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Discos make N1tn amid grid crisis

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Discos make N1tn amid grid crisis

Discos make N1tn amid grid crisis

 

Despite the persistent epileptic power supply nationwide, revenue generation by electricity distribution companies in Nigeria surged to N1.1trn within the 12 months of 2023, a new report has revealed.

 

 

 

The figure represents an increase of N234.4bn or 28.2 per cent from the N831bn generated by the power firms over a similar period in 2022.

 

 

Discos make N1tn amid grid crisis

 

This latest data was disclosed in the electricity report released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday.

 

 

 

The latest data came despite the sporadic power grid collapses recorded during the year.

 

Nigeria’s national power grid collapsed 46 times from 2017 to 2023, a report by the International Energy Agency said in a report.

According to the report, Nigerians endured more nationwide blackouts in 2023, especially on September 14 when the grid collapsed due to a fire on a major transmission line.

Despite the challenges, the distribution companies have continued to smile at the bank, allocating outrageous billing to customers.

 

An analysis of the revenue data showed that the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company got the highest revenue of N218.6bn, up by 31.7 per cent or N52.7bn from N165.9bn recorded in 2022. It was followed closely by the Eko Distribution Company which got a revenue increase of N52.8bn or 42.3 per cent from N124.8bn in 2022.

Third on the list is the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, with a revenue generation of N167.4bn from N125.7bn recorded in 2022.

Similarly, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company got a revenue of N111.3bn, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company got a revenue of N82.5bn, Yola Electricity Distribution Company (N22.3bn), and Benin Electricity Distribution Company (N84.6bn), and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (N32.4bn).

Also, Jos Electricity Distribution Company increased its revenue to N38.9bn, Kano Electricity Distribution Company (N55.2bn) and Port-Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (N74.7bn).

Findings also showed that the increased efficiency in revenue collection might not be unconnected to rise in the overbilling of customers especially those on estimated billing system.

Also, it was observed that Discos were able to capture more customers under estimated billings system.

A further analysis stated that the number of metered numbers increased by 9.38 per cent or 480,833 while the number of customers under estimated billings reduced slightly by 1.73 per cent to 5.8m.

 

 

“Similarly, metered customers stood at 5.61 million in Q4 2023, indicating a decrease in the growth rate of 1.32 per cent from 5.68 million recorded in the preceding quarter. On a year-on-year basis, this grew by 9.38 per cent from the figure reported in Q4 2022 which was 5.13 million,” the report read.

Recently, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, declared that it would deduct N10,505,286,072 from the annual allowed revenues of the 11 power distribution companies during the next tariff review as part of sanctions over their non-compliance with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.

It stressed that the billing of unmetered customers in their various franchise areas for 2023 revealed non-compliance with the monthly energy caps issued by the commission.

The commission explained that the Discos would pay about 10 per cent of the amount they over-billed their customers between January and September 2023.

The regulator also ordered the Discos to refund the cheated customers in full and to ensure compliance in the future, stressing that to deter future occurrence, a 10 per cent fine had been imposed on the utilities.

Since the start of this year, Nigerians have grappled with intermittent power supply, which has adversely impacted businesses and households, prompting numerous individuals and firms to seek alternative sources of energy.

The poor power supply situation was worsened by the fuel subsidy removal of June 2023, with the jump  of the average pump price of petrol from N238.11 per litre to over N600 per litre.

 

 

This demand for power has been exacerbated by a succession of heat waves, amplifying the environmental and health-related challenges.

Last week, authorities in public and private hospitals lamented the poor power supply situation amid the high cost of diesel in the country, noting that the poor power supply was affecting healthcare delivery.

On February 2, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu in a post on X formerly Twitter attributed the main cause of poor power supply in the country to the low supply of gas to generating companies.

He said the poor supply had impacted the quantum of bulk power available on the transmission grid for onward transmission to the distribution load centres nationwide.

“I had crucial discussions with power Generating companies and Distribution companies to address the ongoing issue of blackouts in parts of our country. After investigations, it’s clear that the main cause of poor power supply is the low supply of gas to GenCos,” Mr Adelabu said.

To stem the tide, the Federal Government had threatened to revoke the licences of power Distribution Companies over persistent poor power supply across the country, but the situation has not changed much.

The situation is partially attributed to the over $1bn indebtedness to gas producers who provide the gas required for running thermal gas-fired power plants amid the collapse of the national grid.

Consumers kick

Commenting on the report released by the NBS on Monday, the National Secretary, Nigeria Electricity Consumer Advocacy Network, Uket Obonga, said the Discos made money in 2023 as result of policies initiated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

These policies, according to Obonga, benefitted the Discos more, but did not increase power supply to consumers, adding that the Discos also failed to improve their networks in order to serve their customers better.

“They are making money and smiling but they have not expanded their network to meet the demands of customers. What is giving them money is the Service Based Tariff that was initiated by NERC, which is questionable; another is the Performance Improvement Plan, which again is questionable.

