Lagos, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) Plc has reiterated its commitment to bridge the metering gap in its area of jurisdiction.
It’s General Manager, Mr Godwin Idemudia, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that the company had commenced the installation of over 200,000 meters to various customers within its network.
He said the metering exercise was in progress, pending the commencement of the Meter Asset Providers scheme by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which EKEDC had fully complied with.
Idemudia said over 100,000 customers had been provided with prepaid meters, which had reduced the metering gap within its operational network.
He said the company had installed 49,260 single phase meters and about 51, 156 three phase meters from Oct. 2013 to Nov. 2018.
The EKEDC’s spokesman said apart from the over 100,000 prepaid meters, the company also installed 1,000 Distribution Transmission Meters (DTM) to ensure accurate billing of its customers.
Idemudia said most of the communities that were not on prepaid meter had DTM on their transformers to capture energy consumption.
According to him, the energy recorded by the DTM is used to bill customers who are not on prepaid meter at the end of the month.
“Let me assure our customers that metering is an ongoing exercise and EKEDC will continue to ensure that more customers in the network are metered.
“All customers within the network from Apapa, Ijora, Agbara, Mushin, Ijeshatedo, Suru-Lere, Ibeju-Lekki, Ajah, Ikoyi, Victoria Island to Lagos Island benefited from the metering exercise.
“This is to reduce the rate of estimated billing of our customers, it is a gradual process, but I can assure you that no one will be left behind,” he assured.
Idemudia, however, warned consumers within its network against paying its personnel for installation of the company’s prepaid meters.
According to him, complaints have reached the company that some of its officials are collecting money for installation from consumers who had been given meters free.
The general manager said the response time to faults had reduced lately, and that once customers report faults through the company’s customer care service, such faults are being taking with all seriousness.
“This, has also reflected on the improvements in power supply, speedy response to faults, convenient means of payments, reduction in ATC & C losses and increased customer resolution.
He said the company’s customer care staff had undergone a series of training to attend to all the complaints of customers.
“For the future, the company has spent more than N200 million on extensive training of EKEDC personnel to improve their performance, large investments in IT and electricity equipment’s among several ongoing efforts.
“All I can say is that the future is looking very bright for our customers,’’ Idemudia assured. (NAN)
Ikeja, Dec. 21 2018 (NAN) A 25-year-old sales representative, Gabriel Ogah, who allegedly stole his employer’s N200, 000, was on Friday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Ogah, who resides at No 7, Kadiri St., Ikeja, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Mike Unah, told the court that Ogah committed the offences on Nov. 2 at No.1 Oladipo Banjo St., Oke-ira, Ogba, Lagos.
Unah said that the accused stole the money from the office of the complainant, Mr Isaac Babatunde.
“Ogah stole the N200, 000 when the complainant stepped out of his office.
“When the complainant went back to his office to get the money, he saw that it was missing; he asked the accused who said he knew nothing about the money,” he said.
Unah said that the case was reported to the police station and the accused was subsequently arrested.
The offence contravened Section 287 (7) and 307 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Section 287 (7) stipulates a seven-year imprisonment for stealing from one’s employer.
The Magistrate, Mr A.A. Fashola, granted Ogah N100, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until Feb. 6, 2019. (NAN)
Lafia, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN)The Nasarawa State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has directed all its members to boycott all activities of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Government.
Mr Dogga Shamma, Council Chairman and Mr Suleiman Abubakar, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of NUJ, gave the directive on Friday in Lafia.
According to the leaders, the directive is as a result of the expiration of the 24-hour ultimatum given to the state government to act on the assault on two journalists in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Dec. 14, operatives of the NSCDC attached to the Nasarawa State Pensions Bureau, attacked two reporters in Lafia, the state capital.
The NUJ alleged that a correspondent with Universal Reporters, an online medium, Mr Rabiu Omaku, had gone to the bureau and was taking photograph of the list of pensioners pasted on the notice board for a report when he was attacked by the NSCDC officials.
