Finance
GENCOs Threaten to Shut Down Plants – Darkness Looms
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GENCOs – The Electricity Giant Provider Threatens to Shut Down
GENCOs – The country may be thrown into total darkness if power generation companies in the country carry out their threat to shut down plants over challenges facing the power sector in the country.
BREAKING NEWS: Chinese government delivers access to satellite TV for 1,000 Nigerian villages
The generation companies, under the aegis of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) In a statement on Monday, threatened total shut down except the Federal Government addresses the challenges they are facing.
The Executive Secretary of APGC, Dr. Joy Ogaji, in the statement, explained that the recent decline in available generation capability could be traced to the various challenges experienced by the Gencos in the electricity market.
According to Ogaji, the challenges included liquidity issues, power rejection by the electricity distribution companies and gas constraints due to the sorry state of the market.
“Few of the thermal power plants were out due to planned maintenance, which is allowed in the sector. The decline was not an act of rebellion by the Gencos neither was it deliberate but was beyond their control.
“This should serve as a wake-up call to the Federal Government to the goings-on in the industry with regards to the Gencos and if the actions are not taken by the necessary agencies, Gencos will be forced to shut down business”, Ogaji said.
Available data from the association, showed that available generation capability plunged to 5,207.57 megawatts in December from 7,238.12MW in November, while average generation rose slightly to 4,162.47MW from 4,093.76MW
“Afam Power Plc (Afam VI Gas/Steam), GT12, 13 and ST10 power plants were shut down for a period of about 16 days due to planned maintenance that was carried out by the gas suppliers on their facilities. Although Afam Power Plc was duly notified about the maintenance, it resulted in a reduction of Afam’s available generation capability from about 490MW to zero.”
She further disclosed that during the period, most power plants built under the National Integrated Power Project, including Alaoji, Sapele, Olorunsogo, and Omotosho, suffered from gas constraints.
“Some of the companies’ generation capability dropped to zero due to the outage of their power plants which was as a result of gas constraints”, Ogaji said.
According to her, gas supply to Alaoji NIPP was cut off by the gas suppliers due to the firm’s inability to pay for gas while Jebba Power Station’s generation capability reduced by about 110MW to 360MW due to low load demand.
She further stated that the reduction in demand by Discos also affected Egbin and Omoku power plants.
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Agriculture
Customs Reiterates Commitment to Improve Border Security Using Smart Technology
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Author: Abass Quadri.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reiterated the service’s commitment to using smart border technology to enhance regional security.
The CGC made this statement at the West Africa Border Security Week held in Lagos on Tuesday, 3 September 2024.
The Customs Chief, who was represented by Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, in charge of the Apapa Area Command, said that the service is meeting the demands of border protection.
He stated, “The conduct of Time Release Studies and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection technology have ensured that we can meet the demands of our border protection.
“Implementing this smart border technology in West Africa will also require a collaborative effort from governments, international organisations, and stakeholders to address the unique challenges and needs of the region.”
Regarding synergy with sister agencies, the CGC noted that numerous illicit items have been intercepted in recent months with the assistance of relevant security agencies.
“Regarding smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a series of arms and ammunition. Just two months ago, we recorded 10 containers at Onne ports, as well as some at other ports,” he emphasised.
For her part, Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration Mosunmola Onilade stated that effective interagency coordination is not only desirable but essential for reducing wasteful overlap and unnecessary rivalry.
According to her, an interagency approach to crime prevention and control, as well as in preventing irregular migration, is not only imperative but very urgent. “We cannot allow rivalry between stakeholders to affect our work, which would jeopardise our national security.”
A paper was presented by the Assistant Provost Marshal, Customs Police Unit Zone ‘A’, AC Tasiu Sanusi, on the topic: “Illicit Trade and Its Implications on Border Security: The Role of the Nigeria Customs Service.”
Customs Corner
Governor Zulum Visits Comptroller General of Customs, Emphasises Collaboration on Border Security, Trade Facilitation
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Author: Folusho Adeogun.
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, earlier today, Friday, August 16, 2024, to express gratitude for the Nigeria Customs Service’s continued support to the State in the aspect of trade facilitation and border security.
During the meeting, Governor Zulum acknowledged the strategic importance of Borno State, which shares borders with three countries. He emphasised the need for strategic collaboration to enhance security and trade within the State.
He further expressed his appreciation to the CGC and the Nigeria Customs Service for their unwavering support in addressing the unique challenges faced by Borno State. “We are grateful for the dedication and assistance the Nigeria Customs Service has provided to Borno State. Our borders with Cameroon, Chad, and Niger require robust management, and we are keen to strengthen our relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure the safety and prosperity of our state,” Governor Zulum stated.
In response, Comptroller General Adeniyi expressed his appreciation for Governor Zulum’s visit and reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to supporting Borno State. “We appreciate the support we have received from Borno State in carrying out our core responsibilities. The Customs Service is committed to enhancing and facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring the protection of our borders,” CGC Adeniyi assured.
The meeting concluded with Governor Zulum extending an invitation to the CGC to visit Borno State, emphasising the importance of building on the existing partnership between the state and the Nigeria Customs Service.
Customs Corner
Customs Chief Showcases N1.8B Worth of Seized Expired Drugs, Warns Against Dangerous Imports
![](https://news.ncbn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG-20240816-WA0012.jpg)
Author: Lucy Nyambi.
The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has showcased tramadol seizures, expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products worth N1.8 billion at Apapa Port.
The CGC, who showcased the items during a press briefing on Thursday, 15 August 2024, highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) resolve to prevent any importation that could be detrimental to the health and well-being of Nigerians.
His words, “While our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade remains unwavering, we are equally dedicated to ensuring that any import consignment or export cargo transiting through our ports under customs control is thoroughly checked using our non-intrusive (scanning) measures and physical examinations where necessary”.
“Today, I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion. Aside from being expired, some of the seized drugs were imported without undergoing the necessary regulatory requirements, such as obtaining a National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number. We also have containers seized due to false declarations, ostensibly to evade duty payments, which amounts to smuggling”, he explained.
The Customs Boss noted that, in total, 12 containers were seized and in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.
In addition to the pharmaceutical products, there were two 40ft containers with 15,540 and 12,000 pieces of cutlasses and machetes. A total of 27,540 pieces of cutlasses and machetes were contained in the two containers.
The CGC advised port users to remain compliant and vowed to run importers of illicit items out of business.
“Port containers are on parade today, the owners of these truck containers, we are going to run them out of business and use them as a deterrent to others who still believe they can doubt our resilience and our commitment to rid Nigeria of dangerous products and prohibited items”, he stated.
He commended the response of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu and all his officers and men for responding adequately to the challenge he had thrown at them. “They have shown commitment and passion, and they have shown that they can indeed be counted when we are talking about patriotic Nigerians”.
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