By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has signed the Abia State Electricity Bill into law, setting the stage for a new era of energy regulation, investment protection, and power expansion in the state.

Speaking after signing the bill into law in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, Otti said the legislation, which emanated from the Executive, received swift but thorough passage by the Abia House of Assembly.

“This law will ensure that we protect the investments made by Aba Power while granting the government the latitude to regulate.

“It is a document that will stand the test of time, protecting existing and prospective investors in the energy sector,” he said.

The governor said the bill benefited from the expertise of 15 international power experts from the United States, Canada, Southeast Asia, and Europe, who contributed pro bono.

He added that the state engaged Banwo & Ighodalo, a top-tier Nigerian law firm, to refine the legal framework of the bill before it was signed into law.

According to him, Abia has a unique electricity framework, with a ring-fenced power system that covers Aba South, Aba North, Osisioma, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Isiala Ngwa South and Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Areas.

He said the state has Aba Power Ltd., an independent integrated power initiative, covering generation, transmission, and distribution, which had been in development for two decades.

The governor said the integrated power initiative now stands as a model for power infrastructure in Nigeria.

Otti said with the law in place, the government had started making efforts to integrate the remaining eight LGAs of Abia into a new Umuahia Ring-Fence, ensuring stable electricity across the state.

He said the legislation prioritises renewable energy solutions, positioning Abia as a leader in sustainable power initiatives.

Otti disclosed that discussions were underway with Geometric Power, the parent company of Aba Power Ltd., to expand electricity distribution beyond Aba.

He added that plans were underway to establish the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) to ensure that the sector remains efficient and investor-friendly.

Otti commended the 8th Abia State House of Assembly for its diligence and expertise in reviewing and passing the bill.

He said the law had positioned the state as a choice destination for private investment in power generation, ensuring a more stable and efficient electricity supply for businesses and residents.

Otti also hinted at the potential for Abia to supply electricity to other Southeastern states, generating additional revenue for the state.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, said that power plays a vital role in the achievement of development strides in the state.

Emeruwa said: “We understand the rebuilding agenda of the present administration that is why we are working hand in glove with the Executive arm of the government.”

Also, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utility, Mr Ikechukwu Monday, said the law would be aimed at creating a robust and reliable power market in the state.

Monday said the law, which aligns with the Electricity Act 2023, would enable Abia to establish its own regulatory framework and attract investment in the power sector.

He described the legislation as a product of extensive collaboration with global stakeholders and experts, tailored to the unique electricity ecosystem of Abia.

“Notably, Abia is one of the few states in Nigeria with a ring-fenced power zone covering nine local government areas, allowing for off-grid operations.

“Additionally, the state hosts two distribution companies: Aba Power Ltd. and Enugu Electricity Distribution Company,” he said.

He noted that the law had been designed to promote local participation and manpower development in the power sector.

“Abia people are highly skilled, and this law ensures that we build the capacity needed to support not just the state’s power industry but also contribute to the global energy workforce,” he said.

He added that the law addresses critical issues such as vandalism, energy theft, and investment security, which have long hindered power sector growth.

Monday also said that it makes clear provisions for investor protection, as the government hopes to create a more attractive business environment for local and foreign stakeholders.

He said the legislation incorporates gender mainstreaming, ensuring inclusivity and diversity in Abia’s power sector in line with global best practices.

Monday said that ASERA would oversee the implementation of the new electricity market framework and the process of setting the agency would be completed within the next six to twelve months.

“This authority will be responsible for driving the development of Abia’s electricity market, ensuring compliance with regulations, and facilitating investment in the sector,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Oluwatope Lawanson/Stellamaris Ashinze

The Lagos State Government on Thursday launched MyLagos App, a digital platform designed to simplify city navigation and enrich urban experience.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said at the launch of the platform at MTN Plaza, Falomo, Ikoyi, that Lagos remained a beacon of innovation and excellence.

The governor was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MyLagos App is developed by the state government in collaboration with MTN Nigeria and other key stakeholders.

Sanwo-Olu said that the launch was a significant milestone in the efforts of Lagos to become a leading smart city in Africa.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the app is a comprehensive digital solution that provides seamless access to essential city services, including real-time traffic updates, personalised navigation, emergency services, utility payment services, business listings, and tourism information.

He said that the app served as a vital link between the government and the state residents, promoting transparency and accountability.

“Technology has evolved from being a luxury to being a necessity.

“In our fast-paced world, effectively utilising technology can significantly enhance governance, improve service delivery, simplify and enrich the lives of every resident in this vibrant state.

“With the launch of the MyLagos App, Lagos State is poised to remain at the forefront of digital transformation, not just in Nigeria but across Africa,” he said.

The governor commended the collaboration between MTN, the Lagos State Government, and other key stakeholders for bringing the vision to reality.

He said that the partnership exemplified the power of synergy between public and private sectors in driving meaningful progress.

He urged the state residents to embrace the digital era by downloading MyLagos App.

He also implored them to explore its features and fully utilise the services it offered.