“On SBT, you are aware that since this year, no consumer can comfortably say he or she has received up to eight hours of supply in a day. Many consumers suffered the same thing last year.’’

“Now, you have over 60 per cent of unmetered customers and the Discos will bring bills to these customers whether these Discos supplied power or not to the power users. And they will still harass customers with threats of disconnection if the customers fail to pay.

“And the regulator of the sector has not done anything concrete to address this. So tell me, why won’t the Discos make money? They are making money by distributing darkness,” the NECAN secretary stated.

 

 

Obonga called for sanctions against Discos that fail to meter their customers, stressing that had it been most consumers were metered, it would be difficult for the power distributors to defraud their customers with estimated bills.

Discos sanctioned

“The NERC recently revealed how the Discos overbilled their customers over a certain period of time and declared that the power firms would make refunds. That declaration should be enforced,” he stated.

 

@Punchng

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A LIFE LOST, A NATION WOUNDED: NAPS DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR STUDENT KILLED BY RECKLESS POLICE FIRE

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NAPS National Convention: Polytechnic Students Call for Reforms, Elect New Leaders

A LIFE LOST, A NATION WOUNDED: NAPS DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR STUDENT KILLED BY RECKLESS POLICE FIRE

With a heart weighed down by grief and outrage, I, Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, President of the Senate, National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), issue this statement to vehemently condemn the senseless killing of a young, innocent student by a reckless officer of the Nigeria Police Force in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to eyewitness reports, officers pursuing a vehicle along Gbagi Market Road opened fire indiscriminately. A stray bullet struck a student who was calmly seated in his father’s car. This young boy, en route to sit for his WAEC examination alongside his twin brother, was rushed to Welfare Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival (DOA).

This was not just a bullet—it was a bullet that pierced a family’s heart, shattered the dreams of a generation, and struck at the very soul of our nation. That boy had a future, a purpose, and a vision—but now, his life has been unjustly cut short.

Instead of providing protection, the Nigeria Police Force has once again inflicted pain. Instead of offering security, we are handed death in the form of stray bullets. This senseless act of violence has plunged another Nigerian family into irreparable sorrow.

We are devastated. We are enraged. We refuse to remain silent.

On behalf of over 20.1 million Nigerian Polytechnic Students represented by NAPS, I demand the following:

Immediate identification and arrest of the police officer responsible.

Transparent, public prosecution—no secret trials, no cover-ups.

State-funded compensation and formal apology to the bereaved family.

Urgent reform of police engagement protocols, especially the use of firearms in populated areas.

Declaration of all school zones as firearm-free zones for any police operations involving chases or conflict.

We will no longer accept deaths disguised as “mistakes.” We will not condone reckless policing dressed in the cloak of duty. We will resist the normalization of brutality against students and young Nigerians.

If justice is not served immediately, we will not hesitate to mobilize nationwide peaceful protests that will echo through every corner of this country. We will stand still until justice moves.

Enough is enough.
We demand justice for the slain boy.
We demand a Nigeria where every child, student, and youth can live and learn without fear.

Signed,
Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide
President of the Senate
National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS)

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IGBOS HEROES FOUNDATION’S NATIONAL COORDINATOR CHINEDU NSOFOR REJECTS UMAHI’S CLAIMS, LISTS SOUTHEAST DEMANDS

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IGBOS HEROES FOUNDATION’S NATIONAL COORDINATOR CHINEDU NSOFOR REJECTS UMAHI’S CLAIMS, LISTS SOUTHEAST DEMANDS

BY
Joseph Monday

Owerri, Imo State, May 21, 2025 – The Igbo Heroes Foundation has issued a stern rebuke of recent remarks made by the Minister of Works Senator David Umahi, describing his comments as “a gross misrepresentation” of the collective aspirations of the Igbo nation. In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the Foundation’s National Coordinator, Chinedu Nsofor, said Umahi lacked the mandate to speak onbehalf of Ndigbo on such crucial matters.

“Who is Senator Dave Umahi to articulate the needs and demands of the Igbo nation in such a myopic nature?” Nsofor asked pointedly. “Why would he equate a few infrastructural projects executed through his office as constituting the actual needs of the entire Igbo nation across all sectors of national development? This is a dangerous oversimplification and a betrayal of the larger Igbo agenda.” He further lamented what he described as a trend where certain leaders use their privileged access to the federal government to suppress genuine agitation and trade the interests of the region for personal and political gain.

Nsofor, who served as Special Assistant to the late Igbo elder statesman and former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR, emphasized that the current generation of leaders, such as Umahi, have deviated sharply from the vision of their predecessors. “Our great leader, Chief Iwuanyanwu, was among the few who truly articulated the developmental needs of Ndigbo. His generation believed in equity, justice, and holistic development, not political tokenism,” Nsofor said. “We at the Igbo Heroes Foundation, where Chief Iwuanyanwu served as our founding chairman, cannot sit and watch his legacies and all he fought for be exchanged for cheap political rewards.”

