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Weeks after announcing an increase in the electricity tariff of Band A customers, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has adjusted the price of a single phase meter from N58,661.69 to N81,975.16.

NERC also adjusted the price of three phase meter from N109,684.36 to N143,836.10.

The adjustments were contained in an order entitled “The deregulation of meter prices for meters deployed under the Meter Asset Provider Scheme” which was signed by NERC chairman, Engr Sanusi Garba and the commissioner in charge of legal licensing compliance, Barrister Dafe Akpeneye, on Monday, April 29, 2024.

According to the duo, the cost of single phase and three phase meters for MAPs, inclusive of all other associated costs of installation and warranties shall continue to be at the regulated rates approved by the commission.

NERC said the Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) and Local Meter Manufacturers Associations (LMMAs) have requested a further review of meter prices in consideration of significant changes in NGN/USD foreign exchange rate and inflation rate since the last price review in September 2023 and the significant changes in these macroeconomic variables has constrained their ability to supply meters at the approved regulated price.

Garba and Akpeneye said the commission has noted the need for the efficient pricing of meters to respond more quickly to changes in macroeconomic parameters, particularly exchange rates.

“The commission has further taken cognisance of the constraints/challenges faced by MAPs and LMMAs and therefore approved the deregulation of prices of meters deployed under the MAP scheme with effect from 1 May 2024,” the order stated.

“The commission hereby orders: with effect from 1 May 2024, all prices of meters under the MAP scheme shall be determined through a competitive bidding process with customers provided with a choice of authorised vendors.

“The combined effects of sections 8(1 )(c), 8(1 )(d), 16(1 )(h), 31 and 32(1 )(b) of the Regulations on the regulated pricing of meters deployed under the MAP scheme is hereby derogated.

“The cost of prices of meters deployed under the MAP scheme is HEREBY DEREGULATED to enable end.use customers acquire meters from MAPs.”

NERC noted that the choice is based on competitive open market prices determined from transparent bidding frameworks.

The order noted that all MAP permits holders are henceforth eligible to provide services and transact for the provision of meters and metering services with any DisCo in the Federal Republic of Nigeria with their existing permit. 

According to the commission, the lifting of the restriction on permitting to operate in all DisCos is subject to the mandatory requirement for MAPs to comply with the associated DisCo specific requirements/specifications.

The commission added that all DisCos shall ensure the effective and seamless integration of smart meters deployed by MAPs with the DisCo’s head-end systems and meter data management systems.

It further noted that all DisCos shall provide a publicly accessible online portal on their website where prospective MAPs can view the DisCo’s technical specifications and commercial terms for participation as a MAP within its network area.

Garba and Akpeneye said all  DisCos are required to conduct a thorough test and confirmation of specifications for new meters proposed by a prospective MAP and concluded no later than 20 working days from the date the proposed MAP fulfils all the requirements specified on the online portal to participate within its network area. 

,The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unveiled the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, revealing a record-breaking participation of 1.94 million candidates.

Conducted across 118 towns and more than 700 centres nationwide, the UTME saw unprecedented candidates vying for admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

During a press conference held at the board’s headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, announced the release of the UTME results.

The examination, which spanned from Friday, April 19th, to Monday, April 29th, 2024, marked a significant milestone in the academic journey of the candidates.

With the release of the results, candidates can now access their scores and evaluate their performance in the highly anticipated examination.

Candidates were encouraged to check the JAMB portal for their individual results and take proactive steps towards their educational aspirations.

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for civil servants in the state.
The governor revealed this while commissioning the new Labour House in Edo state on Monday.

According to him, the new wage comes into effect on May 1st, 2024. This significant increase in the minimum wage is aimed at improving the living standards of civil servants and their families in Edo state.

The new Labour House, which was commissioned by the governor, will serve as the headquarters for labor unions and organizations in the state. This move demonstrates the state government’s commitment to supporting the welfare and rights of workers.

The announcement of the N70,000 minimum wage has been widely welcomed by civil servants and labor unions in Edo state, who have long advocated for a higher minimum wage to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Scores of people were reportedly killed in a recent attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The attack took place late on Sunday evening and resulted in the loss of lives, leaving many others critically injured.

It was gathered that the assailants launched the attack on mourners at Ugwuijoro Nimbo community, leaving behind a trail of tears and sorrow.

Among the victims were Okeh Simon Ugwu Oruku, Okeh Chukwuebuka, Julius Ogbonna Odiegwu, and Gabriel Ugwor Ezea.

