Economy
Government Vows To End Estimated Billing In Lagos
Government Vows To End Estimated Billing In Lagos
Government vows to end estimated billing In Lagos. The Lagos state government has promised to bring an end to estimated electricity billing to relieve residents suffering inflated electricity charges.
The government also promised to tackle other challenges plaguing the state’s energy sector.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the promise at the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange meeting held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on Friday.
The meeting had the theme: “Building a Competitive Electricity Marketplace: Strategies to Attract Investments and Boost Confidence in the Lagos Electricity Market Using the Capital Market”.
The governor was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.
Mr Sanwo-Olu re-affirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that Lagos would become a model for electricity market transformation in Africa.
He emphasised the importance of creating a competitive, reliable and investor-friendly electricity market.
According to him, the essence is to make sure that everybody has power and reduces the amount of money spent on generators.
“By so doing, the environment is clean. It is a win-win situation for all,” he said.
The governor said that, to achieve the goal, the state government was implementing policies to encourage private sector participation.
He added that the state would improve regulatory oversight and build investor confidence in the Lagos electricity market.
Mr Sanwo-Olu added that the government was committed to creating an enabling environment which would encourage investments in power infrastructure and renewable energy solutions.
The governor said that, with the Lagos State Electricity Law in place, the government was taking decisive steps to decentralise power generation in order to achieve transformation in the sector.
He added that such would boost private sector participation and foster a more dynamic and efficient energy marketplace.
“We will introduce new meters to eliminate estimated billing and provide accurate electricity charges.
“We will leverage the capital market to finance large-scale energy projects through instruments such as energy bonds, power purchase agreements, and electricity derivatives,” he said.
Mr Sanwo-Olu urged financial institutions, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders to work collaboratively in leveraging the capital market for energy sector growth.
He said: “By implementing these strategies, our aim is to build a competitive, reliable and sustainable electricity marketplace that serves the needs of the people and businesses.”
Earlier, Biodun Ogunleye, the state commissioner for energy and mineral resources, unveiled plans to revolutionise the state’s energy sector.
Mr Ogunleye said that the Clean Lagos Electricity Market initiative was designed to eradicate blackouts across the state.
Mr Ogunleye outlined a multi-step approach, including establishment of robust market institutions, to achieve the goal.
The commissioner noted the need to deploy cutting-edge tools, enhance value chain delivery capacity and attract new investments.
According to him, a key component of the strategy is construction of five energy hubs aimed at significantly boosting power capacity.
Mr Ogunleye emphasised the importance of collaboration among the government, the private sector, individuals and other stakeholders to ensure equitable power distribution across geographical areas and demographics.
“The state government is committed to ensuring that power capacity goes up drastically in the state as the government is building a total of five energy hubs.
“We, therefore, call on the private sector, individuals and other stakeholders to support the government in its bid to create and ensure that power supply is well-distributed irrespective of geographical areas,” he said.
Lagos
Emomotimi Agama, director-general, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said the collaboration among capital market operators, government agencies and development finance institutions was crucial for unlocking the full potential of market-based financing for the power sector.
He was represented by the organisation’s executive commissioner, operations, Bola Ajomale.
He urged regulators, policymakers, investors, market operators and other stakeholders to deepen collaboration and leverage the capital market as a catalyst for transforming Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Mr Agama gave the assurance that SEC would continue to implement policies which would foster a stable and efficient market, ensuring that investors and issuers would operate in a well-regulated and secure environment.
Customs Seizes 34,470L Of Smuggled Petrol At Taraba-Cameroon Border
Customs seizes 34,470L of Smuggled petrol at Taraba-Cameroon border. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its crackdown on fuel smuggling, seizing 34,470 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and a heavy-duty transportation truck in a three-hour operation along the Taraba-Cameroon border.
The enforcement, led by the Customs’ Operation Whirlwind unit, targeted smugglers operating through Gembu and Kan-Iyaka in Sardauna LGA, a known smuggling corridor.
Speaking at a public auction in Jalingo, Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the operation was carried out with support from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Adeniyi explained that intelligence from the inter-agency intelligence fusion center detected unusual fuel movement patterns in the Sorofi and Kan-Iyaka areas between March 8 and 9, 2025.
Acting on this, field teams executed a series of coordinated interceptions, disrupting what appeared to be an emerging smuggling route.
The seizure included 1,149 Jerry cans of PMS, each containing 30 liters, totaling 34,470 liters. A specialized transportation truck valued at ₦4 million was also confiscated, bringing the total duty-paid value to ₦37.78 million.
