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Measures in place to avoid recurrence of national grid collapse, Minister asserts

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Minister of power, Abubakar Aliyu, says mitigation measures to avoid recurrence of national grid collapse are being implemented.

The national power grid had collapsed twice this week.

The system collapse occurred when the country was battling scarcity and a hike in fuel prices.

In a statement on Saturday, Aliyu disclosed that the recent system collapse was a direct consequence of a snap on a 330kV transmission line.

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“While the recent spate of system collapse is regrettable, it was a direct consequence of a snap on a 330kV transmission line,” the statement reads.

“The mitigation measures for avoiding such incidence of blackouts are being implemented through several interventions, including the Presidential Power Initiative.

“We wish to reassure all electricity consumers that all relevant agencies involved in the restoration of normality in power supply have been charged to act in the context of the emergency state of the industry.

“The Federal Ministry of Power shall continue to periodically update the nation on the progress.

According to the minister, the national grid lost about 1,100MW generation capacity as a consequence of simultaneous disruptions in gas supply to the Okpai, Calabar and the Afam VI power plants.

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“The available generation capacity was exacerbated by the ongoing water management regime at the Kainii, Jebba and Shiroro power plants,” he added.

The minister noted power generation would return to normalcy soon.

According to him, the Okpai power plant has resumed power generation with 300 megawatts capacity.

“The gas pipeline affected by acts of vandalism has been restored and the Okpai power plant has resumed power generation and currently contributing an average of 300MW,” he said.

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“The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc has been directed to enter into fast-track negotiation with NAOC on an interim energy sales agreement with a view of bringing the new Okpai Il power plant on the grid thereby contributing additional 400MW of generation capacity.

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“The “pigging” of the gas pipeline supplying gas to the Odukpani power plant is scheduled for completion on March 21st 2022, thus ramping up generation by about 400MW.

“In order to optimise the capacity utilisation of the power plants owned by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd (NDPHC), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved a special gas pricing for emergency contracting OF gas from the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company Ltd. We expect an on-grid improvement of about 800MW generation capacity from the NDPHC plants.

“In the medium-term, we have agreed with NGPIC (a subsidiary of NNPC) on the framework for the overhaul of the Okoloma gas processing plant, thereby restoring the full capacity of the 650MW Afam VI combined cycle power plant.”

On Thursday, Tony Elumelu, chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, had listed erratic electricity supply, hikes in diesel prices, and frightening food inflation as issues bedevilling the country.

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Ukraine receives bodies of 563 fallen soldiers in major repatriation effort

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Ukraine soldiers repatriation

Ukraine announced the repatriation of 563 soldiers’ bodies from Russia, marking one of the largest returns of fallen troops since the war began.

 

 

Ukraine confirmed on Friday that it had successfully received the bodies of 563 soldiers from Russian authorities, primarily troops who died in combat in the Donetsk region.

The exchange marks one of the largest returns of deceased Ukrainian servicemen since Russia’s invasion in 2022 and remains a rare area of cooperation between Kyiv and Moscow amidst the ongoing conflict.

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Also read: Ukraine relies on allies as Russia strikes power grid

 

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announced the repatriation, stating, “The bodies of 563 fallen Ukrainian defenders were returned to Ukraine.”

According to the report, 320 of the remains came from the contested eastern Donetsk region, with 89 soldiers identified as having fallen near Bakhmut.

This town became a focal point of the conflict last year, where Russia seized control following a prolonged and deadly battle.

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In addition to the returns from Donetsk, the statement indicated that 154 bodies were returned from morgues inside Russia. This return highlights the humanitarian efforts involved, even as both nations continue to face intense hostilities.

Despite the heavy toll on both sides, neither Russia nor Ukraine has publicly released the total number of military personnel killed.

As the war continues, these periodic exchanges of fallen soldiers’ bodies and prisoners represent a limited yet significant area where the two sides maintain direct communication.

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Lagos State launches manhunt for driver who set LASTMA officer on fire

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Lagos State manhunt for LASTMA officer attacker

Lagos authorities launch manhunt for driver who set LASTMA officer ablaze during traffic stop, aiming to bring suspects to justice swiftly.

 

The Lagos State Government has commenced an intensive search for the driver responsible for setting a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer on fire during a confrontation in the Mile 2 area on Tuesday.

The driver, whose identity remains unknown, reportedly resisted arrest after LASTMA operatives apprehended him for a traffic violation.

 

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Also read: Lagos police arrest suspected cable vandal

 

In an alarming escalation, the driver doused petrol on his vehicle and LASTMA officers, setting the bus and one of the officials ablaze before fleeing the scene.

The LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement, explaining that the suspect and his assistant became hostile after being stopped for violating traffic rules.