It could be recalled that Nimbo was also attacked in 2016, leading to the death of scores. The incident attracted a nationwide outrage then.

However, neither the police command nor the state government has yet issued an official statement regarding the latest occurrence as of the time this report was filed.

The flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November Ondo Governorship Election, Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayiedatiwa will on Monday April 29 receive his certificate of return from the party.

He was declared winner of the April 20 APC governorship shadow election by the Governor Usman Ododo-led 7-man primary election committee.

This is coming three days after the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, appealed to aggrieved aspirants who participated in the shadow poll to support the party’s candidate in the governorship poll.

The presentation of the certificate is slated for 4 pm  after the weekly meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) at the national Secretariat of the party in Abuja.

APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru confirmed that the presentation will hold today by 4 pm.

Details Shortly…

Three days after soldiers withdrew from the Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, residents said bandits have invaded the area and stole foodstuffs and livestock.

The military, last week, closed its camp and withdrew troops from the community, which is facing attacks by bandits and terrorists.

The withdrawal of troops forced hundreds of locals, including women, the elderly and children, to leave their homes and walk at least 50 kilometers to safer locations. Reports indicate that the military also faced attacks from bandits, resulting in casualties.

A resident, Mallam Yahuza Allawa, told Daily Trust via phone yesterday that bandits entered Allawa and adjoining communities on Sunday morning and carted away foodstuffs and other valuables including goats and other domestic animals.

He said residents of Allawa, Saminaka, Gyra-Miyan, Unguwan Sarkin-Noma and Kurmi have all fled since Thursday.

He said life at the Central Primary School, Erena, where dozens of them ran to for refuge, has been very challenging for the past three days due to hunger and lack of space to sleep.

Residents said some men who returned home from the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp to retrieve food supplies reported that bandits arrived in trucks and loaded goods in the morning on Sunday.

They expressed desperation, calling on the federal and state governments for assistance.

“Yes, it is confirmed that after we left our communities on Thursday, bandits came this morning and stole our foodstuffs and other valuables including goats. We were not able to take most of our belongings along because of lack of vehicles. We had to trek from communities to Erena.

“Bandits came with a truck with which they loaded our foodstuffs and other valuables. They parked the truck at the riverside and used motorcycles to evacuate our foodstuffs, goats, and other valuables from villages because of the nature of the road.

“We are calling on the federal and state governments to come to our rescue. Life is very difficult for us, especially our women and children. We need serious intervention,” Yahuza said.

President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima have opted for chartered flights as both of Nigeria’s presidential jets undergo repairs, leaving them without official aircraft for their recent travels.

According to The Gazette, Tinubu was in The Hague for diplomatic engagements when he learned of unspecified problems with his main luxury jet, forcing him to use a charter jet to travel to Saudi Arabia for the World Economic Forum.

Meanwhile, Vice-President Shettima was recently spotted in Iperu-Remo, also utilizing a chartered plane from a Lagos-based consortium for his official trip.

The Gulfstream G550 aircraft, typically designated for Vice-President Shettima, was temporarily assigned to President Tinubu due to his dedicated Boeing 737 undergoing maintenance since March 25 at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg.

Despite repairs, the Gulfstream jet was sent to Saudi Arabia for Tinubu’s official trip, indicating ongoing challenges with the presidential air fleet.

“Many of us in this administration are more concerned about the clear danger that the planes are signalling than any ridicule from their frequent breakdowns.

“We are being told that the planes are old, and there should be serious consideration towards their replacement,” an official quoted in the report said.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, says the current scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly called petrol may last for two more weeks.

The Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike stated this on Sunday while reacting to the lingering scarcity of the product as it spreads to many states.

Ukadike told Vanguard on Sunday that the product is currently not available in the country, saying it is a challenge sourcing it because most refineries in Europe are undergoing turnaround maintenance.

“Once there is a breach in the international supply chain, it will have an impact on domestic supply because we depend on imports.

“I also have it on good authority that most of the refineries in Europe are undergoing turnaround maintenance, so sourcing petroleum products has become a bit difficult.

NNPC Group CEO has assured us that there will be improvement in the supply chain because their vessels are arriving.

“Once that is done, normalcy will return. This is because once the 30-day supply sufficiency is disrupted, it takes two to three months to restore it”, he said.

Ukadike also blamed the acute scarcity of the product on importation bottlenecks and the pace at which the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, renews marketers’ licence.