Adeniyi noted that a significant portion of the smuggled fuel was intercepted in Gembu, while 180 Jerry cans and the truck were seized en route to the Kan-Iyaka border crossing.
Cameroon Border
Describing fuel smuggling as a threat to national security and economic stability, Adeniyi urged security agencies to remain vigilant. He stressed that petrol is vital to economic activities and warned that shortages could slow down the economy.
He reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to tackling smuggling networks and safeguarding Nigeria’s energy sector and economic interests.
Akwa Ibom Lawmaker Covers Medical Bills For Patients At Palmer Memorial Hospital
Akwa Ibom Lawmaker covers medical bills for patients at palmer memorial Hospital. For patients at Palmer Memorial Hospital in Ikot Usen, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, financial hardship often stood between them and life-saving treatment. That changed when Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Basy Okon, the Member Representing Itu-Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, stepped in to settle outstanding medical bills, offering patients a renewed chance at life.
The compassionate gesture came during Day 2 of the ongoing free medical and surgical outreach sponsored by the lawmaker across Itu and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas. While inspecting the outreach on Day 1, Okon learned of emergency cases where patients remained stranded due to unpaid hospital bills.
Moved by their plight, he personally cleared their debts a decision he emphasized was outside the outreach’s budget, but a private intervention to support his constituents in urgent need.
Among the beneficiaries was Abasima Offiong, who had suffered a spinal cord injury and required emergency surgery. With no means to cover the cost, his condition was critical, until Hon.Okon’s intervention ensured his procedure was fully funded.
Another case was Idongesit Ndifreke, who had undergone a Caesarean section but remained in the hospital for over two weeks due to unpaid bills. The lawmaker’s generosity not only secured her discharge but also allowed her to return home with her newborn.
Akwa Ibom
One of the most harrowing stories involved a woman whose unborn child had died in the womb. Lacking funds for an emergency procedure, her life hung in the balance. Overcome with emotion, Okon immediately took over the cost of surgery, ensuring swift medical intervention to save her life.
Speaking during the event, the lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to humanitarian efforts. “When God blesses us, we should also be a blessing to others,” he said, underscoring the importance of compassion and community support. Grateful beneficiaries and their families hailed Okon’s intervention as both timely and life-saving.
As the free medical and surgical outreach continues, it remains a beacon of hope for residents of Itu and Ibiono Ibom, reinforcing Okon’s dedication to accessible healthcare and the well-being of his constituents.
Government Approves N1.149bn For Solar Street Lights, Infrastructure In Gombe
Government approves N1.149bn for solar street lights, infrastructure in Gombe. He said the governor approved the projects to align with his vision for infrastructure development.
The Gombe government has approved N1.149 billion for the installation of solar street lights and other infrastructure in three local government areas of the state.
Mahmood Yusuf, director-general, Joint Project Development Agency, stated this at a news conference on Thursday in Gombe.
He said the Joint Project Council (JPC) meeting chaired by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, approved the projects to align with his vision for infrastructure development.
Mr Yusuf listed the projects to include the installation of solar street lights on newly constructed roads in Kumo at the total cost of N740 million; fencing of the NALDA market and installation of solar street lights at Kwadon area of Yamaltu/Deba, costing N362 million.
He said that N47 million has been approved for the expansion of the grains market and construction of six public toilets in Billiri.
Mr Yusuf said that the N112 million grain market project was approved in 2024, but reviewed upward to N159 million, to provide six additional toilets.
The director said the council also approved the deployment of GOSTEC and Operation Hatara personnel, to scale surveillance in schools and cemeteries in the state.
He said the measure was sequel to complaints over spate of theft in public buildings by the ALGON Chairman, Sani Haruna.
“The council has resolved to implement stricter security measures by deploying GOSTEC and Operation Hattara to enhance surveillance. The scope of Operation Hattara would be expanded to cover all the 11 LGAs,” he said.
Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya
Also, Fatima-Binta Bello, chairperson, Shongom Local Government Council, expressed readiness to consolidate on Mr Yahaya’s achievements in education and health sectors.
She stressed the need to strengthen human resources through recruitment of qualified personnel to address manpower gaps and enhance quality service delivery, especially at primary healthcare and basic education level.
Similarly; Ahmad Wali, chairman, Kwami LGC, said the council had initiated resurvey and remapping of grazing reserves and cattle routes to check farmer/herder clashes.
He warned that anyone found encroaching cattle routes and grazing lands would be sanctioned.
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