The Foundation insists that the demands of the Southeast region are longstanding and non-negotiable. “For the avoidance of doubt, what the Igbos want has always been clear,” Nsofor said. “We demand for Igbo presidency; since no Igbo man has been President of Nigeria or head of state since after 1966, we demand for the creation of an additional state to bring the Southeast in line with other zones, the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu for peace to return to the region, and the inclusion of the Southeast in the national security council.” He also reiterated the region’s long-held call for the restructuring of Nigeria to allow each region develop at its own pace, and for the implementation of rotational presidency to promote equity and national unity. He cited several previous positions by prominent Igbo leaders in favor of restructuring and warned that ignoring these demands would only deepen national disunity.

Reacting to Umahi’s recent comments and the proposed Southeast Summit being reportedly convened by him, Nsofor described it as an “alleged gathering of selfish leaders poised to mortgage the collective aspirations of the Igbo people.” He stated, “Such a summit is unacceptable to us. The Igbo Heroes Foundation and indeed all true sons and daughters of Igbo land must reject attempts to dilute our collective struggle with staged narratives for political convenience.” He further alleged that “Umahi and his associates are attempting to scuttle the Igbo agenda for the sake of what they are personally benefiting from the Tinubu government. We are not against anyone serving in government, but no one should attempt to sell off the soul of Alaigbo for appointments.”

Nsofor admitted that Senator Umahi may be one of the most performing ministers in the current administration but warned against using performance as a license to distort Igbo demands. “Performance does not give you the right to betray your people,” he said. “Even the Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani nations do not compromise their regional interests because a few individuals are appointed to government positions. Instead, they use such platforms to further project their collective agenda. Why should the Igbo situation be different? Are we really cursed in Alaigbo?”

He concluded by urging all Igbo political office holders, across party lines, to prioritize the regional interest above individual gains. “Let Senator Umahi face his job and use his office to advance the Igbo cause, not undermine it. That is what is expected of every well-meaning son or daughter of Alaigbo. The Igbo Heroes Foundation remains committed to protecting the legacies of great leaders like Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu CFR and upholding the true demands of our people.”

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Testimonies Galore As Apostle Suleman Ends Two-Day ‘Recovery Conference’ in Canada

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Testimonies Galore As Apostle Suleman Ends Two-Day ‘Recovery Conference’ in Canada

 

As the powerful ‘Recovery Conference’ gathering enters its second and final day today, Wednesday 21st of May, 2025, in Ottawa, Canada, hundreds of believers are already testifying and bearing witnesses to God’s work in their lives. In a world where young people and adults alike are dying for something to live for, the powerful sermons and prayers from the General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM), Apostle Johnson Suleman are bearing testaments that are like water in the desert that brings life to parched souls.

The world is thirsty for spiritual fulfillment and long for tangible signs of God’s power. The world yearns for men of God with a mark of authenticity, truth, and a deeper connection with the divine, and it hopes for miracles to address suffering and hardship. At Apostle Suleman’s Canada conference, participants shared their stories about finding Jesus, experiencing God’s grace, and growing in faith. They testified to God’s presence through crisis, and about how God’s love has overwhelmed them. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they declared that God used Apostle Suleman to reveal that He has been active in their lives.

Rev & Pastor (Mrs.) Daniels from Umuahia appreciates God for blessing them with miracle money, giving them a pay rise as well as reviving the work in their hands. Kehinde from Ibadan is grateful to God for fighting his silent battles. Joyce from Delta State thanks God for divine healing. Mercy Gabriel from France gives praises to God for healing her husband of stomach ache and rib pain. A participant was healed of ulcer after listening to the servant of God’s prayers. Many appreciate God for financial blessings. Prosper from Moscow, Russia, appreciates God for granting the wife a safe delivery. Sewa Naomi Seete, a member of the OFM in Gaborone, Botswana, is grateful to God for helping him recover his missing passport. Kelvin from Cameroon is thanking God for supernatural healing. A participant thanks God for deliverance from bed wetting.

“Sharing our testimony not only exposes God’s heart on the matter, but it also shows how He feels about us. Indeed, God’s love is further demonstrated by our testimony,” noted the ‘Restoration Apostle’, suggesting that when we truly believe that God is working all things for our good, we begin to experience the relentless love of God pursuing us over every mountain and valley.

Chioma from the US appreciates God for preservation of her job as well as vindicating her from all accusations at work. Shadrach Johnson from Cameroon thanks God for delivering him from addiction to drugs and smoking. Neba Boris Che from Douala, Cameroon, thanks God for providing a good accommodation for him as well as making provisions available for him. Gladys from Benin is thanking God for deliverance as well as restoration of her marriage. Osato from the US is grateful to God for granting her examination success. Edith from Germany appreciates God for granting her request of German citizenship. Comfort from Lagos thanks God for helping her graduate from fashion school. Miriam Chioma Ikechukwu from Togo is grateful to God for divine healing. Litonga Benjamin Ikome from Limbe, Cameroon is thanking God for blessing him with a job. Maidah Audu from Auchi praises God for the salvation of her soul.

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