…Bayelsa, Most Climate Impacted State, Says Gov Diri, Welcomes New GOC

The Bayelsa State Executive Council has approved the purchase of 60 megawatts gas turbines to boost electricity supply in the state.

The state cabinet gave the approval during its 151st meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.

Briefing the press after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai and her Ministry of Power counterpart, Engr. Kharin Komuko, said the project would ensure constant power supply and prevent a repeat of the recent long period of power outage the state was plunged into by vandals.

According to the Power Commissioner, arrangement for purchase of the gas turbine was over 70 per cent concluded and that the installation would be completed before end of this year.

This was contained in a statement by Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah on Thursday adding that the Power commissioner said the frequent incidents of vandalism of power facilities was a sabotage.

He said: “Exco approved the purchase of gas turbines with a combined capacity of 60 megawatts that will serve Yenagoa and environs.”

His Information Commissioner counterpart added: “Approval was given expressly for the purchase of the turbines. That is to say, hopefully, before the end of this year, Bayelsans will begin to enjoy uninterrupted power supply.

“I believe this is a good one for us as a state as it will boost our economy and attract more investors.”

She further disclosed that council approved the use of the state-owned luxury buses to convey commuters to the new transport terminal at Igbogene at a reduced fare to cushion the effect of the hike in fares by commercial transporters.

Her Ministry of Transport counterpart, Preye Brodrick, also revealed that council approved the building of bus stops at designated areas as part of the urban renewal drive of the administration.

Brodrick, who stated that there was noticeable sanity on the roads in the state capital due to the relocation of private commercial transporters to the new terminal, appealed to commuters and Bayelsans to support and patronise the terminal despite the challenges.

In another development, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, described the state as the most climate impacted in the country.

Governor Diri stated this in his office when he received a delegation from the National Climate Change Secretariat led by the Director General, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe.

He said issues about climate change were dear to the state due to the heavy impact it has had on Bayelsa.

The governor urged the Climate Change team to explore the mangroves of the state by visiting not only Nembe but also include other local government areas, especially Brass, Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor, saying it was the best way to appreciate the Bayelsa situation.

He said his administration will partner with the Climate Change Secretariat on issues affecting the state, stressing that there was so much the state and the agency can achieve working together.

The state’s helmsman also said the government will study the Climate Change Act and adapt it to the circumstances of the state before domesticating it.

Diri appealed to the secretariat not to shortchange the state but ensure it got its due.

His words: “We hold this visit dearly because we are in an area you can say we are number one on the effect of climate change in Nigeria. So, we will work with you and collaborate with you.

“There is so much we can do together. The laws are important but we would not just adopt the Climate Change Act. We will look at it and adapt it to our circumstances.

“Bayelsa is at the centre of flooding, oil exploration and coastal erosion. So on everything about climate change and carbon credit, Bayelsa is your number one state.”

Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Climate Change Secretariat, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, said the team was in Bayelsa to examine its mangrove given that the mangroves in the Niger Delta region had been identified as the largest in Africa.

She said the visit was necessary to be able to identify areas the state can be given the necessary support.

She appealed to Bayelsa to adopt the climate change law, assuring that the agency was willing to work with the state to tackle issues associated with climate change.

Also, on Wednesday, Governor Diri received the new General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, urging him to take a cue from his predecessor who shielded himself from political affiliations.

He said his predecessor demonstrated a high level of professionalism during the November 2023 governorship election in the state where the military ensured adequate security for the poll to be adjudged one of the freest in the state.

He expressed the belief that going by the record of service of the new GOC available to him, he would uphold the standard already laid in the division and to portray the army in good light.

Diri assured that the state government will give the new GOC the necessary support to ensure he delivers on his assignment.

In his remarks, Major-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah said the visit was to formally introduce himself as the new head of the military joint task force covering Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.

The new GOC thanked the governor for his support to the Nigerian Army and the cordial environment in the state for the army to operate.

He promised to diligently discharge his assignment as well as partner the security advisers to the governor to achieve his objectives.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to focus on issues that border on the region’s development in its advocacy as a voice of the region.

Senator Diri gave the admonition on Wednesday when a delegation of PANDEF led by its new chairman, Amb. Godknows Igali, paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.

He expressed his administration’s commitment to collaborate with the forum to address issues of development bedevilling the Niger Delta region.

The Bayelsa governor stressed that PANDEF needed the collaboration of governors of the region as well as interventionist agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the proposed South South Development Commission in order for it to succeed.

His words: “PANDEF ought to play a key advocacy role in supporting the South-South Governors Forum. It was a divine arrangement that your meeting in Bayelsa coincided with the just concluded governors meeting.

“We must take issues of our development in our hands before waiting to seek external help. That is why in Bayelsa we are showing the example.”

Diri, who emerged as the new chairman of the South-South Governors Forum on Tuesday, said he would create a desk and assign an official to interface with PANDEF.

The Bayelsa helmsman stated that he had informed his counterparts in the South-South on the need to collaborate to establish a power project for the zone in order to attract investments.

On his administration’s part, he highlighted efforts aimed at facilitating the procurement of an independent power plant to enhance socio-economic activities.

The governor also spoke about infrastructure development to make communities accessible, noting that the ongoing central senatorial road leading to Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, would be completed and inaugurated before the end of this year.

According to him, “we are now building a bridge across River Nun to the headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area that has produced so much crude oil for this country but abandoned because they said the terrain was difficult.

“Now we are proving to them that the terrain can be conquered and that bridge will be ready for commissioning by the end of this year. So we will drive to Oporoma by the end of this year.”

In his remarks, Chairman of PANDEF, Amb. Godknows Igali, affirmed the forum’s support to the South-South Governors Forum to help reposition the body to bring about development and address issues such as fiscal federalism.

He said PANDEF as a voice for the people of the Niger Delta was being strengthened to be heard like other regional groups in the country and to participate in national discourse and relate outcomes to leaders of the region.

Amb. Igali said the body would set up a number of strategic working groups of experts in various fields and study the outcomes with a view to presenting them to the BRACED (an acronym for Bayelsa Rivers Akwa-Ibom Cross River Edo Delta) Commission.

While calling for political support for PANDEF, he congratulated Diri on his emergence as chairman of the South-South Governors Forum.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Civil Service Commission, has announced the commencement of recruitment into various positions within the Federal Civil Service, News360 Nigeria reports.

In a statement on Monday by the FCSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, he disclosed that interested and eligible Nigerians can apply for the available positions through the commission’s official recruitment portal.

He stated that applicants are to apply for only one position.

The statement read, “The Federal Civil Service Commission is receiving applications for various vacancies in the Federal Civil Service. The vacancy announcement is published on the commission’s website: www.fedcivilservice.gov.ng and in national newspapers.

“Eligible applicants are to apply for only one position via the application link: https://recruitment.fedcivilservice.gov.ng. Applicants who are physically challenged should state the nature of their disability.

“Applicants are to upload the following documents as applicable: I) Curriculum Vitae, II) Ph.D/Master’s Degree Certificate,
III) Degree/HND/NCE Certificate, IV) WAEC/NECO/NABTEB Certificate, V) Primary School Certificate, VI) NYSC discharge/exemption/exclusion certificate, VII) Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age, VIII) Local Government Identification
IX) Recent Passport photograph

“All applications are to be submitted on or before Monday, 10th March, 2025.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated a 15 megavolt-amperes (MVA) injection substation in Maiduguri, Borno State, highlighting the urgent need to protect Nigeria’s power infrastructure against vandalism.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at the College of Agriculture in Maiduguri, Shettima stressed the escalating attacks on power facilities, labeling the situation as an emergency. He called on security agencies and citizens to actively safeguard the country’s electricity infrastructure to prevent disruptions that have significant economic consequences.

“The widespread power outages experienced across Northern Nigeria last year due to acts of vandalism remind us of the fragility of our electricity infrastructure. This compels us to treat interventions in our national electricity infrastructure as an emergency,” the Vice President stated.

New Substation to Bolster Power Supply

The newly constructed facility, built by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), consists of a 1x15MVA, 33/11kV injection substation, a 0.1km 33kV line, 5km of 11kV lines, 5km of low-tension distribution networks, and three 500kVA distribution transformers.

According to Shettima, the substation will improve electricity supply in Maiduguri and its surrounding areas by enhancing voltage levels, reducing energy losses, and supporting critical economic activities.

“This project will stimulate economic growth, boost small and medium-scale enterprises, and support essential services. If we are truly committed to expanding industrial capacity and national productivity, electricity must remain a top priority,” he said.

A Call for Collective Action

As Chairman of the NDPHC, Shettima praised the company’s contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector, noting its role as the country’s largest power generation company by installed capacity. He emphasized the NDPHC’s efforts in building over 40% of Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure, which is currently managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Despite these achievements, Shettima acknowledged the power sector’s long-standing challenges, including insufficient generation capacity, outdated transmission infrastructure, and inadequate distribution networks. He assured Nigerians that addressing these obstacles remains a priority under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The Vice President urged the residents of Maiduguri to actively protect the new substation and other power facilities from vandalism, emphasizing that community involvement is crucial to sustaining progress in the power sector.

“Our collective responsibility to secure these facilities is vital to achieving our ambition of transforming the power sector and ensuring reliable electricity for all,” he concluded.

Transformative Potential for the Northeast

Shettima further emphasized the importance of increasing electricity generation closer to consumption points, particularly in the northeast, to improve grid stability and meet the region’s energy needs.

The Vice President’s remarks reflect the administration’s broader strategy to address Nigeria’s energy challenges and prioritize investments that drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life for citizens.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled updated guidelines to regulate the dwelling time for import and export consignments at port terminals. This initiative is part of efforts to reduce congestion, enhance clearance processes, and align with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy.

According to a statement by the Customs National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the guidelines are in compliance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.

Key Provisions of the New Guidelines

The updated rules mandate that:

1. Imported consignments must be cleared within 30 days after the discharge of the carrier or as specified by the NCS.
2. Section 149(1) of the NCSA empowers the Customs Service to set time limits for cargo clearance to streamline operations and reduce delays.

To further support efficient clearance:

After the 90-day window, the NCS may begin disposal processes for unclaimed consignments. However, the Service reserves the right to initiate disposal after the first 30 days if necessary.

Commitment to Efficiency and Transparency

Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized the NCS’s dedication to creating a transparent and efficient cargo clearance system that will ease port congestion and minimize legal disputes related to overtime cargo.

“This step reflects our resolve to enhance operations at Nigeria’s ports and support the government’s economic objectives by facilitating smoother trade operations,” [/b]Adeniyi stated.

[b]Stakeholder Engagement

The NCS has called on stakeholders to adhere to these new regulations to ensure seamless operations and contribute to the overall improvement of Nigeria’s port systems.

The new guidelines underscore the NCS’s commitment to enhancing efficiency, reducing delays, and bolstering economic activities in the country.

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to its citizens by 2030.

Tinubu made the declaration as he concluded his participation in the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he joined other African leaders to address the continent’s energy access challenges.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday.

The two-day summit, hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Union, African Development Bank, and the World Bank Group, culminated in the adoption of the Dar es Salaam Declaration.

The declaration sets a collective target for African nations to provide electricity to 300 million people by 2030.

In his speech, delivered by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s commitment to this goal, stressing that energy access would remain a top priority for his administration.

He called for a united, collaborative effort among African nations, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to ensure that all Africans have access to electricity in the next decade.

“Let us work together to create a brighter future for our citizens, where every African has access to reliable and affordable energy, where our industries thrive, and our economies grow,” Tinubu said.

The President seized the opportunity to highlight the strides Nigeria has made in improving its energy access, with the support of international partners.

He outlined several ongoing projects, including the $1.1 billion investment by AfDB that will provide electricity to 5 million Nigerians by 2026.

He also noted the $200 million Nigeria Electrification Project, aimed at electrifying 500,000 people by the end of 2025, and the planned investments in the Nigeria Desert to Power programme and the Nigeria-Grid Battery Energy Storage System.

“These initiatives represent our commitment to improving electricity access for our citizens, especially those in underserved areas. We are making tangible progress towards achieving our goal of providing electricity for all by 2030,” Tinubu said.

The President also emphasized Nigeria’s push towards renewable energy, highlighting the government’s efforts to establish an electric vehicle charging infrastructure powered by renewable energy.

This move, he said, is part of Nigeria’s broader commitment to sustainable energy solutions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

“Nigeria’s energy sector is growing, and we are incentivizing private sector investments to expand renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and bring electricity to those who need it the most,” he said.

Tinubu also underscored the importance of regional cooperation in achieving the energy access goal.

He pointed to the collaboration between the Nigerian government and key international development partners like AfDB, the World Bank, and the IFC, which have committed billions in funding for energy projects in Nigeria.