Tinubu to Nigerians: 'Don't – Tinubu to Nigerians: 'Don't…

Tinubu to Nigerians: 'Don't – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cautioned Nigerians against expecting an immediate solution to the country’s electricity crisis, highlighting the challenges posed by the outdated power infrastructure.

Speaking during a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, December 11, Tinubu described the national power grid as severely aged, with some transmission lines dating back 50 to 60 years.

His comments came amidst growing frustration over Nigeria’s 12th national grid collapse in 2024.

“Nigeria, being a nation in a hurry, wants a magical response,” Tinubu remarked. “But don’t forget, those transmission lines are about 50 to 60 years old. The snags are what we are trying to improve and reduce the possibility of problems.”

The President acknowledged Siemens Energy’s ongoing efforts to address the crisis under a Nigeria-Germany partnership. However, he stressed the need for comprehensive reforms to modernise the power infrastructure.

“I’ve signed a reform that decentralised the power distribution and generation in the country,” he revealed, adding that states and sub-nationals are already working to generate their own electricity.

Tinubu also urged the adoption of alternative energy sources to diversify Nigeria’s energy mix.

“We need to encourage the deployment of alternative energy to address these challenges,” he said, emphasising collaboration to mitigate future grid failures.

The President’s remarks reflect the federal government’s broader push to decentralise power generation and encourage localised energy solutions, even as citizens demand urgent relief from chronic blackouts.

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Adelabu confirms FG's crucial – Adelabu confirms FG's crucial…

Adelabu confirms FG's crucial – Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Minister…

Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, says the Federal Government is collaborating with the Republic of Germany to enhance electricity supply in the country.

The Minister made this statement while briefing State House Correspondents after a bilateral meeting between President Bola Tinubu and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday in Abuja.

“The name of the game now is cooperation, collaboration, and partnership.

“The flagship of this bilateral relationship is the Presidential Power Initiative, with Siemens implementing both the Brownfield and Greenfield transmission substations,” Adelabu said.

He added that since the signing of the agreement in Dubai at COP 28 in December 2023, significant progress has been made.

“The pilot phase of the project, which is 80 per cent complete, involves the importation, installation, and commissioning of 10 power transformers and 10 power mobile substations,” he explained.

Adelabu noted that this development had added 750 megawatts to Nigeria’s transmission grid capacity, which had contributed to the relative stability seen in the grid.

“We expect an additional 150 megawatts capacity to be added upon the completion of the entire pilot phase by the end of the year.

“The first phase of the project includes the rehabilitation of 14 existing (brownfield) substations and the establishment of 23 new Greenfield substations across the country,” he said.

Additionally, Adelabu discussed the focus on renewable energy as the way forward for Nigeria.

“We have an energy transition plan aiming for net-zero emissions by 2060. To achieve this, we must collaborate and partner,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of working with countries like Germany, which has the necessary technology.

“We have the sun. Over 30 states in Nigeria experience a minimum of 10 hours of sunshine daily. Germany has the technology.

“We also have wind energy, desert wind up north and coastal wind-down south,” Adelabu explained.

He also noted that the new highway from Lagos to Calabar was opening up opportunities for offshore wind energy across the nine coastal states.

Adelabu further highlighted that the new road from Badagry to Sokoto would provide better access to hydroelectric power plants, mentioning that Nigeria has over 300 dams that have not been utilised for hydroelectric power due to poor access.

“Many of these dams will also be opened up,” he added.

He said that the German International Agency for Development was supporting Nigeria’s grid extension and renewable energy initiatives.

He also noted that numerous German companies and private investors were ready to invest in Nigeria’s renewable energy sectors, including solar, wind, and hydropower.

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If I was an – If I was an…

If I was an – Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has noted that politics is about meeting people’s needs irrespective of whom they pledge their loyalties or allegiances to.

The Governor disclosed this while inaugurating Okocha Road in Rumuolumeni community, Obio Akpor Local Government Area (LGA).

His predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, not only hails from Obio Akpor but also served as the chairman of the LGA for two terms.

ALSO READ: Gov Fubara, judges at risk of UK, US visa ban amid Rivers crisis

Recall that Wike and Fubara are engulfed in a supremacy battle over the political structure of the oil-rich state.

Fubara advises politicians

But, speaking at the inauguration, the Governor said politics should not be about alienating non-supporters from benefitting from government programmes.

He urged politicians to desist from restricting politics and its associated benefits to satisfying private or sectional interests.

“My advice is: politics is not all about who is supporting you or who is against you. Politics should also include attending to the needs of the people.

“At this time, if I was an evil person, I would say, ‘I wouldn’t come here’, considering the nature and the location of this place.

“But, because it is our duty in government to provide services, and protect lives and property, we have to come to make sure that our people here are happy.

“It is not about me. It is about the government. The government should be caring. The purpose of the government is to put smiles on the faces of our people.

“We needed to do everything to make sure that we were very comfortable in my own election. The people of this community are major visitors, and this community has a very big voting strength.

“Our supporters, at that time, approached them, spoke to them, and they saw reasons to support us in our election. So, what I am doing here today is to say ‘thank you’ for believing in us.

“Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for also standing by us. The little we can do is to make your lives better, which is why this road is very significant to us because it removes tears from the faces of the people living here.

“It was a terrible road. The living conditions here were unimaginable, but to the glory of God today, those things are now history. You can see joy on the faces of the people here.

“Moreover, the residents who are majorly non-indigenes are also happy,” Fubara said.

Fubara promises more projects in Wike’s LGA

The Governor assured that his administration will attend to other requests of the community as presented by the LGA Chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo.

“We are not ending there. We are already at the roofing stage of what will be the first General Hospital in Obio Akpor Local Government.

“You also have a modern Psychiatric Hospital to address issues of mental illness, and drug abuse and provide other services that will be available there.

“So, you can see that our projects are not limited to roads, but to other things that will bring better life to our people,” he added.

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