Adebayo detailed that as officers approached the driver, he attempted to evade capture by setting his vehicle and nearby officers on fire.

The incident left one officer with severe burns, requiring immediate medical attention at a nearby hospital.

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While the injured officer was initially discharged, he experienced a deterioration in his condition early on Wednesday, resulting in an urgent readmission to the hospital.

“He was discharged after treatment but began experiencing intense pain around 3 am, which prompted a return to the hospital,” Adebayo reported.

The disturbing incident highlights the risks faced by LASTMA officers in their efforts to maintain road safety and compliance. In response, LASTMA has intensified its efforts to identify and arrest the driver and his assistant.

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“We have the vehicle’s registration number, and serious efforts are ongoing to apprehend the driver and his assistant,” said Adebayo. The government has assured the public that it will not relent until justice is served.

LASTMA has also issued a strong warning to commercial and private drivers, urging compliance with traffic regulations and respect for LASTMA officers.

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The agency underscored its commitment to upholding order on Lagos roads in line with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, stating that it will respond decisively to any acts of violence or intimidation against its officers.

The attack has prompted widespread condemnation and sparked a conversation about the safety of traffic management officers in Lagos, with officials calling for stricter measures to ensure the security of LASTMA personnel while they carry out their duties.

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National Assembly set for major staff exodus as 30 top officials prepare for retirement

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National Assembly staff retirement, Clerk to the National Assembly, Nigerian parliament 2024

The National Assembly faces a significant staff exodus, with over 30 top officials, including Clerk Magaji Tambawal, set to retire in 2024-2025.

 

 

The National Assembly of Nigeria is set to witness a significant turnover, with no fewer than 30 high-ranking officials preparing to retire, including the Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Tambawal, according to sources familiar with the developments.

Tambawal, who began his pre-retirement leave on November 1, 2024, handed over his duties to his deputy, Kamouroudeen Ogundele, marking the start of a notable shift in the National Assembly’s leadership.

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Also read: Lagos Assembly imposes indefinite suspension on Alimosho local government chairman

 

Tambawal, appointed as acting Clerk in November 2022 and confirmed in March 2023, is set to officially retire in February 2025, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 60.

However, his retirement process has already begun, with no further assignments to be undertaken from the start of his leave until his official retirement.

This major exodus follows the decision of President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to a proposed bill that would have extended the retirement age of parliamentary staff to 65 years, or 40 years of service, from the current law of 60 years or 35 years of service.

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The bill had been introduced in previous Assemblies but failed to pass, despite having gained approval in the 10th Assembly in late 2023 and early 2024.

In addition to Tambawal, the retirement of several prominent officials will shake up the National Assembly. The Clerk to the Senate, Chinedu Akabueze, along with the Deputy Clerk to the Senate and the Deputy Clerk of the House of Representatives, are among those preparing to leave their posts.

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The retirements will also affect 11 directors, six deputy directors, an assistant director, and two other senior directors at the National Assembly Service Commission.

This mass departure comes after President Tinubu rejected the bill that sought to extend the retirement age, which would have allowed parliamentary staff to remain in service for longer.

As a result, many staff members, employed since the early 1990s when the National Assembly was first established, are set to retire either due to reaching the age limit or the threshold of 35 years of service.

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The retirement wave is expected to continue into 2025, with up to 30 more top officials anticipated to retire in January 2025.

Many of those retiring now are expected to have reached 60 years of age or fulfilled the 35-year service requirement, marking the end of a significant era at the National Assembly.

Sources within the Assembly have expressed concerns over the impact of this exodus, particularly regarding the loss of institutional knowledge and legislative memory.

One insider warned that the departure of such a large number of experienced staff could lead to challenges in maintaining continuity and expertise within the legislative process.

“The parliament thrives on the longitude of service years; the experience will always be needed,” said one source, expressing concern over the loss of key institutional knowledge.

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Beyond the high-ranking officials, numerous mid-level and junior staff members are also set to retire or resign, leaving a considerable gap in staffing.

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Another insider warned that the National Assembly’s ability to fill these vacancies effectively could be limited, especially when it comes to maintaining legislative memory and the continuity of the parliamentary processes.

“We need to ask, do they have the manpower to fill these voids?” the source said. “The experience and knowledge that are leaving with these retirements are irreplaceable, and this could affect the quality of the legislative work.”

Despite these concerns, another official with inside knowledge revealed that the total number of retirees is closer to 46, contrary to earlier reports suggesting that up to 80 staff members would retire between 2024 and 2025.

As the National Assembly braces for this significant personnel shift, the immediate concern for many is how the incoming staff will adapt and manage the responsibilities left behind by their predecessors.

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While the retirements are inevitable, the speed at which replacements are found and the quality of these appointments will be key in ensuring the continued functioning of the legislative body.

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