The union alleged that other newsmen, who tried to intervene in the matter, were also assaulted . (NAN)
Pic.1. OPEC Secretary-General, Dr Muhammad Barkindo (L) with the Nigerias Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, at the opening of the 2018 Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja on Tuesday (3/7/18). 03527/3/7/2018/Jones Bamidele/NAN
Deregulation
By Yunus Yusuf
Lagos, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Government has been urged to embark on the full deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector.
Some stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos, said this would reduce the huge amount budgeted for subsidy.
The stakeholders advised government to use the one billion dollars (N305 billion) budgeted for subsidy payment in 2019 to develop other sectors of the economy.
Mr Charles Edward, Executive Director, Matrix Global Nig. Ltd., said that the huge amount budgeted for subsidy payment in 2019 budget could be used to develop other sector infrastructures in the country to boost the economy.
Edward advised government to create “free entry, free exit’’ in the downstream sector to attract investment and grow the economy.
He said that deregulation would bring in investments into the sector and also encourage the establishment of private refineries in the country.
According to him, government should deregulate the sector and remove subsidy from petroleum importation.
“If government likes, they can introduce gradual removal of subsidy but it should not go beyond 6 to 18 months period.
“If fully deregulated with rules, you will have the serious investors coming in to invest adequately,” he said.
Edward said: ”deregulation is the answer and the government must talk to the people and let them understand the advantages.
“Government must also show that in the areas where there was deregulation, people are gaining and that whatever comes in as funds will be used for the benefit of the people.
“Deregulation would also address frequent shortages of products.
“When the sector is fully deregulated, marketers will source for foreign exchange at cheaper rate to import products, not depending on government,’’ he added.
Mr Olufemi Adewole, the Executive Secretary, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) emphasised the need for federal government to consider total deregulation of downstream oil sector.
Adewole said that only full deregulations would remove the various challenges in the sector as well as attract investment in refineries in the country.
He added that it would also attract more investment in the transportation and depots to address lingering fuel scarcity as well as boost government’s revenues.
”We, petroleum marketers, would rather encourage the FG to take the bull by the horn and deregulate the downstream petroleum sector fully; this will free up funds presently being expended on subsidies for other social services.
“Deregulation of the downstream sector, though might initially lead to price hike, will eventually go down gradually, manifesting in efficiency, greater competition and price reduction (as a result of costs saved in efficiency).
“Deregulation of the sector will impact on other aspect of the nation’s economy and also enable the Nigeria Railway Corporation to lift more products from the South to other parts of the country at cheaper rates.
“The railway system is faster, cheaper and will deliver more volume at a go than road transportation. This will also attract more revenue to the corporation and also expand their infrastructure’’.
He stated that when investors invest and build more refineries, depots price of petroleum price would drop and this will be to the advantage of the common man.
Another marketer, Alhaji Debo Ahmed, Western Zone chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), also stressed the need for the full deregulation of the downstream of the oil sector.
Ahmed said that the pump prices of petroleum products have not been the same even when there was no scarcity.
According to him, full deregulation of the downstream sector will also create better opportunity for marketers to import and sell at cost margin.
“Deregulation remains the best option to drive the downstream business and free government from continuous payment of subsidy.
“For instance, without deregulation in place, the petrol that is being sold for N145 per litre in the south west is being sold for between N250 and N270 per litre in the Northern area,’’ he said.
The IPMAN helmsman said if the sub-sector was deregulated, it would bring in a lot of competition for the government to only fix the price at which the cost of the product must not exceed.
According to him, the continued regulation of the downstream sector has its positive and negative impacts on the economy.
“The subsidy policy cannot be sustained any longer. This is because the subsidy payment did not benefit the poor it was targeting, but rather it is benefiting the rich.
“The industry needs to move to the next level by increasing revenue and curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Dec. 20 said that the federal government has set aside N305 billion for fuel subsidy payments in the 2019 budget.