“Together, we can shape a smarter future for our city. Let us remember that innovation is a continuous journey rather than a final destination.”

Mr Abdulhakeem Giwa, Manager, MTN Digital Channel Management, described the app as revolutionary.

Giwa said that MyLagos App was designed to transform urban experience in Lagos.

According to him, it is designed to enhance quality of life and give real-time solution.

“It ensures navigation is better and easier for all residents.

“MyLagos App is a one-stop platform where you can get all the needed information in Lagos including locations of places, traffic updates, markets and business locations, among others,” he said. NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) says it is carrying out a study on the feasibility and viability of introducing biogas into the Lagos State transportation system.

The Technical Adviser, Planning, LAMATA, Mr Osa Konyeha, said that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu was interested in the project and had inaugurated a steering committee to drive it.

According to him, the project is making headway and the authority is looking at the necessary regulatory and legal framework to support it.

Konyeha said that the project would attract private sector participation in the value chain for the development of biogas.

“With regard to what we are doing with biogas, we recognise of late that there are a lot of issues with availability of fuel. This has led to price increase in petrol and has impacted the availability of buses and services that we run.

“As a result, LAMATA has made conscious decisions to be a multifold agency.

“We are looking at not just electric buses, compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, but other forms of cleaner energy, and this led us to biogas.

“Specially, we have conducted a study that looks at the viability of the use of biogas in Lagos.

“The study showed that with the amount of waste we have in Lagos, it is indeed feasible and viable to have biogas as a means of fuelling our public transport or regulated service,” Konyeha said.

He said that the authority was looking at the challenges that would be faced in harnessing the biogas industry, one of it being the legal and regulatory framework.

The technical adviser said that LAMATA was working with consultants to review its policies and the necessary instrument that would engender interest from the private sector to participate.

“We are looking at capacity building for stakeholders within the sector, because this is very new to us.

“We want to make sure that all stakeholders from the energy, procurement sector, legal side of things, everyone has got the necessary capacity to ensure we have a sustainable biogas production system, that will help public transportation operations,” he said.

Konyeha said that another challenge was how to make the buses compliant, adding that LAMATA had introduced the use of CNG and had made provision for 2,000 CNG buses.

“Another challenge has to do with technology, to ensure that the retrofitted buses are compatible with the technology that the biogas will need,” he said.

The technical adviser said that the authority was gathering data from other countries that had implemented such, like Côte d’Ivoire, partnering with them to understand the challenges they faced.

He said that on the economic viability, it would ensure that the value chain was financially feasible and viable, and that all stakeholders are comfortable with the chain.

“We will ensure that there is public acceptance, the Lagos residents will accept and adopt the biogas buses operation in the state.

“We are running campaigns, raising awareness on the benefits of biogas,” Konyeha said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Christiana Fadare

By Okon Okon

The Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) has commended the management of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) for enhancing service delivery to its customers.

SERVICOM National Coordinator, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, made the commendation at the presentation of the 2024 Service Compliance Evaluation (SCE) Report on 16 branches of the bank, held at its headquarters in Abuja.

The evaluation aims to identify service delivery gaps and recommend improvements to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to enhance customer satisfaction and accountability.

Akajemeli noted that a comparison between FMBN’s 2021 assessment and the 2024 findings revealed significant progress in service delivery.

“FMBN was selected for evaluation to assess its current state of service delivery.

“In 2021, 17 locations, including the headquarters, were assessed for compliance with the SERVICOM index.

“To expand the sample, 16 additional state branches were evaluated in 2024,” she stated.

She explained that the evaluation involved customer interviews, discussions with developers, contributors, State Civil Service Commissions, management, staff, and partners, as well as a review of key FMBN documents and its website.

Citing the states of Abia and Osun as examples, she noted that these branches had the highest number of subscribers from the informal sector, who registered as cooperative societies to access housing units.

“In Osun, the bank has increased access to its services by introducing the Diaspora Loan for those in the informal sector.  This shows some innovation in its service delivery process.”

However, she highlighted certain challenges, particularly inadequate oversight of developers at the state level.

“Some developers used their own funds to construct estates and subsequently raised housing prices to recover costs.

“This has made it difficult for civil servants in states like Abia to afford homes, leading to losses, as seen in the SLOGANI Estate case.

“Customers in Asaba, Benin, Ekiti, Ilorin, Osun, and Ondo also raised concerns over the high prices of FMBN-funded houses, particularly under the Rent-to-Own (RTO) product, which they found unaffordable.

“Some customers in Umuahia, Awka, Uyo, Yenagoa, Asaba, Abakaliki, Benin, and Ekiti complained that there was delay in payment of Home Renovation Loans (HRL) and refunds by the bank.

“Thus, customers are losing confidence in the scheme and threatened to pull out due to delays and high cost of materials occasioned by inflation.

“This has depreciated the value of the loan when eventually disbursed.”

To address these issues, Akajemeli recommended that FMBN decentralise decision-making on loan disbursements at the state level to ensure timely service delivery.

