abuja and Lagos has been half load”.

A staff of Arik, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that Friday, Saturday and Sunday were the peak days of the season.

He said that all Arik flights for the last three days were fully booked while its flights for Monday were not full.

NAN reports that the air fare has been doubled by all the domestic airlines in the last three days compared to what they were charging about few weeks ago.

A check by NAN on the price list of the various airlines revealed that they now charge between N36,000 and N70,000 on economy and N70,000 to N90,000 on business class depending on the time and destination.

Air fare charged by airlines before now ranges from N19,000 to N41,000 depending on the destination and time of booking. (NAN)
OYS/FF/IS
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ismail Abdulaziz

Yabatech
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Yaba College of Technology Chapter, Lagos, on Monday honoured the Rector of the institution, Mr Obafemi Omokungbe and 15 others for their outstanding contributions to the union and the college.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the recipients were four retirees.

The union also presented N100, 000 cheque to each of the retirees.

Mr Nureni Yekini, Chairman of the union said that the awards and gifts to the awardees were to appreciate their services to the union.

Yekini said Omokungbe, a former chairman of ASUP, Yabatech, and two others were recognised for their steadfastness, consistency and doggedness to the union’s struggle.

He added that the officers, who were past leaders, had experienced victimisation.

According to him, Omokungbe later became the rector of the institution, a feat considered commendable.

He also presented an Ambassadorial Award to Dr Isaiah Oyeyinka, Rector, Gateway (ICT) Polytechnic, Saapade in Ogun, for transforming the institution in a short period.

“We need to thank God and appreciate Him for all he has done for us. We are celebrating our people; people who have laboured and contributed to our union and our great college.

“We are giving them this token to say thank you and appreciate them even as they retire,’’ the rector said.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Omokungbe commended the union for the lofty initiative.

He said that any official who served the organisation meritoriously should be honoured by the management of the college.

The rector assured the union that the management would re-introduce the valedictory service and long service awards in 2019.

“Management will not fail in its duties as from 2019 to organise the awards.

“I don’t see why people will serve an organisation and not be celebrated.

“I want to thank the union for their initiative and donations. I want to thank them for their support and cooperation in the last nine months,’’ Omokungbe said. (NAN)
OOG/ENN/AJA
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Adeleye Ajayi

Christmas: Delta Speaker urges Christians to show love to others

Love

By Mercy Obojeghren

Asaba, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged Christians to show love to all Nigerian as they  celebrate  Christmas irrespective of their religious or political affiliation.

Oborevwori made the call in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Dennis Out, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Asaba.

The speaker while felicitating with Christians as they mark the birth of Jesus Christ, urged them to reach out to the less privilege in the society.

He said, “Jesus Christ made sacrifice for mankind through his love to the world and I want to urge Christians all over the world to also show love to the needy around them.

“Let us also use the Yuletide season to show one another love in all that we do now and always. Let us be honest with one another and feel the pains of one another.

“We should also use this occasion to reflect deeply on the teachings of the birth of Christ for truth and honesty to continue to reign in our hearts in this season and always.’’ (NAN)

MOA/EMO

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Edited by Ejike Obeta

Xmas/New Year break:Bauchi police command deploys 2,832 personnel

Deployment

By Ayinde Olaide Abdulsaheed

Bauchi, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Bauchi state police command is to deploy 2,832 of its personnel across the state to ensure peaceful celebration of christmas and new year in the state.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr Sanusi Lemu, stated this in a press release issued in Bauchi on Monday.

“The Bauchi State Police Command wishes to assure the good people of the state of its readiness to perform its mandatory and statutory duty of protection of lives and property of innocent citizens in the State.

“The Command is fully prepared to deal with hoodlums, political thugs and other disgruntled elements that may cause panic among the public during the period.

“The command  would also collaborate with sister security agencies and all stakeholders to ensure peaceful and hitch free celebrations.

“To that effect, the command has designed an operation order for effective deployment of Officers and Men,as well as all necessary logistics, to all Churches and venues of events in the State.

“Therefore, the command would deploy a total number of 2,832 Officers and Men,” he said.

Lemu therefore directed all Divisional Police Officers and Heads of Departments to personally supervise the deployment of their men and patrol their areas of responsibilities throughout the period.

He called on the people of the state to cooperate with the security agents towards ensuring peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations. (NAN)

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Shares
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) Few hours to Christmas, activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opened for the week on Monday on a bullish trend following massive gains.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that contrary to expectations, the All-Share Index closed trading for Yuletide with 3.88 per cent growth to close at 31,967.01 against 30,773.64 recorded on Friday.

Similarly, the market capitalisation inched N436 billion or 3.88 per cent to close at N11.676 trillion compared with N11.240 trillion achieved on Friday.