Speaking to the joint session of the national assembly in Abuja, the president said the amount would be used to cater for NNPC “under-recoveries”.
“We have allowed N305 billion, equivalent to $1 billion for under-recoveries by NNPC on premium motor spirit in 2019.
“We will continue working to bring it downwards, so that such resources are freed to meet the developmental needs of our people.
“Let me also use this opportunity to address and clarify the under-recoveries or subsidies on petrol in a period of economic challenges. Our purchasing power is weak, we must reduce some of the burden on Nigerians,” Buhari said.
The president went on to explain that subsidies are much more different from what they used to be in the past, stating that the NNPC is the sole importer of oil today.
“The problem in subsidies in the past was abuse and corruption. Today, the government through the NNPC is the sole importer of premium motor spirit.
“Therefore the under-recovery is from the NNPC trading account. This means the possibilities of some marketer falsifying claims are removed,” he added.
The senate recently confirmed that $1.05 billion NLNG dividend to the Nigerian state was also used for fuel imports in 2018. (NAN)
YO/IS
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By Anita Eboigbe
Abuja, Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) Media mogul, Mo Abudu has been elected as a director of the International Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences.
The Academy is responsible for staging the world famous International Emmy Awards which recognizes excellence in the television industry globally.
It is an organiSation of global broadcasters, with members from over 60 countries and over 500 companies.
60 percent of the Board of Directors come from countries outside of the United States, and represents the world’s largest production, distribution and broadcast companies.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abudu, who heads the trail brazing EbonyLife media group, announced the feat on Friday ON her Instagram page @moabudu.
Stressing the importance of her appointment, she stated that it will aid the global recognition and acceptance of the Nigerian film industry.
She said, “I am pleased about this appointment because it will be an enabler for the recognition of our work in TV and film across the globe. And I mean “Our” as in our work from Nigeria.
“As a member of the board, I join a select group of about 100 Directors who are international executives from leading channels, production and distribution companies.
“I am expected to attend board and members meetings three or four times a year. It’s time to change the narrative and get our stories told,” Abudu wrote.
NAN reports that Abudu hosted and produced “Moments with Mo’’, the first pan-African talk show, before she went on to found EbonyLife TV in 2012, which has grown into a media group.
In October, Mo was included in The Powerlist’s top 100 most influential people of African and Caribbean heritage in the UK, alongside Meghan Markle, Anthony Joshua and Lewis Hamilton. (NAN)
AEE/EAL
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi
Land
By Vivian Ibobo (08063018689)
Ikeja, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) The police on Friday arraigned a 33-year-old driver, Kayode Lawal, accused of defrauding a businessman of N3.5 million in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
Lawal, who resides at No. 1, Oyedeji St., Sege Bus Stop, Ijaye Ojokoro, Lagos, is charged with obtaining money under false pretences, stealing and breach of peace .
The prosecutor, Sgt . Kenrich Nomayo, told the court that Lawal committed the alleged offence sometime in 2013, at Millennium Estate, Ijaye, Ojokoro, Lagos .
He alleged that Lawal obtained N3.5 million from the complainant, Mr Raman Azeez, with a promise to acquire a plot of land at the Millennium Estate, Ijaye, Ojokoro.
Nomayo said that when the complainant demanded for his money back, after Lawal failed to deliver the plot of land, the accused to refused to do so.
The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 287 , 57 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
Lawal denied committing the offence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 prescribes 15 years jail term for obtaining money under false pretences.
Magistrate T.A. Ojo, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until Jan. 23, 2019 for mention. (NAN)
IZU/SH
Will Ferrell promises smart jokes and slapstick in ‘Holmes & Watson’
Jokes
Los Angeles, Dec.21, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Comic actors Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly reunite on the big screen on Christmas in the film “Holmes & Watson,” a spoof of the famous stories about the legendary British detective duo.
In the movie, Sherlock Holmes (Ferrell) and his partner Doctor Watson (Reilly) set out to stop a plot to assassinate Queen Victoria.