She also urged the bank to establish clear pricing guidelines and closely monitor fund disbursement to prevent arbitrary price increases by developers.

In response, FMBN Managing Director, Mr Shehu Osidi, praised SERVICOM for its comprehensive evaluation.

“I am very excited about this report. Your team has demonstrated an in-depth understanding of our operations, and I appreciate the wide coverage,” Osidi said.

He assured that FMBN would address the identified gaps and further enhance its service delivery.

Osidi also took the opportunity to launch the FMBN Customer Care Policy, which outlined clear guidelines for staff and customers to ensure consistent and professional interactions with the public, in line with the bank’s vision of delivering exceptional service.

“The customer care mandate is also driven by the 4th pillar of the bank’s 5-year strategic plan, enhancement of customer experience, improvement in customer service delivery directly translates to enhance customer experience,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

By Yetunde Fatungase

Gov. Dapo Abiodun has issued a stern warning to commercial vehicle operators within the state to refrain from transporting flammable materials in their vehicles to ensure passengers’ safety.

The governor’s warning followed a tragic incident involving a commercial vehicle near the Muhammadu Buhari Estate on the Abeokuta-Sagamu Interchange Expressway.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accident which occurred on Tuesday claimed the lives of 16 persons.

The vehicle, a white Mazda bus with registration number KJA949YJ was reportedly carrying a filled gas cylinder which exploded, leading to a fire outbreak.

The governor, in a statement in Abeokuta by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, said the accident was preventable.

He stressed the need for stringent handling and transportation protocols regarding highly flammable substances, including gas and petroleum products.

“It is the responsibility of the two major transport unions — the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to their members and the general public,” the governor said.

He called on the two bodies to educate their members on the dangers associated with the transportation of hazardous materials.

“This is vital in fostering a culture of safety and responsibility among commercial drivers,” Gov. Abiodun said.

He underscored the importance of community vigilance and adherence to safety regulations in preventing such tragedies in the future.

“This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers linked to the transportation of flammable materials.

“As we grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy, it is essential for all stakeholders —drivers, unions and regulatory bodies, to work collaboratively towards ensuring that such incidents do not recur.

“The safety of passengers must remain paramount and all necessary measures should be taken to protect lives on the roads.

“Only through collective efforts and a commitment to best practices can the state hope to minimise the risks associated with the transportation of dangerous goods,” Abiodun said.

He expressed his sympathy for the families of the victims, praying for divine comfort and strength to help them cope with their irreplaceable losses. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawale Alabi

By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday launched the completed and ongoing 24km section, alongside the upcoming 48km section of the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway.

This includes Section One and the Lagos-Sagamu route in Lagos and Ogun, Phase Two.

Tinubu highlighted the importance of road infrastructure for socio-economic development.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the country’s transport network to enhance mobility and economic growth.

The President stated: “There is no doubt that road infrastructure plays a fundamental role in the socio-economic development of any nation.”

Quoting Norman Foster, he added: “Infrastructure is much more than roads and bridges; it is the foundation that sustains economic growth, facilitates mobility, and enhances the quality of life.”

He stressed his administration’s commitment to linking rural roads to urban centres, commercial hubs, and industrial corridors to maximise the nation’s resources and mineral deposits.

Tinubu, represented by Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said: “This strategic approach aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We are committed to rebuilding, expanding and modernising our national road networks, railways and airports, all vital to economic prosperity.”

He praised the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, for his dedication. He described Umahi as “the actualiser of our vision on road infrastructure” and “a right fit for purpose.”

Umahi noted that the President, represented by the Ogun Governor, will inaugurate both the completed/ongoing 24km section and the upcoming 48km section, ensuring momentum in spite of incomplete procurement.

He confirmed that palliative work had been undertaken as temporary repairs. “What we are doing today is part of the Lagos-Ibadan project, Phase Two,” he said.

Umahi outlined key components, including the Ogun River, Marlboro underpass, Wawa underpass, Arepo underpass, Sagamu-Iperu (24km), RCC Church interchange, two flyovers, and five pedestrian bridges.

“The next phase, which the representative of the President will flag off, is 48km by two, extending from Iperu to Ijebu Ode along the Sagamu-Ore route,” Umahi added.

He confirmed that the full 96km (48km by two) would be inaugurated, alongside completed palliative works, to maintain project continuity.

Umahi explained that the second part of the 48km stretch (Iperu to Ijebu Ode) faced a procurement issue. The process was flawed and required resubmission to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) with a 30-day turnaround.

“The second leg of Phase Two, Section Two, of Lagos-Ibadan was wrongly procured. I directed its resubmission to the BPP, and in 30 days, work will commence.

“The Governor of Ogun, representing the President, will flag off both phases, even though Phase Two is not fully procured. In 15 days, the project will be awarded.

“It is better to flag off both today from Iperu, where the first 24km stops, to Ijebu Ode,” he said.

Umahi thanked the governor for his support and emphasised the project’s national significance. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo