From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Chairman of the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), Engr. Ibrahim Abdwaaris, has praised the establishment of Special Court to tackle electricity theft across the state.

Abdwaaris stressed the need for collaboration with relevant agencies in combating electricity theft and related offenses in the state.

The KERC Boss gave the commendation while speaking at a town hall meeting organized by the Kogi Electricity Distribution Limited (KEDL) at Edge Drive Hotels in Lokoja on Thursday.

Abdwaaris described the sensitization of customers and stakeholders on the new legal framework established by the Kogi State Government as a welcome development.

The framework according to him, includes, the establishment of an Electricity Theft Task Force and a Special Court to protect investments in the emerging state electricity market.

He urged Kogi Electricity Distribution limited to work closely with the Task Force and the Special Court to ensure the initiative’s effectiveness.

While emphasizing the need to tackle electricity theft, the KERC Chairman/CEO cautioned against unwholesome market practices that undermine customer trust and confidence.

He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to protecting customer rights and ensuring fairness, accountability, and balance between investor interests and consumer needs.

He called on stakeholders, including KEDL, customers, community leaders, and government agencies, to join forces in building a transparent, efficient, and sustainable electricity market in Kogi State.

By working together, the KERC Chairman/CEO said, they can eradicate electricity theft, protect investments, and improve electricity services for the benefit of the state’s citizens and economic development.

In his welcome address the Managing Director of Kogi Electricity Distribution Limited KEDL), Engr Olaseni Agunpopo disclosed that Kogi State Government, through the State’s Electricity RegulatoryCommission (KERC), has taken a bold and commendable step with the establishment of a Special Task Force on Energy Theft and Related Offences.

According to him “This initiative underscores the Commission’s unwavering commitment to sanitizing the electricity sector, promoting transparency, and safeguarding the integrity of power distribution across the State.

“By creating this Task Force, the Commission has demonstrated proactive leadership and a deep understanding of the critical role electricity plays in economic growth and social development. The Task Force will serve as a coordinated mechanism to identify, investigate, and prosecute cases of energy theft and related offences. It will also work closely with security agencies, the

“This decisive move not only reflects the Commission’s desire to protect the investments made by KEDL but also reinforces its commitment to ensuring that law-abiding customers are not unfairly penalized by the actions of a few who engage in theft and sabotage. Ultimately, it lays the foundation for a more efficient, reliable, and equitable electricity distribution system that will benefit all residents of Kogi State”

The objectives of this initiative he said would go a long way in protecting honest customers who dutifully pay their bills, promoting fairness, discipline, and accountability in electricity usage, and improving service delivery by channelling saved resources into infrastructure and customer satisfaction.

“However, this fight is not for KEDL or the Regulator alone. It requires the collaboration of all stakeholders — government, communities, traditional leaders, security agencies, and every citizen who values progress and integrity. Together, we must send a clear and unified message: energy theft is a crime, and it will no longer be tolerated” he emphasized

Ahead of the commencement of operations of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) in Abuja, the Federal Government and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) teams have assessed the country’s readiness to host the bank.

A statement issued on Thursday by Nneamaka Okafor, Special Adviser, Media and Communications to Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), stated that the assessment followed the visit of Dr. Benedict Oramah, President, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

According to the statement, the visit/assessment was in furtherance of ongoing engagements towards the commencement of operations by the Africa Energy Bank, a landmark initiative expected to transform the continent’s energy landscape.

“The establishment of the bank is a collaborative move between Afreximbank and the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), which will see the bank take off with an asset base of five billion dollars.

“It is projected to grow to 120 billion dollars in five years’ time, marking a significant milestone in Africa’s quest for energy security and sustainability.

“Afreximbank, as a key partner, is transferring her full equity investment in the oil and gas sector, underscoring its commitment to driving energy infrastructure development across the continent.”

Okafor quoted Lokpobiri as reiterating during the meeting, Nigeria’s strong support for the AEB and its pivotal role in unlocking Africa’s energy potential.

He called on industry stakeholders to engage proactively and explore the vast opportunities this initiative presents.

“The bank represents a bold step in ensuring that Africa controls and finances its energy future. It is an avenue for stakeholders to invest in a self-sustaining energy sector that will drive industrialisation, job creation and economic prosperity.

“Nigeria, as a leading oil and gas producer, is well-positioned to leverage this transformative initiative. We encourage industry players to seize this opportunity to invest in Africa’s energy future,” the statement quoted Lokpobiri as saying.

Following the discussions, the minister and Afreximbank president proceeded to the AEB Headquarters for an inspection to assess the level of readiness ahead of the commencement of operations.

The visit provided first hand insights into the bank’s operational preparedness and strategic alignment with Africa’s broader energy development goals.

Speaking on the significance of the AEB, The Afreximbank President, Oramah, emphasised the bank’s role in bridging Africa’s energy financing gap.

According to him, the establishment of the AEB is a game-changer for the continent.
He commended Nigeria for taking the bull by the horn in hosting the AEB headquarters and expressed confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas portfolio, as it would not only benefit the sector, but would guarantee immediate benefit for Nigeria.

The bank was initially scheduled to commence operations January this year. (NAN)

Transcorp Consortium says Transcorp Ughelli Power Plant will soon begin to generate 900 Mega Watts (MW) of electricity.

The Group Chairman, Mr Tony Elumelu, made this known on Thursday in Abuja at the formal handover of the Afam Power Plc and Afam Three Fast Power Ltd. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); to Transcorp Power Consortium by Mr Alex Okoh, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

Elumelu said that when the company took over the Ughelli Power Plant output was about 150MW and in just over a year it moved to 600MW.

He said that investment in electricity was very important and assured that in a short time, the output from Afam power plant would be increased as was done at Ughelli.

“We just want to make sure that in a short period of time, we are able to ramp up the output from the plant, we have done it before at Ughelli and we will do it again.

“I commend the state government for making sure the asset is kept in good state and we are going to work as partners with the state government, the community and the Federal Government.

“This is so that we can make sure that we realise access to electricity and improvement that this country needs for us to create jobs and fight poverty.

“This is the only way we can develop Nigeria,” he said.

Responding, Okoh said that in line with the requirements of the request for proposal and approval granted by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) Transcorp paid 25 per cent cash of the bid amount on Thursday.

He said this was a condition precedent to the current activity of handing over.

“I must add that my emphasis on cash payment is to correct some misinformation in the media that purported that the Afam deal is a mere reconciliation of figures between the Federal Government and Transcorp.

“For the benefit of those who wish to know, this idea was never accepted by both the NCP and its several sub-committees.

“However, with the payment of the money by Transcorp to the treasury today, we hope this unfounded and concocted information being fed to the public would stop.”

Okoh said that sequel to the previous failed attempt to privatise Afam Power Plc and the approval granted by NCP for the recommencement of a new process, the BPE started a free, fair and transparent competitive process of the privatisation of Afam Power Plc and Afam Three Fast Power Ltd.

He said this culminated in Transcorp Power Consortium emerging as the preferred bidder with a combined offer of N105.3 billion.

He said that after a series of negotiations that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government through BPE signed the Share Sale Purchase Agreement (SSPA) with Transcorp Power Consortium on Nov. 5.

Okoh said that though change does not come easy, the reform in the power sector was a necessary tool for laying a solid foundation for sustainable electricity supply, loss and cost reduction as well as service efficiency.

He added that the privatisation of the sector was a key component of the reform and was one of the pre-conditions for the start-up of a competitive electricity market in Nigeria.

“It is also a sensible avenue to reduce dependence on the treasury for support to an otherwise economically viable power sector and channel government resources to other ventures.”

He however urged Transcorp Consortium to use its proven capacity and pedigree as demonstrated with Transcorp Ughelli Power Plant and Transcorp Hotel, Abuja to transform Afam Power into an exemplary utility company of reference.

Source: NAN