The film takes a far different tone from the classic mysteries written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Ferrell said from the beginning that he envisioned a film with “almost a Mel Brooks-ian kind of approach,” referring to the director famous for spoofs such as “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein.”
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly talk about their latest comedy movie, ‘Holmes and Watson’.
The “Holmes & Watson” film “has some smart jokes, but it also has some jokes that are pure slapstick and go for the joke that will make you blush,” Ferrell told Reuters.
Ferrell and Reilly previously appeared together on screen in “Step Brothers” and “Talladega Nights.”
Reilly said he hopes Holmes purists will welcome the new take.
“Most of the jokes in the movie I think are based on stuff in the books,” he said.
“We’re riffing on things that are in the books, that are done seriously in the books, but then we look at them in a funnier way.” (Reuters/NAN)
ERO/SA
Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Salif Atojoko
Olamide
By Anita Eboigbe
Abuja, Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) Some Twitter users have expressed displeasure at the lyrics of singers Olamide Adedeji a.k.a Baddo and Keshinro Ololade aka Lil Kesh’s new song titled: ‘Logo Benz.’
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the controversial track from the former labelmates was produced by Rexxie and dropped on Thursday.
Following the release, fans took to social media to condemn the lyrics which seemed like it openly endorsed Advanced Fee Fraud (aka Yahoo scam) and money rituals.
The song opens with the lyrics ”If money no enter, I go do blood money” and has a recurring chant of “A fe ra Benz’ (we want to buy Benz).
NAN reports that most fans pointed out the impact of songs in the society and cautioned artists to refrain from using their platforms to promote societal ills in any form.
@AyoBankole tweeted, “Logo Benz. No melody. No depth. No message. Just a shameless promotion of ritual killings; desperation for money at all costs, including human blood.
“This is filth. Olamide and Lil Kesh didn’t just go beyond the line, they landed in the dustbin of history’s trashiest artists.”
@Yung_stunning said, “Literally, Logo Benz song by Olamide was a nonsense song that urges ritualist to be swapping girls for Benz.
“The song should be ban before it gets out of hands. Sometimes our artists don’t know how powerful they are and the message they disseminate to the people.”
@Chidoziewilson wrote, “Am I the only one thinks that the logo Benz song is going to create an avenue/excuse for these ritualists and self acclaimed yahoo boys to intensify their struggle to keep using human beings as sacrifice.”
They further condemned the latest song trends that appear to endorse illegal money-making schemes. Victor AD’s ‘Wetin We Gain’, 9ice’s ‘Living Things’ and Chinko Ekun’s ‘Able God’ were listed as examples.
@Osascruz said, “From “Living Things” (Fraud). Wetin we gain (any you make it, just make it) Able God (Fraud/Yahoo) Logo Benz (Ritual) The trend will continue because such songs blow faster.”
@Ani_nomso tweeted, “It went from Olu Maintain’s “Yahooze” to Kelly Handsome’s “Maga don Pay” then down to 9ice’s “Living Things” & Now Lil Kesh’s Logo Benz.
“From “If i hammer” to “i go do blood”, its only get worse as we continue normalising fraud.”
Meanwhile, Olamide has reacted to the opinions swirling around about the song stating that it was intended to draw attention to the ritual killings and internet fraud.
Tweeting on Friday @Olamide_YBNL, he said, “Logo Benz is for the 3rd party to have a glimpse into the current state of youths in our society. (Runs girls x runs boys)
“ I’m not sure if there’s anything like too much awareness, but pardon me if there is. It’s all over the news, it’s always been in movies, don’t box musicians,” he said.
Fans are, however, not pleased as they feel it is the same ‘weak’ defence he gave when ‘Science Student’ received similar backlash and was subsequently banned.
Meanwhile some have called for the boycott of his upcoming concert tagged ‘Olamide Live In Concert’ (OLIC) billed to hold later in December.
@MrLewinOkotie tweeted, “Condemning Olamide shouldn’t just end on social media cos I know the same people bashing him already probably have bought tickets for Olic.