Analysts at InvestData Ltd. attributed the development to prevailing cheap prices of stocks that triggered investors’ sentiments for short and long term gains.

“We expect the overall market sentiment to remain mixed with rekindled buying interest on blue chip stocks that had suffered huge losses before now, with strong earnings capacity that is trending up.

“The prevailing cheap prices of stocks may trigger investor-buying sentiments for short and long term gains.

“We expect speculative trading on major stocks with strong potential upside to shape the breadth of market performance this week, while watching the political space, since Q3 numbers have given insights into what the expected Q3 GDP and full year company earnings power will be,” the analysts said.

A breakdown of the activity chart shows that the market recorded 36 gainers and five losers.

Nestle led the gainers’ table during the day, gaining N147 to close at N1,617.10 per share.

Seplat followed with N58.40 to close at N642.90, while Dangote Cement gained N7 to close at N194 per share.

Conversely, Lafarge Africa topped the laggards’ table with a loss of 10k to close at N12.50 per share.

United Capital trailed with a loss of 6k to close at N2.82, while Guinea Insurance was down by 2k to close at 23k.

Tantalizer dipped 1k to close at 20k, while John Holt shed 1k to close at 44k per share.

In the same vein, the volume of shares traded inched 269.45 per cent, while valued of shares appreciated by 41.42 per cent.

Specifically, investors bought and sold 715.04 million shares valued at N5.19 billion in 2,789 deals.

This was in contrast to a turnover of 193.54 million shares worth N3.67 billion transacted in 2,922 deals on Friday.

NEM Insurance was the most active stock during the day, exchanging 508.665 million shares valued at N1.5 billion.

Medview Air followed with an account of 54.76 million shares worth N98.11 million, while Guaranty Trust Bank traded 26.02 million shares valued at N892.01 million.

Transcorp sold 19.36 million shares worth N23.81 million, while Zenith Bank traded 9.49 million shares valued at N218.77 million.

NAN reports that the stock market will be closed for two days to mark Christmas and Boxing Day holidays. It will reopen on Dec. 27. (NAN)
JNC /AJA
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

NNPC
By Edith Ike-Eboh
Abuja, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says that under-recovery of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, has dropped to N20 per litre from over N80.

Under recovery is the term used by NNPC to describe the financial amount of subsidy the federal government absorbs for keeping the pump price of petrol at N145 per litre

Baru made the disclosure in Abuja on Monday during a tour of filling stations with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) officials to ascertain effective distribution of products to customers.

The filling stations visited include Conoil in Central Business District, AA Rano on Nyanya Road, Shema and NNPC Filling Stations along the Kubwa Express Road.

He added that under-recovery had a couple of months back risen to about N80 per litre, noting that within that period the government bore the additional cost so as not to bring hardship on Nigerians.

“Unlike 24th of December last year, where there was scarcity, long queues and few filling stations with fuel; it is different today. The worry that we had has been cleared.

“We also thank the president for maintaining the N145 per litre pumping price. During the course of the year, we had times when we brought in products that indicated an under-recovery of almost N80 per litre; and because of the peak of the crude oil price, the under-recovery on product price also rises.

“Today, we are having much lower crude oil prices and under-recovery had also gone down significantly to the region of N20 and N25 per litre, depending on what the price is.

“At 60 dollars, it is about N25 per litre,’’ he said

According to him, the Federal Government is still committed to bearing the additional cost above the regulated price of N145 per litre.

Baru also reiterated the effort of the government to ensure stable fuel supply during the Yuletide and beyond, especially in the face of attempts by some individuals to disrupt supply.

He stated that presently the country had fuel stock to last for over 60 days, adding that current supply would last the country until after the 2019 general elections.

He said: “At the moment, we have 60 days supply in tank; almost three billion litres of PMS that would last us, without bringing in any extra drop of fuel, another 60 days.

“We are seeing having products clearly throughout the election period; we have sufficient products. If any unscrupulous individual or group is planning to sabotage supply from now till the election period, we are going to disappoint them.

“There will be sufficient products, and if any have hoarded, they should better bring it out and put it into the market.”

Also speaking, Assistant Commandant-General, Operations of the,m NSCDC, Mr Abdullahi Aminu, commended the NNPC for partnering with security agencies in curbing hindrances to fuel supply.

“We always appreciate good and effective collaboration that ensures sanity in the oil and gas industry. We want to commend the NNPC for its efforts at curbing the menace of fuel crisis that usually hampers the Yuletide season.

“We are deploying all available resources from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo state on the Right of Way from Atlas Cove to Mosimi, and to Ibadan, to make sure there is no vandalism, no oil theft, no scooping from the right of way.”

NAN reports that managers of the filling stations visited assured of adequate stock pile of products while some motorists and cyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, commended the effort of government in ensuring adequate supply and distribution of petrol across the country. (NAN)
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