“Boycott his shows and petition brands that endorsed him. When he loses a couple endorsements his head would be correct.”
@Voiceofinsanity said, “This Logo Benz song is enough a reason for Nigerians not to grace his OLIC this weekend!”
@Xotie tweeted, “You guys should boycott OLIC. We need to send a message to Olamide. This new song is so sad. There re families that have lost loved ones to rituals.”(NAN)
Travel
By Dorcas Elusogbon
Ilesa (Osun), Dec 21, 2018 (NAN) Mr Samuel Oyedeji, the Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ilesa, has advised motorists to stop embarking on night journey during festive periods.
Oyedeji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ilesa that night journey and reckless driving were largely responsible for many of auto crashes during the Yuletide.
He said that the unit had deployed some of its personnel to ensure that highways had free flow of traffic and motorists adhered to road safety rules.
He warned motorists on the dangers of night journey, saying that they should embark on their journey during the daytime.
The commander also urged them to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy before embarking on any trip.
“The command has embarked on a full-scale enforcement to eradicate reckless driving, overtaking, over loading and use of phone while driving.
“Majority of the accidents are as a result of reckless driving and night journey in which armed robbers, potholes, grounded vehicles, among others, cause accidents,” he said.
Oyedeji decried the practice of some commercial drivers packed goods with passengers inside their vehicles and called for a law to check the practice. (NAN)
EDA/OSA/TA
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Tajudeen Atitebi
Agriculture
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) Prof. James Adediran, the Executive Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, Oyo State, said that many of the institute’s scientists transferred new technologies to farmers in the Southwest in 2018.
Adediran made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Friday.
He said the technology transfer was done in collaboration with the Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) of the Ministry of Agriculture in the six Southwestern states.
The executive director said that the institute carried out research activities in the mandate areas successfully and made giant strides in the year under review.
Adediran said the success made were the development of improved soil management techniques, improved maize, cowpea and soybean technologies for increased food production by farmers.
He noted that Research-Extension- Farmers-Input Linkage System (REFILS) workshop was held to review and provide information to farmers and other agricultural stakeholders on new technologies.
The executive director said that training workshops were held in the year to train and empower farmers on new technologies in kenaf, maize and livestock (pig, poultry, snailery and cattle) production and utilisation of their products.
According to him, IAR&T organised, hosted and participated in workshops where youths, women and retirees were trained and empowered on micro livestock production and product development.
“Consultancy and advisory services on agricultural production, soil survey, soil testing and laboratory analysis were carried out for clientele in agriculture.
“The institute participated in many conferences, workshops and symposia which focused on policy formulation in different areas of agriculture.
“Our scientists participated in sensitisation programmes on radio, television to interact with farmers and other agricultural stakeholders.
“The Institute in the later part of the year unveiled a logo for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary) of its establishment which will come up in April 2019,” he said.
Adediran further said the reports on the above activities and the achievements for the year were being collated and would be discussed in the institute’s In-house review coming up in the first quarter of 2019.
He, however, emphasised that the challenges of the institute were inadequate research funds, late release of research funds, low infrastructure development for research.
According to him, there is also the challenge of inadequate training of staff to face emerging challenges in modern agricultural practices; low patronage by state government and industries for new home-made technologies with local contents.
“Government policy somersault in agriculture is also another challenge but with God, we hope to overcome in 2019,’’ Adediran said.
NAN reports that IAR&T has national mandate for soils and water management and for genetic improvement of kenaf and jute.
It also has zonal mandate for improvement of maize, cowpea, soybean for the forest and humid savanna agro-ecologies; and farming systems of Southwestern agricultural zone.
The institute also has the mandate of livestock research with focus on large and small ruminants, trypano-tolerant indigenous cattle breeds, sheep and goats.
IAR&T is the zonal coordinating research institute responsible for establishing close research extension linkages and provision of research back-up services for the ADPs in the Southwest zone of the country. (NAN)
CC/AJA
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi
